Shaq Mason was drafted into a situation built for instant success. He played in three straight Super Bowls and won two in his first four NFL seasons.
Mason, now 29, is one of the Texans' recently acquired veterans who knows what success looks like and has played at a high level in other places. The Texans traded for the veteran right guard from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he is expected to be a leader among the group, along with bookend tackles Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.
With second-year left guard Kenyon Green, Mason's become a valuable resource. Green picks his brain a lot, Mason said Thursday. What stands out about Green to Mason is how much the younger player cares and wants to get better.
"We’ve been talking," Mason said of Green, who the Texans selected 15th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. "He’s been asking me things here and there. One thing I know is that he cares. That’s a big thing coming from a guy that young. He cares about his craft. He cares about studying. He doesn’t want to mess anything up. That’s a lot coming from a young guy."
Mason said he believes the Texans' offensive line has potential to be one of the best in the league.
There could be an interesting training camp competition at center.
The Texans drafted former Penn State center Juice Scruggs with the No. 31 overall pick and former Notre Dame center Jarrett Patterson in the sixth round. Patterson has also played some guard.
So beyond simply caring, what other advice would Mason offer the young interior offensive linemen?
"Got to be a sponge, especially young offensive linemen," Mason said. "Got to be a sponge. We’ve got guys in the room that can lay the foundation. They’ve just got to soak up the game and go out there and add little tools and techniques to their own."
Brandon Scott is the editor for SportsRadio610.com. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott. Reach him directly via email: brandon.scott@audacy.com.
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