Tag: Texans OTAs

Texans’ Brandin Cooks says WR Nico Collins ‘doesn’t look like no rooke to me’

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks says that third-round receiver Nico Collins from Michigan does not have the demeanor or bearing of a rookie.

The Houston Texans traded up to draft Michigan receiver Nico Collins in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL draft.

Through organized team activities, the 89th overall pick has impressed one of the veterans in the receiving corps. Wideout Brandin Cooks’ summary of Collins is that he is mature beyond his years.

“How I feel about Nico, I mean this guy doesn’t look like no rookie to me,” Cooks told reporters on a Zoom call on May 27. “You talk about a guy who’s out there that’s coachable and able to pick up things pretty fast. You love to see that from a young guy. The guy’s explosive, natural hands. I look forward to continuing to work with him and seeing him grow.”

Collins opted out of the 2020 season, his last year at Michigan. In 2019, Collins caught 37 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns through 12 games.

Cooks also sees an opportunity in Collins to repay all of the mentoring that older veterans throughout his career have given to him as a former New Orleans Saints 2014 first-round pick from Oregon State.

Said Cooks: “I love it just because I had a guy — guys, I should say — that looked after me coming up and so all I’m trying to do is repay that and pay it forward in guys like Nico and the young guys.”

The Texans’ situation at quarterback may need some work, but the receiving corps could have the work ethic and demeanor to help out the Texans’ passing game.

WR Brandin Cooks may be the Texans’ only ‘sure thing’ in 2021

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks may be the only dependable element for the offense in 2021.

Brandin Cooks was considered by many to be a questionable addition to the Houston Texans offense in 2020. Following the departure of perennial All-Pro Deandre Hopkins for a second-round pick, immediately trading a second-rounder for a lesser talent in Brandin Cooks raised eyebrows.

Maybe Houston was just trying to save money? Assemble a lightning quick offense around young franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson? Regardless, the move was universally met with a: meh. Recently concussed, relatively expensive, and walking in the footsteps of a franchise favorite created low expected for Cooks in 2020.

Nobody told Brandin, apparently.

Cooks finished 2020 top-15 in receiving yards (12th, 1,150 yards) and top-25 in catches (22nd, 81 catches) on 119 targets during a career year from Watson. Houston joined as the 4th team to be the beneficiary of a 1000-yard Cooks season, with no. 13 previously having accomplished the feat in New Orleans, New England, and on the Los Angeles Rams.

He is without a doubt one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL at this point, Cooks’ resume is one that few have matched in their first seven seasons in the league. This should be a time where Houston feels phenomenal about their offense and with him as a key asset.

However, one year following his acquisition, things look a little murkier in Houston. Especially on offense, there are question marks everywhere. At quarterback, Watson is nowhere to be found, with no comments on the team and new Head Coach David Culley refusing to comment on the star quarterback. Seriously, not a single word.

The Texans current quarterback room projects to be lead by veteran Tyrod Taylor, considered one of the elite stop-gap quarterbacks in the league, and recent 3rd round pick Davis Mills from Stanford. Taylor is a heavy favorite to win the competition but nobody will be surprised if Mills’ sees time in 2021.

Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, and Taylor’s poor luck suggest it’s very possible. Texans fans may hope to see the young guy in what many project to be a poor season, with Houston currently sitting as Vegas underdogs in all 17 games. In fact. Cooks himself raved about Mills just this week.

Beyond who spins the rock for Houston this upcoming season, the dynamics on the field also project to be different for Cooks. Will Fuller, after a career season that was interrupted by a PED suspension, opted to sign with the Miami Dolphins and play with Tua Tagovailoa for the up-and-coming Dolphins. Randall Cobb, who was hampered by injury for most of 2020, and Keke Coutee, a former Bill O’Brien doghouse resident, are the two top returning receivers.

The rest of the receiving core features former sixth-round project Isaiah Coulter, recent third-round pick Nico Collins from Michigan (who may have a chance for major playing time), and some other veterans such as Donte Moncrief and Chris Conley.

In the running back core, former Denver standout Phillip Lindsay and wrong-side-of-30 Mark Ingram (who still killed Houston in 2020, don’t forget) join David Johnson in what projects to be a messy backfield.

Suddenly, Cooks is the most established weapon by a mile in Houston. Something Houston could never have expected when they dealt a 2nd rounder to Los Angeles. Fortunately, that’s something the team seems very comfortable with and Culley commented on that Thursday on a Zoom call with reporters.

“He’s a pro,” Culley said. “He’s a pro’s pro. He’s been in this league for a little while. He’s had success in this league. He’s a leader. He’s exactly what our football team needs moving forward. Looking forward to him not only being the kind of player that he’s been before, but even being better. Obviously, our young guys that are coming in here basically are going to learn how to do things quickly because he’s a pro’s pro.”

It’s a good thing Culley is confident in Cooks moving forward. He will have the tall task of helping to teach Collins, making life easier for whoever may end up under center for Houston whether it’s Watson, Taylor, or Mills, and, finally, Cooks will aim for his sixth 1,000 yard season in eight years.

History says we shouldn’t doubt Cooks in a new situation because he’s generally going to prove you wrong. Culley and the crew will be counting on Cooks and his electrifying play in 2021.

Texans WR Brandin Cooks says coach David Culley ‘brings a lot of energy’

Houston Texans coach David Culley brings plenty of energy to the team, and receiver Brandin Cooks has taken notice.

Houston Texans coach David Culley has enough enthusiasm and optimism that he could take on Hell with a squirt gun.

Receiver Brandin Cooks has taken notice. The 27-year-old wideout was asked for his early impressions on the 65-year-old rookie coach.

“You’re talking about a guy that’s got a lot of energy,” Cooks told reporters on a Zoom call on May 27. “He has his one-liners that I laugh at, but he’s got great personality. A guy that’s going to come and bring it every day and be energized and expect a lot out of us. That’s all you can ask for from coach. It’s been fun so far seeing him put his spin on everything in the building.”

General manager Nick Caserio has similarly been impressed with the way Culley has been able to maintain his high energy and motivation on a daily basis.

“I would say his consistency day-to-day is phenomenal,” Caserio told reporters on May 10 at the Texans’ charity golf classic. “His attitude, his messaging to the players, messaging to the coaching staff. Every day you walk in the building, he’s the same guy regardless of what’s going on. That speaks to who he is.”

Culley has the unenviable task of leading the Texans beyond their 4-12 finish from a season ago, all without the benefits of having three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson under center. However, if energy, enthusiasm, and motivation are enough, the Texans are in good hands with Culley, who is making a quick impression on the organization.

LB Christian Kirksey reveals the most fun aspect of being with the Texans

Free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey talked about what the most enjoyable part of joining the Houston Texans has been thus far.

Christian Kirksey is on his third team in as many seasons, but the 28-year-old has already identified the most fun part about joining the Houston Texans.

The former Cleveland Browns 2014 third-round pick from Iowa signed a one-year, $3 million contract to play for the Texans in 2021 after spending one year with the Green Bay Packers. Kirksey is already enjoying himself with the AFC South club.

“Man, just talking with the guys, just being back in the groove,” Kirksey told reporters on a Zoom call on May 27. “Obviously, you enjoy the offseason, you enjoy the time with your family, but then when you’re getting back on the field and joking around with your boys in the locker room, meeting new faces — there’s nothing better than that.”

Kirksey is part of a revamping among the linebacking corps as the defense transitions from a 3-4 scheme to a Tampa-2 scheme with a 4-3 front. The concept of inside linebackers in the 3-4, such as Zach Cunningham, are expanding outward among the linebacking unit, while the outside linebackers in the 3-4 scheme, such as Jacob Martin and Whitney Mercilus, are becoming down linemen firing off from a three-point stance.

The 29-year-old has the ability to complement Cunningham, and was adept with the Packers in 2020, providing 77 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions, and four pass breakups in 11 games, all of which he started.

Starting a new chapter with the Texans, Kirksey is focused on forging chemistry with his new teammates and getting on the same page as they work through organized team activities.

Said Kirksey: “Right now we’re working out, we’re trying to learn this playbook. Everybody is new, so I enjoy meeting new guys and kind of hearing their story, where they’re from, how did they get to where they are now and things like that. We’re all competing and we’re all just trying to be the best Texans we can be. That’s the fun part in it, when everybody’s trying to push each other to go somewhere and we all come from different places and we’re all trying to get to one goal. I think that’s the most fun part for me, is just to be back around the guys.”

The Texans also have Cunningham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Hall, Neville Hewitt, Hardy Nickerson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, fifth-round rookie Garret Wallow, Joe Thomas, and Tae Davis among the linebacking corps.

Texans are allowing open competition across the offensive line

The Houston Texans have open competition across the entire offensive line, according to coach David Culley.

The Houston Texans have open competition across the offensive line with virtually all positions up for grabs.

Left tackle should be safe with two-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil manning the blindside protector job. However, the other four spots are subject to open competition, according to coach David Culley.

The first-year Texans coach spent time with reporters on a Zoom call on May 27 to explain the competition process ongoing with the offensive line.

“Basically, talking about competition, that whole offensive line group, there’s competition all across there,” said Culley. “Again, those guys are multi-faceted from the standpoint of it’s not just being a right tackle or a left tackle or a left guard or a right guard. A center’s playing guard, guard’s playing center. That’s the beauty of having competition and that’s the beauty of the versatility of this offensive line here right now.”

One of the reasons the Texans are exploring the concept or versatility, even after the days of coach Bill O’Brien and offensive line coach Mike Devlin, who preached such versatility, is the acquisition of tackle Marcus Cannon from the New England Patriots. The former Patriots 2011 fifth-round pick played 115 games for New England, starting 69 games with most of them at right tackle. However, the Texans seemingly have a right tackle in former 2019 first-round pick Tytus Howard, who started 14 games in 2020 at the position.

“Basically, the competition is all across the board and we’re allowing those guys to just move around and to play to see where they best fit,” Culley said. “In order to do that, you’ve got to move them around and that’s what we’re doing right now. We’re happy with what’s happening with that at this point.”

If Cannon does take right tackle, the Texans could kick Howard inside at guard, which is where he played in the preseason of his rookie season and also one game into his rookie year.

Texans coach David Culley says QB Tyrod Taylor leads by example

Houston Texans coach David Culley says that quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been a leader by example throughout his entire career.

The Houston Texans wanted to get the best backup quarterback in the NFL, which is why they signed Tyrod Taylor in free agency.

Most knew Taylor would be filling in for three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson rather immediately as he continued his holdout with the organization amid a trade request, which later morphed into an ongoing civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault against 22 women. Now that the former 2015 Pro Bowler is the man atop the depth chart at quarterback, the Texans have a quarterback coach David Culley says has led by example throughout his career.

“As a quarterback, you always want that guy to be the first guy in and the last guy out,” Culley told Houston media on a Zoom call after organized team activities on Thursday. “He’s that guy. He’s been that guy his whole career.”

The Baltimore Ravens gave Taylor his entry into the NFL when they selected him as a sixth-round pick from Virginia Tech in 2011. After four seasons with the AFC North club, Taylor was the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills from 2015-17, leading the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999. After Buffalo drafted Josh Allen in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL draft, Taylor kept the seat warm for three games in 2018 for the Cleveland Browns until rookie Baker Mayfield took over. From 2019-20, he was Philip Rivers’ backup with the Los Angeles Chargers and then started Week 1 before an injury forced him out and inserted Justin Herbert into the lineup.

“He was that guy when he was in Baltimore as a backup,” Culley said. “He always worked like he was the starter. When he became the starter, there was nothing any different. He’s a leader, he’s a winner and he is exactly what you want taking snaps from the center and leading your football team.”

The Texans have two other quarterbacks on the roster in third-round rookie Davis Mills and former San Francisco 49ers 2016 sixth-round pick, Jeff Driskel.

Texans WR Brandin Cooks explains the secret to adapting to new quarterbacks

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks knows the key to getting on the same page with a new quarterback.

Deshaun Watson has left the Houston Texans in a perplexing situation from his trade request to his civil lawsuits. Eight months after signing a five-year contract extension, the Texans will likely enter the 2021 season without their franchise quarterback. And one of the players who would have to make the most significant adjustment is wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

Last season, Cooks became Watson’s top targeted receiver. The quarterback-receiver duo connected on 81 catches for 1,150 yards. Playing alongside Watson resulted in Cooks recording his fifth 1,000 receiving yards of his career, to go along with six touchdowns.

As he enters his second season with the Texans, there are three potential quarterbacks Cooks could receive passes from come Week 1 of the regular season. But adjusting to a new quarterback is nothing new for Cooks.

“For me, it doesn’t matter who is throwing me the ball,” Cooks said following organized team activities on Thursday. “I’m going to get on the same page and figure out how you like things to be done, and we are going to go out there and ball. I’ve shown that throughout my career.”

With four teams in seven years, Cooks has played alongside a variety of players under center. He began his career playing next to Drew Brees in New Orleans before catching receptions from Tom Brady in New England. Before joining the Texans last offseason, Cooks spent two seasons in Los Angeles with Jared Goff.

The one quarterback who will likely start for the Texans next season is Tyrod Taylor. He signed with the Texans on a one-year deal as a free agent, and according to head coach David Culley, Taylor has been attending OTAs.

The other possible option is rookie quarterback Davis Mills, who is leaving a great first impression on Cooks.

“The kid is smart,” Culley said. “He is picking up the offense pretty fast. The guy can sling it and he is confident. You love to see that in a young player.”

Can Jacob Martin and Jonathan Greenard succeed at DE for the Texans in 2021?

Jacob Martin and Jonathan Greenard saw work at defensive end during the Houston Texans’ OTAs. Can they effectively make the switch?

Thursday marked the first day the Houston Texans allowed the local media to attend organized team activities. The new-look Texans showcased a portion of their roster overhaul after an offseason that featured first-year general manager Nick Caserio making 90 or more roster moves.

Among the new changes were Jonathan Greenard and Jacob Martin working out with the defensive line core, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 [KRIV-TV] Houston. Although they only have a combined four years of NFL experience between the two of them, both Greenard and Martin have played their entire career at linebacker. Now, they were coming off the ball with a hand in the dirt.

With Greenard and Martin getting reps with the d-line core, there is a possibility that Lovie Smith has already made his first major adjustment as Houston’s new defensive coordinator. And Smith’s coaching change could result in both players receiving an increase in their snaps next season.

Greenard, who joined the Texans as an outside linebacker from Florida, appeared in 24 percent of the Texans’ defensive snaps during his rookie season last year. Martin saw a total of 154 more snaps during his second year in Houston after appearing in 221 plays in 2019. The Texans acquired Martin as an outside linebacker from the Seahawks in exchange for Jadeveon Clowney.

Should Greenard and Martin play on the defensive front next season, this would not be the first time the Texans experimented with switching a player’s position. Last year, Lonnie Johnson made the switch from corner to safety and appeared to have found his niche in the NFL.

Houston Texans OTAs: Defensive line grinds during first day of media availability

The Houston Texans defensive line put in work during the first day of media availability at organized team activities.

The Houston Texans held their first media availability of organized team activities on Thursday.

The media access allowed for the opportunity to observe the Texans’ defensive line, which is undergoing a transition as the AFC South club moves from a 3-4 defense to a Tampa-2 scheme with a 4-3 front.

The new scheme means the Texans will have to evaluate their edge defenders from the 3-4 scheme, which Houston ran from 2011-20, and determine who can be effective playing as a down lineman.

The Texans practiced outside at their training facilities in NRG Park. The players were in their new practice attire working under partly cloudy skies an 80 degrees.

Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, one of the mavens at running the Tampa-2 scheme, was hard at work getting defenders to play with proper technique in the trenches.

It is no surprise that Charles Omenihu would continue to play as a down lineman.

However, Jacob Martin, who played outside linebacker the past two seasons, saw some work coming out of a three-point stance.

Jordan Jenkins, Houston’s free agent linebacker they signed from the New York Jets in free agency, took reps as a down lineman.

The coaching staff continued to have defensive players run through the drills, including some “tough sledding.”

asdf

Texans executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby was at practice.

Easterby even got to visit with Culley during the linebacker drills.

Fifth-round linebacker Garret Wallow got to show his stuff going against a veteran in Hardy Nickerson.

Credit the Houston media for having sharp enough memories and great facial recognition to put names on numbers, as apparently that wasn’t an easy feat Thursday.

It is only May. The Texans are a work in progress, but so is everyone else as all 32 NFL teams work through way through their offseason programs.

Texans release QB Ryan Finley 2 months after trade with Bengals

The Houston Texans have released quarterback Ryan Finley after trading with the Cincinnati Bengals to acquire his playing rights.

The Houston Texans have released third-year quarterback Ryan Finley.

The news comes five days after the Texans signed QB Jeff Driskel to a one-year contract.

The Texans acquired Finley in March following a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. With Finley no longer a part of the team, the Texans will likely enter the 2021 season with Tyrod Taylor, Davis Mills, and Driskel as their primary quarterbacks.

The Texans still have Deshaun Watson on their roster, but the chances of him returning to play in Houston are slim to none. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Watson will not attend Texans’ voluntary OTAs and still wants out of Houston.

Finley came to Houston after a two-year stint in Cincinnati. After the Bengals drafted the NC State alumni during the 2019 NFL Draft (No. 104 overall), Finley has appeared in a total of eight career games in the NFL while throwing for 638 yards and three touchdowns, to go along with four interceptions.