The Texans have a new fullback – but not quite by choice. The team lost Vonta Leach on Sunday to one of their AFC rivals – the Baltimore Ravens. Now it will fall on TE James Casey, who was Leach’s backup last season, to get the first crack at being the teams starting fullback in 2011. Reports say the Texans will also look to ink a free agent.
Sunday, the Texans were sharing sadness over the loss of Leach. “It’s tough,” offensive tackle Eric Winston said. “It’s a sad part of the business. If everybody had a $300 million cap, you could do what you want and sign everybody. Obviously, we had our priorities going in, and Vonta, unfortunately, won’t be here. I wish him nothing but the best because he’s a hell of a fullback and a hell of a teammate, and we’re going to miss him terribly. But the show has to go on. Guys have to step up.”
Linebacker DeMeco Ryans is well aware the Texans will play at Baltimore on October 16th, the first time former Texans will be able to catch up with Leach as a part of his new team.
“It’ll be fun going against Vonta,” Ryans said. “I’ve never had a chance to go against him. He’s a beast. I’ve seen him crush a lot of linebackers, and now having to take him on in live action, he’s going to have to bring it because we’re going to bring it, too.”