Tag: Texans OTAs

Texans RB Dameon Pierce tells rookie QB C.J. Stroud to ‘command the huddle’

Houston Texans RB Dameon Pierce sees the promise in QB C.J. Stroud, and encourages the rookie to “command the huddle.”

HOUSTON — Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce is only impressed by two things regarding the NFL.

Hard work and leadership.

The harder you work, the more you lead by example. It is that simple to Pierce on the football field, and if you deviate from those two things, you set yourself up for failure. The fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft from Florida hit the ground running from the moment he set foot inside NRG Stadium.

The former Gator impressed the former coaching staff with his ability to put in the extra time to become a better running back in the NFL. He started in 13 games and amassed 939 yards and four touchdowns for the Texans before being shut down for the season with an ankle injury.

Pierce, 23, has noticed the same qualities he had in his rookie season in quarterback C.J. Stroud, who the Texans selected with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft from Ohio State.

“C.J.’s a great kid,” Pierce told the media June 6. “I’ve loved the way he’s come in and worked. Obviously, he was a high draft pick, so there are a lot of expectations on him, and he’s handled it very well. Handling the media very well. Handling the playbook.”

Both players are getting accustomed to learning the new offensive system being installed by first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik which is very detailed and requires a lot of work off the field to have a complete outlook on just how potent it could be for the Texans this year as it has been for the San Francisco 49ers in the past.

“He’s a quick learner,” said Pierce about Stroud. “I would say that he’s a quick learner, and the only thing I tell him every time I’m on the field with him is, ‘Command the huddle, bro.’ Don’t be scared. Don’t be shy. Don’t shy away from that leadership role. You’ve got guys on this team who are behind you and who will help you in that aspect. And we’re here to lift you up, so if you go out there and make a mistake, you know you’ve got solid ground to fall back on, and we’re going to help you through it.”

For Stroud, the sentiments are the same regarding Pierce, as they have developed a bond that will carry over into the season.

“D.P. [Pierce] is amazing man,” Stroud said after week two of voluntary OTAs. “Somebody who’s not only going to have your back running the ball, but he’s going to pass protect. More so than that, he’s just a great person.

“Just being around him a little, getting to know him every other day, he’s hilarious. He’s always very upbeat, very positive, and wants to work and wants to get better. I accept a lot of feedback from him. He likes feedback from me. We’ve just been enjoying working with each other, so it’s been a blessing to have someone like D.P.”

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Dalton Schultz sets tone in the Texans’ tight end room

Dalton Schultz may be new to the Houston Texans, but he is already setting the tone inside the tight end room.

The Houston Texans could use a consistent, veteran presence at tight end.

Houston signed former 2018 fourth-round pick Dalton Schultz to a one-year contract in March. After being Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s security blanket, Schultz picked the Texans to continue his NFL career.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik told reporters May 31 that Schultz has been “just a professional” inside the tight end room.

“All the vets we’ve brought in have really helped a lot in bringing their position group along and kind of bringing the young guys with them, showing them what it’s like to work, to be a professional as far as what you’ve got to do every day, mentally, physically, on the field, how you work, how you go about your business, and he’s been awesome in that regard,” Slowik said.

Schultz’s on-field work also suggests an on-field upgrade. The former Stanford product generated 135 catches for 1,385 yards and 13 touchdowns through 32 games over the past two years. The 6-5, 244-pounder solidified the position in a way that had been lacking since Jason Witten left in 2019.

Schultz may not be comparable to a possible Hall-of-Famer, but he is definitely TE1 material.

“Then you just see a guy who knows how to run routes,” said Slowik. “He’s got a big frame. He knows how to catch. He’s fully invested in the run game. He’s been doing a great job.”

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Texans TE Dalton Schultz understands QB Davis Mills’ journey at Stanford

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz was not teammates with quarterback Davis Mills at Stanford, but he fully comprehends his journey.

Dalton Schultz never actually played with Davis Mills.

During Schultz’s final season at Stanford, Mills tore his ACL and was a medical redshirt in 2017. The tight end caught 22 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns through 11 games, which were enough to convince the Dallas Cowboys to take him in Round 4 of the 2018 NFL draft.

Although the Mills era began after Schultz left, the 26-year-old nevertheless appreciates the challenges the quarterback faced to lead the Cardinal offense.

“It’s hard to say just how much he has grown, but obviously you have to grow a whole lot coming in from your freshman year at a place like Stanford to the league,” Schultz told reporters June 6 after organized team activities.”

Having Mills on the roster along with defensive lineman Thomas Booker helps Schultz feel at home.

Said Schultz: “I’m excited for him and it’s great to have another Stanford boy in here. Him and Book both, but, yeah, I think it’s one of those things where you can kind of reminisce on the good ole days. It’s nice having another guy like him here.”

Mills is currently in a battle for the starting quarterback job, and Schultz won’t discount his former Stanford teammate’s ability to compete in the NFL.

“Everybody on this team can play in the league — point blank period,” Schultz said.

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Texans RB Dameon Pierce seeks to protect the ball, QB in 2023

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce wants to upgrade his ball security and pass protection as he gears up for his second season in the NFL.

Danny Barrett is unique.

The running backs coach is the only position coach to survive the Bill O’Brien, David Culley, and Lovie Smith eras. Despite the Houston Texans producing just one 1,000-yard back since his 2018 hiring, management has understood Barrett’s unenviable task.

At last the Texans have a bell-cow in Dameon Pierce, and the second-year running back gives Barrett considerable credit in his development as a pass protector.

“Pretty much 85% of it has got to go to coach DB [Barrett],” Pierce told reporters June 6 after organized team activities. “Coach DB makes sure that he spends extra time with not only me, but all of us, making sure that we’re very precise in our pass protections.”

According to Pierce, Barrett has two requirements when it comes to playing for the 61-year-old coach.

Said Pierce: “You’ve got to protect the ball and protect the quarterback, and we’ve been working a lot on both.”

The former 2022 fourth-rounder had a promising rookie campaign with 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns through 13 games, all of which he started. However, Pierce fumbled four times, including in his final game of the season, Week 14 at the Dallas Cowboys.

“I think I had four on the ground, and I’m trying to drop that to zero,” said Pierce. “One is one too many. So, we’ve been working a lot in that aspect, kind of working on a lot of things without the ball. Because he knows everybody in that room is very capable of doing great things with the ball, so, it’s more so what can we do without the ball to help our offense?”

The Texans had Pierce on the field for 64% of the team’s offensive snaps last season. The percentage will increase the more Pierce is able to hone his pass-blocking skills along with the new offense’s commitment to the run.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says RB Dameon Pierce brings energy to the whole team

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says that second-year running back Dameon Pierce is bringing energy, not just to the offense, but to the team.

DeMeco Ryans faces a Herculean task in his attempt to lift the Houston Texans back to relevance in 2023. But, with a rookie quarterback and fresh faces on the offensive side of the ball, Ryans will be able to lean on the team’s above-average running game to help get the Texans in the in column early and often during the regular season.

The first-year coach noted the efforts of one member of Houston’s backfield in particular, Dameon Pierce, during comments to the media after practice on June 6, pointing to the second-year back as a player who looks to factor into his offensive attack in a major way.

“Dameon has been consistent all offseason,” Ryans said. “He’s been here every day, he’s been upbeat. He brings tremendous energy — not only to our offense, but to our entire team. Always has a smile on his face, always working hard, improving on the little things that he has to work on. I’m excited for the season that he will have ahead of him.”

While the focus from the outside is on the former 2022 fourth-rounder, Ryans and the coaching staff must keep their considerations on the running back stable as a whole.

Said Ryans: “Not only Dameon, I think it’s the compliment of the guys that we have — adding Devin [Singletary], Mike [Boone], other guys there in our backfield — it’s just a compliment where Dameon doesn’t have to do all of it on his own. But his physical style, the speed that he plays with, the way that he’s improving in his pass protection — it’s been fun to watch.”

The Texans’ influx of premier talent has steered fans away from recalling Pierce’s efforts in 2022. Despite being limited to 13 games due to injury, the former Florida product generated 939 rushing yards, which were the third-most among rookies.

With a more well-rounded roster around Pierce, the reigning NFL’s “Angriest Run of the Year” winner has a chance for a breakout effort when the regular season starts in September.

Texans WR Nico Collins acknowledges challenge of playing all 17 games

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins knows it is a challenge to play a complete 17-game season, but nevertheless has such a goal in mind.

Nico Collins has yet to play a complete season since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2021.

The feat has gotten slightly harder since Collins’ rookie season when the league added a 17th game. With the regular season becoming even more of a long march through the calendar, teams are being deliberate with how much exposure they give their banged-up players.

Nevertheless Collins desires to be available for all 17 games for the Houston Texans in 2023.

“Being there for the team, ballin’ out, making plays,” Collins told reporters June 6 after organized team activities. “Most definitely, that’s my goal. That’s everybody’s goal, to stay healthy throughout 17.”

Collins has logged 14 games and 10 games in each of his first two seasons. The former Michigan product’s season was over after Week 12 as he was placed on injured reserve.

“Finishing the season on IR, that’s not anybody’s plan,” Collins said. “You want to finish the whole games of the season with your team. I was on IR, so, I took it as just ‘get healthy.’ Just continue to get healthy.”

With the changes to the Texans’ receiving corps, Collins is de facto one of the top targets in Houston’s offense. If Collins is able to give the Texans 17 games, it should be a boon to their passing game.

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TE Dalton Schultz picked the Texans due to offensive scheme

TE Dalton Schultz picked the Houston Texans due to his familiarity with the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive scheme and what it could do for him.

Dalton Schultz had seen what the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive scheme had done for others, and he wanted a shot to be blessed, too.

The 49ers had knocked Schultz’s team out of the playoffs the past two seasons. Tight end George Kittle caught five passes for 95 yards as San Francisco moved on to the NFC Championship Game for the second straight season. Kittle has also notched four Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro from playing in the 49ers’ scheme.

When the Houston Texans hired the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Schultz took note as DeMeco Ryans was a key part of why Schultz’s team was bounced from the playoffs the past two years.

“First and foremost, I am just grateful to have an opportunity to come and play, going into year six,” Schultz told reporters after organized team activities June 6. “Obviously, DeMeco coming in and he’s been the defensive coordinator who has kicked us out of the playoffs, kicked me out of the playoffs the last couple years. Having a defensive minded head coach with a scheme that I truly have respect for and believe in.”

It was only natural Ryans would bring the system from his former job with him. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has been the czar of installing San Francisco’s offense, which entices Schultz.

“Also, just the scheme coming over from S.F., just an offense that I have some familiarity with in my past,” Schultz said. “Obviously everyone has been able to see what they’ve been able to do in San Francisco, so having the opportunity to do similar things here is very intriguing for me at the tight end position especially.”

Schultz’s best season was in 2021 when he caught 78 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says C-G Juice Scruggs ‘seems like a vet already’

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says that interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, their second-round pick, “seems like a vet already.”

The Houston Texans’ rookie class will draw attention throughout 2023 for many reasons.

Notably the Texans’ rookies will draw interest is due to their first-rounders in quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson. Third-round receiver Tank Dell will also be a fascinating topic as he continues his football career in Clutch City.

While coach DeMeco Ryans sprinkled the aforementioned with “excellent job” and “really good job” June 6 at organized team activities, there was one rookie who prompted more detail in second-round center Juice Scruggs.

“Juice has done a great job with just being consistent in there — seems like a vet already with the consistency that he operates at,” Ryans said.

The Texans could use consistency at their center position as they seek the final piece to a productive and cohesive offensive line. Three-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil has left tackle, and former 2019 first-rounder Tytus Howard has been solid at right tackle. Kenyon Green has left guard as Shaq Mason mans the right side. Center has been the question mark, although the Texans are cobbling together an answer with Scott Quessenberry, Michael Deiter, Jimmy Morrissey, and sixth-rounder Jarrett Patterson.

Overall Ryans is pleased with the work the rookies have demonstrated throughout the offseason program.

“All around, we have a really good group of rookies and I’m excited to see them come back training camp when we put the pads on and actually get the opportunity to play some real football,” said Ryans. “I’m excited to see their growth.”

If Scruggs is able to maintain his veteran-like consistency, the Texans should be able to solve their issue at starting center.

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WR Nico Collins loves the Texans’ new offensive approach

Houston Texans WR Nico Collins is enthused by the way the offense seeks to put the ball in everyone’s hands.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are in their final week of organized team activities, and one group is starting to develop the type of chemistry you want to see heading into training camp later this summer.

Veterans Robert Woods, Nico Collins, and Noah Brown are making sure they are getting accustomed to the offensive playbook of coordinator Bobby Slowik while trying to help rookie Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson get acclimated to the position at the NFL level.

Although many NFL analysts do not believe that they have a strong core of receivers, Collins is ready to take on that challenge to prove the naysayers wrong.

“It is another year,” Collins said during his press conference on Tuesday. “New year. I have to reload and stay healthy. Keep my head down and keep grinding and keep your foot on the gas.”

Collins, who is in his third year with the Texans, only played in 10 games in 2022, finishing with 37 catches for 481 yards and two scores, before being held out for the rest of the year with a foot injury he sustained against the Cleveland Browns. He looks forward to competing this upcoming season in a new offense that will help utilize his 6-foot-4-inch frame and massive catch radius.

“I feel like this offense will find ways for everyone to touch the ball,” said Collins. “Make plays; whenever your number is called, you make a play. Coach Bobby keeps telling us, ‘Man, you get that ball in your hands; just go score.’ Just have that mindset. He wants that dog about you, and that is what I love about his offense. I can’t wait for the season.”

Two other players ready to contribute on the offensive side of the ball are Dell and Hutchinson, who have been finding ways to become more productive in the system. Collins and Woods have spoken highly of their work ethic on and off the field.

“Those two young guys coming into the league, they were just like me,” Collins said about the rookies finding their niche on the team. “I feel like I was just in their shoes two years ago. It flew by.

“So, I feel where they’re coming from. They’re asking for help, so I’m just helping them out as much as I can. I’m still learning just as [much as] them. So, we’re all kind of in the same boat. Just coming in every day and getting better.”

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