A LOST SEASON
5 key things the Texans must address after Sunday's season-ending 22-13 loss to the Colts
Dec 31, 2017, 2:50 pm
Brian Cushing likely suited up for the last time as a Texan. Houstontexans.com
The Texans wrapped up their lost season with a 22-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. They finished the year with a pathetic 4-12 record, losing six in a row to close out the season. They won’t even benefit from having a high draft pick, since they traded both their No. 1 and 2 to Cleveland.
It would be easy to let the coaching staff hide behind the injuries, but that also masks other key issues. Here are five things the Texans must address in the off-season if they plan to be back in the playoff mix in 2018:
1. What happens with O'Brien and the GM position?
Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports head coach Bill O'Brien will be back as head coach next season, which has been a question for the past few weeks. However, GM Rick Smith is taking a leave of absence to take care of his ailing wife. So figuring out the new structure is priority No. 1. Does O'Brien get an extension? More say over personnel? A GM he can work with? Hopefully, O'Brien's return comes with some caveats: He has to hire a new defensive coordinator, preferably one with head coaching experience. (Chuck Pagano, perhaps, who was fired on Sunday? Marvin Lewis if he gets let go?) He should also be required to bring in an offensive coordinator. O’Brien can still call plays, but he needs another voice in his ear. If he agrees to that, the Texans could look a lot better next season. But all indications are O'Brien will be the coach again in 2018.
2. Fix the offensive line
The Texans basically have one average offensive lineman in center Nick Martin. The rest is pretty much a disaster. They won’t be able to get impact players in the draft, and have little capital to trade. So they will need to hit free agency hard. Last year’s draft pick, Julien Davenport, might be a possible answer at one tackle position if he improves in the offseason. But the Texans need another tackle and two new guards at the very least. That will cost serious dollars, but there is cap room and potential for a lot more, if...
3. Say goodbye to some stars
Some mainstays need to be sent packing. Brian Cushing and his PED history should be the first to go. Cutting him will free up $8.5 million in cap space. He has little impact and that money could be used elsewhere. Jonathan Joseph will be a free agent, and unless he comes back on a significant pay cut, that should be the end of his time in Houston. He would also need a reduced role if he returns; it is clear he is not a top cover corner anymore. On the offensive side, cutting Jeff Allen and Derek Newton saves another $9 million. Newton will have missed two years when next season starts and was not a great player before his crippling injury. Allen has been a free agent bust. A legitimate backup quarterback should be a priority as well.
4. Retool the secondary
Joseph will have to be replaced. Ideally Kevin Johnson -- a.k.a. the human holding penalty -- would be the guy, but he seriously regressed in 2017. It’s too early to give up on him, but he will need to have a big offseason. Even if he does, corner will need to be addressed in free agency. They also need to invest some money in the safety position, which has never been a priority. Perhaps Joseph could be a solution at a significantly reduced salary. Regardless, at least two new players need to be added.
5. Pray to the health gods
The most important thing for the Texans will be a healthy Deshaun Watson. He was well on his way to becoming a superstar when he was injured, and with him they instantly get better. A healthy return for Whitney Mercilus will help the defense. Of course, J.J. Watt would be a boost as well, but it is unlikely he will ever be the player he was after missing essentially two years with different injuries. Still, he is capable of making a big impact on defense. With those guys back, the defense will have a nice core group with Watt, Mercilus, Clowney, Bernardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham and Kareem Jackson. A few parts here and there could make them an elite defense again.
Regardless, it will be an interesting off-season. Unfortunately, it started long before Sunday’s game.
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C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”
'Everything is on the table. We have to get it fixed' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on offensive line and if personnel changes are being contemplated @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/AwK0rqeU2z
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.
They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.
Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.
Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.
“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”
Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.
'I have all the faith in Tank' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed confidence in Tank Dell ability to get back to making explosive plays again as he did as a rookie @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/bojBEx3lYo
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
What's working
The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.
Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.
What needs help
The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.
Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.
Stock up
RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.
Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.
“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”
Stock down
Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.
Injuries
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.
Key number
3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.
Next steps
The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.