Wow! Sometimes it pays to be absurdly optimistic and make wild-eyed predictions. As often as I’ve said things to call my credibility into question, perhaps I’ve earned a little of it back with this article from the summer of 2011:
Mark down this date. I am marking my territory. The Texans are about to burst into NFL relevancy. We are going to look back on the Texans draft 0f 2009 and late April signings as the heart of everything it built. Yes, the 2006 draft was a good one, and it brought the Texans three probowl players and other contributors. However, by the end of this year, every one will realize the magnitude of the 2009 off-season… And, I’m not even referring to the Texans best free agent acquisition in its history: Antonio Smith. At the risk of furthering my reputation as an obnoxious optimist, what the Texans did in 2009 will eventually be on one of those NFL top 10 lists highlighting all-time great NFL drafts. Call me crazy today, but be prepared to eat some mighty fine tasting crow with each one of my many “I told you so”‘s.
1. Brian Cushing- has already been an elite linebacker as a rookie. I know many are concerned about his health and steroid issues. The guy is a great football player, and as he returns to 100% from his patella surgery, he will be making a lot of plays in Wade’s defense. Bradie James had eight sacks under Wade Phillips as an ILB in a single season. Cushing is going to have seasons like that. If you have watched Lawerence Timmons on the Steelers, I think that is a pretty accurate picture of what Cushing will do in Wade’s 3-4.
2. Connor Barwin- Get ready for double-digit sacks. Barwin is going to explode this season. He is an absolutely perfect fit for the hybrid position in Wade’s 3-4. Barwin has a great motor, incredible athleticism, and an awareness on the field that will lead to batted balls, interceptions, and all kinds of special pursuit plays.
3. Antoine Caldewll- is a quality interior offensive lineman that has the potential to be very good. I was surprised by his inconsistency last season, especially considering the great preseason he had, but he was still pretty good. He also has the ability and experience to play center and even right tackle, if needed.
4. Glover Quin- is taking to his move to safety naturally. He looks intuitive and aggressive at safety. Instead of being the best cornerback in a poor defense, he is becoming the quarterback of a good one.
4b. Anthony Hill- I wish him well.
5. James Casey- not only has become a rather proficient lead blocker, but his flexibility, athleticism, and unique skill set is adding a new dynamic to an already successful offense. The guy could end up with 50 catches and a 10 yard per catch average from the fullback position. Watching Casey this preseason, you can see the giddy mad scientist in Kubiak shining through.
6. Brice McCain- made this team the first week of training camp. Wade loves his coverage skills. McCain will be on the field on passing downs most of the time, I think. He’s a little too small to play on run downs or be a starter, but he will contribute heavily for the defense on 3rd downs and late in games.
7. Troy Nolan- knows how to make plays. He made them in college and he is making them now. Nolan can cover and hit. Even with a healthy Quin and Manning, Nolan will see the field frequently when Wade employs his three safety packages. Look forward to years of Troy Nolan making plays.
Here’s where a great draft turns into absurdity:
UDFA #1. Arian foster- Not a lot of Rick Smith bashing goes on at TBB. Here is an example why we love the guy. Rick Smith stole Foster from the Bears in 2009 when he made the unprecedented move of offering a rookie UDFA a 2 year contract. Foster did not play until week 15. He looked good as a rooke but last year he did a pretty amazing Eric Dickerson impersonation. This year, he seems prepared to humiliate defenses an earn his multi-million dollar contract. He got payed about $75 per yard last season and will likely earn a similar amount this season. How does that compare with all the 2009 rookie running backs drafted ahead of him?
UDFA #2. Tim Jamison- Wow! I’ve been screaming about how good he is since late in 2009. I was wrong. He is much better than I thought. Jamison will get heavy snaps this year and in years following as their 3rd DE. By the way, he may have a better motor than Antonio Smith, if that’s possible. Jamison’s effort and energy made a 28-0 loss to Minnesota enjoyable on Thursday night.
Well, Caldwell may not be panning out as I had hoped. Otherwise, only James Casey’s partially torn pectoral kept me from being renamed Nostradamus. Well, that and a healthy dose of humility. Texans will need to win some playoff games and a Superbowl or two before the rest of the NFL really takes notice… but, thanks to this draft, the team is on pace for those things to happen.
