Watt returns, Watson's dimes, and much more from the first day of workouts.

11 observations from Texans training camp

11 observations from Texans training camp
@PatDStat/StateoftheTexans

Texans Training Camp 2019

Some of my observations from the first day of workouts for the Texans

Texans want Clowney

Bill O'Brien didn't mince words when stating his desire to have his star player back. He made it clear they obviously have to work with Clowney and his agent to make it work for both sides.

Texans have Watt

J.J. Watt at Texans Training Camp 2019

Cody Stoots/SportsMap

A surprise for sure to see J.J. Watt out and practicing. There was some expectation he would miss a couple of days when he was announced to be on the physically unable to perform list. He missed nothing. Watt joked he found out Thursday morning. He also said his plan was always to practice day one.

He didn't look like he has missed a beat from last season either. He gets limited reps because when he is in the offense can't execute their plays in practice. It's light work the first couple of days but offensive linemen have to breathe a sigh of relief when Watt exits the field.

The first round pick

True to form with most of the Texans offensive linemen Tytus Howard gets work at plenty of positions. He is getting a lot of reps and it will be fun to watch him work when the pads come on. Howard handled Brennan Scarlett on one rep and kept hand fighting with the linebacker for a few moments after the drill was over. He also held his own against Whitney Mercilus in one rep as well.

The young lineman showed good feet and a solid base in some of the drills. Saturday, when the pads are on for the first time, will tell a lot more.

The former first round pick

Matt Kalil was out working with the Texans. The former Vikings and Panthers left tackle got plenty of work for the Texans which was nice since he was recovering from injury earlier in the year. Ideally a veteran presence like him would help should there be a first or second year player next to him at left guard. The experience may not matter if Kalil can't play. He wasn't tested much Thursday.

Is your refrigerator running routes?

I say this with the utmost respect: Jordan Thomas is the size of a refrigerator and he shouldn't move as well as he does. He showed some huge progress as a rookie last year and developed a solid relationship with Deshaun Watson. That has only gotten stronger. Watson and Thomas are always on the same page and I am not sure how teams are going to guard Thomas but I know they aren't going to have an easy time if this continues.

Will Fuller is back

One of the best surprises of training camp is the fact Will Fuller is practicing from day one of the workouts. He looked crisp and on the same page with the quarterbacks. There was a toe-tap back of the end zone catch he easily hauled in. He also snatched a ball out of the air with ease that was a rocket. His hands are worlds better than his last year at Notre Dame and first year in the NFL.

Kinda coach Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson's official title is special adviser to the head coach. Today, and most days, he was working with the wideouts. He coaches like you would expect Andre Johnson to coach. He is quiet and deliberate. Everyone is listening and watching when he shows something. Today he was delivering advice on footwork in a certain drill. Later he pulled second-year wideout Vyncint Smith aside to coach him up.

Lonnie Johnson learning

There were some teachable moments for Lonnie Johnson the team's second round pick this year. He was coached up on how much to use his hands and when to use them. He's a physical corner and when he lines up with any of the wideouts it is apparent what the Texans liked to see. He lost a rep earlier in a drill only to recover later and beat that same wideout to the ball for an interception. There's a ways to go but there is something there.

Bradley Roby 

The free agent corner was a terror in drills. He is freaky athletic and played wideouts multiple ways to his success. Very impressive day for a guy the team is counting on.

Play of the day

Deshaun Watson is a wizard. The drills obviously aren't full contact and they don't even have pads on but there is still a pass rush. J.J. Watt looked to have blanketed Watson on one drill. It was moments away from being blown dead. Then the wizarding started. Watson, off balance, slipped one past Watt's massive mitts into the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. It was incredible.

Quote of the day

"I've always been involved in personnel decisions since I've been here. It'll be no more or no less."

Said by Texans Head Coach Bill O'Brien.

BONUS: Watson on Westbrook

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Change can be a good thing. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros are on an 8-game tear and the offense is doing its part despite the absence of slugger Kyle Tucker.

One of the main reasons for the team's success has been Yainer Diaz's ability to protect Yordan Alvarez in the lineup while they await the return of Tucker.

Diaz has made several improvements this season, one of which is significantly decreasing his strikeouts. Clearly, Diaz feels a lot more comfortable at the plate in 2024.

Hitting coach Alex Cintron told The Athletic recently that he believes Diaz was pressing last season, thinking if he didn't produce at a high level, he wouldn't get regular playing time.

But as we look back at last season, there really wasn't anything Diaz could have done to replace Martin Maldonado at catcher. Dusty Baker was unwilling to play any catchers over Maldy no matter the results or pressure from the front office.

When Astros GM James Click traded for Christian Vazquez in 2022, Baker held steady to playing Maldy. Baker also allegedly convinced owner Jim Crane to veto a trade for catcher Willson Contreras.

Last season, GM Dana Brown said he would like to see Diaz get more playing time at catcher. Dusty stuck to his guns with Maldy, despite the aging player's historic lows on offense and Diaz making a run at Rookie of the Year.

When the playoffs arrived, Diaz didn't get one start at catcher, and zero starts period in the ALCS. Maldonado hit .125 in that series, just a few points higher than his .119 batting average in 2024 with Chicago that led to him getting DFA'd.

Furthering the case that Maldy was done last year, but Baker wouldn't make the switch.

One has to wonder if giving Diaz more playing time at catcher during the regular season could have provided the Astros with the edge needed to overcome the Rangers and return to the World Series.

A new day

Houston's manager and front office now seem to share the same vision. Joe Espada is much more willing to give young players opportunities to prove they can do the job. When Dana Brown promotes players to the big league roster, Espada gives them a chance to play.

There doesn't seem to be friction between the manager and the front office. And you never know when a young player can give a team a spark.

The Rangers had no problem elevating prospect Evan Carter in 2023. They brought him to the big leagues in September, and he was a force in their offense that helped the team eventually secure a championship.

That's why it's exciting to see Espada and Brown give opportunities to guys like Zach Dezenzo, Joey Loperfido (before he was traded), and Pedro Leon.

Plus, look at the perception of Espada now with Astros fans. Many were ready to run him out of town early in the year, and hope Baker would come save the club.

Fast-forward to August, and the Astros hold a three-game lead over the Mariners for first place in the division.

Be sure to watch the video above as we examine the impact Diaz and Espada are having on the streaking 'Stros, if the Astros missed a big opportunity in 2023, and much more!

Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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