Day 6 observations
The Houston Texans were in pads for the second time in their sixth training camp practice.
Here are 11 observations from the workout.
C.J. Stroud and the offense had a slow start. The 7-on-7 period started with a throw low and behind Xavier Hutchinson from Stroud. The coverage was tight, but Stroud blew the throw. The next pass, Stroud worked back to his right and threw an interception to Calen Bullock. Monday Bullock dropped the interception, but he held on to this one. It felt like it was going to be one of those days for the offense, but it wasn’t. Stroud’s next pass was a strike to Christian Kirk for a big gain. Davis Mills followed with some solid plays, and Kedon Slovis’s work was quick and effective. The offense bounced back from those early hiccups.
The team portions were much better for Stroud. After a short gain on the ground for NickChubb, Stroud struck again. Kirk was again the recipient of the pass from Stroud, slicing through the middle of the defense. That was all for that early team portion from Stroud. His work was done on one play. Back on the field, the offense went sideways to Nico Collins for a short gain, but there was a penalty. Another penalty erased an incomplete and that was all for the Stroud-led offense in the initial team portion. Stroud was back on the field coming out of his end zone. Two plays went nowhere before a pass over the middle to Brevin Jordan gave the offense some breathing room. A sack likely erased the biggest play in this team portion, but Stroud found Schultz behind the defense for a huge gain. Nico Collins hauled in a Stroud pass in traffic, and that was about it for Stroud’s day. He never seemed flustered by the pressure, and he didn’t appear down when the offense had issues moving the ball.
Jayden Higgins got robbed and got rocked in practice. Let’s start with the big hit. Higgins skied for a ball from Stroud with a defender all over him. As the rookie wide receiver tried to come down for the ball, Jalen Pitre arrived. He smacked the hell out of Higgins, dislodging the ball. Higgins showed no ill effects from the big hit during this practice. The defense, and some of the coaches, tried to rob Higgins of a great catch. Mills let it fly from his end zone. The pass was high, but Higgins had a chance at it with his height and athleticism. He jumped and caught it. Higgins landed with both feet in bounds. The defense protested, but the official said it was a catch. The coaches reset the offense as if it weren’t a catch. Robbery.
The offensive line continued to battle. I was impressed with their ability to hold up in an unfavorable situation. There were a few moments they will want back, like sacks and penalties. The drives started on the two. I thought for sure they would give up a safety, but they didn’t. They still haven’t sprung any big runs. It feels closer than it did yesterday. There were some holes for the rushers in this practice. It was a solid day for the offensive line with room to improve as well. The first offensive line was Cam Robinson at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Tytus Howard at right guard, and Aireontae Ersery at right tackle. Later, Jarrett Patterson replaced Andrews with those other linemen in their same spots.
Another rough moment popped up for Blake Fisher. Fisher was lined up with the second team most of practice. He had a penalty that enraged coaches. He was lined up at right tackle. The quarterback gave a couple of hard counts trying to get the defense to jump. They didn’t, but Fisher did. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley demanded someone replace Fisher. Zach Thomas came in for the second-year tackle. A positive for Fisher from this day was that his pass blocking looked better than it had.
Danielle Hunter was the game wrecker during this workout. He dominated left tackle Cam Robinson once. Hunter got Robinson again moments later. He seems more active in run-stopping than I remember. There is a talent drop when Hutner and Will Anderson leave the field, sure, but the intensity doesn’t drop. Dylan Horton had another good rep for a sack. Horton, Darrell Taylor, and Solomon Byrd have taken advantage of the reps vacated by Derek Barnett and Denico Autry. The two veterans are still on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Jalen Pitre returned to practice. He had missed the last two workouts and the walkthrough. He made his presence felt around the line of scrimmage on a few run plays. That’s what he did well last year in his new role. What he didn’t do well was cover, and he got smoked twice in this one. Kirk easily dispatched him to get separation and a nice gain. Brevin Jordan got Pitre later on a quick route upfield. He has to cover better from that spot. Arthur Maulet backs up Pitre. He returned to practice in a limited capacity with a non-contact jersey. That limited his practice time.
Rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith has had some nice moments in camp. He reads plays well. He made a sound decision today to stop an offensive play short of the first down. He’s had some pass breakups in camp. Smith is in line to be the backup outside cornerback should the Texans be missing Kamari Lassiter or Derek Stingley Jr.
Cornerback Myles Bryant is scratching and clawing for a roster spot. If he doesn’t make the team, it will not be for lack of trying. He relishes his opportunities in the nickel. He was all over John Metchie in 7-on-7 for a pass breakup. He flies around on special teams. The diminutive corner is easy to root for when he plays this hard.
Veteran wide receiver Justin Watson has been consistent. He has hauled in a few nice catches, including another big gain for a first down Tuesday. He hustles on special teams. He can line up with the first team and the third team. I like what I’ve seen from him so far.
Tim Settle Jr. has had a good camp.He’s constantly making an impact against run plays. I feel like I see him teaming with one of the ends to make a play all the time. He seems to come out for clear passing downs, but I am unsure if that is by design or to give other players looks. Settle rushed the passer well at times last year. I’d say he has been the most impressive defensive tackle in camp to this point.
Additional Observations
The design of the play in which Stroud threw the interception was interesting. It featured Nico Collins stacked inside of Dalton Schultz. Nick Caley has put fun looks on the field.
Jawhar Jordan has been the best running back in training camp.
John Metchie had another nice day.
J.J. Taylor had his first notable carry of practice. I saw him gain five yards on one rush in a team period.
Woody Marks had a nice rep where he kept his eyes up and legs churning. He turned nothing into something.
Casey Toohill demolished Zach Thomas for a sack.
Xaier Hutchinson held onto a tough one on the sideline. He had to fully extend, and he kept the ball through the tumble to the ground. It was a catch despite the defensive players’ protests.
Kyonte Hamilton had a huge tackle for a loss. He darted through the line and smashed the running back. He was letting the offense hear it.
The Texans will practice next on Wednesday.