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Texans Offensive Line

So...no one has any hope for the OL from michigan to have any impact after rehabbing and coming back this year?? Last year he was supposed to be a monster and really good...but havent heard anything from him as of yet...
 
sprtsfanatic said:
So...no one has any hope for the OL from michigan to have any impact after rehabbing and coming back this year?? Last year he was supposed to be a monster and really good...but havent heard anything from him as of yet...
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Henderson? He never started in college, although he saw action in the games. Drafted in the 7th round in '23. Plays OG. Long shot to make the 53. Maybe the PS.
 
badboy said:
I think there was a good reason Fish was left at tackle. If Trent is the right tackle, I am okay with Fish maturing behind him a season.
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What you call maturing, I call sucking less. Fisher has a lot to prove. Competition should do him well.
 
cland said:
The one player I'll be watching over the next couple years will be (Jaguars) Wyatt Milum. He was probably the last feasible guard left on the board when the Texans traded down rather than take him.
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I'm thinking he's going to have a Wyatt Teller type career.
 
steelbtexan said:
Breakout means a lobotomy
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Like or dislike PFF, from one year to the next they are on average reliably consistent. As a rookie, they had Juice's offensive grade as 47.5, PB grade as 48.9 and RB grade as 50.8.

Last year they had his offensive grade improving to 63.0, PB grade to 62.1 and RB grade to 63.7.

If he continues to improve his PFF numbers and get his grades into the 70's, this improvement should be apparent even to the discerning eyes of this board's members.

Now, the question is, do we think Juice will continue to improve. Plain and simple, we need for him to do so to solidify the RG position.
 
Nick has said they view OL in clusters. How would you place the OL currently on the roster in these clusters? For me it’s:

Tackle only = Robinson, Ersery, Fisher, Deculus
Tackle/Guard = Howard, maybe Brown
Guard/Center = Patterson, Scruggs
Center only = Andrews, Cox
Guard only = Tomlinson, Ingram
 
KoolAid Sipper said:
LaDarius Henderson may be a long shot but he started 39 games in college (29 at Ariz St and 10 at Michigan)
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You are correct, my bad.

I'd add that his snaps at Michigan were at LT. At Arizonia, mostly LT and LG. Perhaps he can push Tomlinson and Howard, especially if they keep 10 on the OL or if there are injuries.

I don't know but my preference is not to move Ersery around but to keep him at one position (LT?) as a rookie. Let Henderson compete at LG.

Of course positions could change in TC but once they decide where to play the young players, leave them to learn and progress at that position. Just my basic philosphy.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
Nick has said they view OL in clusters. How would you place the OL currently on the roster in these clusters? For me it’s:

Tackle only = Robinson, Ersery, Fisher, Deculus
Tackle/Guard = Howard, maybe Brown
Guard/Center = Patterson, Scruggs
Center only = Andrews, Cox
Guard only = Tomlinson, Ingram
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I have a real concern that we are back to the Patriots OL coaching philosophy of being versatile at multiple positions.

We have 12 players to fill 5 starting spots, most of whom are trying out for 2/3/4 different positions.

It sounds great in a press conference to say we’ll find a way to get our best 5 OL on the field, but with a very restricted offseason program, it seems a monumental task to find that best combination whilst trying to coach up a cast of players who are all either youngsters needing to improve up to NFL standard or veterans whose careers have gone off the rails for whatever reason.
 
welsh texan said:
I have a real concern that we are back to the Patriots OL coaching philosophy of being versatile at multiple positions.

We have 12 players to fill 5 starting spots, most of whom are trying out for 2/3/4 different positions.

It sounds great in a press conference to say we’ll find a way to get our best 5 OL on the field, but with a very restricted offseason program, it seems a monumental task to find that best combination whilst trying to coach up a cast of players who are all either youngsters needing to improve up to NFL standard or veterans whose careers have gone off the rails for whatever reason.
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Agreed. This has a minor to fair chance to blow up in their faces and completely derail this season. Nick failed to adequately address offensive line, and the strategy seems to be to play pin the tail on the donkey and hope it all magically works.
 
welsh texan said:
I have a real concern that we are back to the Patriots OL coaching philosophy of being versatile at multiple positions.
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A team is only going to dress 8 OL in a game. So there has to be some versatility among the O-linemen. The young OTs are staying at OT. But even they need to learn both sides. Patterson and Scruggs need to play anywhere on the interior, especially the guy that loses the OC starting jobs. The rest of the guys are vets that know the drill. Getting the 5 best guys for 2025 should be the goal heading into camp.
 
Lucky said:
A team is only going to dress 8 OL in a game. So there has to be some versatility among the O-linemen. The young OTs are staying at OT. But even they need to learn both sides. Patterson and Scruggs need to play anywhere on the interior, especially the guy that loses the OC starting jobs. The rest of the guys are vets that know the drill. Getting the 5 best guys for 2025 should be the goal heading into camp.
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Agreed. This is not Patriots specific either like another poster had mentioned. Just the reality of only dressing 8 OL on game day.

Former Texans OL Chris Clark was interviewed on Texans All Access Friday. Good interview from a former UDFA who managed to carve out a 12 year career in the NFL. He said that unless you are a first round pick/entrenched starter you play wherever the team needs you. And as a UDFA especially he kept that chip on his shoulder and never got complacent that he was “definitely” the starting LT/RT. He credited his 12 year career on communication (something he said the Texans OL lacked last season) and playing wherever he was asked to play.
 
Lucky said:
A team is only going to dress 8 OL in a game. So there has to be some versatility among the O-linemen. The young OTs are staying at OT. But even they need to learn both sides. Patterson and Scruggs need to play anywhere on the interior, especially the guy that loses the OC starting jobs. The rest of the guys are vets that know the drill. Getting the 5 best guys for 2025 should be the goal heading into camp.
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I agree, but to welsh texans point the concern is that you're developing "jack-of-all-trades" lineman rather than a master of one. The good news is that Caley joined the Rams staff in the first year of transitioning from zone to gap. So he certainly has experience in transitioning an entire line to a different scheme, and he should have some insight on what works and what doesn't.

I do have some concern that training players at multiple positions in a multiple schemed line (assuming that's true) could lead to some issues due to the complexities that creates.
 
The offensive line is the achilles heel of this team. We can place a lot of hope in these FA’s and Caley…all unproven. And a couple of rookies at skill positions…also unproven. If this thing blows up, its on tricky Nicky who took the easy path failed to adequately address the weakest group on the team.

That said…losing Tunsil was a huge win. I expect better communication, certainly better be.

It could go either way. If it works…Nick will look like a genius. If it doesn’t he will be wearing a dunce cap and sent to the corner.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
Agreed. This is not Patriots specific either like another poster had mentioned. Just the reality of only dressing 8 OL on game day.

Former Texans OL Chris Clark was interviewed on Texans All Access Friday. Good interview from a former UDFA who managed to carve out a 12 year career in the NFL. He said that unless you are a first round pick/entrenched starter you play wherever the team needs you. And as a UDFA especially he kept that chip on his shoulder and never got complacent that he was “definitely” the starting LT/RT. He credited his 12 year career on communication (something he said the Texans OL lacked last season) and playing wherever he was asked to play.
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Yeah that communication comment makes sense to me. Furthermore it would seem that the ability to play more than one position could only enhance communication. At the same time this certainly doesn’t preclude a natural position player from assuming that role only. Lucky is right, does any other game day position have so many skill set needs filled by so few players.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
Former Texans OL Chris Clark was interviewed on Texans All Access Friday. Good interview from a former UDFA who managed to carve out a 12 year career in the NFL. He said that unless you are a first round pick/entrenched starter you play wherever the team needs you. And as a UDFA especially he kept that chip on his shoulder and never got complacent that he was “definitely” the starting LT/RT. He credited his 12 year career on communication (something he said the Texans OL lacked last season) and playing wherever he was asked to play.
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Dejaview said:
Yeah that communication comment makes sense to me. Furthermore it would seem that the ability to play more than one position could only enhance communication.
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I agree with what you guys are saying, and I have another example. The QB is expected to know the responsibilities for each player on offense on each play. The offensive linemen need to understand the responsibilities of the linemen next to them as well as their own. That's how they can cover for one another and become a cohesive unit. That's what we did not see in 2024.
 
Seems like there was a problem measuring arms at the combine. I saw a bunch of guys that suddenly had arms growing by an inch or so. So, that's the story with the arm length? If he is at or very near 33...don't think it's an issue.
 
sprtsfanatic said:
So...no one has any hope for the OL from michigan to have any impact after rehabbing and coming back this year?? Last year he was supposed to be a monster and really good...but havent heard anything from him as of yet...
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There’s some very very very strong revisionist history when it comes to Henderson. He was not supposed to be a monster and really good last year. He was a very late round pick and wasn’t entirely highly rated by draftniks either. He eventually gained the starting LT job at Michigan after an injuries and to his credit never let it go. That said his play never really said starting LT and most of his projection is about playing guard which he did quite well at Arizona State.

I personally liked the kid and his story and what I saw of him in interviews and posted as such in his draft thread.

That said he was nothing more than a long shot. There’s some weird revisionist history going around on social media that I do not understand whatsoever. It’s not like he came into training camps and blew the doors off. He was a low rated prospect who was injured.

Which actually hurts his chances imo. I don’t know the details of his injuries but foot injuries and playing o-line usually aren’t a good combination. He apparently had a foot problem before we drafted him and then another foot problem that saw him miss camps entirely and miss the season as a whole. To put it mildly that’s not a good sign.

He went from long shot to loooooong shot. I hope for him but missing your entire first year of development especially due to foot issues is never a good sign. People trying to rewrite history to create some type of false optimism for this o-line doesn’t change that.
 
Porky said:
The offensive line is the achilles heel of this team. We can place a lot of hope in these FA’s and Caley…all unproven. And a couple of rookies at skill positions…also unproven. If this thing blows up, its on tricky Nicky who took the easy path failed to adequately address the weakest group on the team.

That said…losing Tunsil was a huge win. I expect better communication, certainly better be.

It could go either way. If it works…Nick will look like a genius. If it doesn’t he will be wearing a dunce cap and sent to the corner.
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Let's hope Tricky Nick didn't trick himself on this oline rebuild. Sure hope it works, I don't see how, but I hope it does. LOL
 
badboy said:
Pop needs to figure where he wants each, then let them play there. Best 5 needs to be decided pre game 1.
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I like this, but I’m hoping they have each lineman on the roster slotted for an OL position before Training Camp officially kicks off on July 18th.

By the time Exhibition Game 1 kicks off, they should have a depth chart in mind so by the time they hit Regular Season GM1….the starting OL has had enough time together to be a cohesive unit versus building their cohesiveness at beginning of GM1.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I like this, but I’m hoping they have each lineman on the roster slotted for an OL position before Training Camp officially kicks off on July 18th.

By the time Exhibition Game 1 kicks off, they should have a depth chart in mind so by the time they hit Regular Season GM1….the starting OL has had enough time together to be a cohesive unit versus building their cohesiveness at beginning of GM1.
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I just do not see that happening as I think they will be moving players around until training camp almost over. Preseason game 2 is when I expect them to lock players in barring injuries or unexpected failure on a player.
 
badboy said:
I just do not see that happening as I think they will be moving players around until training camp almost over. Preseason game 2 is when I expect them to lock players in barring injuries or unexpected failure on a player.
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That just doesn’t leave enough time to become cohesive before the season starts.
 
badboy said:
Sure but in 2024 they were still moving players around during the regular season. I want them locked in as soon as possible but don't think they're going to do it as soon as you think.
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I try to express an idea that I would like to see them execute….I try not to predict what the team will do b/c I’m on the outside looking in with zero knowledge as to how they’re looking at something. Plus, there’s nothing in it for me if I were to predict their moves correctly….another reason why I run my guesses through the lottery b/c if I win, I win something.
 
https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-texans/

I was listening to the latest episode of Locked On Texans during my dog walk yesterday and they started talking about Tytus Howard’s comments (which I haven’t see talked about on here, but the website is running super slow on my device so I’m not spending as much time here).

Anyway, they were talking about him as if he’s made some big shots at last year’s OL situation.

Apparently there has been talk of too many voices in the room, and of players who didn’t know what they were supposed to do on given plays so just going off ad-libbing constantly.

Strausser had one foot out of the door all year contemplating walking away and retiring, Popovic was in charge of coaching, Caserio/Ryans also having oversight. Then you have 10+ year starters in Tunsil and Mason sticking their 2p worth in.

Add in to all of that with the disconnect between Slowick and CJ at the QB position which went all the way back to the pre-draft process.

Now, I can see how all of this played out on the field. Look at a guy like Tunsil who seems to never end up with a sack to his name no matter how the play breaks down.

Young players on the interior who didn’t get snaps and repetition with the vets on the line during the offseason etc.

Something DeMeco has talked about is letting his coaches coach more this season, I remember when he hired Slowick he was actively advocating for lots of voices, but apparently Slowick wasn’t good at hearing other opinions and adapting them.

I’ve heard this broad brush of “communications issues” being bandied about but this discussion seemed to highlight a lot more nuance to the situation.

So Kenyon Green has the voices of Caserio/Ryans/Slowick/Strausser/Popovic/Tunsil/Mason/Howard, Slowick completely lost authority due to inability to work with the star QB, Strausser resenting his decision to not have retired the previous year, GM & defensive minded HC both with their own voice to be heard, and the vets around you protecting their own stats and not showing up to practice.

It’s actually concerning that they kept Popovic around, although he has a good track record. If anything it’s a positive that the team reached where they did in the postseason given the level of dysfunction.
 
welsh texan said:
https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-texans/

It’s actually concerning that they kept Popovic around, although he has a good track record. If anything it’s a positive that the team reached where they did in the postseason given the level of dysfunction.
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I have been pondering the Popovich decision as well. Another thing that kinda bothers me is Caserio being too involved in areas that should be for coaches. This year especially seems to have his NE mark on the offensive coaches.
 
I just saw that George Fant is still a free agent. He did have a knee injury last year and that is part of the reason of the reason he's still available. I remember that he was brought in during the 2023 injury fest and did a solid job at RT. I'm hoping he's in the "break in case of emergency" box (assuming he's recovered from his injury). I can see a situation where LT Robinson gets hurt, Ersery moves over, and Fant can come in to compete at RT with Brown and Fisher.
 
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