Earning his spot
» Texans running back Buddy Howell knows his role.
Texans running back Buddy Howell continued to state his case to make the team with his performance in Saturday’s preseason victory over Detroit.
Howell is part of the group of backs trying to earn spots on the roster behind starter Lamar Miller and backup Duke Johnson, who practiced with his new teammates for the first time Tuesday.
Coach Bill O’Brien said he’s not sure if the Texans will keep four backs on the 53-man roster. If Howell continues to excel on special teams as he did last season and run like he did against the Lions, he’s got a chance to win that third job and let the others fight it out for a fourth — and last — spot.
Howell (6-1, 218) carried 15 times for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry. And he’s been exceptional on the coverage teams. That’s why he made the team last year after being claimed on waivers from Miami.
“Buddy’s a good player,” O’Brien said. “He’s a tough player. He’s a good special teams player, so he’s been productive for us.
“That’s a very competitive position. We’ve got guys that are playing well.”
Howell, Taiwan Jones and Josh Ferguson are veteran running backs competing with undrafted rookies Damarea Crockett and Karan Higdon Jr. When the coaches are making their decisions, contributions on special teams play a significant role. Special teams coordinator Brad Seely has a lot of influence with O’Brien.
“I understand what my role is,” Howell said. “I’m willing to buy in for whatever they need. I’m with an organization that gave me an opportunity, and I’m all in.”
Howell actually relishes playing special teams. He’s got the disposition of a defensive player because he likes to hit people. He’s been that way since he came out of Florida Atlantic University.
“A lot of guys coming out of college don’t want to play on special teams,” he said. “Special teams is an opportunity to prove yourself.”
Howell proved himself last year, but now he has to do it again. He’s well on his way to making the team again, but he’s the first to admit he’ll never feel secure.
“When you feel like you’re a dominant player, and you feel like you can be effective and nobody can stop you, you can play special teams and have so many great players around you who’ve bought in and they make it easy to play fast and play hard,” he said. “You don’t have to think too much on special teams if you know your assignment. When you feel like that and you can be effective, that can carry me throughout the year.”
After the Texans claimed Howell on waivers last year, they thought so much of his performance on special teams they kept him on the roster but didn’t use him at running back.
Howell showed against the Lions he can be effective as a running back. He’d like to get more opportunities to play in the backfield but will never complain about it because he knows what got him to Houston and what can help him make the team again, and that’s charging down the field to make tackles on returns.
“Being able to carry the ball and get positive yardage every time I ran the ball, people notice that,” he said. “That’s not really my concern, though. At this point, I’m looking for any opportunity to show what I’m capable of doing, and I’m going to take advantage of it.”
Howell has the kind of attitude coaches love.
“I come to work and keep my head down, and I don’t think about if I’m going to be on the team or if I’m going to get the ball,” he said. “If you think about stuff like that, it can throw you off.
“That’s (making the team) something for the coaches to decide. I know that every time I’m on the field, I want to be looked at as a dependable player, somebody that can get the job done no matter what the job is.”
Howell likes the competition he has with the other backs who are competing for one or two roster spots with Miller and Johnson.
“We’ve got a great group,” he said. “A lot of talent, good competition. I don’t know where I stand, but I continue to accept coaching, work hard, do my job and try to be a good teammate.”
That’s music to O’Brien’s ears. "A lot of it comes down to core special teams,” O’Brien said. “Once we hit the regular season, what those guys will basically practice is their special teams responsibility — the more you can do, the more you can help us in your offensive or defensive position and then contribute on special teams. That's a big deal when it comes to the 53-man roster.”
And that’s a 53-man roster Howell plans to be part of.