Some Ideas on the Texans’ Particular Groups in 2024-25, and what’s may imply for 2025-26

Welcome to the optimism of the low season. The offensive facet of the ball will get probably the most consideration, between the emphasis on bettering the the offensive line and including to the receiver room. Houston already took one step in that route with their commerce with Jacksonville so as to add Christian Kirk for not less than the 2025 season. After all, together with the inside of the road, Houston might want to settle that reasonably important left deal with slot, as Laremy Tunsil will name the DMV dwelling after a significant commerce. Together with that motion, Houston won’t say no to an opportunity to enhance the protection, particularly at DT and security. They at the moment have seven picks and a few sudden cap room for roster upgrades.

But, one space not getting plenty of consideration this offseason: Houston’s Particular Groups. PK Ka’imi Fairbairn and P Tommy Townsend are locked into their roster spots. Particular Groups Coordinator Frank Ross continues as probably the most tenured coordinator. They performed a major function within the fortunes of the crew, for good and unwell. With that, some ideas on the Specials Groups this previous season and for the long run.

One of many higher moments

Photograph by Brooke Sutton/Getty Photographs

Total, the Particular Groups performed principally good…

Many of the numbers related to the Texans associated to their particular groups look stable, as they continued to rank among the many higher items within the league. They have been notably robust in punt protection (#1 in punt return yards allowed). Tommy Townsend, after a tough begin to the season, primarily as a result of some blocking errors and a reasonably sluggish punt movement, managed to ship on his contract, rating among the many leaders in web punting (third) and punts contained in the opposing 20 (2nd). Fairbairn’s season was just a little combined. He did set data for probably the most made 50+ yd FGs in a season (14), punctuated together with his walk-off 59-yarder towards Buffalo. Nonetheless, he additionally had some unhealthy misses on the worst instances. His two brief FG misses within the 4th quarter towards the Jets and Titans damage the Texans after which that playoff recreation at Arrowhead…The punt return recreation was stable, however not spectacular (tied for ninth in yards/return), because the squad rotated between Steven Sims (later launched and picked up by Baltimore) and Robert Woods. Tank Dell additionally took a flip right here, however his season-ending damage towards Kansas Metropolis (common season) ended that possibility.

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Concerning the new kickoffs in 2024:

Houston dealt with the brand new kickoff guidelines pretty successfully. They didn’t discover the endzone this season after two kickoff return TDs in 2023. Dameon Pierce, when wholesome, proved a harmful kick returner, averaging over 37 yards a return, punctuated by his large 45-yard return towards Baltimore. The Texans’ kick protection was stable (eighth in kickoff return yardage allowed), however the crew was vulnerable to give up a number of large returns (particularly within the playoffs). On kickoffs, Houston usually adopted the league development of kicking to the top zone (eighth within the league in touchback share), letting their prime 10 protection maintain off the offense on the 30 vs. taking their probabilities with unhealthy protection on a kick return.

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The Playoffs for the Houston Texas…the very best of instances, the worst of instances:

The 2 playoffs video games noticed the very best and the worst of Houston’s particular groups. Towards the LA Chargers, the squad managed a blocked punt (even when it nonetheless yielded probably the most fortuitous bounce even seen for a block) and a blocked PAT for a 2-point rating (a playoff first). Fairbairn was good in that recreation, and the kick protection restricted the Chargers’ capability maximize discipline place on particular groups performs. Then the sport towards Kansas Metropolis. From the horrid kick protection on the first play of the sport to Fairbairn’s recreation from hell (one missed FG, one blocked FG and a missed PAT), to usually simply poor general play the place KC out-thought and out-executed one of many higher items within the league.

Photograph by Alex Slitz/Getty Photographs

Probably the most impactful non-specialist on Houston’s Particular Groups Returns:

In a low-key transfer, Houston shored up its working again/particular groups room by returning Dare Ogunbowale on a one-year, $2M deal. Whereas he served because the third string working again/third down specialist, together with his largest offensive play his game-clinching TD reception towards Jacksonville, Ogunbowale usually made his largest affect on particular groups. His crucial pretend punt run towards Miami did a lot to salvage a wanted win. Nonetheless, Ogunbowale was not with out flaws. The much less stated about his recreation towards the Titans at NRG, the higher (particularly that near-disastrous muff of a kick return).

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Lengthy Snapper Jon Weeks:

The fixed of the Texans. For 15 years, he plied his commerce as lengthy snapper on all punts and FGs. He been the lengthy snapper longer than the Texans’ custom of opening the playoffs on a Saturday afternoon at NRG. This season’s Jon Weeks tracker:

Common Season:

Punt Snaps: 77
FG Makes an attempt: 42
Further Level Makes an attempt: 36

Playoffs:

Punt Snaps: 6
FG Makes an attempt: 7
Further Level Makes an attempt: 4

This updates his profession totals to:

Common Season:

Punt snaps: 1152
FG Makes an attempt: 505
Further Level Makes an attempt: 538
COMBINED TOTAL: 2,195

Playoffs:

Punt snaps: 68
FG Makes an attempt: 27
Further Level Makes an attempt: 28
COMBINED TOTAL: 123

TOTAL Lengthy Snaps: 2318

TOTAL “Bad” LONG SNAPS: 0.00

Probably we’ve seen the final of Weeks. He’s 39 and the crew has but to re-sign him. Nonetheless, if Weeks desires to return again, it’s laborious to see the Texans saying no to their most tenured participant, at the same time as Houston signed a possible alternative to a futures deal.

Photograph by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs

How do the particular groups enhance?

As said, the important thing positions of P and PK are set for subsequent season. Aside from Fairbairn simply executing higher within the clutch, there’s not a lot to vary there. Maybe the LS place may be open for the primary time since 2010, however TBD. Possible the kick protection items will see a changeover, particularly with a number of the newer draft picks and back-of-the-roster our bodies moving into the combination. Barring damage or some form of personnel transfer this offseason, Dameon Pierce figures to return as a number one kick returner, if he can keep wholesome. Ogunbowale will reprise his function as Particular Groups Swiss Military Knife.

The punt return place figures to be an space to observe in lead as much as the common season. Woods, if he returns, might begin the yr there, however seemingly a brand new physique (both through free company or the draft) will get an opportunity to lock down that place. Then there’s the psychological facet. Placing that Divisional Spherical debacle behind everybody can be crucial if the Texans wish to get to the promised land of the AFC Championship and past.