April 26, 2009
Versatility Counts for Something
by Keith Weiland
Keith@IntheBullseye.com

Time to compliment the complementary players. In a draft believed by some experts to be a bit subpar to the overall talent of recent draft classes, the Texans still found a way to address their needs on both sides of the ball. Well, all but one at least, as needed depth at running back was ignored. Otherwise, the 2009 NFL Draft for the Texans could be capsulized by the versatility of many of their selections.

In the first round, the Texans declined offers to move down and selected outside linebacker Brian Cushing with the 15th pick. The first of three Southern Cal linebackers selected on the draft's first day, Cushing adds a slobberknocking attitude to a Texans defense in need of some toughness.

Leading up to the draft (and really since his time in high school), Cushing has been a target for steroid rumors. None of those rumors have stuck, leaving Cushing's profile as being a very health-conscious weight room devotee, one who has his menus catered daily by a personal nutritionist. He has the skillset necessary to stay on the field all three downs, and his intensity both on and off the field will demonstrate the sort of work ethic coaches admire.

The Texans bolstered their pass rush in the second round, selecting Cincinnati defensive end Connor Barwin with the 46th overall pick. Projected to be a situational rusher at right end, Barwin's versatilty caught the eye of the Texans. A former tight end, Barwin has the athleticism (4.59 speed and a 40.5" vertical) to move all over the field for the defense.

Starting off the festivities on Sunday, the team turned to the offense and chose Alabama center Antoine Caldwll in the third round. Caldwell continues the theme of versatility, having played all but left tackle on the offensive line. His value to the Texans will come when he tutors at both the center and guard positions early in his NFL career.

With two picks in the fourth round, the Texans selected cornerback Glover Quin of New Mexico and tight end Anthony Hill of N.C. State. Though he will start the offseason as a corner, many scouts were believed to have interest in Glover as a possible free safety. And Hill, who has recovered from a torn ACL in 2007, is the sort of blocking tight end the team needed to replace Mark Bruener, though there are thoughts that with a few extra pounds, assistant head coach Alex Gibbs might be converting Hill into a tackle.

In the fifth round, the Texans didn't have to look far for James Casey, a tight end from Rice. In college, Casey was Mr. Versatility, having played as many as nine positions for the Owls. A multi-sport athlete, Casey delayed his college career for three years following his selection by the Chicago White Sox in 2003.

The Texans returned their focus to the defense in the sixth round, taking cornerback Brice McCain of Utah. Further proving the belief of general manager Rick Smith that a team should never ignore the position in any draft, McCain brings with him sub-4.3 speed and an ability to return kicks.

The drafting concluded for the Texans when they chose Troy Nolan, a free safety from Arizona State. An aggressive, ball-hungry centerfielder, Nolan will probably need to prove his worth as a special teamer first to make the final roster this season.

While the Texans addressed some glaring needs on defense and the offensive line, they failed to select a running back to help share the load with Steve Slaton. Veterans Chris Brown and Ryan Moats remain on the roster, but the team might regret not having addressed the position with an earlier pick in this year's draft.

Still, the Texans will likely be quite pleased with this year's class. While it may not deliver the same results as prior draft classes, the versatility offered by many of this year's selections will give them a better shot at longevity in the league.

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