BRB Groupthink: The Most Impressive Texans of Week 4

Well, the Houston Texans are 0-3-1 and there’s nothing to get excited about or optimistic about. But regardless of the scenario and the outlook, it’s always best to stay… okay, okay, just try not to turn off the TV in Q3.

This week’s group reflection, we need to think positive. Let’s elevate people. Who have you been impressed with so far across four games?

VBallRemoved:

I think this rookie class might be the deepest class since 2006. I think Jalen Pitre is easily the best safety in this draft. Derek Stingley is showing signs of improvement. Kenyon Green and Dameon Pierce are obviously good too. Every player has had their difficult moments and that’s normal. The only thing that will make this team better is more talented players. They will probably come in the next two projects.

L4blitz:

I have to agree with VBall on rookies. This season was never going to be about the win/loss record. It’s about how well rookies, especially top draft picks, would do. So far it has been encouraging. I would love to see them and some of the other 1st/2nd year guys evolve. Will give Jerry Hughes a shout out (4 sacks in 4 games)…worth the flyer Caserio took on him.

Oh, and I can’t forget the gloriously stupid but so appropriate tie from Week 1. The memory of that stupidity still brings a smile to my face. I’ve been calling him for a few years, and the fates of football have answered.

Kenneth L.:

Answering my own question is much more difficult than it should be…

I enjoyed watching OJ Howard’s career resurrection. His two Week One TDs were a fantastic surprise and shone a light on an otherwise dismal game. The tight end’s performance led to the removal of Pharaoh Brown last week. With the delayed development of Brevin Jordan and Teagan Quitoriano, Howard elevated the Texans’ short-yardage blocking and situational passing options. It’s impressive to see a player bounce back in every way, but it’s even better to see him perform in a Texans uniform.

Jeremy_Brener:

In Caserio’s first true draft class, he nailed nearly every pick with certainty. Kenyon Green, Derek Stingley, Dameon Pierce and Jalen Pitre were all good picks. And the jury is still out on John Metchie since he hasn’t played yet. It’s just a draft class. Once we get two or three, the Texans could have a legit team on their hands. Those four in particular make the Texans watchable and relevant this season, and as long as they continue to perform well, I’m happy.

Joe Critz:

Like everyone else, I was very pleased with the play of Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre in defense and Kenyon Green and Dameon Pierce in attack. Pitre and Stingley have the speed, instinct and hands to be excellent defensive backs for future Texans defenses, and Green and Pierce have both performed well above expectations. Instead of being a weakness or part of the offense that we can only hope to improve over time, Green and Pierce have both been integral parts of a much improved rushing offense in 2022.

Along the defensive line, I believe Jonathan Greenard, Jerry Hughes and Roy Lopez did a good job of obstructing the lanes and disrupting the opposing quarterback. Greenard continues to show flashes of being a true diamond in the rough, and with a full season opposite Jerry Hughes, perhaps he will truly become something special this year. Consistency is key for Lopez and Greenard, who can either become a legit force for the Texans improving defense or turn into excellent depth for a better defensive line that has yet to be built.

Corylg:

I think there were a few positive things to consider for the Texans. I think the rookie class was great, four major contributors/leavers are pretty good in a draft class.

The running game when Pierce is the main guard has looked good at the NFL level. The defense is doing well just four games into the Lovie Smith era. The front four are under constant pressure and the secondary is holding up.

Patrick Haughton

After watching the Texans for most of the past decade struggle with the likes of Lamar Miller, Alfred Blue, Carlos Hyde, David Johnson, Phillip Lindsey, Duke Johnson, Mark Ingram, Royce Freeman and, of course, Rex Burkhead, J like to watch Dameon Pierce when he enters the field. Sure, statistically the running game hasn’t improved much, but you can see Pierce running like a monster, even excluding that 75-yard touchdown on Sunday. If we ever get a decent offensive line again, Pierce is going to cause nightmares for the rest of the league.