Offense testing young talent
Miller, Fuller find learning curve a part of process
No matter how you analyze the Texans’ passing game this season, there is no getting around something obvious: Youth will be served. During the Texans’ 2-0 start in preseason, Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a cheerleader most of the time, as he should be this time of year.
This is Hopkins’ fourth season, and he knows the offense, so it is good for him to step aside and let the young dogs eat, so to speak.
The three leading receivers — Jaelen Strong (seven catches, 67 yards), Braxton Miller (seven for 68) and Will Fuller (five for 77) — have a combined one year of NFL experience.
Fuller and Miller are rookies. In Saturday’s 16-9 victory over New Orleans, they combined for seven catches, 107 yards and a touchdown.
Fuller (6-1, 172), the first-round pick from Notre Dame, led the Texans with four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Brock Osweiler.
Miller (6-1, 204), the third-round pick from Ohio State, added three catches for 34 yards.
“That was another step in the process,” receivers coach Sean Ryan said Sunday. “There’s talent and production.”
Ryan is in his first season with the Texans after coaching with the New York Giants. He likes everything he sees from Fuller and Miller.
“Those guys have had a really good attitude about working and studying and acting professional,” Ryan said. “We’re happy with where they are, but they have to keep doing it. If they do, they’ll improve. But they’re not finished products, obviously.”
Fuller a quick study
Against the Saints, Fuller was targeted eight times. He is developing a good rapport with Osweiler, who was 12-of-19 for 124 yards. He threw the touchdown pass to Fuller. Then he tried to throw another on fourth-and-goal from the 3, but it was intercepted.
Osweiler vowed to not throw another interception in the red zone and promised to learn from it.
Miller, who has yet to show off his 4.31 speed and get behind the secondary, has impressed offensive coordinator George Godsey, who calls the plays.
“He wants to perform to where he was picked,” Godsey said. “He knows when a team takes you that high, they’re counting on you. He’s put a lot of time into developing a relationship with his quarterbacks, his teammates and his coaches.”
Godsey wasn’t surprised by Fuller’s performance against the Saints, which included a 25-yard reception as well as the 19-yard TD.
“As far as Will being able to handle the preseason, I haven’t seen any shyness from him,” Godsey said. “He comes in ready to practice, and he gives us everything he can every day. When he performs like that in a game, I’m not surprised.”
The coaches aren’t afraid to go with young players. Inexperience doesn’t scare them. A lack of talent does.
This season, the Texans are faster and more athletic on offense. Fuller and Miller (4.41 in the 40yard dash) provide a lot of speed and athleticism. All they need is experience, and that comes with playing time.
The more reps, the merrier for the receivers.
“I think Braxton and Will — for rookie receivers — have done a really good job,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think the fact that they’re out there every day, they get all the reps, they’re in all the meetings, they’ve been able to stay healthy — that goes a long way to being able to learn.”
If the Texans want to build a productive passing game, Fuller and Miller must be a big part of it.
Whirlwind beginning
Fuller was drafted to help clear the middle of the field for Hopkins. Miller was drafted to play one of the slot positions and exploit the middle of the field.
Their heads have been spinning, but the fog is starting to lift.
“When you’re going against our defense, all the different things that our defense does, it really forces you to have to learn the position and learn all the different ways to run routes,” O’Brien said. “They’ve both done a good job of learning.”