I have seen on this site many times people talking about David Molk as the best OL in the Big Ten and the best C in the Big Ten. As someone who watches the Big Ten every weekend every year of the college football season, I can say he is far from that. I also have a buddy who is a scout for a team in the AFC West who says on their board, he is the third ranked CENTER and many teams feel the same way. This is how they have it:

1. Peter Konz, Wisconsin

2. Mike Brewster, Ohio State

3. David Molk, Michigan

Not saying any of these three players won't be good, just that I would be very pleased with the first two and just "satisfied" with Molk

I'll be headed down I-95 from Jersey to Baltimore this weekend to see our boys play. Anybody else going to be there/know of any tailgates? Probably going to hit Pickles Pub before the game if not, but would be awesome to come contribute to a Texans' tailgate. Also curious to see how outnumbered I will be at M&T Bank Stadium.

Looking forward to hearing from you all and for those that can't make it we'll do our best to bring back the victory!

Former Bucs running back, Derrick Ward, has signed a 1 year deal with the Houston Texans. Ward, who was excellent with the Giants before signing with Tampa before last season, provides depth behind starter Arian Foster and with Steve Slaton a little knicked up, could be a very solid addition to the mix at tailback.

Ward only started one game last year for Tampa and in 14 total games recorded 559 total yards and 3 TDs on offense. With the Giants in 2008, he played in all 16 games, starting 3 and ran for 1,025 yards and 2 TD while also hauling in 384 yards receiving.

I really like this move, as it really cannot hurt us.

Thought you guys would enjoy an outlook on the VaTech 2010 season. This series takes a look t possible Ohio State post-season opponents. Obviously the Buckeyes would probably have to play VT in the National Championship if they were to meet, but boy would that be a good game! Best of luck to you all this upcoming football season and maybe if Tyrod Taylor and Terrelle Pryor have seasons like we all expect, we'll be arguing over the Heisman Trophy as well. Anyway, here is the article: All You Others: Virginia Tech

Slaton is coming off surgery and Ben Tate is a rookie that hasn't signed, so it's not THAT surprising, but Arian Foster is, for now, your starter at running back. Not exactly sure how I feel about this, as I think Slaton's confidence can use a boost or two, but Foster proved he can at least be an effective back in the rotation at the end of last season.

I guess we really haven't had someone with his size and strength at the position and Chick seems to agree: "Arian gives us the size, and he made good decisions at the end of last year," Texans running backs coach Chick Harris told AOL's Dan Graziano.  "I think we're in a good spot with Arian starting it off, but I also think Steve Slaton will contribute for us in a lot of ways. As far as youth and talent, I think this is the best group we've had, if we can just keep them healthy."

Here's to the best man winning the competition!

Trindon Holliday became the first member of the 2010 rookie class to sign a contract. It looks like he signed a four year deal worth $1.886 million, which is pretty reasonable considering the impact the expect him to make immediately in the return game. Looks like he will be playing some receiver in addition to returning as well, so that could be interesting, as I see him in the slot, slipping under linebackers and using his speed to get open.

Bumped.  Thanks for the post, curtisdisco. - bfd

As I suspected, it looks like Zach Diles will move to Strong Side Linebacker for the first four weeks with Xavier Adibi and Darryl Sharpton battling it out to see who will get time at weak side linebacker for the newt five months or so. I think this is the best move as Diles was very good at the SAM position the first 8 weeks of 2008 before the practice injury that crippled his season and it will give two younger players in Adibi and Sharpton the chance to get meaningful time. I think Kevin Bentley is just a good special teamer and back-up and I really am happy he's not going to be starting. 

The Jaguars are releasing 31 year old DT John Henderson, which is good news for the Texans, especially Chris Meyers, who has had trouble with bigger defensive tackles during his time over the ball in Houston. In another way, I really think we need another defensive tackle to play alongside Amobi, and I think Henderson could be the guy. This is a double whammy as we stick it to Jacksonville and get ourselves a solid DT for the next two years to let Amobi roam freely after Peyton Manning. What do you guys think of this? I know Smithiak  isn't likely to make a move like this, especially if we get Faneca, but I really wish we would at least take a look.

Looks like our new running back has already given the tandem a nickname. I'm loving this guy the more I watch film and see how tough he is. I like comparisons to Marion Barber and I think he and Slaton will make a really good tandem for our backfield. Without further adieu, here is the newest nickname we need to use for the Texans backfield this year:

BenTateRB

• Lists
 

1. @Steve20Slaton thx man slate & tate all day!!

The Texans promoted Perry Carter to assistant defensive backs coach and hired Cedric Smith as the strength and conditioning coach. Smith comes over from Kansas City, but knows Smithiak from their Denver days. Carter was a defensive assistant with the team, but gets the promotion. Nothing major, but any news is better than no news. Something has to keep us busy until the draft starts. Texans en route to becoming Super Bowl Champs in 2011!

Good news for Matt Schaub, Duane Brown, and Eric Winston, as Colts defensive end, Dwight Freeney, is out for Sunday's game with an abdominal injury. The pro-bowler didn't even make the trip to Houston with the team.

This is big news for the Texans as Freeney is the Colts best pass rusher and can cause some damage against the offensive line. Things should be a little more comfortable in the pocket for big number 8, as he will have more time to his AJ80, K-Walt, Thor, and the others. Let's hope this means a more balanced attack and the return of Super Steve Slaton this week!

And down goes another Texan as FS Eugene Wilson has been placed on the IR. This is very dangerous, as Peyton will be chomping at the bit to take advantage of an even further weakened secondary. At least we know he won't be running every third down opportunity he gets, but watching him pick apart Busing won't be fun either. 

I just hope this game doesn't come down to another Kris Brown field goal because right now he's making Scott Norwood look like a stud!

I'm going to the game in Cincy tomorrow...anyone else going? Any tips or anyone tailgating? Let me know and maybe we can get rid of that "who-dey" and get some Texans pride going on the march to .500! I'm expecting a good showing from the offense once again despite a solid Bengals defense thus far and Walter will not forget who didn't bring him back a few years ago...can the D finally get it together?

I know he's had some issues including punching Brady Quinn, but the guy could be a good rotational guy? He got released today and I think we should at least take a look. He's played DE and Dt in a 3-4 for the Browns and could be a good find at DT for us considering Okam just doesn't want to take the job, TJ sucks, and Zgonina is well, Zgonina. What do you guys think?

Well so much for that #3 QB competition as Alex Brink was released by the team. Also released were T Doug Dedrick and P Justin Brantly. Looks like Sexy Rexy is safe for now but Kubes hasn't been holding three quarter backs on the active roster since he got here. Maybe with The Schaub going down to injury the last couple of years he wants to be a little more cautious? Unlike many on the board I actually like having Rex on the roster. He may not be a guy who can come in and play every down all 16 weeks of the season but is much better than most back-ups (not to mention #3 QB's) in the league.

Check out a good piece on the ESPN AFC SOUTH blog about Xavier Adibi. Looks like dude wants to play real bad. Love to see that in the young kid. We'll see if he can beat out Cato June and Zach Diles for the last spot. Our linebacking corps is STACKED this year! SB Champs 09-10

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-10-100/Bulked-up-Adibi-fighting-for-third-linebacker-spot.html

Now this is what I like to hear out of the man in charge of the Houston Texans Defense!

If you're too lazy to click the link here's a little snip bit that you'll want to read:

"The message basically was: Hey, we're not going to offer any excuses or any explanations. We're just going to try to go out, do our jobs, do them as best as we can do them, be disciplined in our approach and just try to be more aggressive in our approach. Let's just put ourselves in position to compete every week. We don't want to go into games with any excuses for not being successful; we just want to play the games. Hopefully they'll take something from it."

Chris Perry and Gary Russell have been let go by the Bengals. Russell could be the type of guy we're looking for and was an SB winner with the Steelers next year. At worst he can compete with C. Brown and Foster. Perry is injury prone but is a former 1st round pick and could be worth a gamble as he is very versatile which is the theme of this off-season. The Bengals also cut Mike Doss and he could be a good risk.

Who else do you think will be cut that we can go with? 

Gary Kubiak has been spilling the beans to ESPN lately and this time he says he wants a big back to compliment Super Steve Slaton.

This article talks about possibilities if we go with an RB in round 2. Andre Brown, Rashad Jennings, and Shonn Greene are listed as possibilities. I personally like Greene, but would prefer to take a LB and CB in the first two rounds and go RB in round 3 or 4.

Gary Kubiak gave his input to ESPN.com about what they are looking for in the #15 overall pick, Amobi Okoye, and Duane Brown.

Kubes said they will not go with a receiver or running back in the first round, so you might as well cross off Beanie Wells from your first round mocks. I would guess we won't go with either of those two positions in round two unless there is a can't miss (Beanie or Knowshon drop). My guess is round 3 or one of the round 4 picks will be used to address RB and we might see a later round receiver as well.

Also gathered from this article it seems LB or DB is the pick in round 1. You can say the odd man out is round 2. It seems Smith and Cody have filled voids for the DL and we might go there in round 3.

A report of PFT has the Lions being interested in Mark Sanchez, not Matt Stafford.  It doesn't say whether Sanchez would be the Lions' #1 or #20 selection, but if they take an OL or Curry with their first pick, it could bode well for the Texans if the Lions want to trade up and get Sanchez. If they take Sanchez first, Stafford could slide and also help the Texans with a trade down situation. The report comes after an earlier PFT report that said the Lions were commencing negotiations with their #1 pick, so either Detroit is negotiating with one of the lineman or Sanchez actually is their #1 guy.

Earl Cochran's tendered offer has been taken off the table. Cochran is now a free agent, can sign with any team, and the Texans will not get any compensation. I like Cochran and feel this move is not great considering he showed some promise last year. Maybe we can still work something out, but to me I think he's gone and we take a DE in the draft (2nd or 3rd round?).

What do you guys think? Is this a good move? Does it suggest we'll be taking a DE in Round 2 or 3?