2002 Houston Texans season

2002 Houston Texans season
Head coach Dom Capers
Home field Reliant Stadium
Results
Record 4–12
Division place 4th AFC South
Playoff finish did not qualify
Pro Bowlers

The 2002 Houston Texans season was the franchise's inaugural season and the city of Houston's first NFL season since the Houston Oilers left in 1997 to move to Tennessee to become the Titans. The Divisional Realignment also placed the Texans and Titans in the same division.

The Texans won their first-ever season game against the Dallas Cowboys 19–10 on Sunday Night Football. They were the first to do this since the 1961 Minnesota Vikings won 37–13 in their inaugural game. Head coach Dom Capers, who previously coached the expansion Carolina Panthers when they debuted in 1995, led the Texans to a 4–12 record.

Football returns to Houston

In June 1997, Bob McNair and Chuck Watson's plans for a National Hockey League expansion team fell apart due to the lack of an arena in the Houston area. Afterwards, the Houston Oilers moved to Nashville to become the Tennessee Titans. Discussion eventually began to create a new NFL expansion team, with the 31st being awarded to the reformed Cleveland Browns. Houston and Los Angeles were the two finalists, and on October 6, 1999, the league's owners voted unanimously to award Houston the 32nd franchise. In 2000, the new team, tentatively known as "Houston NFL 2002", decided on five potential team names: Apollos, Bobcats, Stallions, Texans and Wildcatters, and was eventually reduced to Apollos, Stallions and Texans. On September 6, the team name was officially revealed as the Houston Texans.[1]

On January 19, 2000, the team hired former Washington Redskins general manager Charley Casserly to serve in the same position.[1] In the search for a head coach, Miami coach Butch Davis was involved in discussions with McNair, but elected to stay with the university.[2] In January 2001, the Texans hired Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Dom Capers as head coach; Capers had previously worked with the expansion Carolina Panthers as their HC.[3] On January 20, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Vic Fangio joined the staff in the same role,[4] followed by former Cleveland Browns head coach Chris Palmer as offensive coordinator on February 3.[5]

Offseason

Free agency

On November 5, 2001, the Texans held workouts for defensive backs at the Reliant Astrodome. On December 29, the team signed ten players: running back Michael Basnight, safety Leomont Evans, tackles Robert Hicks and Jerry Wisne, defensive tackle Jason Nikolao, quarterback Mike Quinn, fullback Matt Snider, cornerback Jason Suttle, linebacker Casey Tisdale and safety Kevin Williams. On March 6, 2002, Colts offensive lineman Steve McKinney became the first unrestricted free agent to be signed by the Texans.[1][6]

Expansion draft

To fill the Texans roster, the NFL held an expansion draft on February 18. The team was permitted to select 42 players from the other 31 teams, each of which allowed five players to be drafted. Houston were required to select 30 players or spend 38 percent ($27.24 million) of the $71.7 million salary cap.[7]

The first player that the Texans selected was Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli; however, the five-time Pro Bowler had been suffering from shoulder injuries during the 2001 season and never played a snap for the Texans.[8] Houston also selected 18 more players.

On February 26, quarterback Danny Wuerffel was traded to the Washington Redskins for defensive tackle Jerry DeLoach. The Texans had intended to draft DeLoach, but the Redskins replaced him with Matt Campbell.[9]

Round Player Position Team
1 Tony Boselli Offensive tackle Jacksonville Jaguars
2 Ryan Young Offensive tackle New York Jets
3 Aaron Glenn Cornerback New York Jets
4 Gary Walker Defensive tackle Jacksonville Jaguars
5 Jamie Sharper Linebacker Baltimore Ravens
6 Jermaine Lewis Wide receiver Baltimore Ravens
7 Marcus Coleman Defensive back New York Jets
8 Seth Payne Defensive tackle Jacksonville Jaguars
9 Matt Campbell Offensive guard Washington Redskins
10 Matt Stevens Safety New England Patriots
11 Jeremy McKinney Offensive guard Cleveland Browns
12 Ryan Schau Offensive guard Cleveland Browns
13 Charlie Rogers Running back Seattle Seahawks
14 Sean McDermott Tight end Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15 Jabari Issa Defensive end Arizona Cardinals
16 Avion Black Wide receiver Buffalo Bills
17 Danny Wuerffel Quarterback Chicago Bears
18 Brian Allen Linebacker St. Louis Rams
19 Johnny Huggins Tight end Dallas Cowboys

NFL draft

Main article: 2002 NFL draft
2002 Houston Texans draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 1 David Carr  Quarterback Fresno State
2 33 Jabar Gaffney  Wide receiver Florida
2 50 Chester Pitts  Offensive tackle San Diego State
3 66 Fred Weary  Guard Tennessee
3 83 Charles Hill  Defensive tackle Maryland
4 99 Jonathan Wells  Running back Ohio State
5 136 Jarrod Baxter  Fullback New Mexico
5 153 Ramon Walker  Safety Pittsburgh
6 173 Demarcus Faggins  Cornerback Kansas State
6 190 Howard Green  Defensive tackle LSU
7 229 Greg White  Defensive end Minnesota
7 261 Ahmad Miller  Defensive tackle UNLV
      Made roster  

[10]

Personnel

Staff

2002 Houston Texans staff
Front office
  • Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – Bob McNair
  • Senior Vice President and General Manager – Charley Casserly
  • Associate Director of Pro Scouting – Bobby Grier
  • Associate Director of Pro Scouting – Miller McCalmon
  • Coordinator of College Scouting – Mike Maccagnan

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Joe Marciano
  • Assistant Special Teams – Eric Sutulovich

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Dan Riley
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Ray Wright

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Game site Record Attendance
HOF August 5, 2002 at New York Giants L 34–17 Fawcett Stadium 0–1 22,461
1 August 10, 2002 at New Orleans Saints W 13–10 Louisiana Superdome 1–1 67,356
2 August 17, 2002 at Kansas City Chiefs L 19–9 Arrowhead Stadium 1–2 73,506
3 August 24, 2002 Miami Dolphins L 24–3 Reliant Stadium 1–3 69,432
4 August 30, 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–13 Reliant Stadium 1–4 68,371

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Game site Record Network Kickoff Attendance
1 September 8, 2002 Dallas Cowboys W 19–10 Reliant Stadium 1–0 ESPN 7:30pm 69,604
2 September 15, 2002 at San Diego Chargers L 24–3 Qualcomm Stadium 1–1 CBS 3:00pm 56,098
3 September 22, 2002 Indianapolis Colts L 23–3 Reliant Stadium 1–2 CBS 12:00pm 69,204
4 September 29, 2002 at Philadelphia Eagles L 35–17 Veterans Stadium 1–3 CBS 12:00pm 64,867
5 Bye
6 October 13, 2002 Buffalo Bills L 31–24 Reliant Stadium 1–4 CBS 12:00pm 70,120
7 October 20, 2002 at Cleveland Browns L 34–17 Cleveland Browns Stadium 1–5 CBS 12:00pm 73,248
8 October 27, 2002 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 21–19 Alltel Stadium 2–5 CBS 3:00pm 53,721
9 November 3, 2002 Cincinnati Bengals L 38–3 Reliant Stadium 2–6 CBS 12:00pm 69,827
10 November 10, 2002 at Tennessee Titans L 17–10 LP Field 2–7 CBS 12:00pm 68,804
11 November 17, 2002 Jacksonville Jaguars L 24–21 Reliant Stadium 2–8 CBS 12:00pm 69,711
12 November 24, 2002 New York Giants W 16–14 Reliant Stadium 3–8 FOX 3:00pm 70,054
13 December 1, 2002 at Indianapolis Colts L 19–3 RCA Dome 3–9 CBS 12:00pm 56,820
14 December 8, 2002 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 24–6 Heinz Field 4–9 CBS 12:00pm 58,551
15 December 15, 2002 Baltimore Ravens L 23–19 Reliant Stadium 4–10 CBS 12:00pm 70,108
16 December 22, 2002 at Washington Redskins L 26–10 FedExField 4–11 CBS 12:00pm 70,291
17 December 29, 2002 Tennessee Titans L 13–3 Reliant Stadium 4–12 CBS 12:00pm 70,694

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week One: Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 3 7010
Texans 7 3 0919

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

[11][12][13]

Week 2: at San Diego Chargers

Week Two: Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 3 003
Chargers 14 3 0724

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week Three: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 7 6 01023
Texans 0 0 303

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Week 4: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Four: Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 7 0 10017
Eagles 3 17 8735

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Six: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 3 7 71431
Texans 3 14 0724

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: October 13, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,120
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker
  • ESPN

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

Week Seven: Houston at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 10017
Browns 0 7 171034

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 20, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 73,248
  • TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson, Brent Jones
  • ESPN

Week 8: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Eight: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 31121
Jaguars 0 9 3719

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Nine: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 10 14 01438
Texans 3 0 003

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 3, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 69,827
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker
  • ESPN

Week 10: at Tennessee Titans

Week Ten: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 3 0710
Titans 7 3 7017

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 10, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 68,804
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker
  • ESPN

Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Eleven: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 7 10 7024
Texans 0 7 7721

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 17, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 69,711
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker
  • ESPN

Week 12: vs. New York Giants

Week Twelve: New York Giants at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 0 7 0714
Texans 0 5 8316

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 24, 2002
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,054
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen (play-by-play), Bill Maas (analyst), and Matt Sampsell (sideline reporter)
  • ESPN

Week 13: at Indianapolis Colts

Week Thirteen: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 033
Colts 10 3 0619

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 1, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 56,820
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots
  • ESPN

Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Fourteen: Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 14 0 01024
Steelers 0 3 306

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 8, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 58,551
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots
  • ESPN

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Fifteen: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 10 7323
Texans 0 7 7519

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 15, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,108
  • TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee, Craig James
  • ESPN

Week 16: at Washington Redskins

Week Sixteen: Houston Texans at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 0 0710
Redskins 7 9 01026

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 22, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,291
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker
  • ESPN

Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Seventeen: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 3 3 0713
Texans 0 0 303

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 29, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,694
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian eagle, Solomon Wilcots
  • ESPN

Standings

AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Tennessee Titans 11 5 0 .688 6–0 9–3 367 324 W5
(5) Indianapolis Colts 10 6 0 .625 4–2 8–4 349 313 W1
Jacksonville Jaguars 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 328 315 L2
Houston Texans 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 213 356 L3

Statistics

Despite being in their first season, Football Outsiders calculated that the Texans were, play-for-play, the least successful team in the NFL in 2002.[14] FO also stated that the 2002 Texans had the worst offense[15] and third-worst run offense[15][16] they have ever tracked.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Texans Team History". Houston Texans. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  2. ↑ Associated Press (January 3, 2001). "Owner: Texans won't hire coach until 2002". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Dom Capers". Green Bay Packers. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ "PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; TEXANS HIRE FANGIO". The New York Times. January 15, 2002. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ Associated Press (February 3, 2001). "Texans hire Palmer". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  6. ↑ "2002 Roster" (PDF). Houston Texans. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Unprotected players for expansion draft". ESPN. February 7, 2002. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Five-time Pro Bowler Boselli set to retire". ESPN. July 15, 2003. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  9. ↑ Pasquarelli, Len (February 26, 2002). "Texans deal Wuerffel to 'Skins in first-ever trade". ESPN. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ "2002 Houston Texans draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Full game: Texans beat Cowboys on opening night". Houston Texans. September 8, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Dallas Cowboys 10 at Houston Texans 19". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  13. ↑ Associated Press (September 9, 2002). "Carr impressive in first NFL game". ESPN. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  14. ↑ -41.6 DVOA, Football Outsiders: 2002 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS
  15. 1 2 Football Outsiders – DVOA 7.0: Worst Teams Ever, from 1991–2011
  16. ↑ Better than only the 1991 Colts and 2005 Cardinals rushing teams, according to FO
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