How to define indispensable? It goes beyond the most talented, as talent does not always translate to game day production. For most fans, it seems fairly simple. Without these performers on the field, playing up to their abilities, our team cannot win. Â
In the NFL, this directly relates to the depth chart. Injuries are commonplace, so your replacement is expected to do a decent impersonation of your level of play. If not, your “indispensability†rises. So a sorry second stringer can make your contributions even more invaluable.Â
After a successful 2011 season, salary cap considerations chipped away at the Texans’ depth. For the coming season to exceed the accomplishments of last year, the members of this group will have to stay healthy and productive.
For comparison purposes, the backups listed are from the Texans 2011 roster. Come training camp the depth chart will undoubtedly change, but not enough to affect this ranking.
Matt Schaub
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There are contenders in the upcoming season whose potential success is personified by the prowess of these top-notch quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Manning & Manning (rank your favorite).   Â
There are others who pray these leaders will have the breakthrough seasons all have been waiting for: Joe Flacco, Alex Smith, Mark Sanchez, Jay Cutler.Â
Then there are the men in the middle, who have the stats but not the signature wins: Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Michael Vick, and, yes, Matt Schaub.Â
Everyone who follows the game realizes teams such as the Texans are just as dependent upon their signal caller as the Packers, Patriots, Steelers, etc. But Houstonians are not reassured that the stars will align and permit their Pro Bowl QB to play an entire season along with their improved defense.Â
Texans fans spent too much of last season learning just what Schaub’s Lisfranc injury was all about and backup T.J. Yates' personal history. This year they want to experience what it’s like to be contending for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. For that, Matt must play in all 16 games.
Most indispensable stat: The pre-Lisfranc injury offense scored 27.3 points per game. The post-injury offense scored19 ppg, including playoffs.Â
Backup: T.J Yates (career stats: 5 starts, 2-3 record, QB rating 80.7)
Johnathan Joseph
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Every dominant defense needs a shutdown corner, and Joseph is the most qualified Texan to wear this crown. But his importance goes beyond his play, as the lack of any appreciable depth behind him defines his “indispensability.â€
His arrival coincided with that of Wade Phillips and the transition to the 3-4. There is no doubt he benefited from the greatly improved pass rush.
He responded with tight coverage and big plays, two of which went for touchdowns but were called back.
Most indispensable award: 2nd team Associated Press All-Pro cornerback
Backup: Nickel back Brice McCain?
Arian Foster
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If not the best running back in the game, his name is on the shortest of short lists.
He has unusual speed and quickness for a 230-pounder, is tough to bring down anywhere on the field and is a dangerous receiver who averaged 11.6 yards on 53 catches last year (best among RB’s).
A free agent signee in 2009, Foster is proof that great talents can be found outside the draft selection process. Rarely do the draft gurus so completely miss on someone who admittedly had a checkered college career.
Most indispensable stat: ranked 3rd in yards from scrimmage (1841) in 2011 despite missing three games. The two leaders, Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew, played the entire season.
Backup: Ben Tate (career stats: 942 rushing yards, 5.4 yds. per carry)
Duane Brown
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Protecting the blind side of your most indispensable asset is the responsibility of No. 76.
Ranked as the No. 3 left tackle by our very own B/R, he allows one of the least mobile QB’s in the league to concentrate on his progressions instead of his survival.Â
With former backup Rashad Butler now manning RT, would practice squad member Derek Newton or 7th round pick Nick Mondek replace him when injured? This is the reason he ranks so high.
Most indispensable stat: 2.5 sacks allowed in 2011.
Backup: To be determined during training camp.
Andre Johnson
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Arguably the best receiver of the last decade and clearly the greatest Texan of them all, the wear and tear of his now 10-year career is catching up with him.
Kubiak can compensate for his absence by spreading the ball around to RB’s and the TE’s, but his ability to stretch the field is not easily replaced.Â
Drafting Devier Posey and Keshawn Martin and bringing in some free agent fill-ins is the main reason for Johnson’s reduced “indispensability.†Clearly, the coaching staff is looking to “life after Andre†by these moves. But an active No. 80 in 12 games or so could be THE difference maker this season. Â
Most indispensable stat: only played in seven regular season games, still ranked 29th WR overall by Pro Football Focus.
Backup: To be determined during training camp.
Brian Cushing
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The leader of defense, there were doubts he could make the switch to the inside. So fast for his size, it was thought his best qualities would be lost in the interior chaos of the middle.Â
But all this did was give him a shorter route to his targets. A vicious tackler and excellent pass rusher for an ILB, his intensity sets the tone for his fellow defenders.Â
Most indispensable stat: 12 QB hits. All-Everything ILB Patrick Willis had just six.
Backup: Darryl Sharpton (career stats: six starts, one sack, 22 tackles)
J.J. Watt
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First round pick in 2011 (11th overall), starter from day 1, probably best DL on team already. Exceptional combination of size and strength, can slide over to any position on the line.Â
His performance in the Ravens playoff game caught the attention of NFL aficionados nationwide. If he continues improve at this rate, his all too short name will be easily exceeded by his postseason accolades.Â
Most indispensable award: 2011 All Rookie Team by Pro Football Weekly.
Backup: Tim Jamison (career stats: 1 start, 3 sacks, 28 tackles)
Antonio Smith
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Smith played with a bad right shoulder for most of 2011 and still managed 6.5 sacks and good inside pressure. He is a locker room leader and every team needs a guy who keeps everybody loose. Â
He's also a Ninja Assassin, just in case an opposing warlord launches a surprise attack.
Most indispensable stat: ranked top 10 in tackles for loss and top 20 for QB hits.
Backup: Also Tim JamisonÂ
Chris Myers
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Myers is an undersized C whose skills perfectly fit the zoneâ€"blocking attack. He's responsible for calling blocking assignments for the rest of the line and is the linchpin of one of the most efficient offensive lines in the NFL.Â
Once considered too small to survive in the league, he has used his ability to swiftly get out of his crouch and into position to make his initial block more effective. He was intelligent enough to not bulk up and neutralize his best capabilities.Â
Most indispensable ranking: No.1 Center by Bleacher Report.
Backup: draftee Ben Jones.
Connor Barwin
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The Texans' sack leader made a remarkable comeback from a dislocated ankle to fulfill his rookie promise. He benefited greatly from the switch to 3-4, where his quickness creates matchup problems for opposing offenses. Â
With Mario Williams out of the picture, he becomes the pass rusher that must be accounted for on every play. This is a contract year for him, so expect more of the same in 2012.
Most indispensable stat: 11.5 sacks in first year at OLB.
Backup: Bryan Braman (career stats: 0.5 sacks, zero tackles).
Owen Daniels
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Daniels was the team reception leader in 2011 and is the considered 2nd receiver regardless of who lines up opposite Andre Johnson. Â
He has good speed, better hands and is an expert at getting open. He's not a great blocker, but the Texans don’t require great skills in this area. Â
Most indispensable stat: This improvised statistic demonstrates his effectiveness. Ranked 3rd overall in yards after catch (YAC) as a percentage of total yards. (331 YAC / 677 total yards = 48.9 percent).
Brent Celek of the Eagles (61.4 percent) and Aaron Hernandez of the Patriots (55.3 percent) ranked No.'s 1 & 2.
Backup: Garrett Graham (career stats: one catch for 24 yards).
Wade Phillips
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Whoever wants to argue Son of Bum should be No.1 on this list, I can offer little resistance. One of the top defensive coordinators around, the turnaround he orchestrated with Texans defense in 2011 was unprecedented in the post-merger NFL. Â
The accomplishments of his group defined a season in which the other side of the ball was without its three best players for extended periods. The very identity of the Texans has been redefined from the one-sided image of an offense dominant squad to a fully balanced team. Â
If an NFL assistant ever qualified for Coach of the Year consideration, this is your man.Â
Most indispensable stat: since the merger in 1970, no other team has gone from 4th worst to 4th best in scoring defense. Further improvement apparent in total yards allowed (from 30th to 2nd), and from dead last in opposing QB rating to 2nd best overall.
Backup: Linebackers coach Reggie Herring, who called the defense when Phillips missed two games last year.
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