Washington Redskins: Scouting the Texans Offense

 

Success in any offensive scheme requires that the quarterback manage the game. When the Washington Redskins battle the Houston Texans today at NRG Stadium, the Redskins’ defense must keep Texans’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick from doing just this.

On paper, the Redskins and the Texans are very similar. Both have first year head coaches in the Redskins’ Jay Gruden and the Texans’ Bill O’Brien. Both had dismal 2013 seasons. Both have Pro Bowl wide outs and Pro Bowl running backs.

Washington’s defense will need to focus on Houston’s two Pro Bowlers, wide receiver Andre Johnson (he’s been to an amazing seven Pro Bowls) and running back Arian Foster. Fitzpatrick is taking over an offensive unit that saw its leader totally fall apart in 2013. Matt Schaub had begun the year with promise. Leading his team to a comeback-win against the San Diego Chargers was one of the two wins Houston had that year and one of the very few good things that happened. In the course of the 2013 season, the Texans benched their quarterback, fired their head coach (Gary Kubiak) and endured a 14-game losing streak. After the second game of 2013, a win versus the Tennessee Titans, the Texans were never victorious again, ending the season 2-14.

Houston’s quarterback, the 31-year-old “Amish Rifle,” is in his 10th year in the league. While not a player that strikes fear in the heart of cornerbacks, he is still an NFL quarterback. The Texans are Fitzpatrick’s fifth team, having played two years for the St. Louis Rams, one year with the Cincinnati Bengals, four years with the Buffalo Bills and last year with the Tennessee Titans. He is rather used to learning new systems.

At 6’2” 223 lbs., Fitzpatrick is obviously a tall quarterback. He and Johnson are relatively new to each other but the star receiver is no stranger to big opening games. According to some fantasy websites, the Pro Bowler has had five opening day games where he’s had 100 receiving yards, including a 12-catch, 146-yard performance in 2013. This is the most 100-yard games in season openers among active players.

Foster, who hasn’t played since Week 9 of last year, says he’s ready to go. One has to assume he’s totally healthy because he did not play at all during the preseason but his “football shape” is likely not what it will be later in the season. The Redskins’ defensive line is going to have to improve against the run from last season or Foster will have a break-out return from his back injury. Like the Redskins and their dependence on running back Alfred Morris today, the Texans will be looking to run the ball often to help Fitzpatrick relax into his new team and get into a rhythm.

The Texans’ second receiver must not be ignored. DeAndre Hopkins was selected 27th overall in the 2013 draft and was on the 2013 Pro Football Writers of America All Rookie Team, the 2013 Texans Rookie-of-the-Year and the NFL’s Rookie of the Month last September. He started all 16 games last year and had over 800 yards receiving.

Houston’s offensive line is anchored by center Chris Myers and is pretty good. Myers is a 10-year veteran who has been with the Texans for the last six years. He went to the Pro Bowl last season and in 2012 and has blocked for four 1,000 year performances for running backs, two of which were for Arian Foster.

The team’s left tackle is Duane Brown, a Virginia Tech grad who’s been in the league for seven years. Brown went to the Pro Bowl last year and was also an Associated Press All-Team Pro in 2011 and 2012. The fact that all three of the Texans’ QBs were sacked a total of 42 times last year was less a function of the offensive line and more about the play of the signal-callers.

There is a lot of talent on the Houston Texans’ offense. The catch is that they are all operating under a new head coach. O’Brien, who will operate as Houston’s offensive coordinator as well, brings experience gained from things like the prolific New England Patriots’ offense, having risen up through their offensive ranks with the team to offensive coordinator after John McDaniels left there in 2011. He was with Penn State for the last two years but is a brilliant offensive mind. Redskins’ fans will hope that the Texans struggle with the new system for at least this game.

The fact that Houston was 2-14 last season should mean nothing now. New head coach, new system, new defensive coordinator, a seasoned vet leading an offense with play-makers on it and an All-Pro pass rusher teamed up with the first round draft pick linebacker mean a formidable task on opening day for the Washington Redskins.

Hail.