Nov 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) runs after a catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans continue to see former players sign within the division.

On Monday, it was reported that former free agent wide receiver Kevin Walter had signed with the Tennessee Titans after spending a few weeks on the market. The Texans released Walter due to cap troubles and his age in Week 1 of free agency, but his diminishing performance in the past two seasons has also led to Houston seeking a new number two receiver in this years draft.

For the Titans though, their offense gains some competition and depth at the wide receiver position, while also adding a capable slot receiver despite Walter’s 518-yard, two touchdown season in 2012. He isn’t the big name the Titans may be seeking – they failed on both the Danny Amendola and Wes Welker front – but Walter is still an experienced set of hands.

The figures of the deal are yet to be leaked, but we do know it’s a one-year deal. If things go well for Walter in Tennessee it’s likely he finishes his career there, but if not, retirement will probably be on the horizon this time next year.

August 15, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean (18) makes a fourth quarter reception and New York Jets cornerback Julian Posey (32) attempts to make the tackle at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Which Young Receiver Will Step Up?

Look for the Texans to pass the ball more often than they normally would in a regular season game and don’t look for a majority of the passes to go to proven guys like Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter. Keyshawn Martin has made his case to take the starting slot role and Lestar Jean has made his to be a rotational outside guy. I don’t expect that to change tonight and I expect about four catches a piece for the two young guys. Hopefully we see something out of DeVier Posey that can excite fans about the third-round pick, but he’s been so rusty that I don’t expect a significantly better game than any of the other games he’s had thus far.

Can the Defense Slow Down Drew Brees?

Last year the Texans allowed the Saints to score 40 points on them and it was mainly due to the fact that they couldn’t pressure Drew Brees without bringing a blitz. At that point in the season it could be argued that many of the pass rushers were still learning the defense and Wade was running a simpler playbook to make up for that as well. Now that Jonathan Joseph is comfortable covering the number one every week, Kareem Jackson has another year under his belt, Brice McCain has become one of the top nickel corners in the NFL, and Brandon Harris has shown flashes that may allow him to split some time with Jackson, the Texans secondary is significantly better than it was last year. So far this preseason the Texans defense has looked scary and while they haven’t faced an offense like New Orleans thus far I still look for a low scoring game.

Who Will Take the Lead in the Offensive Line Battle?

Last week Antoine Caldwell essentially locked up the starter role at right guard and Kubiak stated that if the season started today Derek Newton and Rashad Butler would more than likely split time at right tackle. With Caldwell getting the start again tonight look for Butler to get the start at tackle because last week saw him start with Newton and it only makes sense to try to gain as much chemistry as possible before the season opener against Miami. Even if Brandon Brooks comes in and plays like an All-Pro, I don’t expect him to fight for the starter job, but he will most likely be one of the two backup linemen the Texans carry on the gameday roster because his size and speed combination make it so that he can play just about anywhere on the line. I look for Caldwell and Butler to get the week one start but hopefully this game will make me a little more confident in the decision.

Will Shayne Graham Falter this Week?

Many expected Randy Bullock to take the starting kicker role essentially unopposed after being the first ever kicker that the Texans had drafted. Instead journeyman Shayne Graham has done more than push the rookie; he has potentially taken his job. In the week one win against Carolina both kickers made both of their kicks, but Bullock had the upper-hand after one of his was a 52-yarder. However, last week against San Francisco Graham again went 2-2 while Bullock missed his kick. I don’t expect the Texans to cut a kicker that they spent a draft pick on, but if Graham continues his run at perfection it will be equally as difficult to cut him. If Graham continues making kicks and forcing touchbacks on kickoffs look for him to have a spot on the 53-man roster.

August 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Trindon Holliday (16) returns the opening kick off against the San Francisco 49ers at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Will the Electric Trindon Holliday Catch Lightning in a Bottle… Again?

Last week I pondered the same question after he returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Carolina. Honestly, I didn’t expect another return for touchdown but if he could have show some more elusiveness he may have beeb able to earn a roster spot. Holliday surprised me, however, and returned a punt for touchdown against San Francisco. If he is able take another one to the house tonight it will become an undeniable truth that Holliday will have a spot on the roster. At this point I expect him to have a spot regardless, unless he fumbles on every return opportunity tonight, but another return for touchdown will make it a certainty.

Aug 1, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey (11) runs a pass route during training camp at Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

The Texans play the 49ers tomorrow and while I’ve already predicted an identical matchup for Super Bowl XLVI, this game holds little importance. That being said there are a few things to watch for in this matchup of gridiron goliaths.

Can the Electric Trindon Holliday Catch Lightning in a Bottle Again?

Trindon Holliday was arguably the most impressive Texans player in last Saturday’s 26-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers. With 182 yards on a total of six punt and kick returns being highlighted by his 90 yarder for a touchdown in the first quarter, Holliday looks great on paper. However, anyone who watched the 5’5″ LSU alum knows that the numbers are only half the story. After being stopped dead to rights at the ten yard line, Holliday broke away and gained another 20 yards. A majority of his returns mimicked that ability, making Holliday look like he could make a guy miss running down a narrow hallway. While the Texans are deep at receiver and more than likely won’t keep more than five on the roster, if Holliday continues the tear he was on in Carolina he just might stick as a return specialist.
Who Will Miss a Kick?

The Texans spent a draft pick on a kicker for the first time in franchise history in April’s draft leading many to believe that he had the spot locked up. However, the Texans brought in journeyman Shayne Graham to help push the rookie and told Graham that their would be a legitimate competition for the roster spot. Graham got the start last week against the Panthers hitting a chip shot on the Texans first drive, and another short field goal before being pulled for the rookie, Bullock. Bullock came in and made his own chip shot before being asked to kick a 52 yarder which he also made. Competitions often don’t come down to who can make more kicks, but rather, who will miss fewer. Perhaps Saturday’s game against San Fransisco could see the first miscue, or continued perfection for the two kickers.
Can Newton and Brooks Step Up to Take a Starting Job?

Derek Newton, last year’s seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State has been pushing current starter, Rashad Butler for the starting right tackle position since day one of training camp. Kubiak announced that the two would split time, and starts, at the position during the preseason along with current starter Antoine Caldwell and third-round pick Brandon Brooks at right guard. However, Kubiak stated that Brooks was “not ready” to start and thus is going to pair Caldwell with Newton this week and Brooks will split time. Much like the kicking competition, the Texans offensive line competition is one of the more intriguing story lines from camp and it will more than likely not be decided this weekend, however Caldwell could make a giant leap forward if he takes advantage of his second start.
Who Will Take the Third Wide Receiver Job?

Keyshawn Martin is the favorite to take the slot receiver job and it would make complete sense. Lestar Jean and DeVier Posey are better built to be on the outside and Martin is a very similar player to former Texans slot receiver Jacoby Jones. While some fans may not want to have a player even remotely comparable to Jacoby Jones, Martin is a guy who’s only serious problems coming out of school were route running ability and drops. Since the opening of camp, however, those are two of the things that the coaching staff has been praising the quiet receiver for. They claim that his routes look crisp and he has as few drops as anyone at camp. All that being said, the position is still up for grabs and whoever seperates themselves in the remainder of the preseason should come down with the job.
Will the Youth be as Exciting as it was Last Week?

This not only goes for the Texans, but for the 49ers as well. Last week saw the Texans defense step up for seven sacks and receive one and a half from first round pick, Whitney Mercilus. If Mercilus has another game like he did last week then it will be nearly impossible to prevent Texans fans from getting too overhyped. Mercilus, along with last years second-round pick, Brandon Harris, and undrafted rookies Case Keenum and Jonathan Grimes should round out some of the Texans young guys to look for in the matchup with San Fransisco. The 49ers on the other hand have some of their own guys to look for, most notably, Colin Kaepernick. The speedy former Nevada quarterback, took off for a long touchdown run last week and has been having a good camp. If the Texans can hold Kaepernick, and Alex Smith and his underrated speed, it will only enhance what we found out last week against the Panthers; the Texans can prevent a scrambling quarterback from beating them.