Tag: Texans secondary

WATCH: Texans CB Steven Nelson intercepts Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Houston Texans safety Steven Nelson intercepted Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in Week 1 at M&T Bank Stadium.

Steven Nelson believed he was worth every penny, and the Houston Texans acquiesced to his requests during training camp.

Nelson showed in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens just why he was worth a contract retooling.

On third-and-6 from the Texans’ 16-yard line with 7:27 to go in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was facing the pressure from Houston’s new look defensive line featuring rookie Will Anderson. As Jackson threw the ball to avoid the sack, Nelson picked off the former 2019 NFL MVP in the red zone to give Houston their first takeaway of the year.

The Texans weren’t able to capitalize on the turnover, but Nelson nevertheless set the tone for the secondary.

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Report: Texans waive S Tyree Gillespie from injured reserve

The Houston Texans have waived safety Tyree Gillespie from injured reserve.

The Houston Texans are parting ways with Tyree Gillespie.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans are waiving the safety from the injured reserve with a settlement.

The former Las Vegas Raiders 2021 fourth-rounder was claimed off waivers by the Texans in early May ahead of their organized team activities. The Texans placed Gillespie on waived/injured reserve on Aug. 23 as they rounded the corner into playing their final preseason game.

Gillespie, 24, played 11 games for the Raiders in his rookie season. Las Vegas dealt the former Missouri product to the Tennessee Titans midway through 2022 preseason, although Gillespie did not make the Titans’ final roster. Gillespie played three games for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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WATCH: Texans CB Derek Stingley grabs interception in joint practice with Dolphins

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley demonstrated his prowess for interceptions against the Miami Dolphins in day 2 of joint practice.

Steven Nelson encapsulated where cornerback Derek Stingley is heading into his second season.

“Flying around, showing his ability [and] what they drafted him for,” Nelson told reporters Aug. 7.

Stingley showcased his nose for the football in Thursday’s joint training camp practice between the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. In video from Texans Wire alumnus Cole Thompson, the former 2022 first-round pick shaded his man and was in perfect position to grab an errant pass.

Although limited to nine games, Stingley demonstrated an ability to take the ball away with one interception. Houston is hopeful the LSU product is more prolific in his second year.

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Texans S Jalen Pitre plays with a passion for turnovers

Houston Texans second-year safety Jalen Pitre has a passion for coming up with turnovers and giving the offense free possessions.

HOUSTON — One play Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre would love to have back from last week’s tilt with the New England Patriots occurred in the first quarter of the 20-9 preseason win.

On third-and-8 from the New England 14-yard-line, Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe threw a pass over the head of Texans cornerback Steven Nelson to Tyquan Thortnon that was very risky with Pitre lurking over the top. Thornton made the catch in front of Pitre, who was awaiting an overthrow by Zappe.

Looking back on the play, the second-rounder from Baylor wishes he would have taken a better approach to the pass, as he has become very aggressive when trying to record an interception.

“Oh, yeah, I’m going for the ball every time,” said Pitre on Tuesday about his style of play when the ball is in the air. “I feel like it’s important that we get takeaways for the offense to get the ball back, and every time the ball is in the air, I’m looking to do that. I understand that I’m not perfect, and sometimes plays like that [Thorton’s reception] are going to happen, but I’m not going to dwell on those things.

“I’m going to look [for] ways to improve it, and I think in that situation, just going up and high-pointing the ball would probably help me, but I’m always looking to get the ball back in the offense’s hands.”

On Wednesday, Pitre made his words become action as he had an interception that he returned for a touchdown during two-minute drills against the Miami Dolphins, who came to Houston early to participate in two joint practices.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the verge of ending the practice session with a touchdown drive after completing two quick passes, one to tight end Durham Smythe, who found an opening behind Texans safety Jimmie Ward and another to superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill who had managed to find himself open on a crossing route.

Miami was in a prime position to move the ball closer to the goal line. Still, as Tagovailoa went to deliver the quick slant pass to wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, Pitre jumped the route for the interception and dashed toward the opposite end of the field for the defensive touchdown, where he was met by his safeties coach Stephen Adegoke and the majority of his teammates who had sprinted alongside him both on the field and sideline.

“Time to go home,” Pitre screamed as he and his teammates made their way through the opening leading to the practice bubble but quickly returned to the field.

“Oh, he’s the ‘G.O.A.T.,’” Texans rookie edge rusher Will Anderson responded when he was asked about Pitre’s interception. “Honestly, he works his butt off every day. I can’t say enough good things about him. He brings the team up and has a lot of energy every day. He just has something about him, he has that tick in him that makes him go, and it’s contagious and spreads to the whole defense.”

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S Jimmie Ward bringing aggressive consistency to the Texans’ secondary

Jimmie Ward is bringing a level of aggressive consistency to the Houston Texans secondary that can only lead to better results in 2023.

HOUSTON — When it comes to Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward, it is always best to expect the unexpected.

Unless you are a wide receiver or tight end looking to occupy any space around the 10-year veteran. Otherwise expect aggressive and territorial play, as the Texans are over the lifetime of Ward’s two-year, $13 million contract.

The former 2014 first-round pick followed former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to Houston as the reigning AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year still has a vision for Ward in the Texans’ backend.

Tight end Dalton Schultz found out just how hostile Ward could be during a team drill last month. Schultz ran a route that carried him between both safeties (Ward and Jalen Pitre) and seemed to be open when rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud released the ball.

When the ball touched his hands, he felt the force and power of the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Ward, who had launched himself from the ground to warn Schultz that he was not welcomed in that area. The former Dallas Cowboys tight end stayed down for a minute as the Texans’ medical trainers checked on the damage done by the fearless safety. Schultz was kept out of the remainder of practice.

Two weeks later, Ward reminded the offense again that he plays like his hair is on fire and looks to initiate contact and possibly inflict pain when he gets the opportunity.

During 11-on-11 drills in front of the fans at Houston Methodist Training Center, Ward closed out on wide receiver Noah Brown and punched the ball out of his hands as he completed a catch from Stroud, causing a turnover. The crowd went wild as the defense recovered the ball. Ward could be heard around the facility talking trash with Pitre as they returned to the huddle.

“What have I seen from Jimmie, I’ve seen a guy who looks comfortable in what we’re asking him to do,” said Ryans when he was asked about Ward’s performance in training camp. “And you see a guy who is playing the way I’ve seen him play for several years now. He’s playing with his hair on fire. He’s all over the field; he’s controlling the back end and with the tandem of him and Pitre, it’s just awesome to watch. Both guys play similar styles, flying around but under control and still making plays; a lot of plays on the ball were made.

“It’s encouraging to see your veteran guys, guys, that you’re going to count on making plays the way that Jimmie has made. It’s been fun. Now, he’s just got to finish those interceptions.”

Ward echoed his head coach’s sentiments about his day on Sunday in an interview with the Texans Wire. After one dropped interception, he went to the ground and did ten pushups to punish himself.

“I will give it like a six or seven,” Ward said. “Those pass breakups should have been two picks. It should have been pick six, both of them. The forced fumble was a good play.”

Although this is his first training camp in a Texans uniform, Ward is no stranger to imposing his will on an opponent on the practice field. He was involved in a scuffle with former Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins when he was a member of the 49ers back in 2018 during a joint practice.

During a one-on-one drill between Houston’s wide receivers and San Francisco’s defensive backs, Ward knocked Hopkins’s helmet off and punched at the ball. That angered Hopkins, and the two began to throw punches at one another and eventually ended up on the ground before teammates were able to break them up.

Hopkins was ejected and sent to the locker room, while Ward sat out the remainder of practice on the sideline away from the team.

Ward is not looking to reenact his past performance when the Miami Dolphins come to town for two joint practices before their second preseason game against the Texans on Saturday. He is happy to finally be able to play against some other opponents besides his teammates, having sat out the first preseason game against the New England Patriots.

“I am glad that this organization put this together,” said Ward about practicing with the Dolphins. “I am looking forward to it. They have a really good offense. I was fortunate enough to play them last year when I played for San Francisco. Having them come in here and we are hosting this practice, I feel it is going to be a great time.”

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CB Shaquill Griffin reveals leaders in the Texans’ DB room

Houston Texans cornerback Shaquill Griffin gave insight as to who is taking the reins of leadership inside the defensive back room.

Shaquill Griffin has unique insight into the defensive back room.

The former Pro Bowl cornerback is part of a veteran solution in the Houston Texans’ secondary. Through a week and a half of training camp, Griffin has confidence in the personnel.

“Oh, man, we’ve got some studs on defense,” Griffin told reporters Aug. 3 after practice. “That DB room is stacked. It’s definitely a cool group to be a part of, especially competition wise, and getting the chance learn from a lot of the guys.”

Houston’s secondary had Derek Stingley and Steven Nelson as starting cornerbacks last season with Jalen Pitre as one of the starting safety. The Texans signed former San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward to be a leader for the group, principally due to his work with new coach DeMeco Ryans, who was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator the past two years. However, the players who were on the roster a year ago are still paragons.

Said Griffin: “I’ve seen Stingley stepping up in a big way. I see Pitre being the leader in that room that we need him to be. Steve is just a savvy vet, so it’s good to just continue to learn from a guy like that. I feel like everyone is taking it a step above in that competition room, so that DB group, you have a bunch of studs in there, so I love to be a part of it.”

The emphasis for the Texans’ scheme under Ryans is to have an attacking 4-3 front. The secondary must stay patient as the opportunities for takeaways will theoretically come from the pressure.

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Breaking down the Texans’ new deal with CB Steven Nelson

The Houston Texans reworked the last year of cornerback Steven Nelson’s contract.

The Houston Texans reworked the final year of cornerback Steven Nelson’s contract on Thursday.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans upgraded the contract for Nelson and will pay the nine-year veteran a maximum value of $6.5 million. The former Kansas City Chiefs 2015 third-round pick was slated to make $4.5 million for 2023.

Nelson has flashed with a few takeaways throughout team portion of camp, but his advice to younger players has also been a benefit for the Texans.

“Steven Nelson has been a big brother to me,” rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud told reporters July 30. “He took me under his wing and showed me some things.”

Last season Nelson generated 52 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, an interception, a forced fumble, and seven pass breakups through 15 games, all of which he started.

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Texans S Jalen Pitre seeks to be aggressive component in DeMeco Ryans’ scheme

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre wants to be an aggressive part of DeMeco Ryans’ new defensive scheme.

HOUSTON — As third-year quarterback Davis Mills dropped back to pass during team 11-on-11 drills, he spotted wide receiver Noah Brown running down the sideline. What also caught his eye was second-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. riding the inside hip of Brown.

He attempted the pass anyway, throwing the ball towards the outside arm of Brown, away from Stingley. Mills thought he had made a great pass until safety Jalen Pitre jetted over from the middle of the field, almost causing another interception for the defense.

“Not on us,” the second-year safety bellowed out in Mills’ direction.

That bravado that Pitre plays with is why many believe he will make his presence known again this season after recording 147 tackles (99 solo) and five interceptions. At 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, Pitre isn’t afraid to take on any player on the offensive side of the ball and prides himself on being aggressive. Most of the time, it works to his advantage, while other times, it costs him, as evident by his league-high 19 missed tackles in his rookie season.

Yet first-year safeties coach Stephen Adegoke doesn’t want Pitre to change his approach to the game; he wants to help him play with “controlled aggression.”

“Rule number one in football is you need to play within the continuity of your scheme,” Adegoke said during OTAs. “As long as he is playing within the scheme, that is the most important thing. If we say, ‘You have free range to run downhill and do this in the B-gap,’ I don’t want to stop him. But now I have to coach him and teach him how to do it under control, with good leverage and good technique.”

With new head coach DeMeco Ryans set to call the defensive plays this year along with Matt Burke, Pitre will be in his second defensive scheme in as many years. After four days of training camp, the former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is delighted about his role this season.

“It’s all about running to the ball and being mean when you get there,” Pitre said after practice. “I think Coach DeMeco [Ryans] preaches that. He wants us all to be aggressive, so I’m going to continue to do that, continue to try to be the first one to the ball.”

One of the glaring attributes that stood out about Pitre coming out of Baylor to Texans general manager Nick Caserio was his work ethic and ability to learn and adjust. During the off-season, Pitre knew he needed to correct some things heading into this season. Caserio also knew that and signed 10-year veteran defensive back Jimmie Ward to help Pitre become better acclimated to playing in a Ryans-style defense that had so much success in San Francisco.

“A great tandem,” Pitre said about the combination of him and Ward. “When I can go out there and play with somebody that’s that good and plays with his hair on fire – a guy that wants to hit. I love guys that don’t shy away from contact. Things like that are inspiring to me because I’m always trying to push him, and he’s always trying to push me. It’s always growth in that. I’m blessed to be able to play with him.”

Football means everything to Pitre, but so does his connection with his teammates, especially those playing in the secondary with him. He has developed a close bond with cornerback Derek Stingley. The two spend a lot of time studying, working out, and playing video games. This past off-season, they were joined by Jacobi Francis and Christian Harris in Hawaii for some relaxation and football-related drills.

“It was good to just connect,” Pitre told reporters about his trip with his teammates. “I feel like me, [Derek] Stingley [Jr.], Jacobi [Francis] and Christian [Harris] spent a good amount of time together. But it’s always good to go somewhere else and do it. It was cool to go out on the beach, chill with them, work out with them, and continue to connect with my teammates.”

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4 takeaways from Day 2 of Houston Texans training camp

The Houston Texans held their second training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center. Here are four takeaways.

The forging of the 2023 Houston Texans continues.

The first day of training camp was going to warrant optimism regardless of how the team actually performed. With the combination of football returning and the club looking to a fan favorite to take over as coach, the first day of camp was going to engender positivity on Kirby Drive.

As the Texans worked through their second day of camp at Houston Methodist Training Center, the work on the field created its own momentum. Any hype that transpired was purely due to basic football, not the elation after a long layoff.

Here are four takeaways from the second day of camp:

CB Steven Nelson reports to Texans training camp

Cornerback Steven Nelson, who is at odds with the organization with his contract, reported to Houston Texans training camp.

The Houston Texans and cornerback Steven Nelson have had a tense offseason.

The 30-year-old is in the final year of a two-year contract with the Texans, and hasn’t exactly kept his disdain for management well hidden. Social media posts from Nelson’s accounts suggest a variety of interpretations regarding his views on general manager Nick Caserio and the state of his contract.

Houston has similarly positioned the team to absorb any issues with Nelson by signing former Pro Bowl cornerback Shaquill Griffin and also working out former Denver Broncos cornerback Ronald Darby ahead of camp.

Nelson was available for camp Wednesday morning and took part in practice at Houston Methodist Training Center. According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans and Nelson have had “dialogue” regarding his contract.

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