Houston Texans' Offensive Line Thinned Out Due To Injury--Cause For Concern?

by TexansDC on Aug 26, 2011 3:50 PM CDT in News

Well...that's one way to apply ice to yourself, Kasey.

If you have not been following the Houston Texans' injury report or coach Gary Kubiak's quotes lately, you may be surprised to find out that the offensive line’s depth has been challenged.

Swing tackle Rashad Butler is nursing a hamstring injury, offensive guard Kasey Studdard recently had ankle surgery and is expected to be put on injured reserve, Antoine Caldwell is out with an ankle injury, and Shelley Smith left practice yesterday with an undisclosed-as-of-now injury. We saw the result of the lack of depth last weekend as the reserve offensive line struggled to make life easy for Matt Leinart and Chris Ogbonnaya after the starting five helped Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, and Ben Tate shine.

With the team down one second-team guard for good and two others for an undisclosed amount of time, is it time for ol’ Rick Smith to ~~go re-sign Chester Pitts~~ peruse the free agent pool for a veteran guard as insurance? Jump to read my opinion and vote in the poll while the comments are yours to chime in with all your wondrous thoughts on the issues being caused by shaky offensive line depth.

I think we’re at the time to fortify the group due to the amassing number of injuries. The depth chart is already down both second-team guards and a third-team guard, so there's really nothing at the moment behind the starting guards. It’s always possible that an injury can happen on any play, but it’s more possible with Mike Brisiel.

Brisiel, who is the mauler of the group when healthy, has missed 15 games over the past two seasons due to season-ending injuries to his calf and foot the past two years. Given that history, I can't put all my eggs into the Brisiel basket. I would rather fortify the line’s depth now as opposed to being caught with one's pants down - especially if Smith and/or Caldwell will not be ready to go at the start of the season.

Poll

What should we do about offensive line depth?

We have two weeks until opening weekend, no need to worry!

25 votes

Let's wait until teams cut down to 80 and 53 so we have a better selection of linemen.

233 votes

There's someone out there now that I want in Houston now! (Explain who below)

16 votes

They're not starters, who cares?

8 votes

Other (Explain since I don't know what other opinion one could have on this)

6 votes

288 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Other: Howard Barbieri

6’-5", 305, plays all three OL positions.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Aug 26, 2011 3:58 PM CDT reply actions

Did I mention he's familiar with the Texans ZBS?

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Aug 26, 2011 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

He was playing on Saturday but I didn't focus on him

Did he do well?

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Aug 26, 2011 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I think tomorrow's game is an opportunity to watch more closely

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Aug 26, 2011 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Where's he from? How do you know about him?

Why is he good?

"Oh Socrates... Where would we be without you serving as midwife to the birth of our reason?"
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Aug 26, 2011 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

He has played TE, too?

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Aug 26, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

Zing!!

by Catallac392 on Aug 26, 2011 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Again... /assumed

"Oh Socrates... Where would we be without you serving as midwife to the birth of our reason?"
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Aug 26, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

you shouldn't ask so many questions....

you might get an answer you weren’t expecting.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Aug 27, 2011 6:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Here? Naaaaaaahhh...

"Oh Socrates... Where would we be without you serving as midwife to the birth of our reason?"
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Aug 27, 2011 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not too concerned.

Smith’s injury isn’t too bad, and Butler’s isn’t either. In other words, they should be fine long term. Smith, Butler, and Wallace become our backups, which I’m honestly fine with.

Both Wallace and Smith have played well in the first two games, especially Wallace. Butler has always been one of the better backup swing tackles in the league, so if Brown or Winston goes down, I have confidence in Butler.

Only position I’m concerned about is RG. Obviously, Brisiel has a history of injuries, and Shelley Smith has mainly played LG in his time here.

All in all, I’m not worried.

"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.

by bone31crusher on Aug 26, 2011 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

Believe it or not

I think we could lose any of the starting 5 OL and still be ok. Except for chris Meyers. Never thought I would say that

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Aug 26, 2011 4:13 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

OTHER

Glover Quin

"Oh yeah, I feel at home on the football field. I don’t care where they put me. They can put me at outside backer or somewhere, ~~nose tackle~~ offensive guard. I just like to be on the field. I feel like if I can get on the field, I have a chance to make plays and that’s where I feel at home."

by Canes89 on Aug 26, 2011 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Hey! With his speed teams might have to double team him.

Unlike Shaun Cody.

Prediction: 11-5 AFC South champions.

by Ethan Matz on Aug 26, 2011 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Other

Bring back Barbaro!

I can’t remember who, and I’m too lazy to check, but someone in my Twitter feed has had a few conversations about Charles Spencer recently.

Based on in depth research (good enough for the comicle anyways) I think that Charles Spencer is not only fit and ready to rejoin an NFL roster, but based on his knowledge of the ZBS scheme that he ran (more or less) as a LT, would be a great backup lineman.

by Tailgate Andy on Aug 26, 2011 4:32 PM CDT reply actions

This?

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Aug 26, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Not specific to offensive linemen.

I’m more than willing to wait until teams have to start cutting players before we address non-urgent depth issues. There are always a few surprise cuts every year.

GET A SILK BAG FROM THE GRAVEYARD DUCK TO LIVE LONGER.

by Synchysi on Aug 26, 2011 4:35 PM CDT reply actions