Tag: Texans training camp

Texans’ passing game reaping rewards of grueling training camp regimen

The Houston Texans passing game is able to reap the benefits of hard work put in over the course of training camp.

Heat and humidity made for long summer days during the Houston Texans’ training camp. The layout made for an introduction to to the brutal regiment orchestrated by former Texans player and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Yet, one position group wanted to do more, knowing they would have to prove themselves to new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who would have to design the plays for them. Day after day, the wide receivers could be found getting in extra work with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud or getting tips from defensive backs such as Derek Stingley, Steven Nelson, and Jalen Pitre.

Texans G Kenyon Green wants to improve technique in second season

Houston Texans guard Kenyon Green is looking to improve upon his technique as he enters his second NFL season.

HOUSTON — With only one preseason game left before the start of the NFL regular season, many players from the Houston Texans will try to make a strong impression on head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio against the New Orleans Saints before Tuesday’s deadline to cut the roster from 90 to 53 players.

Those players on the borderline of making the Texans roster won’t be the only ones with something to prove inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Second-year offensive guard Kenyon Green will make the most of the limited snaps the starters will receive.

Green, whom the Texans took in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, is looking to rebound from his rough rookie season, where he was matched up against some of the best defensive tackles in the league. In his 15 games played, he allowed four sacks, which is very rare for the former two-time Consensus All-American, but what was unacceptable by Green’s standards were the 12 penalties he committed.

He missed OTAs due to a minor arthroscopic knee surgery and was limited to begin training camp. Yet, when he finally began to play, you could see the work he had put into the offseason to get better and help his team heading into the regular season.

“Just technique,” Green said about what he wants to improve this season. “Technique and just finishing plays. That’s what I’m focused on right now. Technique and finishing plays, hands inside, just trying to be the best player I can be.”

He only played 12 snaps against the New England Patriots in the first preseason game. He was part of the group that allowed a lot of pressure on rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, giving him a limited amount of time to make decisions. It was the first game he played with rookie center Juice Scruggs, who was inserted into the starting lineup after Scott Quessenberry went down in training camp with a season-ending injury.

Green and Scruggs finally got on the same page in game two against the Miami Dolphins, where they allowed Stroud to operate in a clean pocket as he completed 66.7% inside the tackle box as no Dolphins defensive player took Stroud down for a sack.

“We came out with the mindset that we were going to dominate on the offensive line,” Green said after practice on Friday. “The main thing was we don’t want to give up any sacks. Juice [Scruggs] is advanced. It is really fun playing with him knowing learning, but also knowing what to do. He is getting everything down like he should. He commands the huddle.”

With the starters playing limited snaps in the final preseason game, Green will have an opportunity to get more time with Scruggs and Stroud, which will help the communication grow as they head into the regular season.

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DeMeco Ryans offers how Texans can improve tackling

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans offered ideas on how the defense can improve its tackling after the 28-3 preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins.

A 28-3 loss in preseason is not a cause for concern. Perhaps special teams errors, blown coverages, or big turnovers exaggerated the score.

However, the Houston Texans’ 25-point defeat to the Miami Dolphins had an element all too common among their 3-13-1 finish last year: missed tackles.

Coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Aug. 21 how the Texans would address the issue in their final week of practice before their preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 27.

“With the tackling, with the run fits, it starts in walkthrough, and it starts just being attentive to the details of your job,” said Ryans. “And then with the tackling, we have to put them in as close to a live tackling session as possible. Most of the time with tackling, it’s just about taking the proper angle and putting your body exactly where it’s supposed to be, and that can improve. We’ll emphasize that this week and see where our guys can get better.”

The Dolphins generated 205 yards on the ground as part of their 398 yards total offense. Considering the Texans gave up the most rushing yards per game last year at 170.2 and also surrendered the fourth-most rushing yards per game at 5.1, the loss to Miami was an unpleasant reminder for fans in the preseason home opener.

The Texans kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Central Time from Caesars Superdome Sunday.

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Texans encouraged with C Juice Scruggs’ development

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says he likes the progress he has seen from rookie center Juice Scruggs.

Offensive linemen tend to be overlooked, particularly along the interior. Only those who study the film — coaches and scouts — truly appreciate the work from an interior offensive lineman.

Count Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans among the small number that has appreciation for guard and center play in the NFL. After former starting center Scott Quessenberry went down in early August with a torn ACL and MCL, the interior has been a problematic area for the Texans. However, there may be help from within.

Second-round center Juice Scruggs filled the void, and according to Ryans, who met with reporters Monday, the Penn State product is establishing himself as a starter in his own right.

“I thought Juice did a really nice job of communicating, first and foremost,” Ryans said. “At that center position, we ask a lot of him in communicating, and you see a young guy as a rookie in him handle the communication that he has to handle up front. It’s very impressive with how far along he is to be such a young player, so very encouraged with where Juice is and knowing how much better he’s going to be as he continues to get reps and continues to play with the same guys around him. So, it’s impressive to see.”

Scruggs remains atop the depth chart as the Texans gear up for their preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints. Aug. 20 at the Caesars Superdome. Michael Deiter and Jimmy Morrissey are reserves behind Scruggs.

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DeMeco Ryans clarifies why Texans canceled joint practices with Saints

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gave reason as to why the team canceled their joint training camp practices with the New Orleans Saints.

HOUSTON — On Sunday night, the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints released a joint statement that their joint training camp practices in Metairie, La. the upcoming week would be canceled.

The Texans held joint practices with the Miami Dolphins Aug. 16-17 ahead of their Week 2 preseason game. During the week, both teams sustained injuries, leading to the decision to cancel the joint practices with the Saints.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the issue on Monday during his press conference, and expressed gratitude to Saints coach Dennis Allen for understanding.

“With canceling the joint practices with the Saints, it is where we are as a team, a little banged up, so I thought it was in the best interest of our team and putting our guys first,” Ryans said. “I am thankful to Dennis and the Saints for the opportunity to have joint practices and with them working with us and being understandable. One thing we always talk about is a team-first mentality, and that went into the decision.

“Just looking at our team and where we are now, it would not have been as productive as we would have liked it to be if we went to New Orleans. The flip side of it is that we get the opportunity to treat this week as a normal in-season game week for us. There is benefits to that for our whole entire team and coaching staff to be able to go through the process of a normal in-season week.”

Houston will play their final preseason game against the Saints on Sunday night at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central.

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Texans LB Denzel Perryman says he laughs when he grabs an interception

Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman says he starts laughing as soon as he grabs an interception.

When Denzel Perryman saw Tua Tagovailoa drop back on the Miami Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage, he froze.

The Houston Texans linebacker was going through his keys as he recognized it was play-action.

“I kind of froze for a second, to be honest with you,” Perryman told reporters after the 28-3 loss Aug. 19. “I was reading the quarterback and got in the window, and I just had a feel for it.”

The former Pro Bowler nabbed the Texans’ first takeaway of the preseason and gave Houston favorable field position at the 7-yard line.

While Perryman was jubilant with his teammates after the turnover, the nine-year veteran was enjoying the moment as soon as he made the pick.

Said Perryman: “Honestly, when I catch an interception, I’ll be laughing in my helmet. A lot of people don’t know that I’ll be laughing. Number one, I caught the ball. I’m bound to drop the ball, to be honest with you. So, when I catch an interception, I start laughing. At that point, I’m playing a game like a little kid.”

Perryman has five career interceptions with a career-high two last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Houston is hopeful Perryman will have more opportunities to laugh in 2023.

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3 ways Texans QB C.J. Stroud can end preseason on a high note

Here are three ways Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud can finish the preseason and provide confidence that his potential is within reach.

C.J. Stroud hasn’t exactly lit it up in preseason.

The No. 2 overall pick has had tepid performances with passer ratings of 17.7 and 71.5. The Houston Texans rookie has also lacked a signature moment to display his full potential — compared to fellow first-rounder Will Anderson, who had a strip-sack in the 28-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Stroud has not been horrendous in preseason, but he hasn’t exactly let it rip. The former Ohio State product hasn’t shown he can lead the offense yet, more so that he’s along for the ride.

With the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints set for Aug. 27, here are three ways Stroud can end the exhibition phase on a high note.

Texans, Saints cancel joint training camp practice

The Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints have announced they will not hold joint practices together leading into their Aug. 27 preseason game.

The Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints will have a regular week of practices separately leading into their preseason finale Aug. 27.

The Texans and Saints released a joint statement Sunday night announcing the cancellation of their joint practices that were set for this week.

“Our two teams have mutually agreed to cancel the joint practices that were scheduled in New Orleans this week. After our head coaches spoke earlier today, we decided this was in the best interest of both teams as we continue to prepare for the regular season. A revised practice schedule for each team will be communicated once finalized.”

The Texans spent Aug. 17-18 conducting joint training camp practices with the Miami Dolphins, and played their preseason game on Aug. 19 at NRG Stadium.

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Cal McNair treats Texans fans with second annual ‘Cal’s Cookout’

Houston Texans chairman Cal McNair took part in the second annual “Cal’s Cookout” where he grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for fans.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans and the McNairs had a special treat for fans after the last open practice Thursday.

Chairman and CEO Cal McNair and his wife Hannah, the Houston Texans Foundation Vice President, provided free hamburgers and hot dogs as part of “Cal’s Cookout,” presented by H-E-B. It was the second consecutive year the Texans provided meals for the fans as a token of appreciation for their support of the team.

“It feels great anytime we are around the fans,” said Cal McNair as he took a break from the grill to talk with the media. “We see the fans out here day after day during open practice, and we just wanted to show our appreciation.”

Texans Wire beat reporter Brian Barefield joined Mr. McNair on the grill along with Sports Radio 610 hosts Ron Hughley and Sean Pendergast.

After back-to-back days of joint practices against the Miami Dolphins, the Texans will have a day off before playing their preseason home opener on Saturday at NRG Stadium against the Dolphins. It will be the first time the fans will see rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud outside of the practice field. He was named the starter by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans after practice on Thursday.

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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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