THE LATEST LINE:The Texans have many changes on the offensive line this year. Most notably Seth Wand is taking over Chester Pitts’ responsibilities at left tackle. Pitts is moving to guard.
Add free agent Todd Wade (6-8, 317 pounds) at right tackle and the team has one of the largest offensive lines in the business.
"I think they're lean," head coach Dom Capers said of his offensive line. "You can't say we have many fat offensive linemen, but I'll say this – we have 16 offensive linemen in camp right now and only one of them is under 300 pounds. That tells you what's happening at the offensive line position."
Wand said he is adjusting to the new position.
"I was more or less the backup tackle last year," he said. "So, its not a transition thing. I've done that since I've been in high school so its something I've done for the last 10 years.
"I feel good. Everything's running real smooth. It's just a chemistry thing."
AIR TIME:Quarterback David Carr will appear on sports' talk show "I, Max" with Max Kellerman on Fox Sports Net tonight at 10:30.
As for the haircut, Carr and his father Rodger are still sporting shaggy mops. The two made a pact at the end of last season not to cut their hair until the Texans won back-to-back games.
HIGHLIGHTS:Linebacker Jason Babin is growing more accustom to linebacker as evident by one play in team drills where he read a reverse by receiver Kendrick Starling, stopping the play for no gain. Babin got additional instruction after practice from six-year veteran Kailee Wong.
Rookie cornerback Dunta Robinson came close to picking off his first pass of training camp, diving in front receiver Corey Bradford. The ball hit his hands and dropped harmlessly to the turf.
The defense did get an interception from Shantee Orr later in team drills. Orr picked off a tipped pass from Dave Ragone.
Carr also got into the action with Bradford and receiver Andre Johnson. Johnson beat cornerback Vontez Duff on a deep ball down the left side. Bradford made a highlight catch on the sidelines, freezing his lower body at the line before falling out of bounds.
DAVIS DOMINATING: Running back Domanick Davis continued to blow away the competition at Tuesday's practice, producing good runs nearly every time he touched the ball.
His receiving ability seems to be setting him apart from other running backs on the team.
"Domanick in space, in my mind, because of his quickness, has the ability to make a guy miss," Capers said. "That's what made him such a good return man at LSU. I think with his quickness and his hands and his ability to make people miss out there, I think he'll give us a good weapon."
GETTING AROUND:AT 335 pounds, defensive lineman Jerry Deloach is one of the largest players on the team. Yet, his size doesn't keep him from sliding up and down the defensive line and out into the flat when necessary.
Early in Tuesday's practice, Deloach led a group of defenders, including safety Eric Brown and Babin, in breaking down a sweep play.
In a 3-4 defensive scheme, linemen are expected to be mobile.
"You just have to work hard in practice. The only real way to get in football shape so you can run all over the field in this defensive scheme is to work hard in practice," Deloach said. "You've got to hustle every play."
QUOTABLE:Johnson on his 2004 goals: "My goal is to go to the Pro Bowl. I wanted to go last year, but I didn't get the chance. I'm sure that's any receivers goal. I just want to go out there and have that consistent play and help this team as much as possible."
Capers on running back Jonathan Wells' performance to this point in camp: "I think Jonathan Wells is having his best training camp right now. Not only as a special teams player, but I think he's running his best as a running back since we've had him. What I see with Jonathan, what he's doing now, is he's not dancing in the hole. He's being decisive. He's working awful hard right now. It's his third year, he understands what he has to do."
INJURY REPORT:Tight end Jabari Holloway pulled his groin during practice. Quarterback Tony Banks was at practice but limited with ankle inflammation.
Cornerback Aaron Glenn was also held out of practice after experiencing tightness in his hamstring Monday night. Capers said the coaches didn't want to take any chances after Glenn's injury problems last season.
Offensive lineman Zach Wiegert had fluid removed from his elbow Tuesday and was not at practice. Billy Miller is still recovering from back spasms.
