Texans OC Bobby Slowik gushed about RB Joe Mixon in Saturday's press conference. "He's a fun, fun person to coach," Slowik said with a big smile. "From Day one, showed up and absolutely worked his tail off. I mean you could see right away in Phase two, and in OTAs, like I understand now why he was as good as he was in Cincinnati. He puts in an immense amount of work. He loves football. He does not stop wanting to learn, wanting to grow. ... Workhorse. He’s an absolute workhorse, in every regard. Not just as a ball carrier. He embraces protections. He embraces the other things he can do outside of carrying the ball, as an eligible [receiver], as a decoy."
What else could you want to hear from an OC about his RB?
It's been clear that the Texans really like Mixon since they traded for him back in March and then quickly signed him to a three-year, $25.5 million extension. But it's nice to hear that he's met or even exceeded expectations so far as he settles into the offense.
It sure sounds like Houston envisions Mixon as a three-down back. And, considering this looks like a top-10 offense, that type of role would give Mixon RB1 upside.
Don't expect Dameon Pierce or the newly signed Cam Akers to see much action behind a healthy Mixon this season. Pierce is the favorite to win the No. 2 RB job but is just a fantasy handcuff.
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