Texans Morning Huddle: Two Rookie Starters In Houston?
By Randy Gurzi
Another Saturday morning is here as we inch closer and closer to the start of football season. To hold us over until the real action starts, we can at least read what is going on with the Houston Texans while we anxiously await.
Jaelen Strong, Benardrick McKinney could start for Houston Texans – By Tania Ganguli of ESPN
"Why Jaelen Strong could start: The Texans traded up in the third round to draft Strong out of Arizona State because receiver was a serious need for them since they released Andre Johnson. Strong was not able to do much during the Texans’ offseason. He was not allowed to be a part of the team’s rookie minicamp because of an invitation to the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, and he suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of organized team activities that kept him out for the rest of OTAs and two of three minicamp practices. In the meantime, the Texans have liked what they’ve seen out of veteran Nate Washington, whom they signed in free agency. Coach Bill O’Brien has praised Washington repeatedly. The question at hand, though, is which rookies have a chance to earn a starting job, and I’d put Strong in that category. Though the “every job is open” mantra isn’t really the truth, this position is more open than most for the Texans."
Is Brian Hoyer a Good Fit for the Houston Texans Offense? – By Sean Tomlinson of Bleacher Report
"The Houston Texans ended their offseason program on Thursday, canceling the final minicamp practice and starting summer vacation one day early. Surely large football men joyously grabbed giant inflatable pizzas and sprinted for the nearest pool.But the occasion may not have been filled with the same glee for Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, as he’s still facing a familiar offseason riddle.In a league where quarterback play is king and has been for quite some time, how will he go about winning games with only adequate performances from the position? And between Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer, who’s best suited for the task of avoiding colossal mistakes?There’s still some uncertainty with both questions. But slowly answers are emerging in this order: more play action, and Hoyer."
Father who died when Texans receiver was 9 motivates rookie – by Brian T. Smith
"John Rankin.Jaelen’s father and biggest supporter. Big John, who stood 6-8, starred in college basketball at Drexel, then rose higher as a respected Philadelphia police detective.“He and Jaelen were extremely tight,” said Alexis Strong, Jaelen’s mother.Rankin’s name is tattooed on Jaelen’s chest and stretches across his heart. It’s the closest the Texans rookie wide receiver will come to touching his dad on Father’s Day.While sons across the world will reach out or reconnect Sunday – many bonding with their dads through the uniting power of sports – all Jaelen has left of the man who helped create him are memories, photographs, passed-down stories and the name permanently inked on his 21-year-old body.Jaelen only got nine years with the father who’s still at the center of his life. When the No. 70 overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft was first falling in love with football, cancer was killing his dad. Rankin fought off leukemia for two years. But Big John was forced to eventually give in April 2003 at age 36."