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Applying 4 key lessons to propel the Houston Texans forward

Texans CJ Stroud, DeMeco Ryans
The Texans can learn a lot from the Chiefs and 49ers. Composite Getty Image.

February brings about the end of one NFL season and the beginning of another. The Super Bowl was on the 11th. The Scouting Combine starts on the 26th. Out with the old, in with the new. As part of a being a copycat league, the NFL has been known to duplicate itself. Teams will often go into their offseason plans trying to emulate things other successful teams have done.

The Chiefs have gone from an offensive juggernaut, to a defense first team. It helps to have the best quarterback in the league to assist with those changes. The 49ers have had different defensive coordinators over the past few seasons because the prior two have left for head coaching jobs. One happens to have an office on Kirby Drive now. Despite things shifting and changing, these are the same two teams that met in the Super Bowl four years ago!

So what lessons can be learned by the Texans to apply to their organization to help get them to this level? Here are some that I had in mind:

Depth: One thing about both the Chiefs and 49ers, both teams have great depth. And I'm not just speaking on the players. Both teams have lost players, coaches, and front office staff between Super Bowl appearances. The thing that's kept them both on top of the food chain this long is quality depth. Having a great 53-man roster, 16-man practice squad, and keeping an eye on talent around the league to add is tough. Being able to continue that success for multiple seasons is elite. Add to that, coaches and front office personnel taking other opportunities, and you can lose some recipes. These two teams have done a tremendous job with the “next man up” mentality. This will require DeMeco Ryans, Nick Caserio, and the rest of the gang to identify not only future players in drafts and whatnot, but also personnel in meeting rooms and the office building.

Defense: The 49ers have had a stout defense as their calling card since they were under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch's control. DeMeco was a large part of that. He helped develop several of the guys we all saw on that defense. The Chiefs have used their defense as their calling card this season. While Will Anderson Jr. won Defensive ROY, Derek Stingley Jr lived up to the hype, and Christian Harris has stepped up. But it's C.J. Stroud who has garnered most of the attention. He and Tank Dell were seen as the prized young stars on this team. DeMeco's side of the ball will get developed quickly. He's already got numerous key pieces in place. His and his staff's ability to develop guys will be crucial. This means they can use mid to late round picks/low-end free agency money on defense and higher draft capital/big free agency money on offense.

Weapons: Stroud needs more weapons. Brock Purdy has no less than four guys that scare defenses and can line up just about anywhere. Pat Mahomes has less weapons than he's had in the past, but he's still got Travis Kelce and others that he uses to stretch defenses. Give Stroud more weapons and more versatile guys. Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey are almost interchangeable for the 49ers. Kelce can stretch the field from the tight end position. Add in Isaiah Pacheco as a power runner, Skyy Moore, MVS, and Rashee Rice, and you give Mahomes guys with different skill sets that Andy Reid can deploy at different times to execute their offense.

Consistency: As much as things have changed, they've stayed the same. With all the turnover they've experienced, the main pieces have stayed in place. Head coaches, general managers, and main players have stayed the same. Of course a franchise/face of the league quarterback like Mahomes isn't going anywhere. Neither is Stroud. Keeping some synchronicity in the brain trust and finding/keeping franchise guys at key positions is key. One of the main things in consistency is keeping the right people. You can often find one you think is right, and it ends in disaster. Finding and keeping them is crucial.

These are just a few things I've observed from the Chiefs and 49ers over their runs the last few years. I have faith so far in what Caserio and DeMeco have managed to put together. I think they'll continue to put things together. They have the faith of the McNair family and the fans. Coming out the gate 10-7 and winning the division raises the stakes. Time to go all in!

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The injuries keep piling up for Houston.Composite Getty Image.

The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.

After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.

Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.

Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.

 

Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.

Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.

On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.

There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.

Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.

With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.

There's 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.

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