For many reasons, Tashaun Gipson is excited to be a Texan.
He grew up in Dallas, so his family is close. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is in charge of the defense, and Gipson thinks his "schemes are just amazing".
But teaming up at safety with Justin Reid is another reason Gipson's so enthused to be here. Reid's physical traits and what he was able to accomplish as a rookie are one thing. But Gipson said the second-year defender's brain is what will ultimately set him apart.
"He's a guy who knows everything," Gipson said during a Tuesday press conference at NRG Stadium. "There hasn't been a question yet, and I've asked him a lot of questions, he hasn't not had the answer to one question. For a guy being that young – I don't think he's even 23 yet – so, for him being this young and understanding the game, that's the biggest part about it."
Gipson's going through his first offseason conditioning period as a Texan. After three seasons in Jacksonville, and four years before that in Cleveland, Gipson's learning a new defense. Catching up on terminology and concepts has been an easier transition, in large part because of Reid's knowledge.
"The mental part kind of blows you away because the guy is smart," Gipson said. "That's one of the things that they told me. They said, 'Hey, the one thing you have to realize with him is he might be too smart.' I don't think I've ever heard that about a football player."
Reid's learned a lot from his older brother Eric, a safety with the Panthers. The two watched film together when the elder Reid was a 49er, and the younger Reid was at Stanford.
Gipson was asked Tuesday about his own strengths, and he pointed to his ability to cover tight ends effectively, in addition to his athleticism. He also said teaming up with Reid will make for a nice combo at the back end of the Texans defense.
"Just being able to pair with a guy like him, obviously the athleticism is there, the talent is there," Gipson said. "I think that he had one of the more underrated seasons last year. You combine that with the mental skillset, I think that him and I will mesh well. Our skillset is similar and I'm excited to pair up with him."
Gipson, Reid and the Texans will continue with offseason conditioning at the stadium.
Check out some of the best shots of new Texans safety Tashaun Gipson. (Photos via AP Images.)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) celebrates an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) enters the field before kick-off against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game Sunday, December 2, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Steelers won 20-16. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) celebrates his second quarter interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL game Sunday, October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won 6-0. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during a NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game Sunday, December 2, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during pregame warm-ups against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL game Sunday, November 18, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) closes to the ball in action against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) during an NFL regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won, 40-7. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL game Sunday, October 28, 2018 in London. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) celebrates his second quarter interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL game Sunday, October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) runs out before the first half of an NFL football game against Philadelphia Eagles at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) drops into coverage in action against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deonte Thompson (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (39) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) after snagging an interception in action Sunday October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) sets up for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won 31-20. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) lines up in the secondary during a Week 6 NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars 40-7. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) lines up in the secondary during a Week 6 NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars 40-7. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) in coverage prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 31-20. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL game Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fl. (Rick Wilson via AP)
