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Is Pearce the answer at RB2?

thunderkyss said:
I still think the OL is an issue. Personally I've never used the OL to excuse Pierce's lack of production. If he were that same violent rusher he was as a rookie he'd have been much more productive than he was last year.

But the team is one of the worse running teams in the league. It's been that way for a while. Part of that is our OL. Can't get around it.

Another part, I think, is that the Texans seem to wait on RBs to be productive while other teams are shuffle through several every year & are more productive that way. RBs aren't getting paid because it's so easy to find them, unless you're the Texans. Even before Slowick.
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I agree the OL isn't a good run blocking OL.

My point is that other backs are far more productive behind the same line than Pierce, yet we have to deal with hearing the same argument about it but only with Pierce being the recipient of the excuse. The Pierce/Akers situation is beginning to perfectly mirror the Pierce/Singletary one.

I still expect us to be a bottom 10 rushing attack. If we could even get to the middle of the pack I'd be ecstatic, but I highly doubt that will happen. Nothing the team has done leads me to believe that they'll have a good run game this season.
 
Sweech said:
I agree the OL isn't a good run blocking OL.

My point is that other backs are far more productive behind the same line than Pierce, yet we have to deal with hearing the same argument about it but only with Pierce being the recipient of the excuse. The Pierce/Akers situation is beginning to perfectly mirror the Pierce/Singletary one.

I still expect us to be a bottom 10 rushing attack. If we could even get to the middle of the pack I'd be ecstatic, but I highly doubt that will happen. Nothing the team has done leads me to believe that they'll have a good run game this season.
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Man, I was going to break out the spreadsheet and show that they were 11th and not a bottom 10 team. But they tied with the Jets on total yards with the Jets getting 4.2 ypc and the Texans getting 3.7ypc. Then I noticed they were only 21 total yards on the season away from being the 7th worst team. Then I saw they had the 4th lowest rushing TDs and had THE shortest long run of 24 yards. TWENTY-FOUR.

So yeah, I'd argue now that they were a bottom 5 team.
 
sandman said:
Man, I was going to break out the spreadsheet and show that they were 11th and not a bottom 10 team. But they tied with the Jets on total yards with the Jets getting 4.2 ypc and the Texans getting 3.7ypc. Then I noticed they were only 21 total yards on the season away from being the 7th worst team. Then I saw they had the 4th lowest rushing TDs and had THE shortest long run of 24 yards. TWENTY-FOUR.

So yeah, I'd argue now that they were a bottom 5 team.
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Dude you just depressed the heck outta me.. thanks.
 
Just my opinion, but I believe Mixon will remedy a fair share of these concerns. He’s that talented. The key as always is availability and continued health through the season.

After that, I won’t say I’m overly optimistic. Akers has been a pleasant surprise but for anyone that pays attention to CnD I don’t trust it long term. I have made it clear that I think Pierce is a square in a round hole here. I haven’t seen enough of Jordan / Brooks / Taylor to think they can be long term viable if 1 and or 2 goes down.

But - big big emphasis on that - if Mixon is healthy he’s our most talented halfback since Arian.
 
Sweech said:
I agree the OL isn't a good run blocking OL.

My point is that other backs are far more productive behind the same line than Pierce, yet we have to deal with hearing the same argument about it but only with Pierce being the recipient of the excuse. The Pierce/Akers situation is beginning to perfectly mirror the Pierce/Singletary one.

I still expect us to be a bottom 10 rushing attack. If we could even get to the middle of the pack I'd be ecstatic, but I highly doubt that will happen. Nothing the team has done leads me to believe that they'll have a good run game this season.
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If Mixon stays healthy with the weapons they've got outside I seriously doubt they have a bottom 10 run game. Mixon is really good and this OL is going to look a lot better with Mixon running behind it. Health is the key.
 
Lucky said:
I think we get a good indication on where the run game is vs. the Colts. The Texans averaged 56 yards on the ground in the two 2023 games against Indy. And the Colts were in general a so-so defense vs the rush.

I'm not a guy who believes one blocking scheme is superior to another. Get the job done with a rules based blocking system. Great. Move the ball with a gap scheme. Fantastic. Just get it done. And that's how I feel about the Texans rushing attack. Make it happen.
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The Colts have a 3 headed monster at DT

Stewart, Buckner, Davis.

It's not going to be easy to run the ball against them. Gonna have to use the pass to open up the run.
 
Can we get the title name changed please, I'm getting old and sometimes I see this thread title thinking we signed a RB...also any thoughts of potentially kicking the tires on Salvon Ahmed, who was recently released by the Dolphins.
 
If I remember correctly, other than Titus Howard, all of our injured players are on extremely low contracts. To me, that lowers the risk factor if they do not make it.
 
beerlover said:
OL is a continuity issue more than talent or scheme. They will get stronger with more reps together.
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True, but with all of the injuries part of the issues last yr was a talent deficit. It's not gonna be that way this yr. This OL is deep and talented. As you know I'm a big Green fan and think now that he's healthy and in the best shape of his life that when you pair him up with Tunsil you'll get to see the run game on that side of the OL really improve, particularly with Mixon running behind them and Stover upgrading the blocking at the TE position. Mixon is a big fast stud of a RB and if they use Collins/Diggs/Dell to spread the defense out there will be plenty of room for Mixon to run.
 
beerlover said:
Hoping for CB & LB :logo:
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I'm hoping for a LB and I think they may be able to sign a solid vet after week one or two. So far Caserio has done a fine job getting the type of players Ryans wants. I expect this to continue. What I really hope is Jonathan Allen becomes available at the trade deadline and Caserio trades for him. I would give up a 1st rd pick to see a DL of this awesomeness.

WA/Allen/Autry/Hunter
 
steelbtexan said:
I'm hoping for a LB and I think they may be able to sign a solid vet after week one or two. So far Caserio has done a fine job getting the type of players Ryans wants. I expect this to continue. What I really hope is Jonathan Allen becomes available at the trade deadline and Caserio trades for him. I would give up a 1st rd pick to see a DL of this awesomeness.

WA/Allen/Autry/Hunter
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I like Allen, but I'm pretty hesitant to trade a first rounder on a 29 1/2 year old, particularly when next year's draft is supposed to be loaded with DTs. I also think Mario Edwards is going to have a big year.

I am all for bringing in an SLB. And maybe a WLB to boot...Christian Harris has me nervous.
 
I keep thinking back to last season when the running game wasn’t working, it became clear that Singletary was more productive than Pierce when he got in the game, and yet they kept on featuring Pierce over and over again until way past the point when it was clear he wasn’t best option.

You always have to remember in this scheme they don’t just value running ability but also blocking ability which can be quite challenging for young RBs to pick up, and we don’t get to see that so easily in pre-season.

You’ll certainly notice if/when CJ gets blown up because your favourite UDFA can’t pickup the blitz to the level required.

Not to play devil’s advocate, I like Pierce a lot, and I think/hope we’ll be hearing about him again once he finds the right system, but he doesn’t fit the ZBS.
 
steelbtexan said:
I'm hoping for a LB and I think they may be able to sign a solid vet after week one or two. So far Caserio has done a fine job getting the type of players Ryans wants. I expect this to continue. What I really hope is Jonathan Allen becomes available at the trade deadline and Caserio trades for him. I would give up a 1st rd pick to see a DL of this awesomeness.

WA/Allen/Autry/Hunter
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Think they could get him for less than a first, cause he also carries huge contract they want to dump.
 
sprtsfanatic said:
smfh...yes he simply needs more carries....somewhere else. He's proven time and time again that he can not find the hole in this scheme and is not a cut back RB..hes a power runner and doesnt fit in with this team.
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Oh I get it now that the article explained it more clearly. Now I understand that when DP was in the game the Texans weren’t running so much and those starters on the OL weren’t opening up the running lanes so DP never had a chance to get a head of steam. The starting OL just needs to block better when he’s in the game. And one of those starters on the OL said he didn’t get many reps with the starters and most of the plays were pass plays. And all this time I thought a strong passing game helped the running game? So there is the fix. During the season he needs to play with the backups and scrubs on the OL where the other RB’s we’re getting their yards and the offense needs to feature the run over the pass. Despite this I still want to give him a chance this last game to turn this thing around because it is good for the team if he does.
 
JWLCASPER said:
Just my opinion, but I believe Mixon will remedy a fair share of these concerns. He’s that talented. The key as always is availability and continued health through the season.

After that, I won’t say I’m overly optimistic. Akers has been a pleasant surprise but for anyone that pays attention to CnD I don’t trust it long term. I have made it clear that I think Pierce is a square in a round hole here. I haven’t seen enough of Jordan / Brooks / Taylor to think they can be long term viable if 1 and or 2 goes down.

But - big big emphasis on that - if Mixon is healthy he’s our most talented halfback since Arian.
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The issue for me with thinking Mixon will remedy it is the fact the Bengals didn't have a great rushing attack either.
 
Sweech said:
The issue for me with thinking Mixon will remedy it is the fact the Bengals didn't have a great rushing attack either.
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This isn’t world breaking, but 1000 yards, 4.0 YPC, and 9 touchdowns is far from bottom tier and I would absolutely take Houston’s *healthy* starting offensive line over the guys Cincinnati put out on the field last year.IMG_7445.png
 
NFL.com article has Pierce as a possible trade candidate.

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It was clear early last season that Pierce wasn’t a fit in the Texans’ zone-blocking system, making Year 2 a frustrating one for the power back. He was approaching 1,000 yards rushing as a rookie before his season-ending injury in 2022.

Things haven’t changed this preseason. Pierce won’t start now that Joe Mixon is back at practice, and Cam Akers has impressed in recent action in his bid to make the roster. Dare Ogunbowale feels like a lock for his special-teams and third-down value, and Houston might still want to develop rookie Jawhar Jordan (or sleeper British Brooks, although he’s more of a practice-squad candidate, I suspect) rather than risk him to the waiver wire.

I doubt the Texans would release Pierce. He still could be a solid reserve. But if an RB-needy team such as the Cowboys offered a late-round pick for him, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans pull the trigger.
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Seth Payne said he wouldnt be surprised if DP was traded to the Rams. Texans seem to have a good relationship with them, Pierce a better scheme fit with them.

Not predicting it, but said if he's moved wouldnt be surprised.
 
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thunderkyss said:
Wow... didn't expect DeMeco to be the kind to throw the OL under the bus.
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I'm thinking that's a little too harsh. I don't really see it as the coach throwing the offensive line under the bus but stating obvious to all including the offensive line. Also, I think He is just trying to block for Pierce.
 
The oline has not been a very good run blocking oline for years. I expect that to continue. Therefore, you need someone that can make your oline look better than it is, by cutting, moving, and reading the D and having that 6th sense. You will also need to make guys miss and/or have the power to run them over (ala Mixon)

In 22, that was DP's super power. He just flattened guys like a poor man's Earl Campbell. And then he decided he needed to lose weight and become a pass-catching back with speed and agility. And now, he's in his own head to the point where he's thinking - not feeling. Overthinking each step instead of reacting. He has basically ruined himself and may need a sports psychologist for the mental issues.

Does anyone remember Steve Slaton or Dominic Davis? They had excellent rookie years and then cratered shortly thereafter, especially Slaton. I could be 100% wrong, but I think DP may be washed. He needs to bulk back up this next offseason and try to get back to being a bowling ball if he wants to resurrect his career. I dont think it will be here but I wish him well!
 
thunderkyss said:
Wow... didn't expect DeMeco to be the kind to throw the OL under the bus.
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I actually like a coach that will somewhat call it like it is. Maybe his comments will light a fire under some of the O-Line's asses. The running game is really the last piece to making this offense truly scary for other teams & part of the problem is poor run blocking.

Having said all that I don't know if it will help Pierce but better O-Line play is bound to improve our rushing attack.
 
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Porky said:
The oline has not been a very good run blocking oline for years. I expect that to continue. Therefore, you need someone that can make your oline look better than it is, by cutting, moving, and reading the D and having that 6th sense. You will also need to make guys miss and/or have the power to run them over (ala Mixon)

In 22, that was DP's super power. He just flattened guys like a poor man's Earl Campbell. And then he decided he needed to lose weight and become a pass-catching back with speed and agility. And now, he's in his own head to the point where he's thinking - not feeling. Overthinking each step instead of reacting. He has basically ruined himself and may need a sports psychologist for the mental issues.

Does anyone remember Steve Slaton or Dominic Davis? They had excellent rookie years and then cratered shortly thereafter, especially Slaton. I could be 100% wrong, but I think DP may be washed. He needs to bulk back up this next offseason and try to get back to being a bowling ball if he wants to resurrect his career. I dont think it will be here but I wish him well!
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I will say that Slaton sustained nerve damage in his arm/hand that had him lose feeling in his hand that led to his fumbling issues. Loved Slaton, undersized back, ran hard. Back in the 1560 The Game days, they had a theme song for him when he did interviews on the radio.
 
House of Pain said:
I will say that Slaton sustained nerve damage in his arm/hand that had him lose feeling in his hand that led to his fumbling issues. Loved Slaton, undersized back, ran hard. Back in the 1560 The Game days, they had a theme song for him when he did interviews on the radio.
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Didn't injury also end Dominick Davis's career prematurely? His play never diminished before that
 
Texansballer74 said:
He’s speaking facts, they have to improve in that area for this team to get to where they want to get to.
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I'm not denying that. Just in the past we'd get coachspeak, "The run game is not just the RB." things like that without saying what those other things are.

New day, that's all I'm saying.
 
JWLCASPER said:
This isn’t world breaking, but 1000 yards, 4.0 YPC, and 9 touchdowns is far from bottom tier and I would absolutely take Houston’s *healthy* starting offensive line over the guys Cincinnati put out on the field last year.View attachment 14367
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Those are nice personal numbers, but did the Bengals have a good rushing attack? Were they a good running team would you say?

I expect Mixon will help us with some situational football that we were lacking in last season. 3rd and short, etc. and I'm happy to have him. Do I think having him means we'll have a good run game? No.
 
Porky said:
Does anyone remember Steve Slaton or Dominic Davis?
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I remember that the 7 yard dump-off route to Dominic Davis in the middle of the field and the immediate sideline pass to Andre Johnson (if the corner backed off of him), was the pinnacle of David Carr's career.

We should have gotten rid of Carr way earlier. He was the classic 'just slightly good enough to keep his roster spot' without any upside.
 
Porky said:
The oline has not been a very good run blocking oline for years. I expect that to continue. Therefore, you need someone that can make your oline look better than it is, by cutting, moving, and reading the D and having that 6th sense. You will also need to make guys miss and/or have the power to run them over (ala Mixon)

In 22, that was DP's super power. He just flattened guys like a poor man's Earl Campbell. And then he decided he needed to lose weight and become a pass-catching back with speed and agility. And now, he's in his own head to the point where he's thinking - not feeling. Overthinking each step instead of reacting. He has basically ruined himself and may need a sports psychologist for the mental issues.

Does anyone remember Steve Slaton or Dominic Davis? They had excellent rookie years and then cratered shortly thereafter, especially Slaton. I could be 100% wrong, but I think DP may be washed. He needs to bulk back up this next offseason and try to get back to being a bowling ball if he wants to resurrect his career. I dont think it will be here but I wish him well!
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I think a better comparison would be Arian Foster. Once Arian changed his diet… he was never the same again. This is basically what Pierce did.
 
It’s fools gold to believe Texans can trade Pierce and if they do, how much is another late round pick worth. Last years 7ths Byrd, Harris cuts (try to bring back on practice squad) Henderson already released.

Would just cut Pierce free and let another team give him a shot. Would also release 6th rounder Jordan & undrafted British Brooks (bring back to practice squad).

Which begs the question who is RB2? Is it Cam Ackers (short term)? I’m going to pour over last years draft, loved selection of Cade Stover, think he is a long term starter moving forward, but Caserio would have needed to package 6th and 7ths to move up to 4th and have better shot adding RB2. Expect RB to be priority in 2025 as Texans hope for healthy Mixon and RB by committee.

:logo:
 
cland said:
I remember that the 7 yard dump-off route to Dominic Davis in the middle of the field
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That dump pass to Davis saved Carr. Carr was unable to process from the pocket and had little time to make his progressions. Davis was the Texans offense in the early years and I think he belongs on the Texans ring of honor, or whatever they call it. Domanick averaged 111 scrimmage yards/game over his career. Very comparable to Arian Foster's 115 scrimmage yards/game as a Texan.
 
Lucky said:
That dump pass to Davis saved Carr. Carr was unable to process from the pocket and had little time to make his progressions. Davis was the Texans offense in the early years and I think he belongs on the Texans ring of honor, or whatever they call it. Domanick averaged 111 scrimmage yards/game over his career. Very comparable to Arian Foster's 115 scrimmage yards/game as a Texan.
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If Davis Davis (Williams) had lasted longer I'd agree. I still remember when we played him, he was like a little ball of dynamite that couldn't be tackled.
 
There clearly is a red zone weapon on this team @ RB but no one is talking about him. Low center of gravity, powerful build & explosive. Vision to hit the hole and leverage, muscling through initial contact. Hand catcher out if the backfield, sure footed with his cuts. Arian Foster was undrafted. I’m sure Texans want to sneak him through waivers, but just don’t know if another team wouldn’t snag him.

Signed,

British Brooks

:logo:
 
beerlover said:
There clearly is a red zone weapon on this team @ RB but no one is talking about him. Low center of gravity, powerful build & explosive. Vision to hit the hole and leverage, muscling through initial contact. Hand catcher out if the backfield, sure footed with his cuts. Arian Foster was undrafted. I’m sure Texans want to sneak him through waivers, but just don’t know if another team wouldn’t snag him.

Signed,

British Brooks

:logo:
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I don’t know about stashing him on waivers. Why? Besides Akers and Mixon who is demonstrably better than what he has shown. As I write this ND Kalu is saying he will get lots of chances. Some maybe at FB.
 
cland said:
If Davis Davis (Williams) had lasted longer I'd agree.
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Well, Domanick played his short career entirely in Houston. And it ended due to injury, mainly overuse. As far as Hall of Fames, I'm less about guys who stacked stats due to longevity and more about how brightly the player shined.
 
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