Tag Archives: Houston Texans

NFL

Brown, CC

leafr&s05 ccbrownCard: Leaf Rookies & Stars 2005
Acquired: 2014, Albany Acquisition

In 2005, CC Brown was drafted by the Houston Texans out of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he was twice decorated as an All-Sun Belt player.  A good special teams performer and run supporter who had no problem laying down the wood, CC was definitely an enforcer at the line of scrimmage. Although lacking in pass coverage, Brown started right out of the gate for the Houston Texans his rookie year splitting time at both free safety and strong safety. He’d record 54 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and an interception in 13 games. The Texans dropped to 2-14 that season and fired head coach Dom Capers. The team converted to a 4-3 defense as Gary Kubiak was brought in to replace Capers.  2006, was Brown’s best year statistically, with 67 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. Although 2007 brought a slight dip in CC’s stats, he’d still manage a pick and 64 tackles. A broken arm in late September, meant he lost most of the 2008 campaign to injured reserve. The Texans elected not to resign him for 2009, comfortable that Eugene Wilson and Dominique Barber were going to adequately replace him.  CC signed with the New York Giants in 2009.  He played one season for Big Blue, starting 7 games, making 49 tackles and 3 forced fumbles at free safety. He’d then jump over to the Lions and Jaguars for a season a piece before retiring after the 2011 season.

G/Gs   83/62          Tac  279      Sac  1.0     Fum 6       Int  3      Yds   14       Avg   4.6      Td  0      Lg 9

NFL

Brown, Eric (DB)

UD98BD ebrown UD98 ebrown

Cards: Upper Deck Black Diamond 1998, Upper Deck 1998
Acquired: IP 7/17/2014, Academy Houston Texans Stampede Tour

A devestating hitter for the Denver Broncos, the Texans were surprised to see Eric Brown available in 2002. Originally drafted by the Broncos back in the second round of the 1998 draft, he spent 4 seasons there, starting 52 of 53 games. Over that period Eric tallied 273 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6 fumble recoveries and 6 interceptions, earning a Super Bowl ring in XXXIII.

eric brownNeeding a presence at Strong Safety, Brown started opposite Matt Stevens and anchored down an intimidating group that included corners Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman. Eric recorded 60 tackles, .5 sacks, and 2 interceptions for 7 yards in 2002. Brown in 2003 had 72 tackles, .5 sacks, a pick, and 3 forced fumbles. Eric only started 4 games in 2004, and due to a lingering knee injury was shelved for the majority of the season. In 2005, head coach Dom Capers and GM Charlie Casserly boneheadedly decided to get rid of nearly all of their expansion players and veteran free agents that joined the franchise during the expansion season. Brown was cut and his career ended shortly thereafter.

While Brown has been quoted as saying that his heart was always in Denver with the Broncos, he’s joined the Houston Texans Ambassador program. Last year, when I attended the Kemah Kickoff, I gambled that I might need a few cards of his in the future and scrounging around for a few of Eric paid off. Appearing alongside DJ Swearinger for the Houston Texans Stampede Tour at Academy in Austin for 2014, he was surprised to see a card of his, and told me that he hadn’t signed one in a long time.

G/Gs 97/87     Tac 365    Sac 6.5    Fum 5    Int 9    Yds 34    Avg 3.7    Td 0    Lg 13

NFL

Hopkins, DeAndre ‘Nuk’

IMAG1260
Cards: Leaf Draft 2013, Panini HRX 2013
Acquired: In Person 2015, Uncle Bob’s Self Storage Houston

A really well run event all the way around,  I had been looking for an opportunity to get DeAndre Hopkins autograph on a few cards. It can be quite a saga to get to Houston, but this one went off without a hitch.  I met up with Lance and we caught up while waiting in line.  Although the weather deteriorated after got I there, it worked to our benefit, as less people showed up, allowing us to go through the line a second time.  Hopkins had a cast on his hand. Unfortunately I asked why he had it and this translated into a usable news bite for the local media. Thankfully he was just having a minor procedure.

leaf13dr hopkinsDeAndre Hopkins was tagged very early on in the draft process by pundits going to the Texans in the 2013 draft.  They’d be dead on, as DeAndre was selected by Houston with the 27th pick of the first round.  Although I had my eye on a few other players at that position, I was satisfied overall with the pick.

A prolific receiver for the Clemson Tigers of the ACC, DeAndre Hopkins set school records for career receiving yards (3,020) and touchdowns (27).  He joined the Texans and contributed immediately to the starting lineup. He’d be one of the few bright spots on the team as Houston’s fortunes sunk to a 2-14 record. Hopkins showed flashes early in the preseason and it quickly translated to the regular season when he caught his first TD in an OT victory over the Titans.  Hopkins earned All-Rookie honors finishing 2013 with 52 receptions for 802 yards and 2 touchdowns.

pan13 hopkinsAs the team transitioned at quarterback from Matt Schaub to Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2014, Nuk’s numbers only improved, as he posted career highs with 76 receptions for 1,210 yards 6 touchdowns, including a 76 yard long.

Hopkins always seems to save the best for Tennessee. During their 2014 home stand, Hopkins caught 9 passes for 238 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 45-21 thrashing of the Titans. I drafted him very late in my fantasy draft last year, and reaped the rewards. An ascending star on the Houston offense, Hopkins is the heir apparent to Andre Johnson in the Texans receiver corps.