(SportsRadio 610) - The first practice of DeMeco Ryans’ first training camp as the Texans’ head coach is July 26. Ryans, who was hired to lead the team out of an abyss created by winning only 11 games over the last three seasons, has a lot to take care of before the Texans' regular season begins Sept. 10 at Baltimore.
During training camp, the Texans play three preseason games -- at New England, home against Miami and at New Orleans. They also have two joint practices each against the Dolphins and Saints.
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One thing Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio don’t have to worry about is Frank Ross’ special teams. They were the best in the NFL last season.
Snapper Jon Weeks, who’s going into his 14th season, punter Cam Johnston and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn return for Houston. Ross always worries about coverage no matter who he has available.
Watching players like Tank Dell, Desmond King II and Amari Rodgers compete for return jobs will be interesting to watch in training camp.
With players reporting on Tuesday and practicing for the first time the next day, here are 10 things – evenly divided between offense and defense -- the Texans need to accomplish for Ryans, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and defensive coordinator Matt Burke to be ready for the Ravens.
No. 1
Name rookie C.J. Stroud as the starting quarterback.
Stroud was drafted second overall for a reason. Ryans is taking his time before naming him as the starter. He said after the offseason program it was a situation that would play out in camp and preseason.
Ryans will be asked about it after every practice. Everybody knows Stroud will be the starter, including Davis Mills and Case Keenum. Once the Texans get into joint practices and preseason games, Stroud needs to be anointed as the starter.
No. 2
Settle on five starters for the offensive line.
Tackles Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard are set. They can be one of the best twosomes in the league. Right guard Shaq Mason is also set.
That leaves left guard Kenyon Green to get healthy and show vast improvement from his rookie year. He must show why he was a first-round pick.
It should be only a matter of time before rookie Juice Scruggs becomes the starting center over Scott Quessenberry. Caserio traded back into the second round to draft Scruggs.
There’ll be a lot of competition for backup positions. Charlie Heck will be the third tackle again. Players like veteran Michael Deiter and rookie Jarrett Patterson are valuable because they can play guard and center.
No. 3
Figure out the workload between running backs Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary.
Because of Pierce’s fierce running style that cost him almost five full games as a rookie, Singletary might turn out to be Caserio’s best free agent signing. Singletary is a terrific receiver and a nice complement to Pierce’s style that includes looking for contact.
Will the split be 70-30 or 65-35? Singletary should play in obvious passing situations.
The coaches will need to develop a third back because of the inevitable injuries in a 17-game season.
No. 4
Hope wide receivers stay healthy and someone emerges opposite starter Robert Woods and in the slot.
In his second season removed from ACL surgery, Woods should be a more productive receiver for the Texans than he was with the Titans in 2022. The coaches love Woods because he’s talented, experienced and works hard, especially at blocking.
All receivers and tight ends have to block if they want to stay on the field. If Nico Collins can stay healthy in his third season, he should be a starter.
Keep an eye on Noah Brown, who’s coming off his best season with the Cowboys and impressed his coaches and teammates in the offseason program. He can play inside and outside.
It’s going to be fun to watch John Metchie III in his return from battling Leukemia and overcoming surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Rookie Tank Dell may be the team’s most exciting player as an inside receiver and returner.
Rookie Xavier Hutchinson, who excelled at Iowa State, has to take advantage of his opportunities in the middle of the field and on the boundary.
No. 5
Determine what tight end gets the most playing time behind Dalton Schultz, who was a terrific receiver with the Cowboys.
Schultz must improve as a blocker. Schultz should catch a lot of passes on short and intermediate routes.
Teagan Quitoriano flashed as a rookie when he was healthy. He caught two touchdown passes. At 6-6, he could be an inviting target close to the goal line. He blocks the way the coaches demand.
Brevin Jordan and Mason Schreck will compete for the third job. Jordan should have the inside track.
No. 6
Decipher the logjam in the defensive line, which is overstocked with edge rushers and tackles, including interior players trying to earn playing time next to Maliek Collins.
Sheldon Rankins should have the inside track on the other starting job even though he sat out the offseason program, which put him behind.
Others providing competition at inside positions are Roy Lopez, Thomas Booker IV, Hassan Ridgeway, Kurt Hinish and Byron Cowart.
No. 7
Get a read on the best pass rushers and decide on playing time opposite Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick.
Caserio paid dearly to move up to get Anderson, the best defensive prospect in the draft. He’s already projected as the favorite to be voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Anderson could be the Texans’ first player to reach double figures in sacks since 2018 when J.J. Watt recorded 16.
The coaches need for Jerry Hughes to keep bathing in the fountain of youth. Hughes and Jonathan Greenard have led the team in sacks in each of the last two years. Greenard needs to stay healthy in the last year of his contract because he’s capable of double digits.
Rookie Dylan Horton gives the defense another end. That position has to improve at stopping the run, which the Texans have been terrible at for the last four seasons.
Other ends competing for roster spots and playing time are Jacob Martin, Derek Rivers, Chase Winovich, Adedayo Odeleye.
No. 8
Select starters at linebacker with Christian Harris and figure out what veterans make the team from a group that includes Christian Kirksey, Denzel Perryman, Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt and Corey Littleton.
Two linebackers will play most of the time. A hallmark of Ryans’ defense with the 49ers was having the speed, quickness and ability for coverage. And they have to tackle, of course. Harris is still learning after an injury-plagued slow start last season.
Eventually, he could be starting next to another Alabama player, rookie Henry To’oTo’o, who made a positive impression on the coaches in the offseason program.
Going into his third season, Garret Wallow could figure into the equation. When making decisions on the linebackers, keep in mind how important special teams are.
No. 9
Watch second-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. develop into the player they expected him to be when he was the third overall pick in 2022.
Stingley flashed as a rookie, but a hamstring injury shut down his season way too early. He must stay healthy. He hasn’t been healthy since his freshman season as LSU. Ryans has depth at cornerback.
Steven Nelson, the other starter, wants a new contract and has taken shots at Caserio on social media. He’s 30 and not likely to get a deal he wants.
Like Nelson, Desmond King II played well last season. Tavierre Thomas played so well in the slot he ranked among the league’s best in coverage.
Shaquill Griffin was signed to compete for playing time and could earn a starting job if Caserio were to trade Nelson.
No. 10
At a position with the two starters and the two primary backups almost guaranteed, will there be any surprises at safety behind Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward?
Ward covered slot receivers for the 49ers last season and was graded as one of the best in the league. He’ll start opposite Pitre.
The coaches love Pitre, who should be even better than he was as a rookie. Going into camp, the backups are veterans M.J. Stewart and Eric Murray.
That’s four set positions. Another safety could make the team, or an injury could open the door for another veteran.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes two columns a week and does two Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.