2006 Houston Texans season | |
---|---|
Owner | Bob McNair |
General manager | Rick Smith |
Head coach | Gary Kubiak |
Offensive coordinator | Troy Calhoun |
Defensive coordinator | Richard Smith |
Home field | Reliant Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 6β10 |
Division place | 4th AFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | 1 |
|
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Rock_Cartwright_tackled_by_Glenn_Earl%2C_Washington_Redskins_vs_Houston_Texans%2C_September_2006.jpg/270px-Rock_Cartwright_tackled_by_Glenn_Earl%2C_Washington_Redskins_vs_Houston_Texans%2C_September_2006.jpg)
The 2006 Houston Texans season was the: franchise's 5th season in theββNational Football League (NFL) and the 1st under head coach Gary Kubiak. The team improved on their 2β14 record in 2005 and finished 6-10, "a four-game improvement over their previous season."
Offseasonβ»
On January 2, "2006," the day after the "last game of the 2005 season," head coach Dom Capers and most of the coaching staff was fired by owner Bob McNair. General Manager Charley Casserly was spared. But would eventually resign in May. On January 22, 2006, Bob McNair announced that Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak would become the Texans' second head coach. Kubiak, a Houston native, was a candidate for the job in 2001 before the team chose Dom Capers. On June 5, 2006, the Texans hired Denver Broncos assistant general manager Rick Smith as Casserly's successor.
Player additions and subtractionsβ»
Additions:
- DL Anthony Weaver
- LB Sam Cowart (later released before season start)
- RB Ron Dayne
- WR Eric Moulds (trade with Buffalo Bills)
- DB Dexter McCleon
- DL N.D. Kalu
- OL Brad Bedell
- WR Kevin Walter
- TE Jeb Putzier
- OL Ephraim Salaam
- WR Derrick Lewis
- DB Guss Scott
- DB Dexter Wynn
- RB Samkon Gado
- DL Thomas Johnson
- OL Mike Flanagan
Subtractions:
- WR Jabar Gaffney
- TE Bennie Joppru
- RB Moran Norris
- DB Jason Bell
- OL Milford Brown
- OL Tyson Walter
- RB Vernand Morency
- QB Tony Banks
- RB Jonathan Wells
- WR Donovan Morgan
- WR Corey Bradford
Draftβ»
2006 Houston Texans draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Mario Williams * | DE | NC State | |
2 | 33 | DeMeco Ryans * | LB | Alabama | |
3 | 65 | Charles Spencer | OT | Pittsburgh | |
3 | 66 | Eric Winston | OT | Miami (FL) | Pick from NO |
4 | 98 | Owen Daniels * | TE | Wisconsin | |
6 | 170 | Wali Lundy | RB | Virginia | |
7 | 251 | David Anderson | WR | Colorado St | |
Made roster β Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Eric-Winston-Bills-vs-Texans-Nov-19-06.jpg/160px-Eric-Winston-Bills-vs-Texans-Nov-19-06.jpg)
With their 2β14 record in 2005, the Texans earned the rightββto the first selection in the 2006 NFL Draft. Leading upββto the draft most believed the team would select RB Reggie Bush out of University of Southern California, who was being compared to Gale Sayers and touted as the greatest prospect to ever enter the draft. Many local fans in Houston wanted the team to draft hometown hero Vince Young who had led the University of Texas to a Nation Championship in January. However, the Texans would choose neither. And announced the day before the draft that they would pick defensive end Mario Williams out of NC State instead. Williams was signed to a six-year, $54 million contract.
The pick both shocked and angered fans and the team was ripped by the national media for making what many believed was one of the worst mistakes in NFL Draft history. With the first selection in the second round they selected Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Ryans would prove to be, a steal as he would eventually be named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for 2006. The rest of their picks included Pittsburgh offensive tackle Charles Spencer, Miami (FL) offensive tackle Eric Winston, Wisconsin tight end Owen Daniels, Virginia running back Wali Lundy, and Colorado St. wide receiver David Anderson.
Despite the fact that many believed drafting Mario Williams was a mistake, the Texans would go on to have the best draft classes of any team in 2006 according to most experts. Young and "Bush did not live up to pre-draft expectations," while Williams would be selected to multiple Pro Bowls.
Staffβ»
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Rosterβ»
Uniform combinationsβ»
In 2006, the Texans wore five different uniform combinations. They wore their blue jerseys and blue pants for the first time during week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, along with wearing their white jerseys and white pants together for the first time in franchise history in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Preseasonβ»
-
Coin toss against Kansas City, August 12, 2006
-
Damien Rhodes about to score, August 12, 2006
Scheduleβ»
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 12 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 24β10 | 1β0 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
2 | August 19 | at St. Louis Rams | W 43β24 | 2β0 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap |
3 | August 27 | at Denver Broncos | L 14β17 | 2β1 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
4 | August 31 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 16β13 | 3β1 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
Regular seasonβ»
Scheduleβ»
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 10 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 10β24 | 0β1 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
2 | September 17 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 24β43 | 0β2 | RCA Dome | Recap |
3 | September 24 | Washington Redskins | L 15β31 | 0β3 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
4 | October 1 | Miami Dolphins | W 17β15 | 1β3 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
5 | Bye | |||||
6 | October 15 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 6β34 | 1β4 | Texas Stadium | Recap |
7 | October 22 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 27β7 | 2β4 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
8 | October 29 | at Tennessee Titans | L 22β28 | 2β5 | LP Field | Recap |
9 | November 5 | at New York Giants | L 10β14 | 2β6 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
10 | November 12 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | W 13β10 | 3β6 | Alltel Stadium | Recap |
11 | November 19 | Buffalo Bills | L 21β24 | 3β7 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
12 | November 26 | at New York Jets | L 11β26 | 3β8 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
13 | December 3 | at Oakland Raiders | W 23β14 | 4β8 | McAfee Coliseum | Recap |
14 | December 10 | Tennessee Titans | L 20β26 (OT) | 4β9 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 17 | at New England Patriots | L 7β40 | 4β10 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
16 | December 24 | Indianapolis Colts | W 27β24 | 5β10 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
17 | December 31 | Cleveland Browns | W 14β6 | 6β10 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standingsβ»
AFC South | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Indianapolis Colts | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 3β3 | 9β3 | 427 | 360 | W1 |
Tennessee Titans | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4β2 | 5β7 | 324 | 400 | L1 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2β4 | 5β7 | 371 | 274 | L3 |
Houston Texans | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3β3 | 6β6 | 267 | 366 | W2 |
Game summariesβ»
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eaglesβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eagles | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Texans | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Date: September 10
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,180
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- Recap
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
The Texans opened the 2006 season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 10. The Texans looked sharp early with QB David Carr throwing 25-yard TD pass to former Bills WR Eric Moulds in the 1st Quarter. The Eagles would tie the game with QB Donovan McNabb throwing a 42-yard TD strike to WR Donte' Stallworth. The Texans would retake the lead, however, after a 34-yard FG from K Kris Brown. Philadelphia took the lead late in the half with McNabb throwing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Brown and held on to it for the rest of the game. In the third quarter, McNabb hooked up with RB Brian Westbrook with a 31-yard pass and then, opposing kicker David Akers ended the game in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard field goal. David Carr finished 18-of-27 for 208 yards and a touchdown and was sacked five times.
Week 2: at Indianapolis Coltsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 24 |
Colts | 14 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 43 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: September 17
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 56,614
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- Recap
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
The Texans traveled to the RCA Dome for an AFC South battle with the Indianapolis Colts. From the get-go, Houston trailed as opposing QB Peyton Manning threw a 10-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Stokley and a 21-yard pass to RB Joseph Addai in the first quarter. In the second quarter, opposing Kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 39-yard field goal to further distance themselves from Houston. The Texans would get a 43-yard field goal by Kicker Kris Brown, but Vinatieri also made a 43-yarder as time ran out in the half. In the third quarter, the Colts continued to put the game out of reach with Peyton throwing a 15-yard TD pass to TE Bryan Fletcher and Vinatieri kicking a 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Texans QB David Carr completed a 33-yard TD pass to TE Owen Daniels, but Indianapolis responded with RB Dominic Rhodes getting a 2-yard TD run. Houston would get another TD on a 1-yard pass to TE Mark Bruener, but the Colts put the game away with RB Ran Carthon getting a 3-yard TD run. After WR Andre Johnson provided Houston with a 10-yard TD pass, the Texans ending up losing their ninth straight contest against Indianapolis.
Week 3: vs. Washington Redskinsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redskins | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
Texans | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texans
- Date: September 24
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,069
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- Recap
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
The Texans came home in Week 3 to take on the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, Houston got off to a good start, as TE Mark Bruener caught a 2-yard TD pass. However, the Redskins would tie the game up on a 9-yard run by RB Ladell Betts. From there, things went downhill in the second quarter, as WR Antwaan Randle El caught a 23-yard TD pass and RB Clinton Portis ran 30 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, Washington continued to pound Houston, with Portis getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Redskins would get one more scoring strike as kicker John Hall kicked a 46-yard field goal. The Texans would get another touchdown, as QB David Carr threw a 2-yard pass to TE Owen Daniels and RB Ron Dayne would run it in for the 2-point conversion. Unfortunately, Houston would fall to 0β3, losing 31β15.
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphinsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 15 |
Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Date: October 1
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,071
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- Recap
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Staying at home, the Texans (still searching for their first win of the year) played a Week 4 intraconference match-up against the Miami Dolphins. After a scoreless first quarter, Houston trailed early, as Miami kicker Olindo Mare got a 52-yard field goal. Fortunately, the Texans would get a field goal of their own, with kicker Kris Brown getting a 32-yard field goal before halftime. In the third quarter, Houston fell behind, as Mare kicked a 29-yard field goal for Miami. In the fourth quarter, the Texans rallied against the Dolphins, as QB David Carr took the ball into the endzone from one yard out, then completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson later in the quarter. Mario Williams recorded his first career sack and added a half sack one play later. Afterwards, Houston would have to hold off a late rally by Miami. Mare kicked a 22-yard field goal. And later got a touchdown, as QB Daunte Culpepper threw a 16-yard strike to WR Chris Chambers. Fortunately, the Texans prevented a two-point conversion when Mario Williams tipped the pass and held on to pick up their first win of the year.
Week 6: at Dallas Cowboysβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 34 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
- Date: October 15
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Light rain, 66 Β°F (19 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 63,186
- Referee: Larry Nemmers
- TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg and Randy Cross
- Recap
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Coming off their Week 5 bye, the Texans traveled to Texas Stadium for a rematch with their first-ever regular season opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, in a Lone Star State showdown. Houston struck first, as Kris Brown nailed a 19-yard field goal for the only first quarter score for either team. In the second quarter, Dallas managed to tie the game, as kicker Mike Vanderjagt hit a 22-yard field goal, but the Texans would retake the lead, as Brown booted a 48-yard field goal just as time ran out in the first half. Unfortunately, Dallas took control of the game in the second half. In the third quarter, QB Drew Bledsoe connected with WR Terrell Owens for two scores (3-yarder and a 21-yarder). In the fourth quarter, RB Marion Barber had a 1-yard TD run, Vanderjagt kicked a 21-yard field goal, and back-up QB Tony Romo hooked up with Owens on a 2-yard TD pass, Owens' third and final TD on the day. Dallas cruised in the second half, outscoring the Texans 31β0, and with the 34β6 loss, the Texans fell to 1β4.
Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguarsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Texans | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 27 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Date: October 22
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game attendance: 70,035
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- Recap
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
Following a disappointing 34β6 road loss to their cross-state rival, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans were looking to rebound at home against division rival Jacksonville, and they did. Houston did not trail at any point in their 27β7 trouncing of the Jaguars, in which they forced two turnovers, and dominated in total offense, tallying 349 yards from scrimmage to Jacksonville's 220. With the impressive upset, the Texans moved to 2β4, just one game behind the Jags for second place in the AFC South.
Week 8: at Tennessee Titansβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 22 |
Titans | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee
- Date: October 29
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Clear, 72 Β°F (22 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 69,143
- Referee: Gerry Austin
- Recap
Week 9: at New York Giantsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Giants | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: November 5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 46 Β°F (8 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 78,485
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- Recap
Week 10: at Jacksonville Jaguarsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: November 12
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Clear, 56 Β°F (13 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 65,918
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- Recap
Week 11: vs. Buffalo Billsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bills | 14 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Texans | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Date: November 12
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game attendance: 70,125
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- Recap
-
Texans QB David Carr hands off to Samkon Gado
-
Gado advances to Buffalo's 1-yard line
-
Gado rushes
-
The Texans attempt a rush at the goal line
Week 12: at New York Jetsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
Jets | 3 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 26 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: November 26
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Cloudy, 56 Β°F (13 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 76,596
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- Recap
The Jets held the Texans to just 25 yards rushing and cruised to an easy 15-point victory. Chad Pennington connected with Laveranues Coles for a touchdown and Cedric Houston ran for another in the third quarter to go up 23β0. Andre Johnson caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from David Carr with 3:51 left to cap a 76-yard drive for the Texans, and Wali Lundy's short reception completed the two-point conversion as the Texans finally put points on the board. It was a case of too little, too late however as the Texans once again failed to win two consecutive road games. They have not won back-to-back road games since 2004, when they beat Chicago (Dec. 19) and Jacksonville (Dec. 26). Carr was 39 of 54 for 321 yards, and Johnson and Eric Moulds each had 10 catches, but the lack of any running game doomed the Texans.
Week 13: at Oakland Raidersβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 7 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 23 |
Raiders | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California
- Date: December 3
- Game time: 4:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Clear, 56 Β°F (13 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 46,276
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- Recap
Week 14: vs. Tennessee Titansβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 26 |
Texans | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston Texans
- Date: December 10
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,760
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- Recap
Week 15: at New England Patriotsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Patriots | 17 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 40 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
- Date: December 17
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 52 Β°F (11 Β°C)
- Game attendance: 68,756
- Referee: Scott Green
- Recap
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Coltsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
Texans | 14 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Date: December 24
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,132
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- Recap
Week 17: vs. Cleveland Brownsβ»
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Browns | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
Texans | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Date: December 31
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game attendance: 70,097
- Referee: Mike Carey
- Recap
Statisticsβ»
Teamβ»
Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
---|---|---|---|
Passing offense | 2,778 | 173.6 | 27th |
Rushing offense | 1,687 | 105.4 | 21st |
Total offense | 4,465 | 279.1 | 28th |
Passing defense | 3,444 | 215.3 | 22nd |
Rushing defense | 1,956 | 122.3 | 20th |
Total defense | 5,400 | 337.5 | 24th |
Individualβ»
Category | Player | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Offense | |||
Passing yards | David Carr | 2,767 | |
Passing touchdowns | David Carr | 11 | |
Rushing yards | Ron Dayne | 612 | |
Rushing touchdowns | Ron Dayne | 5 | |
Receiving yards | Andre Johnson | 1,147 | |
Receiving touchdowns | Andre Johnson Owen Daniels |
5 | |
Defense | |||
Tackles (Solo) | DeMeco Ryans | 125 | |
Sacks | Jason Babin | 5 | |
Interceptions | DeMarcus Faggins Dunta Robinson |
2 |
Source:
Referencesβ»
- ^ "NFL.com - Houston Texans Team News". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
- ^ "Staff directory". 2006 Houston Texans Media Guide. p. 3.
- ^ "2006 NFL Team Total Offense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ "2006 NFL Team Total Defense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ "2006 Texans Statistics". Houston Texans. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
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