There's much for fans of the Houston Texans to be celebrating after a monumentous week six victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. An improved win-loss record, a top-four passing offense, top-five quarterback play and even clutch contributions from several much-needed newcomers to the team.
Unfortunately, along with many of the recent positives for the team, there are also some roster sobering questions that Houston has to answer that have the potential to dictate the entirety of the backend of the campaign. For example, what is the organization to do with high-profile acquired names like running back David Montgomery and safety Reed Blankenship after each player's respective slow start to the year? This concern comes after a double-whammy of events, where both players have experienced injuries (Montgomery: groin, Blankenship: concussion) while also watching as the team pulled off a season-shifting victory against the Jaguars in their absence.
Even though nothing is (nor should be) imminent at the moment, continued productivity at their respective positions while they're out recovering could lead to Houston potentially considering some seismic decisions for the duo of aforementioned playmakers in Montgomery and Blankenship.
The Houston Texans may have to soon make some tough decisions regarding David Montgomery and Reed Blankenship
David Montgomery
In Montgomery's case, Houston traded center Juice Scruggs and draft capital to the Detroit Lions in the offseason to acquire Montgomery at a time where they were aiming to replace some of the 1,000-plus-yard production lost from cutting former starting rusher Joe Mixon. Montgomery looked the part in week one, as he exploded onto the scene with 60 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) on 23 total touches in Houston's 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills in week one. However, his effectiveness has cratered in a huge way, leading to a combined 78 rushing yards and zero touchdowns in his following four games.
It's resulted in a total yards per carry average of only 2.7, which has contributed to many a stalled drive throughout September and into the early parts of October. Meanwhile, his replacements in Woody Marks and practice squad call-up Jawhar Jordan just helped carry Houstons' rushing attack on Sunday to the tune of a combined 99 yards and one rushing touchdown on 21 total carries.Making things worse for Montgomery is that the duo did this against the best rushing defense in the NFL in Jacksonville, who hadn't allowed a single 40-yard rusher on the season before Sunday (Marks and Jordan both did it in one game).
Additionally, Marks and Jordan both offer a much better scheme-fit opportunity in terms of their abilities to display varying levels of shiftiness, quickness and versatility to complement the passing attack. Their zone-like playstyles mesh well with an offensive line that oftentimes needs the support of premium play making to offset its occasional inability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage.
With more dominant performances from the duo, Houston may have to soon make a tough decision on the former Chicago Bear playmaker.
Reed Blankenship
If you've been keeping up with Toro Times at all over the last month and change, you'd know that I've long since had concerns about Blankenship's coverage skills in Houston's secondary to open the season. At the moment, he holds the distinction of being ranging anywhere from worst to third-worst in several significant defensive categories amongst all Texans defensive backs through six games.
- 30x targeted (2nd-most)
- 23 receptions allowed (2nd-most, clears #3 by 8)
- 278 receiving yards allowed (2nd-most, clears #3 by 45)
- 2 TD's allowed (T-most)
- 112.9 passer rating allowed (3rd-highest, clears #4 by 25.4)
- 76.7% catch rate allowed (clears #2 by 1.7%)
Simply put, Blankenship has not lived up to his $24.75 million expectation coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles, and many in the fan base believe that it's beyond time for head coach DeMeco Ryans to took elsewhere in the defensive back room for solutions to the problem.
So far, only options like M.J. Stewart, Kamari Ramsey and/or Jalen Pitre exist as potential bandaids on the issue. This Sunday against the New york Giants will be the first full game (presumably) where Houston will get a chance to see their secondary without Blankenship lined up across from Calen Bullock at the safety spot. If the product looks promising enough, Blankenship—like Montgomery—may be faced with a tough decision from the team in the near future.
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