TEXANS CAMP REPORT

11 observations from Texans training camp Day 10 - Saturday under the lights

The Texans first preseason game is next Satuday against the Packers. Photo via: HoustonTexans.com

The Houston Texans had their most active practice of training camp on Saturday with a scrimmage atmosphere in front of fans.

1. Texans head coach David Culley was as demonstrative and loud as he has been all camp on Saturday. Culley was exasperated after a pre-snap penalty for the offense. Later, Culley "benched" a player for another player after a false start.

2. Brandin Cooks is regularly unguardable in Texans camp. Cooks had three big plays, one wiped out via penalty, on Saturday. The veteran wideout is a terror for the defensive backs.

3. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was impressive for a good portion of the practice. Taylor's movement will be an asset when the better defenses show up on the schedule. Taylor made very few mistakes on Saturday.

4. The play of the day saw Taylor roll out to his left, chased by defenders, and heave the ball to the end zone. The 35-yard pass ended up in the hands of Brandin Cooks for a score. This was after a penalty had negated a previous Cooks score.

5. The above-mentioned penalized play was a screen to Cooks. Leading the way on the screen: second-year offensive tackle Charlie Heck. Heck had far more good plays than bad plays on Saturday. He's had a solid camp playing tackle and clearly has changed his body composition in the offseason.

6. Heck did allow one speed rush to get past him. The rush came from defensive lineman Jacob Martin. Martin flashed twice in the scrimmage with two sacks. Martin has had a rough camp to this point, so if he could build on Saturday that would go a long way for him.

7. Vincent Taylor and Ross Blacklock caused havoc along the interior of the defensive line. Taylor destroyed a run play. Blacklock had a couple of hurries and a would-be sack. Towards the end of practice, Blacklock started getting extra attention put on him.

8. Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel struggled to be consistent on offense. Mills started his set of reps with a little momentum, but he finished his first set of reps with a pass to nowhere, leading to a field goal. Driskel threw an interception to safety Lonnie Johnson.

9. Plenty of the rookies showed up during the workout. Nico Collins had a nice catch in traffic. Roy Lopez was constantly double- teamed by offensive linemen. Tight end Brevin Jordan had a nice catch on an out-route. Linebacker Garrett Wallow, who is wearing 32 despite being a linebacker, had a freaky pass breakup saving a touchdown. Wallow skied for the ball and batted down a would-be touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor to Alex Erickson. Wallow, unfortunately, didn't come down with the interception.

10. Pharaoh Brown and Jordan Akins are the clear leaders at tight end. Each of them had touchdown catches, including a beauty of a strike from Tyrod Taylor to Brown for a touchdown. Akins finds holes in the defense.

11.Deshaun Watson was not at practice yet again.

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After another poor performance from former Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns' season is starting to look like an uphill climb. Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is out for the year, and Cleveland fans aren't too pleased with the way Watson is playing, especially considering the massive contract extension he signed with the team. And we didn't even get to the off the field drama that comes with Watson.

However, Houston fans are invested in the Browns' season outcome as well, with the Texans holding the Browns' first round pick in 2024, and having sent their own first rounder to the Cardinals in the Will Anderson trade.

So each loss for the Browns, means a better draft pick for the Texans!

For Houston, it looks like they have their QB of the future in CJ Stroud. And he'll be on a less expensive rookie contract for the next several years, giving the Texans more cap space to upgrade the roster.

With all of this in mind, is it fair to question if the Texans dodged a bullet when Watson demanded a trade?

DeMeco Ryans vs. Lovie Smith

Plus, we're only two games into the season, but Lovie Smith's defense was much better (with a similar roster) than what DeMeco Ryans' defense has shown thus far, and DeMeco has the benefit of Will Anderson rushing the QB.

Are the struggles on defense more about the roster GM Nick Caserio has put together, or does this slow start fall on DeMeco?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!

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