Stalled offense needs a new gear
It’s time for the Texans to get their offensive act together because the regular season begins in 15 days against Jacksonville at NRG Stadium.
Even though there’s still no game plan in preseason because the Texans have been preparing for the Jaguars, the offense has to show some improvement against Tampa Bay after being outplayed by the defense since training camp began.
There’s no shame in losing the last preseason game to the Buccaneers, who visit NRG Stadium on Saturday. They’re coming off a Super Bowl LV victory over Kansas City, and they have every starter returning. No wonder
they’re favored to be back-toback champions for the first time since their quarterback, Tom Brady, led New England to Super Bowl victories after the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Even though they play the Bucs, the Texans do need to show some progress on offense. The Cowboys played most of their defensive starters in the first half of a game the Texans won 20-14, but the offense produced as many touchdowns as the defense — one each.
Coach David Culley, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton have to get the running and passing game going to make progress before the Texans try to begin the season 1-0 with a victory over Jacksonville.
Culley pointed out this week player evaluation is essential going into the Tampa Bay game. Rosters must be reduced to 53 by 3 p.m. Tuesday. When players clear waivers, teams can sign as many as 16 players to their practice squads Wednesday.
“First and foremost, we want to see our guys come out and play hard,” Kelly said. “It’s going to be good to play in front of our home fans, execute and really just let the offense work for them.
“In the preseason, it’s a little different than regular season, obviously, so we want to make sure our guys are able to play fast and make plays.”
The Texans were limited to 220 yards against the Cowboys, including 89 rushing — 23 by third quarterback Jeff Driskel in mop-up duty. Running backs Mark Ingram II, Phillip Lindsay and Rex Burkhead combined for 12 carries and 30 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown by Ingram.
David Johnson, last year’s starter and leading rusher, didn’t receive a carry against the Cowboys. He had one for minus-1 yard in the first game against Green Bay.
Since the Texans were 31st in rushing last season and Culley has vowed to have more balance by running more effectively, that part of the offense has to show some improvement.
“Our unit as a whole, we’re still a work in progress,” said Hamilton, who also coaches quarterbacks. “Guys are working hard to master our system to get a better gauge of the continuity that’s necessary.”
The Texans will have four of their five starters in the offensive line playing against the Bucs: left guard Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt, right guard Max Scharping and right tackle Charlie Heck.
Left tackle Garon Christian Sr. replaces Laremy Tunsil, who’s missing a third consecutive preseason game after testing positive for COVID-19.
It’s not just the running game that needs to show some progress, and it starts up front with the blocking. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was 2-of-5 for 10 yards against the Cowboys. He’s got to be more productive against the Bucs.
Hamilton, who coached Taylor last year with the Chargers, was asked this week what impresses him about the quarterback who’s entering his 11th season.
“A consistency in his preparation,” he said. “He’s so comprehensive and consistent with his preparation that he gives himself a chance to play winning football.
“When you look at his tenure and the longevity he’s had in the league, you typically don’t have guys with that much experience. I think that’s a testament to the professional that he is and the way he prepares himself.”
Culley said he plans to play most of the starters into the third quarter. When Taylor is through for the night, he should be replaced by rookie Davis Mills, who showed significant improvement against the Cowboys.
Mills completed 10-of-16 for 115 yards. He looked more confident than in his debut at Green Bay and made a couple of big-time throws.
Hamilton knew Mills before Caserio drafted him in the third round. Hamilton worked under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan when Mills was one of the nation’s highest-rated college prospects.
“I first had a chance to evaluate Davis when he was in high school, and it’s a coincidence that we have a chance to work with him and try to prepare him to play winning football,” Hamilton said.
As for Mills’ development, Hamilton said, “Time on task is paramount. I think not only the time you spend watching film but (also) the grass room (practice) time.
“It’s virtually impossible (in practice) to create the pocket environment you have to adapt to on game day, so having the opportunity to play in preseason games going into this season compared to last season will help get a better assessment and evaluation for young quarterbacks from across the league.”
This week, the Texans practiced to prepare for the Jacksonville game. This is Kelly’s eighth season with the Texans and the first time he won’t have Deshaun Watson at quarterback since the 2016 season.
After the preseason schedule ends, the Texans will get serious about their game plan for the Jaguars. The Texans will have two weeks to get ready for their first game.
“The philosophy here has always been to formulate a game plan that’s best to fit our skill set and put us in the best situation in terms of matchups,” Kelly said. “We’re accustomed to doing that and making sure our game plans are fluid and (we’re) able to adjust. And base it on who do we have available, who are we going up against and what’s going to give us the best chance to score?”
Touchdowns might be few and far between against Tampa Bay, but no one has to remind the coaches that more is expected from an offense that doesn’t want to enter the season as a weak link.