Category Archives: houston texans

2012 NFL Team Preview: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans backed into the playoffs last season and lost QB Matt Schaub in the process. T.J. Yates and Jake Delhomme filled in at quarterback, but could only get them into the second round of the playoffs.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate are back to lead the ground attack, but two important pieces are not back in 2012, DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans. In 2011, the Texans were top-5 in both areas of defense. With the emergence of J.J. Watt and Connor Barwin, Williams and Ryans became expendable.

Is Houston a Super Bowl contender? Here is our 2012 NFL team preview for the Houston Texans.

2011 Win/Loss Record: 10-6

Key Additions: LB Bradie James, RB Justin Forsett, CB Alan Ball, P Donnie James, FB Moran Norris, DE Whitney Mercilus, WR DeVier Posey, OG Brandon Brooks, C Ben Jones, WR Keshawn Martin and DE Jared Crick.

Key Losses: DE Mario Williams, LB DeMeco Ryans, OT Eric Winston, QB Matt Leinart, K Neil Rackers, RB Derrick Ward, FB Lawrence Vickers, TE Joel Dressen, CB Jason Allen, QB Jack Delhomme, C Chris Myers and Matt Turk.

Non-Division Schedule: AFC East and NFC North

Fantasy Sleeper: WR Keshawn Martin – Jacoby Jones is no longer on the Texans and Martin will be taking over as their return specialist. He will not be in that role exclusively. He should play in the slot position or take over the 3rd wide receiver position if DeVier Posey has a rough training camp. Martin has even seen time with the first team during Texans training camp while Johnson is out with an injured groin.

Team Analysis: Let’s be real, it isn’t going to take much to win the AFC South. Indianapolis and Jacksonville are both really bad and Tennessee overachieved in 2011. The Texans could end up winning this division with an 8-8 record, but they are better than that. Schaub does have durability issues, but Foster and Tate are more than reliable if called upon to carry 40+ times combined in a game. On defense, they will miss the leadership from Williams and Ryans. The squad will be solid, but not outstanding. I like rookie Jared Crick to be a surprise this season. He will fit well next to Watt and Barwin. I loved him at Nebraska and was a steal as a fourth-round draft pick. Houston will win the division, but Schaub and Johnson will need to stay healthy for the entire year if they have any Super Bowl aspirations.

2012 Wins Over/Under Line: 9.5 (Prediction: OVER)

2012 Projected Win/Loss Record: 10-6

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By: TwitterButtons.com

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

It’s Time To Cut Ties With Bob Sanders

Bob Sanders made his first start since rupturing his left biceps tendon last season. He hasn’t played much for Indianapolis the last two seasons due to injury. He suffered another injury yesterday, this time it’s his elbow. The Colts have drafted well at defensive back the last few years and it could be time to cut their losses and trade or cut their defensive superstar.

I have been a broken record over the last 12 months and my stance has not changed. Sanders has only eight regular season starts over the last two season. Since he signed his 5-year/ $37.5 million deal with $20 million guaranteed in 2007, he has missed 27 of a possible 36 games, including playoffs. It would be an unpopular decision with other Colts fans if they did decide on letting Sanders go at some point. He was the main reason they won the Super Bowl a few seasons ago. The Colts have been pretty loyal to their stars over the years. They even gave former star, Edgerrin James, a Super Bowl ring, even though he left for Arizona the previous off-season.

The extent of Sanders’ injury is unknown, but both sides are being quiet about it, which is a red flag. The injury did not occur to the same left arm that kept him out last season. The play that Sanders suffered the injury wasn’t gruesome. You wouldn’t have even guessed that his elbow was what ended up being injured. Indianapolis should be able to fill the position. The Colts doesn’t have that much depth at safety with Melvin Bullitt filling in for Sanders over the last few seasons. Antoine Bethea is starting on the other side, but they also have young corners Jacob Lacey, Deshea Townsend, and Justin Tryon able to fill in, if needed.

The Colts run defense suffered with Sanders going out in the 1st quarter. Arian Foster went off for over 200 yards with a couple scores in victory. Indianapolis will have to focus on that and use their pass rush less. Mathis and Freeney go upfield too much and must stay back and play the run.

I hope Sanders can come back soon and play at a high level, but if he can’t stay on the field, the Colts will have to do something. I will keep my ears pressed against the wall and hopes I hear good news concerning his injury.

By: TwitterButtons.com

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.