All rights reserved. One reason O’Brien paid so dearly to acquire Tunsil was for challenges like facing Clowney. The way Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair operates is one of the positives for luring a new GM and head coach.

to cover the original Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. In other words, the Texans didn’t have a seven-victory turnaround in 2014 because of contributions from Clowney and Su’a-Filo. Maybe they wouldn't have gotten beat as bad, but Hopkins was here when they got beat 51-31 [by Kansas City] in the playoffs. Grade: B. All Rights Reserved.

They haven't played well. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a 44-yard touchdown pass over the Jacksonville Jaguars defense to tight end Darren Fells during the first half of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. John McClain, a Waco native who graduated from Baylor in 1975, is in his 45th year at the Houston Chronicle and his 44th covering the National Football League, including the Oilers and Texans. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) and strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game at Heinz Field on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at Raymond James Stadium in Pittsburgh. Trying to keep Clowney from disrupting the offense is an essential part of the game plan.
According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans dropped to No. Clowney has played at least 80 percent of the snaps in every game for the undefeated Titans, who are 4-0 and on top of the AFC South. Still, with so many of his former teammates and coaches on the visiting sideline at Nissan Stadium, Clowney is hoping to have his breakout game with the Titans and record his first sacks of the season. You might also point out O’Brien had his first two picks in 2014. Houston Texans fans take their seats before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. There are other things that will attract an abundance of excellent candidates. “I know how much he loves Sundays,” Weaver said.

It could be more.

A security guard holds up a sign reminding fans to wear a mask before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. O’Brien’s replacement has Watson. The Texans couldn’t stop the run or protect Deshaun Watson at Kansas City, where they lost a fourth consecutive opener. John McClain grades each Texans position group's performance in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.

When Clowney is playing his usual position on the right side, whether he’s standing or has his right hand on the ground, he’ll be going against left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Q: How much does Watson miss Hopkins, an All-Pro wide receiver who was traded in the offseason to the Arizona Cardinals? “He’s got game-wrecking tendencies, the ability to take a game over, so we’ve got to do a good job of knowing where he is on every snap,” Kelly said.

Weaver also doesn’t have to worry about Clowney on Sunday. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202. A: It shouldn't be. Can this get them turned around? He’s a problem for sure. Incredible Blanket Puts Humans In A Deep Sleep, Melting Stress Away. He likes to run around and get somebody open down the field. Houston Texans tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) and wide receiver Kenny Stills (12) celebrate tight end Darren Fells' (87) 44-yard touchdown reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. Watson ran once. That was the Texans’ best job of run blocking and pass protecting this season. Grade: D, All the sacks can’t be blamed on Deshaun Watson. If they can get to 8-8, they should be popping champagne corks here, but I don't see it happening. John McClain grades each Texans position group's performance in Sunday's home opener against the Ravens. Q: You know this team as well as anyone. Grade: D, They didn’t do anything special in the kicking game, on the return game or on coverage. He's a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors Committee and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt tosses a football in the air while warming up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. Grade: B-plus. A: In 2008, Gary Kubiak's third season as head coach, they started the season 0-4 and finished 8-8.

As the defensive coordinator for four of Clowney’s five years with the Texans and the assistant head coach for the other, Crennel knows him as well as anyone on the team after spending so much time with him. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip). Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) walks along the sidelines during warmup, before the start of an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) and outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett (57) play air guitars during warmup, before the start of an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. Those are the reasons I’m convinced the Texans have job openings that’ll attract some outstanding candidates. In his two best seasons as a pass rusher, Clowney had 9½ and nine sacks. Houston Texans tight end Darren Fells (87) scores a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Josh Jones (29) during the second quarter of an NFL game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston.

John McClain's takeaways from Texans 30, Jaguars 14 “We wanted to try to run the ball a little and then use the passing game,” interim coach Romeo … The linemen helped limit the Jaguars to 75 yards rushing, including 3.8 a carry.

His two interceptions didn’t turn into points for the Jaguars. 1. And I say that’s some of the dumbest stuff I’ve ever heard. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson runs up field during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Houston. He worked for the Waco Tribune Herald from 1973-76, when he accepted a job with the Chronicle. Grade: B. Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked field goals of 36, 33 and 46 yards, giving him nine in a row. Houston Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair walks on the field before an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. 19 in his latest NFL power rankings ahead of Week 2. Here’s a list of prominent Texans drafted after the first two rounds: Reid, defensive end Charles Omenihu, tight end Jordan Akins, nose tackle D.J.

As he worked his way up the coaching ladder under O’Brien, Kelly watched Clowney in practice almost every day. “They do a great job of moving him around so he’s not always in the same spot, so we have to make sure we’re on high alert on every down so we can do our best to take care of him.”. He spent five years here. They ended up because they were so bad over the last seven games being about middle of the pack against the run. Question: The Texans fired Head Coach Bill O'Brien Monday and replaced him with Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel. The first thing every new GM and coach wants to know is where a team stands with a starting quarterback.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws over Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half of an NFL football game at Heinz Field on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at Raymond James Stadium in Pittsburgh. John McClain's Texans vs. Steelers report card. In 2019, he was voted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame’s second class of media inductees. He also does weekly sports talk shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Waco, Austin and San Antonio. “When you have two very talented athletes going against each other, it should be a good matchup,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) wears a facemark with the name Laquan McDonald on it during warmup before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. They had not looked good this year on either side of the ball and they're 0-4 for the first time since 2008. They have talent on both sides of the ball. I think right now at 0-4 they'll be lucky to win five games. Grade: F-minus, Charles Omenihu and Carlos Watkins combined for two sacks. Grade: A. They scored 31 against Kansas City in the playoffs, but special teams scored. If O’Brien can take a 2-14 team to 9-7 with that quarterback carousel, why would you think the Texans’ new coach can’t do it, too? Do you know these lucrative Social Security secrets?
Crennel took over for Bill O'Brien who was fired earlier in the week. A: Oh, I don't think so. Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) catches the ball during warmup, before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston.

John McClain Oct. 11, 2020 47 1 of 47 In his first game as a head coach since the 2012 season in Kansas City, Romeo Crennel guided the Texans to their first win of … Houston Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel greets referee Bill Vinovich (52) before an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. The offense hasn't scored 30 in 16 games with Deshaun Watson at quarterback – and that included last season with [wide receiver] DeAndre Hopkins. For everybody who thinks it’s catastrophic to not have picks in the first two rounds to complete the trade with Miami for Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills, let me give you something to chew on. McClain: Jadeveon Clowney will bring it vs. Texans, McClain: It's mentor vs. pupil when Texans, Titans meet, McClain: Deshaun Watson likes the long ball, Time for Texans LB Zach Cunningham to earn the big bucks, Anthony Weaver orders special turnover belt, Texans' Romeo Crennel faces ex-pupil in Titans' Mike Vrabel. In 2019, he was voted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame’s second class of media inductees. He worked for the Waco Tribune Herald from 1973-76, when he accepted a job with the Chronicle. They haven't had one good offensive or defensive game this season.

The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Will this be a difficult situation moving forward? Question: The Texans fired Head Coach Bill O'Brien Monday and replaced him with Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. John McClain, a Waco native who graduated from Baylor in 1975, is in his 45th year at the Houston Chronicle and his 44th covering the National Football League, including the Oilers and Texans. Grade: B. Deshaun Watson threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns. The challenge of figuring out a way to contain Clowney against the run and pass falls on offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. Is there a formula they can use? Let’s start with what I believe are reasons the line has already started to the left as far as agents calling to promote their candidates for the GM job. You’ve got to account for him at all times.