Day 8 & Day 9 - Houston Texans Training Camp Observations
Offense turning the corner...?
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Day 8 and Day 9 of Houston Texans training camp are now in the books. The theme has been all about the offense. Specifically rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud who firmly has the reins on QB1. The team is not hiding it anymore after two days of Stroud running with the 1’s exclusively.
With head coach DeMeco Ryans opining that he needs to see Stroud in game time, any sort of official QB1 announcement likely comes after the preseason game against New England. It’s clear who QB1 is after tonight’s practice.
Time to Empty Out the Notebook
Strap in…I have some notes.
Skimming my notes (I really need a better note taking system…) the roster is starting to take form. Position groups are becoming locked in with just a few position battles remaining. We will start on Friday and work our way through Saturday.
Friday
On Friday during 1 on 1 drills with the WR’s v. CB’s it was quite a sight to see 2nd year WR John Metchie work. Yes I realize I mention Metchie a lot, but the player is a tactician with his foot work. Twice he put CB Desmond King on his heels.
Conversely, and direct competition for King, CB Tavierre Thomas was locking down players in his drills. Getting his hands on the receiver early within the 3 yard mark to shut down any movement.
Moving on to 7 on 7 work we witnessed C.J. Stroud take some positive steps. After a mixed bag earlier in the week, Stroud put his stamp on practice with a big hit to Nico Collins down the sideline for a touchdown with Shaq Griffin in coverage.
Stroud continued his work with later hitting Tank Dell on a quick out route to keep the chains moving. Dell’s confidence continues to shine through (more on that later).
Andrew Beck…FB o TE? Nobody knows. I asked a few folks today, do we call it 12 or 21 personnel when Beck is on the field? I’ve seen Beck line up at full back, in the slot, inline tight end, and even in motion. Mills caught Beck on a big gain with a pass down the seam where the safety (didn’t see who) couldn’t get over in coverage in time.
Robert Woods hasn’t made much noise but when he’s needed he is there. Stroud lined up the offense on a 3rd and 2 with Woods lined up next to Schultz. Schultz ran a clear out route with Woods running a quick dig route just past the first down marker for an easy first down.
DeMeco Ryans had Chris Burke handling the play call duties during 11 on 11’s on Friday. Burke called up a variety of play calls. One defensive formation caught my eye with what I believe is called a “bear front”. The defense had 5 defensive linemen at the LOS with three defensive tackles.
The team then shifted over to 11 on 11 with the offense at their own 2 yard line trying to get out of their end zone. It was ugly. The offense had two straight false starts, unknown if the cause was on Stroud or Scruggs, but it was rough to watch. On the other hand DE Jacob Martin was loving ever minute of it.
During this team set, LB Henry To’o To’o made a fantastic read stuffing Pierce at the LOS. To’o To’o is in a heavy battle for the “mike” linebacker spot with the 1s against veteran Denzel Perryman.
Just a few players later LB Christian Harris chased down C.J. Stroud on a bootleg in the end zone finishing with what would have been a safety. Harris’ change of direction is still on point.
The finale of the fantastic defensive stand during this set was DE Jacob Martin blowing past LT George Fant for a would be sack. Fant was filling in at left tackle for Laremy Tunsil who had a veteran day off.
Scanning my notes I have another entry “45 TFL”. I will admit with the signing of Jacob Martin I did not expect him to make much noise. Clearly I am wrong as Martin is a major player in the 4 man edge rusher rotation with Anderson, Hughes, and Greenard.
LB Denzel Perryman capped off the defensive stand with a fantastic read and interception of C.J. Stroud. There is work to be done for the offense when their back is up against the wall.
Saturday
Saturday was another open practice to the fans and the team did not disappoint.
The fireworks started early when CB Kendall Sheffield broke free for a would be kick off return touchdown down the line in front of the fans. The cheers roared and caught many of us in the media tent off guard. I was chatting with one of the nicest people in the world in Deepi Sidhu; and it was a “back to work” moment for both of us.
The team started off with 7 on 7 in the red zone. What happened next was a pure clinic by the C.J. Stroud led offense. The defense got one stop on the first snap with CB Steven Nelson breaking on a pass heading for WR Nico Collins for a nice pass break-up. That’s all they would get.
Three touchdowns later by the offense (well two because one was called out of bounds but I disagree with the call).
Stroud connected with RB Dameon Pierce for an acrobatic catch with CB Desmond King in coverage. Oddly enough the RB’s were working on end zone double moves just prior to this touchdown.
Stroud finds an open TE Mason Schreck at the back of the end zone placing the ball where only Schrek can get to it.
Stroud finds TE Dalton Schultz in the back corner on a big miss match with CB Kendall Sheffield in coverage. The ref ruled it incomplete but it was a touchdown in our hearts.
Stroud tried to find WR Nico Collins on a fade to the back corner but this time was off target.
Stroud came out of the drill with 3 touchdowns, and Mills finished with 0 touchdowns.
The team then moved to 11 on 11 work where we got to witness the Will Anderson v Laremy Tunsil show. Each player had their wins. It was clear there was something to prove here.
A few plays later the team was lined up with Stroud in shotgun with Pierce to his right. Before the snap we see Stroud take off to his left in an orbit motion. Stroud hits Pierce in a stride for a nice gain.
C Juice Scruggs was looking for work today, clearly his best day after finding his footing with the 1’s. The defense tried a stunt with LB Denzel Perryman and DE Will Anderson with Anderson darting inside only to be confronted by Scruggs to give the quarterback time to make a throw.
We finally witnessed the fabeled zone block RB toss with the cutback. RB Devin Singletary made a clear read, put his foot in the ground, with a beautiful cut back for a big gain. It was pretty.
Stroud continued to work the defense over. Finding WR Metchie for a chain moving first down in the flat. Followed by a play action bootleg for an easy gain with Stroud finding TE Eric Tomlinson in traffic.
One final play saw some go routes clear out a big zone for Dalton Schultz to turn and stop just past the chains for Stroud pass for an easy first down.
Favorite Plays of the Night
“Look at 51” I am quietly told. I look up to see DE Will Anderson lined up inside OG Shaq Mason’s shoulder. Anderson blasts off out off a cannon, Mason looked like he was in slow motion. Easy sack for Anderson.
WR Jesse Matthews puts a double move on CB Jacobi Francis heading towards the sideline with a Davis Mills ball headed his way. Matthews goes up over Francis pulling in the reception landing on the sideline. Ref calls it good. Defense goes into an uproar pointing to the divots in the grass beyond the chalk line.
WR Tank Dell ran a wild route covering a lot of ground with a crazy change of direction at the hash marks. Mill hit Dell over the middle of the field with an off placement throw, but Dell adjusted mid-air to pull in the pass.
Summary
Stories to continue to watch:
C.J. Stroud is QB1. No further discussion needed.
Middle linebacker battle with Perryman and To’o To’o.
Tight end 2 with Eric Tomlinson and Teagan Quitoriano (when he returns from PUP/Active). The team does not have much depth at the position.
Kick return duty (there are 5 players in the mix).
Xavier Hutchinson is quickly making a case to run with the starters. His time may have to wait behind Robert Woods. Hutch continues to push, but the kid is just as advertised as a steal in the 6th round.
This secondary could be really good if they remain disciplined. The group has a ton of depth and athleticism in the secondary.
DT 3/4 with Roy Lopez, Byron Cowart, and Hassan Ridgeway.
RB3 with Dare Ogunbowale (who is fantastic on special teams) with Xazavian Valladay and Mike Boone pushing hard.
Things are getting real. The first preseason game with New England is only days away.
Thank you for reading and for the support!
-TC