Tag: Texans running back

Texans RB Dameon Pierce found practices with the Dolphins ‘motivating’

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce says he found the joint training camp practices with the Miami Dolphins to be “motivating.”

Dameon Pierce had heard about joint practices from the annals of the Houston Texans, but he had yet to experience one.

The Texans had not participated in joint practices since 2019 with the Detroit Lions. Whether it was the COVID-19 lockdowns or getting used to a new coaching staff, Houston chose not to participate in joint camps for the the past three seasons.

The Texans’ feature back told reporters Aug. 17 he appreciated the joint practices with the Dolphins as it kept his motivation at a high level.

“Just actually having my own and going against Bradley Chubb and guys like that, and seeing Tyreek [Hill] yesterday and seeing Tua [Tagovailoa] work,” Pierce said. “You know, it’s motivating to see all those guys practice, see how those guys stack days, and it gave us an opportunity to see where we’re at against another color, you know what I’m saying?”

While the Texans go against the Dolphins Aug. 19 for a second preseason game at NRG Stadium, Pierce admits, “practices are different.”

Said Pierce: “It’s a little more intense, little more methodical. We’re running more plays, doing different things that we would do in a game, so it’s really like playing live ball and how we react to some of those guys.”

Pierce, who generated 939 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns through 13 games last season, labeled the joint practices with Miami as, “great work.”

“Great work upfront, great work by the linebackers,” said Pierce. “Secondary and receivers were battling. I felt like it was a great practice overall.”

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Texans’ Dameon Pierce credits RB coach Danny Barrett with early success

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce gives credit to RB coach Danny Barrett for the early success he has had so far.

Dameon Pierce knows who gets a big chunk of the credit for his early success as an NFL running back.

“I would say like 93%,” Pierce told reporters Thursday after Houston Texans training camp practice.

Who gets the “93%” for Pierce’s development as a pro is running backs coach Danny Barrett, who gave the former Florida product a routine to stick with as he adjusted to the NFL.

“It’s really just habitual,” Pierce said. “All my ‘habituals’ I kind of, you know — D.B. [Barrett] did a great job of grooming me into the player that I am off the field, because on the field, he was like, ‘That’s the easy part.’ The easy part is on the field, the hard part is maintaining it, doing it every day, having the same routine day in and day out.”

Some weeks were better for Pierce on the ground while others had hardly any daylight. Nevertheless the theme of waking up sore with back aches and tightness was the same, regardless of what happened on the field, but the routine kept Pierce going.

Another area where Barrett helped was with the way Pierce saw himself.

Said Pierce: “He is very clear on the vision he has for me even when I don’t see that vision for myself. Like, I had an interview earlier, he was like, ‘How did you feel being 61 yards short of 1,000 yards?’ I couldn’t imagine that, but D.B. saw that from day one, and he saw the potential I had and he brought it up out of me, so I [give] credit a lot to coach Danny.”

What Pierce can count on when it comes to Barrett, who is in his sixth season coaching the Texans’ backs, is consistency.

“I don’t care if I was a year 10 vet, he’ll still be on me like I was a rookie, so that’s one thing I like about D.B.: he’s going to be the same him every day, and he’s going to bring the same intensity every day,” said Pierce. “He’s going to hold me to a standard, a high standard.”

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Texans’ Dameon Pierce cracks Touchdown Wire’s top-11 running backs rankings

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce managed to place on the Touchdown Wire’s list of top-11 running backs in the NFL.

As a team the 2022 Houston Texans were forgettable. However, the roster for the franchise’s 21st season produced underrated talent that is starting to gain national recognition.

Dameon Pierce earned a measure of that attention in his rookie season. The fourth-round running back generated 939 yards through 13 games, finishing third in the league among all rookies. Assuredly the Florida product could have crested the 1,000-yard mark if he had played the final four games, and become the first Texans rookie to do so.

According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, Pierce is already the eighth-best running back in the NFL — coming ahead of the likes of Austin Ekeler, Javonte Williams, and Tony Pollard.

Pierce did nothing to dissuade his believers in his rookie season, gaining 939 yards and scoring four touchdowns on just 220 carries, and adding 30 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown for good measure in an offense that otherwise struggled to impress. Pearce’s ability to make things happen after first contact was perhaps his primary attribute as a draft prospect, and he forwarded that to the NFL with conviction — his 62 missed tackles forced ranked fifth in the league, his 3.28 yards after contact per attempt ranked eighth, and 722 of those 939 rushing yards came after contact.

This 24-yard run against the Cowboys in Week 14 shows that if you don’t bring every fiber of your being when it’s time to tackle Pierce, things are not going to go well for your defense.

Where Pierce may see more positive recognition is after working in new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s system. With a scheme that places an emphasis on establishing the run, Pierce will have his chances to feature as a key component in the offense.

Houston fans are hopeful Pierce then becomes, not only a top-3 back, but helps the Texans get out of the AFC South basement in the process.

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WATCH: Texans QB C.J. Stroud throws pass to RB Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce caught a pass from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud during training camp practice.

Who says Dameon Pierce can’t be a receiver?

According to video shot by KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson, the Houston Texans running back took part in pass-catching drills with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud during Thursday’s training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Pierce finished sixth on the team last year with 30 receptions. Only Rex Burkhead had more among running backs with 37. However, Burkhead played three more games compared to Pierce’s 13. The fourth-rounder produced 165 yards and a touchdown with his opportunities.

The former Florida product joked with the media July 28 that any questions about his comfort catching passes out of the backfield was giving away too much of the offense.

“Come on, man, you’re telling too much,” said Pierce. “You’re telling too much, man.”

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Arian Foster must be next in Houston Texans Ring of Honor

If the Houston Texans seek a fourth inductee into the Ring of Honor, former RB Arian Foster must be considered | from @johnhcrumpler

What qualifies someone as a franchise great?

The Houston Texans established their ring of honor during the 2017 campaign. The first member was wide receiver Andre Jonhson, the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Two years later, the franchise inducted the late Bob McNair for his successful efforts in bringing the NFL back to Houston.

Since then, Houston opted to make no additions to their most elite circle. It wasn’t until J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Pro, retired that the team finally announced their third Red Jacket distribution, which will be a family affair in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Watt is largely considered the greatest player in franchise history and one of the greatest defenders of the last decade, if not of all time. However, his inclusion into the Ring of Honor has raised a fair question amongst Houston fans. Are there any other players from the team’s 20-year history that deserve inclusion?

Many names have been thrown out. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph is considered the best free agent signing in team history and leads the franchise in interceptions and was fourth in tackles. Matt Schaub remains the team’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. However, one name stands out far more than his peers.

Running back Arian Foster.

Foster played from 2009-15 with Houston as an undrafted free agent and was as dominant. His 6,472 rushing yards are more than double the next closest player, as are his 54 rushing touchdowns. Even coming out of the backfield, his 249 receptions are currently fifth in franchise history. 

Foster was Houston’s offensive engine with an amazing blend of vision, contact balance, and explosiveness to affect both the running and passing games. Simply put, Foster did everything about as well as anyone.

Outside of the young history of the franchise, his career reflects that dominant player. Foster had 4 different 1,200-plus yard seasons and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in both 2010 and 2012. His emergence, and three-time All-Pro selections during this period, corresponded with Houston’s emergence into relevance after a dreadful expansion era, finally qualifying for the playoffs in the 2011 season.

These numbers are comparable to the best players of his era at his position. The 2010’s All-Decade team at running back included Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, LeSean McCoy and Marshawn Lynch. Of that group, Foster’s four Pro Bowl appearances are just one less than Lynch and Gore. His two-time All-Pro selections were equivalent to Lynch and McCoy and actually one more than Gore.

It was a shorter career for Foster, with only six starts after the 2014 season, but his peak was as dominant as almost anyone in his era.

There’s a fair argument to be made that running back is largely the one position where longevity cannot be too heavily accounted for. The shelf life of the position is short and that reality has never been more exposed than in today’s NFL where statistically savvy general managers are now largely refusing to dole out second contracts to the position.

Foster’s dominance during the most productive time in franchise history creates a fierce argument for his eventual inclusion in the ring of honor. It would take a borderline Hall of Fame career from Dameon Pierce or any future Houston back to supplant No. 23 as the best in franchise history.

Foster’s off-the-field presence, from imitating dinosaurs while at the Tennessee to his comments that the NFL is “scripted” this past year, makes him the most unique personality that’s come through the franchise in their short history.

What his current relationship with the franchise looks like remains unknown. Foster made it clear in 2018 he was disappointed in comments made by McNair and ultimately declined to attend Johnson’s induction.

Who knows if the interest would be mutual if Houston did decide to pursue an induction?

What is crystal clear, despite all of that, is Foster’s success on the football field easily places him among the franchise’s best players ever. Maybe one day Houston will circle back to the star running back of the Gary Kubiak era.

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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 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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Texans WR Noah Brown is ‘confident’ RB Dameon Pierce can build on rookie year

Houston Texans WR Noah Brown has strong belief RB Dameon Pierce will be able to build upon the strong foundation laid in his rookie year.

Noah Brown knows a thing or two about running backs.

The former college teammate of Ezekiel Elliott got his start with the Dallas Cowboys as the former All-Pro running back campaigned for Dallas to draft Brown due to his run-blocking prowess as a receiver at Ohio State. The Cowboys spent their 2017 seventh-round pick, and Brown earned a reputation as a receiver unafraid to do the dirty work.

After spending the entire Houston Texans offseason program with running back Dameon Pierce, Brown has one word to describe the former 2022 fourth-rounder: physical.

“Physical running back; one cut, get downhill,” Brown told reporters June 13 at mandatory minicamp. “He’s going to keep his feet going.”

Brown was able to get a sideline view of Pierce’s impact as a rookie in Week 14 when the Texans visited the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The former Florida product tallied 78 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. If not for an ankle injury that knocked Pierce out of the game and summarily ended his 13-game rookie campaign, Dallas’ 27-23 win may not have been a given.

“I think last year kind of spoke for itself, the things he was able to come in this league and do,” said Brown. “I’m confident he can build on that this year.”

Pierce won’t be shouldering the load alone as the Texans signed former Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary in free agency.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans values RB Devin Singletary’s attention to detail

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans appreciates the level of attention to detail that running back Devin Singletary is providing.

For all the faults of the Houston Texans’ roster in 2022, the team had a solid foundation with their stable of running backs in the offensive backfield.

Dameon Pierce led the way last season as one of the NFL’s most explosive runners, and with the addition of Buffalo Bills mainstay Devin Singletary earlier in the offseason, the Texans seem poised to be a gritty rush-first team with their rookie quarterback at the helm of the offense.

Coach DeMeco Ryans was asked about his duo of talented rushers after mandatory minicamp June 14, and told reporters about his confidence at the running back position heading into the 2023 season.

“Devin has done a good job,” Ryans said. “Devin has put himself in a really good spot — love the attention to detail, how he prepares each and every day, so I’m excited where Devin [is]. We’ll see how that looks with Dameon and Devin, Mike [Boone] – all those guys in our backfield. The way we have a lot of capable guys, and again, we’ll see how that looks come training camp.”

Rookie quarterbacks are known for needing help in their first year as they acclimate to life in the NFL, so the Texans’ hefty investments in their backfield should pay dividends in the early part of their schedule.

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