Fulton proving to be a top hand for O-line
Hunkered over the football at the line of scrimmage, Zach Fulton looks like a natural center.
The Texans’ veteran offensive lineman and regular right guard delivers strikes on his shotgun snaps to quarterback Deshaun Watson before firing out of his stance to stonewall the Detroit Lions’ pass rushers.
Fulton has been filling in for injured starter Nick Martin, who’s been out with a hamstring injury suffered during a conditioning test at the start of training camp. With backup center Greg Mancz hurting his ankle against the Packers last week, Fulton has been an invaluable replacement.
Unlike a year ago, Fulton has an intact hand to work with. Fulton played through the pain of two broken fingers in his right hand last season.
“It was pretty tough,” Fulton said. “I kind of played the last four games of the season with one hand. I made it work.”
That workmanlike attitude serves Fulton and the Texans well.
At 6-5, 316 pounds, Fulton plays the game with a mean streak along with a willingness and capability to line up across the offensive line.
Signed a year ago as a free agent from Kansas City to a four-year, $28 million contract that included $13 million guaranteed, Fulton is the Texans’ most expensive and experienced blocker. He started 13 games last season and 59 of 76 career games heading into his sixth NFL season.
“Very versatile guy, played guard and center, he can even bump out and play tackle in a pinch if you had to,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Smart guy, very tough, played basically one-handed last year, had like these two fingers were broken playing right guard.
“That’s hard to do. So, glad we have him, glad we have him especially for times like this when we need help at center and he’s done a good job.”
For an overhauled offensive line in flux, Fulton is a rare constant presence. Although the Texans drafted Max Scharping in the second round, he hasn’t been able to unseat Fulton as the starter at right guard or push out right tackle Seantrel Henderson.
Although there are viable scenarios where the Texans could have Martin line up at guard with Fulton operating as the center, the most likely configuration is having Martin play center with Fulton lining up on his right.
Fulton looks extremely comfortable at center, so much so that many around the NFL consider it to be his best position.
“I love playing center,” Fulton said. “I feel like I do pretty well at center. As long as you’re locked into the playbook, it’s not much of a huge transition from guard to center.
“Obviously at center you’ve got to know what everybody is doing. That’s the main difference.”
Fulton, 27, provides a physical nature and an aggressive attitude.
“I’m more laid-back, but intense,” he said. “I bring personality. I’m real seasoned.”
Fulton was part of a line that allowed an NFL-high 62 sacks last season.
The Texans are hopeful that they’ll have much better results this season, but it remains to be seen if they’ve upgraded after signing former Pro Bowl left tackle Matt Kalil and drafting Tytus Howard in the first round and installing him as the left guard.
“We kind of take it to heart,” Fulton said. “We know that we didn’t live up to our expectations last year. We’re working to improve every part of our game. We’re definitely aware of it.
“I feel like we have a great line, a great group of guys who compete to the best of their ability. I feel like that’s a great stepping stone to be a good line.”