Tag: Texans returner

Texans rookie CB Derek Stingley worked as punt returner

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith says that rookie cornerback Derek Stingley got work at punt returner to explore his versatility.

The Houston Texans selected Derek Stingley No. 3 overall in the 2022 NFL draft because they needed the LSU standout to lockdown at cornerback in their Tampa 2 scheme.

On the second day of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center, the former Bayou Bengal was fielding punts.

The prospect of Stingley being a part of the return game isn’t that far off. While Stingley did not field punts in his abbreviated three-game season a year ago, he did have experience as a returner in the prior two seasons.

In 2020, the best case for Stingley’s promise as a returner was on display as he had a 16.2 yards per punt return through seven games.

In 2019, a more realistic body of work was available as the freshman fielded 17 punts for 163 yards — 9.6 average — through 15 games.

Coach Lovie Smith told reporters on July 30 that Stingley fielding punts was part of evaluating what further contributions the first-rounder could make to the roster on game days.

“Yeah, Stingley can do a lot of things,” said Smith. “Punt returner is one of them. Now I’m not saying that he for sure is going to for sure be our punt returner, but the more things you can do. You probably noticed Derek getting more reps today. We’ll continue to bring him along at the pace that we had set up before camp started. He gets a little better each day, too.”

The Texans’ punt return game was led by cornerback Desmond King, who had a 9.1 yards per punt return. If Stingley is able to give the Texans another option at punt returner to setup favorable field position for the offense, it should be part of the “1% better” approach to help Houston break out of its four-win rut that has ensnared the organization for the past two seasons.

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says CB Derek Stingley to be ‘in the mix’ as a punt returner

Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says that CB Derek Stingley will be a part of the equation at punt returner.

The Houston Texans don’t have a high-powered offense. For the AFC South club to win games, it will take cultivating more hidden yardage and extra possessions from the transition phase of the game.

Houston had limited success in 2021 on special teams. Cornerback Desmond King averaged 9.1 yards per punt on 17 returns last season. Cornerback Tremon Smith returned a kickoff for a touchdown as part of his 21 returns for 537 yards.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross knows that to build upon the success from 2021 in his second year commanding the unit, the process will take evaluating perimeter players for new returners.

“If there’s a defensive back that’s not catching punts post practice and getting work in the period, you’re wrong,” Ross told reporters after mandatory minicamp on Wednesday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “The more value you can add as a wide receiver, defensive back, or running back. We’ve got to have depth that can handle the ball on the starting 53-man roster and then on the active 48.”

One perimeter player that piques the curiosity of football fans is first-round cornerback Derek Stingley. The former LSU product had an 11.3 yards per punt return in college — including 9.6 in 2019 and 16.2 in 2020 — which gave the Tigers an advantage in average starting field position.

Ross indicated that the No. 3 overall pick would be a part of the plan at punt returner.

“Stingley, he will be a guy in the mix as well,” said Ross.

The Texans’ experimentation at returner also included the signing of former Pro Bowler Andre Roberts, who had a dismal tenure with Houston. The Texans are counting on the special teams unit to hit the ground running to start the season and give Houston another advantage.

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Texans CB Desmond King not discontent with special teams role

Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King is content with his role and the reps Andre Roberts is getting on special teams returns.

The Houston Texans are adamant in giving receiver Andre Roberts his chances on special teams returns.

The three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro has been anything but through the first three games of the season as Roberts has 2.6 yards per punt return and 22.6 yards per kickoff return. The real problem has been his two fumbles on his punt returns in the past two games, one of which was lost and led to an opponent score.

It isn’t as though the Texans don’t have options on the roster. Enter cornerback Desmond King. The former Los Angeles Charger and Tennessee Titan actually has two punt returns for touchdown in his career, and has an 8.9 yards per punt return. At least for punt returns, the Texans place King back there on punt returns, at least while Roberts works through his ball security problems.

King’s main focus is to be a team player and do whatever the coaches ask.

“Right now, Andre is the primary returner for our team,” said King. “That’s all I really know. If something does happen, I know I’m the next man up in that role. But right now, Andre is the primary returner.”

King still believes in his teammate to work through his issues and give the Texans an edge on special teams.

Said King: “He made All-Pro there. So, we believe that he’s going to continue to try to make that status known when he gets the ball on the field.”

The Texans take on the Buffalo Bills Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Highmark Stadium. If the Texans are to get to 2-2 and keep pace with the Tennessee Titans in the race for the AFC South, they will need their transition phase of the game to be something other than a hindrance to whatever momentum builds on offense and defense.

Former Texans receiver Jacoby Jones hired as Morgan State University tight ends coach

Former Houston Texans receiver Jacoby Jones continues his coaching career as the tight ends coach for Morgan State University.

Former Houston Texans receiver Jacoby Jones has taken a job as the tight ends coach at Morgan State University.

Jones was previously the receivers coach at Calvert Hall College in Towson, Maryland, in 2020.

The Texans drafted Jones in Round 3 (No. 73 overall) of the 2007 NFL draft from Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. Jones was predominantly a returner for the Texans, taking 179 punt returns for 1,820 yards and three touchdowns along with 64 kickoff returns for 1,490 and a touchdown.

As a receiver, Jones caught 127 passes for 1,741 yards and 11 touchdowns in his 75 games with Houston, 21 of which he started from 2007-11.

Jones made a splash onto the scene as a rookie with a kickoff returned for a touchdown to start the second half of the third preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at NRG Stadium. That same kickoff return ability was on display in a much more consequential game — albeit not for the Texans — when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half of Super Bowl XLVII 108 yards to increase the Baltimore Ravens’ lead over the San Francisco 49ers.

The 6-3, 192-pound wideout played with the Ravens from 2012-14 before spending 2015 with the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. His last professional action came in the National Arena League with the Monterrey Steel.