Derek Newton to keep Houston Texans starting RT spot
Oct 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Derek Newton (75) blocks against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Do fans of the Houston Texans agree with the decision made by head coach Bill O’Brien late last week about how Derek Newton will be the starting right tackle of the Texans?
Late last week, O’Brien was quoted by the official Texans website as saying the following about Newton:
"“Derek Newton is our starting right tackle. He’s had a good offseason … when April 7th hit, he was here every day, and he hasn’t missed a day.”"
It was sad what happened to David Quessenberry for not only his personal life, but his professional life as well. With the diagnosis of lymphoma, Quessenberry has to put everything on hold and battle for his life. Football is no longer important for the 23-year-old, and again, I wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.
As for professionally … he was going to be a big challenger to the right tackle spot held by Newton, and it would have been one of the better offseason battles of the Texans training camp.
Now let’s hope Newton can continue his impressive offseason, because this team really needs to have better production at the RT spot if they want to have improvement on an offense that needs a lot of it in different areas.
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The 6-6, 313-pound Newton started all 16 games last season as he is about to begin his fourth NFL season, all with the Texans.
His rookie season of ’11 he didn’t start, but he played in 14 games, followed by a ’12 campaign of 14 starts. Last year was the first time he started every regular-season game, though it was on an offensive line that allowed 42 total sacks.
One plus for the Texans offensive line was they did block for a running game that did rush for 1,743 years, with their No. 1 running back Arian Foster missing half the season.
I really hope Newton can improve his game from last season, because not only the offensive line and offense as a hole need better o-line play from Newton and Co., but it would help the Texans defense as well, because if they can stay off the field a little bit more, the entire Texans team will show improvement, and that improvement starts up in the trenches.