Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted
1 hour ago, Macklemore said:

I like the deal. The TE room needed to be beefed up after losing Brevin Jordan for the year.

Seems like Berrios is going to make the team because of his return ability, so the last WR slot likely was coming down to Metchie or Hutchinson, and I’d rather keep the latter because of his YAC ability and skill on running reverses. We’re thin at TE so seems like a good move vs just cutting Metchie (even though by all accounts he was having a good camp)….

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted

I was at the game — took my 14 year old daughter and her friends.  Chubb looked better than expected.  OL looked decent.  Can’t tell much from preseason.  But those were my two observations 

  • Hook 'Em 3
Posted
11 minutes ago, Ignatius said:

Seems like Berrios is going to make the team because of his return ability, so the last WR slot likely was coming down to Metchie or Hutchinson, and I’d rather keep the latter because of his YAC ability and skill on running reverses. We’re thin at TE so seems like a good move vs just cutting Metchie (even though by all accounts he was having a good camp)….

Metchie was having a good camp, but he just hasn't been the same since coming back and he doesn't have the explosiveness shown by the other receivers.

They sent him to a play where he knows some people and if he can make the roster he is going to play in games that matter.  

Don't know much about the tight end coming back other than he supposedly can catch.  

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted

Great news!

Ersery looks very promising. Very happy we got rid of Tunsil and made wholesale changes to the OL. They were the antithesis of SWARM last season.

 

How Texans rookie Aireontae Ersery is ushering in a new era of smash-mouth play on offensive line

 Summarize

Jonathan M. Alexander

Houston Texans offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery stands on the sidelines between drills during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

It was only a few minutes after Aireontae Ersery was drafted that the 23-year-old left tackle checked his phone. Hundreds of text messages were flooding in from friends and family congratulating him on being drafted by the Houston Texans. 

But one text from a number he didn’t have saved stood out. 

“Hey, it’s C.J. (Stroud), man,” the text read. “Excited to have you on the team.” 

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Ersery wasn’t sure whether the message was fake or real. Several notable draftees received calls from people pretending to be GMs, only to find out the calls were pranks.

But “to heck with it,” Ersery thought, and responded anyway. 

“I’m going to die on the O-line for you,” Ersery texted back. “I’m going to die out there.” 

Turns out it was Stroud, who relayed the story after the Texans' preseason win over Carolina on Saturday. 

LOOKING GOOD: A promising start for C.J. Stroud and Texans' first-team offense

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

When asked about these comments, Ersery’s facial expression doesn’t change. 

There’s no laugh or grin. He’s straight-faced because he meant every word, even if it was only said in the figurative sense.

“I just wanted to let him know what type of player he was getting, how my mind works, how I went about my business,” Ersery told the Chronicle. “My playing style and why I play like that. I just wanted him to know that somebody has got his back out there.” 

Ersery describes his playing style as “physical and aggressive.” He’s adamant he’s not a lineman who plays with finesse. 

“I want to run through you,” he said. “Each and every play.”

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

That’s likely a welcomed reprieve for Texans’ Twitter, which had the impression that the players on last year’s offensive line were filled with pretty boys who cared more about how they looked off the field. 

The line’s play on the field in 2024 helped re-enforce that narrative whether it was true or not. They often looked out of sync and not on the same page. And they gave up the second-most sacks in the NFL, including eight in the AFC’s divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

But new offensive line coach Cole Popovich, and Ersery, the Texans’ second-round pick, are helping to usher in a new era of smash mouth play, providing hope that things have finally changed. 

To be an offensive lineman under Popovich, one must be relentless, or as Stroud put it Saturday, “you’ve got to be really gritty, want to grind, want it dirty, want it in the worst way.”

This new offensive line group — with four new starters — has displayed those traits. 

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

But in many ways it starts with Ersery, whom the Texans hope will protect Stroud’s blindside for many years to come.  

“I think ‘Tae’ has one of the best mindsets I’ve seen from a rookie in my couple years in the league,” Stroud said. “He wants to be great. He asks the questions. Going against Will (Anderson) and Danielle (Hunter) every day makes him really good.”

‘He’s just a good player’

Ersery initially began training camp as the second-team right tackle behind Blake Fisher. He took the starting role a week later. 

Then Cam Robinson, the starter at left tackle, went down with an injury two weeks ago. Ersery moved over to left tackle and hasn’t looked back. Through two preseason games, a joint practice against the Panthers and the last two weeks of training camp, it appears he may be the answer the Texans were looking for after trading Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders for several draft picks. 

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Ersery has dropped back in pass protection 20 times, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, and has only allowed one quarterback pressure. 

“He loves football and he works,” offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “So, we just got to keep going at that trajectory and keep pushing him. He wants to be coached.”

The Texans loved Ersery's mindset and what he was made of. They initially tried to trade up from No. 58 to No. 38 with the New England Patriots to get him, offering picks No. 58, No. 79 and a 2026 third-rounder for No. 38. 

ROSTER PROJECTION: Projecting the Houston Texans' 53-man roster one week before cut day

But they were rebuffed. They instead traded up from No. 58 to No. 48 when Ersery slipped and drafted him. 

“It wasn’t hard to see on the tape that he had a certain level of ability, and he’s got great size and strength and length and uses that well,” Popovich said. “He plays the game the right way in terms of some of the things we were looking for organizationally, like finish, toughness and effort.

“He’s just a good player. Put on the tape and you could see it.” 

Turn on the tape from his first two preseason games and you see Ersery moving defenders, clearing paths and creating massive holes for his running backs. 

And he’s keeping pass rushers away from Stroud long enough for the quarterback to find the open receiver. 

Right tackle Tytus Howard had three words to describe Ersery. 

“He’s the truth,” Howard said. 

‘Going to be a long day’

Ersery wants to make defenders feel his power on the football field. 

He wants you to know, “it’s going to be a long day,” he says. 

This season, he’ll be a vital part to Houston’s success whether he plays at left or right tackle when Robinson returns from an injury. The veteran left tackle practicedfor the first time since suffering the injury in practice at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. 

Before his injury, Robinson, who was signed to a $12 million contract this offseason, was the presumed starting left tackle. It’s unclear if it will remain that way. The lineup featuring Ersery at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Ed Ingram at right guard, Howard at right tackle has hands down been the best lineup in camp. 

Coach DeMeco Ryans, who wasn’t ready to reveal exactly what they’d do, said the plan is to mix and match lineups to seek the best fit. 

“However the lineup looks, it will shape itself out,” Ryans said Monday.  

Ersery said he’s fine with that. He admits he hasn’t done anything yet. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes wherever he plays. 

“Nothing is easy,” Ersery said. “Everything is earned in this league, so just put myself in a position to earn the right to go out there and play my best. 

“I’ve got to give all the credit to God.”

Posted

Back and Forth Between Offense and Defense | Training Camp Day 19 Recap

The Houston Texans were back on the practice field Tuesday after a Monday walkthrough. 

Here are 11 observations from the workout. 

  1. It was a good day for both sides of the ball in this practice. The offense moved the ball well. The defense made a handful of good plays. There was plenty to like from both sides. The passing attack had a good day getting the ball out on time. The defense had some success on the longer-developing plays. It was a solid day with one practice left before the joint practice with the Lions. 

  2. C.J. Stroud got the ball out fast. The quick-passing element of the offense will be essential this season. Stroud looked comfortable in his decisions. Numerous pass catchers were recipients of the passes. Stroud didn’t hold onto the ball too long. He would get rid of it low or out in front of receivers if players didn’t get open. It was a good day for the quarterback. He only had one or two throws that looked like he would even consider wanting back. 

  3. Stroud had one of his best passes of camp during this practice. It was a play-action pass completed to Justin Watson. Stroud sold the fake well. The protection was stellar. Stroud whipped it down the left sideline over Kamari Lassiter into the waiting hands of Watson. It was a perfect play from the offense. It also showcased that when the blocking is there, the offense can push the ball downfield. Watson had a good day as he still fights for a roster spot. 

  4. The offensive line shuffled a couple of times. The first line was the group that had been together the most recently. Aireontae Ersery was at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson was at left guard, Jake Andrews was at center, Ed Ingram was at right guard, and Tytus Howard was at right tackle. Cam Robinson returned to practice. He protected Stroud later in practice at left tackle. When Robinson was at left tackle, Juice Scruggs was at right guard, and the other three spots stayed the same. That was the offensive line for the aforementioned perfect play. Robinson also worked as the second-team left tackle. He has only ever played left tackle in his career, so he will either start at left tackle or he will back up Ersery. 

  5. Aireontae Ersery had a tough day. The rookie got abused on three consecutive plays in one team period. Veteran defensive end Derek Barnett got into Ersery, forced him back, disconnected from him, and got to Stroud. The next play, Ersery almost allowed Barnett to get to Stroud on a slow-developing screen. Danielle Hunter flew past Ersery for another sack. It was a bad stretch for the rookie. Ersery is only playing left tackle now. It has been weeks since he has ventured to the right side. It would seem he is ahead of Robinson to start at left tackle. 

  6. Tytus Howard seemed to have locked down the starting right tackle spot.Ersery doesn’t seem like an option right now. Blake Fisher is dinged up, and even when healthy, he has played poorly. The other tackles aren’t starter material. The Texans began camp with the hope that Howard would be the starting right guard. Ed Ingram and Juice Scruggs are the right guard options for the Texans right now. Howard has been the best player at right tackle in camp. 

  7. Dameon Pierce had a full practice. He had some nice moments on the field. He showed some burst and acceleration. The rushing attack didn’t have much on the day. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley spoke about Pierce as if he were a known quantity for the running back room. With Joe Mixon’s status unclear, Pierce and Nick Chubb are the first two running backs available for the offense. Pierce seems set to make this roster despite missing a good portion of camp. 

    Leave a comment

  8. Neither rookie from Iowa State has snatched a clear role. Jayden Higgins rotates with Xavier Hutchinson, but Hutchinson makes more plays. Hutchinson did have a bad drop at one point. Higgins doesn’t look bad, but sometimes he is winning as the ball has already made its way out of Storud’s hands. Jaylin Noel had an excellent play. He caught a back-shoulder pass from Stroud. Noel held on as Kamari Lassiter came flying into the picture. Lassiter tagged Noel as he went by, but I had Lassiter early for a “tackle” attempt, so Noel turned it upfield and gunned it. They are still growing into the offense, but haven’t forced their way onto the field. 

  9. Defensive end Derek Barnett was quite good. The veteran gave Ersery plenty of problems. He is a solid backup and immediately made an impact as he had a pretty full practice. He worked primarily with the second team, but the Texans will rotate the defensive line a lot. When they’re rotating, Barnett has a clear role. 

  10. Nickelback Arthur Maulet has had some bad luck. The officials have thrown some bogus penalty flags on him during practice. Today was another cheap flag. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios slowed down and ran into Maulet, but the ball wasn’t close. Maulet didn’t initiate the contact. The official threw the flag. Maulet disagreed. Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso voiced his displeasure. Maulet is a fascinating player on the roster. He is the only player who works out with Jalen Pitre in individual portions of practice. Myles Bryant had previously worked there, but he works at safety now. It will be interesting to see if Maulet’s specialized set of skills is enough for him to make the roster as Pitre’s backup. 

  11. The Texans ran an end-of-half scenario at the end of practice. It was 80 seconds, from their 35-yard line, up seven, with one timeout. The goal was to get into field goal range at least. A quick pass to the middle by Stroud was followed by a quick pass right to Christian Kirk, who got out of bounds. Jalen Pitre broke up a pass intended for Higgins. Stroud kept the drive alive with a nice conversion in the middle to Dalton Schultz. Stroud threw a ball away into the dirt. Hutchinson caught a pass from Stroud. Stroud had to throw the next one away. Kirk caught the ball on fourth down, and the Texans used their timeout to stop the clock. Stroud burned some clock with a throwaway, leaving just enough time for the kick. 

Posted

Can’t help but think that some of the OL struggles are due to a combination of new players, new position coach, new scheme, and (most important) playing against Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter every day.

Cautiously optimistic….

  • Like 1
Posted

Recap of the joint practice with the Lions.

The Houston Texans had their joint practice in Detroit against the Lions on Thursday. 

Here are 14 observations from the practice. 

  1. The Houston Texans had a good day of work against the Lions. I would say Detroit was the slight winner on the day. The Texans started slow on offense. There were numerous incomplete passes. The pressure was getting in early. The run game didn’t find holes. They leveled out and started to move the ball well as practice continued. Defensively, the Texans traded blows with Jared Goff and the Detroit offense. Goff would have a successful play, and then the Texans would make a good play. Houston overwhelmed the Detroit offensive line a few times. Detroit had so many playmakers to try to stop. Their defense had some good reps against Davis Mills. The Texans put a hurting on former Houston quarterback Kyle Allen. 

  2. C.J. Stroud was pleased the offense picked it up later in practice. Stroud had a tough time connecting with anyone but Nico Collins early. Even a deep pass to Collins was broken up by the solid Detroit secondary. There was some short success for Stroud, but stretches where Detroit had good defense. The pressure from Detroit was curbed a little, and Stroud got comfortable. He started spreading the ball around to multiple wideouts and used his legs. Collins became unguarable in the middle of practice. Stroud threw one interception where he left it short for Christian Kirk, and the Lions slid and caught the ball. He also threw the ball away on a fourth-down play when nobody was open and the pressure started to get to him. Stroud was resilient and finished with a solid day. He used his legs to score twice when nothing was open. 

  3. The rushing attack had plenty of solid moments. Nick Chubb looked good again. He has rounded into form after looking a little slower at the start of camp. He made an incredible horizontal move to find open space. It turned the play into a positive when it looked like a loss was imminent. He thumped a few Detroit defenders. A few Lions looked like they were ill-prepared if it had been a full tackle situation to stop Chubb. I saw one good run from Dameon Pierce. I pondered recently if he would get more work in the passing game, and well, he had a walk-in touchdown reception during the joint practice. Woody Marks looked quick and agile in his reps. His ability to move laterally is the best among the backs. He had an explosive carry using his speed to pull away from defenders. Jawhar Jordan had a run that would’ve been an explosive play in a game. British Brooks barrelled through a hole on the right side and would’ve had an explosive gain before any Lions could’ve tackled him. Again, slow start, but they got going on the ground. 

  4. Jaylin Noel was excellent. DeMeco Ryans said after practice that he feels like the game has slowed down for the rookie. He said he tells Noel to go be a football player and not overthink it. C.J. Stroud had high praise for Noel. The rookie hauled in a touchdown in 7-on-7. He caught another one later in practice in the red zone on fourth down. He flashed open quickly for quarterbacks. Noel showed why he was considered a steal by many when the Texans drafted him. 

  5. The tight ends didn’t show up much.They had some okay blocking moments, but the wideouts shone for the passing attack. Irv Smith Jr. had some tough plays where he couldn’t haul the ball in. Schultz had some short gains. Schultz was on the precipice of a touchdown before a Lions linebacker flew in at the last second to bat the ball away. Jakob Johnson won easily on the lone reception I clocked him for on the day. Stroud found him before the fullback rumbled out of bounds. 

  6. The line started slowly. The left side caved in a few times on Stroud, resulting in some plays that would’ve been sacks. Stroud was flushed from the pocket, resulting in some difficult throws where he had to force it, or nobody was open. Then the line started to settle down. They moved the Lions off the line of scrimmage in the run game. They held up well in pass protection. Stunts and games from the defensive line were less effective. Detroit’s star pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, didn’t dominate like I thought he would. Tytus Howard gave him the business a time or two. The ball started to come out on time, which helped the line settle down. I counted at least one sack where I would say it was the receivers not getting open, not the line’s fault. Stroud noted the improvement of Jake Andrews and gave his center credit for helping to set the protections. Stroud also praised Laken Tomlinson for helping “kick it off” with Andrews when it comes to being physical. He praised his other three blockers in Ed Ingram, Tytus Howard, and Aireontae Ersery, saying they combine with Tomlinson and Andrews to be physical and open things up by allowing the offense to run the ball. 

  7. Derek Stingley Jr. had one of the best plays of the day. Detroit star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was a tough cover. He seemed to get whatever he wanted a couple of times. Stingly drew St. Brown once early, and the All-Pro cornerback was ready. Stingley ran the route for St. Brown, and when the ball arrived, the roles reversed. Stingley was waiting for the ball, and St. Brown had to bat it down to keep it from being an interception. The Lions didn’t shy away from Stingley. Jameson Williams got him good once for a big gain. Williams blew past Stingley another time, but the pass was a little too long. Stingley escaped with an incomplete on that play. Stingley flew in for a pass breakup one time that I was sure was going to be complete. 

  8. Rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith was targeted quite a bit. The best play of the day for him was when Smith perfectly read what the Detroit offense was doing. He fired out of his stance and stood up the ball carrier for no gain in the red zone. Rookie wide receiver Issac TeSlaa put Smith in a blender for a touchdown in 7-on-7. Smith is going to be on the field for the Texans at some point. Kalif Raymond ate him alive late in practice. This practice presented a lot of growth opportunities. 

  9. Calen Bullock was flying around the field. He was particularly noticeable in the red zone. He was in coverage, forcing Jared Goff to make decisions away from him. St. Brown got him one time when Bullock ended up defending him. The second-year safety got revenge the next time out. St. Brown looked to have him beat, only for Bullock to slide underneath the pass catcher and pick the ball off in the end zone. The secondary forced a throw away from Goff on a play that felt like it would never end. Kamari Lasstier had the clamps on Jameson Williams late. It was one of his best reps of the day. 

  10. There were two unreal moments from Jahmyr Gibbs. He rushed for back-to-back touchdowns from about 15 yards out. He went right and beat everyone to the edge and turned on the speed. Then he went left, set up his run lane, juked to eliminate two tacklers, and broke through a tackle short of the goal line. The Texans don’t have anyone close to being able to do what Gibbs did on either of those plays. It was two special plays from a very special player. 

  11. The linebackers were solid. Azeez Al-Shaair was absent as he dealt with “something minor,” according to DeMeco Ryans. Henry To’oTo’o did an excellent job filling up gaps. E.J. Speed played downhill well. Christian Harris flashed the athleticism a couple of times. Harris did get juked and allowed a touchdown one time. Detroit’s Kalif Raymond put a nasty move on Harris and cut upfield for a touchdown. Harris flew to a play at one point and helped bat a ball away on the sideline. 

  12. Jalen Pitre had some standout moments. He was step-for-step with Gibbs when the Lions were looking to throw the ball to the impressive running back. HE stuffed a play in the red zone at the line of scrimmage. He was in on some of the better plays against the Detroit rushing attack. Pitre flew in to bat down a pass intended for Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta. LaPorta would get Pitre when the nickelback couldn’t hold up in coverage. LaPorta would just appear on the field open. Goff found him a few different times. It demonstrated the depth of the playmakers for the Lions. It also showed how important the tight end can be as a read late in a play. Goff would just find LaPorta if nothing else was there. LaPorta ate linebackers up. 

  13. The defensive line had some excellent moments. Will Anderson had a strip sack that elicited a celebration from the defense. Darrell Taylor barrelled through a Detroit blocker, knocking the ball away from the quarterback. He helped stuff the Detroit rushing game a time or two. The middle was hardly open for running lanes at all for the Lions against the defensive line. The edges forced Goff to make quick decisions or step up. 

  14. The defensive tackles moved the Lions well. It was tough sledding running in the middle against the Texans. Sheldon Rankins gave a draft favorite of mine, Tate Ratledge, an early schooling. Mario Edrwards Jr. made his presence felt. Tommy Togiai got a great push with Danielle Hunter putting some linemen in Goff’s lap as he went to throw. Tim Settle Jr. fired off the ball and would have annihilated Goff full speed. Settle and Dylan Horton combined for a sack.

Posted
3 hours ago, Macklemore said:

Mertz is 100x better than his last game. OL and run game are solid too.

Yeah he looked OK today. Guessing the hope is that he can be the backup next year after Mills’ contract is up…

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
6 hours ago, Macklemore said:

Mertz is 100x better than his last game. OL and run game are solid too.

I was thinking he is a completely different from the guy who played in that first preseason game.

That can be said for a number of guys and while they still have areas that are question marks it is pretty damn obvious that cutting out the cancers from last years team was the biggest thing they did in the off season starting with Leremy. 

  • Hook 'Em 2

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...