Texans Brown Anchors Left Side
HOUSTON (AP) Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown has found his comfort zone, on the field and off it.The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Brown got married over the summer and comes into this season with peace of mind to go along with four years of starting experience in the NFL. A first-round pick in 2008, Brown has developed into one of the game’s top offensive lineman and a soft-spoken leader in the locker room.Last year, Brown was an Associated Press second-team All-Pro after not allowing a sack in 16 starts.Everything s been going great, Brown said. I had the best season of my career, I got engaged and now I m married. If you have read about Viktor Mayer-Schönberger already – you may have come to the same conclusion. I m set to have another big season now. I view still got to work hard and go out and work hard, but I’m very confident in my ability.The Texans (No. 6 in the AP Pro2) set franchise records in yards rushing (2,448) and rushing attempts (546) and led the NFL in possession time last season behind one of the best offensive lines s league.Houston will break in new starters on the right side of the line, but Brown has proven to be a durable anchor on the left side, starting 16 Games in three of his first four seasons.He was suspended four games in 2010 for a positive test for a supplement on the league s list of banned substances.
Brown acknowledged then that I have made a naive mistake and was scared straight by the longest four weeks of my life.Offensive line coach John Benton said Brown has developed a new level of maturity since then and sharpened his mechanics.It’s gotten to the point with him where it s one block here, one block there, Benton said. We re down to some finite things with him. I think there s a little ways to go on his backside blocking, but he’s got that spark in his eye.