Running back Chris Brown is looking forward to making up for a disappointing 2008 season.
The Texans surprised many observers last weekend by not drafting a running back to complement Steve Slaton. But three days before the draft, general manager Rick Smith had indicated that he didn't view the running back position as a glaring need with Chris Brown (6-3, 220) already on the roster.
"Everybody's talking about the fact that we need another back with Steve, a bigger back, a third-down back, and they forget that we've got a guy walking around in our building right now that could fill that role, and that's Chris Brown," Smith said in a pre-draft press conference at Reliant Stadium. "He was hurt, obviously, last year, but he's still on our team and so there's a possibility for him to fill that role."
Brown, who had back surgery last year after being placed on injured reserve on Aug. 30, has been a full participant in the Texans' offseason workout program. He and Ryan Moats will compete with undrafted rookie free agents Arian Foster (6-1, 226) and Jeremiah Johnson (5-9, 209) for backfield touches in 2009.
1. How have workouts been going for you?
"They've been going good, real good. I feel like I'm making a lot of strides to make a comeback, and hopefully, I'll be fine."
2. How are you physically? Are you 100 percent?
"Oh, I feel great. I've been out there running and doing everything with the teammates, so it feels real good. Definitely 100 percent."
3. There's been a lot of talk about Ray Wright's new strength program. What do you think about it?
"You know, Ray's a great strength coach. All of the changes are for the better. We're going out there competing; Ray's putting us in teams. We're all having fun. You don't realize how hard you're working when you're out there in teams competing."
4. Did you watch the draft last weekend, and what did you think about it?
{QUOTE}"No, not really. You don't really watch the draft, not since my first year. That was about it. But I feel like once I saw who we got, we got a good class. Hopefully, it'll make us better."
5. Before the draft, there was a lot of talk that the Texans would take a running back to pair with Steve Slaton. What did you think when that didn't end up happening?
"Well, you know, I knew they were going to do what they had to do, whatever they felt was best. I've got no control over that. All I can do is just go out there and get ready myself."
6. What did the draft tell you about the expectations that the coaching staff has for you this season?"I know they've got high expectations. They had them last year. Unfortunately, it was disappointing for both sides, but now you can go out there and get ready and hopefully take care of all of that."
7. What do you think the expectations are for you this year?"I think they've got big expectations for the whole running back group to go out there and have a 1-2 punch with Slaton and I. Hopefully, we'll get the job done and make the playoffs and go for a long run."
8. Along those lines, how does your skill set make a good complement to Slaton's?
"We're totally two different styles. Steve's that small guy, quick scatback-type guy. I come in, I'm north-south, getting downhill. That's how I run."
9. Let's revisit last season for a second. How disappointing was that for you not to be able to play after joining a new team?
"Oh, man. It was really disappointing. Knowing that the scheme that was run here perfectly fits my style and that they had high expectations going in, and all of a sudden, you just couldn't go out there and do anything, couldn't perform. And it was hard, especially after having that surgery. It took me a while to get used to the fact that I can't go play this year and have to sit out and watch everybody go out there."
10. How much more comfortable are you here in your second offseason with the team?"It's a lot easier the second time around, especially in the offseason. The first time, you're like 'Alright' – you're trying to feel everything out, don't want to step on anybody's toes and see how everything's working around here. But now that I know all of that, I can just go out there and perform and get ready."
