WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – In 2011, the Texans were desperate to improve the worst secondary in the NFL. They made three moves that turned out to be franchise-changing.
Coach Gary Kubiak hired Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator. General manager Rick Smith signed two free agents – cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning.
Those three moves transformed the defense into one of the best in the league and helped the Texans reach the playoffs for the first time. Now, seven years later, only one remains.
For the seventh consecutive season, Joseph is paired with Kareem Jackson.