Once again, the Texans will be looking to improve their defense in this week's NFL Draft. Last year's first-round pick in cornerback Kareem Jackson has been a failure so far. Houston remains as deep in the secondary as it did when last year's draft came about ... meaning not very. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will be busy this week looking for upgrades.

Here's a look at the Texans' needs and who, they may look to take when the 11th pick rolls around Thursday night.

Safety: In a perfect world, Patrick Peterson would be available at No. 11. But odds are, he will be a top-5 pick if not higher. The Texans still have the hard hitting Bernard Pollard, who struggled a bit in 2010 compared to 2009. Eugene Wilson will not return meaning as of right now it would be Pollard and Troy Nolan who would be responsible for shutting down Peyton Manning come opening day. Peterson is likely the only candidate that early who they Texans would be interested in selecting.

Cornerback: Glover Quin Jr. and Jackson did not get the job done in 2010. Houston will likely take at least two cornerbacks throughout the three-day draft. A very possible candidate to go in the first round in Nebraska's Prince Amukamara. The Texans would be more than happy to have him drop to them.

Defensive tackle: Houston's new 3-4 defense could use a new nose tackle. Amobi Okoye has not been too consistent as a pro and while Shaun Cody has been solid could be upgraded. That upgrade could come from Auburn's Nick Fairley should he fall to No. 11.

Defensive end: Antonio Smith and Mario Williams return, but a little extra depth wouldn't hurt. If Houston chooses to add an extra body at the line, many expect it to be Missouri's Aldon Smith or North Carolina's Robert Quinn. The Texans would likely try to find an outside pass rusher who they can develop into an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.

Wide Receiver: This is not the Texans' top priority, but if Julio Jones or A.J. Green happened to be available and all their top defensive prospects were taken, than why not? Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones give Matt Schaub good weapons outside of Andre Johnson, but they could be upgraded as well. Also, with Johnson getting hurt frequently, another wideout may become beneficial later on.

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-- DAN HURWITZ
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Breaking down the schedule for the Texans in 2011:

Sept. 11 vs. Colts
To top his performance on opening day against the Colts last season, Arian Foster will need to rush for 232 yards and four touchdowns. Indianapolis should be a bit more prepared for the reigning rushing champ.

Sept 18 @ Dolphins
Miami was 1-7 at home last season, which could make this game the Texans' best chance at win in the first four weeks. To make things better, the Texans are 5-0 all-time against the Dolphins.

Sept. 25 @ Saints
Points should be a plenty in this match-up of two high-powered offenses. Don't be surprised if Drew Brees and Matt Schaub both throw for more than 400 yards.

Oct. 2 vs. Steelers
Pittsburgh wraps up the early gauntlet that the Texans will see as Terrible Towels take over Reliant Stadium.

Oct. 9 vs. Raiders
If it seems like these two teams play almost every year, it's because they nearly do. In the Texans' nine years of existence they have played Oakland six times (more than any other non-divisional opponent). Houston has dominated the match-up winning five of six.

Oct. 16 @ Ravens
This will be a revenge game for the Texans who came back after being down three touchdowns in the fourth quarter only for Schaub to throw a pick-six in overtime.

Oct. 23 @ Titans
With Vince Young finally supposed to be gone for the Titans, Houston is hoping that maybe Rusty Smith, whom the Texans shut down last season, can get some more playing time.

Oct. 30 vs. Jaguars
Jacksonville and Houston just can't separate from each other. The two teams have split the 18 total games, many of which have been decided at the final seconds. Quick: Name five players on Jacksonville ...

Nov. 6 vs. Browns
Expect a lot of orange at Reliant Stadium for this one, but not all Cleveland orange. Burnt orange should be prominent as former Longhorn legend Colt McCoy returns to Texas for the first time as an NFL quarterback.

Nov. 13 @ Buccaneers
The Texans secondary makes Josh Freeman look like Peyton Manning while the Texans struggle against Tampa's defense and pirate ship.

Nov. 27 @ Jaguars
Still waiting on the name of a fifth player on Jacksonville ...

Dec. 4 vs. Falcons
Dunta Robinson returns to Houston for the first time and no one really cares.

Dec. 11 @ Bengals
Could be the Texans' only cold-weather game of the year. This will be a game that the Texans likely blow, once again making a playoff appearance next to impossible.

Dec. 18 vs. Panthers
Cam Newton comes to Houston, but no one is at Reliant Stadium to watch it.

Dec. 22 @ Colts
The Texans probably couldn't be happier about the time of this game. The Thursday night showdown means the team will not have to play on Christmas unlike the rest of the NFL.

Jan. 1 vs. Titans
If Gary Kubiak hasn't been fired yet, this very likely would be his last game. Not the best way to start off the New Year.

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-- DAN HURWITZ
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Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2010 Houston Texans!

I'm a strong believer that awards should be for winners, so most of the team just got Participation bumper stickers for their parents' minivans. What can you say about 6 and 10? How about a two-day-old baloney sandwich? Yeah, that's about right.


Most Surprising/Cinderella Story/MVP: Arian Foster

Let's see - he carried the ball about 20 times a game, averaging 4.94 per attempt, plus just over four catches for about 36 yards per game, 18 touchdowns. Overall, that's 138.75 yards and a touchdown, on average, per outing. Excellent season.

Annual Steve Smith (Carolina) Excelling in the Face of Futility Award: Andre Johnson

Top-five receiver again - 1,200 yards, 14-yard average. Other teams have to game plan for him, and he's reasonably got 2-4 years left of high production. Sounds like a certain Carolina Panther. I hope, for Andre's sake, we get this thing turned around.


Not Bad But We Need More Award: Matt Schaub

Numbers wise, Schaub had a great season - over 4,300 yards passing with 63% accuracy, 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 92 rating. Those are pretty good numbers, but all are worse than 2009. Dig this - Schaub attempted NINE fewer passes this year than in 2009, but completed 31 fewer, threw five fewer touchdowns, and racked up 400 fewer yards on 0.6 fewer yards per attempt. That makes the empirically above average numbers for 2010 look less lustrous. But, what was really lacking was the kind of leadership needed at quarterback. We can get by on these numbers. We now he can do it physically. It's time to step up in 2011 and be the ball, Matt.

You Should Jump Ship and Coach for Elway at Denver Award: Gary Kubiak

There's an opportunity to the north that will reunite you with your old leader. Please take it. Otherwise, do he really think clearing house with the defensive coaches will right things? Is Wade Phillips, Mr. Milquetoast, the answer? The problem starts at the top, and if Gary couldn't even start the turn to right this defensive ship with the staff he had, it isn't going to get done with Phillips, either. Defense isn't the only problem. On offense, we squandered opportunities at big moments, and Kubiak failed to put players in a position to succeed more often than not. Five of the losses in the 2-8 streak to end the season were by less than seven points. I hope he understands not how we lost games this year, but why, or 2011 is going to be his last in Houston. I've always admired Kubiak, but this is a W's and L's league.

I Hope You Like Arena Football Award: Defensive Secondary

All of them. Last in the league with 267 yards passing per game allowed. Opponent quarterbacks with a rating over 100. Good grief. As I wrote a few weeks ago, these guys are the worst secondary in decades. People occasionally point to the 13th-ranked rushing defense to indicate how other teams threw more than they passed against the Texans this year. Why on earth would you run the ball if you can throw it at will? This unit needs to be blown up. Even guys who were previously pretty good have to go - Humpty Dumpty cannot be put back together again. We need a new egg. Okay, Pollard, our free safety and leading tackler by 26 tackles (that hurts my head), can stay. Eugene Wilson - a bad season after turning 30? How about a set of steak knives on your way out the door?

It's only about 250 days until the next Texans game. Our offseason of discontent is upon us.

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-- DAN CUNNINGHAM
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