With the top of the depth chart populated by names that were well past their sell-by date and a rookie quarterback learning on the job, it’s easy to understand why the Houston Texans finished dead last in the NFL in rushing yards (83.6 per game), rushing touchdowns (eight), and yards per carry (3.4) last year. That led to a complete overhaul as, of the team’s top five rushers, only running back Rex Burkhead, who paced the team with 427 yards on 122 carries, returns.
Also gone is much of the coaching staff with David Culley replaced as head coach by Lovie Smith, and Tim Kelly giving way to Pep Hamilton as offensive coordinator. Hamilton served as the passing game coordinator last year but has OC experience from his time with the Indianapolis Colts.
With young quarterback Davis Mills the starter, Smith and Hamilton would love to put together a quality ground attack to take some pressure off their second-year signal caller. The question is whether they have the horses to do it.
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