Well, that was fun, right up until pesky Mother Nature reared her ugly head, just as she had throughout most of training camp in Houston. As such, the Hall of Fame Game was cut short due to the torrential downpour at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Through the raindrops, though, I had thoughts, of course, that I call Harris Hits. Let's GO!
The first place my eyes went on Thursday night was to the left side of the offensive line. I'm here to tell you that it was a pleasurable experience, honestly. It wasn't perfect, don't get me wrong, but LG Kenyon Green and LT Blake Fisher handled business well.
On a Davis Mills completion on the first scoring drive, the two left siders handled a T/E stunt wonderfully, passing off the twisting DL to one another and then locking them up to give Mills time to throw. That was great.
Then, on a run play on the second series, Green hammered a down lineman and the Texans back cut off his block for a big gain.
I love seeing growth and after some tough sledding in practice the past week, those two, in particular, were sound and provided plenty of positives.
Man, the more that RB Dare Ogunbowale plays football, the better he is. Damn fine football wine is what he is. Slicing through the first and second level when he's running the rock. Making himself available for a key 15-yard catch. That catch came on the first play of the 2nd quarter. He got open on 3rd and 7 for Mills who eventually threw to Dare for that key first down.
On the first drive of the game, Ogunbowale drew a defensive holding for a first down that set up a touchdown. I feel so comfortable when he's in the game on offense or special teams. And, the dude is improving every snap, still, in his eighth year.
The tight ends were stellar in the first quarter until there was just one tight end on the field. ABSOLUTELY GUTTED for Teagan Quitoriano coming up injured in the second quarter. Here's hoping it's something TQ can get back from rather quickly because he showed tonight the weapon that he can be in this passing game. Fingers crossed.
The young dude at TE showed it too. Former Ohio State star Cade Stover returned to Ohio for his first NFL game and got a ton of snaps during the contest. He is just a brawler in the run game but he has to clean up some blocking stuff. But, I trust that he will in the near future as he plays the TE position more and more (keep in mind that he was an OLB for a number of years before moving to TE in 2022). That said, he looked like a complete natural in the passing game. Smooth. Excellent hands. And, he ended up being the only healthy TE for a while in this game.
The Texans did have FB Troy Hairston competing his guts out at an in-line Y-TE spot to fill in some of the time. I spied him getting physical with a Bears DE. The versatility can help Troy a ton…and this offense as a result, as he attempts to make the roster again in 2024.
Because TQ had gone out, the personnel groups were all askew for a play or two in the second quarter. Troy didn't know he was supposed to stay in the game because of the injury to TQ. So, he came out of the game on 2nd and ten as the Texans were backed up on their 11-yard line. That left just 10 men on the field! Oh no. Oh yes! Mills dropped to throw and WR Xavier Hutchinson got open for a nine-yard reception to set up a makeable 3rd and one. RB J.J Taylor burst through on the next play and NEARLY housed it for a first down. Preseason games are that time to figure things out, make mistakes and make it all work eventually. Mills certainly figured some things out for himself, for sure, with just nine other Texans on the field.
During the game, former Iowa State star RB Breece Hall posted some flattering comments about his former ISU teammate Xavier Hutchinson…and for good reason. I love Hutchinson and all he can do. Tonight, X led the team with five catches and doubled up the next highest receiving yardage total (56 yards to WR Ben Skowronek's 28). I know X is constantly fighting the 6th round selection nonsense from his rookie year but go to a practice and watch him WORK. I'd throw him the damn ball too if I were a QB. He's earning the trust on every single snap too and I love it. I'm glad that Texans fans were reminded tonight of what I've seen this TC - X gets better every time there's football to be played. It's such a tough roster nut to crack at WR but 19 is putting it all on tape and it's better than other WRs in this competition.
One WR who also put good things on tape was Ben Skowronek. The big 27-yard catch in the first quarter was him just making a play, jumping HIGH above a DB. That was a GREAT play and the type of play Skowronek has to continue to make for the same reason as I mentioned above for Hutch. But, the two of them are doing it!!
When the Texans claimed OL Nick Broeker last year just after training camp, I was pleased, very pleased. I had studied him a ton at Ole Miss and thought the Texans had moldable clay to work with during the 2023 season. But, throughout last year's campaign, Broeker lined up at guard, mostly, because I think many scouts and football people projected him to play that spot, or center. So, I was a bit surprised when OTAs started this year and he's getting reps at OT. My first thought was that maybe the lack of a few injured players precipitated a need at OT, but I remembered thinking that he was not out of place at tackle. I won't tell you I screamed it from the rooftops, but I wasn't opposed to seeing how he would develop there. Thus far in training camp, he's handled his business extremely well. I mentioned how he stepped in at RT earlier in the week with the first unit and was NOT out of place. Against the Bears, I thought the same thing. He held up against multiple rushers and gave his QBs time to throw. I don't know where it leads, but I do know he's making progress and getting more confident in the process.
RB Cam Akers with that nasty spin move?!? That was so fun and he is so fun to watch. He gets more and more comfortable in Houston each day. Plus, he is learning this offense every day, finding his way in it. But, it's those explosive moments that get EVERYONE excited…and for good reason. He's going to earn more touches in these next three games. Bet.
On defense, I thought there was one clear standout and that was rookie S Caleb Bullock. Man, he put a huge lick on Bears TE Tommy Sweeney to lodge the ball loose in the second quarter. Then, he nearly came up with an INT a couple of plays later when he burst out of nowhere to get his hands on a Brett Rypien pass.
His twitch, transitional quickness and football IQ were all on display tonight. He didn't miss any tackles, which is encouraging for sure. But, dadgum, he covers some SERIOUS ground in the secondary.
The new kickoff rules? Okay, not a bad start but nothing TOO sexy happened. But, I've got a feeling that will change as ST coaches, like Texans ST coordinator Frank Ross, study ALL of the returns from Thursday's game.
I thought QB Davis Mills and Case Keenum were fantastic. They combined to complete 17 for 22 for 180 yards and two tuddies, no picks. Excellent night. Mills with a 125 rating. Keenum with a whopping 140! They were on fire from the first play to the last.
This really is a great spot to stop because I can't see straight at 2 in the morning. Now, the Texans' run game has to produce a bit more and the Texans' run defense wasn't stellar. The pass coverage was really out of sorts, so thankfully there is PLENTY to work on this week in Ohio before heading to Pittsburgh. Now, it's time to celebrate AJ80 the rest of the weekend. Can't Wait!!
