The Houston Texans have picked up a number of new players
through free agency and re-signings in the past several days. Most recently,
the Texans signed linebacker Sam Cowart from the Minnesota Vikings and center
Mike Flanagan from the Green Bay Packers. Other recent signings include
linebacker Shantee Orr, linebacker Frank Chamberlin, linebacker DaShon Polk, and
strong safety Ramon Walker.
Sam Cowart comes to Houston with nine years of NFL
experience. Over the course of his career Cowart has played four seasons with
the Buffalo Bills, three seasons with the New York Jets, and one season with the
Minnesota Vikings. Cowart is a solid presence to be added to the defense,
recording 72 tackles and 2 sacks. He attended college at Florida State where he
was named a first team All American during his senior year.
Mike Flanagan spent 11 years with the Green Bay Packers
before the Texans made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Flanagan was a
consistent starter for the Packer offense for the past several seasons. Despite
being hampered by a recurring knee injury last season, Flanagan still started 14
games. He is known as one of the league’s top offensive linemen, which makes
him an excellent signing for the Texans who are lacking in the offensive linemen
department.
Shantee Orr returns to the Texans for his fourth season.
Prior to his resigning with the Texans, he was a restricted free agent. Last
season Orr put up some good numbers for the Texans, making 59 tackles (44 solo)
in his 16 games. Although, with several new acquisitions to the linebacker
position, Orr will have to step his play up a few levels if he wants to see the
same amount of time on the field.
DaShon Polk returns to the Texans for another season at
linebacker. Polk has been a consistent starter for the Texans and the Buffalo
Bills before he came to Houston in 2004. He had his best season of his career
last year, chalking up 93 tackles (63 solo) and 3.5 sacks.
Frank Chamberlin is another linebacker that played for the
Texans last season and will be rejoining the team. Chamberlin was given the
opportunity to play 9 games last season, during which he only recorded three
tackles.
Ramon Walker was also re-signed to the Texans for the
strong safety position. He has 4 years experience in the NFL, all with the
Texans.
With the acquisition of two teams former starters in Cowart
and Flanagan, the Texans have definitely brought on players who will be welcomed
to the team by fans. Flanagan will be a huge asset to the team’s offensive
line, where arguably most of the attention needs to be focused for the upcoming
season. Cowart has the potential to be the teams top linebacker next season as
well.