Tight end Stephen Anderson may be a fit for the Texans, but where?
When the undrafted rookie arrived for OTAs, he joked that it felt like a 1,000 piece puzzle was dumped out in front of him.
"Now I'm putting these pieces together and I'm starting to get my role in the big picture of this playbook," Anderson said.
As he puts the pieces together, Anderson fits in several different places. He has the size and speed of a wide receiver, making catches on the outside as well as the middle of the field. He can also complete blocking assignments for a prototypical tight end. Like all players fighting for a roster spot, Anderson hopes to also play a big role on special team. He has quickly learned that versatility is the biggest asset on a team.
"When I run my routes, I feel like a receiver," Anderson said. "When I block, I'm starting to feel more like a tight end. I'm just trying to be a football player. I don't want to define it to one position. If they want me to play this, I'll play this. If they want me to play that, I'll play that. Just a full-on football player."
Anderson, who arrived as an undrafted free agent, made heads turn in OTAs and now in training camp. He gained five pounds on his 6-2, now 235-pound frame at the request of the coaches. Anderson, a walk-on at Cal who earned an honorable mention All Pac-12 selection his senior year, has a lot he wants to prove.
"He's been one of those guys that comes in here and is mature," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's a hard-working kid, a very, very smart kid. He's able to line up in a lot of different positions. He's got good hands. He's got good route-running ability. Now is the true test. When the full pads go on for a young guy like that, how does he perform when he's pressed or when he has to block somebody? Things like that. So far, we've been pleased with his progress."
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