http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3397523 It's time to look for help Texans fans have heard it all before, but the upcoming draft does hold promise By JOHN MCCLAIN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle SEATTLE — The Texans could be playing a bowl at San Francisco on the last day of the season. Based on the way the Texans have played leading up to the quarter mark of the season, their New Year's Day game against the 49ers could become the Toilet Bowl to determine who gets the No. 1 pick in the draft. Going into tonight's nationally televised game at Seattle, the Texans are the only NFL team without a victory. Before training camp, owner Bob McNair said he expected the Texans to compete for the playoffs. With 12 games remaining, they're competing for the top pick. Of the four teams that have won only one game, the Texans play three of them — San Francisco, Arizona and Baltimore. Because of the year-round interest in the draft, it's never too early to look ahead, especially when your team leads the sweepstakes for the first pick. Rob Rang, a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com has some good news for Texans fans. "This is shaping up as an outstanding draft for offensive left tackles," Rang said Friday. "Although we've got a long way to go before the draft and so many things can happen, right now, it looks like as many as five seniors could be taken in the first round. "And remember, that's not even counting the juniors that might come out." THESE GUYS ARE DIFFERENCE-MAKERS Barring a miraculous turnaround, the Texans are going to get one of the top picks in the draft. They haven't been able to protect the quarterback — or get the quarterback. Here are nfldraftscout.com's rankings for seniors who might solve the Texans' biggest needs: • 2. A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State (6-foot-1, 243 pounds, 4.51 in the 40): Big-time prospect who rushes like an end and covers like a safety. • 3. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-6, 260, 4.69): A pure 4-3 end; quick pass rusher whose motor never stops. • 5. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia (6-5, 298, 5.26): Started every game until a knee injury ended his streak. • 6. Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa (6-3, 242, 4.55): Outstanding pass rusher who plays the run and drops into coverage. • 7. Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn (6-8, 335, 5.05): May be first tackle picked because of size, quickness and ability. • 10. Eric Winston, OT, Miami (6-6, 310, 5.05): Awesome blocker and pass protector who recovered from knee surgery. • 14. Travis Wilson, WR, Oklahoma (6-2, 215, 4.50): A better prospect than Mark Clayton, who was a first-round pick. • 15. Darryl Tapp, DE, Virginia Tech (6-1, 265, 4.76): Super-quick pass rusher who's being compared to Dwight Freeney. • 17. Jeremy Trueblood, OT, Boston College (6-8, 328, 5.28): Outstanding size; excels as pass blocker in pro-style offense. • 23. Thomas Howard, OLB, UTEP (6-3, 230, 4.44): Great speed; takes over games as a pass rusher and run stuffer. Through four games, the Texans have done a lot of things bad, but the worst has been protecting David Carr, who has been sacked an NFL-high 27 times and is on a pace for an NFL-record 108. "The best tackles aren't rated as high as Orlando Pace, Jonathan Ogden and Walter Jones," Rang said, "but they're still darned good prospects with a lot of talent and potential. And they should go high, too." The top five senior left tackles are Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson (6-5, 298), Auburn's Marcus McNeill (6-8, 335), Miami's Eric Winston (6-6, 310), Boston College's Jeremy Trueblood (6-8, 328) and Texas' Jonathan Scott (6-6, 310). Factors to consider McNair plans to pay Carr an $8 million bonus that's due before the season ends to extend his contract for three years. Because Carr will be the quarterback next season, rule out USC's Matt Leinart. If coach Dom Capers returns, he'll be playing a 3-4 defensive scheme again. If Capers is fired, the new coach will probably play a 4-3, which means the Texans will be desperate for at least one end who specializes in getting the quarterback, as well as classic 4-3 middle linebacker. If the Texans end up with the top pick, they can take another player or trade it to a team that wants Leinart. Leinart's teammate, junior running back Reggie Bush, is expected to come out early. "Bush is the best player in the country, bar none," one long-time NFC scout said this past week. "He can score from anywhere on the field, and he can do it as a runner, receiver, punt returner or kickoff returner." If the Texans have a shot at Bush, he would be difficult to pass up, but running back Domanick Davis recently signed a long-term contract and has been the Texans' most effective weapon. "Yeah, Davis isn't bad; he's going to give them 1,110 to 1,200 yards a season and caught a lot of short passes. Bush is a home run hitter," a veteran AFC scout said. "Can Davis score from anywhere on the field? Would Bush get caught from behind like Davis did on his long (44 yards) run against Tennessee? No way." Long wish list The Texans could use an extra pick or two because they need pass blockers, pass rushers, a big-play wide receiver and a tight end who's a threat as a receiver. What the Texans need at receiver and tight end are in short supply in the 2006 draft. Oklahoma's Travis Wilson (6-2, 215) is the best senior receiver. Texas Tech's Jarrett Hicks (6-3, 211) is the best junior receiver. "This is a great draft for linebackers, too," Rang said. "There are some tremendous prospects on the outside." The best outside linebackers can play in a 3-4 or 4-3. They include Ohio State's A.J. Hawk (6-1, 243) and Iowa's Chad Greenway (6-3, 242). UTEP's Thomas Howard (6-3, 230) is a senior whose stock is on the rise at outside linebacker. "The highest-rated ends right now are 4-3 types," Rang said. "And they're good, too." The best senior line prospect is Boston College end Mathias Kiwanuka (6-6, 260). The highest-rated junior is Purdue end Ray Edwards (6-6, 270). Virginia Tech's Darryl Tapp (6-1, 265) is an end who's getting a lot of attention. With the exception of Leinart at the top, juniors could change the direction of the draft. Vince Young (Texas), Drew Stanton (Michigan State), Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green) and Chris Leak (Florida) could make it a terrific draft for quarterbacks.
McNair plans to pay Carr an $8 million bonus that's due before the season ends to extend his contract for three years. Because Carr will be the quarterback next season, rule out USC's Matt Leinart... I don't want Carr for another 3 seasons. We should try to get a QB in the draft and just start over.
