Tag: Bobby Slowik

Texans commit to running the football more in Week 2

The Houston Texans are determined to run the football more in Week 2 as they take on the Indianapolis Colts.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce led all rushers in total carries on Sunday in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Just the sound of that would make Texans fans happy until they checked the box score and saw that he had 11 attempts for just 38 yards.

That is not enough carries for one of the best running backs in the NFL last season, who was the only consistent weapon the Texans had on offense.

Houston lost to Baltimore by a score of 25-9, with Pierce only receiving 35 snaps for the game, which was only eight more than backup running back Mike Boone.

“I think we can run it more,” said Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during his press conference. “We’ll try to run it more. I think we can be more effective at it, we can block it better, and you’ll see that.”

With the Indianapolis Colts headed to NRG Stadium on Sunday for the Texans home opener, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik knows that to be successful and get Houston their first home win in over 19 games. Their last at NRG was on December 26, 2021, against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“To me, everything is a starting point [and] comes back to me,” said Slowik about the lack of production in the running game. “I wanted to stick with the run longer, and I got away from it at the end. ‘D.P.’ [Dameon Pierce] should touch the ball more than he did. I don’t think anyone in here has any question about that; I mean, we all want to see Dameon run. So that’s definitely something we want to do. Sometimes it was a play call issue on my part. Sometimes it was an issue as far as just executing self-inflicted wound stuff. So, again, we’ll be cleaner on that this week.”

Slowik’s offense is predicated on getting the run game going so he can incorporate passing plays down the field by using play-action and allowing rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud to use his arm to get the ball into the wide receiver’s hands, which was something missing from the offensive production in the second half when the Texans were outscored 18-3 by the Ravens. Houston ranked 31st in rushing efficiency and last in the NFL in designed runs after Week 1.

Pierce, 23, finished his rookie campaign with 939 yards rushing on 220 carries in 13 games, missing the final four games due to an ankle injury. He worked all off-season to ensure he came into training camp in shape and ready to handle more of the offensive load in the Slowik-led system.

Although he wanted more touches in the game, Pierce realized that certain factors played a role in his limited production.

“Playing from behind and playing from behind the sticks [yard markers], Pierce said, were the two main reasons Houston had to abandon the running game last week. “You can’t run the ball. That is not a recipe to run the ball.”

“Last week, we were not as crisp, getting down in the play clock and snapping the ball with two seconds. We got a few penalties for not being set or illegal procedure. We just need to make things a lot simpler for C.J. this week and an offense as a whole.”

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5 statistic takeaways from Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Ravens

Here are five key observations regarding the Houston Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

The Houston Texans and coach DeMeco Ryans opened up the season on Sunday with a 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The contest featured the NFL debut of first round picks C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson and was also the first look for fans at the new schemes from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and defensive coordinator Matt Burke.

Despite the results, there were some encouraging signs and potential signs of trouble within the game that are worth discussing moving forward. Here are four interesting developments per NFL Next Gen that fans should pay attention to as the Texans look to turn the corner at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

Texans OC Bobby Slowik feels ‘really good’ about offensive line

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has confidence in the offensive line ahead of NFL Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Houston Texans have three question marks across the offensive line, but offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik rests assured as to the answers.

Slowik met with reporters Sept. 7 and felt “really good” when asked about his confidence level with the five-man unit that has sustained injuries throughout the preseason.

“I mean, based on practice, which is all I can go off of right now, they’ve been locked in, they’ve been on it,” Slowik said. “They’ve handled everything we have given to them.”

The definitive vision for the Texans’ offensive line included second-year Kenyon Green starting at left guard, second-rounder Juice Scruggs at center, and fifth-year Tytus Howard at right tackle. Instead Houston will plug sixth-rounder Jarrett Patterson at center and go with new acquisitions Kendrick Green and Josh Jones to address their guard and tackle problems.

“They’ve taken advantage of looks we need to take advantage of,” said Slowik. “They’ve handled issues where there’s issues to be handled. They’ve done a really good job in practice.”

The Texans have key veterans at left tackle in three-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil and right guard Shaq Mason, who has logged 115 starts over 120 activations with the New England Patriots (2015-21) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022).

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Texans OC Bobby Slowik says C Jarrett Patterson is ‘extremely reliable’

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has confidence in rookie center Jarrett Patterson as the team prepares for Week 1.

The Houston Texans are going with a rookie center after all.

Scott Quessenberry, who started 16 games a year ago, tore his ACL and MCL early in training camp. Second-rounder Juice Scruggs assumed the position, but was placed on injured reserve to begin the 2023 campaign.

For the Texans, the philosophy has been “next man up,” which can be said of all other 31 teams. However, Houston went with another rookie in sixth-round pick Jarrett Patterson.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik expressed confidence in the former Notre Dame product’s ability to anchor the offensive line as the Texans face the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

“The biggest thing that stands out with him is consistency and reliability,” Slowik told reporters Sept. 7. “You know what you’re going to get — he’s the same every day. He’s very, very sharp. Mentally, he’s on his calls, on his technique. He gets better every day.”

Patterson has displayed a bevy of traits since joining the Texans in May, but consistency has been exceptional.

Said Slowik: “He’s just extremely reliable for a young offensive lineman — that stood out from day one, really when he came in in training camp.”

In addition to Patterson, the Texans will start another rookie on offense in quarterback C.J. Stroud, making them the first rookie center-quarterback duo to debut on Opening Day in Texans history.

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Can the Texans offense handle the rain in Baltimore?

The Houston Texans offense may have rain to work with when they take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

The Houston Texans offense may have more than the Baltimore Ravens to contend with on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Weather forecasts have the Texans kicking off the 2023 season under mostly cloudy skies with 82 degrees and six mile-per-hour winds at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. However, that is sandwiched between scattered thunderstorms throughout the late morning and once more in the late afternoon.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s new scheme may be deployed amid rain and a slick grass turf.

“I think you always look at the weather forecast before you even start the process,” Slowik told reporters Thursday. “It changes. Sometimes it’s supposed to be clear skies, sunny. Friday, all of a sudden, there’s going to be thunderstorms and you have to adjust.”

Like with most surprises in the NFL, the key is preparedness.

“If you can get ahead of it and you know there’s a potential for rain, it does play a little bit of a factor, especially as the week goes on and you have a chance to talk through with the players — maybe specific routes they won’t run, the quarterback — what he feels good throwing — the run game. I mean, [rain] even impacts footing in the run game and kind of your run concepts, so it’s always something you file away.”

Overthinking can summon a bad decision just as making a call without enough information. The key for Slowik will be how the weather forecast looks on game day from the site of the start of the C.J. Stroud era.

“You never want to overdo it because the weather is unpredictable and it can change, but it’s something you have to prepare for, and then particularly day of, that’s really when you go through and hammer out on your game plan what calls you want, what calls — maybe not so much,” said Slowik.

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Texans’ Dameon Pierce cracks Touchdown Wire’s top-11 running backs rankings

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce managed to place on the Touchdown Wire’s list of top-11 running backs in the NFL.

As a team the 2022 Houston Texans were forgettable. However, the roster for the franchise’s 21st season produced underrated talent that is starting to gain national recognition.

Dameon Pierce earned a measure of that attention in his rookie season. The fourth-round running back generated 939 yards through 13 games, finishing third in the league among all rookies. Assuredly the Florida product could have crested the 1,000-yard mark if he had played the final four games, and become the first Texans rookie to do so.

According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, Pierce is already the eighth-best running back in the NFL — coming ahead of the likes of Austin Ekeler, Javonte Williams, and Tony Pollard.

Pierce did nothing to dissuade his believers in his rookie season, gaining 939 yards and scoring four touchdowns on just 220 carries, and adding 30 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown for good measure in an offense that otherwise struggled to impress. Pearce’s ability to make things happen after first contact was perhaps his primary attribute as a draft prospect, and he forwarded that to the NFL with conviction — his 62 missed tackles forced ranked fifth in the league, his 3.28 yards after contact per attempt ranked eighth, and 722 of those 939 rushing yards came after contact.

This 24-yard run against the Cowboys in Week 14 shows that if you don’t bring every fiber of your being when it’s time to tackle Pierce, things are not going to go well for your defense.

Where Pierce may see more positive recognition is after working in new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s system. With a scheme that places an emphasis on establishing the run, Pierce will have his chances to feature as a key component in the offense.

Houston fans are hopeful Pierce then becomes, not only a top-3 back, but helps the Texans get out of the AFC South basement in the process.

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Texans QB C.J. Stroud overcoming challenges, showing steady improvement

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is improving each day and learning from mistakes that are part of acclimating to the pro game.

HOUSTON — The fans were in attendance on Friday to watch the Houston Texans prepare for their first preseason game versus the New England Patriots Aug. 10 at Gillette Stadium. Most in attendance got exactly what they came for, and that is an excellent performance from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud who has stacked back-to-back training camp days that are showing his progression. He took all the first-team reps, which is something he has not done in training camp.

“You know, Stroud is doing a great job, and he’s improving just like we asked all of our guys,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “When it comes to development and what do you expect from training camp, I expect everybody to be better than they were the day before.”

Stroud displayed what his head coach was thinking on Friday when he found wide receiver Nico Collins streaking down the sidelines for a 40-yard touchdown pass over cornerback Shaquill Griffin. It was the second consecutive day that the tandem connected.

On Thursday, Stroud found Collins in the back of the end zone for his first touchdown of training camp. It was an impressive throw and catch by the rookie quarterback, especially considering that it came over cornerback Derek Stingley.

“He, is throwing it up where I can get it,” Collins said about Stroud utilizing his catch radius. “But that’s why we’re here practicing every day, just to get it and get that touch right so on Sundays, we can shine, for sure. And I can’t wait for the season.”

The only miscue Stroud had on Friday was an interception he threw to linebacker Denzel Perryman who read Stroud’s eyes the entire time as he continued to get depth in zone coverage. The window for Stroud to get the ball to tight end Mason Schrek was small, and he took the chance on completing the pass but came up short. After the play, he immediately took the blame for the turnover.

“That play, I think it was a zone and I was just doing my job,” Perryman said about his interception on Stroud. “Staying in my little vicinity, my area, reading the quarterback’s eyes, saw his hand come off the ball, and it was coming right towards me. The only thing I was thinking was, ‘Catch it.’”

As training camp progresses, Stroud has learned to take what defense gives him and not try to make the spectacular play. Over the last two days, he has scrambled out of the pocket when the receivers are covered. He is also getting the ball out of his hands and making quicker decisions, which impressed offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

“Having answers and preparation is a big part of just being able to handle the environment, and then on top of that, being able to continue to trust his feet, go through his progressions, which he’s done a really good job of as we get through camp,” Slowik responded when asked about Stroud. “That’s what training camp is about. Training camp is about good-on-good, not always having a perfect play, and seeing if we can make it work because that winds up paying off in the season.”

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Texans OC Bobby Slowik believes QB C.J. Stroud has responded to challenges

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik says that rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has done well responding to challenges.

C.J. Stroud may have had a theatrical entrance to the NFL as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, but the rest of the Houston Texans rookie’s acclimation hasn’t been as glamorous.

The former Ohio State quarterback has had to respond to challenges throughout training camp, and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has paid attention to Stroud’s composure.

“The first thing I’ve seen is that it’s really hot in Houston, and I know there’s challenges that come with that,” Slowik told reporters Aug. 1 after practice. “Making sure that you know how to handle the heat, you know how to handle the challenges of a wet ball, you know how to handle the challenges of a center who maybe just ran four run plays in a row and 30 yards down field and, you know, he’s a little greased up.”

Despite the heat and the slippery conditions from the humidity and sweat, Stroud still was able to have quality reps.

“Having answers and preparation for that is a big part of just being able to handle the environment, and then on top of that, being able to continue to trust his feet, go through his progressions, which he’s done a really good job of as we get through camp.”

Stroud has also demonstrated the ability to learn from mistakes — regardless of who is at fault.

Said Slowik: “Then mistakes get made along the way. Sometimes it’s the receiver, sometimes it’s me, sometimes it’s him, and you kind of just learn from them, grow from them, bank it. That’s what training camp is about. Training camp is about good-on-good, not always having a perfect play, and seeing if we can make it work because that winds up paying off in season.”

Stroud is currently locked into a battle with Davis Mills for the starting quarterback job. If the rookie can continue to show he can handle adversity, the nod to Stroud should be a given.

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Texans OC Bobby Slowik says WR Tank Dell is ‘a joy to coach’

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik says rookie receiver Tank Dell is “a joy to coach.”

The Houston Texans are installing a new scheme as part of the DeMeco Ryans takeover, and it offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s job to get the personnel on the same page.

Slowik spent 2017-22 coaching for Kyle Shanahan on the San Francisco 49ers’ staff. After a year as a defensive assistant, Slowik switched to the offense and worked his way up to passing game coordinator as his last post in 2022.

The 36-year-old has coached a bevy of players in that span, and knows what a pleasure it is to work with Tank Dell.

“He’s extremely fun to coach,” Slowik told reporters Aug. 1 after training camp practice. “That would be the first thing I have to say about Tank is just he is a joy to coach.”

Part of what makes the third-round receiver from Houston an enjoyable part of Slowik’s job is the rookie’s willingness to learn.

Said Slowik: “He’s always listening, he’s [intentional], he wants to work. I think I mentioned in the offseason just how hungry he is, how much he prepares, and he knows how much he has to prepare just [in] how different this was in college. And he goes out, and things you talk about he puts on tape, he does. And he’s an elite separator and it shows up.”

Dell generated 109 catches for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns through his final 13 games with the Houston Cougars last year. If the 5-8, 165-pound wideout is to bring even a fraction of that production to the Texans, it will necessitate the traits Dell has showcased for Slowik.

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Texans RB Dameon Pierce focusing on ‘little things’ to produce big results

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce believes that giving attention to the smaller points will yield larger gains in 2023.

HOUSTON — Things were going very well for Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce throughout the first 13 games of his 2022 rookie season.

The fourth-rounder was proving to the rest of the NFL that the Texans got a steal by taking a chance on him. The former Florida product was being considered for Offensive Rookie of the Year by the voters as he was the leading rusher amongst all rookies and in the top ten of all running backs in the league in rushing yards.

But everything came to a halt after Pierce suffered a high ankle sprain against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13 that caused him to be placed on the injured reserve list and miss the last four games of the season. At the time of his injury, he was ranked seventh in rushing with 939 yards, just 61 yards shy of 1,000 yards for the season.

With a new offensive system being installed by first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik which will focus on getting the ball in his hands more, Pierce has come into training camp looking leaner and quicker. He also recognizes what an entirely healthy season will look like for him.

“It’s going to look a lot better than last year,” said Pierce when talking about his rookie season. “Definitely cap 1,000 [rushing] yards. I definitely see that as a goal I have for myself. That’s what I expect from me, so I definitely want to cap 1,000. ‘Slow’ [Bobby Slowik] expects that, everybody around me expects that, and I’m going to try everything in my power to get that.”

Pierce isn’t the only one with high expectations for him this season. First-year head coach DeMeco Ryans watched the running backs flourish on his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, in a similar system to what Slowik will run this season.

“For us to be a good offense, we have to have Dameon at his A-game,” Ryans told reporters after training camp practice. “We know his abilities, capabilities as a back, and what he can do.”

Always looking for a competitive edge, Pierce realizes that he surprised a lot of teams who looked at his draft position and didn’t think he would be as explosive and powerful as he was during the game. Coming into this season, he wants to improve by becoming a better player while executing the same game plan off the field as he does in between the hash marks.

“Coach ‘D.B.’ [Danny Barrett] has a lot to do with this — just learning how to be a pro off the field — because on the field is the easy part,” Pierce stated when he was asked about the lessons he has learned from last season. “We’ve been playing football our whole life, but getting into a routine, getting in the building early, getting that film, retaining the information that is given.

“Just small stuff like that makes me a better player on the field because the less I think, the faster I play. And with the way that I’ve been playing, if you add more speed to that, the possibilities are endless. My ceiling is as high as ever. So just working on — from last year to this year — what I’ve learned is it’s the little things, so [there can be a] big result. I’ve been working on a lot of little things.”

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