NFL 2006: Houston Texans

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Houston Texans.)

The Houston Texans suffered through a 2-14 season in 2005, worst in the National Football League. Head coach Dom Capers was let go and former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was hired to lift the franchise up to respectability.

His first order of business was hiring former Green Bay head coach Mike Sherman as his assistant head coach and Troy Calhoun as offensive coordinator. With a new scheme and some key free agents added, the Texans brass hopes they can revive an offense that ranked 30th in the league last season.

The defensive side of the ball needed an overhaul too, so Richard Smith was hired as defensive coordinator. He changed the defense from a 3-4 to a more attacking 4-3 scheme. The Texans defense surrendered 431 points last season and finished dead last in total defense. The only way to go is up.

Offense: The new regime didn't win the hearts of the fans over when Mario Williams was drafted number one instead of Reggie Bush, but Texans owner Bob McNair has brought in some key free agents that may turn the tide for the Houston offense.

David Carr (2,488 yards, 14 touchdowns) returns at quarterback and the main concern for Kubiak is keeping him off his back. Carr was sacked an NFL high 68 times last season. Kubiak is hoping the new offense that's being put in will solve that.

The offense will have different blocking schemes. Carr will roll out and throw on the run more often, and he will run more in crucial situations. Kubiak has told his quarterback that if he thinks he can run for a first down on third-and-five, he should take off. Free agent Sage Rosenfels will be Carr's backup.

The running game is actually pretty solid. Domanick Davis (976 yards) returns as the feature back. Veteran Antowain Smith (659 yards) was signed away from New Orleans and along with Vernand Morency and rookie Wali Lundy will provide depth. Free agent Jameel Cook is the new fullback.

Houston lost Jabar Gaffney and Corey Bradford in free agency, but made up for it by signing Eric Moulds away from Buffalo. Moulds caught 81 passes for 816 yards last season and teamed with Andre Johnson (63-688) give the Texans a nice 1-2 combo. Jerome Mathis will be the number three receiver. Houston needed an offensive minded tight end and got it when Jeb Putzier (37-481) left Denver. Mark Bruener returns as the blocking tight end.

The offensive line needs to improve and soon. The Texans have given up the most sacks in the NFL for the past four seasons. This years group hopes to end that streak.

Mike Flanagan was signed away from Green Bay and gives the Texans a solid, veteran presence at center. Steve McKinney, last seasons starter, will be the backup. Fred Weary returns at guard, while Zach Weigert, a starter last year at right tackle, moves inside. David Loverne and rookie Charles Spencer are the backups. There's plenty of competition at tackle and nothing is set in stone. At the moment, Seth Wand is the starter at left tackle, while new acquisition Ephraim Salaam is on the right side. They'll be challenged throughout camp by Chester Pitts, Todd Wade and rookie Eric Winston.

Defense: All eyes will be on Mario Williams and they probably will be his whole career in Houston. The fans wanted Reggie Bush or hometown favorite Vince Young. Williams will be scrutinized like no other athlete in Houston history, but he should be up to the challenge. He has a chance to be a special football player.

The new 4-3 look finds Williams starting at one end opposite Antwaan Peek (six sacks) or Jason Babin. Last season both played linebacker in the 4-3, but are now going to be asked to become pass-rushing ends. Free agent N.D. Kalu and Robaire Smith provide depth. Seth Payne (58 tackles, four sacks) anchors the interior of the line and will be joined this season by former Ravens tackle Anthony Weaver.

Dashon Polk (93-3.5) operates in the middle, while Morlon Greenwood (112) will move to strong side linebacker with Shantee Orr (seven sacks) as the weak side backer. Free agent Sam Cowart and rookie Demeco Ryans will see action as well.

The secondary drastically needs to improve after managing only seven interceptions last season - worst in the NFL. Dunta Robinson has become a quality cornerback and Demarcus Faggins returns as the other starter. Phillip Buchanon is the nickel corner. Glenn Earl, who led the team with a whopping two interceptions, returns at free safety, while Jason Simmons gets the nod at strong safety.

Special Teams: Mathis was an All-Pro kick returner last season, averaging 28.6 yards a return. Buchanan is a respectable punt returner (8.4). The kicking game suffered some problems last season. Chad Stanley averaged only 38.8 yards a punt and will have some competition in the form of Filip Filipovic. Kris Brown scored 102 points last season, but was 26-of-34 in field goals. He was a disappointing 12-of-17 from the 30-39 range.

Outlook: Kubiak is an offensive whiz and he's put together a great coaching staff to help him. The guy is a winner, but this is his first head coaching job and there will be a learning curve. The Texans have major question marks on the offensive line and the defensive secondary that can't be solved in one year. Kubiak is a great choice and he will build a winner, but it'll take some time.

Prediction: The Texans will improve, but in the rough and tumble AFC, Houston will struggle for another year. The Texans will finish 5-11 or 6-10.

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