Tunsil’s growth is on display
Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is validating his contract extension that makes him the highestpaid lineman in the NFL.
Tunsil leads the NFL with an 89.8 pass blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He hasn’t allowed a sack or a quarterback hit and has yielded only four hurries. After leading the NFL with 18 penalties and a dozen false starts last season, Tunsil hasn’t committed a single penalty this season. One false start incorrectly attributed to him was committed by right tackle Tytus Howard.
“Man, it’s just the beginning of the season,” Tunsil said Friday afternoon. “I’ve got a lot of games to play, a lot of good teams, a lot of good matchups. I just try to get the job done and just keep going, man, just try to build and get better each week.”
Tunsil is the first Texans offensive lineman to be named to the Pro Bowl since left tackle Duane Brown did so in 2014.
The improvement and increased comfort level in Tunsil is obvious one year after he was acquired in a trade from Miami for two first-round picks.
“Laremy’s a freak,” Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said. “He’s playing at an incredibly high level in both the pass game and the run game. He did a great job in the offseason cleaning up some of the issues that we had talked about at the end of last season. We’re really excited with the way he’s playing.”
Tunsil has made major strides in his conditioning, adding lean muscle and upgrading his stamina by lifting heavier weights and performing explosive movements while rehabilitating a torn labrum in his shoulder during the offseason.
“I can’t take any credit for what Laremy does on the field, but it’s a testament to his work ethic,”
said Billy Voltaire of Volt Performance and Physical Therapy and a former Texans and Broncos strength and conditioning and physical therapy specialist. “That’s a testament to his commitment to his craft and wanting to be the best in the league. Laremy will keep going all day. He loves it and he will beat his opponent to the last whistle.”
Tunsil faces a stiff challenge Sunday against the undefeated Titans.
That includes blocking former Texans Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who’s been disruptive and gotten into the backfield a lot with his new team. Clowney has no sacks but has five quarterback hits and two tackles for losses.
“Great player, we’ve got to get a lot of hands on him,” Tunsil said. “He’s one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, and he’s wellrespected. We’ve got to find a way to handle him.”
Titans’ secondary has familiar face
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph, the Texans’ alltime leader with 17 interceptions, provided a reliable presence on the field and wisdom inside the locker room for his nine years in Houston.
Now, he is doing that for an AFC South division rival.
Joseph, 36, has started four games for Tennessee since signing a one-year, $2 million contract. He has one interception, 15 tackles and one forced fumble.
It’s strange for Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver to see Joseph wearing a different uniform.
“Oh man, every time J-Joe makes a play and he gives that little shoulder shimmy, I know exactly where he’s at,” Weaver said. “God, I love J-Joe. He made a bunch of plays for us here in Houston. What a tremendous guy. He’s had an incredible career. Let’s just hope that he has a subpar game this Sunday.”
Versatile Murray boost for defense
The Texans raised a few eyebrows when they signed safety Eric Murray to a three-year, $20.25 million contract this offseason.
Murray, drafted in the fourth round by Kansas City in 2016, is a converted corner whose career production didn’t signal a big contract on the horizon.
The Texans liked his versatility, though, and have utilized Murray at several spots. Murray has been a solid tackler, not missing any tackles, and has operated lately as a slot corner with the Texans using extra safety defensive alignments.
Murray hasn’t generated a lot of big plays while playing 96 percent of the defensive snaps and just one special-teams snap. He has 27 tackles, two quarterback hits, one forced fumble with no interceptions and one pass deflection for a defense that doesn’t give up a lot of deep passes.
“I like him quite a bit because I think he’s a smart player,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “He can play multiple positions. He doesn’t back down from any of the challenges we throw at him. He will jump in and do it and do it with gusto.”