By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

As the rookie quarterback of an NFL expansion team, David Carr absorbed his share of the expected lumps last season.

"I learned a lot," he said, "but I definitely wouldn't want to go through that again."

No other NFL quarterback has suffered through as punishing a season as Carr did with the Texans in 2002.

Opposing defenses blew through an underpowered Houston offensive line and sacked Carr an NFL-record 76 times during a 4-12 inaugural season, which included a still-memorable 38-3 loss against the Bengals in Houston.

"It was a different football team last year," Carr said this week. "I think we've matured a little bit this year.

"(That loss is) something we're definitely thinking about. Guys are conscious of the fact that we have to play better against this team."

Though it was a sack that has left Carr questionable to play Sunday against the Bengals - he sprained his ankle Oct. 26 - everything points to Houston having a much more respectable offense the second time around.

"When we started a year ago, we started six rookies on offense and knew that it wasn't going to be easy," Texans coach Dom Capers said. "But we've got a plan. The best way for them to grow and us to grow was to gain experience on the field, even though it might be a little more difficult at the time."

The NFL's worst offense last season, Houston ranks 13th overall and has improved its stats in every major offensive category.

The front office found a trio of offensive line starters through free agency and trades - right guard Zach Wiegert, left guard Todd Washington and Greg Randall at right tackle - to not only protect Carr on all but 14 occasions so far but also to open holes for running back Domanick Davis.

The rookie has rushed for 100 yards or more in two of his past three starts and is Carr's second-favorite receiver behind Andre Johnson.

Johnson, a rookie from Miami, has caught 39 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns.

"We're putting some points up on the board and have won a couple games," Carr said, referring to wins against the Dolphins, Jaguars and Panthers.

"That gives you confidence. ... When we go out there, we feel like we can move the ball down the field and score, which is a feeling we really didn't have last year."

That statement certainly applies to Carr, the former No. 1 pick and poster boy of a new franchise that allowed him to learn on the job last season.

Whereas the Bengals have chosen to give No. 1 pick Carson Palmer a year to learn the offense, Capers felt that if Houston was going to use the first pick in the 2002 draft on Carr, the kid might as well play.

"Every situation is a little bit different," Capers said. "I think it's different when you're with an established team or you've got a number of veteran players."

As Houston's starting quarterback, Carr completed 52.2 percent of his passes for 2,592 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He was intercepted 15 times and had a 62.8 quarterback rating.

"I think the biggest difference (this season) is the confidence factor," said Carr, who has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 1,483 yards and six touchdowns and has a 75.7 rating this year. "That, and knowing where my guys are in space.

"Last year, I felt myself locking onto receivers and making sure they were running the right route. Now I let the defense take me to the open guy, which has allowed me to play with more confidence."

The maturation under offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who tutored the likes of Mark Brunell and Drew Bledsoe among others, hasn't gone unnoticed.

"The quarterback has a year under his belt and they've added some talent around him," Bengals linebacker Brian Simmons said. "I definitely expect them to be a better offense."

Return to Bengals front page...