ppy" thoughts about

68. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-12)

LAST SEASON: Texans won AFC South in past two seasons before failing to make postseason in 2017 as they dealt with numerous injuries [url=http://www.authenticsbuffalobills.com/cheap-phillip-gaines-jersey]Phillip Gaines Color Rush Jersey[/url] , including to rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and superstar defensive end J.J. Watt. Best news of dreadful season was play of Watson in seven games before he tore anterior cruciate ligament in right knee in practice. He threw for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns, giving Texans hope they've finally found franchise quarterback after years of misfires and disappointment. Another bright spot was continued improvement of 2014 top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. Defensive end finished second in NFL with career-high 21 tackles for losses and his 9 1/2 sacks, 21 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles were also career bests. He had career-high 59 tackles and started all 16 games for first time in career after struggling with injuries in first two NFL seasons before playing 14 games in 2016.

THEY NEED: LT, RT, TE.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB, WR, DE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: T Jamarco Jones, Ohio State; T Tyrell Crosby [url=http://www.saintscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-rick-leonard-jersey]Cheap Rick Leonard Jersey[/url] , Oregon; TE Durham Smythe, Notre Dame.

OUTLOOK: Texans desperately need to upgrade offensive line to better protect Watson after trading franchise left tackle Duane Brown to Seattle last season. But it will be tough in draft because they don't have pick until third round. Houston sent first-round pick in this year's draft to Cleveland last year to trade up to get Watson, and previously shipped second-round pick in 2018 to Browns as part of deal to get rid of Brock Osweiler. That leaves new general manager Brian Gaine, taking over after Rick Smith took leave of absence to care for ailing wife, with eight picks in Rounds 3-7 seven to try and find some pieces to upgrade team looking to bounce back after last year's nosedive.

Ezekiel Elliott never has offered much about his state of mind at training camp a year ago when the star running back of the Dallas Cowboys faced the possibility of a suspension over domestic violence allegations.

So let his position coach explain the difference now that the drama is gone.

"You go at this time last year, he's very stressed out," running backs coach Gary Brown said. "Wasn't himself. Looked big. Now he looks happy and jubilant and lean and just going out there and having some fun. So it's a completely different Zeke than it was last year."

The six-game suspension was announced while the Cowboys were in California last year. Elliott's legal team sued after the club had returned to Texas, sparking a two-month court fight that finally ended with the 2016 NFL rushing leader serving the ban halfway through the season.

Elliott had an uneven start last year before looking more like the rookie sensation who helped lead the Cowboys to an NFC-best 13 wins alongside quarterback Dak Prescott, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on that playoff team. Then Elliott ran out of legal options [url=http://www.seahawksfootballauthentics.com]Seattle Seahawks Jerseys Womens[/url] , the Cowboys lost three straight games and Dallas ultimately missed the postseason at 9-7.

There isn't any waiting and wondering now.

"I am just ready to go out there and prove myself and be the running back I am for this team," Elliott said in his first meeting with reporters at camp. "And go out there and have a good year."

The suspension wasn't the only thing that had Elliott in the headlines last year.

There was video of him pulling down a woman's shirt during a St. Patrick's Day parade in Dallas. The NFL cited that incident in its letter detailing his punishment while saying it didn't play a role in the outcome of a yearlong investigation conducted despite prosecutors in Ohio not pursuing the case. Elliott also was linked to a fight outside a bar not long before the team reported to California last July, although his name didn't appear in the police report detailing the incident.

This offseason came and went without any significant headlines.

"I am being more cautious, more focused on my game," said Elliott, who turned 23 last week. "And focused on having a good year."

After leading the league with 1,631 yards rushing in 2016, Elliott had the best per-game rushing average last season at 98.3 yards. His 2,614 yards through two seasons are the most in franchise history [url=http://www.lionsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-frank-ragnow-jersey]http://www.lionsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-frank-ragnow-jersey[/url] , ahead of NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith and another Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett.

The Cowboys aren't making any secret about building their offense around him. Dallas dumped Dez Bryant, the franchise leader in touchdown receptions, in a cost-cutting move in the offseason. They believe the passing game with Prescott is best-suited feeding off Elliott.

That's why the Cowboys were as interested as Elliott was in a quiet offseason for the former Ohio State star.

"It's important for him, it's important for his teammates, it's important 鈥?obviously 鈥?for our franchise and what people's thoughts are on him," executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said. "I think it was huge that he was able to really get his hands around what this is all about 鈥?the challenges that are out there. Hopefully it'll continue."

With Bryant and 15-year tight end Jason Witten gone, Elliott mentions leadership every time he talks to reporters now. While acknowledging that vocal leadership doesn't come naturally for him, he's shown some signs in position drills at camp.

"I think he's grown into it pretty well [url=http://www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/alex-cappa-jersey]Authentic Alex Cappa Jersey[/url] ," Brown said. "Obviously he's not a vocal leader. But I think he leads by example. When guys see him finishing the way he finishes and working the way he works, that speaks louder than his voice."

As for Brown's "happy" thoughts about Elliott, the 2016 All-Pro will whoop and holler from time to time while carrying the ball to end zone even after the whistle blows during practice.

"I think he's in good spirits," backup running back Rod Smith said. "I've seen what he went through last year and seeing him to be able to overcome all of that and just to see him now just having to worry about nothing but football, it's a beautiful feeling."

Owner Jerry Jones supported Elliott's legal fight even though it kept the issue lingering over the team when a quicker resolution might have given the Cowboys a better chance at a playoff push late in the season.

"I just think he looks veteran-ish," Jones said Sunday. "I think he looks confident. I think he's getting good hard work in. Fundamental work. He just looks sound to me. I'm glad to see him get that solid work in."

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