Texans left tackle Duane Brown got a big payday last week, but it hasn't made him complacent.
Four days after signing a new contract reportedly worth $53 million over six years, Brown said Monday that he's still driven to improve.
"I really take my job seriously," Brown said. "This game is everything to me. I play with a ton of passion. I'm very grateful and very fortunate for the opportunity I have with the new deal. However, I've not reached where I want to be as a player. When I'm done with this game, I want to be regarded as one of the best, and my contract does not solidify that, my work on the field does. And that's what I'm aiming for."
Brown was one of the best in the NFL last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press. He allowed only 2.5 sacks and helped the Texans rank second in the league in rushing with a franchise-record 153.0 yards per game. Texans coaches have said that Brown has had an excellent offseason and taken his game to another level.
The fifth-year tackle is eager to play against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday after a self-described subpar game against the San Francisco 49ers.
"I was not satisfied by any means with my performance last week," Brown said. "I'm still trying to polish up my technique as much as possible both in the running and pass game. I'll have a good test for me this week with (defensive end) Will Smith and the other guys they have over there in the Superdome. It's always a big test for me, so I'm looking forward to it. It'll gauge where I am and let me know what I have to work on going into the regular season."
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