John McClain's Texans' breakdown: Special teams

PHOTOS: John McClain's look at the Texans' special teams

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Larry Izzo calls a play during Texans training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, in Houston.

Browse through the photos above for John McClain's look at the Texans' special teams. less PHOTOS: John McClain's look at the Texans' special teams

Houston Texans special teams coordinator Larry Izzo calls a play during Texans training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center on Tuesday, Aug. 2, ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close John McClain's Texans' breakdown: Special teams 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

This is the last of a nine-part, position-by-position series analyzing the Texans after their offseason program.

During the offseason program, coach Bill O'Brien didn't try to hide the Texans' mission to improve their special teams.

Rather than serving as a detriment too many times, the coaches would like for the special teams to make a positive impact.

Now, something must be clear: Improvement on special teams must come on coverage and returns. The kicking game isn't the issue.

Larry Izzo enters his second season as special teams coordinator. One of first-year coach Wes Welker's many duties is to assist Izzo with special teams.

Recommended Video:

Izzo, one of the greatest special teams players in NFL history, knows what he wants from his players.

"Just more consistent play across the board," he said. "You've got to win the field position battle every week, and there were times (with) coverage breakdowns. You can never give up points, and we gave up points.

"We turned the ball over, so there's a lot of things to improve on. I feel good about the guys we have. It's a matter of executing on a more consistent level and a better level than last year."

First, a look at what's positive about the special teams.

Punter Shane Lechler turns 41 in August and is playing in his 18th season. In 2016, Lechler had a gross average of 47.5 yards and a net of 40.1. He had a career-low three touchbacks. He also put 30 punts inside the 20 – the fourth time in his career he's reached at least 30.

The Texans signed a rookie free agent punter, Cory Carter from Texas Southern, to keep Lechler company.

Kicker Nick Novak, who turns 36 in August, enters his 12th season. In 2016, he finished with 127 points, second-most of his career.

Novak connected on 35-of-41 field goals. Only three of his misses were inside the 50. Novak's only weakness is that he doesn't produce a lot of touchbacks. Only 31.1 percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks.

Novak has competition from Ka'imi Fairbairn, a strong-legged kicker who spent his rookie year on injured reserve.

Lechler and Novak benefit from having the best snapper in the league in Jon Weeks. He's beginning his eighth season.

"We have veterans with Shane, Nick and Weeks," Izzo said. "We have some younger guys pushing them and competing for the job. Training camp's going to tell the story about who steps up."

Improving on returns and coverage is essential.

They averaged 10.9 yards on punt returns, which ranked seventh. Their 18.6-yard kickoff return average was 29th.

Opponents averaged 9.9 yards on punt returns (28). They averaged 23.6 yards on kickoff returns (27).

Ideally, second-year running back Tyler Ervin would improve enough to handle punt and kickoff returns. He averaged 9.7 and 18.8 yards as a rookie.

Will Fuller (15.0 yards) is the best punt returner, but the coaches want him to concentrate on improving at receiver in his second season.

Running back Akeem Hunt (21.6 yards) is the best kickoff returner, but there's no guarantee he'll make the team in what could be a crowded backfield.

Ervin had an impressive offseason. He has a chance to be a third-down back because of his receiving ability and handle both return duties. But he's got to be more consistent than he was as a rookie.

"Last year, there were a couple of ball-security issues, (and) it's something he's constantly working (on)," Izzo said. "He's a hard worker. He takes a lot of pride in his role on special teams, not only as a returner but in coverage.

"I've got total confidence in him if he's back there as a returner. (Counting) Hunt and Fuller, we've got some guys with some juice. We're just trying to identify who that's (return specialist) going to be."