The popular night-time host joins BRB for five questions.
Shaun Bijani has been covering Houston sports on and off for nearly two decades with 610 AM. He used to be an on the scenes reporter, but he and Patrick Creighton have been on at night for nearly a year now talking Texans, Rockets, and Astros. We sat down with him to get his opinions on what the Texans have done so far this offseason.
Battle Red Blog: Obviously the Laremy Tunsil deal was the biggest Texans deal in the new league year. What did you think of the idea of trading him and more specifically the return we got back?
Shaun Bijani: The initial confusion is understandable as to the curiosity of why a team that’s had one of the worst offensive lines in the league two years running with their new quarterback, would trade the best performing player on it.
We may never know the real reason(s) why the Texans made the decision to move on, however there are some surface level things that make perfect sense with the move.
They wanted a more affordable option at the position, a player that was maybe more well rounded as a left tackle, that could be a better run blocker than Tunsil with the sacrifice of them not individually being as good of a pass blocker. It gives them financial flexibility to take care of their younger up and coming players, which they have recently done by extending Derek Stingley Jr. they’ll have C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson up next offseason.
Getting four draft picks in return (2025 third and seventh-round picks and 2026 second and fourth-round picks) is a pretty darn good haul for a soon to be 31-year-old marginal run blocking tackle with bad knees. It may not sit well with some who rationally compare what the Texans received this time versus what they gave up (two first round picks, a second round pick along with Julian Davenport and Johnson Bademosi), but that was a Bill O’Brien orchestrated deal after all, so…yeah. The Texans habits of dealing draft picks should make this an interesting follow to see what the picks received for Tunsil turn into.
BRB: In terms of the new additions/re-signings, which one do you think will end up being the most significant?
SB: I really like the acquisition of CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson. While he hasn’t been the most durable player in three of the previous four seasons, playing in 16 games last season while appearing in just three the year prior and playing in 12 games in both the ‘21 and ‘22 seasons, his ability to take the ball away is exciting, especially when paired with the likes of Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock.
Adding CJGJ to the secondary makes the Texans core of defensive backs one of the most formidable in the entire league. It adds quality depth to the unit and provides flexibility in various matchups against opposing receivers.
An honorable mention for me that could likely end up being underrated, is the addition of veteran offensive linemen the Texans have accumulated this offseason. From Laken Tomlinson, Ed Ingram to Cam Robinson to Trent Brown, the Texans have significantly improved the knowledge, experience and credibility of a room that has been in desperate need of experience, work ethic but most importantly, execution.
These guys aren’t perennial all-pros, but they do provide a lot of veteran leadership, new voices in the room along with the aforementioned intangibles.
BRB: If we assume the Texans aren’t done, what is the one significant move they have in them?
SB: Offensive linemen aren’t the most exhilarating thing to discuss on the radio or in general conversations with the boys, but it’s necessary. The defense looks tremendous right now.
I think the obvious answer is wide receiver. The question becomes, where do they make the move(s)? The draft and/or in free agency?
Whether it be receivers Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State or Texas’ Matthew Golden in the draft and coupling that with a marginal free agent signing for another receiver or drafting Ohio State guard Tyler Booker or Kelvin Banks from Texas, I don’t think there’s much the Texans can do in terms of making a big splash with a proven name.
BRB: How if at all have the Texans draft needs changed based on what has happened this last week?
SB: I think they’ve changed drastically. Trading for Christian Kirk, acquiring C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the multiple offensive linemen they’ve signed, takes a load of their shoulders heading into the draft in my opinion. There’s not as much pressure of needing to reach for a player at a position, namely receiver or offensive line.
They can be a bit more calculated, disciplined and deliberate in their decision making process.
BRB: It’s been awhile since the Nick Caley hire. Based on his past coaching career and the changes from the last week, what tangible changes can we expect from the offense?
Well, Caley himself didn’t tell us much when he first met with the media shortly after his hiring.
“It’s going to be Houston’s,” Caley said. “It’s going to be our scheme based on what we do. I don’t say that to throw any curveballs, it really is.”
Let’s just keep it simple shall we, but with a bit more context.
Tangible changes to the offense? Well, taking a look at some things that didn’t work the previous staff seemed hellbent on making staples of the offense, I’d say fewer bunch formations with inadequate personnel for one. But, fewer sacks allowed, a more balanced run/pass attack, a more athletic personnel grouping to use the entire field and toughness.
The latter cannot be emphasized enough as the Texans more times than not, were overpowered, outplayed and flat out embarrassed up front on the offensive line this past season. That has fallen on both the coaching, practice habits and the players themselves. Some have been given the opportunity to fix it here, some have not.
That’s one of the most important factors that ultimately has to be corrected.
We want to thank Shaun for the taking the time to answer our questions. It has been about a year since he and Patrick Creighton started Area 45 from seven to ten on 610 AM. To date, it is still the only live night time sports show going in Houston. We want to wish he and Patrick the best of luck from here on out.