There are a number of things I think about on a daily basis. Where are my keys? How do the Wolverines look this year?* Could Eric Winston actually be our most talented Left Tackle and Right Tackle? Who the hell is going to be the Texans' starting WR2? No, really, where are my keys?

Well, it seems that Gary Kubiak and I have at least one concern in common. From the article:

Pro Bowler Andre Johnson is set on one side. But a sea of receivers suddenly has a new outlook for the other starting job.

That was obvious to Andre’ Davis when he was deciding where to go as a free agent. Davis and returning backup Kevin Walter are the leading candidates for that job, but players like Jerome Mathis and Charlie Adams, not to mention rookie Jacoby Jones and David Anderson, all feel they have a shot at the job.

I've been pretty clear that I am excited about the prospect of JJ overtaking Kevin Walter at WR2. I think Jones' athleticism and speed, along with his amazing showing at the Shrine Game, make him an exciting addition to an offense that really needs some playmakers.

That said, I am starting to think that Andre' Davis might be the best short-term solution to this conundrum. Yes, I realize that he's never even cracked 600 yards in a season. Yes, I realize that his single-season career high in receptions is 40. And, yes, I understand that he has 11 catches and 1 TD total over the last two seasons.

So why--WHY?!--would I be trumpeting him? Simple. He (a) allows Walter (or, preferably, Jones) to play the slot receiver position, better utilizing their size/speed in mismatch situations, (b) he is less likely to become the malcontent that we have seen over the course of his career if he feels he's the second option in the offense, (c) he has fantastic speed (sub 4.4 at times)** that could stretch the field and open things up for Schaub, and (d) he provides some additional veteran experience on the starting offense--combining with Johnson and Batman to give Schaub some wizened help, which is never a bad thing. (Also, let's not overlook what would be point (e)--Walter had 17 catches for 160 and no TDs last year; it's not like he set the world on fire.)

I also have to admit that I like this mindset from 'Dre Redux:

But Davis knows it won’t be easy to win that spot. Among other challenges, Davis feels he has to basically forget everything he has learned in his five years in the NFL.

“You know guys who have been here have an upper hand on me,” Davis said. “They’ve been in the system. They know what the coaches expect. So I’m coming in kind of at a disadvantage, even though I’ve been in the league five years.

This is what you want to hear. Unlike certain self-centered USC-bred WRs currently being courted by Jeff Fisher's mustache, Davis accepts that he has to actually, you know, EARN a starting spot, regardless of who his competition is. Even if it's only lip-service on Andre's part, I still like it.

SO... if I had my druthers, the real battle right now would be between Jones and Walter at WR3. I would also understand why Darcy Maeda and David Carr were equals.***

*I realize that, within the confines of my own blog, I am probably alone in this one. Also, it's unlikely that you know where my keys are.
**See, e.g., his record-tying 99-yard TD reception a few years ago.
***Seriously.

Labels: Andre Johnson, Batman, Desperate times call for desperate MEshawns, Jacoby Jones is unheralded, Jeff Fisher's Mustache, Teams that aren't the Texans, The Schaub Experiment

Posted by matt on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 9:53 PM | Permalink