Andre Brown signs with Houston Texans
Andre Brown (35) against the Detroit Lions. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans are looking for a solid No. 2 running back behind workhorse back Arian Foster following Ben Tate’s expected departure to the Cleveland Browns this offseason, and they zeroed in on former New York Giants starting running back Andre Brown as their preferred target. Brown had some significant interest from the Oakland Raiders and took a visit with them near the start of the free-agent period, but he didn’t receive interest after that visit. He did visit the Texans today, and the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain reports that they have agreed to a deal with the 27-year-old RB.
Terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed, so it will be interesting to see if Brown gets more than just one year. I think the Texans will give Brown two years to back up Foster, and this is a signing that’s easy to like. The Texans needed a quality backup to Foster, especially since health isn’t a guarantee for the overworked superstar. Brown is a reliable option off of the bench, and he should get ample opportunities to spell Foster.
Brown had some nice flashes in 2012 in his first year with the Giants, and that was also the first year in which he was given a significant role. He came into the 2013 season with a broken leg and carried the team’s faltering rushing attack after he returned (David Wilson was already out for the year with a severe neck injury). Brown averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, but it’s unfair to take that total at face value due to the Giants horrific interior blocking from an old, beat-up offensive line. He was solid last season, and he should be solid going forward for the Texans. He isn’t a spectacular back, but all Brown has to do is consistently get yardage when asked to carry the bell and is pretty good at making defenders miss.