Tag Archives: Houston Texans

NFL

Cushing, Brian

Card: Score 2009
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

The Texans needing defensive help in 2009 decided to address it by taking playmaking linebacker Brian Cushing with their first round draft choice from USC. USC would produce a trio of dominating linebackers in Malealuga, Cushing and Matthews Jr. The primary knock on Cushing was his durability coming out of college, but in 2008 he’d hold up for the full season and while he didn’t have completely eye-popping statistics, Brian’s versatility at both linebacker and defensive end had scouts mouth’s watering. Many teams had him pegged as the 2009 draft’s most versatile defender.

An intense playmaker in game, Brian’s rookie season would be an incredible performance, as he’d come out and crush offensive players from sideline to sideline, and be named to the ProBowl finishing 2nd in the AFC in tackles.  In fact, he’d also be named almost a consensus defensive and NFL Rookie of the Year by most publications.  All along however, there was a failed drug test lingering in the background- one which Cushing insisted was a false positive. Once word got out and the NFL upheld its suspension, the media circus ensued sullying his 2009 accomplishments.  The AP attempted to strip him of his rookie of the year awards and failed.

Suspended for the first 4 games of 2010, Cushing returned to the team, (where after starting middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans went down with a season ending injury,) Cushing stepped in and start twice at middle linebacker for the team. While his 2010 season was marred by suspension Brian still managed to have a decent season finishing with 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

With the conversion to the 3-4 looming for Brian and the Texans, the team looks for him to do bigger things in 2011.

NFL

Davis, Andre

Card: Score 2008
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

Andre Davis was a second round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns that came off the board after the Texans took Jabar Gaffney in 2002. Davis would play for the Browns from 2002-2004. In his rookie season, Davis would serve primarily as a returner, and log 1000+ yards on kick returns, scoring a touchdown ironically against Houston that season.  He’d finish with 1500+ yards from scrimmage that season. His sophomore season would be roughly more of the same in 2003, logging roughly 1400 yards. Blessed with lightning fast speed, Davis would notably make a 99 yard touchdown grab against the Bengals in 2004 starting 7 games at wide receiver, but not make any returns. After the season he’d bounce around but end up on New England’s roster in 2005 and Buffalo in 2006. Signed primarily for depth, these two seasons would be a wash and Davis would drift more towards the fringe.

However 2007 would see the  return of Davis, as the Houston Texans signed him in the offseason in 2007. With injuries plaguing go to receiver Andre Johnson– Davis would step into the starting line up for the team and perform surprisingly well. He’d log 583 yards receiving for the Texans and 3 touchdowns.  He’d also replace troubled and oft injured Robert Mathis at returner. Davis would be incredibly dangerous at kick returner averaging 30.3 yards a return (top 35 all time) on 32 returns. He’d also log 3 touchdowns (a league high) including two against the Jaguars that season but would miss the Pro Bowl roster. 2008 would result in Davis logging another 1200 yards from scrimmage and his always dangerous return skills would help the Texans make good field position throughout the season but injuries would begin to take their wear and tear on the receiver. In 2009 Davis would have another 782 yards from scrimmage for the Texans, but by 2010 he spent the whole season on the shelf due to a hip pointer which could be career ending. Over his career Davis has over 7,000 yards from scrimmage in 9 seasons. In early March 2011, Andre would be released by the Texans and it remains to be seen if he will return to the league.

G/Gs  104/33        Rec 156      Yds 2470      Avg  15.8      Td 17      Lg 99t  |
Kr 205      Yds 4821    Avg   23.5       Td 4         Lg 104t |
Pr  8           Yds  40       Avg   5.0          Td 0         Lg 15 |

NFL

Kubiak, Gary

Cards: Fleer 1990, Bowman 2006
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

One of Texas A&M’s most decorated passers, Gary Kubiak was drafted in the 8th round of the 1983 draft by the Denver Broncos. A career backup to perennial AP John Elway, Gary would come in and get occasional spot playing time playing intelligent football. After 9 seasons with the team Kubiak would retire after 119 games and only 5 starts after 1991. His alma mater would come calling and Kubiak would coach runningbacks at Texas A&M for two seasons in 1992 and 1993 before he returned to the pros studying with George Siefert as the quarterbacks coach for Steve Young in 1994. Mike Shanahan was looking for an offensive coordinator and hired him in 1995 where he worked extensively with ironically… John Elway, the former quarterback he backed up.

After a ten year stint there Kubiak, was hired as the second coach of the Houston Texans in 2006. A Houston native and at one point an unabashed Houston Oiler fan, Kubiak is a tireless coach and offensive mastermind. Gary would guide the Texans to their best record ever, (9-7, 2009) most prolific offenses both in yardage and scoring, and almost into the playoffs, but as 2010 came to a close after 5 seasons, the team had yet to see that vaunted playoff appearance.

Seasons 5    W 37  L 43     T 0     Pct .463