PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 28

HOUSTON TEXANS

David Carr is gone.

That alone is cause for celebration in Houston, but the move came a year too late.  If the Texans had opted to cut the cord on the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft in early 2006, the team would have been in a position to select hometown product Vince Young with the No. 1 overall selection.

Though Young is yet to be ready for Canton, he was better than expected as a rookie, and his performance overshadowed that of defensive end Mario Williams, whom the Texans selected instead of Young and Reggie Bush.

Speaking of Bush, the Texans were scared away from Bush not long before the draft.  Though they still swear that it was a football decision, the root of the move was a controversy that has faded from view in the intervening 16 months, due in large part to the emergence of far more compelling story lines involving Pacman Jones and Mike Vick.

In Carr's place is Matt Schaub, who created plenty of buzz in spot duty with the Falcons.  Schaub is developing a great rapport with receiver Andre Johnson, and that can't hurt.

The offensive line is still in flux, as the zone-blocking scheme enters only its second season of use.  Running the ball will be veteran Ahman Green, a solid but aging (and injury prone) tailback.

On defense, the team continue to invest first-rounders in the front line, but the trio of Travis Johnson, Mario Williams, and Amobi Okoye won't be confused any time soon with Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren.  The rest of the defense is adequate, but not stellar.  And not nearly good enough to compete for dominance in a difficult AFC South.

Sorry, Texans fans.  Your team could surprise us as the year unfolds.  But, for now, there are simply too many better teams.

Key departures:  QB David Carr, DE Antwan Peek, CB Lewis Sanders.

Key arrivals:  QB Matt Schaub, RB Ahman Green, WR Keenan McCardell, OT Jordan Black, WR Andre Davis, DT Jeff Zgonina.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  WR Jacoby Jones.

Coach's current job security:  Three years.