Help is on the way
O’Brien likes Watt’s chances of returning to old standards
INDIANAPOLIS — Bill O’Brien learned a lot of lessons in his first four seasons as the Texans’ coach.
Coaching in his fifth offseason, O’Brien was excited to share one lesson in particular on the first day of the NFL scouting combine. “I’d never bet against J.J. Watt,” O’Brien said Wednesday. Just about everywhere O’Brien goes, he’s asked about the rehabilitation that Watt and quarterback Deshaun Watson continue to undergo. He’s happy to disclose that both are ahead of schedule.
When it comes to Watt, though, the question O’Brien hears the most is can the defensive end return to play at the same level that allowed him to average 17.4 sacks over a four-year period (2012-15) and be voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award three times, tying Lawrence Taylor for the most in his-
tory.
“About his stats, people ask me that all the time,” O’Brien said. “And let me tell you, I’d never bet against J.J. He’s one of the best players to play this game, and he’s working hard to get back to that level.”
Watt, who turns 29 this month, suffered the season-ending injury in the fifth game of last year. He underwent back surgery two times in 2016 and played in three games.
“J.J. is ahead of schedule in his rehab as far as what he’s able to do,” O’Brien said. “I go by what J.J. tells me and what I see.
“He’s very excited. He can’t wait to get back. He can’t wait to get into the training room every day to rehab. He’s one of those guys that can’t wait to get into the locker room every day.” Front seven not a concern
The Texans allowed more points than any team in the league last season, and they’re desperate to get Watt back in the lineup. They need him stopping the run, rushing the passer and getting so much attention from blockers it helps free others like Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus to pressure the quarterback.
O’Brien is convinced Watt will be able to return and play at a high level.
“Him coming back to the defense is big,” O’Brien said. “Him coming back to the team is a big deal. He’s one of the leaders of our team.
“Being in the locker room, the meeting rooms and on the practice field is such a big deal. He’s great for the younger players. They watch his work ethic. We’re all excited for him to be back in the lineup.”
With injured starters like Watt, Mercilus, nose tackle D.J. Reader and end Christian Covington returning, the front seven won’t need as much attention in the draft and free agency as the secondary.
The secondary and offensive line should get an infusion of talent. The secondary also needs to add speed, whether in free agency or the draft.
This is the first time O’Brien hasn’t had a first-round pick. He doesn’t have a second-rounder, either, but it doesn’t affect the way the Texans have approached the combine under first-year general manager Brian Gaine.
“We’re still scouting every position from the top-rated guys all the way through because it’s important to know who’s playing in the league,” O’Brien said. “Two or three years from now, when you’re playing against this corner or that quarterback, you want to know what you evaluated on that guy initially.
“Nothing’s changing in that regard.”
But not having their first two draft choices will change another part of the scouting process. Teams are allowed to bring in a maximum of 30 prospects for visits.
“I think when you get down to 30 visits, yeah, you’re going to think about where you’re drafting or where you can potentially be drafting,” O’Brien said. “You can always trade up or trade back.
“It’ll all be part of what we’re thinking about.”
O’Brien and his staff got a head start on the scouting process when they coached in the Senior Bowl. He said that was a big help in preparing for the combine.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to be able to coach the Senior Bowl, to get to know the kids in the meeting room, and, obviously, on the practice field — how they competed, how they learned.”
Interview strategy varies
At the combine, teams can have 15 minutes with up to 60 prospects. Even though the Texans got to know the Senior Bowl players, they still may want to interview some while they’re in Indianapolis.
“Sometimes we still bring in a guy to interview,” O’Brien said. “If you saw a guy that intrigued you at the Senior Bowl, but maybe you didn’t know him that well, maybe you bring him in here to get to know him a little bit more.
“What we do here is sometimes we watch tape with the guys. Maybe it gives us more of an opportunity to watch some of his school’s tape. We didn’t do that at the Senior Bowl.”