2002 Houston Texans season

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 to become the Titans in 1997. 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.

2002 Houston Texans season
Texans inaugural season logo
OwnerBob McNair
General managerCharley Casserly
Head coachDom Capers
Home fieldReliant Stadium
Results
Record4–12
Division place4th AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
2

The Texans won their inaugural regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys 19–10 on Sunday Night Football. They were the first to do this since the 1961 Minnesota Vikings won their inaugural game. 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.[1]

NFL returns to Houston
See also: History of the Houston Texans § 1997: Bringing the NFL back 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.[2]

On January 19, 2000, the team hired former Washington Redskins general manager Charley Casserly to serve in the same position.[2] In the search for a head coach, Miami coach Butch Davis was involved in discussions with McNair, but elected to stay with the university.[3] 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.[4] On January 20, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Vic Fangio joined the staff in the same role,[5] followed by former Cleveland Browns head coach Chris Palmer as offensive coordinator on February 3.[6]

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.[2][7]

Expansion draft
Main article: 2002 NFL 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

Round Player Position Team
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
Main article: 2002 NFL Draft
2002 Houston Texans draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 1 David Carr  QB Fresno State
2 33 Jabar Gaffney  WR Florida
2 50 Chester Pitts  OT San Diego State Extra selection
3 66 Fred Weary  OG Tennessee
3 83 Charles Hill  DT Maryland Extra selection
4 99 Jonathan Wells  RB Ohio State
5 136 Jarrod Baxter  FB New Mexico
5 153 Ramon Walker  S Pittsburgh Extra selection
6 173 Demarcus Faggins  CB Kansas State
6 190 Howard Green  DT LSU Extra selection
7 229 Greg White  DE Minnesota Extra selection
7 261 Ahmad Miller  DT UNLV Extra selection
      Made roster  

[11]

Undrafted free agents
2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
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

  • Offensive coordinator – Chris Palmer
  • Running backs – Chick Harris
  • Wide receivers – Kippy Brown
  • Tight ends – Greg Roman
  • Offensive line – Tony Marciano
  • Assistant offensive line – Steve Marshall
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Joe Marciano
  • Special teams assistant – Eric Sutulovich

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Dan Riley
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Ray Wright

Roster
2002 Houston Texans final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 71 Tony Boselli T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 28 Pat Dennis CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 35 Leomont Evans S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 70 DeMingo Graham G (Suspended)
  • -- Trevor Insley WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 18 Dwaune Jones WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 58 Jason Lamar LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 62 Chris Lorenti C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- Mike Newell C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 83 Rod Rutledge TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 65 Ryan Schau G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 41 Ramon Walker S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad

  • -- McAllister Collins C
  • -- Jelani Hawkins T
  • -- Rashod Kent TE


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

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
HOF August 5 vs. New York Giants L 17–34 0–1 Fawcett Stadium (Canton) Recap
1 August 10 at New Orleans Saints W 13–10 1–1 Louisiana Superdome Recap
2 August 17 at Kansas City Chiefs L 9–19 1–2 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
3 August 24 Miami Dolphins L 3–24 1–3 Reliant Stadium Recap
4 August 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–17 1–4 Reliant Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 8 Dallas Cowboys W 19-10 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
2 September 15 at San Diego Chargers L 3–24 1–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
3 September 22 Indianapolis Colts L 3–23 1–2 Reliant Stadium Recap
4 September 29 at Philadelphia Eagles L 17–35 1–3 Veterans Stadium Recap
5 Bye
6 October 13 Buffalo Bills L 24–31 1–4 Reliant Stadium Recap
7 October 20 at Cleveland Browns L 17–34 1–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
8 October 27 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 21–19 2–5 Alltel Stadium Recap
9 November 3 Cincinnati Bengals L 3–38 2–6 Reliant Stadium Recap
10 November 10 at Tennessee Titans L 10–17 2–7 The Coliseum Recap
11 November 17 Jacksonville Jaguars L 21–24 2–8 Reliant Stadium Recap
12 November 24 New York Giants W 16–14 3–8 Reliant Stadium Recap
13 December 1 at Indianapolis Colts L 3–19 3–9 RCA Dome Recap
14 December 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 24–6 4–9 Heinz Field Recap
15 December 15 Baltimore Ravens L 19–23 4–10 Reliant Stadium Recap
16 December 22 at Washington Redskins L 10–26 4–11 FedExField Recap
17 December 29 Tennessee Titans L 3–13 4–12 Reliant Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 3 7010
Texans 7 3 0919

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 2: at San Diego Chargers
Week 2: Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 3 003
Chargers 14 3 0724

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 6 01023
Texans 0 0 303

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 4: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4: Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 7 0 10017
Eagles 3 17 8735

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 7 71431
Texans 3 14 0724

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 10017
Browns 0 7 171034

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 31121
Jaguars 0 9 3719

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Game information

Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 10 14 01438
Texans 3 0 003

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 3 0710
Titans 7 3 7017

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 7 10 7024
Texans 0 7 7721

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 7 0714
Texans 0 5 8316

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 5–7 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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 033
Colts 10 3 0619

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 14 0 01024
Steelers 0 3 306

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.[12]

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 15: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 10 7323
Texans 0 7 7519

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 3 0 0710
Redskins 7 9 01026

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 3 3 0713
Texans 0 0 303

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.[13]

Standings
AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Tennessee Titans 11 5 0 .688 6–0 9–3 367 324 W5
(5) Indianapolis Colts 10 6 0 .625 4–2 8–4 349 313 W1
Jacksonville Jaguars 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 328 315 L2
Houston Texans 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 213 356 L3

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

Team
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense2,225139.132nd
Rushing offense1,34784.231st
Total offense[16]3,572223.332nd
Passing defense3,141196.310th
Rushing defense2,089130.628th
Total defense[17]5,230326.916th

Individual
Category Player Total
Offense
Passing yardsDavid Carr2,592
Passing touchdownsDavid Carr9
Rushing yardsJonathan Wells529
Rushing touchdownsJonathan Wells
David Carr		3
Receiving yardsCorey Bradford697
Receiving touchdownsCorey Bradford6
Defense
Tackles (Solo)Jay Foreman105
SacksJeff Posey8
InterceptionsAaron Glenn5

Source:[18]

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. "Texans Team History". Houston Texans. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  3. "Owner: Texans won't hire coach until 2002". Amarillo Globe-News. Associated Press. January 3, 2001. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  4. "Dom Capers". Green Bay Packers. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. "PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; TEXANS HIRE FANGIO". The New York Times. January 15, 2002. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  6. "Texans hire Palmer". Amarillo Globe-News. Associated Press. February 3, 2001. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  7. "2002 Roster" (PDF). Houston Texans. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  8. "Unprotected players for expansion draft". ESPN. February 7, 2002. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  9. "Five-time Pro Bowler Boselli set to retire". ESPN. July 15, 2003. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  10. Pasquarelli, Len (February 26, 2002). "Texans deal Wuerffel to 'Skins in first-ever trade". ESPN. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  11. "2002 Houston Texans draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  12. "Texans turn to defense for all of their offense". ESPN. December 8, 2002. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  13. "Titans seal first-round bye in playoffs". ESPN. December 29, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  14. −41.6 DVOA, Football Outsiders: 2002 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS
  15. Football Outsiders – DVOA 7.0: Worst Teams Ever, from 1991–2011
  16. "2002 NFL Team Total Offense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  17. "2002 NFL Team Total Defense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  18. "2002 Texans Statistics". Houston Texans. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
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