(SportsRadio 610) - Now that the Texans have hired Bobby Slowik as their new offensive coordinator, fans and media are curious about what kind of offense he'll install for new coach DeMeco Ryans and how different it'll be from Pep Hamilton's offense that ranked 31st last season.
It's hard to imagine the offense being any worse in Slowik's first season as the coordinator. In Hamilton's only season as the coordinator and play-caller, the Texans scored 289 points, tied with the Colts for the second-fewest in the NFL and only two more than the Broncos.
Considering how Slowik worked for Mike Shanahan at Washington and Kyle Shanahan at San Francisco, expect his system to look a lot like what the 49ers have implemented. Slowik won't get Kyle Shanahan's production right away, of course, but he'll use a similar system.
Hopefully -- if you're a Texans' fan -- the offense will eventually produce like the 49ers, who finished sixth in scoring and fifth in yards, despite using three quarterbacks, including rookie Brock Purdy.
Mike Shanahan won two Super Bowls with Denver utilizing a zone-blocking scheme. Gary Kubiak was his offensive coordinator. Kyle Shanahan hung out at the facility as a snot-nosed teenager watching and learning before he headed for Austin to play wide receiver for the Longhorns. He spent four years (2006-2009) under Kubiak with the Texans, working his way up to coordinator before joining his father in Washington.
The offense Kubiak used – the zone scheme in which linemen block vertically and then get on the second level rather than fire off the ball – demands that running backs read the blocks, make one cut, hit the right hole and accelerate.
Kubiak's system made 1,000-yard rushers out of Steve Slaton and Arian Foster, who became the best back in team history. Kubiak's zone scheme helped the Texans win back-to-back AFC South titles and playoff games in 2011 and 2012.
With the 49ers, Shanahan uses multiple running backs who are fast, quick, can hit a hole or get on the edge. He wants backs who get yards after the carry. He likes to use the play-action game to find receivers all over the field.
In 2011 when the Texans finished 10-6, Kubiak had two backs – Foster (1,225) and Ben Tate (942) – who combined for 2,166 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. With quarterback Matt Schaub missing six games and wide receiver Andre Johnson nine because of injuries, Kubiak relied heavily on the running game, and Foster and Tate produced.
In 2012 when the Texans fashioned a franchise-best 12-4 record, Schaub and Johnson were healthy. Schaub threw for 4,008 yards and 22 touchdowns. Johnson caught 112 passes for 1,598 yards. Foster erupted for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing.
Foster was an outstanding receiver who gave the offense an extra dimension. He caught 53 passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns in 2011 and 40 for 217 yards and two touchdowns a year later. As a receiver, Foster was much more than a safety valve.
One thing that worked so well with Kubiak's offense was Schaub faking a handoff to Foster going left behind the linemen and running a bootleg to his right and throwing to Johnson or tight end Owen Daniels on crossing routes.
Slowik is expected to install the same system that's tried and true. He needs a legitimate quarterback, preferably with the second overall pick in the draft. Running back Dameon Pierce should fit well into Slowik's system. The Texans will need more bona-fide backs to come off the bench behind Pierce. The 49ers had five backs this season who rushed for at least 230 yards. The Texans had one, Pierce.
If Ryans and Slowik are like Shanahan, they'll demand every player on the field must be able to block whether it's a run or a pass. The 49ers' receivers are notorious for being terrific blockers down the field, especially on the edges to help clear running backs.
That means any receiver who's returning to the Texans or is acquired in free agency or the draft must block like a fiend. Slowik also will want receivers who can break tackles and get yards after the catch. They'll have to be physical. If they're not, they won't be able to play in his system.
The most interesting thing to keep an eye on is the offensive line. In the zone system, the linemen have to be light on their feet and able to move vertically as well as horizontally. Quickness is essential. Center is vitally important. Not only does the center have to excel as a blocker, but so much is placed on him mentally.
Center is a priority for Ryans and Slowik. They need for general manager Nick Caserio to sign a free agent who can play in the system or make the position a priority in the draft.
The Texans have yet to announce Ryans' new staff, even though some of his hires have been disclosed. One thing fans can get excited about is a new offensive scheme they watched under Kubiak, a system that's survived the test of time and continues to be one of the most effective in the NFL.
Now it's up to Caserio and Ryans to find players who fit the system in free agency and the draft so the offense can make substantial improvement next season.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes weekly and does two Houtopia Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.
