“Boys in the hole not blocked”

HOUSTON – Dameon Pierce took off from the backfield during a joint practice Thursday morning and ran long runs around the Los Angeles Rams defense.

The Texans’ third-year running back and primary backup to Pro Bowl player Joe Mixon faced something he hadn’t experienced in the two preseason games: daylight.

Pierce faced foul trouble in both games this month, managing just nine yards on eight carries combined against the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. In each of those games, Pierce struggled as the line of scrimmage was packed in the tackle box and defenders blocked the Texans’ offensive line.

While Pierce appeared much more confident in training sessions with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s zone-based game strategies, his productivity in games dropped.

The explanation for Pierce’s inability to break free seems relatively simple. It’s a combination of a lack of space in front of him and Pierce not deviating from the script and cutting back when there’s nothing to be gained, but simply charging straight into the line and not evading or breaking tackles.

“We need to get him some chances in the game, give him more chances to run,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Dameon did a great job here in practice and I don’t think everyone saw that in the game because when he had his chances, the guys in the gap weren’t blocked so he didn’t have a chance to really get going. We just need to give him more chances, but we need to block better up front so he has a chance to make some plays in the run game.”

Tytus Howard, the Texans’ right offensive tackle, emphasized how little use Pierce has had, despite averaging 1.1 yards per carry. Against the Giants, he rushed for five yards on four carries, including an 18-yard kickoff return. He also played without Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil in the lineup, while Mixon was out as he works to get back to full strength after a quadriceps injury.

“He doesn’t get as many reps,” Howard said. “He didn’t get as many reps with the starters either, so you have to bring that into play. We didn’t run the ball as much last game. We made a lot of passing plays.”

“He’s worked hard in training. A lot of people don’t see that, they only see what they see when we go into the game. You can’t just rely on that. That’s just a small sample of what he’s done and the work he’s put in. He’s going to do just fine.”

Pierce was too hectic at times last season as he tried to learn an unfamiliar, strategic approach to running the football after excelling in the passing game on faster, straighter runs. And his body weight and diet weren’t where he wanted them to be. So Pierce made some changes in the offseason. He dropped from 217 pounds to 218 pounds last year on a diet developed by the Texans’ nutritionists that emphasized lean meats and vegetables.

Pierce feels like a new person and it shows through his play on the field and the smile on his face, at least during practice sessions.

“I feel comfortable, I feel in shape,” Pierce told KPRC 2. “Last year was like another rookie year for me in terms of unlearning and relearning things. My head was in a thousand places at once, and that’s not efficient. You can’t play fast. You can’t play clean if you’re thinking a lot, if you’re wondering, ‘What do I have on these plays? Who do I have on this play? Was I right on this play?’ So a lot of the cobwebs and all that are gone. I’m more precise and sharper, cleaner. Everything just feels right. It’s fun again, bro.

“I don’t want to say last year took the fun out of the game, but, man, nobody wants to get hurt. Nobody wants to be on the sidelines. Nobody wants to be out of the action. Nobody wants to be out on the field. So it’s definitely been a learning curve. You heard it. Compared to last year to this year, it feels great to be back out here, in the thick of it, doing my thing right. Everything just feels right and comfortable. It’s like football. Not missing any assignments, that’s the type of football I like to play.”

A year after being named a Pro Bowl alternate as one of the best rookie running backs, Pierce was reduced to a complementary role behind Devin “Motor” Singletary – cheering on his teammate while his numbers declined.

Pierce rushed for 416 yards and two touchdowns with a 2.9 average per carry in 14 games and seven starts last season despite battling an ankle injury and struggling to adapt to Slowik’s running system. Pierce gained 939 yards and scored four touchdowns as a Pro Bowl backup during his dynamic rookie season two years ago, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as he established himself as a powerhouse player and earned NFL Angry Run of the Year honors for his tackle-busting performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As we head into training camp this year, Pierce looks ready to bounce back. He has been training tirelessly in the offseason and putting on muscle mass, which has helped him find a balance between size and speed. He also operates with much more confidence and less wasted movement in his moves.

Although the Texans acquired Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals via trade, adding a three-year, $27 million contract extension, and signed running back Jawhar Jordan from Louisville, they still have plans for Pierce. Pierce, who worked hard this offseason while also taking time to finish his degree at the University of Florida, is included in the equation as a change of pace behind Mixon and on kickoff returns after he made a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last season against the Cleveland Browns.

“He was ready to compete and work,” Slowik said. “And I mean, last year was always busy. This year he was able to really focus mentally. He was able to focus physically so he could focus on offense, but he was also able to focus on himself.”

“And he’s always worked tirelessly. But now he’s seeing the fruits of that and it’s been fun to watch him at OTAs and in camp. I mean, he’s doing really good things in camp. I mean, it’s been fun to watch him and I’m excited to see him continue to grow.”

Pierce wanted to make some changes after last season.

He changed his diet, incorporating more lean proteins and vegetables into his diet. After playing at around 223-225 pounds as a fourth-round rookie out of Florida, Pierce now has more energy at a lighter weight and still appears powerful.

“This year I have a lot more muscle mass, more lean muscle and I feel great,” Pierce said. “I’ve been getting tips on how to eat right and it’s doing good. I don’t really eat red meat anymore, but when I do I go crazy. When I’m supposed to eat red meat I take oxtail and I go crazy.”

Yes, Pierce occasionally treats himself to a steak on special occasions. The best option is a 180-gram filet mignon with asparagus and hollandaise sauce.

It has to be done just right, not too rarely.

“I’m more of a high medium well kind of guy,” Pierce said. “I want just a hint of pink. I want to cut through it and it can’t be tough. I don’t want my heart still on my steak.”

The support of loyal fans, especially those who witnessed the losing seasons before celebrating last season’s AFC South Division title, means a lot to Pierce.

“It was exciting, we had a great turnout,” Pierce said. “We’re giving it our all, brother. You’re doing this for the city. Everything’s running smoothly. It’s just amazing, brother.”

Against the Browns, Pierce reminded everyone in the NFL how explosive and powerful he can be with a football in the open field.

Pierce attacked kickoff coverage during a 36-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium, aggressively attacking the middle of the field in a structured return before drifting right toward the sideline and outrunning pursuit. The Bainbridge, Georgia, native was not caught – especially not by Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins, who injured his hamstring in a futile pursuit of Pierce. He was shoved at the 2-yard line by linebacker Charlie Thomas II and plunged into the end zone.

It was one of the few bright spots, as the touchdown put the Texans on the scoreboard after the Browns had taken a 14-0 lead on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Amari Cooper.

Pierce’s touchdown was only the third kickoff return to result in a touchdown last NFL season and the Texans’ second after fullback Andrew Beck’s 85-yard return against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pierce had a season-high 24 carries for 81 yards in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1, and 20 carries for 66 yards the following week against the Atlanta Falcons. He injured his ankle in a game against the Carolina Panthers and missed nearly a month before returning to action.

“I’ve seen Dameon work hard this offseason,” Ryans said. “As you mentioned, he’s transformed his body, he’s strong and he’s been training every day of the offseason program. Not only is he training, but I’m proud of Dameon for going back and finishing his degree at Florida. He’s just a complete man training as a football player, but also for him to finish his degree means a lot.”

“I see Dameon being very clear-headed while we’re working outside and I think that’s going to allow him to have a really productive year this year. He has everything it takes to be a really good running back for us and I think him and Joe as a one-two punch would be very beneficial for all of us.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and Click on “Houston”..