Playoffs
Hall of Fame
TEXANS MANDATORY MINI-CAMP: DAY TWO
Maurice Jones-Drew took in practice today and was complimentary of his former teammate Cecil Shorts III. Jones stated that Shorts needs to stay healthy but was a playmaker for the offense in Jacksonville. Jones-Drew also was pleased with the work shown on the field by Jonathan Grimes, who shared the backfield with Jones-Drew in Jacksonville.
Tom Savage had his best day of the offseason today throwing the football. He made some strong throws down the sideline and in the middle of the field. HIs understanding of the offense looks much more under control and his pre-snap adjustments can be heard. Savage takes some time to get going but once he got into the flow today, he was pinpoint accurate with his throws. This is a positive development for Savage’s development in his young career.
Continuing the quarterback discussion, Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer both had inconsistent days throwing the football. Mallett’s lack of mobility caused some issues in throwing the football and causes some inaccurate throws. When he gets a good base setting up to pass, he is able to drive the football into tight spaces. As for Hoyer, his quick release sets him apart from Mallett. He worked with a mismatched group on offense and it caused some early bumps in the work on the field. Hoyer’s best throw came on a throw down the side line to Keith Mumphery when he dropped it over a defender.
It was another positive day for rookie Kevin Johnson. Still trying to learn the ways of the defense, the athletic ability that caused the Texans to use their top overall draft pick on Johnson is apparent. He shows flashes of planting and driving to the football and he had a good pass break up in 11-on-11 drills.
There is not much said about J.J. Watt and the work he has put in on the field over the off-season. There is literally zero quit in his game and, to start mini-camp, he would have flattened Ryan Mallett if it was live action. Watt says he is a little frustrated (jokingly) that Bill O’Brien doesn’t pay attention to his sacks during practice. He continues to be one of the most complete players on the field and is constantly rooting for his teammates on the sideline while watching the other units practice.
Max Bullough looked like he belonged today and had a near interception sitting in zone coverage. Brian Cushing said Bullough was one of the smartest players in the defensive meeting room and it appears to be paying off with the work he is getting in mini-camp. With an unsettled depth chart at inside linebacker, Bullough’s strong start to the offseason is priming him for a run at the 53-man roster.
Shane Lechler was alive to start practice and he looked much healthier than he did to end last season. Scraping the top of the bubble, Lechler also worked on directional punting and was consistently putting the ball inside the 10 yard line.
A.J. Bouye returned to mini-camp but is recovering from a shoulder issue from last season that he had corrected over the offseason. He will be held out until the start of training camp to make sure there are no setbacks in his recovery.
Nate Washington has missed the last two days of mini-camp due to an illness. He has been a primary target throughout the offseason and is expected back for the final day of mini-camp.
C.J. Fiedorowicz is quietly putting together a solid offseason and it is starting with the way he catches the football. He made a great catch off the arm of Hoyer in the back of the end zone, in between two defenders. He appears to have worked on his hands over the offseason and it is clear with the way he now receives the ball. Early indications appear to show an impressive skill jump for the tight end in year two.
Tom Savage had his best day of the offseason today throwing the football. He made some strong throws down the sideline and in the middle of the field. HIs understanding of the offense looks much more under control and his pre-snap adjustments can be heard. Savage takes some time to get going but once he got into the flow today, he was pinpoint accurate with his throws. This is a positive development for Savage’s development in his young career.
Continuing the quarterback discussion, Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer both had inconsistent days throwing the football. Mallett’s lack of mobility caused some issues in throwing the football and causes some inaccurate throws. When he gets a good base setting up to pass, he is able to drive the football into tight spaces. As for Hoyer, his quick release sets him apart from Mallett. He worked with a mismatched group on offense and it caused some early bumps in the work on the field. Hoyer’s best throw came on a throw down the side line to Keith Mumphery when he dropped it over a defender.
It was another positive day for rookie Kevin Johnson. Still trying to learn the ways of the defense, the athletic ability that caused the Texans to use their top overall draft pick on Johnson is apparent. He shows flashes of planting and driving to the football and he had a good pass break up in 11-on-11 drills.
There is not much said about J.J. Watt and the work he has put in on the field over the off-season. There is literally zero quit in his game and, to start mini-camp, he would have flattened Ryan Mallett if it was live action. Watt says he is a little frustrated (jokingly) that Bill O’Brien doesn’t pay attention to his sacks during practice. He continues to be one of the most complete players on the field and is constantly rooting for his teammates on the sideline while watching the other units practice.
Max Bullough looked like he belonged today and had a near interception sitting in zone coverage. Brian Cushing said Bullough was one of the smartest players in the defensive meeting room and it appears to be paying off with the work he is getting in mini-camp. With an unsettled depth chart at inside linebacker, Bullough’s strong start to the offseason is priming him for a run at the 53-man roster.
Shane Lechler was alive to start practice and he looked much healthier than he did to end last season. Scraping the top of the bubble, Lechler also worked on directional punting and was consistently putting the ball inside the 10 yard line.
A.J. Bouye returned to mini-camp but is recovering from a shoulder issue from last season that he had corrected over the offseason. He will be held out until the start of training camp to make sure there are no setbacks in his recovery.
Nate Washington has missed the last two days of mini-camp due to an illness. He has been a primary target throughout the offseason and is expected back for the final day of mini-camp.
C.J. Fiedorowicz is quietly putting together a solid offseason and it is starting with the way he catches the football. He made a great catch off the arm of Hoyer in the back of the end zone, in between two defenders. He appears to have worked on his hands over the offseason and it is clear with the way he now receives the ball. Early indications appear to show an impressive skill jump for the tight end in year two.
