No one wants to end up in Bill O’Brien’s doghouse. Once there, players see decreased playing time and may find themselves looking for a new team.
There isn’t a term yet for where favorable players who are on the Houston Texans coach’s land, but undrafted free agent running back Scottie Phillips has been working to make that list.
“What really stood out to me about Scottie right away was that he doesn’t fumble very much,” O’Brien told reporters Aug. 15. “Knock on wood again. Hopefully he doesn’t fumble again today.”
According to O’Brien, the former Ole Miss Rebel had just one career fumble with the SEC West program. The ball security was a trait that stood out to the seventh-year coach.
Phillips is battling with Buddy Howell and Karan Higdon for the third running back job behind David Johnson and Duke Johnson, making for a competitive situation.
“I think that he’s in a very competitive position,” said O’Brien. “Karan Higdon has been practicing really well, too. He had a couple good runs yesterday that you probably saw. It’s a very competitive position but I do think that Scottie is working at it and he’s improving.”
Phillips’ sure shot to make the roster, or stay in the Texans’ fold as a practice squad member, is to maintain his ball security skills while also adding acumen on special teams.
[vertical-gallery id=52636]