Texans’ O-Line looks much improved

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, April 10, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Houston Texans
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Since the Houston Texans' inception in 2002, the one problem the organization has constantly faced on the field has pertained to the offensive line. GM Charley Casserly has put together solid skill players on both sides of the ball, but his failure to upgrade a weak group of linemen on the offense has truly been the team's downfall, which has been a big factor in the franchise's substandard 18-46 record thus far.

In the Texans' expansion draft in the spring of 2002, Casserly's first choice was former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli, but the former Pro Bowler never actually played for the Texans because of injuries. Because of that failed pick, the Texans' organization faced an immediate setback.

However, despite past struggles, it appears that the Texans' offensive line is finally beginning to turn the corner. They bring Chester Pitts and Todd Wade at the tackle positions, Steve McKinney and Zach Wiegert at the guard positions, and Mike Flanagan at the center position. Between those five projected starters, there lies an impressive 425 combined starts. All have been in the league for at least four seasons, so they have been around long enough to learn the tools of the trade.

In his four seasons, Chester Pitts, the Texans' second-round choice back in 2002, has started in all 64 games he's appeared in. He has shown a great deal of versatility as well, since he's started at the guard and tackle positions. After a disastrous start to his career, the former San Diego State standout has gradually gotten better with each passing season. In 2006, Pitts will move from guard to left tackle, so it will be quite interesting to see how well the 26-year-old performs. If he continues at his current pace, he should be a steady force on the Texans' offensive line.

Todd Wade, the Texans' starting right tackle, has earned a reputation over the last few seasons as one of the league's most respected linemen. After a solid five-year career with the Miami Dolphins, Wade found himself at the center of an enormous payday in the spring of 2005, as he signed a six-year deal worth $30 million, with a grand total of $10 million in bonus money. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to live up to the contract yet, since he was shut down after nine games last season because of a knee-injury. However, if the 29-year-old Wade can return to his past form, then the Texans will be in for a treat, but opposing defensive linemen certainly won't be.

As for the Houston Texans' starting left guard, 30-year-old Steve McKinney, he's been one of the finest linemen in football for years. McKinney's consistency and durability have been something to marvel at, as he's started in all 124 games he's appeared in with the Indianapolis Colts and Texans, while missing just four. The eight-year veteran is probably the Texans' most proven force on the offensive line; to put it simply, he has a mean-streak and an ability that can strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenders. McKinney recently signed a four-year contract extension worth $9 million to stay in Houston, so he'll be a stalwart on the line for a few years longer. McKinney will be shifting from his old position of center, so a new challenge to succeed will arise for the veteran next season.

The Texans' oldest member of the offensive line is 32-year-old right guard Zach Wiegert, who will be 33 by the time the new season commences. In 11 seasons with the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Texans, Wiegert has appeared in 136 games, while starting in 128. Much like McKinney, his tremendous leadership and continuity has set him apart from so many of the league's above-average linemen.

Houston's second oldest member of the line is newcomer Mike Flanagan. After spending 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, the center is ready to come in and quarterback the Texans' line beginning in '06. He signed a three-year deal worth $8.9 million and $3 million in bonus money to leave his old stomping grounds. Flanagan spent his first five seasons in the league as a reserve, but the former undrafted free agent from UCLA finally became a full-time starter with the Packers in 2001, and he never relinquished his spot from there. Durability has become a question of late for Flanagan, since he's missed a grand total of 15 games over the last two seasons because of various injuries.. Unquestionably, Casserly took a risk by signing Flanagan, but if the veteran can stay healthy, the payoff will be large for Houston.

After enduring four years of misery in which he was sacked a league-high 208 times, it appears that quarterback David Carr might be playing behind a solid offensive line at long last. If the Texans' line can protect the former No. 1 draft choice, it could be an extremely successful season for Houston's offense. By going with proven veterans on the offensive line, Casserly is limiting mistakes, which will make things safer for Carr, running back Domanick Davis, and soon-to-be Texans star Reggie Bush.

--Connor Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.
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