Evaluating personnel is a familiar process
Previous experience with team helpful as needs determined
The first time new Texans general manager Brian Gaine met with the media Wednesday, he declined to discuss specific positions that need upgrading or mention specific players who need to be replaced.
While coach Bill O’Brien is hiring assistant coaches and getting ready for his staff to coach at the Senior Bowl next week, Gaine is already watching tape to evaluate the roster after a 4-12 season.
Gaine has an advantage because he worked on four drafts and four free-agent periods during his three years (2014-16) as the Texans’ director of pro personnel and director of player personnel under his predecessor, Rick Smith.
“Player evaluation, knowing exactly what we have on the team so that we can make decisions as it relates to what’s available in free agency and the draft,” Gaine said about what he’s been doing since he was hired Saturday. “From an operational standpoint, it’s all-encompassing — a lot of meetings, a lot of calendaring, a lot of scheduling, a lot of preparation.”
It’s no secret what the Texans need. It’s a matter of what Gaine and O’Brien want to prioritize in free agency and the draft.
Every decision Gaine makes with the offense has to be done with second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson in mind.
We all know the Texans need to rebuild their offensive line and make sure they have at least three new starters, possibly four.
The most important position to improve in the offseason is left tackle, where five players started at least one game last season. If Julién Davenport can handle right tackle in his second season, Gaine and O’Brien can target the left side — Watson’s blind side.
“We’ll make decisions in terms of impacting our roster not just for one position, but it’s clear that we have to put some players around him to help him succeed,” Gaine said.
Mission statement
Gaine went on to explain his mission statement that’s supposed to return the Texans to the playoffs and help them compete for another AFC South title in what should be an improved division.
“The offensive line and the defensive line are critical,” he said. “We’ll always be looking for players to help us impact winning performances in offensive and defensive linemen.
“The running game’s critical for the impact it has on controlling down and distance (and) the passing game. If you can run the ball, it’s only going to help the passing game.
“We’re going to be looking for explosive athletes that can make plays in space and equally deter plays that are made in space.
“We’re going to be looking for pressure players, guys that can get to the quarterback. Equally, players on offense that can (stretch) the defense vertically and horizontally relating to speed.
“We’re looking for guys that can run and cover and stretch the perimeter. Obviously, vertically stretch the defense.
“Then, the last one, is (players for) fourth down and special teams.”
Based on Gaine’s principles, let’s look at the offense first.
Gaine’s got his quarterback, of course. The offensive line has to be improved across the board. They’ve got explosive receivers, but DeAndre Hopkins is the only one who’s durable. They need a tight end who can block and catch. And they need to add a running back who’s got stopwatch speed and excellent hands to make him a legitimate threat in and out of the backfield.
Defensively, the Texans need for the defensive line to get healthy, and they have to add some depth.
The linebackers should be the strength of a 3-4 defense. With Whitney Mercilus healthy and Zach Cunningham and Dylan Cole entering their second seasons to go with Jadeveon Clowney and Benardrick McKinney, this should be an area of strength.
The Texans also need an end or outside linebacker who can rush the passer. He can be undersized and not a full-time player, but in passing situations, they need someone who can help pressure the quarterback.
And then there’s the secondary. They need to sign or use a third-round pick on a cornerback with speed. They can sign or use a third- or fourth-round pick on a safety who can hit and cover. Come to think of it, they should draft a corner and safety and sign one of each in free agency.
Gaine mentioned special teams, which have been awful since O’Brien became the coach in 2014. Brad Seely, 61, was hired as O’Brien’s third special teams coach in place of the fired Larry Izzo.
The Texans are Seely’s eighth team. He spent 10 years with New England, where he worked with O’Brien for two years.
‘Collaborative process’
Obviously, Gaine’s got his work cut out.
“Scouting truly is a collaborative process,” he said. “The synergy we’re going to have between the coaches and the player personnel department in terms of the types of players we’re going to go look for will be a unified effort.
“I like to think every pick we made was a Texans organizational pick and maybe not a specific person. Those are Texans picks, (not) Brian Gaine’s picks.”
Yes, but Gaine knows who’ll get the blame if those picks and free-agent signings don’t work out. At least he’s got a honeymoon period.