The Texans kicked off their three-day rookie minicamp on Friday with a combination of 47 drafted players, college free agents, tryout and eligible first-year players. Players arrived at NRG Stadium on Thursday for physicals before heading to evening meetings for their introduction to playing for the Houston Texans.
"It's a good group," head coach Bill O'Brien said Friday. "It's a little bit like an orientation to training camp. It's not training camp but we're getting them ready for that type of routine – get up early in the morning, get something to eat, take care of your body, get ready for the meetings, walkthrough, practice. So, it's definitely an orientation-type of schedule. These guys are doing a good job. It's a great group of guys. They were ready to go last night, wide-eyed. All those guys are always a little bit nervous. They did a nice job of paying attention, came out here today and worked hard."
Players had their first opportunity to work with coaches on the field during Friday's practice inside the Houston Methodist Training Center. During rookie minicamp, teams are permitted to hold individual drills as well as 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills but players are not in pads and no "live contact" is permitted. After practice, players hit the weight room for a lift before attending their afternoon meetings followed by dinner and more meetings.
"We'll do the same exact schedule tomorrow and then we'll decide, based on tomorrow, how we treat Mother's Day," O'Brien said, "Mother's Day is very important to us here at the Texans, so hopefully we can have a good day tomorrow and have a great Mother's Day."
Following Sunday's conclusion of rookie minicamp, players will arrive on Monday to begin Phase Two of the offseason workout program with the veterans. Twenty college free agents and six drafted players were signed Friday. To see the complete list, click here.
