STOOTS ON TEXANS
Houston Texans training camp: 11 observations you need to know about from Day 4
Aug 2, 2022, 1:22 pm
Nico Collins looks like the real deal. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
Here's why the Houston Texans will look different against the Eagles in Week 9
The Houston Texans had a lovely day on offense in their second workout in pads. Here are 11 observations from the practice.
1. Davis Mills was phenomenal today. There wasn’t anything spectacular to report from an eye-popping play standpoint, but he dissected the defense. His red zone success last season seems to be even better and here to stay this year.
2. Davis Mills showcased decision-making speed, but combined it with bigger plays today. Previously, Mills had been making quick decisions and getting the ball to short routes for small gains. Today, he was whipping the ball around the field for big chunks.
3. Davis Mills playing last year in some chaotic situations seems to help him this year. Even when the offensive line has a breakdown, his mobility in the pocket is apparent. He also has a better internal clock, it feels like, so some of those punishing hits will maybe disappear.
4. Nico Collins and Davis Mills have wonderful chemistry. Mills found Collins on a deep pass where Collins got vertical on cornerback Steven Nelson. With Nelson being very physical, Collins hauled in the pass for a score. It seems almost daily Collins showcases his physical gifts and how he uses them to beat defenders.
5. Speaking of physical gifts, Pharaoh Brown uses his plenty. Lovie Smith called Brown the team’s starting tight end after practice. He is a bully against defenders, and his athleticism is apparent as he gets loose in the middle of the field. He has a chance to be a weapon for this team.
6. Brevin Jordan has had his moments too. He and Brown will make for a fearsome red zone duo. There will be times each will play next to the other, providing a matchup nightmare for most teams. Jordan hauled in some scores today too.
7. Rookie offensive guard Kenyon Green ran with the first team today. He opened a big hole on one play that allowed Marlon Mack to dart through for a big run. He is physical and had a few solid victories on Tuesday. Lovie Smith said he is having “normal rookie progression” so far.
8. Let’s keep with the offensive rookie theme, shall we? I like what Dameon Pierce has showcased in camp so far. He hasn’t “won” the job, but he’s forced himself to be a factor. Pierce hauled in a screen in traffic today and darted up the field for a big gain. He should be a constant option for Pep Hamilton’s offense.
9. Rookie safety Jalen Pitre had a really nice moment and a really ugly moment today. Pitre read a play and darted in front of a tight end, earning himself a pass breakup but dropping an interception. Pitre’s bad moment happened when in a rushing play, Rex Burkhead juked him out of his shoes for a gain. Pitre should be on the field a lot, but there is plenty of growth needed.
10. Christian Harris is fast. Duh, you knew that from his pre-draft workout. But he’s football fast and his recognition is very solid. Harris darted in to stymie a rushing play that he anticipated and ran past the blocking to ruin the play. He played with the first team at times, as Lovie Smith noted after practice. There is a chance he will play quite a bit for this team.
11. If the Texans played a game tomorrow, I would start Rasheem Green at defensive end. Green is frequently near the ball and seems to be quite the annoyance for the offensive line. He had a play today where he had a sack if it was a live rep. He is constantly near the football on rushing plays. He’s been a nice free agent find.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.