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I’m looking at the Houston Texans, who are trying to get their running game going. It’s ranked outside the top 20 in each of Gary Kubiak’s two seasons in charge.
They’ve got a hodge-podge collection of guys at tailback – Ahman Green is getting old, Chris Taylor and Darius Walker are youngsters who weren’t even drafted, and I don’t know what to make of Chris Brown, the former Titan. Hard to get excited about any of those guys.
But I do think there is some potential here. The team has brought in Alex Gibbs, the offensive line guru who helped lay the foundation for Denver’s great running attacks from 1995 to 2003. Nobody knows more about zone-blocking schemes.
And looking at the numbers, Houston’s running game isn’t as bad as I thought. In each of the last two years, the Texans have been a lot better at running the ball late in the year.
HOUSTON TEXANS RUSHING PRODUCTION
2006 First Eight Games
87 yards per game (28th)
3 TDs (3rd-worst, tie)
2006 Last Eight Games
123 yards per game (15th)
10 TDs (5th, tie)
2007 First Eight Games
81 yards per game (29th)
3 TDs (5th-worst, tie)
2007 Last Eight Games
118 yards per game (14th)
9 TDs (4th, tie)
Bottom line: If they can push the right buttons and avoid injuries, I think Houston will have an above-average rushing attack this season.
—Ian Allan
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