While the focus might be on the run game of the Houston Texans, the wide receiver group is looking like it could be the team's biggest strength. Houston made headlines when they released Andre Johnson in free agency after being the leading franchise receiver since his arrival. The Texans have had no problems replacing his production on the field as Cecil Shorts and Jaelen Strong could be critical additions to Houston this season.
DeAndre Hopkins is the undisputed No.1 receiver now in Houston, but the battle is on to be the No.2 guy. Cecil Shorts was signed in free agency while Jaelen Strong came in through the draft. Both players have excelled to this point in the year, catching touchdown passes in their preseason debut. Shorts put up a nice 58-yard touchdown catch while Strong added a 10-yard reception from third-string quarterback Tom Savage. Strong admitted that it felt good to get on the field and shake out some of the NFL debut nerves.
"It felt real good, just got to keep on tapping that rock every day, getting better and better," Strong said, via the Houston Chronicle. "It just built my confidence just a little. He just threw it to a spot and I just made the play. He made a great throw and I just caught it. I get nervous before every game, but that's just how I've always been. The atmosphere was definitely something different. It's just a blessing and a dream come true."
While Strong is expected to be an impact player for the Texans, it will likely be Shorts that gets the nod for the starting job. According to the veteran, the Texans offense is like wide receiver heaven even with the ongoing quarterback battle. After the injury to Arian Foster, Houston might opt to air the ball out more and Shorts is aiming to take advantage of it.
The wide receiver group will be critical to the quarterback rotation. With Alfred Blue now heading up the run game, the receivers will be looked at to bail out Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer. According to head coach Bill O'Brien, there is no timetable to name a starting quarterback as both players have shown good and bad things in training camp. Hoyer started in the first preseason game against the 49ers while Mallett will get the nod against the Denver Broncos. This will be the former Patriots' shot to distinguish himself as the best option.
"I don't know when that announcement will be made," O'Brien said, via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle . "Everything that we do here, every decision we make, is in the best interest of the team. Certainly, we know that's an important position. We know that the fans want to know. We know that you [media] want to know. We know that you guys are trying to do your jobs. When we decide on who that guy is, we'll make sure we tell everybody and move on."
