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Houston Texans Biggest 2013 Team Need

February 1, 2013 by Kurt Turner

If there is one element I would love to see the Houston Texans add this off-season it would be an outside receiver. But when I took a deeper look, I realized this team has a bigger need for a quality linebacker.

This is very easily put together for those of you unaware. We’ll start with everyone OTHER than Brian Cushing, move onto Cushing and then my pick.

Bradie James is 32, a free agent unlikely to return, and no better than average. While James offers sustainable services against the run, his pass-coverage abilities are less than desirable. Tim Dobbins and Darryl Sharpton are serviceable fill-ins, but nowhere near starting material.

See, easy.

Brian Cushing is basically Houston’s version of Ray Lewis, but is coming off of a terrible ACL tear.

Here’s a comparison of Houston’s defense with and without Brian Cushing.

The Cushing Effect

With   Brian Cushing

Without   Brian Cushing

Passing Defense

2nd

24th

Total Points Allowed

18th

1st

Total Yards Allowed

13th

1st

 

Now we can’t completely blame the Texans decline on Cushing’s ACL tear considering they were also without Jonathan Joseph for a while, but in the same vein, Brian Cushing’s absence was certainly felt.

The Houston Texans rely heavily on their linebacker corp. from a defensive scheme point of view. These backers are required to be just as good at stopping the run as they are defending the pass—more so than usual.

This is a team that utilizes a lot of single coverage on the outside, a lot of variant dime packages that require specific matchups and this all surrounds the linebacker position in one way or another.

If the Houston Texans were to acquire another high profile ILB to pair up with Brian Cushing—not to mention learn from him—they would easily transition an already talented group into an elite defense.

One prospect I really believe can help Houston do this—and more—is LSU’s Kevin Minter.

Minter isn’t the deeply feard Ray Lewis type of backer, the Texans already have that guy in Cushing. Instead, Minter is an elusive defender who utilizes his speed and agility to make the necessary plays on the field.

Instead of taking a defender head-on, he tries to elude. Rather than disrupt a route-runner or aggressively “ball-hawk” he utilizes an angled approach to disrupt the play.

I think the Houston Texans need a compliment linebacker to Brian Cushing, not the same TYPE of player.  With polar opposite backers patrolling the second level—above average backers mind you—the Houston Texans take another step forward to being a complete defense.

Kevin Minter is that puzzle piece the Houston Texans are missing.

Have your own idea regarding your Texans? Leave you mention below and be sure to follow my continuing NFL coverage below.

Next up, the Indianapolis Colts.

NFC North 2013 team Needs: GREEN BAY PACKERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
CHICAGO BEARS
DETROIT LIONS
NFC East 2013 Team Needs: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DALLAS COWBOYS
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
NEW YORK GIANTS
NFC South 2013 Team Needs: ATLANTA FALCONS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
NFC West 2013 Team Needs: ST. LOUIS RAMS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
AFC North 2013 Team Needs: BALTIMORE RAVENS
CINCINATTI BENGALS
CLEVELAND BROWNS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
AFC East 2013 Team Needs: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
NEW YORK JETS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
BUFFALO BILLS
AFC South 2013 Team Needs: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
HOUSTON TEXANS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
TENNESSEE TITANS
AFC West 2013 Team Needs: DENVER BRONCOS
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Category - NFL Coverage - Houston Texans Biggest 2013 Team Need

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About Kurt Turner

Kurt's fantasy advice is featured on USA Today Sports, Bleacher Reports, SiriusXM and Fox Sports. He is the owner of FantasyKnuckleheads.com and has been butchering topics here for over 15 years. Follow him on Twitter

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