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Texans: Camp report | 
Prisco
METARIE, La. -- Observations from Houston Texans camp:
1. You can forget any talk of a quarterback controversy. Texans coach Gary Kubiak has shot down any thoughts that Sage Rosenfels can take the starting job away from Matt Schaub. The genesis comes from Rosenfels playing well last season when Schaub got hurt. But the Texans didn't trade for Schaub to have him sit. He's their guy. Kubiak said Schaub's had a good camp and there's no reason to talk controversy. "Matt's doing his job, he did his job when he played," Kubiak said. "We're just fortunate we have another one who is pretty damn good." Schaub appeared more comfortable in the practices I watched than he did at this time a year ago.
2. The offensive line, long an area of concern, should be better in 2008. The addition of veteran line coach Alex Gibbs and his cut-blocking style will help. The Texans also drafted Duane Brown in the first round of this year's draft, and he's starting at left tackle. Even as a rookie, he'll be a big upgrade over 2007 starter Ephraim Salaam. On the other side, Eric Winston is one of the better right tackles in the league, even if he doesn't get a lot of media attention.
3. With star Andre Johnson set as the top receiver, the Texans feel good about Kevin Walter as the No. 2. He caught 65 passes last season and played well when Johnson was out for seven games. But the key for this offense is Johnson. When he's healthy, he's one of the NFL's best. He pulled up during a practice last week with a groin tweak, scaring the heck out of the coaching staff, but it isn't anything major. The Texans need Johnson on the field to have any shot at a playoff spot.
4. Who will run the ball? Several players. Veteran Ahman Green is penciled in as the starter, but he already hurt his groin and isn't practicing. That puts Chris Brown, who came over as a free agent from the Titans, in as the lead back. Rookie Steve Slaton and young players Chris Taylor and Darius Walker are also in the mix. "It's been a running back by committee," Kubiak said. This group can do the job, but they sure aren't going to scare any defenses into playing the eighth man up.
5. Cornerback Dunta Robinson, the team's best cover player, is still battling back from a torn ACL last season. Robinson isn't expected back until October, which is a blow. That means second-year player Fred Bennett and Jacques Reeves, who signed as a free agent from Dallas, will be the starting corners. Bennett played well as a rookie last season. Keep an eye on rookie Antwaun Molden, a big corner from Eastern Kentucky. He has already impressed a lot of Texans brass.