Three things I'm especially interested in for the Texans Saturday night as they open their preseason in Kansas City.
1. Quarterbacks Two and Three. I'll be in Houston next week and have not yet seen Dan Orlovsky or Rex Grossman running this team. Is the buzz about Grossman legit? It's hard for me to imagine he can push past Orlovsky into the backup job based on the financial investment the Texans made in Orlovsky so quickly in free agency. With good preseason play he can ensure no one thinks his status is overly contract-influenced.
2. Young defensive backs: Dominique Barber's been pushing for time at safety and Brice McCain's been creating a buzz at corner, where the Texans are thin. Can these guys, carry practice progress into their chances in a game against a team with so-so receivers? How do Glover Quin and Troy Nolan look?
3. How's the rush?: With the addition of veteran Antonio Smith and second-round draft pick Connor Barwin, the Texans are expecting an upgraded pass rush. Houston wants to see Matt Cassel and the Kansas City quarterbacks being forced out of their comfort zone and thrown off rhythm.
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Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
AFC SOUTH SCOREBOARD
Sunday, 11/29
1:00 PM ET Indianapolis Houston 4:05 PM ET Jacksonville San Francisco 4:15 PM ET Arizona Tennessee
