Houston Texans Positional Breakdown: Safety
By Randy Gurzi
Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) runs past New York Giants safety Stevie Brown (27) during the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Stevie Brown, 5’11” 215 Pounds 27 Years Old
The second potential starting free agent brought in by Houston was Stevie Brown, the former New York Giant, Indianapolis Colt, Oakland Raider, and for about a second, the Carolina Panthers. No fanfare followed his signing because it was done in the midst of a whirlwind of trades during the 2015 NFL Draft.
Some Background Info;
After being a seventh round selection of Oakland in 2010 and playing 15 games that first year, he was released and claimed by the Panthers. Three days later the Panthers cut him, as he never even got a uniform there.
He then played eight games for Indy in 2008 and recorded only five total tackles that year. In 2012 he broke out when he became a starter for the Giants and got 76 tackles and eight interceptions, which he returned for a total of 307 yards that year.
He missed all of 2013 due to a knee injury and was not himself in 2014 as he tried to regain trust in that leg. He started eight games but recorded only 38 tackles and no interceptions on the season. After showing some signs of returning to form late in the year, he decided against returning to New York, and instead took the offer from Houston.
What To Expect This Year;
Brown should have no problem winning the second starting job and lining up at the strong safety spot for the Texans in 2015. He may never have another eight interception season, but what he will bring is much better coverage skills than the recently departed Swearinger.
Paired with Moore, the team will have two free safety type players roaming deep in the secondary, which should help with their poor pass defense from 2014. The trade off may be a lack of tackling at the position, but the team seems content with that trade off.
Next: A Potential Undrafted Gem