Tag Archives: Houston Texans

NFL

Hill, Anthony

Card: Upper Deck Star Rookies 2009
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

The Texans collect tight ends like they are going out of style. Anthony Hill is a devastating blocker out of NC State taken in the 4th round of the 2009 draft by the Houston Texans. He earned 2nd team ACC honors his senior season and at 6’6″, 277 make him a Antonio Gates sized target. Unfortunately Hill caught Swine Flu his rookie season and although he has recovered, has not seen any extensive playing time outside of the preseason for the Texans since being drafted. He also needs to improve his speed off the snap and improve on his durability to warrant more play time by the team. Anthony is also buried on the depth chart behind Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen, James Casey, and Garrett Graham.

NFL

Pollard, Bernard “Bonecrusher”

Card: Upper Deck Rookie Debut 2006
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2009

Bernard Pollard was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of  the 2006 draft. A straight inline safety and incredible hitter, Pollard was nicknamed “Bonecrusher” by his teammates at Purdue. The name would follow him to the pros where he’d be involved in ending the seasons of two different New England Patriots. With a brutal blow he’d end Tom Brady’s season in 2008 as a member of  the Chiefs, and in 2009 Bernard, playing for the Texans, would be pursuing Wes Welker, when a freak injury would strike Welker sidelining him for 9 months. Although not responsible for the injury, Pollard would still be viewed by many Patriots’ faithful as the culprit.  Pollard is a special teams beast- blocking 3 punts in one season with the Chiefs, and 1 for the Texans in 2010. He was also the leading tackler for the Chiefs in 2008.

Strangely in 2009 he’d be cut by the Chiefs without explanation, but the Texans – a team in desperate need for defensive help in the secondary claimed him off of waivers. He’d be reunited with his secondary coach David Gibbs and be immediately inserted at the starting strong safety position. Bernard would help turn the Texans around defensively where in 13 games he’d get 102 tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns. 2010 would see a reversal of fortune for the defense, and although Pollard would establish himself as a vocal team leader, the secondary would collapse and Gibbs and defensive coordinator Frank Bush would be fired. With the addition of new coordinator Wade Phillips and the conversion to the 3-4 defense upcoming Bonecrusher’s future in Houston became extremely cloudy.

Bernard is what is referred to as a ‘straight in-line’ or ‘box’ safety, much in the vein of Roy Williams of Dallas/Cincinnati. Pollard is an exceptional run defender, (something that I love,) but needs help in the secondary when playing the pass. With the demands of the game changing for secondary, and especially at safety, hip fluidity and the ability to turn and cut is now at a premium for the position with offensive passing games in high gear. I do like Bernard a lot and I hoped he would be able to stick around with the team, but the Texans did not tender him in for the 2011 season, and allowed him to test the free agent waters. He currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

Here is a highlight video of Pollard from 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYgl5NnpdAs

G/Gs   76/59    Tac  326      Sac 5      Fum 7      Int 7     Yds 144    Avg 20.5      Td 1

NFL

Barwin, Connor

Card: Upper Deck Star Rookies 2009
Acquired: TTM 2009, Houston Texans Blitz

Connor Barwin is a solid athlete, with a nose for the ball, who played tight end half of his career with the Bearcats of Cincinnati before being converted to defensive end. At 6’4″, 260 Barwin possesses all the tools needed to be a top flight defensive end or linebacker. The Patriots were have rumored to have targeted him at the end of round 1 in the 2009 draft, but the Texans ended up snagging him during the second round. Many draft pundits were pleased with the selection and he led all rookie defensive linemen in sacks during 2009 with 3.5 sacks as a situational pass rusher. Connor has the speed and power to be a very productive pass-rusher but still needs to learn the subtleness of the position and needs to improve his run enforcement.

Barwin’s sophomore season would be cut short early in game 1 of 2010 as he suffered a season ending injury. The blow to the Texans would be great as the team lacked depth behind him. I got a Twitter account just to wish him well. As of this date, rehabilitation appears on schedule and he is favored to be the pass rushing linebacker in the Texans new 3-4 defensive alignment in 2011.

G/Gs 17     Tac 18       Sac   3.5       Fum   1     Int  0     Yds  0    Avg -.-    Td 0   Lg  -.-