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.
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 -.-
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
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