Tag: Texans safety

Texans release S Terrence Brooks

The Houston Texans have released safety Terrence Brooks as part of their moves to finalized a 53-man roster.

Not all former New England Patriots players have a spot on the Houston Texans’ roster in the Nick Caserio era.

According to Adam Schefter from ESPN, the Texans cut safety Terrence Brooks on Tuesday in their scramble to finalize their 53-man roster by 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

Brooks was with the Texans in 2021 and played 11 games for Houston, starting in three of them. The former Baltimore Ravens 2014 third-round pick knocked away a pass and tallied 21 combined tackles.

On Aug. 15, coach Lovie Smith told reporters that Brooks “stood out” during training camp when talking about the depth of the position. However, relative to the 53-man roster on Aug. 30, Brooks has been left out.

Texans’ role for Jalen Pitre is starting to take shape

Second-round safety Jalen Pitre and his role for the Houston Texans defense is starting to take shape after three preseason games.

There were many questions surrounding how the Houston Texans would use Jalen Pitre when he was selected out of Baylor with the 37th overall pick.

The Stafford High School alumnus played a wide variety of roles for the Bears that included cornerback, linebacker and time at safety. With needs across the board for the Texans and coach Lovie Smith’s defense, speculation abounded as to where Pitre would be mostly utilized.

The preseason has brought major clarity to Pitre’s status with the Texans and to how his rookie season may play out in Houston. He started the entire first half on Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers playing primarily at the safety position and had five total tackles including an impressive tackle for loss on fourth down.

The preseason finale suggests two important developments to watch as Pitre rolls into the regular season.

  1. Jalen Pitre will start in a “box safety” role
  2. Jalen Pitre will quite likely lead Houston in tackles this season

Pitre’s job on the field has allowed him to come towards the line of scrimmage and make plays against the run game on first and second down. During pure passing downs, it’s evident that the staff is comfortable having him drop back into more of a traditional free safety role. Their comfort with him in all phases of their defense should signal a near 100% snap count for Pitre’s rookie season.

Another development was also evident in San Francisco in that Pitre is often going to be tasked with cleaning up the defense’s mess. Houston looks like they may have trouble stopping the interior run on early downs and the tackling at the second level thus far has been suspect. It’s created multiple situations where Pitre is making tackles he ideally wouldn’t have to with better play from the Texans’ front seven. This manifested multiple times against San Francisco as he would end runs after six or seven yards gained.

The preseason spells a potentially special rookie season for Pitre. It’s quite possible he’ll lead Houston in tackles, force a number of takeaways, and maybe even have his name considered for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year if he can make enough impact plays behind the line of scrimmage. His high tackle total could also spell trouble for the rest of the defense if Pitre is needed so often.

Fans will be able to watch Pitre for a full game on Sept. 11 against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.

Texans rookie S Jalen Pitre lives up to hype against the Saints

Houston Texans rookie safety Jalen Pitre showcased why he has received such positive attention throughout training camp.

Houston Texans second-round safety Jalen Pitre continued his impressive play in the club’s 17-13 win over the New Orleans Saints Saturday night.

The Baylor product earned the starting strong safety job due to his knack for teleporting to the football, and Pitre continued to set the tone inside NRG Stadium.

The nearby Stafford High School standout finished with five solo tackles and one tackle for loss, bringing down Saints running back Dwayne Washington after bursting into the backfield like a heat-seeking missile.

Coach Lovie Smith will want to showcase this play in their film review of the game, as it speaks to his coaching philosophy. As a defense, Houston is being taught to aggressively fly towards the football and attack — Pitre is tailor-made to lead this play style.

On numerous occasions, the Texans safety would appear out of nowhere, teleporting from off the television screen to which ever Saints’ player had the ball. Pitre was also dangerously close to an interception off a tipped ball, which was hauled in by cornerback Tremon Smith instead.

This play illustrates how Pitre’s football instincts and explosive athleticism put him in the right position to make plays. Much like how a magnet is drawn to metal, Pitre is drawn to the football.

While the rookie safety only played a few drives for the first-team defense, it was evident that he more than just belonged, but even thrived. Continuous positive progression is the goal for all of Houston’s young core players and Pitre will have another chance to build off this electric debut at the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 19.

Texans rookie Jalen Pitre accepts veteran praise, knows ‘got a long way to go’

Houston Texans rookie safety Jalen Pitre accepts praise from veterans, but understands he still has much to learn.

The Houston Texans rookie second-round pick out of Baylor, Jalen Pitre, does not play or act like a typical rookie. Instead, the Texas native is consistently making plays in training camp, garnering praise from veteran teammates and remaining humble all at the same time.

Throughout the first ten days of camp, the Texans’ shining star has been Pitre. The rookie is well-deserving of the first-team defensive reps and starting strong safety job, as listed on the Texans first unofficial depth chart released Tuesday, August 9th.

It has become a daily occurrence for Pitre’s football instincts to shine and Wednesday was no different as he registered a pass breakup over the middle of the field when covering veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

Known for his nose for the football, Pitre has racked up three interceptions in camp practices. His knack for being around the football is due to his freakish athleticism, but also veteran-level of football IQ.

Over a week ago on August 2nd, Texans’ veteran cornerback and fifth year pro, Tavierre Thomas, was complimentary of Pitre’s intelligence. “That’s one of the smartest guys I’ve seen coming in, me going on my fifth year. He’s very smart. You wouldn’t know that he’s a rookie. Like he ain’t make like the little rookie mistakes. He’s going to be real good.”

Fast forward a few days to August 8th, and another veteran cornerback, this time Desmond King, offered his own praise towards Pitre’s ball skills. “What I see out here is what we need in our back end, secondary,” King said. “That’s what we preach: we want to get the ball and we want to get interceptions, turnovers, force fumbles, and he’s been out there doing that.”

The members of the Texans secondary get the closest view on how Pitre is performing; however, that hasn’t stopped defensive linemen from noticing the rookie’s standout performance either.

On Wednesday, fifth-year pro, Rasheem Green, mirrors what his teammates are thinking about Pitre. “There was one play where he dove and caught it (an interception). He’s always a guy that carries himself well around the locker room, in meetings and on the field. I feel like he’s got a bright future.”

The players in Houston are heaping praise on Pitre day in and day out but what’s equally impressive of his play on the field is his mentality off the field.

The youngster is not allowing the compliments to give him a big head, instead, he’s self-aware that he is in fact still a rookie and is looking to learn from the veterans who commend him.

“I want to continue to grow and I want to continue to match their intensity,” Pitre told reporters Wednesday. “I’ve got a long way to go.”

In a rebuilding year for the Texans, emphasis must be placed on developing the young building blocks such as Pitre. By all accounts, the rookie is not a typical rookie, with his development looking as rapid as any Texans’ draft pick in recent memory.

WATCH: Texans rookie S Jalen Pitre dives for interception

Houston Texans rookie Jalen Pitre made an impressive attempt at an interception in training camp. Check out the second-round safety’s agility.

A tipped ball fluttered through the hot Houston air and was swiftly snatched and secured by rookie safety Jalen Pitre. Not a bad highlight to have on the fifth day of training camp.

On Day 6 of Houston Texans training camp, Pitre was once again a standout performer.

The rookie out of Baylor has gotten off to a hot start, impressing fellow teammates and displaying everything the Houston coaching staff expects from their starting safety.

“Of course, he’s one of our starting safeties.” coach Lovie Smith told reporters Saturday. “But he’s intelligent, smart, everything we’re looking for in a safety, he has.”

It’s not a guarantee for a second-round pick to immediately win the starting position; however, Pitre’s athleticism and instincts have translated to impressive playmaking.

The Texans coaching staff are rewarding the youngster with first team snaps, hoping that on-field experience will sharpen the young tools in their shed. Along with the rookie Pitre, cornerback Derek Stingley offensive lineman Kenyon Green, linebacker Christian Harris and running back Dameon Pierce have all — to different degrees – gained reps with the starters.

This is an encouraging display of awareness out of the Texans. They are embracing the rebuild and prioritizing development of their key rookies and sophomores.

Pitre appears to be the most ready to contribute early. With the Texans’ first preseason game set for Aug. 13 at the New Orleans Saints, fans are counting down the days until they can watch the promising safety live up to the camp hype.

Texans S Grayland Arnold uses ‘dog inside’ to fuel growth in third season

Houston Texans safety Grayland Arnold uses his background as an undrafted free agent fighting for a roster spot as motivation going into 2022.

Throughout the loud chatter and trash-talking between Houston Texans coaches and players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball during 11-on-11 drills, some repeated sentences can be heard loud and clear throughout the timed activity.

“Good play 35,” says one of the players from the sideline.

“That is how you get to the ball and make a play three-five,” says a resounding voice from the coaching staff.

That number being shouted out consistently belongs to defensive back Grayland Arnold. He is trying to prove to head coach and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith that he deserves more playing time in the defensive backfield this season. Arnold saw limited action last season on the defensive side of the ball as his presence was felt primarily on special teams. 

“I feel like this is really big, having a coach that understands you and knows you’re playing style and knows who you are,” said Arnold about having Smith as his coach.

The Kountze native knows that he must go above and beyond to get more playing time this season, especially with the amount of talent the Texans have in the defensive backfield. Arnold knows that every time his number is called, he has to make the most significant impact on the field, even if, most of the time, he is the smallest in stature at 5-10, 187 pounds.

“I am a competitor,” Arnold said about his drive and determination. “I ain’t the biggest guy. I ain’t going to ever be the biggest guy on the field. Nine times out of 10, most times when I step on the field, I am going to be one of the smallest guys. But it is the dog inside of me that keeps me going. I always had faith in God that I could get to the next level and compete.”

Getting to the next level didn’t come the traditional way for the former second-team All-Big 12 selection out of Baylor, who announced that he was entering the 2020 NFL draft after his redshirt junior season. Many experts had Arnold projected to be drafted to teams such as the New York Giants and Washington in the later rounds. Still, he did not hear his name called and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.

Not hearing his name called was something new for Arnold, who was All-State in two sports (basketball and football) at Kountze High School and was a standout for Baylor.

“I feel like, for anybody, it’s a humbling experience,” said Arnold about his draft day experience. “You are coming out early; you’re expecting to get drafted. So, it humbled me, but at the end of the day, man, like I say, it don’t matter, drafted or not, your ass still got to compete. You got to go compete.

“It don’t matter if you get that bag up front or down the road. You got to go prove it. You got to go earn it. So, it was a little humbling experience, but at the same time, it’s the same mindset going into it.”

After multiple stints of being shuffled back and forth from the Eagles’ practice squad and active roster, Arnold was released on September 3, 2021. Twelve days later, he discovered he was headed back to his home state of Texas as the Houston Texans signed him to the practice squad. 

Now, all Arnold is hoping for is an opportunity to get more playing time this season, but he knows that he must be willing to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield along with special teams.

“I have been going back and forth between nickel and safety, so I had a lot of footwork drills I did,” said Arnold when asked about his work in the offseason. “I did a lot of conditioning and a lot of running. During OTA’s I was in a lot of positions, so I just wanted to be versatile.”

Texans S Grayland Arnold remarks on path as undrafted free agent

Houston Texans safety Grayland Arnold had quick comments on his career path from an undrafted free agent to entering his third NFL season.

Houston Texans safety Grayland Arnold took the scenic route to getting onto an NFL roster.

The former Kountze High School and Baylor product fell out of the 2020 NFL draft. The 5-10, 187-pound defensive back caught on with the Philadelphia Eagles as a priority free agent, phasing between the team’s practice squad and active roster throughout the regular season.

At the end of the 2021 preseason, Philadelphia cut Arnold. The Texans signed Arnold to the practice squad heading into Week 2 of the regular season.

“I feel like for anybody it’s a humbling experience,” Arnold told Houston Style Magazine’s Brian Barefield. “You coming out early, you’re expecting to get drafted. So, it humbled me, but at the end of the day, man, like I say, it don’t matter, drafted or not, your ass still got to compete. You got to go compete.”

Arnold is in a competitive secondary room that includes second-rounder Jalen Pitre and former New England Patriots defensive back Terrence Brooks. Eric Murray, one of the free agent signings from the Bill O’Brien era, remains on the roster as well.

For Arnold, the competition to make an NFL roster is a daily grind, and the rewards come for those who endure until the end.

Said Arnold: “It don’t matter if you get that bag up front or down the road. You got to go prove it. You got to go earn it. So, it was a little humbling experience, but at the same time, it’s the same mindset going into it.”

Arnold provided the Texans with one tackle through four games in 2021. Most of Arnold’s work came on special teams with 32 such snaps compared to three on defense. If Arnold’s hard work pays off, he could make a case to get more defensive snaps in coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme.

WATCH: Texans rookie Jalen Pitre works on secondary drills at training camp

Houston Texans rookie Jalen Pitre took part in secondary drills on the first day of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.

The Houston Texans needed a catalyst in the secondary.

The Texans shored up their cornerback group with the selection of former LSU product Derek Stingley with the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Houston doubled down with selection of Jalen Pitre in the second round, and the former Baylor safety have generated optimism about the possibilities of the Texans’ secondary in 2022.

According to video from D.J. Bien-Aime from ESPN, Pitre took part in drills on the first day of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Coach Lovie Smith told reporters after practice that the defense improving is what will change the results, and the addition of Pitre helps.

“We can’t win the way we want to around here until we play better defense, like some of our additions, of course our draft picks,” said Smith. “You saw Jalen Pitre lining up early, love what he has done.”

If Smith can continue to love what Pitre is doing, it means the defense is trending well to turn around the fortunes of the team.

Texans training camp could be prime time for rookie S Jalen Pitre

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre is expected to headline many reports coming out of training camp.

One Houston Texans rookie from the 2022 NFL draft class that has intrigued Clutch City sports fans is safety Jalen Pitre.

The second-rounder from Baylor graduated from nearby Stafford High School. Not only does Pitre generate fan favorite sentiments from being a local kid coming home to start his NFL career, but the 5-11, 198-pound defensive back is a welcomed infusion of youth and playmaking to the Texans’ secondary.

According to D.J. Bien-Anime, the new Texans beat writer for ESPN, Pitre will be dominating reports coming out of Houston Methodist Training Center.

Camp prediction: Safety Jalen Pitre will be a dynamic force during training camp. The Texans’ second-round pick out of Baylor showcased premier playmaking skills in college. In Pitre’s last season, he finished with 18.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups and 3 forced fumbles. Some in the NFL compare Pitre to Tyrann Mathieu, Quandre Diggs and Budda Baker. Making plays on the football is Pitre’s forte, and that fits into coach Lovie Smith’s defense. Pitre’s versatility should give him the ability to roam in the box and play deep middle safety. Expect to see plenty of reports of the No. 37 overall pick being a disruptor heading into the season.

Smith gave a favorable report on Pitre on June 7 during the last week of organized team activities.

“He’s been outstanding; knack for the football,” said Smith. “Has done a lot of good things.”

If the Texans are able to have the good things Pitre does in training camp translate to the regular season, it should help Houston improve upon their 25 takeaways in 2021, which were tied for the 10th-most in the NFL. The Texans were the only team with a losing record in the top-10 in takeaways. Adding Pitre allows the Texans a chance to stay in the top-10 and possibly advance further.

Texans S Jalen Pitre not looking too far ahead, staying focused on fundamentals

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre is not getting too far ahead of himself when it comes to his entry into the NFL.

The Houston Texans selected Jalen Pitre with the No. 37 overall pick in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL draft. The pick indicates the club has hopes for the Baylor product to upgrade their secondary.

Pitre signed a standard rookie contract with the Texans, which means the club expects him to man the backend at a high level for the next four years.

For the next four seasons, the former Stafford High School product can count on staying in his native Harris County to get his NFL career off the ground. However, Pitre isn’t looking too far upfield, but rather focusing on each day to ensure the proper rudiments are established for his career.

“Just try to take it a day at a time,” Pitre told reporters on May 13 at Texans rookie minicamp at NRG Stadium. “I want to show up and like Coach Lovie [Smith] said, ‘Just be a professional every day.’ I feel like if you look too far ahead you’ll start to trip over the things in front of you.”

The Texans’ big plans for Pitre are within his skillset. The 6-0, 197-pound defensive back has the ability to play on the backend and also down in the box to enforce the run defense. Pitre will be playing in a Tampa 2 scheme that has produced some dominant safeties over the decades from John Lynch to Bob Sanders. It is feasible that Pitre could have a similar career arch if he follows what Smith preaches.

In order to hear Smith’s words, Pitre has to keep it simple and take each day as it comes.

“I’m just trying to take it a second at a time, a minute at a time, a day at a time and take care of what’s happening right now,” said Pitre.

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