2017 Houston Texans Season

The Texans made it official by naming Romeo Crennel the new DC after Mike Vrabel accepted the head coaching position with Tennessee. It sort of lends credence to the old saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." Crennel had been the Texans DC from 2014-2016 in Bill O'Brien's first 3 seasons as head coach. Crennel was named Assistant head coach last year as Vrabel was named the DC. Crennel's return means the Texans will retain continuity as they look to rebound from a disappointing season in 2017 marked by the loss of several key players including JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Brian Cushing due to injuries or suspensions. The coaching staff has seen a good many changes so far since the Texans season ended. There has been a lot of movement on the Texans coaching staff since GM Rick Smith announced his indefinite leave of absence due to his wife's battle with breast cancer. It began with Bill O'Brien agreeing to a contract extension rather than tendering his resignation had Smith continued in his GM role. Several moves have been made with the appearance being O'Brien was hired "his guys" so there would be a unified voice in the locker room by the coaching staff. Not that there was a lot of rumblings before but it's seems unlikely Smith stepping down and a total revamp of the coaching staff coming right on the heels of Smith's departure is a coincidence.

This revamped coaching staff has been in Mobile Alabama this past week as they prepare to coach the south squad in the Senior Bowl today. The Broncos staff will be coaching the north squad. Getting to coach the senior bowl is a big advantage to the staffs involved because they get an up-close-and-personal look at a big chunk of the prospects in the upcoming draft. When Dallas' staff coached the Senior Bowl prior to the 2016 draft they were able to identify several prospects including one in particular, Dak Prescott, that they got to know in the week of practice leading up to the game. The NFL teams have reps in the stands watching the practices but it's no substitute for close interaction with the players on the practice field, meeting rooms and all the surrounding activities. The Texans are going to have no draft picks in the 1st and 2nd rounds because of the moves Houston involving their QB situation. First, they gave up their 1st round draft pick in this year's draft to Cleveland for the right to move up in the 2017 draft to get future franchise QB Desean Watson. Then they gave up their second round pick to Cleveland because the Browns took Brock Osweiler off their hands including his salary. Small price to pay for the mistake of signing Osweiler in the first place. What this means is the Texans have to make the most of this up close opportunity so they can get good value when they begin making their picks beginning in the 3rd round of the draft.

From the One good thing department; Bill O'Brien announced this week that Desean Watson is ahead of schedule in the rehab from his torn ACL. Good news for sure! It's unlikely Watson will be in the offseason workout program with the team as he will continue to rehab his knee but it's quite possible, maybe even probable, he will be ready to go for training camp. Very good news!

Enjoy the Senior Bowl or at least part of it before you go to the Montagne to seen LU take on McNeese in basketball late this afternoon.