How about we call the Texans’ first preseason game against the Patriots the “Billy O Bowl” in honor of Bill O’Brien, who was fired four games into his seventh season, a head-coaching career that included four AFC South titles and two playoff victories?
O’Brien, who left Alabama to return to New England for the second time as Bill Belichick’s offensive coordinator, would like to get a second chance as an NFL head coach. DeMeco Ryans is getting his first, of course. O’Brien wasn’t greeted in 2014 with the same enthusiasm fans and media are showing Ryans, who played linebacker with the Texans for six seasons and became one of the best and most popular players in franchise history.
When the Texans take the field at Gillette Stadium, fans want to see if the optimism of training camp carries over to the field. Next week, the Texans host Miami for joint practices at Houston Methodist Training Center and the second preseason game Aug. 19 at NRG Stadium.
There’s a lot to like about the Texans with Ryans, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and defensive coordinator Matt Burke new to the job. Ryans didn’t disclose how many of his veterans will sit this one out. Since he’s a first-time head coach, it’s going to be interesting to see how he handles the preseason.
Here are five things to watch in the Texans-Patriots game as they continue to navigate the preseason on their way to the regular-season opener on Sept. 10 at Baltimore.
QB C.J. STROUD EARNS STARTING JOB
Ryans said he wants to see Stroud take command of the huddle. Expect Slowik to play it as vanilla as possible. Stroud has to get the call from Slowik and get his teammates in the right position before the ball is snapped. Fans want to see Stroud throw the ball. He’s been mostly accurate in camp. He’s also the kind of mobility he seldom had to show at Ohio State. He’s working with receivers who aren’t as talented as the group he played with for the Buckeyes. Ryans, Slowik and new quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson, and they want to see Stroud make sound decisions and get rid of the ball fast and accurately. Ryans hasn’t disclosed how much playing time Stroud will receive because it depends on how well the offense plays with him in the lineup.
YOUNG RECEIVERS MUST SHOW PROMISE
Barring injury or ineptness, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of mystery with the top-six receivers – starters Nico Collins and Robert Woods and reserves Noah Brown, Tank Dell, John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson. Ryans and Slowik need to get a good look at Dell, Metchie and Hutchinson, none of whom has an NFL reception but all of whom have been impressive in camp. Keep an eye on how much playing time Metchie, Dell and Hutchinson receive and how many times they’re targeted, especially when they’re playing with Stroud. Other receivers have flashed, but the best ones should expect invitations to the practice squad. It’ll be interesting to see if special teams coordinator Frank Ross uses Dell, Metchie or both as punt returners.
TROUBLE IN THE OFFENSIVE LINE
The team has a big problem at right tackle. Tytus Howard is recovering from surgery on a broken hand that could cause him to miss the Baltimore opener. Nobody is sure at the moment. The third tackle, Charlie Heck, continues to be on physically unable to perform after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason. He could be in danger of missing the first part of the season. George Fant, a seven-year veteran who played the last three seasons with the Jets, was signed the first week of camp and is starting in place of Howard. Austin Deculus, participating in his second training camp, is competing with Fant. The backup behind left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who probably won’t play, is rookie Kilian Zierer. Having issues in the offensive line isn’t good for a rookie quarterback who’s already playing with a rookie center in Juice Scruggs and a second-year guard in Kenyon Green, who has to show substantial improvement in his second season.
A LOT OF TOUGH DECISIONS IN DEFENSIVE LINE
In their effort to improve a miserable run defense for the last four seasons, including allowing a league-worst 170 yards a game rushing in 2022, Ryans, Burke and the position coaches are searching for linemen who can stop the run and edge rushers who can get the quarterback. Veterans like tackle Maliek Collins and end Jerry Hughes might not play. Those who do play better impress the coaches against the run. Ryans knows if the defense can’t contain the running game, the Texans are just spinning their wheels. Against Baltimore, the starting tackles should be Collins and Sheldon Rankins and ends Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard. There’s a lot of competition for backup roles at tackle, especially on the inside with Roy Lopez, Hassan Ridgeway, Thomas Booker IV and Kurt Hinish among the veterans hungry for playing time.
ALL EYES ON STINGLEY ENTERING SECOND SEASON
Derek Stingley Jr., the third overall pick in the 2022 draft who missed eight games as a rookie because of a hamstring injury, has been healthy, wealthy and wise in his second training camp. He hit the weights in the offseason to take advantage of Ryan’s scheme that should give him a lot of playing time in man coverage, his specialty. Stingley also knows Ryans insists on every player being physical against the run, and he’s ready to take on receivers, tight ends and running backs when they have the ball. The defense has depth around Stingley, including Steven Nelson outside and Desmond King II inside when they play three corners. Tavierre Thomas was one of the league’s better slot corners last season. Shaquill Griffin is another cornerback with experience. As it stands today, there aren’t a lot of vacancies at safety, either. Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward are the starters with Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart as the leading backups.
(John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and before every practice during training camp on Texans Radio. He also writes three columns a week and does two Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.)
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