Fulton brings mean streak to O-line
When Zach Fulton played for the Kansas City Chiefs, he built a reputation as a legitimate tough guy who enjoys dominating opponents.
It was that intensity, strength, technique and how Fulton emphatically finished his blocks that caught the Texans’ eye and prompted General Manager Brian Gaine to make him the centerpiece of their overhaul project across the offensive line.
The revamped offensive line, which was one of the Texans’ weakest positions last season, was to make its debut Thursday night against the Chiefs in the team’s preseason opener. And Fulton will be a key.
“He’s a nasty player,” Texans center Nick Martin said of Fulton, who signed a fouryear, $28 million deal. “He’s going to play hard ,and I can’t wait to play next to him.”
Fulton plays the game with the edge the Texans had hoped to see from former starting guard Jeff Allen, whom he has replaced at right guard.
With Xavier Su’a-Filo now with the Tennessee Titans, Allen off the roster and Martin having undergone ankle surgeries each of his first two NFL seasons, the Texans are leaning on Fulton to provide more than just a 6-foot-5, 316pound big body to throw at the problem.
They need the 26-year-old Fulton to provide toughness and savvy and to show the younger linemen how to act and operate when they’re at the line of scrimmage, in the weight room or studying film.
“Big guy, tough guy, a versatile guy and a smart guy,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s been a good addition. He’s got some leadership qualities and he’s been in big games.
“I really like the way he approaches the game. He’s been really good since the day he walked in here.”
Fulton is determined to give the Texans a lot back for their investment in him.
“It means a lot,” Fulton said. “It means they are confident in me to come in here and do my job and help out the younger guys. I’m trying to live up to that.”
Fulton drew high marks for his character, strength and ability to adapt to blitzes.
He won a starting job as a rookie in Kansas City in 2014, becoming the first sixth-round draft pick to start the opening game of his rookie season in three decades.
He wound up starting every game that year.
“When I was with the Chiefs, I wasn’t necessarily a younger guy,” he said. “The group wasn’t old. We all had the same mindset: control what we can control and do our job.
“Coming into this role, it’s basically the same mindset. Don’t let things pile up on you.”
Building camaraderie, the Texans’ linemen break a lot of bread together. They routinely sit together at meals and are always talking and joking with each other.
“We always eat together,” Fulton said. “When we’re outside of here, we hang out with each other.
“If you’re hanging out outside of football, you like each other to a certain extent, and it’s all about building chemistry.”