McClain: Going from 3.4 to 4.2 would accelerate progress in Texans’ running game – Houston Chronicle

Imagine how productive the Texans offense could be next season if they solve a problem with the running game the way they did in 2010 Gary Kubiaks fifth season as coach.

In 2009, leading rusher Steve Slaton generated only 437 yards rushing. The next season, the Texans turned to second-year running back Arian Foster, and he produced 1,616 yards.

Think coach Lovie Smith and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton would be happy with that?

The running game has to be the top priority for Smith, Hamilton and general manager Nick Caserio, who has final say on all personnel decisions. The Texans have a lot of needs, but theyre desperate to improve the running game.

Not only was it the worst in the NFL with an average of 83.6 yards a game, it was the worst in team history even worse than the 2002 expansion team average of 84.2.

Rex Burkhead led the Texans with 427 yards rushing, setting another record for fewest yards by the teams leading rusher.

So what is Caserio going to do about it?

The Texans dont have money to burn in free agency, but they do have nine draft choices, including the third overall pick.

The Texans need three new starters in the offensive line and four if left tackle Laremy Tunsil is traded. If he keeps Tunsil to play opposite Tytus Howard and enough with this Howard is a better guard bull from last season Caserio can focus on the interior.

Caserio also needs two new backs to go with Burkhead, including a starter and backup.

While Hamilton will call the plays, returning running backs coach Danny Barrett and new offensive line coach George Warhop have to do the grunt work of preparing their players to play the way Smith will demand.

Barrett, who coached for Bill OBrien and David Culley, knows what his ideal back would be.

Talent is the key, of course, he said. You want a home run hitter. You put the ball in their hands, and they can take it the distance.

You want to get someone thats consistently available and understands what youre trying to accomplish, whether its inside or outside. Hes got to be durable enough to handle all of that.

Toughness is essential.

Any time you can get physicality at running back, youll take it, Barrett said.

Caserio doesnt have to draft a back in the first round. Of the top 10 rushers in the NFL last season, the only two first-round picks were Najee Harris (Steelers) and Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys).

Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Nick Chubb (Browns), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Dalvin Cook (Vikings) and Derrick Henry (Titans) were second-round picks. Antonio Gibson (Commanders) and Damien Harris (Patriots) were drafted in the third round. Elijah Mitchell (49ers) was a rookie selected in the sixth round.

The position has evolved over the years, Barrett said. If you have a guy thats durable and can help you in the running game and passing game, those are the guys you want to have, an every-down back.

Theres a good chance Caserio will draft an offensive lineman in the first round. Alabamas Evan Neal (tackle) and North Carolina States Ickey Ekownu (tackle/guard) are the top-rated prospects.

Warhop is the Texans third offensive line coach in three years after Mike Devlin and James Campen. The Texans are the eighth team thats employed him to coach the line in his 27-year NFL career.

Warhop, who came to the Texans from Jacksonville, has an interesting philosophy.

The way I look at the run game, its about yards per carry, he said. We cant dictate how many carries a backs going to get in a game based on how the games going. If were getting a lot of carries, great. Then we might have 140 or 150 yards rushing.

But the one thing Im always going to look at is our yards per carry. Id like for it to be above 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 somewhere in there.

The Texans averaged 3.4 yards a carry last season worst in the league. They also ran for only eight touchdowns, tied with the Giants for fewest in the league.

Even though the Jaguars had the NFLs worst record, they averaged 4.5 yards a carry. Second-year running back James Robinson averaged 4.7.

If its just on the line, were going to be a 3.8- to 4-yard average team, Warhop said. If everybodys involved in it and we have a real back and everybodys doing what theyre supposed to do, then we average 4.5, 4.6 or 4.7 a carry.

Getting everybody involved means the tight ends and wide receivers. Ben McDaniels, who was the assistant wide receivers coach last season, was elevated to passing game coordinator/wide receivers.

We have a vital role, McDaniels said about receivers blocking in the running game. Most big runs include the receivers doing their jobs at the second level or beyond.

Were sometimes at the starting point at the point of attack in the running game. Were going to give great effort, bring physicality and detail our jobs in the running game just like we will in the passing game.

Wide receiver isnt a need position like running back and the offensive line. Theres a long way to go in the evaluating process, but its no secret where the Texans are desperate: offensive line, running back, defensive end and safety.

Fans should hope Caserio provides Barrett and Warhop with the kind of players they need to improve the most glaring weakness on the team.

We want to give our backs the best chance to be successful, Warhop said. We want them (linemen) to be physical and tough, and we want them to have a mindset that were not going to take crap out of anybody.

When Warhop was asked what kind of coach he is, he hesitated, laughed and gave an indication of what he expects from his players.

Demanding (and) fair, he said about himself. Ill hold them to the same level of accountability I hold myself. I know how I like to be treated, and I try to treat my players the same way.

One reason I love working for Lovie is theres no gray (area) with what the expectations are, and were going to work toward those expectations. Im being held to that level, and Im going to hold them to that level.

john.mcclain@chron.com

twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl

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McClain: Going from 3.4 to 4.2 would accelerate progress in Texans' running game - Houston Chronicle