Omenihu in rush to keep improving as role likely to grow
Charles Omenihu has absorbed a lot of knowledge from J.J. Watt, holding locker room conversations that run the gamut from pass rushing and workout tips to life hacks.
The rookie from the University of Texas has reaped the benefit of tapping into the experience of a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Now, Omenihu is looking to apply those lessons on the field in what figures to be an expanded role with Watt out for the season because of a torn pectoral muscle .
“It’s difficult,” Omenihu said. “It’s a big blow to the team. He mentored me. He mentored all of us, honestly. We’ve just got to pick it up and try as a collective group to bring that back on the field so our defense can keep rolling.
“It will be a group effort. Everybody
has to pull a little more weight. We don’t have an issue doing that.”
Although Omenihu isn’t necessarily going to be elevated to a starting role with Watt out, he is expected to play and contribute more. Midway through the season, the Rowlett native has played in six games and displayed progress as a pass rusher and run stopper.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself as far as where I’m deficient at,” said Omenihu, a fifth-round pick. “It’s the highest level you can get, so any deficiencies, they show. So, just got to be more consistent really.
“That’s the biggest thing, just be more consistent in everything I do. It can’t just be one game a really good game and one game, slack. Know what I’m saying?”
Omenihu has emerged as an increasingly valuable rotational lineman whose best asset is his ability as a versatile pass rusher.
That included how Omenihu bull-rushed Kansas City blockers for a sack and forced fumble against quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player.
Omenihu powered through center Austin Reiter, driving him back toward Mahomes and chopping the football out of his hand. The turnover led to a Texans touchdown.
“He’s a student of the game,” outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. “He really loves diving into pass rush. That’s what he loves to do. He stops the run, of course. (Defensive coordinator Romeo) Crennel had to get on him early on about that.
“You see his development. He plays disciplined. He’s part of the group. It’s do your job first. That’s ingrained into him. He’s got great length. You saw the K.C. game. That was pretty awesome.”
Omenihu has two sacks and two forced fumbles overall. That includes a strip sack against Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew in a September win. Omenihu will face Minshew again on Sunday in London.
Omenihu’s quest for greater consistency is echoed by coach Bill O’Brien. As talented as the former Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year is, the Texans need to get even more out of him.
“I think he works hard to improve,” O’Brien said. “He’s a good kid, he really listens. He’s coachable, versatile guy. He’s made some plays for us. It’s just overall consistency. Doing it down after down is very important. It’s hard to do that as a rookie. That’s the key.
“In college football, you might have 100 plays on defense in a game, but in pro football, you really don’t, so you have to be on the money on every play. You have to be very consistent. I think any rookie’s striving for that.”
Against Oakland, Omenihu played 22 snaps on defense for 39 percent participation overall. He had no statistics.
The Texans have primarily utilized Omenihu as an inside pass rusher, but he’s capable of lining up on the outside shoulder of offensive tackles and penetrating the backfield.
“I have confidence rushing anywhere,” he said.
The next natural step for Omenihu is to earn a starting job. In order to do that, he’ll have to keep building his repertoire of moves.
“If that’s what’s needed and called for, then, yeah, I’ve done it before,” Omenihu said. “This game is at a different level. Just confidence, confidence that you can do what you need to do against the best competition. Just continue to keep my head in the books and understand my assignments so I can play better and faster.”