QUESTIONS AWAIT THE TEXANS
As most unusual camp in NFL history nears, the franchise faces issues on and off the field
Nothing in the traditional instruction manuals for coaching, scouting, ownership or playing football contains provisions for how to manage infectious diseases like the coronavirus.
As the Texans prepare for the most unusual training camp and season in NFL history, they face several key questions on and off the field as they try to manage health, safety, football and financial issues while getting ready for a rematch Sept. 10 against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to kick off the regular season:
Here are 10 questions facing the defending AFC South champions:
How will the team handle the COVID-19 situation?
1 Along with their 31 colleagues, the Texans have been preparing diligently to establish an Infectious Disease Emergency Response plan. That has been approved by the league and the NFL Players Association. That means daily testing for COVID-19 for the first two weeks of training camp. There have already been reports from the NFL Players Association to its membership that at least a dozen rookies have tested positive for COVID-19 from the nine teams that have begun testing.
If less than 5 percent of players test positive, then daily testing would shift to every other day. If positive tests remain at 5 percent or higher levels, then testing would continue on daily basis.
The Texans are required to wear proximity recording devices to maintain social distancing guidelines. The Texans created a new position, a hygiene coordinator, to ensure that the facility, including locker rooms, showers, weight room, training room, meeting rooms and cafeteria, are as clean and safe as possible.
How NFL teams manage the COVID-19 situation is pivotal to their success and being able to start and finish the season. How players handle their time away from team facilities to avoid contracting the virus will be one of the biggest factors to watch.
Under the revised collective bargaining agreement, NFL teams can categorize COVID-19 as a non-football injury if a player tests positive after conducting in irresponsible behavior off the field. That includes, for example, going to a bar with more than 100 people.
What’s next for Deshaun Watson on and off the field?
2 Heading into his third NFL season, Watson has established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in the game. Watson has a strong, accurate arm. He is one of the most elusive dual-threat passers. His improvisational skills are off the charts.
Watson has spent this offseason getting stronger with an increased emphasis on lifting weights and throwing with his receivers, including newcomers Brandin Cooks and Randall
Cobb, as much as possible during a virtual offseason.
Off the field, Watson remains in line to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks and players in NFL history. The timing of a blockbuster deal could be thrown off by the financial shortfall created by the pandemic.
What will the offense be like after DeAndre HopkinsDavid Johnson trade?
3 When in doubt in the past, Watson could always rely on throwing it to Hopkins, one of the most targeted and most productive receivers in the game. Following a controversial trade of the All-Pro wide receiver to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for running back David Johnson, the Texans have dramatically overhauled their receiving corps.
The Texans envision Watson spreading the football around to a variety of targets. That includes speedsters Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller and Kenny Stills, intermediate routes to slot Randall Cobb, red-zone shots with tight end Darren Fells and throwing to versatile running backs David and Duke Johnson (no relation) out of the backfield.
David Johnson has struggled with his health and tackle-breaking skills in recent years. He arrives in Houston determined to prove himself. If Johnson isn’t productive and Hopkins thrives in Arizona, obviously this highly criticized trade will remain a hot topic of conversation in Houston and around the league.
What is Tim Kelly’s play-calling style?
4 This marks the second year that Tim Kelly, a former tight ends coach and Penn State graduate assistant, has been the Texans’ offensive coordinator. This marks his first year as the primary play-caller, though. Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has entrusted Kelly with directing the offense and building game plans in tandem with him.
Kelly didn’t call the plays, but he did have an important voice in shaping the offense. That included the run-pass option plays that Deshaun Watson adeptly orchestrates. Kelly is expected to run a balanced offense with a desire to establish a physical running game to make opponents respect play-action fakes and distributing the targets to several different players. Everything Kelly does will be with the intention of fully capitalizing on Watson’s unique talents.
How is Will Fuller’s health?
5 Fuller has made steady progress since undergoing double groin surgery this offseason, but he hasn’t been able to test his core in an organized workout session. Fuller has been working hard in his rehabilitation from his latest injury. In the past, Fuller has overcome a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a broken collarbone and various hamstring injuries. When healthy, Fuller is one of the most explosive deep threats in the league.
If Fuller is healthy and remains healthy, that could go a long way toward mitigating the impact of trading Hopkins.
What can be expected from Anthony Weaver and Tracy Smith?
6 Both Weaver, the replacement for defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, and Smith, the replacement for retired Brad Seely, are first-year coordinators. Weaver is a former Texans and Ravens defensive end who was mentored by Rex Ryan. He’s expected to run an aggressive scheme with a lot of blitzing. Weaver will continue to coach the defensive line in addition to running the defense. Crennel remained on the staff as associate head coach and will provide his experience as a resource to Weaver.
Smith worked closely with Seely, one of the top specialteams coaches in NFL history. Little is expected to change in the kicking game with Smith’s promotion.
Has the secondary improved?
7 The Texans’ secondary was exposed and embarrassed by Patrick Mahomes in a playoff loss.
The Texans’ most capable corner, inside and outside, is veteran starter Bradley Roby.
Roby was retained with a threeyear, $36 million contract. The team will need him to perform at a high level as they’ll face some of the best receivers in the game this season, including Tyreek
Hill in the opener.
The Texans hope that Gareon Conley, who performed capably on the outside after being acquired via a trade from the Raiders, will continue to improve.
Lonnie Johnson Jr. was prone to penalties as a rookie, but he has the requisite size, speed and strength to make a jump in his second NFL season.
Vernon Hargreaves, rookie John Reid and Phillip Gaines are expected to compete for nickel back duties.
Justin Reid returns as the leader of the secondary. The hard-hitting former Stanford standout has made a full recovery from shoulder surgery for a torn labrum.
After cutting Tashaun Gipson and signing Eric Murray as his replacement, the Texans are hoping that Murray will form a strong tandem with Reid and quickly build chemistry.
Will the Texans pull off a big trade?
8 The Texans are a popular potential landing spot when it comes to speculation about trades after pulling off a big one last year for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
It’s regarded as highly unlikely that the Jacksonville Jaguars would trade disgruntled pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue within the AFC South even though Ngakoue is expected to be reasonable in any future contract negotiations and not seek a deal as rich as Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
As for unhappy New York Jets safety Jamal Adams, he’s off the table after the Jets agreed to a deal with Seattle.
Which undrafted free agent could beat the odds and make the team?
9 Keep an eye on former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons. The Texans are enamored of his return skills and are expected to give him a long look during training camp as he competes with DeAndre Carter.
What’s expected from Laremy Tunsil?
10 Tunsil became the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL this offseason, via a three-year, $66 million extension he negotiated without an agent and directly with Bill O’Brien with help from business manager Laolu Sanni and California-based advisor
Pete “Saint” Riley. Tunsil was named to his first Pro Bowl last season after being traded from the Miami Dolphins. More comfortable in the offense, familiar with his teammates and playbook and now recovered from shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, Tunsil appears primed for an even better season this year.