About 30 to 35 minutes before training camp practice #5 began, the heavens opened and the skies doused us all with a steady stream of rain that got our radio equipment wet. However, that rain stopped just before the team exited from the bubble after their walkthrough session. Then, throughout the entirety of practice, the rain stayed away.
It was like Mother Nature was afraid to disappoint DeMeco Ryans and the thousands of fans on hand.
By design or not, the Texans went through practice in 90 minutes or so, focusing on low red zone work…and it was the offense's day. That unit seemed to bounce back well after some rocky moments on Monday. Let's dive into my Harris Hits from the first day in pad.
1. As I mentioned above, the Texans ran their entire team session from the low red zone and the offense came out hot…kind of. On the first play, QB C.J. Stroud took the snap under center and immediately tossed the most beautiful fade route to the other side of the field. WR Stefon Diggs ran to the spot and the ball was on the money. TOUCHDOWN TEXANS. Now, technicality of all technicalities, LT Blake Fisher did pick up early, but I'm choosing to focus on the throw, the route and the catch. What a dime and what a great catch for the (should've been) TD.
2. Stroud then went back to work on the second play, firing a dart to TE Brevin Jordan on the out route just short of the end zone. I noticed after this throw that Stroud was absolutely locked in. Those first two throws were so perfectly placed. Most importantly, though, he made a quick throwing decision on each throw and they were the right throws as well.
3. Then, he ripped a fastball to Jordan as the offense beat the blitz beautifully. Each rusher was picked up perfectly and Stroud dotted his TE for the TD catch.
4. With just one throw remaining, Stroud went back to Diggs and barely missed him in the back of the end zone.
5. On that last throw, I had my eyes on OG Kenyon Green and he held up so much better in pass protection than he had in his first two years. He stood up to DE Danielle Hunter and kept the Pro Bowl rusher from Stroud. I watched Green as much as I could and even though he's still in the growth stage as a player, given his season long injury last year, he's growing. He had a great block on a rushing TD for RB Dare Ogunbowale a little later in the practice. Progress, that's what I've seen from Kenyon, and he's getting better day after day.
6. QB Davis Mills' first throw of the day in this team period was brilliant. He had rookie TE Cade Stover on a little stick nod route over the middle of the field. There wasn't much room for Mills based on the coverage from the linebacker, but Mills put it on the defenders' helmet and Stover plucked it and held on for dear life. VICE GRIP HANDS! Stover held on and scored a TD on the first play of that series.
7. Then, two veteran defensive backs forced a pair of incompletions on throws to WR Ben Skowonek. Mills threw a ball to Skowronek in the back corner of the end zone, but S M.J. Stewart shadowed him well. Because of Stewart's coverage, Mills threw an errant pass incomplete.
8. On the next throw, DB Desmond King got his hands on the throw for the pass breakup. Those were a couple of competitive reps and the defense got the best of the offense for the first time all day.
9. I've mentioned DT McTelvin Agim a few times since training camp started and he was a menace again a few plays after the Stewart/King pass breakups. Agim completely ran past a guard trying to block him on a pass play, creating mayhem for QB Case Keenum.
10. Then it was time for special teams and the field goal unit. K Kai'mi Fairbairn was five for six, missing only from 52-yards, hitting the right upright. He made a 59-yarder on his last attempt. Complete and total BOMB off 15's right foot.
11. I had a chance to catch up with new Texans P Tommy Townsend, aka Tommy Rockets, after practice and man, what a great signing for this team! He continued to hit bombs in the rain of practice, but when we had a chance to talk about punting in the NFL, he really blew me away with his understanding of physics and science as it pertained to punting in this league. REALLY fascinating discussion with Tommy, which you'll hear on Wednesday's Texans Training Camp Live show from 8-10 am on SportsRadio 610 or the Audacy app.
12. Back to team period #2 in the low red zone: Stroud read the route combination perfectly, throwing a dart to Diggs, as he settled up on a snag route.
13. The next throw did have a little controversy. Stroud hit Diggs as the receiver was on his way to the end zone. Once Diggs got close, a defender hit him and the ball came out at the pylon. I had a great vantage point on it and, in my opinion, it would've been a touchback as the ball went behind the pylon and out through the end zone sideline. I was so focused on the ball itself and that a fumble would've cost the Texans a TD that I didn't make out the defensive back that made the play. What a great play for…the defense! (I'll find out who it was and give ample credit tomorrow!)
14. The Texans' offensive staff didn't call many run plays during these team drills, but one they did was a brilliant jaunt by RB J.J. Taylor. I just wrote the word "SCOOTS!" in my notebook, but that was enough to jog my memory of Taylor's dash for the end zone. The seas parted and he slalomed his way through the defenders, nearly untouched, for a rushing TD. He was SCOOTIN' for sure.
15. Off that run, Mills ran a bootleg on the next play and had WR Robert Woods wide open in the flat. Mills tossed it to him and Woods nearly had a walk-in touchdown. S Lonnie Johnson wasn't about to allow an easy one, though, and put his shoulder into Woods just as the veteran receiver reached the goal line. Woods scored and popped up to celebrate as if the hit from Lonnie didn't even phase him.
16. A few plays later, a little bit more controversy on QB Tim Boyle's last throw for the day. Skowronek had a step on his former Irish teammate Troy Pride. As a result, Boyle RIPPED a fastball into Skowronek's chest and it appeared it was going to be another offensive touchdown. But just as Skowronek was going into the end zone, Pride punched and pulled at the ball until it came out. NOW WE NEED THE REPLAY BOOTH! This one was too close. Was it a catch? Was it a catch and fumble? Did Skowronek make a fumble move? So many questions, people. Being the former DB that I am, I'm going with incomplete pass and pass breakup for Pride.
And that was that. Short. Sweet. 90 minutes from beginning horn to the end. Man, the fans brought energy that was contagious, cheering for every touchdown catch/run and big play throughout the day. That energy will be back again tomorrow for practice #6, the last before an off day on Thursday.
See ya then, everyone!
