The Houston Texans spent most of their existence chasing Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts, and now they're doing the same with Andrew Luck's Colts. They made a couple of moves yesterday that should help them be competitive in the AFC South.
John McCain of the Houston Chronicle writes about the moves at this link. Houston added nose tackle Vince Wilfork to the middle of its defense, and Cecil Shorts III at wide receiver.
Wilfork was available because the Patriots declined to pay him a $4 million option. He's 33 years old, and New England is more apt to cut ties with a players a year early rather than a year late. But Wilfork can still play, recording 53 tackles a year ago, and his presence in the middle of the defense seems likely to only help the team's other players (most notably J.J. Watt).
As for Shorts, the former Jacksonville wideout has battled injuries the last couple of years, and the Jaguars have some depth at the position -- 2014 rookies Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and Allen Hurn. But Shorts is a talented guy who, if he can stay healthy, will probably start for Houston, which released Andre Johnson last week. Shorts has missed eight games the last three seasons, but is only 27 years old -- too young to just dismiss him making an impact in Houston.
These moves won't necessarily make Houston a division champion or anything. They're still hamstrung at quarterback with Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett the current options. But their defense should be better, and they should be comparable at receiver.
--Andy Richardson