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2009 Houston Texans Season Preview
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2010 Houston Texans Preview | 2010 NFL Team Previews
Things are looking good with the 2009 Houston Texans Season Preview.The Texans are coming off two straight 8-8 seasons and look to poised to have the franchises first winning record and make a push toward the playoffs. They have added some defensive players in the offseason which addresses the team's weakness as their offense has improved for four straight years now. Gary Kubiak is returning for his fourth year as Head Coach for the Texans. He has seen his team improve in the last four years but has made some major changes in the coaching staff trying to improve the team's defense. Last year Frank Bush was Houston's Senior Defensive Assistant but has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator for the 2009 Houston Texans season. On offense Kyle Shanahan is the Texans Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. He will be expected to continue the offensive success the Texans have shown in recent years.
Other 2009 Houston Texans Team Related Pages
2009 Houston Texans Schedule | 2009 AFC South Preview
2009 AFC Conference Preview
2009 Houston Texans Free Agency And TradesThe 2009 Houstan Texans Free Agency and Trades led to the joining of Defensive Tackle Shaun Cody coming over from the Detroit Lions. Cody was a disappointment in Detroit but maybe a change of scenery can resurrect his career. Linebacker Cato June formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was also added by Houston this offseason. June will add depth at the linebacking core but will most likely not be a starter. Another addition to the defense, Defensive End Antonio Smith was also signed coming over from the Arizona Cardinals. Smith plays very well against the run and should really help improve this defense. Linebackers Rosevelt Colvin and Buster Davis were also signed adding even more depth at the position. These additions through free agency this offseason should definitely improve what was a poor defense for the Texans a year ago. Former Detroit Lion Dan Orlovsky was signed along with former Chicago Bears QB Rex Grossman. The two will compete to backup starting QB Matt Schaub. The Texans like their offseason acquisitions and hope it will be enough to get them into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
2009 Houston Texans NFL DraftThe 2009 Houston Texans NFL Draft led to Texans selecting USC LB Brian Cushing with the 15th selection in this years draft. Cushing should step in right away and start at Outside Linebacker. The coaches have been wanting to get bigger, stronger, and meaner on the outside and Cushing seems to be a perfect fit for what they have wanted at that position. In the second round the Texans selected Defensive End Connor Barwin out of Cincinnati with the 46th overall selection. Barwin will help give the Texans some depth up front. In the third round the Texans selected Antoine Caldwell from Alabama with the 77th overall selection. Caldwell is a versatile player who can step right in and play either Center or Right Guard for the Texans if he is called upon. New Mexico Cornerback Glover Quin was chosen at the 112th overall selection in the 4th round. Tight End Anthony Hill from North Carolina State was the 122nd overall selection also in the 4th round. In the 5th round the Texans chose another Tight End when selecting Rice's James Casey at the 152nd overall selection. Defensive Back Brice McCain out of Utah was selected in the 6th round as the 188th overall selection. Safety Troy Nolan was the Texans final draft pick in this draft going in the 7th round at the 223rd overall selection.
2009 Houston Texans QuarterbacksHealth will be the biggest concern for QB Matt Schaub in the 2009 season. He has missed five games each of the last two years with injury. He has all the tools to become an elite Quarterback in this league coming into his third year season as a starter. He is accurate, confident, stays calm under pressure, is a good decision maker under center and will be one of the 2009 Houston Texans Quarterbacks to keep and eye out for. Schuab is also well liked and respected by his fellow teammates. He is coming off a career best 92.7 quarterback rating last year. If he can remain on the field Schaub will have a career year in 2009. The Texans have signed Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman who will compete to backup Schaub as the No.2 QB.
2009 Houston Texans Running Backs
Coming off of an excellent rookie campaign Steve Slaton should have an excellent addition to the 2009 Houston Texans Running Backs. Slaton rushed for a team high 1282 yards and gained 1659 yards from scrimmage in the 2008 NFL Season. Slaton is an explosive runner who is also very elusive, with the speed to break off long runs at a time. Slaton also showed that he can be an effective blocker in the passing game. Houston has an excellent back in Slaton and are expecting another great year following Slaton's phenomenal rookie performance. Ryan Moats and Chris Brown are the two backs behind Slaton. Both are very serviceable backups for when Slaton needs a breather. Should Slaton go down, or have to deal with the sophomore jinx, it would be Moats and Brown picking up the slack. Houston must get another solid performance from their backfield in order to open things up for Schaub and the 2009 Houston Texans offense. Should that happen, the Texans may have a shot to compete for second in the AFC South.
2009 Houston Texans Wide Receivers 
Houston's Andre Johnson led the AFC in 2008 with 115 catches for 1575 yards earning him his third Pro Bowl selection. He has proven that he is now one of the NFL's best receivers and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. Kevin Walter is the Texans other starting wide receiver who racked up 899 yards as the No.2 WR a season ago. Also part of this group are Wide Receivers Andre Davis, David Anderson, and Jacoby Jones. This is a talented and deep group of receivers that Houston has coming into the season. Owen Daniels had 70 catches for 862 yards out of the Tight End position earning him his first Pro Bowl selection. With two Tight Ends drafted in this draft the Texans are plenty deep at this position as well. The receiving unit for Houston will be a big strength for this team for the 2009 season and we are looking forward to seeing what the 2009 Houston Texans Wide Receivers have in store for us.
2009 Houston Texans Offensive LineLeft Guard Chester Pitts and Right Tackle Eric Winston adapted well to the Texans zone blocking system from a season ago and are the team's best blockers up front. 2008 first round pick Duane Brown started every game a season ago but must improve and now allow as many sacks in 2009. Center Chris Myers struggled early in 2008 not being able to handle the larger 3-4 Nosetackles he faced. He will have to improve his strength and leverage going into this season. This years third round draft pick Antoine Caldwell is a versatile player who can play both Center or Right Guard and will be a huge asset to the 2009 Houston Texans Offensive Line. If Myers or Right Guard Mike Brisiel struggle Caldwell may move into a starting role.
2009 Houston Texans Defensive Line
Mario Williams has accounted for 26 sacks over the last two seasons. Williams is finally starting to live up to the expectations that came with the Houston Texans deciding to take him No.1 overall in the 2006 draft, over Reggie Bush, who ended up falling into the New Orleans Saints' hands. Williams earned a Pro Bowl selection last year and is appearing to be one of the top pass rushers in the league. Even though the pass rush is his specialty, Williams is also a solid run stopper as well. Defensive Tackle Amobi Okoye will need to improve on his sub-par performance from a season ago and live up to the expectations Houston has for him. Though Okoye is still very young, the Texans have big plans for this DT. Free Agent signees Antonio Smith and Shaun Cody along with this years 2nd round pick Connor Barwin add depth to the 2009 Houston Texans Defensive Line.
2009 Houston Texans Linebackers
The Linebacker spot was a weakness a season ago and Houston addressed this by selecting USC's Brian Cushing with the 16th pick in this years draft. Middle Linebacker DeMeco Ryans has proven to be the Texans most consistent LB of the past few years. The free agent signing of Tampa Bay's Cato June gives the Texans another much needed playmaker at this position and a very valuable part of the 2009 Houston Texans Linebackers. Buster Davis and Rosevelt Colvin add even more depth to the Texans 2009 Linebacking unit.
2009 Houston Texans SecondaryThe Texans placed the franchise tag on Cornerback Dunta Robinson this offseason which he was not too happy about. He threatened to skip off season workouts and maybe even some of the season. When on the field, Robinson is one of the best young cover men in the game with great ball skills. Along with Robinson the Texans other Cornerback Jacques Reeves is also a solid coverman and gives them two skilled players at this position. The Safety position for the Texans is a weak spot and many expected Houston to target this position early in this years draft which they did not. Nick Ferguson and Eugene Wilson enter the season as the starters and will need to improve on their play from a season ago
2009 Houston Texans Draft Picks
Round 1: Pick 15 - Brian Cushing LB (USC)
Round 2: Pick 46 - Connor Barwin DE (Cincinnati)
Round 3: Pick 77 - Antoine Caldwell OL (Alabama)
Round 4: Pick 112 - Glover Quin CB (New Mexico)
Round 4: Pick 122 - Anthony Hill TE (N.C. State)
Round 5: Pick 152 - James Casey TE (Rice)
Round 6: Pick 188 - Brice McCain DB (Utah)
Round 7: Pick 223 - Troy Nolan S (Arizona State)
| 2009 Houston Texans Free Agency Acquisitions and Trades |
Shaun Cody from Detroit Lions - Defensive Tackle
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Cato June from Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Linebacker
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Antonio Smith from Arizona Cardinals - Defensive End
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Dan Orlovsky from Detroit Lions - Quarterback
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Rosevelt Colvin unrestricted free agent - Linebacker |
Buster Davis unrestricted free agent - Linebacker |
Rex Grossman from Chicago Bears - Quarterback |
| 2009 Houston Texans Free Agency Losses and Trades |
C.C. Brown to New York Giants - Strong Safety |
Will Demps free agent - Free Safety |
Demarcus Faggins to Tennessee Titans - Cornerback |
Sage Rosenfels to Minnesota Vikings - Quarterback (Trade) |
Morlon Greenwood free agent - Linebacker |
Ephram Salaam to Detroit Lions - Offensive Tackle |
Anthony Weaver free agent - Defensive End |
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