Texans O-lineman Adams aims to add versatility to repertoire
By Aaron Wilson
August 18, 2015 Updated: August 18, 2015 11:28pm
The conversations held by the Texans' offensive line tend to run the gamut, touching on everything from current events and politics to food, music, movies and, of course, blocking schemes.
If anyone's ever stumped on an outside-the-box, intellectual topic, they have an Ivy Leaguer to rely upon for answers. Jeff Adams is a soft-spoken Columbia graduate whose versatility as a swing tackle also capable of filling in at left guard has increased his value to the offensive line.
"Jeff's a real smart guy, obviously, coming out of Columbia, and if a real interesting question comes up outside of football, we'll say, 'Columbia, what do you think?' " right guard Brandon Brooks said. "He has that blue-collar attitude where he doesn't say much, but he gets the job done. He's very intelligent."
As the Texans attempt to upgrade their depth and positional flexibility, Adams has emerged as an answer to several questions and become a key piece of the offensive line while left guard Xavier Su'a-Filo deals with a soft-tissue injury in his foot and ankle that has sidelined him for two weeks.
Beyond what Adams has accomplished by being knowledgeable and skilled enough to line up at left tackle, right tackle or guard, the Texans are trying to build that type of skill set throughout the line to make themselves less vulnerable should they lose one of their five starters to a long-term injury.
That ambition was on display during the Texans' 23-10 victory over the 49ers, albeit with mixed results. The highlights included zero sacks allowed and 146 rushing yards on 45 carries. However, the goal-line offense was a major disappointment as the Texans were stuffed seven times on one drive before turning the ball over on downs at the 1-yard line.
Eye on bigger picture
What the Texans are attempting to do is focus on the bigger picture of evaluating players at different positions to try to improve the line as a whole.
"We have to continue to develop that second-team and third-team offensive line," coach Bill O'Brien said. "Versatility is key. Tackles that can play guard, guards that can play center, vice versa, tackles that can play some tight end … that's one of our philosophies is those guys being as diverse as they can in their skill set."
The line configurations included having right tackle Derek Newton flip to left tackle when Pro Bowler Duane Brown was given the night off after the first series. The Texans had center Ben Jones play left guard while backup James Ferentz filled in at center.
Adams started at left guard but also played right tackle. The 6-7, 305-pounder looked more comfortable at tackle than playing inside at guard, where he's learning on the job.
"Versatility is big for anybody," Adams said. "As a player, the more versatility you have, the more valuable you are to the game, and it gives you experience, too. The more positions you can play, the better you can understand the offense and the faster you can play."
After previous stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans' practice squads and a training camp with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted rookie, Adams has gradually become someone the Texans are counting on as an important contributor after appearing in two games last season.
"He's done well, he's come in here, and he's a smart guy. He's a great teammate. He stayed here all offseason and worked hard," said O'Brien, a fellow Ivy Leaguer from Brown. "He really worked on the things we asked him to work on. He comes out here, and he gives great effort every day."
Not afraid to go low
What Adams has to constantly focus on is lowering his pad level. As a taller offensive lineman, he has a natural tendency to play too high and has to fight against that to create leverage.
"You've got longer arms, and that helps playing against shorter guys," Adams said. "The opposite of that is I'm a taller guy, so I have to play low. It just means you have to bend your knees more.
"I'm working on that every single day: playing low and getting my hands on them fast."
A sociology major who grew up in Berwyn, Ill., Adams played football and basketball in high school and was an academic all-state selection. He downplayed any talk of having superior intelligence to his teammates because of his Ivy League education.
"We've got a bunch of smart guys on this team," Adams said. "The biggest help for me is I've had to learn five systems. You learn it fast, and you're able to pick up on the little nuances."
Adams isn't alone in forging a reputation for being intelligent and hardworking, two crucial traits for an offensive lineman.
Although undersized at 6-2, 285 pounds, Ferentz has held his own at the point of attack and has sound technique. His presence as a backup center has allowed the Texans to shift Jones to left guard with the second team.