Houston Texans: Carlos Hyde is ‘running angry’
The Houston Texans might have hit the jackpot in signing veteran running back Carlos Hyde this season.
It is tough to replace a talented running back like Lamar Miller, but the Houston Texans have done a nice job in doing so when they added Carlos Hyde to the starting lineup in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason.
Hyde is playing tough, he’s focused and the running back is very motivated, or as he’s said, “he has a chip on his shoulder” for the 2019 season. The Texans have had some solid production from the running back because in two games he’s rushed for 173 yards on 30 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per rush, which is above his career average of 5.6 yards per carry.
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In Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, Hyde had 10 carries for 83 yards, with a long rush of 20 yards in what was a two-point loss by the Texans. In Week 2 against his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hyde doubled his carries at 20 attempts for 90 yards with a 4.5 yards per carry average.
Though Hyde has not had a 1,000-yard season in his NFL career, in ’16 and ’17 he collected season totals of 988 yards (217 carries) and 938 yards (240 carries). Currently Hyde is on pace for 1,384 yards if he averages 86.5 yards rushing per game, which would be amazing, but a tough road ahead.
In transcripts provided by the Houston Texans, they quoted Hyde in him saying he’s “running angry” and that’s “he’s hungry.” Hyde said the following about his season thus far:
"“I’m hungry. I’m out there on a mission, like I told you, I’ve got a chip on my shoulder coming in this year. So I’m running angry, running mad, and it’s been paying off for me. That chip growing. It’s a heavy chip. Chips are my favorite food, so at the end of the season I’m gonna eat that chip.”"
Looking at the trade with the Chiefs this preseason after the Miller injury, it kind of went unnoticed at first as the trades to send Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks, and to add Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills and others, were more high-profile.
In adding Hyde, the Texans have a running back who can be one of the focal points to the offense and help set up the passing game. That could eventually cut down on the sacks by the opponents of the Texans, as there have been 10 sacks allowed in the first two games combined.
To be honest, through the first two games of the season Hyde has been a surprise, there should be much more to come from Hyde in his sharing role with Duke Johnson at the running back spot.
Though it would be nice to have Miller on the roster right now, his replacement in Hyde isn’t so bad, and going into Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, excitement is high to see all he can offer for Week 3 and beyond.
Next. Texans: Significant improvement from the o-line in Week 2. dark
Hyde is on a mission this season, and maybe “running angry” will not only lead the Texans to another AFC South title, but possible wins in the playoffs, too.