A Jaguars appetizer for Texans fans

September 25, 10:01 PMHouston Texans ExaminerAlan Burge

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Keep your eyes on Mike Sims-Walker (left) on Sunday     (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Note to PETA:  Don't take the headline literally.  Although that reminds me that I still haven't decided what I'm going to throw on the grill Sunday morning.

Not to worry since it's only Friday night and there's plenty of time tomorrow to figure that all out.

Saturday 6 p.m. update:  fresh gulf shrimp and boneless chicken breast strips wrapped in pepper bacon - and grilled to perfection of course.

Meanwhile, let me serve you some pre-game hors d'oeuvres as we head into the main course of NFL week three.  Let's get this tailgate started.

The basics

• The Texans are 8-6 all time against the Jaguars and for some strange reason they have won twice as many games against them as they have any other team.  The Texans have beaten Tennessee and Miami four times.
• The Jaguars are 2-10 in regular season games since their bye in Week 7 of last season.
• Matt Schaub ranks 9th in the league in passing yards
• Andre Johnson is tied for 3rd in the league in receptions and is 6th in the league in receiving yards
• Owen Daniels is 8th in the league among tight ends in receptions and yards.
• The Texans and Jags are +1 in turnover margin through two games
• The Texans and Jags are near the bottom on the league in QB sacks.  The Texans have 2 and the Jags have only 1.
• Maurice Jones-Drew is 11th in the league in rushing yards
• David Garrard poses a new threat to the Texans defense on Sunday.  A QB that will not hesitate to run.  So watch out on those 3rd and 6's Texans.  Those can be killers.

New faces

The Jags are in the process of a major facelift and it's most evident at the wide receiver position.  Gone are Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Jerry Porter and Dennis Northcutt.  Troy Williamson was lost to IR this week.  Torry Holt and Mike Sims-Walker are the starters and rookies Jarrett Dillard (Rice) and Mike Thomas will be seeing their first official NFL action.  Sims-Walker had a big day against the Cardinals last week with 6 catches for 100+ yards and a score.

With the promotion of Tiquan Underwood off the practice squad, all nine of the Jags 2009 draft choices are on their 53 man roster.  Four will start and others will see significant action.

The Jags start two rookies at offensive tackle.  First round draft pick Eugene Monroe starts at left tackle while second round pick Eben Britton starts on the right side.   Former Texan Jordan Black backs up Britton.  Tony Pashos and Khalif Barnes are gone.

There are plenty of familiar faces returning on defense with John Henderson anchoring the defensive line, Daryl Smith, Justin Durant, and Clint Ingram at linebacker and Reggie Nelson and Rashean Mathis in the secondary.  Durant leads the team in tackles.  Defensive end Reggie Hayward was lost for the season and is on IR.  Also gone from last year are Paul Spicer, Mike Peterson and Drayton Florence.

Rookie 3rd rounder Terrance Knighton starts at defensive tackle and fellow third rounder Derek Cox starts at corner opposite Mathis

RB Fred Taylor is gone so Jones-Drew gets nearly all of the touches now - except for when Garrard runs it.  MJD is backed up by rookie Rashad Jennings who has seen most of his action on special teams.  Greg Jones remains at fullback.  Marcedes Lewis is still a huge presence at tight end.

Texans roster moves

Offensive guard Andrew Crummey and running back Antone Smith were added to the Texans practice squad this week joining Arian Foster, Adam Stenavich, Brett Helms, Tim Jamison, Darnell Jenkins, and Jesse Nading.

Safety Bernard Pollard was signed, taking Chester Pitts' spot on the 53 man roster.  Pollard played for defensive backs coach David Gibbs at Kansas City.   The Texans have five safeties on the roster and I sense unfinished business there.

Texans injury report (from nfl.com)