How Texans left tackle Aireontae Ersery has improved significantly: ‘Confidence, right steps, right direction’

How Texans left tackle Aireontae Ersery has improved significantly: Confidence, right steps, right direction Texans rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery has made strides heading into his second NFL season Texans rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery.

Aireontae Ersery built scar tissue during his rookie year, learning valuable lessons with every block while lined up at arguably one of the most difficult positions in the NFL.

As a rookie left tackle and immediate starter for the Texans, the way that Ersery rebounded from an extremely rough outing against Jacksonville Jaguars veteran pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen in the third game was instructive.

Hines-Allen, using a combination of speed rushes and power, impacted the outcome of the game.One of the most efficient pass rushers in the NFL, Hines-Allen contributed to a seven-point win by dashing around Ersery, finding enough space to deflect a pass from Texans quarterback C.J.

Stroud that was intercepted by defensive back Antonio Johnson as the football fluttered short of its intended target: wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Ersery allowed one sack, three hurries and five pressures and was flagged three times, twice for holding and once for a facemask infraction.In the second time against the Jaguars, the Texans earned a 36-29 comeback victory.

And Ersery had an impressive 79.8 pass protecting grade, per Pro Football Focus analytics.

He allowed zero sacks, three hurries and three pressures and demonstrated how much he had adjusted from the first encounter.First game, I didnt play my best I took that on the chin, Ersery told KPRC 2.

The second time we played him, I knew I had to be a man and go out there and perform well.

I feel like that came from the encouragement from our coaches, really studying and understanding why the way they rush and just all of us playing together, definitely was a fun game." That arc of improvement has continued for Ersery after allowing seven sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 43 pressures with 11 penalties as a rookie after being drafted in the second round out of Minnesota.

While there were some growing pains, the former Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year was usually up to the task of protecting quarterback C.J.

Strouds blind side.

Stroud was sacked a career-low 23 times last season.The Texans like what theyve seen from Ersery throughout the spring as hes much more competitive against their top-ranked defense, including his blocking assignments against Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter.Definitely a lot of improvement, Hunter said.

Hes able to get to his spot quicker, shoot his hands, have better positioning with his hands and his eyes.

He goes out there and he tries to execute.

its really important to him.

He likes feedback.Hes definitely improved from last year.

His feet and technique look more explosive and polished under the tutelage of offensive line coach-run game coordinator Cole Popovich.

He has streamlined his 6-foot-6, 330-pound frame through a consistent, steady offseason in the weight room.Every day, I just want to strive to be the best, Ersery said.

If youre not doing that, then I dont know why youre in this profession.

Every day, I try to be a leader, try to do everything the right way.

Am I perfect?No, nobodys perfect.

If I do that, I feel like Im taking the right steps in the right direction.

..When I get asked that question, I tell them its confidence.

Its also just getting my strength back because last year, it was like the longest year.

When people say its the longest year, it really is the longest year that you probably ever have to go through.

For Ersery, 24, its been a steady climb since his high school days growing up in Kansas City, Missouri.Raised in a tough environment with his family, a single mother and five siblings experiencing homelessness at one point, Ersery reflected on his path from difficult times to the coveted NFL status hes earned.

A second-year starter who has significantly impressed the coaching staff and teammates with his physicality, mobility and athleticism, Ersery went through a lot to get to this point.Signed to a four-year, $9.211 million contract that includes a $3.339 million signing bonus, Ersery and his family overcame significant adversity along the way to him getting a scholarship to Minnesota.

The family dealt with an eviction when he was in middle school, ultimately living in several different locations, including one that lacked running water as Ersery, the oldest sibling growing up with brothers and sisters Danny Ersery, Dean Ersery, Cherish Ersery, Journey Stanford and Rain Spriggs, would carry a large jug of water across the street from a neighbors spigot to bring home for cooking and bathing needs.His mother, Takita Charles, held the family together as she worked multiple jobs around the clock at fast food restaurants and at a warehouse to put food on the table for Ersery and his younger siblings.

Eventually, through a transitional housing program, they all lived together in a two-bedroom apartment.

Now, its a new day for Ersery and his family.Its a blessing, man, Ersery said.

Throughout my whole journey, man, I had a lot of ups and downs.

And my family, they dont really get to see the hard days and the dark days, but they always showed me love and unconditional love.And Im forever grateful for that because not too many people have that.

And I also was fortunate to have a family-like coaching staff at Minnesota that helped guide me and get me to where I wanted to be.

Everything Ersery went through, he remembers and uses.

Its a constant reminder for him of gratitude and motivational moments.He doesnt allow himself to rest on his laurels or overreact to praise.

He stays grounded and humble.

Its an approach to life and football thats working quite well for Ersery.

The water jug.The crowded apartment.

The stress.

Thats all behind Ersery now, even though he doesnt allow it to wander far from his mind.I wear that stuff on my sleeve, man, Ersery said.

Thats my story and thats my fuel to the fire.

Thats the gumbo to the pot.

My family man, thats my motivation.Weve been through a lot and being able to overcome that and being in the position right now is nothing but a blessing.

Family is happy and everyone around me back at home, cant thank them enough for that.Just being homeless, single mother of five, dad was locked up when I was little, just being a firstborn having to take on a lot of responsibility, understanding where I was at in my life and what I wanted to do, whether that was go to college for football, athletics or just go and try to get a degree.

So, I just try to set myself up for success and I feel like I did so.

At Ruskin High School, Ersery started gaining attention from recruiters as he lined up at left tackle, defensive line and operated as the long snapper.

The team rarely won, but Ersery emerged as a standout.

He once dreamed of playing basketball, but ultimately focused on football along with participating in track and field and wrestling.

University of Minnesota offensive line coach and run game coordinator Brian Callahan couldnt wait to add him to coach P.J.Flecks hard-working, row-the-boat Golden Gophers program.

Ersery went from playing sparingly in his first two seasons to becoming an All-Big Ten Conference selection.

A third-team All-American, Ersery allowed just five career sacks, yielding one sack and one quarterback hit during his final college season.

He played only three snaps at left guard, and seven snaps at right tackle over the past three years.I remember one time he asked me: Do you really I think I have a chance to make it to the NFL? ' Callahan said in a telephone interview.

I said, Well, if you keep your attitude the way you have it now or you want to work, were big into changing your best around here and getting a little bit better every day.

If you stick to that attitude, yes.

I guarantee he remembers that conversation because I think there was the first time he really started thinking about, Maybe I can be a pro.

Hes got a great knack of being coachable.

He likes how Popovich operates with a no-nonsense personality and is deeply committed to making the offensive line as good as possible.You can tell his mentality, how he wants us to play, how we go about our business, Ersery said.

We respect him, and its a mutual agreement.

They signed former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller to a two-year, $23 million contract.

They retained right guard Ed Ingram on a three-year, $37.5 million deal.They drafted Georgia Tech All-American guard Keylan Rutgledge in the first round and he is competing with Jake Andrews for the starting center job.

Massive former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Brown is back as the swing tackle on a one-year, $7 million deal.

They traded for bruising running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions and signed him to a two-year, $16.5 million contract.As coach DeMeco Ryans has emphasized repeatedly, they want to establish a blue-collar, punishing running game after struggling to run the football last season when Pro Bowl runner Joe Mixon missed the entire season with a mysterious foot injury.Weve got the right guys to do it, Ersery said.

DeMeco says, We want to run the football.

We want to be downhill, pound the ball.

The identity starts in the run.It takes a lot of pressure off of C.J.

You know, we get the run game going.

It opens up the passing game.

Definitely excited...I think the skys the limit.

Last year was last year.

We put that to bed already.

We are more focused on what this unit can do and what this unit can be.I think our unit can be very, very special, We have young guys flying around, making plays, wanting to hit people in the mouth.

Its been refreshing.

And Stroud, with more time to operate, a running game to complement him and healthier skill players, could regain his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year form in a second season of offensive coordinator Nick Caley calling the plays.

Ersery sees a distinct difference in the offense overall.I think it starts with the quarterback, Ersery said.

C.J.

has done an unbelievable job this offseason of just taking control.

We remind him, This is your offensive line, you take control of whatever you need us to do, we will do it.

I think its just a lot of calmness going on, a lot of over-communicating, making sure guys are at the right spot because thats what it all comes down to.Last year, we had a feeling like these guys not set.

I feel like this year weve done a great job of everybody getting set, everybody doing their job and so that we can play fast and we can roll on to training camp and roll it on to the season.

Although there were few rocky moments here and there, theyre fewer and farther in between for the Texans left offensive tackle.Ersery is building his skills and his belief in his improving ability to stonewall defenders.

Ersery allowed four of those sacks in the first four games.

He had a season-high 82.1 pass blocking grade in a win over the San Francisco 49ers.

He allowed just two hurries and two pressures.I think its just that big C word: confidence, Ersery said.

Just building that confidence in week in, week out, knowing I got the ability to shut a guy down.

Aaron Wilson is an award-winning Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and www.click2houston.com.He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun.

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