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NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

Last year, first-year head coach Bill O’Brien was able to turn around the Houston Texans from a rag-tag 2-14 outfit to a 9-7 group. It was a masterful bit of coaching despite having to play Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tom Savage, Case Keenum and Ryan Mallett under center. Considering all of those obstacles, O’Brien nearly deserved to be named coach of the year.

In the offseason, Houston general manager Rick Smith made no splashy moves. He was able to retain key pieces in right tackle Derek Newton and corner Kareem Jackson, but also released Andre Johnson because of his bloated salary. Houston enters 2015 with many questions for a team that won nine games, but mostly because those wins came against lousy competition.

Major Battle

The quarterbacks are the main storyline here. Most expect Mallett to win the job, but can veteran Brian Hoyer play well enough in the preseason to steal the show. O’Brien would certainly like to make the postseason in his second year after coming so close in 2014, and if Hoyer gives him that chance it could be a brutal choice. At 27 years old, it is now or never for Mallett.

Expectations

The hope is to see improvement from some of the younger players while finding a quarterback. If that means somehow making the playoffs in the process; great. Yet, the main points are seeing if Jadeveon Clowney can play and stay healthy and seeing if Mallett is the future. If both of those questions are answered in the affirmitive, 2015 was a good year for Houston.

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars

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