Younger players have a variety of resources to help them acclimate to the NFL.
Direction and critique mostly comes from the coaches, but proven veterans can also be a tremendous asset in the pursuit of more productive play.
The Houston Texans have a dominant left tackle in Laremy Tunsil, who has earned three Pro Bowl selections since joining the club in 2019. While DeMeco Ryans knows Tunsil will protect the backside for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the coach is hopeful Tunsil can show the way for younger offensive linemen on the roster.
“I think Laremy can add stability,” Ryans told reporters June 13 after the first day of mandatory minicamp. “He can add that experience where guys have questions, like for our rookies and younger guys, to lean on those veterans who have done it at a high level and a long time, right? Pro Bowl, All Pro, whatever those accolades have been, he’s been one of the top left tackles in the league. How can you gain some type of knowledge from a guy as a young player?”
Right tackle Tytus Howard has gone to the school of Tunsil since joining the Texans as their 2019 first-round pick. The Alabama State product has earned the equivalent of a master’s degree in pass protection and run blocking from being a Tunsil understudy.
Like Howard, Ryans is hopeful younger players such as guard Kenyon Green will pick Tunsil’s mind to elevate their impact on-field.
“I’m expecting our young guys to be sponges, hoping Laremy shares as much as possible to train the next guys who are coming after him to give them all the tips and tricks of the trade,” said Ryans.
