WALK THE LINE
Here's why the Texans o-line is still a bit of a mystery
Mar 29, 2021, 5:57 pm
New Houston Texans offensive lineman, Marcus Cannon, spoke with the Houston media on Monday and answered some questions about what his role will be on the team. Unfortunately for Texans fans, we didn't learn much about where Cannon will be lining up when the season begins. Will he be playing right tackle, or will it be Tytus Howard?
We did learn that Cannon prefers playing tackle
Cannon did admit that he has the most fun playing right tackle, but he's willing to play wherever the Texans need him. Cannon said the Patriots asked him to learn multiple positions, so he's more than happy to play guard or tackle for Houston. Regardless of whether Cannon plays tackle or guard, he's a good bet to be playing next to former Texans first round pick, Tytus Howard. Which should be a nice improvement on the right side of the Texans o-line.
When the media asked Howard if he knew what his job would be on the team, Cannon responded by saying, "I don't know what my role is going to be." He also said he doesn't know how much he'll be playing or which position he'll be asked to play. He hasn't been with the team for long, so Houston will have plenty of time to figure out where the best spot is for him. The Texans starters on the o-line could look like this, LT Laremy Tunsil, LG Max Sharping, C Justin Britt, RG Marcus Cannon, and RT Tytus Howard. But Sharping showed some regression last year, and Britt and Cannon just joined the team, so plenty of things could change before the season begins.
During his session with the media, Cannon said he has spoken with some of his teammates and coaches, and found head coach David Culley to be very motivating. Marcus also talked about being very excited about having the chance to play professional football in Texas, since he has Texas ties and played his college ball at TCU.
The bright spot of the offseason?
The trade for Marcus Cannon is interesting because this could turn out to be the best move of the offseason for Houston. Cannon started at tackle for the Patriots during 3 of their Super Bowl winning seasons. Cannon will be 33 years old when the 2021 season begins, but should be fully rested and healthy after opting out of the 2020 season with concerns about COVID. Cannon was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the 2011 NFL Combine, and earned the Ed Block Courage award after making a full recovery.
Be sure to check out Cannon's interview in the video above for more information.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!