Tag: Texans minicamp

Texans’ Devin Singletary says respect is key in RB competition

Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary says that in order to have a healthy competition, the basis has to be rooted in respect.

Devin Singletary still believes he can be an offense’s lead running back.

The former Buffalo Bills 2019 third-rounder led the AFC East champions with 819 yards last season. In each of Singletary’s four seasons in Buffalo, he led the Bills in rushing yards.

With the Houston Texans signing Singletary, the move appears puzzling given Dameon Pierce generated 939 yards through 13 games as a rookie.

The Texans added Singletary to complement their former fourth-rounder. While that may be Houston’s intentions, Singletary still believes he can lead an offense and will compete as such in training camp.

Nevertheless the former Florida Atlantic product knows that Pierce is not an adversary, but a partner.

Singletary laid out how running backs are able to compete against one another yet form a bond.

“For one, it’s respect,” Singletary told reporters June 14 at mandatory minicamp. “We respect each other for sure. Two is — and this offense hasn’t been showing that — more than one guy can eat. You know what I’m saying? More than one guy can eat.”

When Singletary sees Pierce having a big game, the reaction is to lean into the enthusiasm, not shy away simply because it secures Pierce’s spot atop the depth chart.

“The biggest thing for us is we’re going to be feeding off of each other’s energy,” Singletary said. “Of course, it’s a game, it’s competition. You’ve always got to compete, but it’s going to be a healthy competition. Making each other better, pushing yourself to each other’s best — getting the best out of each other. So, I think that’s going to be big.”

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Texans RB Devin Singletary says QB C.J. Stroud is a ‘bright young man’

Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary says the rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is a sharp signal-caller.

Perhaps the most difficult job in all of sports is the quarterback position in American gridiron football, and Houston Texans signal-caller C.J. Stroud is in a particularly precarious situation as a rookie entering the 2023 season.

The Ohio State product will be tasked with lifting the fledgling Texans back to relevance after years of disappointment earned Houston the right to select him with the second-overall pick in April’s draft.

Daunting as this duty might be, veteran running back Devin Singletary saw serious potential in Stroud at the Texans’ minicamp back in June, making it clear to the media that the rookie passer is poised for success in his first season at the NFL level.

“Man, he’s bright. He’s a bright, young man,” Singletary told reporters on June 14. “He’s coming along well. It’s a lot as a young quarterback, coming in and learning a new offense – coming in here with grown men, coming from college and coming here with grown men… You’re looked at as a leader out the gate. But he’s handling it well. He’s a very humble guy and always comes in to work – definitely.”

Delivering Houston a winning season as a rookie will prove to necessitate a Herculean effort on Stroud’s part, but with the raw talent and support he possesses within the Texans organization, it seems that anything is possible.

Singletary’s faith in Stroud as a viable first-year signal caller is a good sign that the up-and-coming quarterback should be able to find his groove early in the 2023 campaign, even if he has to overcome adversity in his first games under center.

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Texans RB Devin Singletary continues grind during lull before training camp

Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary is using the breaktime before training camp to continue the grind.

The Houston Texans will have been off for 42 days by the time training camp opens July 26 at Houston Methodist Training Center.

While players and coaches enjoy the long layoff between offseason workouts and the six-month grind of the regular season, new Texans running back Devin Singletary finds ways to utilize the break to get ready for the season.

“Me personally, I take a couple days off, a few days off and then get right back to the grind,” Singletary told reporters June 14 after mandatory minicamp. “My mindset is: it’s not really time to chill. We’re on a mission and I understand that. I want to be a big part of that mission. So, I’m going to take a few days off and then get right back to it.”

Singletary signed a one-year contract worth a maximum of $3.75 million. The former Buffalo Bills 2019 third-rounder sees himself as a complement to second-year running back Dameon Pierce.

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Texans RB Devin Singletary says Dameon Pierce is more than a ‘bruiser’

New Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary says that second-year Dameon Pierce is more than just a “bruiser” in the backfield.

Dameon Pierce has a reputation for being a bruiser.

Through 13 games of Pierce’s rookie season, the Houston Texans’ fourth-rounder picked up the NFL’s “Angriest Run of the Year” at the 2022 NFL Honors in February. Punishing running backs are picking up those type of runs, not elusive runners.

However, new Texans running back Devin Singletary believes that Pierce has more diversity to his running style than meets the eye.

“Yeah, a lot of guys like to look at Dameon as a bruiser, but I feel like he’s more than that,” Singletary told reporters June 14 after mandatory minicamp. “Make guys miss, he definitely can catch out of the backfield.”

The Texans signed Singletary to a one-year, $3.75 million deal in free agency to provide an effective complement to Pierce. The former Buffalo Bills 2019 third-rounder is willing to play towards that perception of being the shiftier running back.

“For me and him, I feel like some would say I’m shifty or whatever, that’s my game, but I feel like I can do it all as well,” said Singletary. “So, with that being said, it’s just us feeding off of each other’s energy.”

Singletary generated 672 carries for 3,151 yards and 16 touchdowns in his 61 games for Buffalo.

In Houston, Singletary believes partnering with Pierce and learning how to read one another’s cues will help improve the Texans’ rushing attack.

Said Singletary: “I feel like that’s what it’s going to come down to throughout the season, us feeding off each other’s energy, picking each other’s brains, finding ways to get better, and I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Pierce finished with 220 carries for 939 yards and four touchdowns. The former Florida product had the third-most rushing yards of any rookie last season.

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WR Noah Brown says Texans have ‘real creative coordinator’ in Bobby Slowik

Receiver Noah Brown says the Houston Texans have a “real creative coordinator” in new OC Bobby Slowik, who came over from the San Francisco 49ers.

Noah Brown proved what he could do in his last season with the Dallas Cowboys.

The former 2017 seventh-round receiver spent his first five seasons as a staple on special teams.

“I think I came in this league a little bit raw,” Brown told reporters June 13 during mandatory minicamp. “I had to find my way on the field however I could. That started off being mostly blocking and special teams. But as that’s gone on, you find a way on to the field for maybe a blocking package, then all of a sudden you find yourself getting in packages for pass plays.”

When Dallas traded Amari Cooper and allowed Cedrick Wilson to depart in free agency last season, it afforded an opportunity for Brown to make more of an impact. The former Ohio State product saw his offensive snaps go from 302 in 2021 to 822 in 2022.

“I think I’ve taken advantage of every one of those steps, last year being another one,” Brown said. “I think I have a chance to expand on that again this year.”

Brown caught 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games last season, 13 of which he started. The production was enough to warrant interest from the Texans, who signed the 6-2, 225-pounder in free agency.

One of the aspects of the offense that attracted Brown to Houston was offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

Said Slowik: “I’m really excited about the offense. I think we have a real creative coordinator. I think we have a lot of talented pieces, some of which are a little bit unknown in this league. Which I think is going to work to our advantage. I’m excited to be a part of this offense.”

Slowik previously was the passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, and their pass game specialist the year prior. The 49ers knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs the past two seasons.

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Texans’ Janice McNair still taking active role with team

Houston Texans senior chair and principal owner Janice McNair is still very much a part of the team despite Cal McNair being more well known.

When Houston Texans founder Bob McNair passed away in November 2018, chairman and CEO Cal McNair started to become more of the public face of the franchise. In the past two years, Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair also become part of the presentation of ownership.

However, Texans senior chair and principal owner Janice McNair is still taking an active part in the operations of the franchise.

Janice McNair, 86, was at Texans mandatory minicamp June 13 and took in the practice at Houston Methodist Training Center.

“It’s very cool,” Cal McNair said. “She loves the team, loves football and couldn’t wait to get out here. So, we’re excited to have her.”

Minicamp wasn’t the only Texans football event that Janice McNair attended this offseason.

Said Hannah McNair: “She was in the draft room. She loved it. She loves this. This is her other family. We’re all her family. She’s just as passionate about this as anybody. Her and Bob brought this here, so I would say they’re excited.”

The McNairs have also used the stage of pro football to give back to the greater Houston area. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Janice McNair pledged $1 million as part of rent relief.

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Texans WR Noah Brown says Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson are ‘a lot more polished’ than expected

Houston Texans receiver Noah Brown says rookies Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson have shown to be “a lot more polished” than typical youngsters.

The Houston Texans committed resources to receiver in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Texans spent a third-round pick on former Houston Cougar Tank Dell, and then fortified the position with sixth-rounder Xavier Hutchinson from Iowa State.

Prior to the draft, Houston also signed veteran wideout Noah Brown in free agency along with Robert Woods to inject experience among the corps.

Through a month and a half’s worth of the offseason program, Brown has seen enough from Dell and Hutchinson to assess their helpfulness to the offense.

“They’ve come in and really put themselves to work,” Brown told reporters June 13. “They’re a lot more polished than you would expect for a rookie coming in.

“Tank, and the way he plays much bigger than his size. Hutch [Hutchinson] is a big guy who plays big. I think they can help us in a lot of ways.”

Dell has the prospect of filling a Wes Welker type of role in the offense. The 5-8, 165-pounder caught 109 passes for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Cougars last season.

Hutchinson reportedly fell due to substandard workouts, not necessarily on-field production. The former Cyclone caught 107 passes for 1,171 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Brown’s advice for the younger receivers on the roster is to mind the “little things,” as a former basketball coach told Brown during his formative years.

“I had a basketball coach when I was younger tell me to be great at the things that happen often in the game,” said Brown. “That was basketball-wise, but it applies to football, too. There’s only one rock, one person to carry it — be good at running your route to get the other person open, block, special teams, things like that. Little things that can sneak you on the field so now you’re playing meaningful reps.”

Brown caught 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, 13 of which he started. The on-field work was welcomed after the former 2017 seventh-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career being great at blocking and special teams.

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DE Jerry Hughes predicts Texans will be ‘more violent’ on defense

Houston Texans defensive end Jerry Hughes believes the defense will be “more violent” in 2023 under new coach DeMeco Ryans.

Houston Texans defensive end Jerry Hughes can already see the changes to the defense.

New coach DeMeco Ryans spent the entire offseason program from April 3’s voluntary workouts to June 14’s mandatory minicamp laying down the foundation of his scheme he ran with as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator the past two seasons.

Hughes spent his first season with the Texans under then-coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2. Although the former Sugar Land Stephen F. Austin product was able to lead Houston with 9.0 sacks last year, the focus of the defense was different.

“We’re not trying to run around blocks anymore,” Hughes said. “It’s moreso attacking. We got to be defenders, we got to be the aggressor. I think that’s what a lot of guys were excited to get back to, is kind of football, in my mind.”

Not only has the defensive philosophy changed for Houston, but the Texans have added younger personnel with rookie defensive end Will Anderson, fifth-round linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, and the continuous ascension of second-year safety Jalen Pitre. Houston also signed defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway, linebacker Denzel Perryman, and safety Jimmie Ward in free agency.

Hughes has also noticed the defense is “probably faster.”

Said Hughes: “Guys are running around making plays. They have been with our strength staff here who has done a tremendous job of keeping everyone healthy. With that added element, guys are moving a lot faster.”

A faster scheme with an attacking scheme should lead to a different on-field profile for Houston in 2023.

“I think you’re see a lot more violent defense, guys that are flying around the ball,” said Hughes. “We got 11 hats coming after you. It’s going to be something that a lot of people are going to be excited to see. I know I am. I know the guys on defense are. We’ve just been perfecting it for these past couple of months. It’s going to be really exciting.”

The Texans were tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles for the fifth-most takeaways last season with 27. However, Houston gave up the third-most total yards in 2022 with 6,452.

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WR Noah Brown picked the Texans for ‘new, fresh opportunity’

After spending the first six seasons of his career in the same place, receiver Noah Brown decided to sign with the Houston Texans for a fresh start.

Noah Brown won’t even have to change his driver’s license as he continues his career in a new NFL city.

The former Dallas Cowboys 2017 seventh-round receiver played 66 career games for his original draft team over the span of six seasons. However, Brown signed with the Houston Texans in free agency to continue developing his career.

“Some of the things that went into being here — it was just a new, fresh opportunity,” Brown told reporters after mandatory minicamp June 13. “I was in Dallas for six years. I feel like I built a solid foundation of what I can do in this league there.”

Brown showcased as a special teamer with 640 special teams snaps for the first five seasons in Dallas. Once receiver Cedrick Wilson departed in free agency 2022, Brown was able to ascend into the third wideout role where he caught 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns last season — all career highs.

The former Ohio State product sees a similar prospect to continue that streak on offense with the Texans.

Said Brown: “I feel like this is an opportunity to expand upon on that, a team I feel like I can help out. We got a great young quarterback in C.J. [Stroud], another quarterback in Davis [Mills]. I’m looking forward to working with both of them.”

The Texans also signed Robert Woods in free agency along with drafting third-rounder Tank Dell. Third-year Nico Collins also figures to be a part of Houston’s plans in the passing game.

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Texans WR Noah Brown says S Jalen Pitre ‘has great habits’

New Houston Texans WR Noah Brown says that second-year safety Jalen Pitre “has great habits” after observing him throughout offseason workouts.

Noah Brown may have played 50 offensive snaps for the Dallas Cowboys in their 27-23 win over the Houston Texans in Week 14 last season, but he was left with a lasting impression from a rookie.

Safety Jalen Pitre played all 71 defensive snaps for Houston, and the second-rounder from Baylor had a team-high 12 combined tackles and two pass breakups.

“Man, that’s one of the first things I remember about that game, is 5 flying around,” Brown told reporters June 13 after mandatory minicamp.

Brown signed with Houston in free agency. Instead of seeing Pitre once every four years — or sooner pending 17th game and preseason scheduling — Brown has had a chance to see Pitre up close throughout the Texans’ offseason workouts.

“Coming out here and being able to practice with him for about two, three weeks, you see how he does it on game day because he does it on the practice field,” said Brown. “He’s a creature of habit and he has great habits — great player.”

Pitre led the Texans with 147 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, 1.0 sack, five interceptions, eight pass breakups, and a fumble recovery through all 17 starts. Houston is hopeful Pitre’s great habits will lead to a stronger sophomore campaign from their best defensive back.

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