Or because Watt isn't doing anything unexpected?
He's not exactly an unknown like most of the guys they are talking about
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2017 Houston Texans Official OTA's, Minicamp, and Training Camp Thread
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Or because Watt isn't doing anything unexpected?
He's not exactly an unknown like most of the guys they are talking about
Brisco_County
Apples and roadmaps
and maybe he's out there shakihg off rust... not dominating yet but it's early
Depends on how the refs are calling it that day. If they're going to let it go, why not play as physical as you can?
badboy
Hall of Fame
I guess because it doesn't help a rookie prepare for regular season. Playing physical is great for linemen and LBs but not DBs in coverage imo.
I disagree.. I want them playing very physical but want the coaches (refs) calling a tight game
You should send an eMail to Crennel & Vrabel telling them to do their jobs.
badboy
Hall of Fame
I have them on speed dial..cannot imagine why all I got from them was cursing?
PapaL
Loose Screw
Texans' Brennan Scarlett: Expected to start
https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/texans-brennan-scarlett-expected-to-start/
Scarlett is the leading candidate to replace John Simon as one of Houston's starting outside linebackers, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Scarlett had 13 tackles in seven games last season as a backup and was also a mainstay on special teams. The 23-year-old enters his second season with the Texans after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2015. With so many other weapons on Houston's defense, Scarlett may be sneaky productive while opponents scheme to defend guys like J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus.
https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/texans-brennan-scarlett-expected-to-start/
Scarlett is the leading candidate to replace John Simon as one of Houston's starting outside linebackers, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Scarlett had 13 tackles in seven games last season as a backup and was also a mainstay on special teams. The 23-year-old enters his second season with the Texans after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2015. With so many other weapons on Houston's defense, Scarlett may be sneaky productive while opponents scheme to defend guys like J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus.
While the debate rages over which quarterback, Tom Savage of Deshaun Watson, will win the Houston Texans quarterback battle, head coach Bill O’Brien made it clear he has learned from his past mistakes in handling the showcase position. O’Brien emphatically stated the Texans will not switch quarterbacks on the fly in 2017.
“No, I’m not going to do that,” O’Brien told USA TODAY Sports in an interview Saturday. “I’ve done that before. I’m not going to alternate quarterbacks in and out of there. I don’t think that’s good for the team.”
The coach, a noted QB guru before arriving in Houston, dished out praise for both the veteran Savage and the first-round rookie, Watson.
“I think Tom is having a really good camp. He’s got good command of our offense. He’s throwing the ball really well, good connection with our receivers right now. And Deshaun, for a rookie, has really come a long way. He has gotten better every day and I think that room is just a really good competitive room right now.”
He did go on to note Savage holds the starting gig…for now.
“Tom is No. 1,” O’Brien continued. “But Tom also knows the situation – that he has a young guy there behind him that’s playing pretty well, too. Look, Tom hasn’t played a whole lot for us. When he has played, he has played pretty well and we have won. Not every time, but we have won a couple of times with him in there. So he has that confidence. But it’s not like he’s a three-year starter. He knows he has to earn it every day and continue to get better.”
&&&&&&
http://texanswire.usatoday.com/2017...aises-both-savage-and-watson-wont-rotate-qbs/
“No, I’m not going to do that,” O’Brien told USA TODAY Sports in an interview Saturday. “I’ve done that before. I’m not going to alternate quarterbacks in and out of there. I don’t think that’s good for the team.”
The coach, a noted QB guru before arriving in Houston, dished out praise for both the veteran Savage and the first-round rookie, Watson.
“I think Tom is having a really good camp. He’s got good command of our offense. He’s throwing the ball really well, good connection with our receivers right now. And Deshaun, for a rookie, has really come a long way. He has gotten better every day and I think that room is just a really good competitive room right now.”
He did go on to note Savage holds the starting gig…for now.
“Tom is No. 1,” O’Brien continued. “But Tom also knows the situation – that he has a young guy there behind him that’s playing pretty well, too. Look, Tom hasn’t played a whole lot for us. When he has played, he has played pretty well and we have won. Not every time, but we have won a couple of times with him in there. So he has that confidence. But it’s not like he’s a three-year starter. He knows he has to earn it every day and continue to get better.”
&&&&&&
http://texanswire.usatoday.com/2017...aises-both-savage-and-watson-wont-rotate-qbs/
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
This article has just mostly repeated the same quotes we've heard for quite awhile, and basically created a total 'retread" of old news.
PapaL
Loose Screw
patrickVerified account@PatDStat 1h1 hour ago
Day Five in the books. #Texans have an off day tomorrow.
Now I understand why the Texans FO chose West Virginia facilities over Houston's................they have an onsite "low T" center.
I had to google but does "low T" mean low testosterone? If so, how would that work with our resident "over trained" athlete?
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
My post was tongue in cheek. But to answer your question, "Low T" is more of a phantom condition in young athletes, especially those under 30. If you go to one of these new cottage industry clinics and have them run their "tests," you are virtually assured to not get out of there without being told that your testosterone levels are concerningly low. But if a players takes testosterone when he doesn't need it, it can lead to abnormally high estrogen level..........it can bring out the feminine side of the player..........mood swings, water retention, acne, high blood pressure, breast sensitivity or even nice size breasts. Testicles shrink and hair eventually falls out leading men to the Mr. Clean look. Another one of the effects of too much testosterone, and probably the most important one to consider, is the increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin levels. This condition creates thickening/sludging of the blood and thus significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or clotting if they are negligently ignored.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Early Risers from the Start of Houston Texans Training Camp
Through the first week of Houston Texans training camp a look at some of the early players with a strong start to 2017.
Training camp brings out the best in players and while many new faces try to make their marks to make the roster, some have especially caught our eye through the first week of camp. The game changed for the Texans when the pads went on and some individuals have really shown they are ready for this moment. If these players show they can sustain this level of performance through the duration of camp, each of them could find himself playing a pivotal role for the Texans heading into week one.
There are so many players we could talk about but we cut it down to the players who have been the most impressive thus far. Here are the earliest risers for the Texans for the start of camp.
Tyler Ervin
Entering his second year, Tyler Ervin is finding his way in all three areas of his responsibility: rushing, catching the ball, and in the return game. Demonstrating a vastly increased amount of confidence on the field, Ervin is showing that he is the best receiving back of the group, having possibly the third best hands from the entire skill group behind DeAndre Hopkins and Jaelen Strong. Ervin also has the best ability to make defenders miss in open field and is a markedly different player when compared to last camp. Ervin has been solid since the team did its off-season work and he continues to make his mark during the team's preparations for the 2017 season.
Treston Decoud
If you have been following the updates through camp, plenty has been said about Treston Decoud. Despite missing majority of the off-season work due to school obligations, Decoud has come in and shown more than capable of catching up on the time he has missed. He is the biggest cornerback on the roster and the first player the Texans have brought in with this type of skill set. His size at the line of scrimmage frustrates wide receivers and he can slow them down before they get into their routes. This allows Decoud to use his speed to make up ground and get on top of receivers, making life tough on them when the ball is thrown their way. It will be a gradual climb for Decoud to learn the defense but the entire skill set is there and he is turning heads at camp.
D’Onta Foreman
Coming into camp, expectations were tempered for Foreman, especially with his interesting off-season. When he arrived to the Texans for rookie mini-camp, his conditioning was not up to par and he was dealing with a run in with the law. His career with the team was off to a questionable start. However, Foreman came into camp and went right to work for the offense. He still has to learn how to run with a lower pad level, which he certainly knows now after being introduced to some NFL type hits, but when he does get his pads low, he has been an effective runner. Foreman has nice vision with the ball in his hands and good patience inside the tackles but is still in the process of learning just how fast NFL defenders can be. He has better straight line speed than we anticipated and, despite needing to work on the finer points of the game, Foreman's first week at camp has shown him to be an impressive runner.
Jaelen Strong
Although he likely wishes he could have back the final day of the practice week (it was not his best showing), Jaelen Strong has been solid throughout camp. He is the second best option at receiver behind DeAndre Hopkins and gives the Texans offense a big wide receiver who can body up defenders while being been a reliable target. The work that Strong and Tom Savage have put in together over the years really shows during team drills. Strong still has work to do but, overall, he has had a strong start to training camp.
Jeff Allen
Adopting a new healthy way of eating has cut some weight off of his frame, really helping Jeff Allen improve his movement going into year two with the Texans. He does not look like the same player from last season, starting with his footwork. He has looked more comfortable and is able to move his feet much more quickly in his role at right guard. It is showing particularly in the running game where Allen has helped pushed the pile and open up some nice rushing lanes. The work he put in this off-season to get his body under control is showing with his work on the field.
Riley McCarron
Everyone loves an underdog and that is what Riley McCarron is right now. It might be a little much to expect him on the 53-man roster in the end, but McCarron is putting in work to at least make the Texans find a way to keep him in the mix for the long haul. Wearing the number 83, he looks like a cookie cutter version of his coach Wes Welker on the field, also showing he understands coverages and can get in and out of breaks. McCarron can get across the field in a hurry and escape coverages. He is a slot receiver in the making and is a perfect fit for this offense.
Nick Martin
He missed last season due to an ankle injury which ended his season during camp but Nick Martin has been a difference maker leading up to the 2017 season. Martin’s presence makes the offensive linemen around him better and he has been setting the tone for the entire group. He has an imposing, physical presence and has been impressive in run blocking. He has shown to be skilled at holding off bigger pass rushers from pushing the pocket, allowing Tom Savage to step up in the pocket with confidence. Martin has probably been one of the top five players in camp for the Texans.
Dylan Cole
Despite being undersized for an inside linebacker, Cole is just a football player who wants to beat you. He has plus speed and quickness for a linebacker and has shown that he can run with tight ends and running backs downfield. Cole is also showing that he can make a difference on special teams in blocking or covering punts and kicks, an added plus on his big picture evaluation. Putting the pads on has helped Cole even the playing field, putting him into the mix to possibly land a NFL job somewhere in 2017.
Through the first week of Houston Texans training camp a look at some of the early players with a strong start to 2017.
- Patrick Starr - 4 hours ago
Training camp brings out the best in players and while many new faces try to make their marks to make the roster, some have especially caught our eye through the first week of camp. The game changed for the Texans when the pads went on and some individuals have really shown they are ready for this moment. If these players show they can sustain this level of performance through the duration of camp, each of them could find himself playing a pivotal role for the Texans heading into week one.
There are so many players we could talk about but we cut it down to the players who have been the most impressive thus far. Here are the earliest risers for the Texans for the start of camp.
Tyler Ervin
Entering his second year, Tyler Ervin is finding his way in all three areas of his responsibility: rushing, catching the ball, and in the return game. Demonstrating a vastly increased amount of confidence on the field, Ervin is showing that he is the best receiving back of the group, having possibly the third best hands from the entire skill group behind DeAndre Hopkins and Jaelen Strong. Ervin also has the best ability to make defenders miss in open field and is a markedly different player when compared to last camp. Ervin has been solid since the team did its off-season work and he continues to make his mark during the team's preparations for the 2017 season.
Treston Decoud
If you have been following the updates through camp, plenty has been said about Treston Decoud. Despite missing majority of the off-season work due to school obligations, Decoud has come in and shown more than capable of catching up on the time he has missed. He is the biggest cornerback on the roster and the first player the Texans have brought in with this type of skill set. His size at the line of scrimmage frustrates wide receivers and he can slow them down before they get into their routes. This allows Decoud to use his speed to make up ground and get on top of receivers, making life tough on them when the ball is thrown their way. It will be a gradual climb for Decoud to learn the defense but the entire skill set is there and he is turning heads at camp.
D’Onta Foreman
Coming into camp, expectations were tempered for Foreman, especially with his interesting off-season. When he arrived to the Texans for rookie mini-camp, his conditioning was not up to par and he was dealing with a run in with the law. His career with the team was off to a questionable start. However, Foreman came into camp and went right to work for the offense. He still has to learn how to run with a lower pad level, which he certainly knows now after being introduced to some NFL type hits, but when he does get his pads low, he has been an effective runner. Foreman has nice vision with the ball in his hands and good patience inside the tackles but is still in the process of learning just how fast NFL defenders can be. He has better straight line speed than we anticipated and, despite needing to work on the finer points of the game, Foreman's first week at camp has shown him to be an impressive runner.
Jaelen Strong
Although he likely wishes he could have back the final day of the practice week (it was not his best showing), Jaelen Strong has been solid throughout camp. He is the second best option at receiver behind DeAndre Hopkins and gives the Texans offense a big wide receiver who can body up defenders while being been a reliable target. The work that Strong and Tom Savage have put in together over the years really shows during team drills. Strong still has work to do but, overall, he has had a strong start to training camp.
Jeff Allen
Adopting a new healthy way of eating has cut some weight off of his frame, really helping Jeff Allen improve his movement going into year two with the Texans. He does not look like the same player from last season, starting with his footwork. He has looked more comfortable and is able to move his feet much more quickly in his role at right guard. It is showing particularly in the running game where Allen has helped pushed the pile and open up some nice rushing lanes. The work he put in this off-season to get his body under control is showing with his work on the field.
Riley McCarron
Everyone loves an underdog and that is what Riley McCarron is right now. It might be a little much to expect him on the 53-man roster in the end, but McCarron is putting in work to at least make the Texans find a way to keep him in the mix for the long haul. Wearing the number 83, he looks like a cookie cutter version of his coach Wes Welker on the field, also showing he understands coverages and can get in and out of breaks. McCarron can get across the field in a hurry and escape coverages. He is a slot receiver in the making and is a perfect fit for this offense.
Nick Martin
He missed last season due to an ankle injury which ended his season during camp but Nick Martin has been a difference maker leading up to the 2017 season. Martin’s presence makes the offensive linemen around him better and he has been setting the tone for the entire group. He has an imposing, physical presence and has been impressive in run blocking. He has shown to be skilled at holding off bigger pass rushers from pushing the pocket, allowing Tom Savage to step up in the pocket with confidence. Martin has probably been one of the top five players in camp for the Texans.
Dylan Cole
Despite being undersized for an inside linebacker, Cole is just a football player who wants to beat you. He has plus speed and quickness for a linebacker and has shown that he can run with tight ends and running backs downfield. Cole is also showing that he can make a difference on special teams in blocking or covering punts and kicks, an added plus on his big picture evaluation. Putting the pads on has helped Cole even the playing field, putting him into the mix to possibly land a NFL job somewhere in 2017.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
patrickVerified account@PatDStat
Just saw a Jags practice video. First thing that pops out, all the standing around. Texans camp, hardly any player just standing around.
11:35 AM - 31 Jul 2017
Just saw a Jags practice video. First thing that pops out, all the standing around. Texans camp, hardly any player just standing around.
11:35 AM - 31 Jul 2017
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Can't wait to see these guys for myself...
Listening to the radio some of the reports seem conflicting...
For instance, they were saying Strong and Ervin weren't doing much...
We'll see soon enough
Listening to the radio some of the reports seem conflicting...
For instance, they were saying Strong and Ervin weren't doing much...
We'll see soon enough
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I believe that Denzel Rice needs to find a more effect static releasing conditioner.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Fuller was trying to catch against his body last year too.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Sio Moore making a statement that the bathroom facilities are not close enough.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Is that you Bo Derek? [movie 10]
I believe that Denzel Rice needs to find a more effect static releasing conditioner.
badboy
Hall of Fame
wait..where did the player go for jersey on ground behind him? Did Moore eat him? I think that is a glove on ground. Dang Moore, just tackle them don't consume them. at least until regular season.....
Sio Moore making a statement that the bathroom facilities are not close enough.
zshawn10
All Pro
John McClain ✔@McClain_on_NFL
Just about everyone is raving bout rookie RB D'Onta Foreman. Getting arrested may have been the best thing that happened 2 him. He's serious
10:16 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain
✔@McClain_on_NFL
Foreman is so impressive when he gets the ball. He's so decisive, when he makes his move, he'll run over defenders or right by them.
10:17 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain ✔@McClain_on_NFL
DeAndre Hopkins is catching the ball better than anytime I've seen him in camp or practice. He and Savage have a close relationship.
10:03 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain
✔@McClain_on_NFL
Teammates say Watson asks good questions, listens and then takes it on the field. Doesn't make the same mistake twice.
9:57 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain
✔@McClain_on_NFL
Watson's teammates marvel at how fast he picks things up and how he always asks the correct questions. Shows how hard he studies playbook.
9:56 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain
✔@McClain_on_NFL
Savage does a good job of correcting mistakes on the fly. He knows O'Brien's system inside and out. He also likes OB's tough-love coaching.
9:55 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain
✔@McClain_on_NFL
Texans off today, so I'm emptying my notebook: Savage has been Tom Terrific n first week of camp. Hitting every throw. Comfortable in system
9:55 AM - Jul 31, 2017
John McClain
✔@McClain_on_NFL
Vets are talking up rookie RB Dare Ogunbowale, 5-11, 205. Hits hole fast, finds open spots, makes quick cuts and he's off. Tough, 2.
10:08 AM - Jul 31, 2017
Seegara
Guitar Picker, Dog Lover, Woodworker
For the 3rd major area of responsibility I would put blocking ahead of special teams play. How has Ervin been doing in that area?
Uncle Rico
Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
Sorry for the wall of text couldn't find the quote bubble button to wrap the body appropriately. This technomonology stuff is hard.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-season-bill-barnwell-pythagorean-expectation
One of the way those Colts teams held on to their throne was by dominating a mostly putrid AFC South. Indianapolis was 12-0 vs. the division between 2013 and 2014, and the Texans filled the void once the Colts dropped off. The 2014 and 2015 Texans were genuinely good teams, but the 2016 Texans are about as bad as a division winner can get. Consider that they ranked a lowly 29th in DVOA, safely ensconced between two teams that fired their coaches, the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
While Houston was in a relatively easy division, it didn't play a particularly charitable schedule; by my accounting, the Texans faced the 12th-toughest slate in the league. The Texans did beat the Kansas City Chiefs by seven points, and they had another seven-point victory over the Detroit Lions, although the latter team ranked 27th in DVOA. Otherwise, Houston was eking out wins against the AFC South and the likes of the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals.
Meanwhile, its average loss came by 13.3 points, including a 27-point loss to the Patriots with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback on a short week. The Texans were really 8-1 in meaningful one-score games, given that they lost a meaningless Week 17 game to a Matt Cassel-led Titans team -- and even that required a late Brock Osweilerrushing touchdown to make it close. Houston's largest win of the season was over the lowly Bears in the opener by nine points. Meanwhile, it had three losses of 18 points or more.
dead last in DVOA while finishing well below league average on everything except punt returns. Normally, teams will make a change in their coaching staff or personnel, and that, combined with some randomness, will push a truly bad special-teams unit toward the middle of the pack.
The problem, though, is that the Texans were also last in special-teams DVOA last season, at which point they fired Bob Ligashesky and hired Larry Izzo. They were 28th under Ligashesky in 2014, 29th in 2013 and last in 2012. It's been five seasons since Houston peeked out from the bottom five in the league in special teams. You would think that might inspire personnel changes, but the Texans brought back kicker Nick Novak and punter Shane Lechler on one-year extensions and will return four of their six most frequent special-teams players from a year ago. None of this inspires any confidence that things will be different in 2017.
Things will likely be tougher in the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars imported arguably the two best defensive players in free agency with Calais Campbell and A.J. Bouye, the latter of whom was Houston's top cornerback in 2016. Indianapolis hired general manager Chris Ballard and spent the offseason finally making coherent moves for its defense, although Andrew Luck's shoulder is a concern. The Titans profited from robbing the Rams last year by adding two first-round picks to their roster at positions of notable weakness.
The Texans weren't able to do much in free agency this offseason, thanks to their spending spree from a year ago and the $9 million in dead money they're eating on Osweiler's contract. The one downside to winning its division is that Houston will be stuck playing the Patriots and Chiefs in 2017, while the rest of their division plays lesser teams from the AFC East and West. That might be enough by itself to swing the South.
J.J. Watt, who missed virtually all of the 2016 season with a back injury. Watt matters, of course, but he played at a superstar level in 2013 and a Texans team with many of these same concerns (notably a 5-0 record in one-score games in 2012) fell from 12-4 to 2-14. The Texans defense was also relatively good without Watt last season, finishing seventh in DVOA; even if Watt pushes them into the top five, they would have far more to gain from adding a star on offense.
Of course, the other argument revolves around a serious upgrade at quarterback, where Osweiler was deposed after one season. Will the Texans get better play from their passers at 2017? I find it hard to believe Tom Savage is likely to be better than Osweiler over any stretch of time.
Remember that the Texans drafted Savage in the fourth round of the 2014 draft and thought so highly of him that they signed Brian Hoyer and gave him and Ryan Mallett the passing reps in 2015, then gave Osweiler a huge deal during the subsequent offseason. After a 73-pass sample in which Savage averaged a pedestrian 6.3 yards per attempt, the Texans were sufficiently convinced by Savage to trade two first-round picks and move up for Deshaun Watson this April. If Savage is a viable pro quarterback, it will be a surprise to the franchise that keeps trying to replace him.
It's more plausible that Houston would get better quarterback play from Watson. Osweiler averaged 4.3 adjusted net yards per attempt last season. There have been 10 other passers since 1990 taken between picks 11 and 20 of the first round who have thrown passes as a rookie. Those passers have combined to average 4.9 ANY/A. Watson is certainly a higher-upside option than Osweiler or any of the replacement-level quarterbacks the Texans would have brought in on a backup's salary to compete.
As a rookie, Watson is a high-variance option, as is the case for any debuting quarterback. That's hardly unreasonable, but it doesn't necessarily push the Texans forward more often than it holds them back. As a team built to win now, the Texans should be able to rely upon a dominant defense and put together a passable offense. If they're right about Watson, they could angle for a Super Bowl spot, but it's more plausible that the team goes with Savage before turning to Watson, who mixes flashes of brilliance with the sort of mistakes you make when you're a rookie in a new league.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-season-bill-barnwell-pythagorean-expectation
One of the way those Colts teams held on to their throne was by dominating a mostly putrid AFC South. Indianapolis was 12-0 vs. the division between 2013 and 2014, and the Texans filled the void once the Colts dropped off. The 2014 and 2015 Texans were genuinely good teams, but the 2016 Texans are about as bad as a division winner can get. Consider that they ranked a lowly 29th in DVOA, safely ensconced between two teams that fired their coaches, the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
While Houston was in a relatively easy division, it didn't play a particularly charitable schedule; by my accounting, the Texans faced the 12th-toughest slate in the league. The Texans did beat the Kansas City Chiefs by seven points, and they had another seven-point victory over the Detroit Lions, although the latter team ranked 27th in DVOA. Otherwise, Houston was eking out wins against the AFC South and the likes of the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals.
Meanwhile, its average loss came by 13.3 points, including a 27-point loss to the Patriots with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback on a short week. The Texans were really 8-1 in meaningful one-score games, given that they lost a meaningless Week 17 game to a Matt Cassel-led Titans team -- and even that required a late Brock Osweilerrushing touchdown to make it close. Houston's largest win of the season was over the lowly Bears in the opener by nine points. Meanwhile, it had three losses of 18 points or more.
dead last in DVOA while finishing well below league average on everything except punt returns. Normally, teams will make a change in their coaching staff or personnel, and that, combined with some randomness, will push a truly bad special-teams unit toward the middle of the pack.
The problem, though, is that the Texans were also last in special-teams DVOA last season, at which point they fired Bob Ligashesky and hired Larry Izzo. They were 28th under Ligashesky in 2014, 29th in 2013 and last in 2012. It's been five seasons since Houston peeked out from the bottom five in the league in special teams. You would think that might inspire personnel changes, but the Texans brought back kicker Nick Novak and punter Shane Lechler on one-year extensions and will return four of their six most frequent special-teams players from a year ago. None of this inspires any confidence that things will be different in 2017.
Things will likely be tougher in the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars imported arguably the two best defensive players in free agency with Calais Campbell and A.J. Bouye, the latter of whom was Houston's top cornerback in 2016. Indianapolis hired general manager Chris Ballard and spent the offseason finally making coherent moves for its defense, although Andrew Luck's shoulder is a concern. The Titans profited from robbing the Rams last year by adding two first-round picks to their roster at positions of notable weakness.
The Texans weren't able to do much in free agency this offseason, thanks to their spending spree from a year ago and the $9 million in dead money they're eating on Osweiler's contract. The one downside to winning its division is that Houston will be stuck playing the Patriots and Chiefs in 2017, while the rest of their division plays lesser teams from the AFC East and West. That might be enough by itself to swing the South.
J.J. Watt, who missed virtually all of the 2016 season with a back injury. Watt matters, of course, but he played at a superstar level in 2013 and a Texans team with many of these same concerns (notably a 5-0 record in one-score games in 2012) fell from 12-4 to 2-14. The Texans defense was also relatively good without Watt last season, finishing seventh in DVOA; even if Watt pushes them into the top five, they would have far more to gain from adding a star on offense.
Of course, the other argument revolves around a serious upgrade at quarterback, where Osweiler was deposed after one season. Will the Texans get better play from their passers at 2017? I find it hard to believe Tom Savage is likely to be better than Osweiler over any stretch of time.
Remember that the Texans drafted Savage in the fourth round of the 2014 draft and thought so highly of him that they signed Brian Hoyer and gave him and Ryan Mallett the passing reps in 2015, then gave Osweiler a huge deal during the subsequent offseason. After a 73-pass sample in which Savage averaged a pedestrian 6.3 yards per attempt, the Texans were sufficiently convinced by Savage to trade two first-round picks and move up for Deshaun Watson this April. If Savage is a viable pro quarterback, it will be a surprise to the franchise that keeps trying to replace him.
It's more plausible that Houston would get better quarterback play from Watson. Osweiler averaged 4.3 adjusted net yards per attempt last season. There have been 10 other passers since 1990 taken between picks 11 and 20 of the first round who have thrown passes as a rookie. Those passers have combined to average 4.9 ANY/A. Watson is certainly a higher-upside option than Osweiler or any of the replacement-level quarterbacks the Texans would have brought in on a backup's salary to compete.
As a rookie, Watson is a high-variance option, as is the case for any debuting quarterback. That's hardly unreasonable, but it doesn't necessarily push the Texans forward more often than it holds them back. As a team built to win now, the Texans should be able to rely upon a dominant defense and put together a passable offense. If they're right about Watson, they could angle for a Super Bowl spot, but it's more plausible that the team goes with Savage before turning to Watson, who mixes flashes of brilliance with the sort of mistakes you make when you're a rookie in a new league.
Bulls on Parade
2017 Astros: Earn It!
Super Bowl or bust for the 2017 Houston Texans. Do you agree, Uncle Rico? Defensively we have a championship caliber team. Can our offense do enough to beat the Patriots or Steelers come playoff time? How long before Deshaun Watson is our starting quarterback?
I'm cheering for Tom Savage to succeed but given his uneventful past with injuries and the fact he's still trying to throw his first career Touchdown pass in the NFL... I still have to see him start three games in a row, or even two games in a row, before I start to truly believe that he can lead this team to the promise land. Can he even lead this team through the month of September without being placed on IR?
I'm cheering for Tom Savage to succeed but given his uneventful past with injuries and the fact he's still trying to throw his first career Touchdown pass in the NFL... I still have to see him start three games in a row, or even two games in a row, before I start to truly believe that he can lead this team to the promise land. Can he even lead this team through the month of September without being placed on IR?
Texansballer74
The Marine
No I do not agree. Once we start winning more than 9 games a year and start being look at as a real threat. We can not look at this team as Superbowl or bust.
DeShawn will only get the nod if Savage gets injured.
Can't help but think this fact would be mass hysteria if camp was back here on Kirby...
Bulls on Parade
2017 Astros: Earn It!
J.J. Watt is coming back to dominate. Our defense could be special and even without Watt they gave Tom Brady and the Patriots all they could handle for 3.5 quarters in that divisional round game on the road this past year.
Although the Patriots added more firepower and weapons on offense. Gronk is back healthy and Brandin Cooks from the Saints will stretch the field with a ton of speed. That Patriots offense is going to be a handful but with Watt, Clowney and Mercilus leading an elite pass rush we should cause a lot of havoc this year. McKinney and Cushing will still be beasts inside.
The faster our offense becomes good, aka the faster Deshaun Watson gets first-team reps and can improve, the better our chances to win a Super Bowl. I'll cheer for Tom Savage but I don't think he's a long-term answer. He's a free agent to be next off-season. We have enough playmakers on offense to score enough points to win with our dominating defense.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Yes we gave them a fight in the playoffs but let's also remember they beat the brake dust off us in the regular season.
I believe the Patriots took us lightly in that playoff game.
The defense will be top notch again. My thing is I just can't trust Bill O'Brien and his offensive philosophy. I have yet to see him take advantage of any type of mismatch last season. All that speed and you don't utilize Ervin on a LB. Or running Miller up the gut knowing that is not his strength.
texanhead08
All Pro
I am less excited about this year than I was last year.
I am really concerned about the Secondary,OLine, and Savage staying healthy. If Savage misses a lot of time we are really asking a guy who most said needs to sit this year taking us deep in the playoffs I really don't like the odds of that happening. Savage with an injury could really take the wheels off this team and make giving up those 2 picks to Cleveland really bite us in the ass.
Thing to have a better season than the past 2
Improved scoring the offense needs to improve to top 15 assuming we get the same defensive production we did last year. We have to run the ball better and be able to keep the offense on the field converting on third down. Young WR's need to show improvement and we need a bounce back year from Hopkins.
We have to get improved play at Safety and Johnson needs to stay healthy to make up for the loss of Bouye. We need milk one more decent year out of Joseph and find someone competent at Safety next to Hal. We need JJ to be JJ and have another good season from Mercilus and Clowney to continue his upward trend from last year.
I am really concerned about the Secondary,OLine, and Savage staying healthy. If Savage misses a lot of time we are really asking a guy who most said needs to sit this year taking us deep in the playoffs I really don't like the odds of that happening. Savage with an injury could really take the wheels off this team and make giving up those 2 picks to Cleveland really bite us in the ass.
Thing to have a better season than the past 2
Improved scoring the offense needs to improve to top 15 assuming we get the same defensive production we did last year. We have to run the ball better and be able to keep the offense on the field converting on third down. Young WR's need to show improvement and we need a bounce back year from Hopkins.
We have to get improved play at Safety and Johnson needs to stay healthy to make up for the loss of Bouye. We need milk one more decent year out of Joseph and find someone competent at Safety next to Hal. We need JJ to be JJ and have another good season from Mercilus and Clowney to continue his upward trend from last year.
Number19
Hall of Fame
Weeden will be #2; although largely forgotten, he's having a very good camp.
Offensively, Savage is looking good; the RB's are looking good and the WR's are looking good. On the OL, Brown will be solid; Martin is having a good camp at OC and Allen is improved over last year.
Lamb, at RT, is taking a beating from our defense. Q is at LG and I haven't heard much but the few mentions I've read are positive. But these two positions are question marks.
I can't recall hearing one thing about our TE's.
Overall, with improved play at QB, RB and WR, we're going to have a more productive offense - to go along with our defense.
We have a very good team and we will contend.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
The only real mention of the TEs in print to date have been their history of play in the past.........and their expectations for 2017. But there has been a notable lack of any information on the performance during TC............and actually before that. It gives me some concern, as their importance in a successful 2017 Texans offense cannot be minimized. This success will have to go way beyond a game of pitch and catch between Savage and Hopkins.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Says who?
Savage goes down I seriously doubt Watson is holding a clipboard watching Weeden (brought in to be 3rd QB and always will be) start.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Every NFL camp is saying the same positive things. They have to sell their product to their fans. They are not going to feed us a lot of negative stuff.
Weeden is only an insurance card that will be played if either of our QBS gets hurt. They did not draft Watson, moved up 13 picks, to be in street clothes ( gym outfit) on game days. Watson will be the #2 unless somehow he beats out Savage during Preseason.
Im in the camp of waiting to see if we're a contending team. After week 8, we should know exactly what we have. Our schedule is pretty darn tough during those 8 games.
Perki-Perk
DieHard Texan!
So how do you feel about that S we picked up on Free Agency? Gilchrist I think from Clemson? I hear he is pretty good and a lot of folks were surprised we could still get him so late in the off season.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
TxnsJuggernaut
Veteran
I am with you on that. I know a lot of blame has been placed on the Qb's we have had since BO'b became our teams head coach but as an observer I found BO'b to share in that blame. I think this season could iron out just how much blame there is to go around. A lot is riding on BO'b this season and it will for sure be interesting to see how this team does under those circumstances. I like BO'b as a head coach in a lot of ways but he seems to be set in stone on his system and way of doing things and I am not sure he is flexible enough to adapt as needed.
I can see another season where the offense struggles and the Qb's take most if not all the blame. I know we haven't had a top tier Qb but despite that I think BO'b has a measure of blame for the Qb's and the offenses struggles.
I don't want another 9-7 season but as far as finishing 9-7 there is precedent for a team winning only 9 games and going on to win it all. The Giants did it in a big way by beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl when the Pats were in the Super Bowl undefeated. All we have to do is finish strong and enter the playoffs with plenty of momentum. For us to have that momentum we need to see some give and take from the head coach to Tom Savage and our offense.
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TxnsJuggernaut
Veteran
I think a lot of that depends on how the rest of training camp and the preseason games go. I don't think second string is set in stone. At least I have heard nothing of that.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Actually, in the six seasons between 2007-2012, there were 5 teams in the Super Bowl that had 9-7 or 10-6 records. All of them won the Super Bowl except for Arizona in the 2008 season. It's about getting hot in the playoffs.
Of course, all of those teams had QB's named Manning, Rodgers, Flacco and Warner.
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But IMHO you have to be realistic. Our division is better, we are the team playing the first place schedule, and we are trying mightily to stabilize our QB & Oline positions. I'm just trying to be a realistic, 9-7 would not be a bad achievement in 2017 if it got us into the POs
either as the division champ or by way of W-C.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Last year the Texans went 9-7 playing a first place schedule, and throwing the last game of the season. The Titans went 9-7 playing a last place schedule. They are an improved team, but theoretically will be playing a tougher schedule than last year.
On the other hand, the Tits had a weird season in that they beat some good teams but couldn't win in the AFC South. Will be an interesting year.
I figure if Savage goes down prior to game 4, we might still put Weeden in, especially in the game it occurs. After that, I figure it's the Watson show.
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
Would much prefer this than to throw Watson out there if he isnt ready. Weedon has been fairly good as an in game replacement through his career.
Teams are too quick to put first round QBs into the game, i wonder to myself how many bust QBs might have been decent players had they been given time to learn before picking up survival habits when the games too fast for them.
I wonder how someone like Aaron Rodgers would have faired had he been forced to start early. Cant know the answer to those questions but id err on the side of caution.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Who says he won't be ready?
If he knows the playbook he's ready and all indications are he is a dedicated and quick student.
frethack
Rookie
Listening to ITL on 610 interviewing Sean Pentergast and Ted Johnson (again, no links) and it sounds like the D had a very good day even with Watt having the day off.
Deshaun Watson apparently had a great day with some "WOW" plays and McCarron continues to impress. Hopefully these will be confirmed by other reports.
BOB says that Watson is ahead of any rookie he has ever coached at this point. We shall see.
EDIT: per @PatDStat
Deshaun Watson apparently had a great day with some "WOW" plays and McCarron continues to impress. Hopefully these will be confirmed by other reports.
BOB says that Watson is ahead of any rookie he has ever coached at this point. We shall see.
EDIT: per @PatDStat
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Texansballer74
The Marine
The Colts should've did Luck the same way huh?
Seattle shouldn't have started Wilson as a rookie either huh?
Man why did the Eagles start Wentz his rookie year?
Peyton Manning most definitely should've sat his rookie year huh?
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
Wow, i dont even know where to start here. Yeah it makes or breaks a career. I can name a few where it ruined the player, you can name a few where it didnt. Id take the softly softly approach since we have a pair of competent QBs to try first and give Watson as much time as possible to slow the game down.
If, i said if he isn't ready. They are all probowlers at this point in the season according to the media though. I don't pay too much attention to what gets written. Looking forward to seeing how he's coming along in the pre season games though.