Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

Texans Offensive Line

AggiebyMarriage said:
If things still look like they are weak at Guard after OTA's, there are still 3 decent starting quality Free agents out here waiting to be signed:

Brandon Scherff

Will Hernandez​

Dalton Risner​


None of these three are all-pro, but all three are solid starters.

​

​
Click to expand...
All three would be a good signing and upgrade at RG. Hernandez and Risner are younger at 29 and probably looking for big bucks in a multi year contract. Of the two, Hernandez would probably be the better signing. The Texans should be considering a short, prove it contract. Maybe 2 year contract? Don't know how the Texans' financial/cap situation is for signing a player of this caliber. But Houston is a good destination with Super Bowl in their vision. Player may be willing to cut a deal.
 
AggiebyMarriage said:
If things still look like they are weak at Guard after OTA's, there are still 3 decent starting quality Free agents out here waiting to be signed:

Brandon Scherff

Will Hernandez​

Dalton Risner​


None of these three are all-pro, but all three are solid starters.
Click to expand...

I can't believe I'm disagreeing about bringing in more Gs, cause I really think that position needs more talent. But Dalton Risner was IR'd pulled because of a bad back (he did make it back), and Hernandez tore his ACL last year. Of the three, and if Risner checked out medically that's where I would probably go.
 
cland said:
I can't believe I'm disagreeing about bringing in more Gs, cause I really think that position needs more talent. But Dalton Risner was IR'd pulled because of a bad back (he did make it back), and Hernandez tore his ACL last year. Of the three, and if Risner checked out medically that's where I would probably go.
Click to expand...
To clarify, I was not suggesting that we sign all 3 of they guys. I was suggesting that if things are not shaping up with those that are currently on the roster, that the Texans could sign one of these three guys.
 
cland said:
Well I just made the case that PFF is in fact subjective, so turfing it to a "well accepted" subjective source doesn't really get you where you want to go. What you're really looking for is the coaches evaluation, which is really the only opinion that counts and is of course not for public consumption.

But to answer your question, age and injuries. I would predict it happened in a similar way that it did to Andre Johnson. He made it to his last pro-bowl in 2013, in 2014 his yards went down severely (500 less) and he was cut from his original team after the season. In 2015 he played for the Colts and had a poor showing (503), and in 2017 he had 85 yards on the season and and retired.

So my question to you would be, why do you think you can take a 33 year-old-guard and expect he'll play like he did 4 years ago?
Click to expand...
Not sure comparing a guard to a wide receiver is the way to go to make a point.
 
badboy said:
Not sure comparing a guard to a wide receiver is the way to go to make a point.
Click to expand...

Reread the original thread, Andre was brought up in terms of how quickly a player can decline after a probowl season (in response to a question).
 
House of Pain said:
When trying to project what the Texans do at OL, I’ve learned the pineal gland is the best eye to use for evaluation.

On paper, this looks much better. However, I will point to last offseason when most of the fanbase felt great about the OL on paper. Sometimes a good script doesn’t make a good movie.
Click to expand...
Just a caution to everyone reading this thread that we do not get the pineal gland confused with the prostate gland. Just trying to help everyone out with all my medical knowledge.
 
cland said:
Reread the original thread, Andre was brought up in terms of how quickly a player can decline after a probowl season (in response to a question).
Click to expand...

cland said:
Reread the original thread, Andre was brought up in terms of how quickly a player can decline after a probowl season (in response to a question).
Click to expand...
I did and it still seems like you were comparing an injured wide receiver to an injured offensive guard.
 
badboy said:
I did and it still seems like you were comparing an injured wide receiver to an injured offensive guard.
Click to expand...

Number19 asked "do you really think a 5 time all pro can decline to a has been in one season. How do you argue this."

I replied that both age and/or injury can cause a pro bowl player to decline quickly. And I brought up that Andre went from being a pro-bowler one year to being cut from the team in the next year, after a decline in production. (Andre declined from age not injury, so not sure where you got ^ from.)

Seems pretty relevant to the question...
 
cland said:
Let me take a different tact, I don't want to be the team where Ahman Green, Eric Moulds, and Ed Reed came to earn they're last pay-check with one foot out the door on their way to retirement.
Click to expand...
We can agree there
 
The1ApplePie said:
Fisher was a rookie. Unless he was a completely wasted pick, he should be improving and getting ready to be the starting RT.

Someone pointed out that they also have LaDarius Henderson stashed as a guy with possible upside. Add the kid from the Patriots they just got and there is a lot of young, raw talent there. Ersery is the LT of the future too.
Click to expand...
A lot resides on our new offensive line coach. All eyes will be on him and his product.
 
The1ApplePie said:
Fisher was a rookie. Unless he was a completely wasted pick, he should be improving and getting ready to be the starting RT.

Someone pointed out that they also have LaDarius Henderson stashed as a guy with possible upside. Add the kid from the Patriots they just got and there is a lot of young, raw talent there. Ersery is the LT of the future too.
Click to expand...
Accprding to his draft profile, Fisher had, at least, two major areas that needed to be addressed before he should have started. One, his footwork and technique in "addressing speed on the edges", and two, he was slow off the snap allowing his opponent to gain the edge. Given the number of sacks, hits and hurries he gave up, this appears to have been accurate. Now, hopefully, he will have progressed in addressing these.
 
Errant Hothy said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1920104518928248985

I'm rooting for the kid
Click to expand...
LD had "double foot surgery" for a non-football injury last year. He's been at the training facilities since recovery, working out. He's a 7th round prospect, so a long shot to make the 53 this year.

Played LG at Arizonia State in 2021 and 2022 and played LT in 2019. May have been injured in 2020 since he only had 61 snaps at RT and RG. As a 5th year senior at Michigan in 2023, played LT.
 
Porky said:
Didnt wevhearbthe same about Green last year? It would be great if he becomes a bonafide NFL guard and pushed fromplaying time…but im a skeptic until proven otherwise.
Click to expand...
Yeah we did hear the same.

I’m still puzzled by the Michigan championship winning offense as a whole. They relied heavily on the run game yet somehow none of the offensive line or the running backs were highly rated or highly drafted.

Now I’m waiting to see if anyone develops into a proper NFLer.

No clue if it’s Ladarius that develops but I liked what I heard of him when we drafted him. Just seems like the type of guy that makes it happen. Played LT at Michigan but is definitely a guard prospect rather than a tackle one especially given his time at Arizona State.
 
Just saw this:


I didn't realize that the Notre Dame coaches had considered bringing Fisher inside to G. It got me thinking that maybe this could be an option in 2025 (and it probably requires Brown to come back healthy):

Robinson/Ersery - Fisher/Ingram - Kendrik/Andrews - Tomlinson/Scruggs - Ersery/Brown/Fisher
 
cland said:
Just saw this:


I didn't realize that the Notre Dame coaches had considered bringing Fisher inside to G. It got me thinking that maybe this could be an option in 2025 (and it probably requires Brown to come back healthy):

Robinson/Ersery - Fisher/Ingram - Kendrik/Andrews - Tomlinson/Scruggs - Ersery/Brown/Fisher
Click to expand...
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.
 
cland said:
I didn't realize that the Notre Dame coaches had considered bringing Fisher inside to G.
Click to expand...
I didn't realize it and I don't think it ever happened. So the Irish coaches asked Fisher to kick inside and he just said, "No thank you"? And who was supposed to replace Fisher at RT? The backup was a guy named Michael Carmody who rarely played and transfered the next season to UCLA (where he was a backup). Doesn't hold water.
 
www.espn.com

Wait, why didn't my NFL team ____? Graziano makes sense of 10 lingering offseason questions

Let's reason out why the Bears didn't improve at RB, why the Steelers didn't plan better at QB and why the Bengals didn't extend Trey Hendrickson (yet).
www.espn.com www.espn.com

What didn't the Texans make bigger improvements to the offensive line?

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times in the 2024 regular season -- more than every other quarterback in the league except Caleb Williams. He took three more sacks in a first-round playoff victory over the Chargers and eight -- yes, eight -- more in a second-round playoff loss to the Chiefs.
Knowing they desperately needed to improve their pass protection, the Texans kicked off their offseason by trading away Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington. They made several veteran additions, including guards Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram and tackles Cam Robinson and Trent Brown, and they drafted Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round. It surprised a lot of fans that the Texans didn't do more in the draft to address the O-line, particularly in the first round. Sources say Houston tried a couple of times to trade up for an offensive lineman but could not make it work.

Overall, the Texans made a lot of changes on offense, including parting ways with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and offensive line coach Chris Strausser. They felt things were going badly enough with the line that any changes they made would be justified, including the surprising decision to move on from Tunsil. But they also believe they have some potential answers to the questions that linger from last season and the offseason.

Houston could move Tytus Howard from left guard to left tackle and play 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher at right tackle. It's possible Ersery shows enough in camp to earn one of the two starting tackle spots, as well. And the Texans expect Tomlinson to be able to play left guard and Juice Scruggs to battle Ingram for the right guard spot. The hope is to create as much competition as possible along the line so that the best combination of five emerges and the atmosphere around the group is more conducive to success than last year. New offensive coordinator Nick Caley will also put his stamp on the unit as he installs his new offense.

So, while fans might be disappointed that the Texans didn't take an offensive lineman in the first round to replace Tunsil, they do seem to have a plan -- and they figure the line can't get much worse than it already was.
Click to expand...
 
PFF writers like them some Juice potential...I hope this is the year!

PFF Texans Breakout Player 2025: Juice Scruggs

HOUSTON TEXANS: G Juice Scruggs​

The Texans offensive line received a major shake-up this offseason, and for Scruggs, the continued fluctuation of his usage coming out of last season hopefully comes to an end, as he potentially locks into the right guard spot. Having played both guard positions and center last year, Scruggs significantly improved his blocking and overall grades across the board from his rookie year, doing so on nearly double the workload. Should this trend continue, and with a more consistent role, expect Year 3 to be the best of Scruggs’ career so far.
Click to expand...

PFF Texans Breakout Player 2024: Juice Scruggs

Houston Texans: C Juice Scruggs​

Scruggs wasn’t at his best in his debut season, earning just a 47.5 overall grade. It can be argued, though, that he wasn’t given an ideal start, considering he only played from Week 12 onward. Scruggs never surrendered more than three pressures in a game, and with a ton of firepower surrounding the Houston offense, the former third-round pick could elevate with the rest of his unit.
Click to expand...
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...
I didn't see anyone that had Milum rated that high
 
JB said:
I didn't see anyone that had Milum rated that high
Click to expand...
He was rated highly before the process really started going but was absolutely awful in guard drills at the pro bowl etc.

He’s undersized for tackle and that’s where all his good showings are. The Jags are either banking on him being able to play there at his size or to massively develop as an interior guy. Which is something I think people often think is way easier than it is.
 
6
Sweech said:
He was rated highly before the process really started going but was absolutely awful in guard drills at the pro bowl etc.

He’s undersized for tackle and that’s where all his good showings are. The Jags are either banking on him being able to play there at his size or to massively develop as an interior guy. Which is something I think people often think is way easier than it is.
Click to expand...
6'6" 313 undersized? Arms 32 1/4 was issue i read.
 
I fully expect Caserio and Ryans to send their young OL starters from last season out as the starting unit this season. I should add the caveat of Robinson probably starting out as the Day 1 LT. This my projected starting unit at the start of OTA’s:

LT- Robinson
LG- Howard
OC- Patterson
RG- Scruggs
RT- Fisher

I fully expect the left side of the OL to in flux during camp. At some early point in camp, Tomlinson should replace Howard at LG. My starting unit early in camp:

LT- Robinson
LG- Tomlinson
OC- Patterson
RG- Scruggs
RT- Fisher

Big question, how soon will Ersery be ready to take over for Robinson? In my book, the earlier the better. Robinson’s new team effort will probably begin to fade after a few games. Personally, I’d like to see Ersery ready to go by WK4 so he has a start under his belt before the Ravens game….or in WK7 after the Ravens game and bye week.

The rest of the veterans would compete for the insurance backup spots. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cox (R) kept on the roster as the new LS.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I fully expect Caserio and Ryans to send their young OL starters from last season out as the starting unit this season. I should add the caveat of Robinson probably starting out as the Day 1 LT. This my projected starting unit at the start of OTA’s:

LT- Robinson
LG- Howard
OC- Patterson
RG- Scruggs
RT- Fisher

I fully expect the left side of the OL to in flux during camp. At some early point in camp, Tomlinson should replace Howard at LG. My starting unit early in camp:

LT- Robinson
LG- Tomlinson
OC- Patterson
RG- Scruggs
RT- Fisher

Big question, how soon will Ersery be ready to take over for Robinson? In my book, the earlier the better. Robinson’s new team effort will probably begin to fade after a few games. Personally, I’d like to see Ersery ready to go by WK4 so he has a start under his belt before the Ravens game….or in WK7 after the Ravens game and bye week.

The rest of the veterans would compete for the insurance backup spots. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cox (R) kept on the roster as the new LS.
Click to expand...
I don't know if I'm as sold on Scruggs as you are, but I admit I haven't spent a lot of time watching him play at guard. Just remember him being a disaster a Center against stunts.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I fully expect Caserio and Ryans to send their young OL starters from last season out as the starting unit this season. I should add the caveat of Robinson probably starting out as the Day 1 LT. This my projected starting unit at the start of OTA’s:

LT- Robinson
LG- Howard
OC- Patterson
RG- Scruggs
RT- Fisher

I fully expect the left side of the OL to in flux during camp. At some early point in camp, Tomlinson should replace Howard at LG. My starting unit early in camp:

LT- Robinson
LG- Tomlinson
OC- Patterson
RG- Scruggs
RT- Fisher

Big question, how soon will Ersery be ready to take over for Robinson? In my book, the earlier the better. Robinson’s new team effort will probably begin to fade after a few games. Personally, I’d like to see Ersery ready to go by WK4 so he has a start under his belt before the Ravens game….or in WK7 after the Ravens game and bye week.

The rest of the veterans would compete for the insurance backup spots. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cox (R) kept on the roster as the new LS.
Click to expand...
Good post.

But, just based on last season's performance, Howard is our best OLman, at two positions. He's our best LG and our best RT. Fisher, by far, is our worst OLman. We have to see significant improvement from him. If he disappoints, I could see Howard moving back to RT, with Tomlinson securing LG. Our 5 best players to start the season would then be, Robinson, Tomlinson, Patterson, Scruggs, Howard.

And another but. If Brown is healthy and can regain his previous form, he has to figure into RT. Howard would remain at LG. At this early date, this is possibly our strongest 5.
 
cland said:
I don't know if I'm as sold on Scruggs as you are, but I admit I haven't spent a lot of time watching him play at guard. Just remember him being a disaster a Center against stunts.
Click to expand...
Scruggs had only a few starts at RG at the end of the season. But despite being moved around the line, starting at 3 positions, he still managed to significantly improve his game over his rookie season. If he continues this improvement, I can understand why PFF made him a selection to have a breakout season. The Texans need to stick him at RG and leave him there.
 
Number19 said:
Scruggs had only a few starts at RG at the end of the season. But despite being moved around the line, starting at 3 positions, he still managed to significantly improve his game over his rookie season. If he continues this improvement, I can understand why PFF made him a selection to have a breakout season. The Texans need to stick him at RG and leave him there.
Click to expand...

As with Fisher at RT. The Texans run game looked much better going right late in the season when Patterson, Scruggs, and Fisher were all on the field together. That was a few games working together…..they should get better knowing they’ll enter this years camp in the same positions they finished last season at.

By the way, Patterson / Fisher (Notre Dame) and Scruggs (Penn State) all came from schools known for running the ball with a high rate of success. I like this talent stacked up on the right side. Ersery (Minnesota) also comes from a successful running school….Ersery is a damaging run blocker who plays that position with a real mean streak. There’s a lot of veteran bodies in camp to find a legitimate LG that’ll allow this OL to finally go left, right, or up the gut with authority. Make this happen and CJ’s job will become easier and more effective.
 
So at this point in the discussion, who thinks we have (at least) a somewhat better oline, or no improvement seen, or it's worse than last year. (At this point.)

Yeah I know, without seeing the influence of the new coaching staff, it's hard to throw that into the discussion. But just based on over lineman talent, I'd say it's worse than last year. Not a whole lot worse, but worse nonetheless. Someone better step up to that LT position, with or without the false starts. LOL
 
Thorn said:
So at this point in the discussion, who thinks we have (at least) a somewhat better oline, or no improvement seen, or it's worse than last year. (At this point.)

Yeah I know, without seeing the influence of the new coaching staff, it's hard to throw that into the discussion. But just based on over lineman talent, I'd say it's worse than last year. Not a whole lot worse, but worse nonetheless. Someone better step up to that LT position, with or without the false starts. LOL
Click to expand...
I think it's going to be a better offensive line due to the new wide receivers that should get separation for Stroud. Add that to hopefully a new offensive scheme and we should be back to at least 2023 level of offensive line and we know what CJ did with that!
 
OptimisticTexan said:
As with Fisher at RT. The Texans run game looked much better going right late in the season when Patterson, Scruggs, and Fisher were all on the field together. That was a few games working together…..they should get better knowing they’ll enter this years camp in the same positions they finished last season at.

By the way, Patterson / Fisher (Notre Dame) and Scruggs (Penn State) all came from schools known for running the ball with a high rate of success. I like this talent stacked up on the right side. Ersery (Minnesota) also comes from a successful running school….Ersery is a damaging run blocker who plays that position with a real mean streak. There’s a lot of veteran bodies in camp to find a legitimate LG that’ll allow this OL to finally go left, right, or up the gut with authority. Make this happen and CJ’s job will become easier and more effective.
Click to expand...
👍👍 This last week I've been looking at the OL from the perspective of the run game, as well, rather than from pass protection, which is often the emphasis. And I'm with you, I'm liking the potential for significant improvement.

Dang, we haven't even done OTA's yet and I'm drinking the Kool Aid. I'm seriously liking the way this team is coming together, at least on paper. It's looking like we could have a SB contender.
 
Thorn said:
So at this point in the discussion, who thinks we have (at least) a somewhat better oline, or no improvement seen, or it's worse than last year. (At this point.)

Yeah I know, without seeing the influence of the new coaching staff, it's hard to throw that into the discussion. But just based on over lineman talent, I'd say it's worse than last year. Not a whole lot worse, but worse nonetheless. Someone better step up to that LT position, with or without the false starts. LOL
Click to expand...

I'll put myself in the "somewhat better oline", but namely because it's close to impossible to be worse. The biggest reason is that I don't think the offensive staff is going to be so hard headed that they keep trotting out failed lineman at the same position over and over again; hoping they'll magically get better. The shift at the end of the season should have come in week 5, and given them at least some time to sync up as a line.

I can't help but look at how the (record-setting) injured line in 2023 clearly outperformed a generally healthy line in 2024. If anything points to the scheme being an enormous part of the problem it's this.
 
Thorn said:
So at this point in the discussion, who thinks we have (at least) a somewhat better oline, or no improvement seen, or it's worse than last year. (At this point.)

Yeah I know, without seeing the influence of the new coaching staff, it's hard to throw that into the discussion. But just based on over lineman talent, I'd say it's worse than last year. Not a whole lot worse, but worse nonetheless. Someone better step up to that LT position, with or without the false starts. LOL
Click to expand...
Other than LT, which I'd say everyone is in agreement on, where else are we worse? If we line up with the players we ended up starting the end of last season - Howard, Patterson, Scruggs, Fisher - and with one more training camp of experience, I'd expect everyone to look forward to some improvement. To answer your question, that's my position.
 
Thorn said:
So at this point in the discussion, who thinks we have (at least) a somewhat better oline, or no improvement seen, or it's worse than last year. (At this point.)

Yeah I know, without seeing the influence of the new coaching staff, it's hard to throw that into the discussion. But just based on over lineman talent, I'd say it's worse than last year. Not a whole lot worse, but worse nonetheless. Someone better step up to that LT position, with or without the false starts. LOL
Click to expand...
I'm an optimist until I'm a realist.

I tend to be a little more bullish on the OL. I think the biggest help is better receivers that will get open faster. On paper, they definitely improved the speed on offense, which was a huge Achilles heel (along with the rest of the 'foot'). I also point to depth on the OL. I'm sure the Texans management would prefer their young guys getting established on the line, but having all the veteran depth is a fail-safe in case those guys can't get the job done. None of the FAs we signed are world beaters, but they did a good job raising the floor. To be honest, is not exactly the compliment it sounds like because of how horrid they were last year. I think a new scheme will help them. Clearly they couldn't communicate and looked like they were all running different plays. I think the attitude of the OL will be meaner which should result in a better running game.

So yes, put me in the "somewhat better" OL camp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top