The Texans released the depth chart from the Mothership last night. I didn't find to many surprises as it is the first heading into the preseason. Also, as always at this time of year, position battles will lead to more changes. The depth chart will remain in a state of flux until the final roster is set before week one.
Butler showed he could handle the day in and day out of starting. He accounted for himself very well in his four starts. There was talk he would leave after the 2010 season to seek a starting job elsewhere. With the short window to sign before the lockout, Butler chose to stay with the Texans.
Caldwell is more likely to lose his job again play from the last few years is any indication. Caldwell does not thrive in the zone block scheme. He doesn't make strong blocks and I've seen him whiff entirely on blocks. Reportedly, some of his issues last year were due to leg injuries.
In the linked article, Gary Kubiak stated:
My gut feeling is that Butler will start but Caldwell is in danger.
The question becomes how many receivers do the Texans keep. I say it's a minimum of five and maybe six. Barring injury or a surprising training camp cut by another team, the top four are the two obvious and the two draft picks. That leaves Lestar Jean, Bryant Johnson, Jeff Maehl and Trindon Holliday battling for one or two spots. Jean reportedly had a good week of practice but apparently he didn't do enough to separate himself from Johnson. Johnson is ahead of Jean on the depth chart. Maehl and Holliday really haven't made much noise this camp. Holliday is viewed as a return specialist and has been lackluster in previous camps. Kubiak has said he needs to learn to play receiver better as Kubes doesn't want to tie up one spot for a return specialist.
No surprise at the quarterback spot. It's Matt Schaub's team without question. TJ Yates proved he can lead the team to playoffs. Unless Schaub gets injured, Yates won't see the field but maybe in mop up duty. John Beck and Houston Cougar rookie Case Keenum will battle it out for 3rd and final spot.
Tight end and fullback also are in open competition. Owen Daniels is the starting TE but depth drops off after that. Fullback James Casey also plays TE and there is two others battling for FB time. All told, it's a mish mash at fullback right now. I'd like to see Casey moved more to TE/pass catching FB/HB type player. He is so athletic it's a sin to only use him to block and maybe catch a few passes out of the back field. Coaches need to find ways to get him the ball and create match up problems.
Well that does it for the way I see things shaking out so far on the offensive side. Let's see how things go against the Carolina Panthers in the first preseason game.
Battle of the Right Offensive Line
Pre-camp pundits predicted a battle along the right side of the offensive line. RT Eric Winston was released and RG Mike Brisiel signed for more money with the Raiders. Going with what they have, the Texans penciled in Rashard Butler at tackle and Antoine Caldwell at guard. Butler started four games at left tackle in 2010 during Duane Brown's suspension. Caldwell rotated for a while in 2010 with Brisiel before losing outright to Brisiel. Caldwell then started a few games while Brisiel recovered from injury.Butler showed he could handle the day in and day out of starting. He accounted for himself very well in his four starts. There was talk he would leave after the 2010 season to seek a starting job elsewhere. With the short window to sign before the lockout, Butler chose to stay with the Texans.
Caldwell is more likely to lose his job again play from the last few years is any indication. Caldwell does not thrive in the zone block scheme. He doesn't make strong blocks and I've seen him whiff entirely on blocks. Reportedly, some of his issues last year were due to leg injuries.
In the linked article, Gary Kubiak stated:
“They’re doing a good job. They’re being pushed really hard. Brooks and Smith are pushing Caldwell. Newton’s pushing the heck out of Butler. It’s going to be a tough call. I couldn’t make that call today.”In other words, Butler and Caldwell have the jobs for now but no guarantee they will be starting opening day.
My gut feeling is that Butler will start but Caldwell is in danger.
Brief Look at the Other Battles
In other positional battles, the back up receiver spots looks intriguing. We all know Andre Johnson and Kevin Walters, barring injury, are the starters. The battle for back up and 3rd/slot is where the fight will occur. According to various camp reports, Keshawn Martin is developing a nice connection with Matt Schaub. Word also is Martin gives the Texans something they never really had before...a true slot man. Johnson's lined up in the slot and so did David Anderson. Other than that sometimes the TE line up in a slot spot or outside with Walters/Johnson inside. If Martin continues his reported pace, Texans can expect to see true three receiver sets with Johnson & Walters outside and Martin in the slot.The question becomes how many receivers do the Texans keep. I say it's a minimum of five and maybe six. Barring injury or a surprising training camp cut by another team, the top four are the two obvious and the two draft picks. That leaves Lestar Jean, Bryant Johnson, Jeff Maehl and Trindon Holliday battling for one or two spots. Jean reportedly had a good week of practice but apparently he didn't do enough to separate himself from Johnson. Johnson is ahead of Jean on the depth chart. Maehl and Holliday really haven't made much noise this camp. Holliday is viewed as a return specialist and has been lackluster in previous camps. Kubiak has said he needs to learn to play receiver better as Kubes doesn't want to tie up one spot for a return specialist.
No surprise at the quarterback spot. It's Matt Schaub's team without question. TJ Yates proved he can lead the team to playoffs. Unless Schaub gets injured, Yates won't see the field but maybe in mop up duty. John Beck and Houston Cougar rookie Case Keenum will battle it out for 3rd and final spot.
Tight end and fullback also are in open competition. Owen Daniels is the starting TE but depth drops off after that. Fullback James Casey also plays TE and there is two others battling for FB time. All told, it's a mish mash at fullback right now. I'd like to see Casey moved more to TE/pass catching FB/HB type player. He is so athletic it's a sin to only use him to block and maybe catch a few passes out of the back field. Coaches need to find ways to get him the ball and create match up problems.
Well that does it for the way I see things shaking out so far on the offensive side. Let's see how things go against the Carolina Panthers in the first preseason game.
