James Campen C Justin Britt brings leadership to the Texans offensive line
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The Houston Texans have a shakeup at center.
It started when the club released Nick Martin, who started 62 games for the Texans since 2017, on Feb. 26. Houston signed former Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt on March 8 just before free agency began.
After the Texans’ eight-week offseason program, including 10 sessions of organized team activities, offensive line coach James Campen has got a feel for his new center.
“He’s got a lot of energy now,” Campen said. “He’s excited to get back on the field. The guy was one of the best centers in football until he got hurt. I’m sure that — I know that he’s excited to get back on the field and to get back to how he was playing and exceed how he was playing.”
Britt sustained a torn ACL after eight games into the 2019 season, which led to his departure from Seattle. The Green Bay Packers had interested in Britt in September just before the 2020 season kicked off, and the Kansas City Chiefs similarly had interest amid their Super Bowl run in January. Neither opportunity manifested in being rostered.
The 6-6, 315-pound center from Missouri played 87 games for the Seahawks, who drafted him in the second round in the 2014 NFL draft. One of the philosophies of the Seahawks from 2011-17 under offensive coordinator Darell Bevell was to run the football.
Said Campen: “He knows what it’s like to run the football. They ran the football a lot up there in Seattle. He’s got leadership traits and things you look for that are very positive for the group and to bring people along with them. But again, there’s guys that were here last year and the new guys that running the ball mentality is very important to.”
The Texans have seven running backs on the roster with three Pro Bowlers in Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson, and Mark Ingram. If the Texans can find a way to run the football behind Britt’s leadership on the offensive line, it will help a Deshaun Watson-less offense find its identity quickly.
