Tag Archives: Houston Texans

NFL

Wilson, Eugene

Card: Topps Finest 2003
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz

Eugene Wilson was drafted out of the University of Illinois by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 draft. Valued for his flexibility at both safety and cornerback Wilson was a valuable member of the Patriots’ SuperBowl XXXVIII playing big when it counted in big games. In 2008 he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but would be later cut by the team.

Wilson would quickly find a home with the Houston Texans who needed help at safety. He’d help lock down the position for most of the remainder of the season and assist in improving the team’s woeful rush defense. Eugene’s time with the Texans was an up and down tenure as injuries would impact his performance and he’d lose a great deal of 2009.  He’d return in 2010 but by this time had lost a step. The team would cut Wilson after the conclusion of the 2010 season as the team decided to move in a different direction.

G/Gs 96/86    Tac  313    Sac  0     Fum  3    Int   14     Yds  139    Avg        Lg  24  Td 1

NFL

Daniels, Owen

Card: Fleer 2006
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz
See Also: Daniels, Owen (2) 

Owen Daniels was originally a quarterback at Wisconsin, but was moved to tight end where he became one of the Big 10s best receivers. The Houston Texans, always looking for tight ends in head coach Gary Kubiak‘s system drafted Owen Daniels in the 4th round of the 2006 draft. At 6″3’ and 245, Owen was an ideal fit for the Texans tight end heavy system.

He’d start 12 games his rookie season and be named to the All rookie squad at the end of the season after making 34 receptions for 352 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Daniels would follow his 2006 up with a full 2007 making 63 receptions for 768 yards.  In 2008 Owen would make the Pro Bowl after making 70 receptions for 862 yards thus indeed proving what a key cog he was to the team. However in 2009, Owen would be shelved after 8 games after sustaining a knee injury during a game against the Bills. (Owen was on pace for 80 receptions and over 1000 yards receiving at the time of his injury.)  He’d miss a good portion of the 2010 season but return to the lineup starting 10 games and make 38 receptions.  Although financial negotiations between the Texans and Daniels had been acrimonious at one point,  he finally was rewarded with a long term contract in 2011 at the end of the season, after nearly 2 years. Since joining the Texans Owen has moved into 3rd all time in receptions and yards behind current players Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter and is the franchises’ all-time leader at tight end.

A solid receiver that causes mismatches against most linebackers with his speed, hands, and ability to locate the soft spot in a zone, the knock on Owen is that he still needs to improve on his blocking and overcome his injury prone reputation. Daniels is expected however to return to form in 2011 and will make an excellent late round addition to most fantasy owners’ teams. Admittedly he has a track record of blowing out his legs in some capacity, but he has an almost bionic approach to rehabilitation.

G/Gs 65/62   Rec  245    Yds  2972   Avg  12.1    Td   17   Lg 44

 

NFL

Matthews, Bruce

Cards: Action Packed 1990, Topps 1988, SkyBox 1993
Acquired: In Person 1991, 1994. TTM, 2009. Houston Oilers Training Camp, Texans Blitz

One of the greatest linemen to play the game, Bruce Matthews is one of the most decorated linemen in NFL history. At 6’6″, 289 he is the perfect blend of speed and power to play the guard position. In fact over his career Matthews would play every position along the line, being named to the Pro Bowl at both center (5 times) and guard  (9 times), playing in more games than any other player (outside of kicker and punter) with 296 games in three different decades.  Named All Pro 9 times and selected to the NFL All Decade team of the 1990s, Matthews was originally a 1st round choice out of USC by the Houston Oilers. He, along with Mike Munchak would form the best guard combo perhaps in league history allowing the team to soar to new offensive heights, blocking primarily for the Oilers during the Warren Moon and Steve McNair eras.  Matthews resented the move of the team from Houston to Tennessee due to the roots he had planted in the city, but played there through 2001 before retiring.  He was named to the Hall of Fame in 2007 during his first year of eligiblity.

Bruce has remained fairly close to the sport since retiring. Ironically he had not suffered any notable injuries through out his long career- but has had knee problems since colliding with children while standing on the sidelines of one of his children’s pee wee games. He worked for the Houston Texans through the 2010 season but was hired to coach the offensive line for Mike Munchak in Tennessee beginning in 2011.

Action Packed made some nice cards, and with their second run in 1990, had great photos and a simple gold frame and an embossed card. It stands in contrast to the Topps submission, with an inglorious sideline shot of Matthews. This SkyBox 1993 Impact was a nice idea, but the Impact logo is just too big on the card. It also takes away from Bruce’s moving figure and his name in that pastel Oiler Hawaiian blue. The moving figure effect was probably created by a motion blur in the background, and is primitive yet effective.

The first time I met Bruce Matthews was back in 1988 or 1989. Josh and I didn’t have cards at the time and were outside waiting for the players. As Josh walked up to the door an player ran him over. Josh stumbled to his feet and it was none other than Bruce Matthews who clobbered him by accident. He apologized and gave us a hearty laugh and went back inside. Good times.