Texans morning huddle: First depth chart revealed, Watt wants to electrify fans
By Randy Gurzi
Good morning Texans fans, the good news is there is finally football tonight! The bad news, we still have a few days left before the Texans take the field. Today’s links include a look at who will start the upcoming game as well as what the fans can expect from their team.
Texans release unofficial depth chart for season opener against Kansas City – HoustonTexans.com
"The Houston Texans commence the 2015 regular season at home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 13. Kickoff at NRG Stadium is slated for Noon CT.Houston will wear all-white uniforms and honor first responders in its annual Liberty White Out game presented by BHP Billiton.The Texans have won their past five season openers dating back to 2010, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. Overall, Houston has posted an 8-5 record in the first game of the season and its .615 winning percentage in those games ranks third in the NFL, behind only Dallas (.667) and Denver (.648).Sunday’s matchup will feature two of the NFL’s top pass rushers in Chiefs LB Justin Houston and Texans DE J.J. Watt, who finished the 2014 campaign ranked first and second in the NFL in sacks, respectively. Both teams’ defenses also placed in the top 10 in the league in points allowed last year."
Texans pass rush figures to bring the heat against Chiefs – by Fox Sports
"With J.J. Watt leading the way and Jadeveon Clowney healthy, the Houston Texans would appear to have the defense to carry them back to the playoffs.The offense could hold them back and faces plenty of questions ahead of Sunday’s opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, namely star running back Arian Foster’s health.Watt was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons after racking up 20 1/2 sacks, and the attention paid to him could clear the way for Clowney to compile his own gaudy numbers after an injury-shortened rookie season.The 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick had seven tackles and no sacks in four games before undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee.“I’m just counting down, just ready to get out there and play,” Clowney said. “I’m looking forward to being out there again. It’s been a long time. I’m excited.”The Texans brought over the sizable Vince Wilfork from New England to clog up the middle of the line and tried to shore up a pass defense that ranked 21st by taking cornerback Kevin Johnson with the 16th overall pick. Houston still ranked seventh with an average of 19.2 points allowed in 2014 despite a weaker secondary.The rushing attack was even better, finishing fifth at 135.1 yards per game. Foster ranked sixth with 1,246 yards despite missing three games, but when he’ll begin playing this season is unclear because of groin surgery.“I think he’ll be back sooner rather than later,” coach Bill O’Brien said."
J.J. Watt: Texans defense can’t wait to help electrify fans – by Tania Ganguli of ESPN
"Texans defensive end J.J. Watt hasn’t played in a football game that counted since Dec. 28, 2014.To say he’s anxious, well…“That would be the understatement of the century,” Watt said. “It’s like an animal in the cage. You rattle the cage and hope they unlock it. Maybe the lock falls off; you hope somehow you’re gonna get out of the cage.“I think on Sunday they’re going to finally open up the cage for me and I can’t wait. I’m pretty hungry.”That pent-up aggression isn’t good news for a Chiefs offensive front that gave up sacks on 9.9 percent of their pass attempts last season, the third-highest tally in the NFL. Watt had 20.5 sacks and a league-high 30.5 disrupted dropbacks last season. Disrupted dropbacks include sacks, passes defensed, batted balls and interceptions.Last night on “Hard Knocks,” we saw how excited Bill O’Brien was at the potential for the Texans defense. Watt feels similarly.“I can’t wait,” Watt said. “I can’t wait to play real football with this defense in a game with our home crowd. … I’ve been trying to tell some of the new guys, you’ve got Rahim and Vince, what the atmosphere is like on a Sunday. You can’t even put it into words. …"
Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt wears toga in new HEB commercial – by Scylla Lopez, Social Media Producer KPRC Houston
"If you’ve ever wondered how Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt looks in a toga, wonder no more.Watt is featured in HEB’s new commercial wearing a toga.It starts off with HEB Houston division president Scott McClelland walking through his backyard. He sees Roman columns next door and finds Watt lounging in a chair wearing a toga.“JJ. What is with the toga?” McClelland asks.“Oh, this. I just like the freedom.”The commercial promotes HEB’s Greek Yogurt."