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Texans Training Camp Preview 2023

Man, Texans RB Dameon Pierce has even more dangerous scoots this year. He's sliding and gliding through holes quicker and with more burst even than last year, it seems. He noted after practice that he put a huge focus on getting his nutrition right and his workouts on point. The true test is when the pads go on, but I think he's going to pass that test with flying colors.

However, on the first running play, DL Maliek Collins ate it all up, wrapping up Pierce at the line of scrimmage. Yes, say it with me "THEY'RE NOT WEARING PADS!!", but they will on Sunday. That said, the interior guys have been a problem from the first snap of training camp and Collins was a major part of that issue, especially on this play to start that team drill.


When Pierce needs a rest, there's no drop off in the dangerous RB category. RB Devin Singletary 'Motor' is smooth as melted butter and he showed that on a run in the team drill as Pierce stepped out of the huddle. He took the handoff and started on a zone path to the left side, then without stopping, he darted back inside and froze a defender, all the while motoring past that concrete-footed defender. Singletary is so sudden that he can start with a plan where he's going to run, spy an opening elsewhere, stop on a dime and dart out the other way. Slick and so darn slippery.




A guy that I mentioned on Thursday made another stellar pass breakup in the next team drill. DB Tavierre Thomas was in man coverage on WR Noah Brown on a shallow crosser. QB C.J. Stroud got a blitz and he read it perfectly to get the ball to Brown as his hot receiver. Thomas got in Brown's hip pocket and knocked away the pass. Tav has been real active early in these practices.


The second team period was not a great one for the quarterbacks. Mills missed receivers early in his two throws, while Stroud missed on two of his three throws. Keenum then hit a checkdown for a completion. He then found rookie TE Jordan Murray out in the flat wide open, then he threw a dart to WR Jalen Camp on a man coverage combination route.

During the end of special teams, the returners decided to have some fun. They all attempted to catch and hold as many footballs as possible at one time. Desmond King II started it and caught three. The overall winner, though, was… Tank Dell. He had SIX. I don't know HOW on God's green earth he was able to catch six punts and hold them at the same time on that tiny frame. But he did! What stood out to me, mostly, was the fact that this was just a group of guys in the midst of a stressful training camp, smiling, competing and having fun.

The fans had a few moments to get excited about, but the one that seemed to trigger the most reaction was when QB C.J. Stroud threw a gem to TE Dalton Schultz on an over route. Stroud threw a laser shot to the right side of the formation and Schultz snagged it, without breaking stride, turned upfield and made a huge play out of it. The fans love having Stroud here, but they have big expectations for Schultz too. So, those two linking up got a serious rise out of the assembled fan base.

Two plays after Stroud made that play, he made an even more impressive throw. The defense brought a strong blitz against Stroud so the rookie QB had to get rid of it nearly as soon as he got the snap. But, he did and he found fellow rookie WR Tank Dell on the far side of the field before that rush could sack him. Dell turned that up the field and made a huge play out of it. Beating the blitz isn't a little thing…ever, so that win caught my attention in a big way.

On the next play, QB Davis Mills didn't beat the blitz because the defense didn't on that particular play. However, his quick thinking and quick reaction skills contributed to a key completion. He ran a bootleg again and had a DE in his face from jump, so when he turned around to start back toward the line of scrimmage, the DE was nearly at his feet, so he leapt in the air and fired to TE Eric Tomlinson for the reception. That was a sack 99.9% of the time or should've been, but Mills made the play right with a highly athletic play on the boot.


I mentioned the pass coverage skills and recognition of rookie LB Henry To'oTo'o early this week. He showed it again in the last team drill of the day. He first had to react to a possible run and then when he knew it was a pass, he "robot-ed" his way back to the nearest receiver. Robot (roll over and back) is a technique that linebackers use on play action or bootleg, reacting to the run and then changing course to roll over and back to cut off crossers. To'o To'o made a smooth and explosive move into Tank Dell's space and kept Mills from attempting a throw his way.
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Harris Hits: Training Camp Observations Day #3

www.houstontexans.com
 
Buckeye Homer said:
Another said that CJ plays the position with elegance and that resonates with me.
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I'd love to know who said that as it strikes a chord with me to. I don't know if he "plays" with elegance, but he seems to throw with it. He's literally painting corners in the college highlights I've seen and his ball arcs between defenders on command. Uncanny. (Disclaimer: youtube highlights are infact, highlights alone...I get that.)

He throws with so much touch it's hard to judge his arm strength. I'd expect in person his throws are zipping by at mach speed ,but it just doesn't look that way on screen.

I agree with @Dejaview about his motion. It's different somehow. I'd love a better look at how he grips the ball vs other pro qbs. I'd expect he keeps it farther back and more in his palm? Maybe a different finger action? (That’s what she said 😉.)

I saw a youtube short years ago of Tony Romo. He was talking about his time at the probowl where another qb (Aaron Rodgers I think) showed him a subtle change in his grip. He (Romo) said it made a dramatic difference in his placement and accuracy.

I don't know if that's the case here ,but it felt relevant to say.
 
For Stroud to look comfortable early is a good sign.
Shanahan's offense is known for its lengthy verbiage that is not easy for rookies to remember.
(especially considering the S2 score.) :brando:

www.ninersnation.com

Mcdaniel explains how learning the new terminology has been like a foreign language for the rookies

49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel made his media debut on Wednesday where he spoke about the incoming rookie class and gave his thoughts on Trey Lance’s progress early on at OTAs. McDaniel...
www.ninersnation.com www.ninersnation.com
 
zshawn10 said:

Harris Hits: Training Camp Observations Day #3

www.houstontexans.com
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This is the first that I've read where the type of plays being run is mentioned...He talked about Pierce running a zone play and then Mills on a bootleg...

In Kubiak's first year in 2006 when he first brought the ZBS over he was able to go 6-10 which was pretty good considering the talent he had...or lack there of...

I think this team has at least comparable talent. I think the Oline is stronger...WR group as a whole I think has potential to be better....RB group is better...And I'd take Mills or Stroud over Carr easy.

I think the Defense should overall be better as well.

Looking at the schedule I don't think 9 wins is that far fetched.

One or more of these RB's is really going to feast in the offense. And I think Stroud will end up being the starter and if he can get all of the nuances down of the scheme he should look pretty damn good early on as well.
 
For today’s newsletter I am emptying out the notebook notes/observations from Day 1 and Day 3 of camp. Ton of information to get to.

Before that, it was great to have the fans back in attendance today. Houston fans piled into the shaded stands, some waiting as early at 5AM, to get their first peak at DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud, and Will Anderson. The positivity was radiating from the fan base, and streaming through the players. Quite a stark contrast to public practices in 2022. The energy is very infectious. A welcomed sight and feeling for all.

John Metchie

Metchie was back on the field for Day 1 in full go mode. Was clear he was excited but still shaking off the cobwebs of old returning to practice. Metchie had the day off today (Day 3). Team will slowly ramp up his work. Route running was a billed with crisp movement. Could provide a nice underneath security option for Stroud this year.

Will Anderson

I don’t want to get ahead of myself but my gosh this kid is a monster. Explosion is all I could think seeing him line up opposite of Laremy Tunsil, and sometimes getting around Tunsil. Speed and transition is evident. One play the offense ran a play action bootleg with Anderson quickly shifting to his opposite side to chase down the quarterback for a would be sack. I’m excited.

Defense Secondary

This group could be VERY GOOD. In 2022 the secondary was sneaky solid in pass defense (tackling needed some work). Derek Stingley added some muscle, Jimmie Ward appears to be a strong addition, and Jalen Pitre is full of energy working all over the field. The safety position will be interchangeable in Ryans’ system with either player lining up deep.

The battle for CB2 between Steven Nelson and Shaq Griffin will be one to watch. The slot CB spot is also up for grabs between Desmond King and Tavierre Thomas.

On Day 3 the offense made three attempts at Derek Stingley with zero success. Former Texan Jonathan Joseph is constantly working with Stingley down to first step drills before practice.

CJ Stroud

Day 3 was a rough one for Stroud. Over throwing two routes in 11v11 along with a wobbler that ended in the hands of safety MJ Stewart. There will be bumps along the way for Stroud.

In drills the mechanics are a sight to watch. Clean footwork, ball placement is near perfect, and quick throwing motion. Watching Stroud followed by Mills and Keenum, the quickness of Stroud’s throwing motion is evident. Movement within the pocket is solid and confident, and took off for a scramble twice today with no open receivers.

From what I’ve been told, Stroud is clearly QB1 inside the building both with staff and players. Only a matter of time before that is seen on the field.



Linebacker Group

Day 1 and Day 3 we have seen a different arrangement within the linebackers. New veteran Denzel Perryman (wearing #6 jersey…hard to get used to) and Henry To’To both getting some work at the mike position. Kirksey’s spot on the roster might be a bit more firm than I expected. Seeing time on the strong side (Sam) of the linebacker grouping. The staff continues to speak highly of Kirksey both on and off the field.

Individual Notes

  • Tank Dell is crazy shifty in space. Dell put CB Steven Nelson on skates running a quick out route, and then spinning away from the boundary back inside to get free from Nelson. Dell is also getting a lot of work at punt return duty. Continued interest in how Bobby Slowik deploys Dell.

  • Noah Brown, while not splashy, is as solid a WR2/3 there is. Straight line speed is faster than I expected.

  • The road grading crew of Shaq Mason and Kenyon Green is fun to watch. We saw multiple times today with Pierce and Singletary finding open lanes on inside zone and power traps. Green and Mason quickly finding work at the second level.

  • Jalen Pitre, with his new grille, has upped his trash talking game this season. Pitre is crazy energetic flying all over the field. Even spotted him on a safety blitz after dropping down the linebacker level.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1685094505509236736
 
zshawn10 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1685094505509236736
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Interesting to note on the LBs:

“Linebacker Group

Day 1 and Day 3 we have seen a different arrangement within the linebackers. New veteran Denzel Perryman (wearing #6 jersey…hard to get used to) and Henry To’To both getting some work at the mike position. Kirksey’s spot on the roster might be a bit more firm than I expected. Seeing time on the strong side (Sam) of the linebacker grouping. The staff continues to speak highly of Kirksey both on and off the field.”


I was expecting Kirksey to get cut for cap space but it appears the team sees him as a SAM in this defense. I trust DeMeco’s LB evaluation and expect to see the best in Kirksey this season.
 
"The road grading crew of Shaq Mason and Kenyon Green is fun to watch. We saw multiple times today with Pierce and Singletary finding open lanes on inside zone and power traps. Green and Mason quickly finding work at the second level. "

First positive comments I've heard about Green. I need to listen to less local radio.
 
I heard Clint bashing Green on day one. I thought it was ridiculous and put my music back on.

As far as the rookies, it’s early but the two standouts on D appear to be Anderson and Henry T, and on offense Tank Dell. It’s very early and others will emerge with time, but there’s seems to be a strong sense that those three are “hits”.
 
Texansballer74 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1685662445660991491
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Nelson’s career has been the definition of a solid steady CB2. He’s a set it and forget it starting outside CB that offenses wont be able to exploit.

How much is that worth and how long can he maintain that level of play has been the question this offseason. There’s no doubt he’s underpaid as a starting CB right now but he’s also a career overachiever who has outplayed his size/measurables and on the back end of his prime. High floor low ceiling player. Teams need guys like him, but they don’t necessarily pay him.
 
Texansballer74 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1685663110567186432
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Maybe i’m overanalyzing the reports but i’m concerned that the offense’s highlights each day come against Stingley. Maybe its the only big play he allows an entire practice? But I’ve seen reports of Collins day 1, Brown day 2 and now Hutchinson making big plays against him. And they aren’t exactly the Jefferson, Chase, Hill and Adams tier of WRs in the league.
 
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