Tag: Texans passing game

TeX’s and O’s: Saquon Barkey could bring lethal edge to Texans’ offense

If the Texans are looking to take their offense to the next level, adding Saquon Barkley could do the trick

It is approaching Saquon Barkley mania in Houston.

After a crushing loss to the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 in the AFC Divisional Round, the goals for the Houston Texans’ offense have been abundantly clear. If they want to compete with the cream of the conference, including Baltimore and the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs, they have to find ways to more effectively run the ball.

With major investments already made along the offensive line, including three of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the league, the focus has naturally gone to the running back position. From there, the dream pairing has been obvious to everyone.

National analysts, fantasy football fans, and the Texans’ own diehards all share a common sentiment that it would be incredible to watch free agent Saquon Barkley join rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the rest of an extremely talented offense under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

In the last two weeks, Barkley has done nothing to stop the speculation. In fact, despite public comments that he would like to play in New York, he has thrown more fuel on the fire.

Barkley followed Stroud, wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, incumbent starting running back Devin Singletary, franchise legend J.J. Watt, and tight end Brevin Jordan on Instagram last week. He also liked a tweet from Houston rapper Paul Wall recruiting him to come to the team.

KPRC reporter Aaron Wilson confirmed the interest on Sunday when he reported that Barkley reached out to members of the team, including Stroud, to express his interest in joining Texans.

The fit, at least at a glance, could not be more clear. A team that desperately needs to improve how they run the ball and find ways to take pressure off of their quarterback could add one of the most dynamic backfield weapons in the NFL. It isn’t very hard to tie the connections together and why Barkley, who is seeking a payday from one of the NFL’s teams with ample cap space, would be interested in the opportunity to compete while securing the money he’s earned.

Is it too good to be true?

Barkley is coming off a 2023 campaign where he played in 14 games and carried the rock 247 times for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry and also chipped in 41 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns. It was a sharp decrease from his 2022 campaign, where he made the Pro Bowl, rushed for 1300 yards and helped guide the Giants to the playoffs.

On paper, he represents an explosive vertical runner who could maximize Houston’s investments on the offensive line and get the most out of their commitment to the running game. They just have to ensure that they’re getting one of the better versions of Barkley compared to last year.

However, that small decline is one of two main questions regarding how Barkley would really fit as a runner under Slowik.

This decrease could logically be attributed to playing on a failing offense under quarterbacks Tommy Devito and Tyrod Taylor while Daniel Jones was injured. The Giants were considered one of the least talented offenses in the NFL and he naturally received the bulk of defense’s attention from that standpoint.

It’s very fair to believe that Barkley would improve immensely behind Houston’s superior offensive line and with defenses forced to account for weapons such as Collins, Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz. In fact, New York Giants reporter Dan Schneier believes that it should be one of the biggest reasons the Texans should believe in Barkley.

“Ultimately, playing alongside C.J. Stroud will be the biggest difference for Barkley.” Schneier said told Texans Wire when asked about the free-agent running back’s potential fit in Houston.”It will be the first time in his career he’s played with elite or borderline elite QB production.”

Defenses would certainly have to account for Stroud in the threat of play action on any down. However, last season’s offensive tendencies would suggest that the Texans will still run the ball plenty. This has led to some concerns over how Barkley would succeed in the Shanahan-style zone running scheme, contrary to the power gap mechanisms that he thrived in early in his career and at Penn State.

The data doesn’t suggest that the new playbook would be a problem either.

Barkley ran predominantly zone in 2023, with his four highest-graded rushing performances of the season, per PFF, coming in games where he saw 11-plus zone carries. Giants head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have run a variable offense that has helped mature Barkley into a more patient runner who is willing to take what is blocked for him rather than always hunting home runs. On that note, Schneier also believes the past two seasons have well prepared him for the transition.

“Over the last two seasons under Daboll & Kafka, Barkley has made significant changes to his running style – getting vertical faster,” he said of the runner’s maturation. “This could help him transition to Slowik’s scheme faster.

If you believe that Barkley will both rebound with a legitimate supporting cast and is prepared for how Houston wants to run the ball, it’s an easy fit to get behind. However, this still might not justify the level of pay that Barkley will likely command at over $10 million per season. What differentiates him from other players who could succeed running the ball with the support of this offense?

Look no further than motion and the passing game.

Last season, Barkley ranked in just the top 20 in running back targets. The Giant’s offensive ineptitude was demonstrated by the back seeing his second-lowest volume of targets ever in a season where he was healthy. However, in the year prior, 2022, when New York’s offense was functional, he ranked sixth with 76 targets. In fact, across his career, Barkley has had over 40 receptions in five of his six seasons in the NFL and he represents a versatile player who can contribute through the air.

Barkley is capable of taking screen passes to the house, serving as a late checkdown, or even lining up wide on the line of scrimmage. From the line of scrimmage, he can run quick routes, crossers, or even be incorporated into sweep concepts that demand attention from the defense and spread heavy personnel thin.

It would add another weapon to threaten defenses on the perimeter, but it becomes even more intriguing when considering Slowik’s love of motion. Barkley demands attention from defenders whenever he moves, even when plays are not designed to get him the ball. This could be sequenced together with the rest of Houston’s dynamic offensive players for an offense that becomes infuriating to stop.

A runningback who punishes defenses when he carries the ball, threatens defenses vertically and horizontally when running routes, and further distracts and exhausts them even when the play is not designed to go his way. It’s exactly the type of player that could make this offense lethal; just look at how the San Francisco 49ers have evolved with the presence of Christian McCaffrey.

There are fair concerns outside of Barkley’s football fit that are worth addressing.

Barkley could demand upwards of $12 million per year on a multi-year contract. While the rest of the league works towards spending less money on the running back position and saving costs there, this would represent going completely against convention. The team will also likely need to win a bidding war against other franchises looking to add the dynamic back in free agency.

Fortunately, the financial situation in Houston is different from the rest of the league. They not only have a great deal of salary cap space, but they also have the luxury of a rookie quarterback and most of their marquee players currently playing on rookie deals. If there was ever a team that could afford a short, front-loaded contract for a running back, the Houston Texans would be that team.

The other concern would be Barkley’s injury history. He played in only two games in 2020 and, despite playing in 13 games in 2021, he was only able to carry 162 times and ran for less than 600 yards. He is 27 years old and carries the common concern that teams do not want to be the ones that pay for a second-contract running back and witness their decline

This is an inherent risk of signing Barkley but one that the Texans may feel comfortable with due to their ability to alleviate his workload by leaning on elite quarterback play. It also would not be out of the question for Houston to sign another high end backup to further make sure that their star running back can stay healthy

Overall, this assessment makes as much sense on the deep dive as it does on the surface level.

Barkley has the chance to add a dynamic edge to the Texans’ offense and create one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL. What he could represent for Slowik, both with his ability to carry the ball and his presence on motion concepts, could allow every player in the offense to be a better version of themselves.

If the money makes sense and the interest is indeed mutual, this one seems like a perfect pairing. Fans will just have to wait to see if general manager Nick Caserio can deliver on their offseason dream.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023 No. 5 Nico Collins

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is Nico Collins, who had a career year.

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Entering the top 10, we took a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson and linebacker Christian Harris, and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and budding shutdown cornerback Derek Stingley

Entering the top five, the Texans offense takes center stage with none other than standout third-year wideout Nico Collins.

Former OROY Cam Newton says C.J. Stroud had greatest rookie season ever

Former No. 1 pick Cam Newton had high praise for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Cam Newton is no stranger to excellent rookie quarterbacking.

After the Carolina Panthers drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL draft, Newton tore through the league with 4,000 passing yards in addition to 14 rushing touchdowns on his way to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. It was the start of a career that would later include NFL MVP in 2015 and a Super Bowl run while consistently putting up gaudy numbers for Carolina.

Despite his own greatness and becoming the first rookie quarterback to ever throw for 4,000 yards in a rookie season, Newton doesn’t believe the best campaign ever was his own. He met with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to give him that credit in Las Vegas.

“I don’t know nobody that really had a better rookie campaign than you.” Newton said before Stroud interjected that it was debatable.

After, Newton explained the difference was that, “We didn’t make it to the playoffs, we didn’t win. You won and you made it look sexy, you were standing on business. It wasn’t even your performance as much as you defying the odds. You did it with so much class, so much grace.”

Newton later complimented Stroud on showing out against the Georgia Bulldogs and SEC competition a year earlier in the College Football Playoff, which was no surprise considering how Newton played for the Auburn Tigers. He credited Stroud for carrying that momentum into turning around the Texans franchise and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

It is yet another former player bringing well deserved high praise of Stroud after a phenomenal year. Nobody is as recently removed from the game as Newton, so his praise rings even stronger as someone who was quarterbacking at an MVP level not too long ago.

Newton will have to watch if Bryce Young, his successor in Carolina and the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft one selection before Stroud, can find that type of success as well moving forward. Meanwhile, the Texans franchise quarterback will have to carry all this good will into what many hope could be a Super Bowl run in 2024.

Why Eric Bieniemy would be a perfect addition for Texans

John Crumpler states his case for Eric Bieniemy to replace former Texans senior offensive assistant in Shane Day.

The Kansas City Chiefs secured their second consecutive Super Bowl title and third championship in five seasons this past Sunday. Under the guidance of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have officially entered dynasty territory and will be discussed as one of the best NFL teams ever assembled.

Much focus goes towards the greatness of Mahomes and the inevitability that he brings where Kansas City will almost certainly have a chance to win the game regardless of what happens. It’s deserved praise for a player that will certainly compete with Tom Brady for the title of greatest quarterback of all time by the time this is over.

However, one storyline is grossly underscored in the Chiefs dynasty — defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Spagnuolo was hired by Reid in 2019 and has turned the Chiefs defense from poor to serviceable and now elite under his stewardship. Kansas City had one of the youngest, yet best defenses in the NFL in 2023 and is showing no signs of slowing down entering 2024. A huge part of that is the assured presence of Spagnuolo. He signed a contract extension on Tuesday with the Chiefs and represents one of the biggest advantages in football for Reid.

The head coach never has to worry about losing his coordinator that specializes in the other side of the football. Reid can focus on working on the offense with Mahomes and whoever is serving as offensive coordinator, while Spagnuolo brings a wealth of experience and pedigree towards handling the defense.

It’s an advantage many franchises in the NFL would love to have and it begs the question of how the Houston Texans could find their own version of it.

That answer could potentially be available for head coach DeMeco Ryans if they were to look towards Kansas City.

Eric Bieniemy has had an interesting time in the NFL. He served as offensive coordinator for the Chiefs from 2018-22 before taking the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator job in 2023. Each of the last five coaching cycles have seen Bieniemy go through the head coach interview process after piloting highly successful offenses. Even after a down year in Washington, Bieniemy was still considered for the Commanders lead job.

Despite that, Bieniemy has been unable to land the top job. In fact, new Washington head coach Dan Quinn even declined to retain him on his new staff for their incoming rookie quarterback. The reasons for this are unclear, and likely very complex from team to team, but it appears the odds of a head coach career in the NFL for Bieniemy are unlikely at this stage.

In this way, Bieniemy suddenly appears as an offensive equivalent to Spagnuolo. Someone with ample success in the NFL, years of experience on their side of the football, and yet with little chance at ever being promoted beyond the coordinator role.

Recently, the Texans lost their senior offensive assistant in Shane Day to the Los Angeles Chargers. The opening begs the question of if Bieniemy could be brought in as a replacement, and potentially as a future Spagnuolo to Ryans’ Reid.

Bieniemy would bring diverse offensive concepts from a highly respected coaching tree under Reid. He showed off in Washington an offense that wants to lean on the quarterback, as evidenced by their volume of passing attempts despite shaky quarterback play throughout the season. His experience as a running backs coach from 2013-17 would also lend itself to helping the run game.

Marrying these concepts with the skeleton of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s scheme that is based on principles taken from Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco could yield a new and innovative offense for quarterback C.J. Stroud to pilot.

Speaking of Stroud, Bieniemy has plenty of experience working with budding elite quarterbacks. He oversaw the launch of Mahomes’ career and helped guide the offense as it transitioned identities after the departure of elite receiver Tyreek Hill. He knows how to work with that caliber of talent and how to work with rosters that have varying strengths.

Finally, Bieniemy could stop the brain drain.

Slowik is assumed around the league to be a top candidate for head coaching jobs in the 2025 cycle. Quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, his likely successor, could very well follow that path as well the following year based on the league’s propensity to hunt young, innovative offensive minds.

Bieniemy could help them shape the offense and, when inevitably both are lost to head coaching opportunities, takeover offensive play-calling with the full trust of both Ryans and Stroud by that point. He represents a commodity that is unlikely to be poached by opposing teams.

Altogether, from both his career path and experience, Bieniemy offers an enticing option for the Texans both in replacing Shane Day and working to find true continuity as the offensive coordinator spot for DeMeco Ryans in a league that is constantly turning over that position.

His talent is one Houston should consider if they could pry him away from returning to Kansas City to assist with a potential three-peat. How they plan to address that spot on the staff will have to wait.

4 lessons for the Texans from Super Bowl 58

If the Houston Texans want a shot at a Lombardi Trophy, they should follow these lessons from Super Bowl 58.

Another NFL season has come and gone and the Kansas City Chiefs are once again Super Bowl champions.

The Chiefs are the first team to win repeat Super Bowl titles since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots and with their win, Kansas City’s duo of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes enters a similar “dynasty” territory the Patriots had with head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

Unfortunately for the Houston Texans, this is a team they’ll have to deal with if they ever want to compete for a Super Bowl title or even just advance to their first AFC championship game in franchise history. Mahomes will be there at the end of the tunnel for years to come.

As Houston enters a pivotal offseason where they will need to make dramatic improvements if they want to compete with Kansas City, here are four lessons from Super Bowl LVIII they should remember.

TE Dalton Schultz says he ‘would love’ to return to Texans in 2024

Tight end Dalton Schultz is an impending free agent, but he sounds like someone who wants to stay with C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.

It’s no secret that quarterback C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons we’ve ever seen from a quarterback in the NFL. One of the individuals who helped him along the way recently said he hopes to play in Houston in 2024.

Tight end Dalton Schultz didn’t mince words when asked about his impending free agency. He told Sports Radio 610 that he loved his one year with the Texans and would play again for them next year.

“Oh, I would love to be in Houston. There’s no doubt about that. I loved my time,” Schultz said, via Cody Stoots. “Again: Special organization. Special quarterback. Love the scheme. Love the coaches. Loved everything about Houston.”

Schultz added that he is “confident that we can find some common ground.”

The six-year veteran signed with Houston this past offseason on a one-year deal after he spent the first five years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. The offense was a natural fit for him under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik as Schultz gathered 59 catches for 635 yards and 5 touchdowns – mostly with Stroud under center.

It’ll be up to general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans to ultimately make the decision on retaining Schultz, though. There are plenty of arguments either way. It’s possible that Schultz could demand a larger contract from a team that needs receiver help, but it would be no surprise if the organization prioritized continuity for their young quarterback as they pursue a potential Super Bowl run in 2024.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 7 Laremy Tunsil

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is Laremy Tunsil, who did a great job protecting rookie C.J. Stroud.

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Entering the top 10, we took a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson and linebacker Christian Harris, and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Now, Pro Bowl left tackle and franchise cornerstone Laremy Tunsil comes under consideration.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 8 Bobby Slowik

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is Bobby Slowik, who helped unlock rookie C.J. Stroud.

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Entering the top 10, we took a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson and linebacker Christian Harris. Now, rookie offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik takes the spotlight.

Senior Bowl Q&A with Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith

An exclusive interview with Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith at the 2024 Senior Bowl

Today, some of the best eligible players for the 2024 NFL Draft will compete in Mobile, Alabama in the Reeses’ Senior Bowl.

This is the prospects’ final chance to make an impression on NFL scouts before transitioning to preparation for the NFL combine. It comes after a long week of practices and learning to play with a brand new group of teammates.

Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith had 53 catches for 795 yards and 2 touchdowns his year to lead the Aggies air attack. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound offensive weapon is one of many players who will hope to impress scouts during the event today.

Smith himself confirmed that he met this week with the Houston Texans and Texans Wire’s own John Crumpler had the opportunity to speak with him about his week of practice and overall transition to the NFL:

John Crumpler, Texans Wire: What does it mean to be at the Senior Bowl?

Ainias Smith, Texas A&M WR: It’s everything. I’m definitely honored and blessed to be here, going up against all this great competition and it’s been a honor just be able to meet a lot of new coaches and get the interview process, going and whatnot, meeting new coaches meeting and, I guess you can say, getting introduced to new play calls and different schemes and how I’ll probably be used in the NFL. So definitely an honor and a blessing for sure.

JC: How did you feel about your first two days of practice in Mobile?

AS: I mean, I feel pretty good. First day, I feel like I’ll say I was dipping my feet in the water, getting back to putting on the pads. Today, I feel I came out a whole lot better, a lot stronger, more energy. I feel like the team in general came out with a lot more energy so it was smooth for sure.

JC: What kind of player and kind of person is an NFL team getting when you walk into that locker room in May?

AS: You’re getting somebody that’s dedicated, never gonna quit. Somebody that’s not only dedicated to the game, but dedicated to the process, you know, always trying to enjoy the process. Never going to, like I said, shy away from competition, never gonna quit. So you’re gonna get somebody that wants to be successful and going to help the team believe or help lead the team to have success.

JC: This time of year NFL coaches watch a lot of film. What’s one play that you hope coaches see on your tape to fully understand what you bring to the table?

AS: I hope they look back at 2020 when we were going up against Florida. I remember I had made a block. I forgot who I made the block on but I remember taking his helmet off. So I hope they just see the toughness in me in that play and continue to watch all the rest of my film.

JC: What kind of future role do you see yourself playing for an NFL team?

AS: That’s a great question. I’ll probably say a little bit of receiver, a little bit of running back, a little bit of special teams. Whether that’s on punt return, kick return, being a gunner, being on kickoff. Whatever they really need me to be. I’ll just say an all-around athlete for sure.

Texans 4-round mock draft: Senior Bowl exclusive

What if the Texans could only draft from the Senior Bowl? John Crumpler’s latest mock draft does just that.

Senior Bowl practices have officially come and gone in Mobile, Ala.

One of the most talented groups in years, according to director Jim Nagy, did not disappoint. It was a phenomenal week of football that saw multiple NFL draft prospects help themselves over three days of practice against their draft-eligible peers.

The Houston Texans are involved heavily in this event annually. Last year, the team selected participants Tank Dell, Henry To’oTo’o, Dylan Horton and Jarrett Patterson. This year, general manager Nick Caserio and director of college scouting James Liipfert were both present, and multiple players confirmed meetings with the team.

What if the Texans could only draft from the Senior Bowl? Well, fortunately, there would be plenty of talent to choose from. This mock draft goes through the first four rounds with four players to watch in each potential round from the Senior Bowl that could majorly boost the Texans in April.