EVERY-THING SPORTS

How Texans' latest moves spark excitement, but for different reasons

Texans DeMeco Ryans
The Texans staff is almost complete. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
KB Demeco OC (1)

DeMeco Ryans was hired as the Houston Texans' sixth head coach in their young history on January 18. The next question was who will be his offensive and defensive coordinators? It took almost a month before those questions got answered. The team hired Matt Burke as the defensive coordinator on February 10. Then they hired Bobby Slowik as the offensive coordinator two days later. Burke was previously the Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach. His most recent stint as a DC was in Miami from 2017-2018. Slowik was previously the San Francisco 49ers pass game coordinator and specialist. This is his first stint as an offensive coordinator. Both were interesting hires for different reasons.

Burke as the DC was fascinating for a few reasons. One being that DeMeco was the hottest coaching candidate this hiring cycle. He took over a great defense in San Francisco and kept the ball rolling. Burke coming in raised the question will he call plays? Or, will DeMeco continue to call plays himself? While they've been vague in answering the question, it's pretty obvious DeMeco will be heavily involved. I think DeMeco will either call plays himself, or have veto power over Burke. Once they get a feel for one another, Burke will then take over the reins. Should that feeling out process make all parties comfortable earlier on, Burke could take over sooner.

Slowik is the one everybody is really looking at. As the offensive coordinator, he's expected to help guide the incoming rookie quarterback. As they interviewed head coaching candidates, the Texans let them know they intend to take a quarterback with the number two overall pick. That tidbit of info led me to believe the offensive coordinator hire is almost more important than DeMeco's hire. Almost. Key word. If Slowik develops this rookie quarterback into a top 10-15 guy within two years and the offense ranks in the same range, he'll be highly sought after.

Offensive coaches have gotten most of the recent head coaching jobs because the league is on the offensive cycle right now. We know Slowik will call plays because DeMeco is a defensive guy. Handing over the keys to the offense to Slowik means he gets the chance to prove himself, by himself. While DeMeco may call plays initially, or at least help out, Burke will be seen as an assistant. If and when Burke calls plays on his own, he could be seen as a future head coaching candidate. His candidacy will take longer because he will have the Eric Bieniemy effect: being overshadowed by his head coach, who works on the same side of the ball.

All three guys are young enough to put in work here for years to come. DeMeco is 38, Burke is 46, and Slowik is 35. When you look at coaches like Pete Carroll (71), Bill Belichick (70), and Andy Reid (64), these guys could have a 20-30 year run if they so choose (provided they stay relevant, successful, healthy, and engaged). Now, will they all stay here? DeMeco is a lifer if he doesn't get fired. Burke may be here a while until he establishes himself further. Slowik is the one that may move on to bigger and better things sooner than later. My only hope is that they all succeed and grow this franchise into what these loyal fans deserve: a consistent winner and eventual Super Bowl champion.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

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.”

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.

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.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome