2002 Houston Texans season

Last updated

2002 Houston Texans season
Texans inaugural season patch.png
Texans inaugural season logo
Owner Bob McNair
General manager Charley Casserly
Head coach Dom Capers
Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio
Home field Reliant Stadium
Results
Record4–12
Division place4th AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
2

The 2002 season was the Houston Texans' debut season in the National Football League and the first NFL season for the city of Houston since the Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1997 & became the Titans 2 years later in 1999. Their coaching staff was headed by Dom Capers, who previously coached the expansion Carolina Panthers when they debuted in 1995. The divisional realignment also placed the Texans and Titans in the same division.

Contents

The Texans won their inaugural regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys 19–10 on Sunday Night Football. The Texans finished their debut season with a 4–12 record.

Due to being an expansion franchise, the Texans were given the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. Houston used the selection on Fresno State quarterback David Carr. Carr finished the season with 2,592 passing yards, setting the franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie in a single season. Carr's record would not be broken until 2021, when Davis Mills finished that season with 2,664 passing yards (a number since surpassed by C. J. Stroud's 4,108 in 2023). [1] [2]

NFL 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. Afterward, the Houston Oilers moved to Nashville to become the Tennessee Titans. The 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. This shortlist was eventually reduced to Apollos, Stallions and Texans. On September 6, the team name was officially revealed as the Houston Texans. [3]

On January 19, 2000, the team hired former Washington Redskins general manager Charley Casserly to serve in the same position. [3] In the search for a head coach, Miami coach Butch Davis was involved in discussions with McNair, but elected to stay with the university. [4] 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. [5] On January 20, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Vic Fangio joined the staff in the same role, [6] followed by former Cleveland Browns head coach Chris Palmer as offensive coordinator on February 3. [7]

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. [3] [8]

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. [9]

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. [10] 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. [11]

RoundPlayerPositionTeam
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

^ Made roster.

NFL draft

2002 Houston Texans draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
1 1 David Carr   QB Fresno State
233 Jabar Gaffney   WR Florida
250 Chester Pitts   OT San Diego State Extra selection
366 Fred Weary   OG Tennessee
383 Charles Hill   DT Maryland Extra selection
499 Jonathan Wells   RB Ohio State
5136 Jarrod Baxter   FB New Mexico
5153 Ramon Walker   S Pittsburgh Extra selection
6173 Demarcus Faggins   CB Kansas State
6190 Howard Green  DT LSU Extra selection
7229 Greg White   DE Minnesota Extra selection
7 261 Ahmad Miller  DT UNLV Extra selection
      Made roster  

[12]

Undrafted free agents

2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Atnaf Harris Wide receiver Cal State Northridge
Joey Knapp Tight end UTEP
John Minardi Wide receiver Colorado
Jimmy McClain Linebacker Troy State
Eric Parker Wide receiver Tennessee
Ed Stansbury Running back UCLA

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

Strength and conditioning


Roster

2002 Houston Texans roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 reserve, 3 practice squad

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
HOF August 5vs. New York Giants L 17–340–1 Fawcett Stadium (Canton) Recap
1August 10at New Orleans Saints W 13–101–1 Louisiana Superdome Recap
2August 17at Kansas City Chiefs L 9–191–2 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
3August 24 Miami Dolphins L 3–241–3 Reliant Stadium Recap
4August 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–171–4Reliant Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 8 Dallas Cowboys W 19–101–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
2September 15at San Diego Chargers L 3–241–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
3September 22 Indianapolis Colts L 3–231–2Reliant Stadium Recap
4September 29at Philadelphia Eagles L 17–351–3 Veterans Stadium Recap
5 Bye
6October 13 Buffalo Bills L 24–311–4Reliant Stadium Recap
7October 20at Cleveland Browns L 17–341–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
8October 27at Jacksonville Jaguars W 21–192–5 Alltel Stadium Recap
9November 3 Cincinnati Bengals L 3–382–6Reliant Stadium Recap
10November 10at Tennessee Titans L 10–172–7 The Coliseum Recap
11November 17 Jacksonville Jaguars L 21–242–8Reliant Stadium Recap
12November 24 New York Giants W 16–143–8Reliant Stadium Recap
13December 1at Indianapolis Colts L 3–193–9 RCA Dome Recap
14December 8at Pittsburgh Steelers W 24–64–9 Heinz Field Recap
15December 15 Baltimore Ravens L 19–234–10Reliant Stadium Recap
16December 22at Washington Redskins L 10–264–11 FedExField Recap
17December 29 Tennessee Titans L 3–134–12Reliant Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 1: Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cowboys037010
Texans730919

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 2: at San Diego Chargers

Week 2: Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans03003
Chargers1430724

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colts7601023
Texans00303

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 4: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 4: Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans7010017
Eagles3178735

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Quarter1234Total
Bills3771431
Texans3140724

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: October 13, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 pm CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,120
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Recap
Game information

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

Week 7: Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans0710017
Browns07171034

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 20, 2002
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 52°
  • Game attendance: 73,248
  • Referee: Gerald Austin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson and Brent Jones
  • Recap
Game information

Week 8: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 8: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans0731121
Jaguars093719

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Game information

Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bengals101401438
Texans30003

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 3, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 69,827
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Recap
Game information

Week 10: at Tennessee Titans

Week 10: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans030710
Titans737017

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 10, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 68,804
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Recap
Game information

Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 11: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Jaguars7107024
Texans077721

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 17, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 69,711
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Recap
Game information

Week 12: vs. New York Giants

Week 12: New York Giants at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants070714
Texans058316

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Giants entered the game at 6–4 looking for an easy victory over the expansion Texans. The first quarter was scoreless with miscues from both teams. Houston received the opening kickoff, but went three-and-out, punting the ball to end the drive. On the second play of the following drive, New York running back Tiki Barber fumbled the ball at the Giants 27-yard line with the ball being recovered by Houston linebacker Jamie Sharper. On the next drive, Texans' running back James Allen fumbled the ball and it was recovered at the New York 30-yard line by linebacker Dhani Jones for the Giants. The two teams would trade punts with the first points being scored by Houston kicker Kris Brown on a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Giants would respond a few drives later with Barber scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. The game's next scoring play would come late in the second quarter. New York long snapper Bob Jones fumbled the snap with the ball being recovered by punter Matt Allen, who was tackled in his own end zone for a safety with the Texans trailing 7–5 at halftime.

Houston's first touchdown of the game came in the 3rd quarter, with a 1-yard run from Jonathan Wells. The Texans went for two, with Allen catching a pass from David Carr to put Houston up 13–7 with 6:57 left in the 3rd quarter. The Giants' following drive ended with Matt Bryant missing a 33-yard field goal. New York would score on its next possession with a 31-yard pass from Kerry Collins to receiver Amani Toomer to the Giants up 14–13 with 13:18 left in the game. Houston responded on the next drive with a 50-yard field goal to take a 16–14 lead with 6:57 left. The Giants had three drives to respond, but Collins was picked off twice on back-to-back possessions with the last play of the game being a failed Hail Mary to give the Texans a 16–14 upset victory.

Week 13: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 13: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans00033
Colts1030619

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: December 1, 2002
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 56,820
  • Referee: Johnny Grier
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap
Game information

Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 14: Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans14001024
Steelers03306

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 8, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 58,551
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap
Game information

The Texans had one of the worst offensive performances ever in an NFL game, only having 47 total yards of offense while the Steelers had 422 yards. The Texans' defense forced five turnovers and scored three touchdowns. Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox threw two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns by Houston cornerback Aaron Glenn; Maddox also lost a fumble that was recovered by Texans cornerback Kenny Wright for a touchdown. [13]

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 15: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Ravens3107323
Texans077519

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 15, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,108
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Craig James
  • Recap
Game information

Week 16: at Washington Redskins

Week 16: Houston Texans at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Texans300710
Redskins7901026

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 22, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,291
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Recap
Game information

Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 17: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Titans330713
Texans00303

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 29, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 70,694
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap
Game information

This was the Titans' first game to be played in Houston since December 15, 1996 when the team was known as the Houston Oilers. [14]

Standings

Division

AFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) Tennessee Titans 1150.6886–09–3367324W5
(5) Indianapolis Colts 1060.6254–28–4349313W1
Jacksonville Jaguars 6100.3751–54–8328315L2
Houston Texans 4120.2501–52–10213356L3

Conference

AFC
#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOV
Division leaders
1 [a] Oakland Raiders West1150.6884–29–3.529.531
2 [a] Tennessee Titans South1150.6886–09–3.479.474
3 Pittsburgh Steelers North1051.6566–08–4.486.451
4 [b] New York Jets East970.5634–26–6.500.500
Wild Cards
5 Indianapolis Colts South1060.6254–28–4.479.400
6 [c] Cleveland Browns North970.5633–37–5.486.413
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 [c] [d] Denver Broncos West970.5633–35–7.527.486
8 [b] [c] [d] [e] New England Patriots East970.5634–26–6.525.455
9 [b] [e] Miami Dolphins East970.5632–47–5.508.486
10 [f] Buffalo Bills East880.5002–45–7.473.352
11 [f] [g] San Diego Chargers West880.5003–36–6.492.453
12 [g] Kansas City Chiefs West880.5002–46–6.527.516
13 Baltimore Ravens North790.4383–37–5.506.384
14 Jacksonville Jaguars South6100.3751–54–8.506.438
15 Houston Texans South4120.2501–52–10.518.492
16 Cincinnati Bengals North2140.1250–61–11.537.406
Tiebreakers [h]
  1. 1 2 Oakland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 3 N.Y. Jets finished ahead of New England based on win percentage in common games (8–4 to 7–5) and Miami based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
  3. 1 2 3 Cleveland finished ahead of Denver and New England based on conference record (7–5 vs 5–7/6–6)
  4. 1 2 Denver finished ahead of New England based on head-to-head victory.
  5. 1 2 New England finished ahead of Miami based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
  6. 1 2 Buffalo finished ahead of San Diego based on head-to-head victory.
  7. 1 2 San Diego finished ahead of Kansas City based on division record (3–3 to 2–4).
  8. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

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. [15] FO also stated that the 2002 Texans had the worst offense and third-worst run offense they have ever tracked. [16]

Team

CategoryTotal yardsYards per gameNFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense2,225139.132nd
Rushing offense1,34784.231st
Total offense [17] 3,572223.332nd
Passing defense3,141196.310th
Rushing defense2,089130.628th
Total defense [18] 5,230326.916th

Individual

CategoryPlayerTotal
Offense
Passing yards David Carr 2,592
Passing touchdownsDavid Carr9
Rushing yards Jonathan Wells 529
Rushing touchdownsJonathan Wells
David Carr		3
Receiving yards Corey Bradford 697
Receiving touchdownsCorey Bradford6
Defense
Tackles (Solo) Jay Foreman 105
Sacks Jeff Posey 8
Interceptions Aaron Glenn 5

Source: [19]

References

  1. ↑ Sidhu, Deepi (January 9, 2022). "with 11 starts under his belt, Houston Texans QB Davis Mills has now solidified himself as the leading rookie passer in franchise history with 2,664 yards". Houston Texans. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  2. ↑ Wilson, Aaron (February 8, 2024). "Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud named Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after epic first season". KPRC-TV . Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Texans Team History". Houston Texans . Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Owner: Texans won't hire coach until 2002". Amarillo Globe-News . Associated Press. January 3, 2001. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Dom Capers". Green Bay Packers . Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  6. ↑ "PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; TEXANS HIRE FANGIO". The New York Times . January 15, 2002. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Texans hire Palmer". Amarillo Globe-News . Associated Press. February 3, 2001. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ "2002 Roster" (PDF). Houston Texans . Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Unprotected players for expansion draft". ESPN . February 7, 2002. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Five-time Pro Bowler Boselli set to retire". ESPN . July 15, 2003. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ Pasquarelli, Len (February 26, 2002). "Texans deal Wuerffel to 'Skins in first-ever trade". ESPN . Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  12. ↑ "2002 Houston Texans draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Texans turn to defense for all of their offense". ESPN. December 8, 2002. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Titans seal first-round bye in playoffs". ESPN. December 29, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2021.[ dead link ]
  15. ↑ −41.6 DVOA, Football Outsiders: 2002 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS
  16. ↑ Football Outsiders – DVOA 7.0: Worst Teams Ever, from 1991–2011
  17. ↑ "2002 NFL Team Total Offense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  18. ↑ "2002 NFL Team Total Defense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  19. ↑ "2002 Texans Statistics". Houston Texans. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
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