As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game
being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from
different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that
notion.
Though the Houston Texans have only existed since 2002, the NFL game
has still changed on some fronts in that short span. The Texans missed the
playoffs in their first nine seasons from 2002-2010 but have reached the
postseason six times in the last nine campaigns. However, the franchise has
never reached the AFC championship game.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. For my Dream Team
series, I generally require at least four years of service with the team. Since
the Texans have yet to exist for two decades, for now, I’m requiring only
two years. Suffice it to say, this team is filled out in pencil.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-Pro
seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely.
Generational reminders
All eras matter. Being on a Texans team that made the postseason does not
get you a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level
performers get considered.
Since the Texans have only existed for 18 years, there is not enough quality
for honorable mention at every position. To that point, on offense, I’m
taking enough receivers to play four, enough running backs to have a change
of pace and enough tight ends to play two. On defense, I want enough
defensive linemen and linebackers to bounce between a 3-4 and 4-3 and
enough defensive backs to play dime coverage.
OFFENSE
QB -- Matt Schaub.
Some people may cringe at Schaub being the top choice because of the
presence of DeShaun Watson. Schaub, however, is the franchise’s all-time
leading passer and two-time Pro Bowler. For five of Schaub’s seven seasons,
he was a serviceable starter. Watson will likely be on this if he can remain
healthy, putting him here now would be more potential based.
RB -- Arian Foster, Domanick Williams
Foster and Davis are No. 1 and 2 in franchise history for rushing yardage.
Foster was a Texan for six years. He was a Pro Bowler four times, All Pro
three times (two as a first-teamer). Foster led the NFL in rushing in 2010
and twice led the NFL in rushing touchdowns. Williams was known as
Davis as a player before legally changing his last name. In two of Williams’
three seasons, he surpassed the 1,000 yard rushing mark. Williams was well
on his way to a third before a knee injury sidelined him after 11 games. At
that point, Williams had 976 yards rushing.
FB -- Vonta Leach
Leach was a Texan for five seasons (2006-2010). His best season was his last
before signing a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2010,
Leach was a Pro Bowler and first-team All Pro, paving the way for Foster’s
season in which he led the NFL in rushing.
WR -- Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, Kevin Walter, Will Fuller
Johnson is the franchise’s all-time leading receiver, surpassing the 1,000
reception mark. Johnson was a physical specimen. He was a seven-time Pro
Bowler and four-time All Pro (two as a first-teamer). Johnson led the NFL
in receptions and yardage twice. He is also the first player in franchise history
to be inducted into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor. Hopkins was recently
traded to the Arizona Cardinals but had seven excellent years with the Texans.
He is the second all-time leading receiver in franchise history after Johnson.
Hopkins is a four-time Pro Bowler, four-time All Pro (three as a first-teamer)
and led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2017. Walter spent seven years
(2006-2012) with Houston and is the third all-time leading receiver in
franchise history. Fuller recently completed his fourth season. After playing
four years in Hopkins’ shadow, Fuller has a chance to be the go-to target for
Watson. Fuller has 156 catches in four seasons.
TE --Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen
Daniels spent seven years (2006-2013) with the Texans and no tight end in
franchise history has caught more passes. Daniels made the NFL All Rookie
team in 2006 and is a two-time All Pro. Dreessen spent his four years (2007-
2011) as Daniels backup and caught 105 passes for 13 touchdowns.
OT -- Duane Brown, Eric Winston
Brown recently completed his third season as a Seattle Seahawk after ten with
the Texans. Brown served as Schaub’s blindside protector and paved the way
for some formidable ground attacks. As a Texan, he was a four-time Pro
Bowler and three-time All Pro (one as a first-teamer). Winston spent his first
six NFL seasons with the Texans. He never earned any postseason accolades
but started 87 games in reliable fashion.
OG -- Chester Pitts, Wade Smith
Pitts was an original Texan, starting every game in his first eight seasons.
Versatility was his strength, starting at both left guard and left tackle. Smith
played four seasons (2010-2013) as a Texan with 2012 being a Pro Bowl
campaign.
C -- Chris Myers
Myers spent his first three seasons as a Denver Bronco but made his biggest
chops in seven years (2008-2014) as a Texan. He was a two-time Pro Bowl
and the centerpiece behind Foster’s glorious 2010 campaign.
DEFENSE
DE -- JJ Watt, Mario Williams, Jadeveon Clowney, Antonio Smith
Watt recently completed his ninth season and is perhaps the best player to
don a Texans uniform regardless of position. Watt has been supremely
dominant when healthy. Watt is a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-
team All Pro. He is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and has
led the NFL in sacks twice. Watt is the franchise leader in career sacks and
will likely be enshrined in the Hall of Fame one day. Williams is largely
known as the Top Three draft pick not named Vince Young or Reggie Bush
but he actually had a better career than both. Williams spent his first six
seasons with the Texans and is No. 2 in franchise history in sacks. As a
Texan, he was a two-time Pro Bowler. Clowney was talented but also an
enigma. He’ll likely be replaced on this list someday but for now he
belongs. Clowney recorded 29 sacks in four years, not overly impressive
for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Smith spent four seasons
(2009-2013) as a Texan. Smith;s best season was 2011, when he reached
the Pro Bowl.
DT -- Vince Wilfork, Amobi Okoye, Seth Payne, Jared Crick
Wilfork spent two seasons as a Texan after 11 as a New England Patriot.
Wilfork’s presence as a nose tackle helped Houston win consecutive AFC
South titles. Okoye also spent four seasons (2007-2010) with the franchise
and was the youngest player ever to be drafted in the first round, 19 years,
10 months and 18 days. Payne was an original Texan (2002-2006). He
recorded 14 tackles for loss in that span. Crick spent his first four NFL
seasons (2012-2015) with the Texans, emerging as a solid starter in 2014-
2015.
OLB -- Whitney Mercilus, Jamie Sharper, Brooks Reed
Mercilus recently completed his ninth season with the Texans. He was
second-team All Pro in 2016. He has 50 career sacks. After being a key
member of the legendary 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense, Sharper was an
original Texan. He was the NFL’s combined tackles leader in 2003. Reed
played his first four seasons (2011-2014) in Houston. He recorded 14.5
sacks in that span.
ILB -- Brian Cushing, Demeco Ryans, Bernardrick McKinney
Cushing spent eight years (2009-2017) with the franchise. He was the
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, one time Pro Bowler and two-time
second-team All Pro. Ryans spent his first six seasons (2006-2011) with
the Texans. He was the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, two-time Pro
Bowler and first-team All Pro in 2007. McKinney recently finished his fifth
season as a Texan. He was a Pro Bowler in 2018 and second-team All Pro
in 2016.
CB -- Jonathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Dunta Robinson
Joseph spent eight seasons (2011-2019) with the Texans and is the franchise’s
all-time leader in career interceptions. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and
second-team All Pro in 2012. Jackson was a Texan for nine years (2010-
2018). He is second in franchise history in career interceptions. Robinson
spent six years (2004-2009) as a Texan and was the PFWA NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year. He is third in franchise history in interceptions.
S -- Glover Quin, Daniel Manning, Bernard Pollard
Quin spent four seasons (2009-2012) in a Texans uniform. He was versatile
enough to play both cornerback and safety. Manning was a Texan for four
seasons (2011-2014) with his first two being his most productive. Pollard
spent just two years (2009-2010) as a Texan. In 2009, he enjoyed a career
year, compiling 102 tackles, four interceptions, two returns for touchdowns.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- Kris Brown
Brown was an original Texan, spending eight years (2002-2009) with the
franchise. Brown is one of six kickers in NFL history to make three 50-
plus yard field goals in a single game. Brown was first-team All Pro in
2007.
P -- Shane Lechler
Lechler is known for his 13 years (2000-2012) as an Oakland Raider but
spent four productive years (2013-2017) as a Texan. Lechler had a rocket
launcher for a leg, averaging 47.6 yards per punt. Lechler has a Hall of
Fame resume.
RETURN -- Jacoby Jones
Jones spent four seasons (2007-2011) as a Texan and returned four kicks
for a touchdown in that span. He holds seven franchise records.
HEAD COACH -- Gary Kubiak. The Texans have had just three head
coaches in their franchise history. Kubiak is the longest tenured coach (2006-
2013) with current helmsman Bill O’Brien (2014-present) coming next.
O’Brien’s resume consists of four playoff appearances, all coming as
AFC South champions. O’Brien has a higher winning percentage than
Kubiak (52-44, .542 to Kubiak’s 61-64, .488). Kubiak, however, gets the
nod because he led Houston to back-to-back 8-8 seasons in 2007-2008,
the franchise's first non losing season. He later led the franchise to its first
playoff appearance and victory in 2011.
TEAM -- 2012. In one respect, the Texans seasons feel similar: win the
AFC South, win the home wild card game and then lose on the road in the
division round. The 2012 version was no different, defeating Cincinnati
19-13 in the wild card round before losing to New England 41-28. This
version of the Texans went a franchise best 12-4 on the way to winning
the AFC South. The Texans were 11-1 at one point.
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