Bringing in left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Miami Dolphins may have more of an effect for the Houston Texans than initially realized.
The general consensus was Tunsil would help protect quarterback Deshaun Waston’s blindside, but the former 2016 first-round pick may also be able to help in the development of rookie first-round offensive lineman Tytus Howard.
“There’s a lot of ways that he can help Tytus,” coach Bill O’Brien told reporters Monday at NRG Stadium. “I’d say one is that they were both high draft picks, so just coming into a new organization and the expectations and the routine that Laremy has gotten himself into when he was in Miami.”
The Texans’ plan is to kick Howard inside to play left guard alongside Tunsil rather than turning him loose on the outside, which gives the former Alabama State product a chance to adjust to the speed of the NFL in his first season.
Another way Tunsil can help in the development of Howard is game preparation, being a good teammate, and other tricks of the trade that Tunsil has learned through 44 games as a pro. However, it isn’t just Howard that will be getting great lessons from Tunsil; second-round tackle Max Scharping from Northern Illinois also will have the opportunity to learn about being an effective lineman from Tunsil.
“Laremy was a very popular guy in Miami, and I think the reason why was because Laremy was Laremy,” said O’Brien. “He was himself and he worked hard, and he brought his lunch pail every day, and that’s what he’s going to do here, and I think any time you have a guy like that, that’s a good example for guys like Max and Tytus.”
The Texans begin the regular season Sept. 9 at the New Orleans Saints. Tunsil, Howard, and the rest of the offensive line will have a chance to make a statement to the rest of the NFL that Houston’s offensive line has turned the corner as they try to limit defensive end Cameron Wake and the rest of the Saints pass rush’s influence on Watson.
