HOUSTON, Texas -- Observations on the 2003 Houston Texans from training camp practices:

	Andre Johnson was the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.

1. Andre Johnson looks like the real deal but it may be hard for him to catch more than 40 passes as a rookie. Johnson showed his incredible athletic ability in beating Broncos cornerback Deltha O'Neal in a morning practice of a duel practice. Johnson is a freak in terms of being able to run so fast at 228 pounds and it will be hard to jam him at the line of scrimmage. Jabar Gaffney and Corey Bradford will be more active than Johnson in David Carr's progressions, but Johnson should have the best yardage average among the receivers.

2. The Texans should be able to increase their sack total from 35 with Kailee Wong and Charlie Clemons rushing from the outside linebacker position. Wong had five-and-a-half sacks last year in his first year in the Texans 3-4, but he was making the transition from middle linebacker to the outside. Clemons was the Saints middle linebacker last year so he's a little behind Wong in feeling comfortable rushing from the outside. A pass-rusher of the future will be rookie Antwan Peek, whom the Texans really like.

3. It's still going to take until October to settle the blocking along the offensive line. Wednesday's knee injury to center Steve McKinney was a major blow. McKinney is the Texans best blocker. Though he's only out for two-to-four weeks and should be ready for the regular season, the starting five will go into the regular season without true continuity. The key to the line, though, is second-year left tackle Chester Pitts protecting Carr's blindside.

4. Carr should improve his completion percentage to around 58 this season because of the ability of Johnson to stretch the field and the desire to throw more "check off'" passes to running backs. The Texans have a potent three-receiver attack with Johnson, Gaffney and Bradford.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.