EVERY-THING SPORTS
If this happens, it would be the most Texans thing ever
Jan 5, 2021, 12:02 pm
Can we all admit the Patriots South plan won't work for the Texans? Composite image by Jack Brame.
In this week's episode of As Kirby Turns:
The offseason is upon us! Black Monday festivities have commenced. Heads have rolled. Interviews are being conducted (virtually; and all C.D.C. guidelines for social distancing are being followed). This part of the NFL offseason excites me just as much as the playoffs, free agency, and the draft. Firings, hirings, mutual parting of ways, releases, extensions...coaching staffs and front office types get shuffled about like items at a swap meet. Teams are looking for new beginnings, fresh starts, and a way out of the malaise that was their previous regimes. And then there are the Texans.
The Texans are trying to wash away the stench of Bill O'Brien. There are some remnants of O'Brien left on Kirby however, and Jack Easterby is one of them. The difference between Easterby and others that have gotten whacked, he's positioned himself so close to Cal McNair that he's almost insulated himself from the firing squad. Or has he?!?
Recent reports have linked the Texans to Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio...AGAIN! Last offseason when the team unceremoniously got rid of general manager Brian Gaine, they tried to get Caserio from the Patriots. In true Texans form, they were rebuffed when the Patriots threw out allegations of impropriety against the Texans and they promptly folded instead of fighting. Yet here we are again.
Despite the whole notion of the Texans trying to create "Patriots South" and failing miserably, it seems as if Easterby is pushing them in this direction still. It reminded some of the Littlefinger character. Why you may ask? Well, if you're familiar with Littlefinger's character in Game of Thrones, he's all about self-preservation. "Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder." That statement has never rung more true than watching Easterby work his way up the ladder in this organization.
It's my belief that the new Caserio rumors are rooted in Easterby's attempt to secure himself in this organization. Think about it: if he gets Caserio hired as the new general manager, Caserio owes Easterby a debt of gratitude. Easterby could go from the verge of being let go or buried in busy work, to saving himself by helping an old colleague get hired to a position that could save his own job. How Littlefinger of him would that be?
If the Texans hire someone outside of the scope in which Easterby can control, he may feel as if his job is in jeopardy and react accordingly. What that may look like, I'm not sure. Maybe he has the McNairs so deeply in his grasp that it doesn't matter who's hired to come in and run this team because he may be safe regardless. Maybe he sees his days are numbered and will use whatever influence he has to make sure he stays on. Only one way to find out...tune in next week on As Kirby Turns!
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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.