Tag Archives: Houston Texans

NFL

Okoye, Amobi

Cards: Playoff Prestige 2007
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz
See Also: Okoye, Amobi (2)

Amobi Okoye is officially the youngest player to be drafted in NFL history at 19. Selected in the first round (10th pick) by the Houston Texans in 2007,  at 6’2″, 315, (4.85 40,) Okoye is also the highest Louisville player drafted in the first round.  As he is so young, Okoye is still expected to grow into his frame and has tremendous upside potential. He would earn NFL defensive rookie player of the month honors in 2007- the youngest player to do so. While Okoye made a splash in the NFL his first month, the rest of his transition has been rough and inconsistent. Many critics point to the fact that Okoye, (who will be entering his 4th season in the NFL) hasn’t been the run stopping force that the Texans had hoped he’d be, but Okoye has manned up, taking the blame by stating that he was overwhelmed by the riches the league afforded him and absorbed in starting a charity in his native homeland of Nigeria. Over 2010, Okoye made major strides however, refocusing and setting career highs in tackles and recording his most sacks since his rookie season. On 10/17/10, Amobi made 6 tackles and a sack (on the final play of the game) to preserve the victory over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, 35-31. After the conclusion to the 2010 season, questions remain as to Okoye’s future with the Texans as with a conversion to the 3-4, it is unknown how he figures into new defensive coordinator Wade Phillip’s plans as an undersized gap shooting NT or a defensive end.

In the meantime Okoye remains active in his native country of Nigeria and recently helped found an American Football program with other members of the NFL there.

 

NFL

Brown, Duane

Card: Bowman 2008
Acquired: TTM, Texans Blitz 2009

Pretty much 90% of the Texans that I got were through the mail, thanks to my player source on the Texans, who kindly offered to get “all the autographs I wanted”. Obviously that was his error as he was not prepared for the mad thoroughness  I possessed to get all the players I could find for my follow up 2010 blitz.

Duane Brown was a reach for the Texans, who insisted he was right where they wanted him. Brown would be the 7th offensive tackle off the board in the first round taken with the 26th pick of the 2008 draft. A powerful drive blocker at 6′ 4″ and 315, Brown is an athletic tackle with a good motor and speed- ideal for the Texans’ zone blocking system. Probably Duane’s weakness is his relatively newness to the position as he was a converted tight end thrown into the fire at VT over the last two years of his time there. Regardless Brown graded well enough that scouts awarded him an 89th percentile on his blocking grade- one full percent above the #1 pick of the draft Jake Long.

So far Brown’s progression has been mixed. In 2009 Brown assisted in helping Matt Schaub be the NFLs leading passer in yardage, and in 2010 he assisted in helping runningback Arian Foster lead the league in rushing. He was also controversially suspended in 2010 for PEDs, to which he immediately apologized and said “It was stupid.” Since then his record has been clean and he has returned to form. Duane is considered by league experts to be an excellent run blocker, but overall still needs to improve his pass protection skills before he can be considered an elite tackle.- Then again facing Dwight Freeney twice a year will do that to you.

NFL

Casey, James

Cards: Upper Deck 2009 Star Rookies
Acquired: TTM, Texans Blitz 2009
See Also: Casey, James (2) 

The Texans take tight ends like they are going out of style. After a holdout of ProBowl tightend Owen Daniels, the Texans went to the draft in 2009 took not one but 2 tight ends. James Casey went to hometown Rice where he played under the shadow of the Houston Texans. James had an amazing senior season as a h-back making a mind boggling 111 receptions (10th all time) and 57 carries. He’d parlay that effort into a 5th round choice from the Houston Texans where he’d immediately become a media darling.  He’s had some flashes of brilliance in the preseason, but with 4-5 tight ends on the roster, he’s only received a limited number of touches in 2 seasons.

A really popular local product, James has some really nice cards. I hope to be able to get a few more of his autographed in the future.

G/Gs 31/4      Rec   14     Yds  162   Avg 11.6     Td 0    Lg 33