The heat is on as roster battles intensify
In last two preseason games, special teams deciding factor
Coach Bill O’Brien and his staff have some tough decisions to make after the Texans’ last two preseason games against Dallas and the Los Angeles Rams.
The roster has to be reduced to 53 by 3 p.m. Aug. 31. The next day, 10 players who have cleared waivers can be signed to the practice squad.
The Texans have a problem — a good problem — because they’re going to cut players who deserve to be on the team. O’Brien, the assistant coaches and members of the personnel department will continue their evaluations against the Cowboys and Rams.
“There’s a lot of late nights ahead of us to try to figure that out because we want to be fair to everybody and do the best we can to pick the right roster,” O’Brien said.
“It’s not going to be easy. We have a good group of people to consult with to pick the roster, but we’ve got to make some tough choices.”
Usually, the third preseason game is the most important because coaches like to give most of their starters playing time, but that’s not the case now as much as it used to be because teams worry so much about injuries.
That’s good for some players trying to keep or win starting jobs or just make the roster.
“Obviously, it’s much harder for the player, but it’s tough,” O’Brien said about trying to keep the right players. “You’re trying to do the best you can to find a 53-man roster that you think can win.
“We have a 90-man roster that’s very competitive at a lot of positions. There’s a lot of competition at a lot of different spots, and it’s good, but it’s always hard to release a guy after he’s spent a lot of time with you.”
There will be some surprising decisions made. Let’s start with the offensive line, an area that always seems to be an issue.
Will left tackle Matt Kalil, who missed last season at Carolina because of a knee injury and has been out with a foot injury, make the team if he’s not the starter?
Will third-year left tackle Julién Davenport, a starter in 2018, make the roster as the game-day swing tackle? Davenport was passed by Roderick Johnson, who was elevated to replace the injured Kalil and continues to improve.
Will second-year guard Martinas Rankin, a third-round pick last year who was supposed to compete for a starting job on the left side, be placed on waivers?
Players, especially those at running back, wide receiver, tight end, linebacker and the secondary, know how much the coaches value their performance on special teams.
When new special teams coordinator Brad Seely was hired last year, he helped transform coverage and return teams from a weakness to a strength. The Texans improved in six special teams statistics and plan for that part of the team to have a positive impact again.
Keeping special teams in mind, do the Texans keep three or four running backs as well as rookie fullback Cullen Gillaspia? If they keep a fourth running back, could it be veteran Taiwan Jones or one of the undrafted rookies, Damarea Crockett or Karan Higdon Jr.?
Do they keep a sixth receiver so they can have super fast rookie Tyron Johnson on the roster? That’s assuming he’s not the fifth receiver. He also can return kickoffs.
Do they keep four tight ends? Rookie Kahale Warring has missed a lot of time with a hamstring issue and a concussion. Veteran Darren Fells is having an excellent camp and preseason, and he’s good on special teams. Jerell Adams has been superb but could end up on the practice squad again.
“There’s a lot of thought going into that position. No doubt about it,” O’Brien said. “That position has a lot of depth, so it’s going to be interesting. Do you keep all of those guys, and how does that affect another position?”
The Texans have to decide how many linebackers to keep. Who’ll lose out if Jadeveon Clowney reports, signs his franchise tag and isn’t traded?
Linebackers are essential to having quality special teams. The primary backups are Dylan Cole on the inside and Peter Kalambayi, who can play inside and outside. Brennan Scarlett, who has replaced Clowney in the starting lineup, is one of the league’s best special teams players. They need more depth on the outside.
Because of injuries and their desire to elevate the talent level, the Texans are still looking for defensive backs, especially at corner. The backups are expected to contribute on special teams.
If you’re like the Texans, you’ll be paying close attention to special teams against the Cowboys and Rams. Their performances on covering, blocking and returning can make a big difference for some players trying to make the team.
“That’s a big deal when it comes to the 53-man roster,” O’Brien said. “They have to be able to play special teams. It’s one of the hardest things to do, and we’ve got guys busting their humps on special teams to make the team.
“I have had a lot of fun watching guys give great effort and make plays. There’s a difference between activity and achievement, right? It’s one thing to run down there all the time but you don’t make any plays. We have guys running down there and making plays. They stand out to you.”
But will they stand out enough to make the team?