'Tireless and Hungry!' Dolphins Rave About Texans Coach Bobby Slowik
The Houston Texans may have had some worrying displays during their first preseason matchup against the New England Patriots despite taking home the victory, but that was expected.
C.J. Stroud — Houston's expected starter — didn't quite look like the No. 2 pick the Texans had hoped he was while the offensive line was riddled with injuries prior to the game, forcing the hand of DeMeco Ryans. But again, early struggles aren't surprising.
If the Texans want to begin turning things around under their rookie coach, adjustments will need to be made on both sides of the ball, though the offense does seem to be the more pressing issue after the defensive's impressive showing against the Patriots.
At the same time, teams can't assume that Houston is going to stay stagnant. They will have to game-plan for Stroud as if he's set to throw for multiple scores, and they'll need to rush the offensive line with an intensity that shows respect for both the blockers and the running backs at the same time.
Luckily for the Texans, they've earned that respect from other teams — and most recently from Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who took time to speak on Bobby Slowik and Houston's offense prior to their pre-season matchup.
“You have a tireless, hungry worker in Bobby Slowik that has an exuberant young mind," McDaniel said. "But [he's] also grounded in a lot of football principles both offensively and defensively. Every team would be fortunate to have [a coordinator like him.]"
McDaniel's words aren't empty, either. Both him and Slowik "worked closely together" during their time under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, with McDaniel working with the run game before moving to offensive coordinator during Slowik's time as the offensive passing-game specialist.
The two did find success, even helping the 49ers to the NFC Championship, where they fell just short of reaching the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
So, McDaniel has the prior experience to speak on Slowik, but so does the Texans' new offensive coordinator for McDaniel. And he also took a moment to commend his former colleague ahead of Houston's Saturday preseason game.
"[McDaniel and I] had a really close relationship," Slowik said following Houston's team practice Monday. "Honestly, we did a lot of things coordinators had to do to help Kyle [Shanahan], who had head-coach responsibilities. ... We've often talked football, life and all kinds of things, and we see football through a very similar lens.
He's an extremely bright and creative individual. He's really really smart."
Slowik and McDaniel's exchange was certainly not the first of its kind — though the many prior weren't as publicized — which will make for a healthy competition between the two teams on Saturday.
McDaniel's words only furthered the positive narrative surrounding Ryans and his team in Houston, which will also be looking to join the list of teams in AFC contention in the coming years.That won't happen immediately, but every game does matter.
And if Slowik can get the best of his former colleague Saturday, it could be a sign of more positives to come for the Texans.
Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins are set to visit Houston on Saturday for both teams' second preseason matchups. The Texans will look for their second victory in a row, while the Dolphins will hope to improve to 1-1. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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