GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Texans saw enough out of third-year offensive guard Max Scharping in the first half as he was thoroughly dominated by Arizona Cardinals star defensive end J.J. Watt.
The former second-round draft pick from Northern Illinois was replaced at right guard at halftime by veteran center-guard Justin McCray, who started the second half with the first-team offense during a 31-5 defeat at State Farm Stadium.
The final straw: Watt crushed rookie quarterback Davis Mills on a pressure as he busted through a Scharping blocking attempt to force an incompletion.
Texans coach David Culley had reiterated recently that he would bench players if they're not getting the job done. And he inserted McCray, a versatile blocker who started at center against the Indianapolis Colts when starter Justin Britt was sidelined with a knee injury.
"We made that move simply because of the play at that time," Culley said. "We felt like we needed to make the move. We felt like he would give us a little boost. We thought he would give us a little better play than what we were having at that time.
A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt also shoved aside left offensive tackler Geron Christian Sr. for a tackle for a loss on running back David Johnson, his former teammate.
Watt joined the Cardinals this offseason via a two-year, $31 million contract after asking for and being granted his release from the Texans after spending one decade in Houston. Watt was disenchanted with the direction of the organization and said this week he saw the Texans' rebuilding efforts coming and wanted no part of that kind of construction project.
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