No preseason reps make it hard to prepare backup QBs
Since training camp began, Bill O’Brien and his assistants have been forced to adjust their coaching because of restrictions created by the coronavirus.
With no preseason games and joint practices with other teams, the Texans have modified their conditioning and practice routines to help them evaluate players as they get closer to their Sept. 10 opener at Kansas City.
Under ordinary circumstances, the Texans this week would be preparing for their second preseason game against Seattle, but current circumstances are anything but normal.
“In the preseason, the trend for us is that starters don’t really play a lot anyway,” O’Brien said.
“The games are important for them if they do play to get a little speed work in and for your (reserves) to be able to go on the field in a game situation to show us what they can do.
“It’s also important for the coaches, because you have end-of-the-game (and) end-of-the-half situations (we) have to deal with in all three phases. We’re not getting that without preseason games.”
O’Brien was a college coach until he went to New England in 2007 and stayed for five years. Then he went to Penn State as the head coach in 2012 and stayed for two years before the Texans hired him. At an unprecedented time like this for NFL teams, O’Brien has drawn on his
college experience.
“We didn’t have any preseason games in college,” he said. “What you do is eventually you’ll have two or three game-like scrimmages, and a lot of those are for the coaches. And they’re for the players to execute and get on film without the coach standing two feet behind them, telling them what to do.
“I think that’s something we’re going to work on. That’s something I’m hopeful my experience in college, where we had no preseason games and you had scrimmages, helps us get ready for the first game.”
Unlike traditional Power Five college teams, the Texans don’t have the luxury of scheduling Cupcake U for their opening game. Instead, they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to play the defending Super Bowl champions.
Getting Deshaun Watson ready for the Chiefs is the No. 1 priority. He’s the most important player on the team. He would not have played much in preseason, but he would have received some playing time. Backups AJ McCarron and Alex McGough would have, too.
O’Brien, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and assistant quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates have to find the correct balance in preparing the quarterbacks for the roles they have on the team. Not only do the coaches have to worry about injuries, but this season, they also have to be concerned with COVID-19.
Because of Watson’s stature with the team and his importance to the offense, he gets the most work in practice. The coaches also have to make sure McCarron gets repetitions to replace the significant playing time he would have received in preseason.
McGough, who’s entering his second season with the Texans, is like the younger brother who gets leftovers at the dinner table. And in this case, it’s not much.
“It’s definitely a balance,” O’Brien said on a recent Zoom conference call. “Deshaun gets the majority of the reps, but we also have to make sure that AJ gets a good amount. AJ has to take
advantage of his reps, and we have to make sure we have him ready to play.
“(With) Alex, it’s tough because he just doesn’t get a lot of reps. If you gave everybody an equal amount, you’d be running a hundred plays at practice, and that’s hard to do relative to how we have to ramp these guys up.”
The Texans are in their fourth week of camp, and they’re one of the few NFL teams that hasn’t had anyone test positive for the virus. That bodes well for the regular season, but nobody has a clue how test results will look after the players bang on the Chiefs for three hours.
Because of the COVID-19 threat, the Texans have to be prepared to play all three quarterbacks, including McGough in case of an emergency that forces Watson and McCarron to be quarantined. That’s why camp is crucial for every position but especially the most prominent position on the team.
“It’s important, obviously, that we’re getting Deshaun ready and getting him the reps so he can get into a rhythm with the wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line and running backs,” Kelly said. “It’s equally important to make sure Alex and AJ continue to develop in the offense, too.
“There’s definitely a fine balance in terms of finding ways to make sure all three of those things get done.”
A worst-case scenario would be for Watson and McCarron to get quarantined, forcing McGough into the lineup. It’s a last resort, of course, but the Texans must be prepared for all contingencies. McGough does everything he can to work with the receivers.
“He’s doing a great job of being proactive and grabbing some of the younger guys and getting some reps after practice, too,” Kelly said. “Alex is doing a good job being a professional and getting in where he fits in and making sure he’s taking advantage of the opportunities that come his way.”