The Texans are gearing up for a tough Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, and special teams coordinator Frank Ross isn’t pulling any punches about the challenge ahead. He’s got his eyes locked on Bengals Special Teams Coordinator Darrin Simmons, a guy who’s been running Cincy’s special teams for an incredible 24 seasons. Ross admits he hasn’t “seen it all,” but he’s convinced Simmons absolutely has, and the game tape proves it. That kind of experience and consistency is what the Texans have to match on Sunday if they want to come out on top.
The “Seen It All” Standard Cincy Sets
Ross has mad respect for Simmons and his squad, pointing out how disciplined Cincinnati’s special teams unit is. They’re masters at spreading the field with their coverage, which lets them shut down even really good returners. This isn’t just a flash in the pan; it’s a consistent, sound brand of football that’s kept Simmons in his role for over two decades. You don’t stick around that long unless you’re truly elite, right? Beyond the coaching, the Bengals also boast some serious talent in their specialists. Kicker Evan McPherson is “really good,” and punter Ryan Rehkow? This dude has a cannon. He’s already set a franchise record for longest punts and gross average. Ross called his leg “a hammer,” and that’s exactly the kind of weapon that can flip field position in a hurry. The Texans know they’ve got to find a way to counter that, to somehow affect Rehkow’s booming kicks and snag some better starting field position than they managed in Week 1.
Decision Time for Jaylin Noel
Speaking of Week 1, Ross acknowledged the mixed bag from his own special teams. He loved how they finished strong, playing “at our best” in the final moments of the fourth quarter. That’s the kind of grit you want to see, no doubt. But he also knows they need to start way faster this week. No excuses, they just gotta play better from the jump. A big part of that is going to fall on returner Jaylin Noel. Ross absolutely gushes about Noel, saying he “loves this kid,” praising his intelligence and calling him a “playmaker.” He trusts Noel “with everything” when it comes to handling the football. However, there’s a clear area for improvement: decision-making. Ross specifically mentioned a mishit punt in Week 1 that bounced and rolled an extra 24 yards. That’s the kind of yardage you just can’t give away! He’s hammering home the message to “field that out of the air” whenever possible, trying to cut down on those “bad to worse” scenarios.
Effort Isn’t Enough Anymore
When it comes to defending returns, Ross is blunt: it’s all about effort on kickoff and coverage. He’s not questioning his guys’ hustle, not one bit. But effort alone isn’t going to cut it against a team like Cincinnati with a coach as experienced as Simmons and specialists like McPherson and Rehkow. The bottom line is, they “have to get better.” They’ve seen what happens when decision-making isn’t perfect and when field position gets squandered. This Sunday’s kickoff isn’t just another game, it’s a test for the special teams unit to step up, make smarter plays, and find a way to get a crucial early-season win. The whole team’s field position and ultimately the outcome could hinge on it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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