Offense gets its makeover
Draft moves made in effort to put points on scoreboard
Now that the NFL draft is over and the undrafted free agents have been signed, this is a good time to analyze what the Texans appear to have accomplished during their busy offseason.
General manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O’Brien performed major surgery on an offense that ranked 19th last season and struggled to move the ball and put points on the board. Again. As they prepare for the rookie minicamp this week and organized team activities this month, O’Brien and his assistants are going to have a lot more with which to work, which is incredibly exciting for a coaching staff.
On paper, at least, the Texans have enjoyed a terrific offseason offensively.
It starts with quarterback Brock Osweiler, of course. He has been working feverishly to learn the system. There are parts with which he is familiar from early in his career with Denver. Former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels installed a version of the New England offense before he was fired and returned to New England. When Osweiler was drafted the next year, the Broncos kept most of that system.
When O’Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey came to the Texans, they implemented their version of the Patriots’ system, so Osweiler had a foundation as soon as he turned on his iPad for the first time to get a look at his playbook.
Osweiler also has made a serious effort to get to know his teammates during the early part of the offseason program. The coaches and players are excited about the leadership ability he is showing behind the scenes during this early part of his Texans career.
Before we get to the skill positions that have undergone a major upgrade, check out the offensive line. It is obvious that second-year offensive line coach Mike Devlin wants to get more physical up front. Downright nasty might be a better way to put it.
The Texans had the cap space to re-sign center Ben Jones and right guard Brandon Brooks but didn’t pay them what Tennessee and Philadelphia did to lure them from the Texans.
O’Brien preaches competition, and he is going to get it.
Right guard Jeff Allen was signed from Kansas City, where he developed a reputation as a mauler with a mean disposition.
Center Nick Martin, the second-round pick from Notre Dame, has a similar reputation. He will have to beat out Tony Bergstrom, signed as a free agent from Oakland, for the starting job.
Devlin wants that competition up front to be fierce, just the way O’Brien likes it.
Smith and his staff, including director of player personnel Brian Gaine, should be applauded for overhauling the skill positions and adding so much speed to the offense.
First, it was running back Lamar Miller in free agency. Then, it was receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller and running back Tyler Ervin in the draft.
Lamar Miller is a runner who can catch. Braxton Miller is a receiver who can run and throw. Ervin is a runner who can catch and return.
Versatility is one of O’Brien’s favorite words, and fans are going to be reading and hearing it a lot during the offseason, camp and preseason — not to mention when they put together the final 53-man roster.
DeAndre Hopkins thinks he won’t see as many doubleteams. He is in for a rude awakening. Because he is one of the NFL’s premier receivers, he will continue to be doubled until one of the new players becomes dangerous enough to attract that kind of attention.
This offseason looks so good on paper, but we can’t forget that Fuller is an underclassman with a lot of dropped passes the last two seasons. Miller played receiver one season at Ohio State and has a lot of learning to do. Ervin’s excellence in so
many areas at San Jose State guarantees nothing in the NFL.
Of the draft choices, don’t be surprised if Martin becomes the first starter. He must begin to gain Osweiler’s confidence as soon as they meet this week.
By the way, when Osweiler arrives at NRG Stadium on Monday, he should personally thank Smith and O’Brien for giving him so many weapons. Then he better start loosening his arm to make sure he doesn’t underthrow his talented rookies.