2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Current plan by position:

QB: Definitely could still use work. Thompson would be an ok starter, but not great. Luckily, it's a deep draft at QB. Chris Essex also remains a free agent option.

HB: Would like to find a backup to Mathis, but the Draft is terrible. Probably will get a low end free agent power back to compliment.

FB: I'm sure someone good will be there waiting post draft.

WR: Still needs work, although Greg Jennings at 77 OVR is still much better than that number, will probably sign him. Also a decent draft at the front end of WR.

TE: Can't do much with Warrick's contract. Markeith Jacobs is a new Vernon Davis in the Draft (87 catch, 93 speed, but low POT because the game hates Vernon Davis) Still, probably won't pick him high and might re-sign the man himself.

T:Would like to move Pape, because he sucks, but no one wants him. He'll likely be the backup this year.

G/C: Guard could be improved, only one guy who is in the middle of the Draft looks too impressive. Good tackles in the top part could be converted.

DE: Pretty well set here, Draft sucks at DE anyway.

DT: Read DE comments.

LB: Also read DE comments.

CB: Worries here, I don't trust Robinson's low speed to play CB, but I don't like him at S either, and Bowman sucks. Definitely need help at CB, Draft is respectable at CB.

S: Raines is solid, but I'd like to fix the FS spot with someone other than Robinson. If possible, Robinson would fit best as a nickel. Safety depth is eh.

K: Jason Duncan (97 KPW, 84 ACC) would be the guy if I drafted kicker. The best free agent has 93 KPW and I think 87 ACC.

P: Meh.

Up next, Draft board.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

I don't like this Draft that much, frankly, it's the weakest Draft I've ever seen. There is decent talent at the top, but basically nothing worth picking late.

Which leads to an interesting trade strategy. Here are the picks
1st (4)
2nd (36)
3rd (68)
4th (100)
6th (164)
7th (196)

Next season: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th.

Normally I'm all about trading down, but the bottom of this draft is SUCK. That being said, I'd still like to trade the 4 down a few spots if possible to get more picks. I might trade those lower end picks to try to pick twice in the 1st or 2nd.

Here is my Day 1 board.

#	POS	Name	Comparison	Grade
2	QB	Trent Rakestraw	Palmer	WANT
3	QB	Cody Withers	Bulger	WANT
5	LT	Mike McMichael	Clifton	Maybe
6	LT	Matthew Kent	J. Thomas	Solid
7	WR	Dominc Jordan	Calvin Johnson	WANT
10	HB	Darius Stallworth	Alexander	Maybe
13	WR	Tammrick Ford	Joe Horn	Solid
14	QB	Jeremy Suvak	Dilfer	Solid
15	TE	David McCooley	Shockey	Maybe
16	TE	Markeith Jacobs	Vernon Davis	Solid
18	CB	Angelo Bailey	Dunta Robinson	Maybe
19	WR	Anthony Revis	Housh	Solid
20	CB	Trevis Bush	Springs	Solid
26	LT	Aaron Carpenter	Staley	Maybe
27	FS	Patrick Gamble	Griffin	Solid
31	WR	Dex Dargan	Chad Johnson	Solid
32	WR	Derricus Nance	Muhammad	Maybe
34	CB	Jay Jay Williams	Dre Bly	Maybe
44	SS	Devron Ward	Huff	Maybe
54	QB	Antrelle Lynch	McNair	Maybe
60	LT	Ray Martin	Walter Jones	Solid
63	OLB	DeVaughn Ramsey	Thomas Davis	Maybe
68	QB	Michael Pridemore	Michael Robinson	Maybe
77	CB	Jason Feely	Shaun O'Hara	Solid
88	G	Rob Freelander	Steinbach	Solid

If Rakestraw were to fall to #4, I'd take him for sure. But I doubt it will happen and won't trade up. Withers has a weaker arm, but still 94 POT and could start right away. Oddly enough, Suvak, compared to Dilfer, has a 91 POT. Noodle arm but decent otherwise apparently. The other two QBs are speedsters who suck at passing, still worth a mention.

At WR, Jordan is the stud, but I would be perfectly solid with Revis (90 POT) or even Ford. (87 POT but still a good talent set, both he and Revis are possession guys) Dargan is a late 1st guy with 87 POT who also is all around solid and worth a look.

Jacobs at TE has a low potential (81) but that is because the game hates guys with low learning. Like his comparison, he's a FREAK, 93 SPD, 87 CTH. If I picked him he'd probably move to WR similar to the role Davis had in the past.

Corner may be a look, with Bush leading the way. GREAT physical talent, but dumb as a brick. If I go corner, he'd be the guy. Gamble at S is also a definite look, he'd be a great cover safety, if not CB. (88 POT at FS)

Only two guys even make my "Might take" list outside of the day 1 board. One is a MLB sleeper ranked 245, the other is a kicker. Very WEAK draft at the bottom. Should be interesting.

[milkman41]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Great to see you doing a chise again man, eager to see what you do with that draft.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Technical difficulties: The PS3 has decided that sound shouldn't exist at all. And switching to a different TV doesn't even read anything. Excuse me while I throw things at a wall.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

After day 1, the only word I can use to describe how I feel about the Draft is "disappointed' I've never been this frustrated or unimpressed by my Draft ability.

Seeing those above sentences, you wouldn't think that I would've gotten a franchise quarterback. That is the positive. Rakestraw went 1st as expected, followed by CB Angelo Bailey and FS Gabriel Jones (Jones is a super-uber mega bust, BTW)

To the 4th pick, only two teams were offering to trade, only one of meaning; the Eagles. The Eagles would've allowed me to move to the 7th pick, throw in a random pick later, and add a quarterback to my roster. A good balanced guy named Taylor Tannenbaum.

But after trying and trying, the Eagles weren't willing to sell Tannenbaum with the 7th, and then left negotiations. This left me stuck with the 4th overall pick. With the decision to make, I saw two choices. Either QB Cody Withers or WR Dominc Jordan.

In the end, the pick was made, and Cody Withers was welcomed in; the first time I've ever spent big on a QB. Withers is already great though, potential of 94 with already good accuracy, awareness, and learning. He'll be a great QB.

Next picked was TE Markeith Jacobs, the Davis clone, I was shocked to see him go this fast. Then a DE pick, a WR pick (Haddix, to my surprise, the speedster), LB, QB Lynch, and HB Stallworth.

Dominc Jordan was still available, the stud WR himself. I kept trying to trade in to get the guy, but couldn't find the spot. TE goes 11, a different WR, Ford, goes 12. Still trying. Carpenter (LT) goes 13, Gamble, the FS I loved, goes to the Chiefs. HB at 15. After trying my hardest, I saw that 16 was the breaking point.

The Chargers were up, and as hard as I tried, they just said "no." They took Jordan with the 16. At this point, the focus shifted to Trevis Bush, the only CB left that interested me. With secondary a major weakness, I wanted to move up to get him.

To pick 20, the Redskins were almost willing to take two players and a pick to get him. Almost. They said it just wasn't enough, and they took Bush, leaving not one guy in the secondary the rest of the DRAFT I felt worth taking. I swore loudly.

But there were still a few receivers I felt worth taking, namely Revis. Two more WRs went in front of him, getting to pick 30. I reasoned and reasoned with the Colts, trying to move up just a few spots. But they said no, and took Revis.

This left not one single player left available in day one that looked even remotely interesting.

Of course, the ability to move up easily finally appears after no one is worth taking. It gets to my pick, but I find no one worth picking, and I traded out to improve next year. The Bengals gave me a 2nd and 4th next year, plus a middling CB named Charles Knight. (80 OVR, nothing special, but still better than Bowman)

And I let the rest of day 1 play out. Like I said, disappointed. My WR group is still terrible. My secondary is still very flawed. Looking at free agency, Greg Jennings (76 OVR somehow) will probably be an add, plus Vernon Davis (!), so the WR situation could probably be fixed. But short of one sleeper DB in free agency (SS who I'd probably move to CB or at least FS), the secondary is in danger.

Oh well, at least I still got Withers. Here was round 1:

Pick	Player	Pos	Team			College
1	Trent Rakestraw	QB	Rams			Oklahoma
2	Angelo Bailey	CB	Panthers			Notre Dame
3	Gabriel Jones	FS	Seahawks			Virginia Tech
4	Cody Withers	QB	Texans			South Carolina
5	Markeith Jacobs	TE	Chiefs			Georgia
6	Durrell Jackson	RE	Bears			LSU
7	Napolean Haddix	WR	Eagles			West Virginia
8	Reggie Chambers	MLB	Falcons			Virginia
9	Antrelle Lynch	QB	Jets			Liberty
10	Darius Stallworth	HB	Steelers			Alabama
11	Renaldo Newton	TE	Patriots (From JAC)			Ohio State
12	Tammrick Ford	WR	Bengals			Florida
13	Aaron Carpenter	LT	Vikings			Wake Forest
14	Patrick Gamble	FS	Chiefs (From TB)			Washington State
15	Cornelius Holliday	HB	Titans			Michigan State
16	Dominc Jordan	WR	Chargers			Michigan
17	Jay Jay Williams	CB	Browns			Georgia Southern
18	Darnell Jefferson	CB	Cowboys			Maryland
19	Matthew Kent	LT	Jaguars (From NE)			Oklahoma
20	Trevis Bush	CB	Redskins			Kentucky
21	David McCooley	TE	Broncos			Miami
22	Mike McMichael	LT	Lions			Fresno State
23	D.J. Crumpington	DT	Bills			Clemson
24	Cornell Spann	HB	49ers			North Texas
25	Demorrio Willis	LOLB	Packers			Boston College
26	Jeremy Suvak	QB	Panthers (From BAL)			Tulsa
27	Antonine Florence	CB	Raiders			Michigan
28	Dex Dargan	WR	Cardinals			Texas A&M
29	Quentin McFadden	WR	Saints			Auburn
30	Anthony Revis	WR	Colts			Georgia Tech
31	Jamil Deas	LE	Giants			USC
32	Kameron Haley	ROLB	Dolphins			USC

Picks as of now:

3rd (68)
4th (100)
6th (164)
7th (196)
1st
2nd
2nd	CIN
3rd
4th	CIN
7th

I'll probably trade down, because frankly, I see only 3 players left ENTIRELY that I have interest in. Easily, the suckiest Draft I've ever seen on this game. There is a G, Rob Freelander, who I really like. He's probably going to go mid 3rd, so we'll see how that plays out. The other two guys are the kicker, Duncan, and a LB named Hibbert who will probably go sometime really late.

Well, here's to trying to stockpile picks next year. Ugh, this draft blows.

[milkman41]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Ouch, that sucks man.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

There were very few players worth going after in day 2, in my opinion. However, I was able to move down in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, and ultimately got the few guys I wanted. I was forced into picking in the 6th and 7th, one choice was a guy I really wanted, the other was kinda eh.

Final Draft results:

Rd	Pick #	Name	Pos
1	4	Cody Withers	QB
3	17	Rob Freelander	LG
5	3	Jason Duncan	K
6	4	Dimitrius Hibbert	MLB
7	4	Dana Riggs	HB

Five players, that is just depressing. Oh well, here's the word.

Withers as I mentioned is the franchise QB. His only downfall is average arm strength, but he already has high 80's accuracy and awareness and good learning, with a potential of 94. He's probably good enough to start now over Thompson.

Freelander was the one later guard I liked, and I moved down to get him. He's a very balanced lineman who should stick around for a bit.

Jason Duncan is the kicker, like always, I love big legged kickers, with a power of 97, he has that. His accuracy is crap (84), but the best free agent had the same accuracy with less leg, and I think Serna was similar before trading him.

Hibbert was compared to no one and had very good all around ability for an unknown. He'll likely compare to Trey McNamara from my Dolphins teams, and with Beck's deal up at the end of the year, he might be starting by year 2.

Riggs was a RB compared to Jamal Lewis...nothing terribly special. He might not make the final roster.

My undrafted guys were Will Dutton, a meh DE. Tyler McCray, a decent WR perhaps (Muhammad comparison undrafted, not bad), Colton Randall, a punter. (Compared to Flynn, but had 93 power, which beat my current and free agent...we'll see how bad his accuracy is), Lamar Ball, an unknown CB, and Eric Maples, an unknown DE.

Could've been better, but could've been worse. My draft next year:

1st
2nd
2nd	CIN
3rd
4th	CIN
4th	BUF
5th	SEA
7th
7th	CLE
7th	BUF

Not quite as loaded, but much better than I started with.

[tbasket20]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

im glad to c u start this up again...i enjoyed both your 49ers and dolphins dynasty. good luck turning the texans around!

[rdnk]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

I've always found it tough to trade back into the first without giving up the house is more or less impossible. I've moved up once (Martin McPeek ) but it was like 8 spots, so it wasn't like you going from early second to mid first.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The glitch still exists, so to try to work through I have to cancel practices. Boy, that's just great for playbook knowledge. Preseason games will be important I guess.

I'll post a final roster if I can get through the preseason. I will say I had to cut Dunta Robinson to save cap. I also traded for Daniel Lawrence (A young CB on my Dolphins) for low picks, signed a former slot WR with the 49ers (Casper Greer) and still waiting for the chance to bring back Vernon Davis

Also, my schedule is brutal. On top of the rough division, NFC East and AFC East. Oh, and guess who my week 1 game is on the road?

Miami Dolphins. Oh, the irony!

1	at Miami
2	at Steelers
3	Redskins
4	at Colts
5	Eagles
6	Colts
7	at Jaguars
8	Bills
9	Bye
10	at Titans
11	Jaguars
12	at Giants
13	at Patriots
14	at Cowboys
15	Jets
16	Titans
17	Chiefs

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Final Roster

POS	Name	OVR	Salary	Yrs left	Age	Season	Penalty	Notes
QB	Cody Withers	81	9.1 M	5	22	R	10.0 M	Starting QB
QB	Drew Thompson	79	5.1 M	2	31	8	2.0 M	Backup QB
QB	Carmelo Goldwire	71	600 K	1	26	4	None	Developmental/Backup HB?
HB	Tanard Mathis	89	8.8 M	1	28	7	1.3 M	Starting HB
HB	Dana Riggs	75	260 K	3	22	R	None	Backup HB
HB	Wayne Snider	74	1.1 M	1	29	5	750 K	Reserve HB
HB	Mookie Hawkins	68	360 K	1	23	1	None	Reserve HB
FB	Ahmard Hall	85	1.0 M	1	36	13	None	Starting FB
WR	Bryant Holyfield	85	1.7 M	3	24	2	None	Starting WR
WR	Kendrell Kennison	77	900 K	1	30	9	None	Starting WR
WR	Casper Greer	71	720 K	1	30	7	None	4th String WR
WR	Tyler McCray	72	290 K	1	23	R	None	Reserve WR
WR	Greg Jennings	77	900 K	1	33	12	None	Slot WR
TE	Torrin Warrick	77	1.9 M	5	24	2	4.2 M	Backup TE
TE	Vernon Davis	77	900 K	1	33	12	None	Starting TE
TE	Brock Whitmore	70	650 K	1	26	2	None	Reserve TE
T	Kortlin King	95	5.2 M	3	25	2	None	Starting LT
T	Rondell Owens	90	5.6 M	5	29	9	5.0 M	Starting RT
T	Shane Olivea	82	1.0 M	1	34	14	None	Primary Backup T
T	Rick Coles	76	690 K	2	24	1	340 K	Reserve T
G	Rob Freelander	86	470 K	3	24	R	None	Starting LG
G	Jeromey Clary	85	2.2 M	1	33	12	1.3 M	Starting RG
G	Emmanuel Gibson	81	1.6 M	5	24	1	4.2 M	Primary Backup G
G	Ray Abrams	69	250 K	1	25	1	None	Roster Fill
C	Twan Hastings	86	2.0 M	1	32	9	None	Starting C
DE	Bennie Quinn	84	3.6 M	3	25	2	4.5 M	Starting DE
DE	Mario Williams	91	7.2 M	4	32	12	14.7 M	Starting DE
DE	Jay Jay Easley	71	250 K	1	25	2	180 K	Roster Fill
DE	Will Dutton	78	290 K	1	23	R	None	Reserve DE
DE	Eric Maples	84	290 K	1	23	R	None	Backup DE
DT	Vontae Hall	87	6.8 M	4	23	1	14.4 M	Starting DT
DT	Donald Worthy	82	1.3 M	2	25	2	500 K	#2 4-3 DT
DT	Orien Williams	79	1.6 M	2	30	7	1.7 M	Bad Contract/Reserve DT
OLB	Nate Branch	87	4.1 M	2	26	3	3.0 M	Starting OLB
OLB	Jarius Curtis	80	1.9 M	4	28	5	3.3 M	TERRIBLE contract
OLB	Pat Kingston	72	280 K	1	25	2	180 K	Roster Fill
OLB	Dan Connor	83	870 K	1	32	10	None	Starting OLB
MLB	Eric Buckley	78	510 K	3	25	3	520 K	Reserve LB
MLB	Chase Beck	89	6.5 M	1	33	9	2.3 M	Starting MLB
OLB	Dimitrius Hibbert	81	200 K	3	23	R	None	Primary Backup LB
MLB	Lamont Oden	80	1.0 M	5	30	6	1.0 M	Starting ILB
CB	Brandon Biggs	87	6.2 M	4	30	8	11.2 M	Starting CB
CB	Charles Knight	80	1.9 M	2	26	5	None	Dime CB
CB	Daniel Lawrence	84	260 K	1	24	2	None	Starting CB
CB	Lamar Ball	78	290 K	1	23	R	None	Reserve DB
CB/S	Zack Bowman	79	2.9 M	4	32	10	3.7 M	Backup S/Bad Contract
CB/S	Ahmad Larkins	79	900 K	1	26	2	None	Nickel CB
FS	Marcus Lopez	81	900 K	1	31	8	None	Starting FS
SS	Sanrick Raines	86	4.6 M	3	32	9	6.5 M	Starting SS
SS	Tom Zbikowski	76	900 K	1	32	10	None	Backup S
K	Jason Duncan	84	240 K	3	23	R	None
P	Colton Randall	74	290 K	1	23	R	None

Overall, not a bad team considering what I had to start with. Unfortunately, ALL of the power is in the AFC (Colts, Dolphins, Patriots, Ravens, Broncos, Raiders) so it's going to be a tough conference to win.

Ironically, my first opponent is the Dolphins. As mentioned on that thread, they basically have the same beast roster. Perhaps the biggest weakness exploitable is Gruden's Tampa 2, in the past I've had success against the Cover 2.

I'm not sure what I expect out of game 1. Should be interesting.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Week 1: Return to Miami

It was a rainy day in Miami, like always. The Dolphins won the toss and elected to kick, meaning the Texans rookie QB Cody Withers would be tested immediately in his first game. The Texans started and slowly started moving down the field, getting around midfield. But the drive would end abruptly as Kendrell Kennison would fumble the ball, forced and recovered by Sweeley.

Off of that, it wouldn't take Miami long. 3 plays later, Andre Maxwell was uncovered and he would get a 26 yard touchdown from Scotland giving the Dolphins an early 7-0 lead.

But the Texans would respond with a great drive. A balanced attack led them 80 yards on 11 plays and the Texans would tie it up with a 2 yard TD pass from Withers to Vernon Davis. 7-7.

To the 2nd, Miami would be forced to punt twice, Houston once, and then the Texans started to drive again, making their way into the red zone. But that drive would also end abruptly. A mis-communication on a pass to Tanard Mathis led to the ball easily floating into the hands of DeMeco Ryans.

Two turnovers.

But Miami would do nothing and end up punting the ball, placing it at the 4 with 1:25 left. The Texans would punt, and Miami would get right on the edge of field goal range, but get sacked out of it, forcing a heave at the end of the half that didn't work. 7-7 at halftime.

Miami started with it and had to punt again, and the Texans, whose passing game had been solid, moved near the red zone. But Kendrell Kennison would fumble the ball again, forced and recovered by Ryans.

3 turnovers.

Miami would punt, Houston would have a 3 and out, and the game was still 7-7 going into the 4th.

Miami would quickly take the lead in the 4th quarter, however. On the second play of a drive, Skyler Cofield would make a catch one-on-one, and break the tackle, taking off for a 71 yard touchdown. 14-7 Dolphins.

The Texans would look good to start their next drive, getting to about the 30 yard line. But this time, Greg Jennings, who had replaced Kennison as the #2 WR, fumbled the ball, forced by Sweeley, recovered by Ryans.

4 turnovers.

But the Texans defense held strong, forcing a 6th punt of the day. With 8 minutes to go, the Texans led a drive down the field, and this time it was turnover free. 7 plays, 64 yards, ending in a 23 yard pass to Bryant Holyfield, and the Texans were tied with the Champs, 14-14.

Miami's next drive would be singlehandedly ruined by Justin Grooms, who was surprisingly the starting TE over Antonio Gates. A holding penalty and two drops forced Miami into punting, giving the Texans the ball with 4 minutes left.

And then disaster struck.

Withers, who had been excellent all game, forced a bad pass into double coverage, that bounced off the hands of Brodney Pool and into the hands of Jonathan James. James would take it 44 yards to the endzone, touchdown Dolphins, 21-14.

5 turnovers.

With about 3 minutes left, the game was still not out of reach. But the first play of the next drive, Withers would throw another ill-advised pass, intercepted by Arnez Soriano.

6 turnovers.

The Dolphins, who had been stuffed all game, tried 3 straight runs, and lost 6 yards, appearing to be knocked just out of field goal range.

Facemask, automatic first down.

The Dolphins would get their field goal, taking a 24-14 lead with 2 minutes to go.

With time running down, the Texans passed down the field, but the strategy of holding all 3 timeouts in case of a score would fail, as C Twan Hastings would get injured, forcing a timeout. (Hastings suffered a ruptured spleen, and is IR'd) By the time they got close, there was about 15 seconds left. And then for good measure, Withers threw one more interception. Jahmar Sweeley caught it, and ended the game with a 99 yard touchdown.

7 turnovers. Final score, 31-14.

Withers was 25-37, 406 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT. He had been great until those last few minutes. Run game sucked, Mathis only could get 51 on 20 carries. Holyfield had 158 on 6 with a TD, Davis had 110 on 9 and a TD. Lamont Oden and Chase Beck each had 2 sacks.

Scotland was 13-26, 260, 2 TD. Brewington was held to 26 yards on 18 carries. Cofield had 146 on 5 with a TD.

Obviously, when you turn the ball over 7 times, you are guaranteed to lose. But the game was much closer than the score would indicate. I didn't really expect to win this game, but it kills me that I hung with them until the last 4 minutes, despite the 3 earlier turnovers. I was RIGHT in that game.

Disappointing to say the least, but the team is talented, and hopefully can avoid mistakes.

As mentioned, Hastings is out of the year with a ruptured spleen. Because I don't like my backup options, I signed Dan Koppen in free agency to take over the starting center role. Also, FB Ahmard Hall got hurt, he may miss the next game against the Steelers.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Week 2 is at Pittsburgh, who lost their first game. They are still coached by Mike Tomlin, despite the fact that in my 11 seasons, they have been largely irrelevant.

QB: Ben Rapistberger (Allegedly) (88)
HB: Earnest Graham (78)
FB: Ronnie Foster (73)
WR: Marshawn Yancey (84) James Jones (78)
TE: Zach Miller (82)
T: Jamaal Zimmerman (91) Zephaniah Smith (84)
G: Mike Buck (87) Shelton Boxer (81)
C: Darick Higgins (87)

DE: Roy Yardley (83) Byron Griffey (83)
NT: Mario Fletcher (87)
OLB: LaMarr Woodley (87) Kenrick Taylor (78)
MLB: Arnold Alexaner (82) Jamal Brickley (78)
CB: Jaleel Ambrose (85) Levell Bellamy (83)
S: Gerald Gleaton (81) Troy Polamalu (90)

Overall, a very average looking team. Ahmard Hall (FB) will miss the game due to injury, with no worthwhile replacement in free agency at FB, RT Shane Olivea will be FB for a day.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

Week 2 at Pittsburgh

Another rainy day, and this had a rough start. The first drive was a 3 and out, thanks to two dropped passes. After getting it back, a 13 play drive got to the 8 yard line, only for Duncan to shank the field goal. 0-0 after 1.

But the game quickly got lopsided. Pittsburgh had ZERO first downs in the 1st half. The Texans got a touchdown on a 7 play drive, ending in a short pass to TE Brock Whitmore. One play later, Sanrick Raines would get an INT, setting up a 15 yard TD pass to Kennison. After another punt, Duncan would make a 48 yarder (Go figure, he makes the difficult but not the easy) and then after ANOTHER punt, 5 play, 59 yard drive ending in a TD pass to Holyfield, 24-0 at the half.

The first play of the 3rd for the Steelers was intercepted by Brandon Biggs, who would take it 29 yards to the endzone to make it 31-0. The Steelers would then finally get a first down, and put together a 14 play drive down inside the 10, but they were stopped on 4th down. Steelers would throw two more INTs, both by Charles Knight, 34-0 was the final.

Withers would go 14-20, 173, 3 TD. Run game was alright, Mathis had 64 yards on 17 carries. Hawkins as the #2 isn't working, he was 4 yards on 5 carries. However, putting 3rd QB Carmelo Goldwire at HB netted 19 yards on 6 carries. Hmmmmm. Holyfield had 6 catches for 93 and a TD. Dan Connor led the D with 7 tackles, 3 sacks, Knight had 2 INT.

Ben ended up 16-27, 151 yards, 4 INT, sacked 6 times. Graham was 15 on 9 carries, Stallworth had 22 on 3.

Steelers were not a challenge at all, it's kinda funny how they suck on this game with Tomlin. Oh well. 1-1 now, up next is the 0-2 Redskins.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: 2018 Onward: Turning the Houston Texans Into a Winner

The Redskins are led by first year coach Ron Rivera, looking at the playbook info, they run a pretty basic offense while running a cover 2 defense.

QB: Matt Rheem (87)
HB: Duvall Manningham (83)
FB: Aundre Kerry (74)
WR: Khevin Mosley (85) Darrien Crane (77)
TE: Ricardo Spivey (84)
T: Vernon Kennedy (92) Brent Burton (88)
G: Devin Tate (86) Trace Potter (93)
C: Jeremy Dahl (95)

DE: Deon Drumm (87) Luis Castillo (90)
DT: Montrae Evans (86) Allan Cherry (78)
LB: Grant Walker (77) Terry Bunning (84) Adam Warner (87)
CB: Fabian Mathis (84) Trevis Bush (80)
S: LaRon Landry (92) Dawan Landry (84) (Heh, pair of brothers at S)

On paper they appear slightly above average. I usually can do decently against Cover-2 teams, we'll see if that trend continues.