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2023 Houston Texans Off Season Programs

Number19

Hall of Fame
Has training camp dates been set? Can't find on Texans site or NFL site. I get 2022. Can you believe when I Google for 2023, Goggle brought up dates for 2005!
 

zshawn10

All Pro
How quickly is Stroud advancing?

Slowik said his offense is “built on precision” with an emphasis on being “in unison, on time, in rhythm.” There’s little doubt Stroud should be the Texans’ Week 1 starter. But Stroud acknowledged he’d have to adapt from Ohio State’s spread attack to a West Coast system in which he’ll go under center far more often. How precise, how in rhythm can the rookie be by training camp?

Of course, it’s more complex than that. There will also be some philosophical crossovers. Ryan Day’s offense at Ohio State incorporated run-pass option reads and play-action shots that complemented a powerful run game that Ryans also believes in. It won’t only be Stroud’s challenge to learn his new system. Stroud’s development will be the first major test for Slowik, a first-time offensive coordinator, and Jerrod Johnson, who’ll be a full-time quarterbacks coach for the first time. How well do they teach?

It also shouldn’t be overlooked that there’s a major position battle going on at center. There’s a distinct possibility the Texans could open the 2023 season with a rookie both at quarterback and center. Juice Scruggs, whom the Texans traded up in the second round to select, may beat out veterans Scott Quessenberry and Michael Deiter. But does that battle alter Stroud’s rhythm?

Who wins the position battles on the defensive front?

The Texans addressed a major need by drafting Anderson. The 6-foot-3, 253-pound edge rusher should become Houston’s most dangerous backfield disrupter. Ryans has said he wants to field an aggressive, attacking front, and the two-time SEC defensive player of the year should spend the majority of his time rushing the quarterback.

There is more depth at defensive tackle than the Texans have had in the Caserio era. Sheldon Rankins, who played under Robert Saleh’s similar scheme with the Jets last season, should form a formidable duo with Maliek Collins. The question along the interior just becomes who fits in the rotation between Hassan Ridgeway, Thomas Booker, Roy Lopez and other veterans. This is promising for a defense that surrendered the most rushing yards in team history last season.

But how does defensive end form beyond Anderson? Can Jerry Hughes, who turns 35 in August, be as productive as he was last season (nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss)? Can Jonathan Greenard, who’s missed 14 games in the last two seasons due to injury, remain healthy in the final year of his contract? Does Jacob Martin, who saw moderate success in his first stint with Houston, prosper in his second? How quickly can rookie Dylan Horton become part of the mix? Does Ali Gaye, a 6-6, 250-pound edge setter at LSU, find a way to make the roster?

The Texans have loaded up with questionable options. Perhaps they’ll yield answers for critical positions, which is happening similarly at linebacker beyond Harris. Christian Kirksey could become Houston’s first cap casualty with a contract that could free the Texans $5.25 million if cut. Former Pro Bowlers Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton could usurp Kirksey if they can prove to be healthy. And what of fifth-round rookie Henry To’oTo’o? Can he push beyond veterans Blake Cashman and Garret Wallow?

Will Caserio be active this summer?

The Texans have $15.4 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap. That number will shrink quickly once the franchise officially signs Stroud and Anderson to rookie contracts that should both near $8 million per year. Any move to free up extra cap space will likely be done in training camp. Beyond Kirksey, it will be notable to watch the development of Austin Deculus. If he shows promise as a swing tackle, the Texans could save another $2.74 million by releasing Charlie Heck. Steven Nelson ($3.9 million) and Quessenberry ($2.45 million) are other veterans to keep an eye on.

Caserio often says the Texans are always searching for ways to improve the roster. He still wields eight picks in the 2024 draft, including Cleveland’s first-rounder, and those will be his main assets if he decides to pursue an addition at a high-profile position like wide receiver. It will also be notable to see how many of the surplus players at key position battles (linebacker, wide receiver, defensive end) the Texans will attempt to trade before possibly cutting them in training camp. Caserio’s personnel department is privy to stocking up on late-round picks, and the quality of picks yielded in any potential trades could indicate any collective increase in talent on the roster.

Forty-one players are also entering the final years of their contracts. Will Caserio seek to extend key starters like right tackle Tytus Howard, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnston before the season begins? During? After? The high number of expiring contracts reflects again a flexibility Caserio’s personnel department prefers from season to season.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Watching right now on YouTube…about 1815 out here. Not hearing the questions sucks, wish they’d use closed caption when questions are asked. Heard Ryans and Mills….listening to Woods right now. Wow, CJ is at the mic.
 
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OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Watching right now on YouTube…about 1815 out here right now. Not hearing the questions sucks, wish they’d use closed caption when questions are asked. Heard Ryans and Mills….listening to Woods right now. Wow, CJ is at the mic.
I’m sure the guys will give him a bit of a hard time regarding his interview capabilities, but he’s young….probably a little nervous as well. The interviews will get easier as time goes.
 
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zshawn10

All Pro
It’s clear Stroud is still working on his timing on his under-center dropbacks. During offensive warmups, Stroud overshot veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on a slant over the middle. Stroud attempted a crossing pattern to Tank Dell in 7-on-7 drills, but safety Eric Murray swooped in and swatted it incomplete. Later during 11-on-11 team drills, Stroud stepped through a play-action dropback and unfurled a wobbly but on-target pass to a leaping Dell on the right sideline for about a 20-yard gain.

Stroud’s accuracy appears as advertised. He called himself a “ball-placement specialist” at the scouting combine, and he completed 69.3 percent of his passes in two seasons with the Buckeyes. He never unfurled any deep passes in Tuesday’s workout session, but each of his passes were on target, although many of them were checkdowns to running backs Devin Singletary and Dare Ogunbowale. It’s probable that those deeper shots will come later as Stroud works his way through the playbook.



Juice Scruggs, whom the Texans traded up to select in the second round, seems to be on the same learning track as Stroud. The 6-3, 301-pound rookie spent Tuesday’s workout with Stroud and journeyman Case Keenum. Scott Quessenberry, who started in 16 games in 2022, worked with Mills. Both are notable pairings. It’s quite likely that the Texans open Week 1 with Stroud and Scruggs starting, and the more they work together the better.

It's worth noting again that Quessenberry is a potential cap casualty. The Texans would save $2.45 million in cap space by cutting him, according to Over the Cap. Caserio has said they’ll often carry eight offensive linemen on the active roster: five starters, a swing tackle, a substitute interior lineman and one extra. Quessenberry will be battling Michael Deiter, Jimmy Morrissey and sixth-round pick Jarrett Patterson for a spot along the interior.



It’s not yet clear how often Ryans intends to deploy a base 4-3. Jimmie Ward, the 49ers’ nickel safety in 2022, appeared in 47.6 percent of San Francisco’s total defensive snaps. The Texans used Desmond King and Tavierre Thomas significantly more often (65.9 percent) last season under former coach Lovie Smith. Thomas and former Jaguars safety Tyree Gillespie split time at nickel on Tuesday, while King, sporting his new No. 0, filled in at cornerback with notable absences by Nelson and recently signed defensive backs Shaquill Griffin and D’Angelo Ross.

If the Texans deploy their base 4-3, Christian Kirksey remains their Mike linebacker. Harris projected as a rangy outside linebacker even while under Smith, and if Kirksey (another potential cap casualty with $5.25 million in savings) is to be replaced, it will likely be newly signed veterans Cory Littleton or Denzel Perryman who do unseat him. Littleton played opposite Kirksey and Harris often on Tuesday. Perryman, who battled ankle and hip injuries last season, was not in attendance.

As for the defensive line, it’s not difficult to imagine Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins starting at Houston’s two tackle slots even without them in attendance on Tuesday. Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 overall pick, will work his way up the depth chart like Stroud and Scruggs and lead a group of edge rushers whose main members are veterans Jerry Hughes, Jonathan Greenard and fourth-round pick Dylan Horton. How swiftly Anderson and Horton secure prominent roles will project eventual decisions with Hughes and Greenard, who both are entering the final years of their contracts.
 

edo783

Hall of Fame
CJ seemed pretty stiff at the mike. Hopefully he will loosen up as things go along and let some personality come through. Smile man, its not an execution!!
 

Porky

Hall of Fame
I agree with Steel. They should have grabbed a TE at some point. I don't trust anyone behind Schultz. OJ Howard? I dunno what to think about him at this point. Big if...but if he can stay healthy, maybe he can provide a decent 2nd option. His injury history tells me he'll never be the guy he was coming into the NFL. I'm just looking for decent at this point.

Beyond him, I'm not sure anyone can meet the moment. If Schultz walks in 24, as I suspect, TE becomes priority 1 for the offense.
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
I agree with Steel. They should have grabbed a TE at some point. I don't trust anyone behind Schultz. OJ Howard? I dunno what to think about him at this point. Big if...but if he can stay healthy, maybe he can provide a decent 2nd option. His injury history tells me he'll never be the guy he was coming into the NFL. I'm just looking for decent at this point.

Beyond him, I'm not sure anyone can meet the moment. If Schultz walks in 24, as I suspect, TE becomes priority 1 for the offense.
Howard is a Raider now..

We're looking at Teagan Quitoriano and Brevin Jordan behind Schultz..
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
They should have grabbed a TE at some point.
OK, but whom do they pass on to take the TE? Juice or Tank? They needed a center and WR, also.
We're looking at Teagan Quitoriano and Brevin Jordan behind Schultz..
Pretty clear that the Texans are counting on TEs hitting the waiver wire. 15 were taken in the draft, so there will be vets available.
 

Porky

Hall of Fame
OK, but whom do they pass on to take the TE? Juice or Tank? They needed a center and WR, also.

Pretty clear that the Texans are counting on TEs hitting the waiver wire. 15 were taken in the draft, so there will be vets available.
Nick traded away valuable draft capital - again. Had he held still one of those times, he could have nabbed a TE. This was a deep class. I think his style of just tossing away picks is at least debatable.
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
Nick traded away valuable draft capital - again. Had he held still one of those times, he could have nabbed a TE. This was a deep class. I think his style of just tossing away picks is at least debatable.
True, but the only trade to take back would have picked up a contributing TE was the Anderson deal. Don't make that, and what are the Texans doing for a pass rusher?

This team is still a year away. Minimum.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
2024 is a good year. The top 2 (Bowers and Sanders) rank higher than any in the 2023 class.
It's nowhere near as deep. Sanders would be 4th or 5th on my list in last yrs draft and I say that as a Horns fan.
 
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