"All of our tight ends bring a different set of skills. So, you know you have speed. You have the thump. You have a little bit of both with Kahale [Warring]," Tight end Jordan Akins said. "I think coach is doing a great job of moving us around and creating mismatches, also as well as setting up the run-blocks."
Moving around and learning different positions without full pads on during the offseason workouts can help with the steep NFL learning curve. While many of the rookies and second-year players are still building their knowledge of the offense, excellence is still demanded. Especially at positions where there could be a rotation of players or a starting spot to be earned, 'championship plays' are the expectation.
"If you don't bring your 'A' game, you're pretty much not going to be able to roll with this group. Deshaun [Watson], you know he holds you up to a high standard," Akins said.
Veteran players like running back Lamar Miller are trying to build on what they have done in previous offseason. Although this offseason, his focus was a little bit different. While his health is still a paramount emphasis, Lamar has a specific spot in his game that he wants to improve on to help the offense.
"This offseason that's one of the things I've been working on, just running routes out of the backfield," Miller said. "So heading to training camp, I'm just working on my route running and my speed."
Linebacker Benardrick McKinney is entering his fifth season with the Texans and in the NFL. He has missed just two games in his career, both in his rookie season. It is crazy for him to think he has made it this far, but he knows he now has more responsibility to help grow the younger guys.
"Not baby them, just be on them," Linebacker Benardrick McKinney said. "Try to help them out and just be on them hard, like [Brian Cushing] was on me."