Stability in offensive line a welcome change
It’s not like Texans offensive line coach Mike Devlin is kicking back during practice, relaxing in a lounge chair, sipping a beer and figuring he’s on Easy Street at training camp.
After what he experienced in his first five seasons with the Texans, Devlin does deserve a break or perhaps hazard pay. From 2015 when Bill O’Brien hired him through last season, Devlin had as his regular starters four left tackles, three left guards, three centers, three right guards and four right tackles.
Talk about a lack of stability.
Because of injuries and ineptness, Devlin had to move players in and out, mixing and matching and trying to get the right combination. He did it without complaint, and, finally, he’s got the pieces where he wants them.
The Texans have all five starters returning in the offensive line for the first time since 2011 when they won their first AFC South title.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, left guard Max Scharping, center Nick Martin, right guard Zach Fulton and right tackle Tytus Howard are secure in their starting positions. If they avoid injuries, the line should continue to improve like it did in 2019.
After being one of the NFL’s worst lines for two seasons, Pro Football Focus improved the line’s rating to 20th and had the Texans ranked sixth in pass protection with a grade of 79.1.
At this time last year, Tunsil was still in Miami before being traded to the Texans the week the regular season began. Devlin was trying to figure out the best positions for Howard and Scharping, who were first- and second-round draft choices.
“I think we all understand continuity on the offensive line is a huge thing,” Devlin said. “I think every year is kind of a new year (and) I really appreciate that, depthwise, we’ve built some veteran backups.”
Offensive tackles Roderick Johnson and Brent Qvale, guard Senio Kelemete and center Greg Mancz are veteran backups with starting experience.
“With what we’re all going through (because of the coronavirus), you have to be prepared for any scenario,” Devlin said. “I feel like having those veteran backups is critical for the season, and they’ve all played for us.”
Rookie tackle Charlie Heck, a fourth-round pick, also figures into the mix.
When the Texans were struggling to improve the offensive line in free agency and the draft, Devlin needed the offseason program, camp and preseason to help evaluate the players. Because of COVID-19, he didn’t have that luxury, so having so many proven veterans is an advantage.
“I’d feel much more uneasy if I had not had these guys last year and knowing the type of people they are — dependable, tough and smart,” he said. “They came back in good shape, and you can tell they’ve studied. You can tell they want to improve.”
It’s unfair to blame and credit the linemen for all the sacks allowed and prevented, especially with quarterback Deshaun Watson holding the ball so long and trying to find his receivers down the field.
Still, let’s compare 2019 to 2018.
Last season, Watson was sacked 44 times compared to 62 the previous season. He was hit 39 times, down from 59, hurried 47 times compared to 77 and forced to scramble 44 times to 58, according to Pro Football Reference.
And Watson’s pressures dropped to 130 from 198. He was pressured on 22.3 percent of his drop-backs compared to 31.7 in 2018 when he played in one more game than last season.
In 2019, the Texans were 5-0 when they surrendered one or fewer sacks. Dating back to 2014 when O’Brien was hired, they’re 25-9 when allowing no more than one sack. During that period, they’re 9-1 when they don’t give up a sack, including 3-0 with Watson.
Here’s another statistic the linemen should be aware of: Last season, they went two consecutive games without giving up a sack for the first time since 2014.
And here’s a stat the Texans should be ashamed of and be determined to eliminate: In team history, the Texans have never gone more than two consecutive games without giving up a sack.
“Every year’s different (so) you still have to grind it and improve yourself,” Devlin said. “Last year was a starting point for all those guys together, and it (training camp restrictions) makes it tougher because O-linemen want to hit. You want to get your fix. I’ll know more about a lot of guys once the contact comes.”
The Texans are supposed to put on pads for the first time Thursday. That’s when coaches say camp really begins. It won’t be easier or more relaxing for Devlin knowing who his starters are and primary backups will be, but it’s going to be less taxing mentally for him.
Devlin can breathe easy knowing Tunsil is his left tackle. After coming to the Texans with receiver Kenny Stills for two firstround draft choices and a second-round pick, Tunsil played a substantial role in the offensive line’s improvement. He solidified a position that had been a problem since Duane Brown was traded to Seattle in 2017.
“We got L.T. so late (and) now he’s relearning the nuts and the bolts of the system from the very beginning,” Devlin said.
Pro Football Focus gave Tunsil the league’s thirdbest pass blocking grade (88.2) last season. All five starters graded at least 70.0.
“This is the thing I’m probably most excited about is how good and dominant our offensive line looks,” new running back David Johnson said. “How strong they look and just from watching film from last year of each player, it’s going to be fun, to say the least.”
And Devlin would be the first to agree.