Blame Whoever You Want, But the Texans Need to Get on the Same Page
What is going on at left guard?
The Houston Texans all have to get on the same page.
That’s typically a coaching crutch to explain a disjointed team. DeMeco Ryans said it four times. C.J. Stroud mentioned the cliche in his first answer at the podium. Numerous other players on offense repeated the desire.
They should be believed, considering the quarterback and head coach aren’t on the same page.
When asked about helping the offensive line with protection, Ryans opted to explain that post-snap is where the Texans need to improve.
“Of course, it’s pre-snap communication, but things change post-snap,” Ryans said. “That’s what football is about. It’s about how do you adapt and adjust when you have, as I call ‘moving pictures.’ Guys are going to move around. You’re not just going to always line up and show the offense what you’re running, per se, on defense. So, communication is set, now you just have adjustments.”
Stroud had a different viewpoint.
“Probably the main thing is just communication pre-snap,” the quarterback said. “I think everything starts pre-snap. When the ball snaps, taking that communication and pushing it forward to post-snap and making it work.”
Now, it isn’t one or the other. The Texans stunk at both on offense.
The sense from the Texans is that after the ball is snapped, players aren’t executing the game plan. Not just not executing because of talent. Players aren’t doing what they are asked and expected to do.
“It’s always baffling as a coach when you go through, and you practice a certain thing, and you work it a certain way and guys get in the game and do something completely different. That’s being disjointed.”
The blame for the offensive failure was put on Bobby Slowik and his offense. That’s why the team changed so much when it came to that side of the ball. This year, without explicitly saying it, Ryans and his staff have the players in the crosshairs.