Kelemete jelling with new football family
Veteran’s leadership, versatility welcome additions in Houston
Senio Kelemete loved the rich chemistry that he, as a veteran offensive lineman, helped build during his four years with the New Orleans Saints.
Winning games. Huddling up with quarterback Drew Brees as he engineered a high-scoring offense. Becoming close friends with his fellow offensive linemen.
Having joined the Texans on a three-year, $12 million contract, Kelemete feels like he has a key role in a similar camaraderie as he bonds with his new teammates as part of an overhauled offensive line.
“I kind of have the same feeling here I had with the Saints,” Kelemete said. “It’s really family-oriented. That’s why everyone performed really well and wanted to have each other’s back. I feel like the best is yet to come here.
“I’m loving it, man. I love the group of guys in the locker room. I feel like we’re jelling really well. We’ve got a good group of guys.”
Starter from the start
Installed as the Texans’ new starting left guard since his arrival in March, Kelemete has drawn consistent praise for his toughness, his technique and how he has meshed in the Texans’ locker room.
With the Saints, Kelemete was prized by coach Sean Payton for his versatility and leadership. The 28-year-old has been as advertised so far, helping mentor new starting left tackle Julie’n Davenport.
“Very tough guy, good quickness, good athletic ability, ability to pull, things like that,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of Kelemete. “Heard great things about him there from the guys at the Saints. You can see it here.
"He’s a good guy. He’s a real good guy to have in the locker room on the team, and he’s a battler.”
A former Arizona Cardinals fifth-round draft pick, Kelemete was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection at the University of Washington.
Kelemete has a background as a defensive lineman, so lining up anywhere is old hat to him. With the Saints, he started 22 games over the past three seasons as he played every spot except center.
“Honestly, I do try to approach it like that,” Kelemete said. “I’m ready to play both sides and transition to play left or right guard or tackle.”
Soft-spoken with a low-key personality, the married father has a different mentality when he’s on the field. He’s known for having a mean streak.
“When you’re out there, it’s a grown man’s game,” Kelemete said. “You can’t take nothing from anybody, or they’ll take advantage of that.”
Kelemete is somewhat undersized at 6-3, 301 pounds but has outstanding quickness and strength. He plays with sound leverage and maintains a low pad level.
“My mentality is I’m going to give it my best shot and I’m not going to lose,” he said. “I’m going to play every play to the best of my ability. If you get me on one, that’s one.”
Tasked with protecting quarterback Deshaun Watson as he comes off a torn anterior cruciate ligament from last year and opening up holes for running back Lamar Miller, the Texans’ offensive line is regarded as the No. 1 question mark on the roster.
From Davenport, a two-game starter as a rookie, to newcomers in Kelemete, right guard Zach Fulton and right tackle Seantrel Henderson, the primary holdover is center Nick Martin.
The Texans are working to improve a line that allowed 54 sacks last season, the second-highest total in the NFL. Once the Texans traded Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown, they surrendered 28 more sacks to tie them for the most in the NFL during that span with the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals.
‘A good leader for us’
The Saints allowed just 1.3 sacks per game last season, the second fewest in the NFL behind the Los Angeles Rams.
“We kind of try to block out the outside noise and focus on each other, focus on yourself, focus on being a better unit,” Kelemete said. “We don’t try to pay attention to that. We’re out there to protect Deshaun Watson and win games. Throughout camp, we’ve built that relationship. It works well.”
The Texans have guaranteed $5 million of Kelemete’s contract. They feel good about their investment.
“Kelemete’s been a good leader for us,” O’Brien said. “Tough guy, works hard, out here every day. So he’s been a good addition.”
One way the Texans’ new-look offensive line has bonded is through a shared love for food. Inside the Texans’ cafeteria, they always eat together.
During organized team activities, the linemen organized a dinner at Turkey Leg Hut that was attended by their wives and girlfriends.
“That was a lot of fun. That was a really good spot” said Kelemete. “During the season, we’re going to have an O-line dinner every Thursday. Nope, I won’t go hungry. I’m loving it here, man.”