It was Day Two for the Texans at the University School in Hunting Valley, OH and the rain stayed away (at least DURING practice) to allow the Texans to get their work done.
Mother Nature threatened, but, thankfully, held off to allow Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and company the opportunity for a full practice.
Let's dive into my Harris Hits from Ohio.
1. Let's start with some 1-on-1's between the offensive and defensive linemen. DT Mario Edwards has been an issue for the Texans interior offensive linemen since camp began. He slipped by OG Kenyon Green with a sick arm over on the first rep. Kenyon did a better job anchoring against power on the second rep, but Edwards makes things tough on these interior OL.
2. DT Folorunso Fatukasi has such strong hands and his power is so impressive. When he has adequate pad level, he can be a factor with the bull rush as he was on his first rep. On the second rep, OC Juice Scruggs snapped the ball, stayed crouched in his stance and blocked Fatukasi well.
3. The one DT that has given everyone issues is Khalil Davis. My goodness. When he faces OG Shaq Mason, it's worth the price of admission. On his first rep, he used his quick feet, hands and power to get vertical to the QB. On the second rep, Mason anticipated Davis' pass rush move properly and was able to get under Davis' pads and slow him a bit on the second rep.
4. DE Derek Barnett has a litany of pass rush moves, but he can throw speed-to-power at a tackle in a quick second. He did that to Tytus Howard and got all the way to the QB in their one-on-one battle. On the second rep, Howard was able to use his length to ride Barnett around past the pocket.
5. DE Jerry Hughes doesn't look like he's lost a step, my goodness.
6. DT Marcus Harris showed how powerful his lower half is on his first rep. As Harris fired off the ball, OG Kendrick Green knew that he had to lower his pad level to account for Harris' shorter stature. But he couldn't get low enough as Harris was able to drive the guard backwards. Then, Harris deked outside and went arm over on the inside on the second rep.
7. OG Chris Reed and DT McTelvin Agim had two competitive reps as well. Agim was able to win the first rep and Reed held his own on the second rep. At least that's what I think I put in my notes. Talk to text didn't help much on this day.
8. It was pretty clear DE Solomon Byrd's best 1-on-1 pass rush rep took place today. He powered the Texans OT onto his wallet. I didn't write down the guilty party, but the story was more about seeing Byrd show some explosiveness and power on his pass rush.
9. DE Malik Fisher also had two excellent rushes in 1-on-1's and I mention him because he's really improved day after day since he's been with the Texans. Each and every day, he wins another rep or gets pressure on the QB in a team drill. I just like to see the young man make progress and he'll have even more opportunity in a game setting on Friday at Pittsburgh.
10. When the team period started, the defense ate up the first two run plays. There's just so much speed on that side of the ball and the offense couldn't get everyone blocked on the first two plays. Then, QB C.J. Stroud threw deep to WR Stefon Diggs but S Jimmie Ward read it the whole way. At the catch point, Diggs and Ward collided with one another as Ward made the interception/catch. Diggs took the worst of that collision and was down for a bit. He was able to come back to practice, though. I did say some really bad words under my breath until Stefon was able to give a thumbs up as he jogged off the field.
11. The next series started with one of the best runs of the first two days. What blew me away was there were four OL/TE/blockers on the ground, but rookie RB Jawhar Jordan flew up the right sideline, flashing some serious jets in the process.
12. That run success ended on the next play as Davis completely ate up an inside run from RB British Brooks. The big RB from North Carolina was stopped in his tracks as Davis gobbled him up and slowed the run to a complete halt.
13. The defense came up with, I believe, three interceptions during the day but the one that happened on this play was perhaps THE athletic play of the day. QB Davis Mills booted out to his left and saw WR John Metchie III crossing the field from the right to left. I could see Metchie III out of the corner of my eye and I started to write "10 to 8 - comp - great play". Then, a blazing fast white jersey came out of nowhere and STOLE the ball away from Metchie III. Rookie S Calen Bullock broke on the ball, reached over Metchie III, spun away with the ball and ran into the end zone for a pick six.
14. I stood there stunned. Did I just see that? I mean, I know I did. it happened right in front of me. But that's the type of play I've not seen Texans safeties make, perhaps, ever. Bullock has now done that in nearly every practice and then again in the game against the Bears last Thursday.
15. RB Cam Akers took the next run over the left side and was able to follow his FB Andrew Beck for an extensive gain. He looks so comfortable and in control on his runs and here's hoping we see more on Friday at Pittsburgh. Brooks did the same a few plays later, so the run game woke up a bit with those two runs.
16. Then, RB J.J. Taylor hit a beautiful seam on the backside of a run and then hit the boosters for a clean first down run
17. However, when the only good block on a run play is by WR Nico Collins, it means that LB Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'o To'o are running to the ball unabated. They did that on the first play of the next series. But the Texans run game had found some success with all three units, which was nice to see.
18. Beck then made a catch-and-run up the sideline and I'm reminded how much of an underrated weapon he can be in this offense.
19. On the first play of the next series, Stroud got the ball out of his hands HOT to Diggs for a completion. Then, Stroud had to avoid Edwards on his rush, making an incredible throw to WR Tank Dell on the near sideline. Refs said he didn't catch it, but I thought he had it and due to the effort C.J. made to even get that pass out of his hand, I'm giving him a completion. Stroud then hit Diggs out in the flat for his third straight completion. I loved seeing C.J. scan through his options, finding Diggs open and ready to catch and run upfield.
20. CB Kris Boyd made one heck of a pass breakup on the far sideline on a throw to Dell. But, on the next throw, Mills lasered a fastball to WR Xavier Hutchinson in the middle of the field. Man, Mills RIPPED that throw and Hutchinson got himself open for the first down catch.
21. I hated the fact the Texans/Bears lost the fourth quarter the other night because I wanted to see guys like rookie WR Jadon Janke get a chance to make plays. He caught two straight from QB Case Keenum on the next drive. I really want to see Janke make some plays in games as well.
22. Stroud then drilled one to Collins on first down, a check down to RB Dameon Pierce on second down and a wonderful throw/catch to TE Dalton Schultz on third down. Three passes, three completions.
23. Then, Mills made a brilliant read and throw to WR Robert Woods. Both read blitz and connected beautifully as Woods shortened his route to get his eyes back to the QB.
24. The following drive didn't start well for the offense as one Pierce run and two Stroud passes yielded one yard and two incompletions. Edwards made that second Stroud pass very difficult as he stormed into the backfield to disrupt Stroud's throw.
25. Then, LB Azeez Al-Shaair ran through to shut down a wide run, sprinting from his inside LB position to stop a run in the backfield. Stroud did a tremendous job finding Woods on the next down. He got some great protection, especially from OT Nick Broeker, and with that time, he was able to scan and find Woods.
26. On the next throw, though, Derek Stingley Jr. hit back…HARD. He was in man coverage Collins, who ran a go route. Stingley was in perfect, inside position as Stroud threw down the field. Both men went up in the air, but Stingley basically blocked out Nico and went up and snatched the ball out of the air. GREAT PICK…and, it wouldn't be his last.
27. A few plays later, with the ball moved inside the 10-yard line, Stroud dotted Collins at the goal line for a TD. That ball had some serious RPMs on it and it was so incredibly well placed. Great throw.
28. On the next series, Mills looked up WR Ben Skowronek a couple of times. Skowronek ran a quick hitch on the first connection - pretty pitch and catch. Then, the defense blitzed Mills with S M.J. Stewart and Mills threw hot to Skowronek before Stewart got to him in the backfield. Mills then hit Troy Hairston across the middle, but the fullback fumbled after a hit from the defense. Thankfully, he got back on it. Then, Mills drilled one to Hutchinson for his final completion on the drive.
29. The defense completely dominated the next drive. I wrote a bunch of "what was that, offense?" on the next drive. Stingley Jr had a sack on the first play. Davis batted down a pass a few plays later. Al-Shaair ran down another wide run one play before another sack.
30. The best offensive play in that series was a throw from Stroud to rookie TE Cade Stover. It's like they were on the same wavelength to link up against pressure.
31. QB Tim Boyle then pulled a fast one on the defense on a third and one. The offense came out in 22 personnel and it looked like a sure run, but Boyle gave a great play fake and lofted one to an open Hutchinson for a touchdown.
32. Then it was time for the last period - a situation drive - down 13-10, 1:10 on the clock…and on the first play, Stingley Jr struck again. He jumped an out route and took a Stroud pass to the house. So smart and pretty…at least to a former defensive back like myself.
33. Stroud heated up a bit on that final drive, hitting Schultz and Dell for first downs. Then, Stroud went to Collins as the Texans QB kept the play alive behind quality pass protection.
That's a good place to cut it, especially with a tornado on the way. Yeah, no joke, it's blowing through us right now like Beryl did a few weeks ago. But, we'll make it through and see ya tomorrow, everyone!
