Tuesday marked the final practice before the Texans' preseason opener against the Patriots in Foxboro this Thursday night.
Workouts began with a lot of individual work before units meshed. Quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and receivers worked routes on-air while linemen worked alignment and assignment along with gap responsibility.
Linebackers and secondary worked drop-zone and coverage in 7-on-7 work.
The first team period started with George Fant at right tackle and rookie Juice Scruggs at center alongside Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason on the line. Quarterback CJ Stroud threw a near interception to Jimmie Ward who made a sliding attempt on the ball but couldn’t hang on for the pick. The intended receiver was Robert Woods.
There was a Noah Brown sighting. He’s been a little quiet the past couple of practices but seemed to be featured quite a bit more today, along with Woods.
Brown made a nice grab up the middle for a first down over safety Jalen Pitre.
Second-year pro Austin Deculus was working on the second team at right tackle on Tuesday, after getting a handful of reps with the ones on Monday. He came up limp on the second or third play with Davis Mills under center. It looked like it could’ve been an ankle, but not sure. Tyler Beach spelled him on the next play.
Pump it up:
Linebacker Christian Harris with fantastic one-on-one coverage on tight end Dalton Schultz on go-route. It was a good ball by Stroud, but a better play by Harris to break it up about 35 yards down the field.
That play got the defense going a little bit as they were a little light on energy, according to head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Jalen Pitre, who was flying around, as usual, had a nice pass break up on Robert Woods during the period.
On the very next play, Stroud went right back to Woods, who made a nice grab and run on a seam route. I’ve noticed the last few practices, specifically with Woods, if he can’t come up with a ball for whatever reason, they’ve immediately gone right back to him and he’s made a play.
Play of the day:
The play of the day was made by CJ Stroud and John Metchie. It was a fantastically timed ball on a play that took a while to develop. As Stroud had great pass protection, Metchie continued his route toward the right sideline, and Stroud threw him open for about a 30-yard gain.
During the second portion of the team period, the Texans worked a lot of situational football, especially on third-and-short/long scenarios.
Robert Woods, Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz all made some nice catches while Stroud was in with the first team.
Mixing it up:
The Texans mixed up the personnel in the receiver core during the period with Steven Sims, Jalen Camp, Alex Bachman getting first-team reps along with Collins, Metchie, Dell and Brown.
Defensive end Jonathan Greenard made a terrific play to get to Stroud, beating Fant off the edge badly. They let the play continue, but Stroud would’ve been easily sacked otherwise.
Fant was beaten moments later at what looked like a linebacker and defensive end twist.
Second-year cornerback, Grayland Arnold intercepted Davis Mills on a third-and-12 play. That got the defense hyped up.
There was a Garrett Wallow sighting. The third-year linebacker made a nice play in coverage on Xazavian Valladay who ran a deep corner on the right side.
One of the newest Texans, tight end Nick Vannett along with Mason Schreck both got mixed into some first-team reps.
Will Anderson continues to make plays. He swallowed up Dameon Pierce and was so hyped you could hear him scream from 60 yards away with the fan noise and music blaring.
With pre-snap motion by fullback Andrew Beck, who failed to pick up his block and kick Anderson out, as the rookie stayed home and sifted on the edge, met Pierce in the backfield, nearly hugging him. One can only imagine what that would’ve looked like if Anderson wasn’t tackling a teammate.
Stroud showed off his improvisational skills today. He made an impressive side-arm throw around a rush to Schultz in the red zone, who made the catch near the goal line.
Hurry up, get points:
In a situational drill to end practice, the Texans put about 15-20 seconds on the clock.
The offense had one play and after the completion, had to sprint off of the field as the special teams unit came on to attempt a field goal.
Both Stroud and Case Keenum ran the units with Mills looking on from the sidelines and both were successful at moving the chains, getting off in a timely manner for the Texans to execute a field goal.
The intensity of the drill was evident, and the fact that the Texans executed both perfectly, ended practice on a high as they prepare to open the preseason this Thursday.
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