Brandon Brooks is training like a starting right guard. Not only has he gotten himself down to his training camp weight (335 pounds), he has a strategy for improving the right side of the line. With three Pro Bowlers to his left, center Chris Myers, left guard Wade Smith, and All-Pro tackle Duane Brown, Brooks decided to see if the right side of the offensive line could mirror the success the left side had in 2012.
"When I came back after the offseason, I really got together with those guys and asked them, 'Do you mind taking me in the film room, letting me see what you guys see? What do you do in this situation? Stuff like that," Brooks said Thursday at Reliant Stadium. "They were more than happy to take me under their wing and go from there. A lot of my progress not only comes from (offensive line) Coach (John) Benton, but comes from them as well, just their experience and their time on the field.
"I'm just here to be a sponge, to soak up everything through their experience and their time just to do this perfect, every play, every day."
Brooks felt that the injuries suffered at right tackle and guard last season compromised the consistency that is crucial to an o-line's success. Now entering his second season, Brooks can build on his experience with the offensive lineman in the final six games of 2012 (plus both postseason games), in addition to the entire offseason.
"I think consistency is a big thing, just playing together and knowing how each other plays just through situations where we might not have time to communicate in the middle of a play," said Brooks. "But since we played so much together, we'll know and expect what is going to happen on the next play without even speaking, so that will help."
Heading into training camp, Brooks says his objective is clear.
"Establishing a chemistry and getting better each and every day is probably the single camp goal for me."
The Houston Texans begin training camp Friday, July 26 at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
