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Friday, July 25, 2008

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Texans improve team in draft


By ELWYN HENDERSON

Houston Texans 2008 Draft Recap

Thanks to some good moves in the free agency market during the off-season, the Houston Texans improved their team quite a bit from the 2007 season when they finished with the best record in team history at 8-8. That meant they really only had three major needs in the 2008 NFL Draft which began last Saturday, April 26th.

They desperately needed a left offensive tackle, a franchise running back, and some additional help in the defensive secondary. Those pieces added to the puzzle SHOULD make Houston a playoff team in 2008 IF they can remain healthy.

The Texans had the 18th overall pick, the lowest they have ever drafted in team history, due to their .500 finish last season. As is always the case, they had their “war room” draft board set up with the athletes they were interested in, and decided they could still probably get their choice by trading down eight spots to 26th in the first round. While it was a gamble, it did pay off big, as Houston added 3rd round and 6th round picks in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.

Houston took little time in making the selection, as they chose offensive left tackle Duane Brown from Virginia Tech. Brown is a 6’4”, 308 lb. lineman who is expected to contribute almost immediately to the squad.

Head Coach Gary Kubiak was excited about the selection. “We are very excited to get Duane (Brown). There were some very good offensive linemen in this draft. We have really been in love with this kid for a long time. He fits what we want to do. He is very athletic. We think he is only on the rise. The kid is going to get better and better. I love his passion to play the game. He loves to play football, and we have a couple of kids on the team that know him. I have never heard guys speak so highly of a former teammate. Obviously, we’re calling on him to help this team very, very early, and like I said, we’re just very excited to get him.”

Team owner Bob McNair was also very pleased with the selection of Brown. “Well, I’m really excited about him because number one, he’s healthy! A lot of the tackles that we looked at in the draft weren’t nearly as healthy as he is. With most football players, they have something wrong with them….he’s a very solid guy, very healthy, so I feel real good about that.”

As is customary, the Texans got Brown on a conference call with the media shortly after his selection. There was no doubt listening to his comments that he was happy to be headed to Houston. “I was just overwhelmed with joy. I was a bit surprised because I didn’t have much contact with them during the (scouting) process. I’m just very happy and I’m ready to get to work.”



Courtesy Photo / Elwyn Henderson
COACH GARY KUBIAK and GM RICK SMITH of the Houston Texans discuss their top draft choice, OL Duane Brown of Virginia Tech, on Saturday, April 26.


Courtesy Photo / Elwyn Henderson
DUANE BROWN was in Houston on Sunday, April 27, the day after the Texans made him their No. 1 draft choice.

Photos from the Texans "War Room"





Courtesy Photos / Bill Baptist, Houston Texans


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