(SportsRadio 610) - The energy is understandably at a different level.
That is first and foremost the most noticeable thing when entering the Houston Methodist training facility.
In what began as the most pivotal offseason in franchise history, the Texans needed to find a long term solution at head coach, draft the future quarterback and add a cornerstone piece to the defense.
They've checked some of the most important boxes and Wednesday signaled the start of DeMeco Ryans and his staff putting it all together.
Here's a few observations from Day 1:
The Texans' second-year left guard and former No. 15 overall pick did not work with the starters nor the second team on day one. In fact, aside from drills, Green wasn't in the mix. Michael Dieter got the reps at left guard.
While there isn't a reason to be alarmed regarding his inactivity, with the Texans likely taking extra precaution to ease him back in the fold, the most encouraging thing about Green on Wednesday was that he was simply in attendance.
His teammates have taken notice of his work ethic and grind to be on the field after arthroscopic knee surgery and rehab this offseason.
He was on the field after battling cancer over the past year and a hamstring injury during OTA's to boot. Dude caught the first pass thrown to him, albeit by Davis Mills, but still very cool!
He got reps with both the first and second team offenses and took reps in return game.
The second-round draft choice out of Alabama, who finished his college career with 2,081 yards and 14 touchdowns, hopes to remind everyone why the Texans made him a priority pick in the 2022 draft.
The No. 2 overall pick continued to showcase his arm strength. There's no question who throws the best overall ball in the QB room. It's him.
I wouldn't say he was the most accurate I've ever seen, but he made some good strong throws but missed some that I thought he should've been able to make as well.
The misses that I observed were on the right side, near the sideline on short to intermediate out-routes.
The best ball I saw all day was a deep shot from Stroud to Nico Collins, who caught it in stride down the right side against Derek Stingley Jr. for about a 40-yard gain. He put in some extra time with receivers after practice ended as well.
The first-year head coach did acknowledge that he has decided to call the plays for the defense, saying "I'll start off calling the plays and we'll see how that goes."
It's been a question since he first took the job. Matt Burke is the defensive coordinator by title, but with multiple players and coaches coming from San Francisco with Ryans, it just makes sense that a familiar voice take those reigns to start.
He was not wearing a vest. Sure it was hot, but that hasn't stopped him before. Was it the fact that Steven Nelson took a personal shot at him a few weeks back on social media? Did it give him a complex?
Caserio did have some fun with it Wednesday morning and by all accounts, seems willing to let things play out a little bit in a deep secondary.
"We've had constructive dialogue with Steven. Respect Steven. I know he doesn't like my wardrobe selection, that's OK," Caserio said smiling. "Steven is here, he's ready to go. We'll see how it goes here in training camp."
