We are certainly not in the dog days of training camp, but we are fully underway. However, these shorter practices in 85 degree weather are throwing me off a bit, but COMPLETELY wonderful all at the same time. The only thing really lacking, though, is the opportunity to string together some super long Harris Hits. That said, things will heat up, figuratively and literally, soon enough, so let's dive into day two at the Houston Methodist Training center.
1. It was kickoff day on day two of training camp. In fact, it was a practice heavily influenced by the special teams. Coach Ryans gave ST coordinator Frank Ross 18 lovely minutes or so of special teams work and the first period of special teams was spent on kickoff. Keep in mind, there are new rules for the kickoffs as the NFL goes to the old XFL kickoff rules in the fall. The Texans will be one of the first two teams to participate in the new kickoff world, joining the Bears in Candon for the Hall of Fame game.
2. I spoke to WR/Returner Steven Sims after practice and though he acknowledged how different it was and that it's a new visual for him as a returner, he said he felt pretty comfortable with the returns. He noted that there might be different gaps and how explosive the returns could be, but he also said it's not so radically different from the original kickoff returns. It just looks that way given the initial setup. It's clear that there's still a learning curve to it, though, especially for the front line as blockers for the returners. They'll all need some time before having it completely done.
3. There was one thing that I found interesting was when I talked to Eric Galko, Director of the East/West Shrine game/co-creator of the kickoff for the XFL, at Big 12 Media Days in Vegas last year. He talked to dozens of NFL teams throughout the winter and spring, each one picking his brain for the best approach, in his opinion, for this season. Galko told me there was at least one team that told him they'd just kick it in the end zone each and every time, figuratively punting each opportunity to pin a return team inside the 20-yard line or so. Yeah, the Texans are not/were not that team, I can promise you that as Coach Ross and company are looking to maximize this new opportunity within the game.
4. I mentioned yesterday that a successful running back, especially in this offense, has to be DECISIVE with a capital D-E-C-I-S-I-V-E. I discussed how much more decisive RB Dameon Pierce was on day one vs. last year and that carried over to day two for sure. But, Joe Mixon has decisive in his running DNA. On the first play in team drills, he took a toss and was downhill in about 0.03 seconds. He hit the hole so fast that I almost didn't see him, as I was looking for him out wide originally. All of the sudden, he's two yards on the defensive side of the ball, sprinting ahead like a bull who saw red. There is no BS with Mixon - it's downhill, one cut and then gone.
5. A few plays later, Pierce had a wide open run on a zone play to the right side, getting a great cut off block about seven or eight yards downfield from OL Jarrett Patterson on the linebacker.
6. I tried to watch a little bit more of the offensive and defensive lines today to the extent that I could and one moment stood out to me as it pertained to rookie OT Blake Fisher. The defense ran a great blitz with Jalen Pitre on the outside. Pitre timed it perfectly such that it was really easy for the OL to lose sight of him off the edge. However, Fisher spied it perfectly and slid out to cut off Pitre to keep him from QB C.J. Stroud. Fisher didn't look, or appear to be, out of place at all in Laremy Tunsil's stead at left tackle, holding up well against that blitz and against other Texans rushers as well. Yes, I know, they're not in pads, but still, KNOWING who to block in team situations is a MASSIVE step for a young OL.
7. LB Neville Hewitt was shot out of a cannon on a wide run toward my sideline. I said in my 90 Man Roster breakdown on linebackers that Hewitt is a run stuffer extraordinaire and his speed is a major reason why. He can fly and, I'm telling you, he was MOVING toward RB Dare Ogunbowale on that play.
8. I'm apt to pick up on things that might only interest me, but one of the most memorable plays on the day was one of the simplest plays throughout the day. QB Tim Boyle checked down a throw to RB Jawhar Jordan out in the left flat. The rookie caught the pass and sprinted up the sideline right in front of me. A couple of defenders redirected toward Jordan and eventually got near him. Then, all of a sudden, I see this massive human being chasing Jordan 30 yards down the field. I look up and it's DL McTelvin Agim, sprinting from his spot on the DL to tag off on Jordan all the way down the field. First off, BIG FELLA was FLYING and second, the effort to make a play like that will stand out in my mind for the rest of training camp.
9. The best throw of the day had to be a Davis Mills to John Metchie III completion during the first team period. Metchie III was on an over route, heading to the sideline near me. Mills uncorked a 20-25 yard throw on a line to Metchie III, who went up just a bit to snatch the ball over his head for an explosive play.
10. I mentioned special teams above but one thing stood out during the second period. The groups were separated by responsibility and there was a section for the entire DL to engage in punt block situations. NOT ONE DL sat out of that drill. Not one. Every single one of them worked that drill. I thought that was freakin' awesome.
11. During the second team period, QB C.J. Stroud had some trash at his feet which kept him from following through on a throw down the field. But, Stroud was STILL able to put the ball on TE Brevin Jordan, in the perfect spot, for a completion.
12. I nearly had a heart attack during practice and I'm sure I wasn't alone. The very next play, Stroud went back to throw and just as he was about to release the ball, a Texans defensive lineman had fallen and seemed to hit C.J.'s legs as he was about to throw. Stroud pulled it down and took off on a scramble, but I held my breath when I saw that happen and said some bad words thinking the worst, but C.J. was okay…thankfully. As I wrote this observation, I instantly had this heart palpitation seeing that play all over again in my head.
13. Oh man, LB Jacob Phillips had an interception go right through his hands, one of the easiest interception attempts he's ever had. But, he made a perfect, and beautiful, drop into the passing lane and QB Davis Mills never saw him as he looked for John Metchie III again.
14. CB Jeff Okudah had a wonderful pass break up as well. He made a great break on a throw to WR Ben Skowronek and was able to get his hand on the throw to knock it away.
15. When QB Case Keenum comes into the huddle, it's always some of my favorite reps in training camp. On the last two reps of camp, he showed exactly why he's so respected. On the first play, the defense sent a blitz right at him and Keenum quickly deciphered the blitz and threw a dart to rookie TE Cade Stover. On the second rep, Keenum threw a laser shot to WR Steven Sims on the dig route across the field. Sims snatched the ball clean and Keenum was two for two on his two plays to close practice.
If you're wondering whether these are shorter than usual, well, you're not wrong. The Texans have seven weeks of training camp, so they are going to ramp up each day until the regular season. Don't worry, pads will go on early next week and there will be oodles of Harris Hits when they do. Appreciate everyone reading and we'll see ya tomorrow for day three of camp.
