Welcome Total Sports Blog’s NFL Training Camp Previews. For the next 20 days we will continue to preview each team, and predict their records. The chances that we predict any of these records to be right drastically increases when Hook is writing the preview.
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Today’s Team: The Houston Texans (AFC South)
2013 Record: 2-14, riding a 14 game losing streak into 2014
Passing Leader: Matt Schaub 2310 YDS 10 TD 14 INT
Rushing Leader(s): Ben Tate 771 YDS 4 TD
Receiving leader: Andre Johnson 109 REC 1407 YDS 5 TD
Leading Tackler: Darryl Sharpton 87 Tackles
Sacks Leader: JJ Watt 10.5 Sacks
Int Leader: Johnathan Joseph 3 INT
FA losses: Bryan Braman LB, Owen Daniels TE, Tim Dobbins ILB, Andrew Gardner T, Lestar Jean WR, Danieal Manning SS, Joe Mays ILB, Brice McCain CB, Terrell McClain DT, Earl Mitchell NT, Sam Montgomery LB, Darius Morris T, Darryl Sharpton ILB, Antonio Smith DE, Ben Tate RB
FA signings: Andre Brown RB, Chris Clemons SS, Ryan Fitzpatrick QB, Kendrick Lewis FS, Ricardo Mathews DT, Jerrell Powe NT, Will Yeatman T
Unsigned FA: Ray Graham RB, Jonathan Grimes RB, Ryan Harris T, Willie Jefferson LB, Greg Jones FB, Deji Jarim RB, Wade Smith G, Chad Spann RB
Draft Picks:
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| RD | PK(OVR) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1(1) | Jadeveon Clowney | DE | South Carolina |
| 2 | 1(33) | Xavier Su’a-Filo | OG | UCLA |
| 3 | 1(65) | CJ Fiedorowicz | TE | Iowa |
| 3 | 19(83) | Louis Nix III | DT | Notre Dame |
| 4 | 35(135) | Tom Savage | QB | Pittsburgh |
| 6 | 1(177) | Jeoffrey Pagan | DE | Alabama |
| 6 | 5(181) | Alfred Blue | RB | LSU |
| 6 | 35(211) | Jay Prosch | FB | Auburn |
| 7 | 1(216) | Dre Hal | – | Vanderbilt |
| 7 | 41(256) | Lonnie Ballentine | – | Memphis |
A defense anchored by JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney is one to be reckoned with. The two could easily combine for over 20 sacks in 2014. It’s unfortunate for the Houston Texans that they also have to play offense during football games, as herein lies the issues they will face this season due to losses in free agency and ailing stars.
Unable to retain Ben Tate, the Texans are extremely weak at the running back position in terms of depth. Arian Foster seems to be on the decline as health issues continue to linger. Newly acquired free agent RB Andre Brown has bones made out of paper mache. Alfred Blue, a rookie drafted in the 6th round, is already slated as the #3 RB on the Texans’ depth chart, and will likely have to carry the load at some point this season when Arian Foster pulls a hammy and Brown gets fitted for a bionic leg. To make matters worse, their cornerstone wide receiver Andre Johnson has been dealing with injuries in training camp already. And I haven’t even begun to discuss the dire QB situation.
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Don’t get me wrong, I like Ryan Fitzpatrick. Any 10 year veteran starting in the NFL is doing something right. The only problem is, Fitzpatrick is entering his first season with the Texans and must develop a rapport with his receivers very quickly if the Texans want to succeed. If Andre Johnson is limited at all this season, DeAndre Hopkins becomes the #1 option. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s not necessarily a good thing, either.
The Texans should win a few games this season on defense alone. I give them a handful of wins purely based on the fact that they play Jacksonville and Tennessee two times each, and a mid-season layup against Cleveland. Expect the Texans to be drafting early again next year, though.
Prediction: 5-11
