2010 Houston Texans Training Camp Preview

If the Texans wish to build off last year’s 9-7 finish and make the playoffs for the first time in team history, they will need to come out of camp with a bunch of questions answered on defense. In the secondary, Houston must have the young likes of Glover Quin and first-round rookie Kareem Jackson from Alabama bear the look of corners who are ready to deal with Peyton Manning. Within the front seven, coordinator Frank Bush needs to determine whether Conor Barwin is ready to make an impact off the edge, and whether Xavier Adibi is prepared at strongside linebacker while Brian Cushing is serving a four-game steroid suspension to start the season.

The biggest battle on offense could be at running back, where Steve Slaton had fumbling and injury issues, and second-rounder Ben Tate and the emerging Arian Foster could push him. The special teams area to watch is at kicker, where the inconsistent Kris Brown and Neil Rackers are competing. Also keep an eye on diminutive return specialist Trindon Holliday, who is fast and will get lots of chances in the preseason. The question is can his speed and size translate to the NFL.

DRAFT PICKS: CB Kareem Jackson, RB Ben Tate, DT Earl Mitchell, LB Darryl Sharpton, TE Garrett Graham, CB Sherrick McManis, OG Shelley Smith, KR Trindon Holliday, TE Dorin Dickerson.
REPORT DATE/PLACE: July 30, Methodist Training Center, Houston, TX

KEY CAMP QUESTION: Can youngsters carry the secondary?
FUTURES ODDS: 30-1 to win Super Bowl.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE:
August 14 at Arizona
August 21 at New Orleans
August 28 Dallas

September 2 Tampa Bay

Note: This is a training camp preview. Regular season previews will appear closer to the beginning of the season.

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