Should the Texans select Jadaveon Clowney No. 1? They need to find a quarterback, but they might be able to get one who works out OK at the start of the second round. (Maybe they figure there isn’t that much difference between the quarterback they select at No. 33 relative to what they would take at No. 1.) Or maybe they can trade down a few spots, select the quarterback they want, and pick up some extra draft picks.
Clowney is appealing because he’s seen as one of the best pass-rushers to come along in ages, and Houston’s defense was sadly short on mayhem last year. The Texans finished with only 32 sacks, one more than last in the league. They finished with only 7 interceptions and 4 fumbles. The combined 11 takeaways was the fewest by any team in this century.
Houston finished minus-20 in turnovers, and it’s tough to win with that kind of ratio.
Since 2000, only 14 teams have failed to generate more than a turnover per game. I’m a little surprised to see that four of those teams were able to finish with a winning record and make the playoffs anyway.
Since 2000, 44 teams have finished with under 20 takeaways, and four of them (in bold) came from last year.
UNDER 20 TAKEAWAYS IN A SEASON | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | Record | Int | Fum | Total |
2013 | Houston | 2-14 | 7 | 4 | 11 |
2006 | Washington | 5-11 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
2012 | Kansas City | 2-14 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
2012 | Philadelphia | 4-12 | 8 | 5 | 13 |
2008 | Denver | 8-8 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
2013 | NY Jets | 8-8 | 13 | 2 | 15 |
2012 | Indianapolis | 11-5 | 12 | 3 | 15 |
2011 | Pittsburgh | 12-4 | 11 | 4 | 15 |
2004 | St. Louis | 8-8 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
2004 | Green Bay | 10-6 | 8 | 7 | 15 |
2012 | Miami | 7-9 | 10 | 6 | 16 |
2012 | Dallas | 8-8 | 7 | 9 | 16 |
2011 | New Orleans | 13-3 | 9 | 7 | 16 |
2005 | Houston | 2-14 | 7 | 9 | 16 |
2013 | San Diego | 9-7 | 11 | 6 | 17 |
2012 | Detroit | 4-12 | 11 | 6 | 17 |
2011 | Indianapolis | 2-14 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
2009 | Washington | 4-12 | 11 | 6 | 17 |
2008 | Jacksonville | 5-11 | 13 | 4 | 17 |
2011 | St. Louis | 2-14 | 12 | 6 | 18 |
2011 | Denver | 8-8 | 9 | 9 | 18 |
2010 | Denver | 4-12 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
2010 | Houston | 6-10 | 13 | 5 | 18 |
2010 | Jacksonville | 8-8 | 13 | 5 | 18 |
2008 | San Francisco | 7-9 | 12 | 6 | 18 |
2008 | Washington | 8-8 | 13 | 5 | 18 |
2008 | Atlanta | 11-5 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
2005 | New England | 10-6 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
2004 | Oakland | 5-11 | 9 | 9 | 18 |
2003 | Buffalo | 6-10 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
2001 | Minnesota | 5-11 | 8 | 10 | 18 |
2000 | Minnesota | 11-5 | 8 | 10 | 18 |
2013 | New Orleans | 11-5 | 12 | 7 | 19 |
2012 | Oakland | 4-12 | 11 | 8 | 19 |
2011 | Miami | 6-10 | 16 | 3 | 19 |
2011 | Arizona | 8-8 | 10 | 9 | 19 |
2010 | Miami | 7-9 | 11 | 8 | 19 |
2009 | Cleveland | 5-11 | 10 | 9 | 19 |
2007 | Philadelphia | 8-8 | 11 | 8 | 19 |
2006 | New Orleans | 10-6 | 11 | 8 | 19 |
2005 | New Orleans | 3-13 | 10 | 9 | 19 |
2005 | Oakland | 4-12 | 5 | 14 | 19 |
2002 | Buffalo | 8-8 | 10 | 9 | 19 |
2001 | Buffalo | 3-13 | 11 | 8 | 19 |
—Ian Allan