An offseason program unlike any other they've done before, started Monday for the Houston Texans.
LIke the rest of the NFL, and really the world, the Texans started work again on Monday in an unconventional manner. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texans are using apps like Zoom and Discord, and general manager/head coach Bill O'Brien and his assistants started working with the players.
"I feel good about those guys learning and seeing because you can see and you can teach, you can show film," O'Brien said. "We'll do what's best for everybody and obey the rules but we've got all that mapped out. It's going to be different but we're looking forward to seeing everybody."
While the coaches and players will begin learning together, strength and conditioning coach Mike Eubanks and Director of Team Wellness Ladd Harris have been in contact with the players and supporting them with conditioning and healthy eating.
"Our people in those programs are doing a really good job of communicating with those guys on a daily basis," O'Brien said.
The Texans chose five players over the weekend in the NFL Draft, and signed a handful of college free agents as well.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson will throw to a few new receivers in 2020, as the Texans added Randall Cobb in free agency, Brandin Cooks via trade and Isaiah Taylor in the Draft. Throw in running back David Johnson coming to town in a trade as well, and the young quarterback has many new weapons. Getting on the same page with his new targets is important.
"He's been in contact with these guys that are new to our team," O'Brien said. "If you want to get up on the board and draw something or if Deshaun has a question, we'll send him a chalkboard. He can draw it up on the board, whatever it takes until we can get back together. That's really the approach we'll take relative to what the rules are."
The Texans will work in this virtual setting through May 15. The NFL hasn't announced when the players and coaches will be allowed back in team facilites.
