Steve Slaton and Derrick Ward split carries with the first team after Foster came out. Also Ben Tate is eager to make an impact, LOL

The Texans figure to have one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks once again this year, with three thousand yard backs (Foster, Slaton, Ward) and a second year player who had high expectations coming out of Auburn, where he ran for more than a thousand yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior before proclaiming himself the best back in the nation.

RBs and LBs. Texans are as deep at both positions, as any team in the league this year.

SS should be the #3 back w/ AF out. And we might be deep at LB, but how many of them have experience at 3-4 system? And all of them are coming of an injury(DeMeco, Cushing, Williams, and Barwin.)

I've got a feeling Brooks Reed can have an immediate impact as a rookie if he's given playing time. The kid is special. But it's also time for Xavier Adibi to stop being injured and to step up his game. They didn't make an effort to re-sign Zac Diles because they've got confidence in the younger guys. It's going to be a great defensive rotation as long as nobody is injured. I think J.J. Watt has a chance to win defensive rookie of the year if he starts at defensive end and racks up a lot of sacks.

i dont think he's gonna get a lot of sacks in the 3-4, maybe im wrong.

I really wish Wade Phillips would just leave Mario Williams at defensive end and that way he can still draw a lot of defensive attention in the 3-4 defense. Mario Williams is such a beast he'd actually be able to play Nose Tackle as well as anybody on the current roster -- better than Earl Mitchell and Shaun Cody. He's already used to taking on multiple blockers which is what that position demands.

I'm still unsure how good he's going to be standing upright in a two-point stance at outside linebacker. I guess we'll find out pretty soon. He's lost a lot of weight and is quicker on his feet. He over-pursued the quarterback a lot of times at defensive end -- still managed an average of 11 sacks per season the past four years. Super Mario should be a 15 to 20-sack a year player if he excells like DeMarcus Ware did under Wade Phillips' scheme in Dallas.

I think J.J. Watt can get at least 8 sacks as a rookie. He's a high-motor player that finds a way to get it done. I hope he starts.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Aug 6 2011 01:49am

mario's been watching a lot of demarcus ware, i think he could be good as a 3-4 de, but i think he'll be a beast as olb. doubt he could do anything as a NT tho rofl.

maybe jj watt can get 8 sacks in about 3 years, not rookie year. i just hope he's more consistent than mario tho lol.

All it takes is a couple of big games to rack up the sacks. J.J. Watt was known to get them in bunches at Wisconsin.

Danieal Manning will probably become the best safety the Texans ever had. LOL, not saying much though. It's a tie between Bernard Pollard and Will Demps right now. Both of them had one big year in Houston. Hopefully Manning is around a longer time and plays well for his entire multi-year contract.



Manning is a weapon on special teams also. But Houston already has a lot of good returners.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Aug 6 2011 02:01am

Wouldn't even be a practice squad player in Colts lol!

Don't be silly. Manning is a solid player. 5-year career so far. One all-pro season with the Bears. He's versatile and better than the junk we've had in prior years at safety. He's a huge upgrade for the Texans and worth the money spent.

I'd rather the texans go after melvin bullitt than manning, but hopefully manning proves me wrong.