Texans report: Brock Osweiler likely taking playbook with him on vacation
By
John McClain and Aaron Wilson
June 10, 2016 Updated: June 10, 2016 9:14pm
Brock Osweiler, Texans
Based on what the Texans know about quarterback
Brock Osweiler, he will spend most, if not all, of his five-week vacation studying the playbook rather than sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun in some exotic locale.
Now that the 10 organized team activities are over, the Texans have their three-day minicamp next week before taking off until training camp.
"I still have a long way to go," Osweiler said about his knowledge of
Bill O'Brien's system. "There's a lot I still have to learn.
"There's a lot I still need to rep on the practice field and things we need to talk through."
O'Brien couldn't be happier with what he has seen so far of Osweiler on and off the field.
"So far, he's been exactly what we've expected," O'Brien said. "He works extremely hard. He's a very bright guy. He's a good communicator with his teammates. He's very hard on himself."
Osweiler hasn't been all work and no play. He has shown his coaches and teammates he has a good sense of humor, too.
"He's a fun guy to be around, a fun guy to coach - very competitive on the field," O'Brien said. "He's been exactly what we expected to this point.
"We all know the nature of the deal. We all have to go out and coach well and play well when the season starts. That's the key. That's what we're building toward."
Shorts gives WRsa role model
Receiver
Cecil Shorts III is 28 and the oldest member of the Texans' receivers. They have two rookies (
Will Fuller and
Braxton Miller) and two (
Jaelen Strong and
Keith Mumphery) entering their second seasons.
Shorts, playing in his sixth season, including his second with the Texans, sets a good example for his younger teammates.
"Cecil's a guy that's going out there and giving you his all," Pro Bowl receiver
DeAndre Hopkins said. "Even if he's hurt, he's going out there. You'll have to tell him to go on the sideline and get checked out.
"He's a hard worker. He definitely makes me work harder every day. He doesn't complain about anything, even if he's not getting the ball."
QBs workingin harmony
Brock Osweiler and the quarterbacks meet with their coaches at 7 a.m. He spends a lot of time with
Tom Savage and
Brandon Weeden, both of whom are helping ease Osweiler's transition from the Broncos to the Texans.
Osweiler was asked about his impressions of Savage, who enters his third season.
"With Tom, what's not to like?" he said. "First of all, Tom's a tremendous person. He's a tremendous teammate. He works his tail off in the meeting room, in the weight room and on the practice field. He's a guy that you want in your corner."
Savage and his receivers worked out in Arizona before Osweiler signed. Then, Osweiler, Savage and the receivers returned to Phoenix to work out together.
"As far as Tom helping me make the transition into this offense, he's been great," Osweiler said. "Starting in Arizona, we had lots of conversations about the language of our offense, the verbiage of the offense.
"Tom and Brandon, we're all pushing for each other to do great. We're all in each other's corner. On the practice field, if the other guy is going and the other two are out, we sit there and we have conversations about football. We pick each other's brain."
Watching fromthe sideline
Veteran outside linebacker
Whitney Mercilus remained sidelined Friday with a hamstring injury.
The injury isn't regarded as long term, and Mercilus has been increasing his activity over the past week.
Mercilus recorded a career-high dozen sacks last season, adding three more during a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Starting tight end
C.J. Fiedorowicz didn't practice due to a hamstring injury suffered last week. Like Mercilus, it's not regarded as a serious injury. Tight end
Ryan Griffin is still out with an Achilles injury and isn't expected to return to practice until training camp.
With Fiedorowicz and Griffin not practicing, undrafted rookie tight end
Stephen Anderson has capitalized on the heavier workload with a series of catches.
Also not practicing were rookie cornerback
Richard Leonard (hamstring surgery), rookie running back
Tyler Ervin (quadriceps), Pro Bowl alternate left tackle
Duane Brown (quadriceps surgery), inside linebacker
Max Bullough, offensive linemen
Jeff Adams (knee surgery) and
Greg Mancz (knee surgery), cornerbacks
Johnathan Joseph (knee surgery),
Charles James (foot surgery) and
Kevin Johnson (foot surgery, wrist surgery) and rookie wide receiver
Wendall Williams