Tytus Howard ‘loves’ new right guard spot, emphasizes how Cole Popovich is creating ‘nasty, underestimated’ offensive line
The real test for an offensive lineman is in live game reps, but, so far, Howard looks and feels comfortable as the Texans’ new starting right guard. It was a position of instability last season as Shaq Mason’s play regressed and he was released and former second-round pick Juice Scruggs didn’t solidify the spot.
“I love it, man,” Howard told KPRC 2 as the Texans wrapped up their offseason schedule with a full-team minicamp. “Just getting these reps in, Probably the first time I got a chance to get this many reps in at guard before the season started. So, I’m doing the best I can do to get the technique down. And the coaches have been doing a tremendous job helping me with that."
With this latest move, Howard is displaying his positional flexibility again. He’s played left guard, right tackle, left tackle and, now, right guard. He has played every spot but center. Could he do it?
“If I had to, if I had to,” he said. “The more you can do .. I’m a guy who can play at every spot on the offensive line. I can play at a high level at every spot. I just gotta keep working and continue to get better. I feel like this year is gonna be my biggest year.”.
The offensive line has been characterized as the biggest question mark on the defending AFC South champions’ roster. How all of the changes work out will have a large hand in determining whether this team can make a long playoff run. To say they’re hungry to prove themselves is a vast understatement.
“We’ve got a chip on our shoulders and people underestimate what we’re going to be this year, but, you know that’s their problem,” Howard said. “When that first game comes and we come off that ball and hit them in the mouth, like they’re gonna be, ‘These guys are for real.’
“We’ve been putting that work in here right now and we’re gonna continue to put that work and training together. Every day isn’t gonna be perfect. But I’m telling you when that game one comes and they see what the offensive line is about, we’re going be ready."
Howard has one word for the stamp Popovich is placing on the offensive line: “Nasty.”
“You gotta play with a lot of grit,” Howard said. “When offensive lines are physical that don’t take (expletive) from nobody and they just establish, the dominance up front, he exemplifies that every morning, every day on the field And you want that in the coach because you’re only gonna rub off on the offensive line and he holds us to a high standard."
Howard, 29, is one of the most experienced linemen on the Texans’ roster. He is embracing a leadership role.
“I’m all in on that,” Howard said. “I’m doing the best I can do to transform my body, transform my daily habits, all that to show the younger guys the right way to do it. “I’m looking forward to that challenge of being that leader in the group. And I want to be a guy that the guys look up to and they’re like, ‘Hey man, Tytus is doing it the right and I want to do it that way.’ So I’m gonna look forward to it. "
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