Following finishing 2-2 in the 2011 pre-season, the Houston Texans decided in order to improve in the competitive AFC South, they needed to get younger. Part of this was trading for a young franchise quarterback to lead the team for the next decade. Enter Matt Stafford.
Stafford, along with Detroit’s first and third round picks in the 2012 draft, were acquired for Texans QB Schaub. The new Texans QB is 8 years younger and formed a connection with All-Pro Calvin Johnson in Detroit and is hoping to replicate that success with Houston’s own All-Pro threat, Andre Johnson.
In order to smooth the transition for Stafford, Houston also acquired former Georgia Bulldog A.J. Green, a receiver drafted 4th overall by the Bengals this past draft, for Detroit’s 1st-round pick and WR Kevin Walter. Back in their lone season together at the University of Georgia in 2008, the Stafford/Green connection led to 963 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The Texans weren’t done there, adding some help in the secondary by acquiring 5th overall pick Patrick Peterson from the Cardinals for Houston’s 1st-round pick and CB Jason Allen. He will start alongside standout CB Jonathan Joseph, as well as handling punt and kick return duties.
In a depth move to shore up the defense, Houston signed OLB Julian Peterson and DT Pat Williams to one-year contracts. The Texans open their season at home against division rivals Indianapolis.
