Charles James, II flourished on special teams in 2015.

He's doing so again this preseason, and also making a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball.

"For me, it's just trying to make the most of my opportunities," James said. "I want to be known in this League not only as a special teams guy who takes pride in that, but I take great pride in my defense and how I play defense. I want to show that I can play defense. For me it's all about really helping the team win."

James has notched a combined five tackles and a pass defensed in the first two contests this August. He's been a steady presence at cornerback in those two games, and has made plays throughout training camp as well.

"Charles is a tough, competitive guy that's always going to put his best foot forward from a competitive standpoint," defensive backs coach John Butler said. "His role as a star as a special teams player has helped us over the last year-and-a-half."

Butler added that James is a tough player to throw the ball on, and for his part, the corner said the

defense as a whole has shifted over the last 12 months.

"It's the culture change," James said. "For us, we want to be one of the top defenses in the League. We carry ourselves as such. In the way we come in and prepare every day. The way we come to practice every day."

In addition to growing as a defender, James is still a positive force on special teams, according to Bill O'Brien. The head coach lauded James' play in the win over New Orleans.

"I thought that Kevin Johnson and A.J. Bouye, Charles James, those guys did a nice job as the punt gunners," O'Brien said. "The guys that run down there and really contain the returner. They did a nice job."

James and the Texans will practice again on Tuesday. They'll host the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. 

***Twitter.com/DoughertyDrew***

[