Tag: 2024 Houston Texans

NFL personnel praise Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. in latest rankings

Derek Stingley Jr. is already being viewed as a top defensive back entering 2024 following his breakout season with the Houston Texans.

Two seasons into his NFL career, and Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. seems to have transformed into the next rising defensive star.

While evaluators envisioned Stingley as one of the top young defensive prospects coming out of LSU, cornerbacks, in general, can often take time to flourish.

Still, countless scouts figured the 2022 No. 3 overall pick would eventually become one of the league’s top cover corners in due time.

That time has arrived following a season in DeMeco Ryans’ man-heavy system. Executives seem to agree that last season’s success wasn’t a fluke and more is expected from the 6-foot-1 defender entering Year 3.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled over 80 executives, coaches and personnel members to rank the top 10 cornerbacks heading into training camp. Stingley, who totaled five interceptions in 11 games last season, rounded out the list at No. 10.

“Stingley went one pick ahead of [Sauce] Gardner in the 2022 draft — Nos. 3 and 4, respectively — and while Gardner captivated earlier, Stingley is validating his status, too.” Fowler wrote. “Stingley had major ball production in 2023, with five interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 11 games. His 31% ball-hawk rate led the league.”

The rankings also show how high a player ranks among the evaluators. For Stingley, he appeared on at least one ballot at the No. 2 spot, trailing only Broncos’ Pat Surtain II, Browns’ Denzel Ward, Titans’ L’Jarius Sneed and Gardner.

One AFC scout mentioned how skills matched the eye test when watching the film.

“So smooth and athletic,” the scout said. “No physical limitations. Really strong with good ball skills.”

Health remains the one concern surrounding Stingely’s promising career. After playing ten games over his final two seasons at LSU, he’s only played 20 in two years for Houston due to lower-body extremities.

General manager Nick Caserio mentioned that injuries are “a part of the game” and out of the team’s control. Even with back-to-back injuries that’s forced him to miss time, everyone has been pleased with Stingely’s growth and attentiveness in coverage.

“Derek’s in a good spot. He’s had a really good offseason,” Caserio said last week before Houston’s first training camp practice. He’s worked hard.

“We’ll see how it goes here in training camp.”

Texans QB C.J. Stroud excited to play with ‘brother’ Cade Stover

C.J. Stroud and Cade Stover plan to bring a bit of the 2022 Ohio State Football magic to NRG Stadium this fall with the Houston Texans.

A quarterback must form strong bonds with his receivers if he plans to have everyone on the same page.

Some relationships are formed during the early days of training camp.
Others are created back in college and only grow once at the professional level.

For Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and rookie tight end Cade Stover, it’s more so the latter. While no longer in Columbus, the duo plans to make a similar impact as the one left at Ohio State.

“Me and Cade are brothers,” Stroud said of  Houston’s fourth-round pick earlier this week. “Somebody who I had the chance to play with in college, but spend a lot of time with him off the field in college, barbecuing, just chilling, playing the game, all type of stuff. That’s somebody I consider my brother.”

A two-time Heisman finalist, Stroud showed off his first-round talent during his final season with the Buckeyes. Completing 66.3 percent of his passes, Stroud threw 41 touchdown passes against six interceptions to help Ohio State clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Stover, a 2023 finalist for the John Mackey Award, was a go-to target for the former No. 2 overall pick inside the red zone. During the 2022 season, Stroud found Stover 36 times for 406 yards and five touchdowns.

Drafted No. 123 overall, Stover must earn reps in practice to reunite with Stroud on Sundays. Dalton Schultz, who served as Stroud’s security blanket last season while helping him win Offensive Rookie of the Year, isn’t in jeopardy of losing starting reps after signing a three-year contract to return this offseason.

Brevin Jordan served as Houston’s No. 2 tight end and offers position flexibility, lining up in multiple spots, including fullback. Entering a contract year, the Texans could have drafted Stover as Jordan’s replacement once free agency hits next offseason.

It’s still early in camp, but the former linebacker-turned-tight end has caught his quarterback’s attention while running with the second-team offense.

“He’s been doing really well out here blocking, catching, running good routes,” Stroud said. “He’s owning the offense, which is really exciting to see.”

While Stroud likely won’t suit up, fans will probably get a first glace of Stover when the Texans take on Chicago in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on August 1.

Texans: Tank Dell ready for expanded role on special teams

Tank Dell could be adding more to his plate as a return man for the Houston Texans this fall.

Tank Dell has waited since December to be at this moment.

No, not at the training camp in the middle of July, but back on the field at full speed for the Houston Texans. He’s been training to get back to this level to this level since being carted off against the Denver Broncos in Week 13.

And Dell plans on being active beyond the offense this fall. He also envisions himself factoring in on speical teams, especially on returns with the new rule added by the league this offseason.

“I’m ready for everything,” Dell said following practice on Friday. “Of course I’m ready.”

The NFL elected to adopt the new kickoff rules that mimic that of the XFL. The hope is without starting at the 35-yard line, it’ll lower the injury rate and keep players active.

On Friday, the media got a sneak peek at what the new kickoff formation looks like and which players could factor into the return game. Now, the kicking team will start at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Outside of the kicker, the remaining ten players can’t move until the ball reaches the new active zone, which is between the 20-yard line and the end zone.

Dell, plus cornerback Desmond King, receivers Steven Sims and Robert Woods and running backs Dameon Pierce and Jawhar Jordan all participated in drills during the special teams period.

“I think as many guys as you can get who can catch the ball, whether it’s receivers or running backs, we’re going to try to use all of our guys to see who is best at creating explosive plays because that’s what I think will happen on that play,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.

Dell, a third-round pick out of the University of Houston, was active in the return game during his rookie season. He was, however, in college, averaging 18.3 yards per kick return over three seasons and even took one to the house in 2020.

Last season, Dell was getting adjusted to the NFL speed in the receiving game, hauling in 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He was on pace for a 1,000-yard campaign before the injury and could have broken every Texans’ rookie franchise record.

While Dell is still getting his body right for another breakout season, he also will have to learn a new skill on kickoffs. He’s not against the change, but he did admit the old rules benefitted the returners in his mind.

“I liked it better the old way with them coming farther so I can see what I want to do,” Dell said. “It’s cool for right now, though.”

Texans: Will Anderson bulks up to build off dominant rookie season

Will Anderson Jr. wanted to make sure he was being tossed around this season, so he decided to bulk up a bit in the summer.

Will Anderson Jr. might have won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year honors after helping the Houston Texans secure their first division title in four years, but he doesn’t remember the sacks made.

Instead, he remembers the plays missed given his 248-pound frame. Seven sacks for a first-year player is often enough, but not for a player with Anderson’s motor and mentality.

It’s why he chose to bulk up this offseason, adding 15 pounds of muscle to avoid “getting tossed around.” And while the size might seem egregious for a player known for his speed, Anderson said that won’t be a problem.

He still hasn’t lost a step.

“I feel good,” Anderson said following Thursday’s practice. “Some people say I don’t even look big, so I appreciate that.”

Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, knows sights are high in Houston. Not just from the fans and national media, but also internally.

Few knew what the Texans would be like under a first-year coach and rookie quarterback in DeMeco Ryans and C. J. Stroud, respectively. Some considered seven wins as a victory in itself after three underwhelming campaigns.

Instead, Ryans rocked the locker room. Stroud surged his way to a record-setting season. Anderson pummeled quarterbacks regularly and Houston became the NFL’s next great franchise. The Texans only built their high time with marquee additions in Azeez Al-Shaair, Danielle Hunter, Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs.

Anderson, who tied J.J. Watt’s rookie franchise sack record last season, mentioned there’s plenty of new face in Houston still learning the ropes, but it doesn’t feel that way thanks to offseason team bonding.

“With everybody that’s been here and all the new guys, it just seems like we’ve been playing together for a year or two now,” Anderson said. “It just shows the type of guys that we have in this building.”

Hunter, who led the NFL in tackles for loss last fall, won’t replace Anderson as the face of the pass rush. If anything, he’ll take over for Jonathan Greenard, who cashed in on a career-high 12.5 sack season with a long-term contract with the Vikings.

For Anderson, Hunter’s arrival doesn’t push him to remain competitive. An internal drive carries that mentality.

“I always feel like there’s somebody trying to take my position, and there’s somebody always behind me that’s trying to come get what I want,” Anderson said. “I always want to stay on edge, always want to stay in front, always want to stay up to date with whatever I’ve got going on.”

The Texans return to practice Saturday morning before a rest day on Sunday.

Texans legend J.J. Watt still looks in playing shape after posting new photo

Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt isn’t helping silence the rumors that he could return in 2024.

J.J. Watt might be retired, but the former Houston Texans legend still looks like he could strap on a helmet and play tomorrow if DeMeco Ryans were to call.

Monday’s recent post on social media won’t extinguish the rumors that a return for the future Hall of Famer isn’t off the table either.

Watt, one of the league’s most feared defenders of the past decade, posted a workout photo to his X account with the caption: “progress.”

Naturally, Texans fans couldn’t contain their excitement to see the word, thus leading to speculation that the former five-time All-Pro could return to the reigning AFC South champions for one last run before actually calling it a career.

Multiple Texans fans commented, asking for an update on when he’d be signing. Another asked him if he would be on the roster before the Week 11 deadline just to give Houston that extra oomph for a playoff run.

So, could Watt return in 2024?

The image has reasons to create speculation. Still only 35, Watt told reporters during his annual charity softball game earlier this offseason that he’d return to the Texans only out of necessity.

“I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy, playing great,” Watt said  “I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: I said, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it. But if you ever do call, I’ll be there.’ This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training the way I’ve been training.”

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year shocked the NFL world following the 2022 season when he announced his retirement at only 33.

Watt was technically at the peak of his game when he called it a career, finishing with 12.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and seven pass deflections in his final year with the Arizona Cardinals.

Perhaps the most dominant pass rusher of the 2010s, Watt’s 114.5 career sacks rank 34th in NFL history. He’s also one of four players in pro football history to post three or more seasons with at least 17.5 sacks.

It’s not uncommon to see players come back for a swan song run in the playoffs before officially hanging up the cleats. Back in 2021, safety Eric Weddle joined the Los Angeles for a postseason run that eventually led to him winning a Super Bowl.

Right now, it still feels like a pipe dream for both sides. Watt seems poised to turn in his helmet for a microphone as he’ll join the media world with CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today” this fall.

Houston, who clinched its first division title since 2019 behind new franchise defensive end Will Anderson Jr., recently signed veteran Jerry Hughes. The Texans also re-signed Derek Barnett earlier this offseason to a one-year deal and agreed to terms with four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter.

Pictures like that won’t quench the rumor mill, but Watt looks content being a muscle hamster away from the football field.

Still, it never hurts to stay in shape just in case, right?

Texans: Where NFL execs ranked Joe Mixon among every NFL RB

Joe Mixon is new to Houston, but is he good enough to land in ESPN’s top 10 running back list?

Joe Mixon’s addition to the Houston Texans should strengthen the ground game after a woeful 2023 campaign. That’s at least the hope after the Texans agreed to a new three-year extension worth $27 million annually.

C.J. Stroud shined as a rookie while helping Houston clinch its first division title in four years. Then again, he had to put up video game numbers since the run game was underwhelming between Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce.

Enter Mixon, who’s coming off his fourth 1,000-yard campaign in Cincinnati and offers value out of the backfield as an extra receiver.

Mixon could be the difference between Houston being a playoff team and a Super Bowl contender. Since 2017, he ranks fourth in rushing and seventh in rushing touchdowns.

But what do NFL executives, coaches, and personnel think of the Texans’ new leading rusher?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled anonymous people around the league to get a feel for how they ranked the NFL’s best running backs. And while Mixon didn’t land in the top 10, he still ranked among the top five honorable mentions.

“He’ll be good for the Texans’ offense — he’ll be a steady presence and can get tough yards on first and second down,” one NFL personnel evaluator told Fowler.

Last season, Mixon finished with 31 explosive plays on runs over 20 yards downfield. He averaged 4.1 yards per run and picked up with his first 100-yard rushing performance in Week 18.

Entering 2024, Houston needs consistency in its backfield after finishing 28th in yards per game last season. Singletary pushed his way into the starting lineup, but he was signed to be the secondary option behind Pierce, who looked promising in his rookie season as the Texans’ long-term running back.

If Mixon can set the tone on early downs, a combination of Pierce and Jahwar Jordan should move the sticks later in the drive. That trifecta might not be the most potent lineup in the league, but Houston doesn’t need dominance to win.

The Texans return to practice for the start of training camp beginning on July 18.

What are Texans QB C.J. Stroud’s odds of winning MVP in 2024?

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud delivered a historic rookie season, but what are his chances of winning MVP in year two?

Houston Texans defensive end  J.J. Watt finished as runner-up for the NFL MVP back in 2014. Not only did it mark the best finish for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year,  but it also was the only top-three marking for a player in franchise history.

A decade later, Houston has its best chance of seeing another take home the league’s highest individual honor.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud has oddsmakers juiced on his chance to build upon his historic rookie season into MVP status. DraftKings Sportsbook listed Stroud tied with Bills quarterback Josh Allen for the second-lowest odds at +850.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes comes in as the favorite at +450.

Stroud won Offensive Rookie of the Year following a season in which he threw 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading the Texans to an AFC South championship and a playoff victory.

An MVP in Stroud’s second season would place him in elite company, joining two Hall of Famers in Dan Marino (1984) and Kurt Warner (1999) and the previous two winners in Mahomes (2018) and Lamar Jackson (2019).

Jackson and Mahomes are also two of three active players with multiple MVPs, along with New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers, which could catapult Stroud’s trajectory to new heights entering a pivotal third season.

Historically, the MVP comes from one of the top teams. The last seven winners either played for the franchise with the best record in the league or the top record in the conference.

DraftKings set Houston’s win total at 9.5, tied with the New York Jets for sixth-highest in the AFC. The Texans also have the seventh-toughest schedule, according to Sharp Football Analysis.

Houston countered the gauntlet of a schedule by adding to Stroud’s support in separate offseason trades, acquiring running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. 

A four-time Pro Bowler, Diggs joins 2023 breakout Nico Collins and standout rookie Tank Dell. The latter saw his season cut short by a season-ending leg injury in Week 13. Houston’s duo combined for 127 receptions and 2,006 yards.

Before Dell’s injury, Stroud was on fire, throwing for 1,466 yards and 10 touchdowns over four games. That run pushed Stroud’s name into MVP talks, but a concussion against the Jets sidelined him for two weeks and derailed the buzz.

In a 17-game projection, Stroud was on pace to throw for 6,230 yards and 42 touchdowns. He finished ninth in MVP voting. 

 

Pro Football Focus sees Stroud’s ceiling as an All-Pro in Year 2 under Bobby Slowik’s playbook. The Pro Football Writers Association loves storylines.

Stroud’s captured the hearts of many throughout his first year in the NFL. And in the fact that Houston is one of six franchises without an NFL MVP, it’s a recipe for dominance come 2024. 

Texans QB C.J. Stroud holds second annual youth football camp

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud continues to give back to the community every chance he gets.

Growing up, C.J. Stroud always wanted to give back to the community. Entering Year 2 as the Houston Texans starting quarterback, he now can.

Stroud hosted his second annual youth football camp on Tuesday at St. Thomas High School just outside downtown Houston. Hundreds of local kids traveled across the city to run drills, haul in passes, and better their craft while learning from the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“The night before I always try to pray and ask God for strength to be able to handle 600 kids and give them everything they’re looking for when they talk to me,” Stroud said. “That means something. I’ve had times when I met some of my heroes and they weren’t the nicest people, so I want to be that person. Like Snoop Dogg said: ‘You’re not only going to see me on TV, but you can touch me and be able to be around me and feel my energy.”

The camp was established by the C.J. Stroud Foundation and its director, Kimberly Stroud. It became a hit last offseason after Stroud was selected No. 2 overall out of Ohio State.

This year, the numbers reached new heights. Campers were enthusiastic to catch a glimpse of their favorite starting quarterback reading the field while targeting one lucky kid for an easy score.

Stroud wasn’t the only notable name in attendance. Second-year receiver and former University of Houston star Tank Dell also partook in drills, as did quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens. Texans owner Cal McNair and foundation vice president Hannah McNair also stopped by.

A man of principle, Stroud talked about the importance of listening to parents, leaning on faith, and establishing a consistent work ethic to build a path to success.

“It starts with God and listen to your parents, and that’s a recipe for success,” Stroud said. “That’s what I did as a kid and that’s what I’ll always pass along through my foundation. That’s really what I want to give, how to set a foundation set on rocks and go from there.”

Stroud, who led the NFL in passing yards per game, looks to build off a promising first season in the pros, but he also knows how to enjoy downtime. That time is being spent on giving back to the city and the fans who support him and the franchise on Sundays.

While the campers get to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while hanging out with their favorite passer, Stroud gets to spend time doing what he always wanted: giving back.

“I really used to dream of stuff like this, but it’s crazy to see the city come out and support me and want to be around me,” Stroud said. “That’s just a blessing. I’m just really inspired. I want to keep being great for that reason right there.”

Projecting Texans QB C.J. Stroud’s future contract extension

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence’s contract extension topped the market, but what will Texans QB C.J. Stroud’s second contract look like?

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence became the latest signal-caller to ink a massive, agreeing to a five-year deal worth $275 million, including $200 million guaranteed.

The contract matched Cicinnati’s Joe Burrow’s extension for second-highest in total value, trailing only Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, $450 million deal. Since the two-time league MVP agreed to his record-breaking deal, the average per-year salary for top-flight quarterbacks has increased by 22%.

With Lawrence locked up, the market price moves again before the 2024 season. And as more quarterbacks work out future extensions, sights turn to the Houston Texans and a potential long-term deal for Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud.

A deal isn’t imminent. Stroud still has three years remaining on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option that could be picked up after the 2025 season. The financial commitment makes Stroud one of the league’s best bargains, and it’s why Houston has aggressively upgraded its to maximize its Super Bowl window entering Year 2 of the DeMeco Ryans’ era.

However, Houston will eventually have to make Stroud one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks should he only build off one of the greatest rookie seasons in league history.

But what will that contract untimely be in annual salary and guarantees given the market value?

This exercise only explores players signing their second contracts, so while Dak Presscot’s potential (clears throat) $60 million annual salary was considered, it’s not included. In total, nine quarterbacks’ second contracts were used. Green Bay’s one-year extension with Jordan Love was also excluded since it was mainly used to avoid picking the fifth-year option on a first-year starter.

Those players are:

  • Patrick Mahomes (2020)
  • Dak Prescott (2021)
  • Josh Allen (2021)
  • Kyler Murray (2022)
  • Justin Herbert (2023)
  • Lamar Jackson (2023),
  • Jalen Hurts (2023),
  • Joe Burrow (2023)
  • Trevor Lawrence (2024)

The per-year cost increase previously mentioned is due to the rising salary cap total, which made the grandest single-season increase since 1994 by adding $30.6 million to the team’s pocket this past offseason.

With the NFL continually exploring avenues for revenue, such as a two-game broadcast contract on Christmas with Netflix, the league’s salary cap will expand.

So, while the per-year cost is rising, the percentage against a team’s salary cap at the signing has not significantly jumped. For instance, Burrow and Lawrence’s contracts are nearly identical, aside from Burrow being guaranteed $19 million more, yet Burrow’s percentage of the Bengals’ cap space was 24.47% at the signing compared to Lawrence accounting for 21.93% of the Jaguars cap.

When Deshaun Watson signed his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal with the Brown in 2022, it sent a seismic change to the market as more quarterbacks sought higher guaranteed totals. Mahomes’ contract in 2020 included a guaranteed money percentage of 31.4%, and Allen’s six-year, $258 million contract a year later garnered him 58.1% of guaranteed money.

Since Watson’s signing, no quarterback that’s signed their second contract has had a percentage of guaranteed money under 69%. Murray, who signed the same year, is the lowest at 69.3%. Herbert’s 2023 five-year deal worth $262.5 million peaked at 83.3%.

The average percentage of guaranteed money among the six quarterbacks to sign since Watson is 74.1%.

Spotrac estimates each team’s salary cap to be $334.8 million in 2028, a $79.4 million jump or a 31.1% increase. The last four years saw a $57.2 million increase or 28.8% leap.

Stroud, who became the youngest quarterback since Mark Sanchez (2009) to win a playoff game, figures to crack the top five in percentage against Houston’s salary cap. The average among the current top five is 23.44%. Most quarterbacks sign five-year deals to give themselves another crack at free agency, and Stroud will likely do the same.

With the parameters of a five-year extension, a 23.44% hit against the team’s salary cap at signing and 74.1% of guaranteed money, Stroud’s projected extension would be worth $392.5 million, which includes $290.8 million guaranteed.

And as for annual salary, Stroud would earn $78.5 million. Welcome to the future NFL.

The good news? That’s four years away, so Houston can relax knowing Stroud still has one of the best contracts in the league.

The bad news? This is all a projection based on current numbers. We’re one unearthly contract away from this reaching astronomical heights and making this scenario illogical.

Texans to host joint practice with Los Angeles Rams during training camp

The Houston Texans will host a joint practice with the Los Angeles, providing the offense and defense an opportunity to improve.

The Houston Texans will get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the league’s top offensive minds this August. 

According to The Athetlic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, the Los Angeles Rams and Texans will hold a joint practice on Thursday, August 22 in Houston at NRG Stadium prior to the final preseason game on August 24. 

Los Angeles bounced back from an injury-riddled 5-12 season in 2022 to make the playoffs last season. In a revenge game for Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions secured the win at Ford Field during the wild-card round. 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s return and rookie wideout Puka Nacua’s emergence helped the Rams offense go from 27th in points and 32nd in yards in 2022 to 8th in points and 7th in yards. Head coach and offensive play caller Sean McVay also played a pivotal role in the return to the postseason. 

The Texans will benefit from practicing on both and playing against a McVay-led roster heading into what hopes to be another prominent season behind Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. 

Los Angeles ranked among the league’s upper half in every major offensive category, with the run game ranking as one of the league’s most effective. The Rams did so primarily out of three wide receiver sets.

 

Stroud, the Texans’ main x-factor in 2023 to secure a postseason berth, will also spend the day with the Rams Super Bowl-winning signal caller. Stroud praised Stafford while appearing on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast.

Stafford played 15 seasons in the NFL and has seen every type of defensive formation thrown his way. Entering his second season, Stroud will likely see an uptick in new formations to trick him now with film on him. 

The practice could also be somewhat of a dress rehearsal for second-round pick Kamari Lassiter. Ideally, the Texans thought he would play on the inside, but his strong showing during minicamp on the outside generated buzz that he’ll stick as the No. 2 corner.

Few pass-catchers will point out flaws in a young defensive backs game like former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp.

 

Houston has plenty of pass-rushing talent after signing Denico Autry and Danielle Hunter to play alongside Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.

The three-hour event should be another exceptional game of chess between McVay and Ryans. The two went toe-to-toe against one another for two seasons when Ryans served as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator prior to his return to Hpuswho spent two years battling in the NFC West when Ryans was with the 49ers, with how the Texans deploy pressure.