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TEXANS OTAS: WILFORK, MALLETT, CUSHING AND MORE...
The Houston Texans were on the field for their 4th OTAs practice and the competition was apparent from the start.
Vince Wilfork is getting comfortable with the team and his attitude is infectious, making everyone smile. The defense has a different look as Wilfork works the middle with J.J. Watt and Jared Crick flanking him. Wilfork is fitting into the system with no issues and his presence allows inside linebackers to be more ready for contact.
Cecil Shorts III is rubbing off on younger players and there has been a select group of receivers picking his brain. Shorts arrives at the facility every morning at 5:45 to come in and get to work. Younger guys seem to be learning a lot from veteran presence and work ethic. Keith Mumphery is taking to the veterans in front of him and put together another solid practice. He has strong hands and once again showed he can catch the ball, most importantly, in traffic. There are some things to be sorted out when pads get put on, but Mumphery has been a diamond in the rough from this draft class.
Rookie tight end Mike McFarland struggled with catching the ball and running his routes correctly. As a rookie free agent, opportunities must be capitalized on when given and more needs to be seen from McFarland.
A big jump has been made by second-year player Andre Hal who is working at both cornerback and safety. He capped his practice off with an interception. Hal looks much faster and bigger than he was last year after spending this entire offseason in Houston getting ready for the upcoming football season.
First-round selection Kevin Johnson looks the part and his footwork is impressive, especially in tight spaces. His ability to close ground and to redirect in coverage are his best attributes. Additionally, he broke up a few passes today.
The length, size, and speed of Lonnie Ballentine is not to be overlooked. He had some good pass breakups and made a driving pass deflection, flying up from the safety position.
Ryan Mallett had a solid day throwing the football and is developing a good on-field relationship with Nate Washington. Mallett looked solid passing the ball in between the numbers, keeping it in catchable spots for the receivers. His confidence with the offense is apparent as he constantly talks to receivers after reps to discuss certain aspects of the play.
It was an up and down day for Brian Hoyer throwing the football. Inside the numbers, Hoyer had moments where he looked good but with throws outside the numbers, he struggled with accuracy, leaving passes to be broken up by defenders. Hoyer is the safety blanket of the Texans offense but his accuracy has to gets sharper as camp progress.
Eddie Pleasant, Kareem Jackson, and Andre Hal totaled three interceptions on the day between them, and each Texans quarterback was responsible for one. Pleasant picked off a high throw and Hal made a break from the corner position, while Jackson caught a deflected pass to cap off a big day for the defense.
Not to be overlooked is what Brian Cushing has done and how he is moving out on the field. He has made some coverage plays and is running with no issues. Players are whispering that he looks like the “Old Cush” prior to the two knee surgeries. If body language speaks volumes, Cushing looks solid for the start of camp.
The running backs have been catching the ball well, especially Arian Foster and Chris Polk. Both are looking good in one-on-one situations and Foster has been the the most surprising of all. Looking healthy and happy, Foster is moving well and understanding his role in the second year of the offense.
Vince Wilfork is getting comfortable with the team and his attitude is infectious, making everyone smile. The defense has a different look as Wilfork works the middle with J.J. Watt and Jared Crick flanking him. Wilfork is fitting into the system with no issues and his presence allows inside linebackers to be more ready for contact.
Cecil Shorts III is rubbing off on younger players and there has been a select group of receivers picking his brain. Shorts arrives at the facility every morning at 5:45 to come in and get to work. Younger guys seem to be learning a lot from veteran presence and work ethic. Keith Mumphery is taking to the veterans in front of him and put together another solid practice. He has strong hands and once again showed he can catch the ball, most importantly, in traffic. There are some things to be sorted out when pads get put on, but Mumphery has been a diamond in the rough from this draft class.
Rookie tight end Mike McFarland struggled with catching the ball and running his routes correctly. As a rookie free agent, opportunities must be capitalized on when given and more needs to be seen from McFarland.
A big jump has been made by second-year player Andre Hal who is working at both cornerback and safety. He capped his practice off with an interception. Hal looks much faster and bigger than he was last year after spending this entire offseason in Houston getting ready for the upcoming football season.
First-round selection Kevin Johnson looks the part and his footwork is impressive, especially in tight spaces. His ability to close ground and to redirect in coverage are his best attributes. Additionally, he broke up a few passes today.
The length, size, and speed of Lonnie Ballentine is not to be overlooked. He had some good pass breakups and made a driving pass deflection, flying up from the safety position.
Ryan Mallett had a solid day throwing the football and is developing a good on-field relationship with Nate Washington. Mallett looked solid passing the ball in between the numbers, keeping it in catchable spots for the receivers. His confidence with the offense is apparent as he constantly talks to receivers after reps to discuss certain aspects of the play.
It was an up and down day for Brian Hoyer throwing the football. Inside the numbers, Hoyer had moments where he looked good but with throws outside the numbers, he struggled with accuracy, leaving passes to be broken up by defenders. Hoyer is the safety blanket of the Texans offense but his accuracy has to gets sharper as camp progress.
Eddie Pleasant, Kareem Jackson, and Andre Hal totaled three interceptions on the day between them, and each Texans quarterback was responsible for one. Pleasant picked off a high throw and Hal made a break from the corner position, while Jackson caught a deflected pass to cap off a big day for the defense.
Not to be overlooked is what Brian Cushing has done and how he is moving out on the field. He has made some coverage plays and is running with no issues. Players are whispering that he looks like the “Old Cush” prior to the two knee surgeries. If body language speaks volumes, Cushing looks solid for the start of camp.
The running backs have been catching the ball well, especially Arian Foster and Chris Polk. Both are looking good in one-on-one situations and Foster has been the the most surprising of all. Looking healthy and happy, Foster is moving well and understanding his role in the second year of the offense.
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