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It has been a very busy first three days of organized team activities. The team will reconvene next week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for the next installment of OTAs as the Texans install a completely new culture in Houston.
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The video of the press conference is posted HERE on the Mothership.
Texans Training Schedule
OTA offseason workouts: May 27-29, June 2-3, June 5, June 9-10, June 12-13
Voluntary minicamp: May 6-8
Mandatory minicamp: June 17-19
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Bill O'Brien was in an upbeat mood as he met with the media to review the progress the team has made in just three days; this was the first time veterans and rookies worked together.
- Brian T. Smith, of chron.com, reported the following from O'Brien's press conference -
On how the team has performed together for the first three days:
"They’ve been competitive. The guys have shown a really good commitment to try to learn what we’re doing and I thought (Thursday) was a good example of that. I really think as it relates to this week, I can see improvement throughout the three days. I thought overall it was a good week and a good way to end the week today."
On how well the players are learning the new systems:
"We’ve thrown a lot of information, especially at the veterans, in I think this was the seventh or eighth week that we’ve been together," O’Brien said. "We’ve thrown a lot of info at these guys and to me they’ve picked it up as well as could be expected to this point. There’s a lot of different nuances to the offense and there’s really good questions and things that they’re hearing for the first time because it’s a new question. I’ve been pleased with the way they’ve studied it and picked it up, especially the guys that have been here."
On what his expectations are for the Texans:
"Our expectation level here in Houston is very high. This is a pro football team and these are pro football players. We’re pro coaches. So our expectation level for these guys and for ourselves is very high."
On the use of iPads:
"The iPads, to me, have been really good because in the past, at least the last time I was in the NFL, we had the big, thick playbook, especially as it relates to quarterbacks," O’Brien said Thursday at NRG Stadium. "So you’d see them lugging that big, thick playbook around. Now they’re able to have all that information. George (Godsey) and Romeo (Crennel) and Ligs (Bob Ligashesky), they put all the information on the iPad the night before, two nights before of what’s going in two days from that practice or the next day or whatever it is, so that the guys can get a jump on it. To me, that’s been a really good tool to have here."
NFLPA Rookie Premiere:
Rookies Jadeveon Clowney, and Tom Savage missed OTAs today to attended the NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, May 27, 2014 – More than 35 top rookies from the 2014 NFL Draft class will come together in Los Angeles May 29-31 to learn the business of football at the 20th annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere. A robust roster of business partners will be on site to grow their brands and promote their products through the utilization of group player rights facilitated by NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI).
The 2014 NFLPA Rookie Premiere partners include Panini America, Topps, Nike, EA SPORTS, Pepsi, USA TODAY Sports, Bose, élevée, Uber, Original Retro Brand, and Fandeavor.
The three-day event, hosted by NFLPI, the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, will also feature one of the most thrilling moments for any rookie – wearing their official Nike team uniforms for the first time during photo shoots with trading card companies Panini America and Topps at LA Memorial Coliseum.
S/O to @toppscards for the new #inception trading cards #HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/DtWjUnbSUt
— Tom Savage (@tomsavage03) May 30, 2014
Could this soon be the face of the Texans' franchise quarterback?
Also missing from practice were:
(WR) DeAndre Hopkins, (WR) Andre Johnson, (CB) Johnathan Joseph, (WR) EZ Nwachukwu, (RB) Toben Opurum, (DE) Jeoffrey Pagan, (WR) Mike Thomas, (OT) Brennan Williams, (LB) Trevardo Williams.
That is a lot of wide receivers missing from action!
(LB) Brian Cushing was not dressed in a helmet & jersey, but was in attendance around the team.
Roster Changes:
(WR) Kofi Hughes was claimed off waivers and practiced.
(OL) Kevin Forsch was waived on Wednesday.
O'Brien Mentions Players Showing Leadership:
SPECIAL TEAMS:
(P) Shane Lechler
DEFENSE:
(DE) J.J. Watt, (LB) Brian Cushing, (LB) Brooks Reed, (CB) Johnathan Joseph, (CB) Kareem Jackson, (SS) D.J. Swearinger
OFFENSE:
(OT) Duane Brown, (C) Chris Myers, (RB) Arian Foster, "The three quarterbacks who have been here" [T.J. Yates, Case Keenum, Ryan Fitzpatrick], and "Andre Johnson when he comes back."
Was that a hint that #80 could be on his way back to work out with the team? Let's hope so! Then again, Andre's and Hopkins' pictures were replaced on the Mothership's background banner with J.J. Watt and Arian Foster. It's probably just a routine change of wallpaper and nothing to get worked up about. Right?
That's a wrap of the first three days folks! Share your thoughts below as we ease our way through the "Valley of Uncertainty v. Hope" that is the NFL off-season.