TEXANS QUARTERBACKS SHINE AGAINST SAINTS
While offense impresses, defense continues to shine
NEW ORLEANS — Let’s preface this by pointing out it is preseason, but because coach Bill O’Brien reiterates his priority is to win any time the Texans step onto the field, Sunday’s 27-13 victory over New Orleans was impressive in different ways.
Because of the quarterback competition that began in organized team activities and ended last week with O’Brien’s announcement that Brian Hoyer would be the starter over Ryan Mallett, most of the preseason attention has been on the offense. And rightfully so. The nationally televised victory at the Superdome was a good example.
Hoyer and Mallett produced touchdown and fieldgoal drives. Both had touchdown passes called back. Tom Savage also threw a touchdown pass.
“I thought mine was a great catch,” DeAndre Hop-
kins said about his 19-yard reception from Hoyer that wasn’t allowed. “I thought it was a touchdown. I felt like I was robbed. I felt like somebody came in my house and stole all my money.”
Three touchdowns and 49- and 29-yard field goals by Randy Bullock highlighted an impressive performance by an offense that managed only two touchdowns in the first two games.
Almost overlooked in the scrutiny of the offense has been a terrific performance by the defense that’s difficult to judge because J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork, Johnathan Joseph and Jadeveon Clowney have been cheerleaders.
Inside linebacker Brian Cushing has played little.
“I feel good because we’re playing real aggressive defense,” Cushing said. “It’s fun because no matter who we put out there, they’re playing pretty elite football. It’s a collective effort.”
Resting key players
In their last two games against Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, the defense — without four starters — has allowed one field goal on five possessions. That came on the Saints’ first series.
There are two advantages to resting key defensive players in preseason: They avoid injuries, and younger players are able to get experience.
Three inexperienced players are getting valuable on-the-job training: cornerbacks Kevin Johnson and Charles James and outside linebacker Kourtnei Brown.
Johnson, the first-round pick from Wake Forest, made a great play by breaking up a touchdown. He made another exceptional play on special teams.
James, undrafted coming out of Charleston Southern with practice squad experience with the New York Giants in 2013 and the Texans last season, excelled on defense and special teams. When he got a chance to play running back, he went 73 yards for a touchdown that was wiped out because of penalties.
“It was the best touchdown that didn’t count,” said James, who kept the football anyway. “It was the best thing that ever happened in my life. I don’t care if it was called back.”
After James scored, most of the team rushed to the end zone to congratulate him.
“That tells you what kind of guy he is and how we feel about him,” cornerback Kareem Jackson said. “We love to be around him. He brings a lot of energy. You never know what to expect from him.”
The defensive backs feel the same way about Johnson, who gets more impressive by the game.
“They’re students of the game,” Jackson said about Johnson and James. “It’s a testament to what hard work will get you.
“Both of them come in every day, work hard and take what they learn in the film room and transfer it to the field, where they make plays.”
‘A positive sign’
The same can be said about Brown, who has played for six teams but has never appeared in a regular-season game.
That could change. After getting two sacks against San Francisco and scoring a touchdown on a pass interception against Denver, Brown recovered a fumble against the Saints.
“With the young guys, you can keep it simple so they have a better chance of showing you what they can do,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “When they flash, it’s a positive sign.”
After three games, there are a lot of positive signs on both sides of the ball.