CAN THEY CATCH ON?
FOR THE TEXANS’ OFFENSE TO EVOLVE, THEY’LL NEED THEIR YOUNG RECEIVERS TO EMERGE IN 2017
The Texans need more production this season from wide receivers not named DeAndre Hopkins.
In 2016, the Texans went young at receiver and experienced growing pains with rookies Will Fuller, Braxton Miller and
Wendall Williams.
Most players make their biggest improvement between their first and second seasons. During OTAs. the mandatory minicamp Tuesday through Thursday, training camp and preseason, the coaches will be watching the progress of the young receivers.
“For the guys that were rookies last year, this is a much easier spring for them because they know where to go (and) what to do,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement with all the guys that were rookies last year. It’s only (June), but it’s looking pretty good.”
The Texans have high expectations from Fuller and Miller, their firstand third-round picks last year. Williams made the team as an undrafted free agent and will have to compete hard to earn another spot on the roster. Jaelen Strong, a 2015 third-round pick, enters his third season, which should be his make-or-break year. Last season, the quartet of Fuller, Miller, Strong and Williams combined for 80 catches, 940 yards and three touchdowns. Hopkins had 78 receptions for 954 yards and four touchdowns.
Compared to the youth in the receivers’ meeting room, Hopkins must feel like Father Time. He can counsel the younger receivers, teach them what he knows and, basically, help them mature on and off the field.
“I’ve been a leader with the wide receiver group for two years now,” Hopkins said. “I’ve kind of been vocal, but I like to lead by example. When there’s things we need to work on, of course, we’re going to work on them.”
BUILDING RAPPORT
Quarterback Tom Savage enters his fourth season. During his brief playing time before he was injured last season, he developed a good rapport with Hopkins.
Savage has been spreading the ball around during OTAs and working to build a similar rapport with the other receivers.
“It’s repetition and stuff we’re doing after practice and extra meetings,” Savage said. “We get limited time, and we all have to meet a little extra if we want to get better and just kind of do what we need to do to understand where we’re at mentally.
“It just really comes down to trust and chemistry.”
The receivers have two new coaches. John Perry did a splendid job coaching tight ends the past three years. He moved to receivers when Sean Ryan switched to quarterbacks.
Wes Welker, the greatest slot receiver in NFL history, was hired to work with receivers and special teams. Welker played in three Super Bowls, earned five trips to the Pro Bowl and had five seasons in which he caught at least 100 passes for more than 1,000 yards.
“It’s great learning from a guy like Wes,
who has experience in this league, who knows every aspect, not just from a player standpoint but also from a coach (standpoint),” Hopkins said. “He’s played with some of the best, so having his knowledge helps a lot.”
Fuller, who’s one of the league’s fastest receivers, caught 47 passes for 635 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He dropped too many passes, a problem that plagued him at Notre Dame.
Fuller has looked more confident and polished during OTAs, which end with the 10th one Friday. He worked hard last season on running routes. The coaches want him to become more consistent and provide a lot of big plays opposite Hopkins.
Miller, who made the transition from quarterback to receiver during his last season at Ohio State, needs to give them production from the slot. He should really benefit from Welker’s coaching.
“They’re trying to make this team better, and they’re working on their craft,” Hopkins said.
SPREADING THE BALL AROUND
This season, the Texans might wish they could play with more than one ball.
During O’Brien’s first three seasons, the Texans have run the ball more than any team in the league. By using a third-round draft choice on running back D’Onta Foreman to pair with Lamar Miller, O’Brien’s philosophy doesn’t figure to change.
In 2016, the best thing former starting quarterback Brock Osweiler did was to utilize the tight ends in the passing game.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson combined for 115 receptions for 1,094 yards and seven touchdowns.
Fiedorowicz became a formidable weapon in his third season and could become even more productive, especially in the middle of the field.
Tim Kelly is coaching tight ends since Perry moved to receivers.
“It’s a good group,” O’Brien said about the tight ends. “They all have different skillsets. I’m not going to get into the details of what they bring to the table, but all three of them — in their own right — are good in the passing game with the different matchups that we can get with them. So, I’ve been very pleased with them.”
Anderson made the team last season as an undrafted rookie.
“He does a lot of different things,” O’Brien said. “He’s grown a lot in a year.”
Because Hopkins is the go-to receiver, and O’Brien is expected to continue to pound the ball and the tight ends should be productive again, the other receivers will have to make the most of their opportunities.
And keep a close eye on second-year running back Tyler Ervin. He’s been terrific in OTAs and could be utilized a lot in passing situations.
SPEED TO BURN
Nothing would please the coaches more than to see Fuller emerge as a big-time weapon, especially down the field. He’s got the speed to keep the secondary on its heels, and he’s been working hard to improve.
It’ll be up to Savage to get him the ball.
“He’s a fast guy, a burner,” Savage said. “He’s a really good route runner, a good guy, and he’s working at it.”
Fuller’s teammates have noticed a difference, a comfort level, for the second-year receiver as he continues to improve.
“It’s a lot different, first year to second year,” Fuller said. “Last year, I was thinking a lot, just coming in trying to learn the offense and trying to make sure I was doing everything perfect. This year I’m just a lot more relaxed.”
And it’s no secret what Fuller wants to improve the most.
“Just catching the ball consistently,” he said.