If rookie cornerback Kevin Johnson was nervous facing Peyton Manning in his second preseason game, he didn't show it.
In fact, he stepped up his game.
On Manning's opening drive of the game, Johnson defended a pass intended for Broncos wide receiver Damaryius Thomas on third down to force a three-and-out for Denver.
"It felt good," Johnson said of facing Thomas. "You know, just to go out there and go against somebody who's been very accomplished in the NFL. Getting that look, so I kind of know what it feels like in the future."
Johnson admits he had more nerves in his first preseason game against the 49ers. On Saturday against the Broncos, the Texans first-round pick already started feeling more comfortable. He tried to play as fast as he could, keeping up with the speed of the NFL. His transition so far has gone well, according to head coach Bill O'Brien.
"You know, I thought that when we drafted him in the first round that we had a guy that was a very smart player, good transition, and I thought if he could really adjust to the pro game that he could probably help us at some point in his first year," O'Brien said after Saturday's game against Denver. "He's done a good job. He's got a lot of improving to make, the rules in college are different than the rules in the pros, but he's done a good job coming in here as a rookie for the first couple of months he's been here."
The Texans fall to 1-1 in the preseason with their 14-10 loss to Denver. Houston travels to New Orleans to face the Saints on Sunday, August 30 in a nationally televised game on FOX. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
