Perhaps the biggest storyline for the Texans going into this season is what happens with their new offensive line.
They will likely have new starters across the board after a rough season in 2024. So naturally, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans were both asked about it Wednesday at the start of training camp.
“Yeah, we have a number of players here with varying levels of experience. We've talked about that. Training camp will be a good opportunity for to us evaluate, a lot of competition," Caserio said. "Games are won and lost on the fronts. Look across the league, you build your mental and physical toughness, physical play in training camp. Once the pads come on, we'll have a better idea what that looks like.
"But it's been a good group to work with, that have had a good attitude. They work hard, they are coachable. Varying levels of experience. [Offensive Line/ Offensive Run Game Coordinator] Cole [Popovich] has done a great job with that group. We'll put the five best out there and we'll have eight at the game each week. How many we carry on a roster, we will always do what we think is best for the team."
When asked if was a goal to change the culture of the offensive line room in the offseason, this was Caserio's response:
“Yeah, we'll see. In the end, offensive line play is about attitude and physical toughness and being able to do a certain number of things to I would say a competitive enough level. So, we'll find out. Again, we have young players. We have veteran players. I think they have the right mindset. So, it starts with Cole and trickles down. In the end it's about the players and them relying on one another, pushing one another, and being able to go out there and perform. The offensive line is about five players playing as a unit. There is a lot of things involved. There is communication on every play. Where is the mike identification, who are we pushing to, where are the problems, does everybody see the picture the same way? So, everything goes inside out so relative to the communication, so we'll see what that looks like.
"Understand each week will be a different challenge from the defense, who we see, what our defense does is going to be different than the Rams. So, understanding where the problems are, get the information communicated appropriately, and making sure we are getting the blocks distributed appropriately. There will be times where the defense wins and there will be times where we win.
"So hopefully we're on the positive side of the ledger more often than not. See how it goes in training camp. Excited for that group. Good group. Let the competition sort itself out."
Ryans admitted it's tough to evaluate the offensive line so early in camp.
“For the O-line, it's always tough. It's hard for me to -- you continue to evaluate O-linemen. It's hard when you don't have pads on because that's how the game is played up front," Ryans said. "You got to have the pads on to have a true evaluation of how it’ll look. The small things that stuck out to me and what [Offensive Line coach] Cole Popovich has done a really good job of is just those small intricate details that you know will translate pads or not. That's hand placement, your feet being right, where are your shoulders, your eyes, the communication.
"All of those little things that really allow those guys to bind together as one. I think that's where you'll see the growth in our offensive line, those guys being on the same page and being intentional with how they're working in individual. It's very deliberate. I see that translate. And that's what I expect from all of our coaches, to be deliberate in how you prepare the guys individually. That's what I've seen throughout the spring with Cole [Popovich], with [Assistant Offensive Line coach] Zach Yenser, and that will translate. It's showing up here. They done a great job communicating today, and that will keep allowing those guys to be the best version of themselves and do a great job of run blocking first and foremost as a unit and then also protecting [QB C.J. Stroud]."
Ryans was later asked about the importance of the offensive line's success.
“When it comes to the offensive line's success, the offense's success, it'll never change. It's about all 11 guys working together. I know there is a ton of questions about the O-line. We'll continue to grow. Our guys will be where they need to be. They'll do their job, they’ll handle it the right way. We'll see how everything shapes out, but it starts with just the mindset and the intent. Our coaches have done a great job of putting the work in. Our players are doing a great job putting the work in. Now it's just a matter of when we snap the ball, right, on game day, whenever that is, just got to go do it.
"It's not going to be about the talking. It's just going to be about us showing you. I know I'm going to get a ton of questions about the offensive line and what it looks like. You guys will see what it looks like when we line up across from another team and we get a chance to actually compete in live reps. Me talking to you is probably not going to convince anybody here. You're going to keep asking me questions, I’m not going to do a good enough job. We’ll see what it looks like, man. I'm excited about the group because I know they'll be better.”