1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:03,760 Speaker 1: Hello Texans, and welcome to the program that keeps you 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: up to date with your Houston Texans, and that is 3 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,719 Speaker 1: Texans All Access Tonight. Very special indeed, as it's the 4 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: eve of the preseason opener, the Texans taking on the 5 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium tomorrow night, I guess 6 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: a few people are surprised. Wait a minute, they're playing Thursday. Yes, 7 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: they are Thursday night. Most NFL teams are opening their 8 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 1: preseason on Thursday night, by the way, But we'll have 9 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: it for you right here seven thirty kick and four 10 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: thirty with Texans Countdown presented by FCL Dental tonight. Brian Gaine. 11 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: We visited with him a lot during training camp at 12 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: the Green Brier, so it's time to get some of 13 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: the best of that stuff. Quarterbacks, defensive line, whatever else. 14 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: A lot of stuff coming your way. We won't get 15 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: to all of it. We're going to save some of 16 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 1: it for future shows. But and we only have an 17 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: hour tonight, so I can't get you all of the 18 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: Brian Gaine visits, but it's good stuff. Indeed, as we 19 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: caught up with the general manager of your Houston Texans 20 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: and asked him how training camp was going to go. 21 00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: This is day one of camp with Brian Gaine and 22 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: we'll take it from there. Well, what we're hoping to 23 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 1: get at a training camp is to lay the foundation 24 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: for a very good, positive season. So it's a lot 25 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: of work to get done and get accomplished here, not 26 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 1: just on the field, but also in the classroom, the 27 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,839 Speaker 1: installation process, the repetitions that are needed on the field, 28 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:20,600 Speaker 1: the coordination efforts. You know, I'm I'm happy about the 29 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: most though, is when I think back to January and 30 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: I think about all the procedures we put in place. 31 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: When I think about the preparation for free agency, I 32 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,839 Speaker 1: think about the preparation for the draft, and the coordinated 33 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: effort that took with the coaches and the staff, and 34 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 1: all the facility changes and the organizational changes that we made. 35 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: It's all kind of come to fruition here over the 36 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: past few weeks, where all the hard work has kind 37 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 1: of positioned us now to go play football. Sort of 38 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: feels like you're taking Grease Lightning out of the road. 39 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: Why is that? Well, in some sense, if you think 40 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: about the movie Grease, you're doing all this construction on 41 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: Grease Lightning and now you get to take it out 42 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: on the road, so to speak. You've done all this 43 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 1: work and now you get to go see what the 44 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 1: car can do. Yeah, it's a compliment to you are 45 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: first of all, to our players, to our coaches, and 46 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: our staff for a look that the organization had to 47 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 1: embrace change and we've had to go through a lot 48 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: of changes from administrative, operational, logistical, roster changes. So everyone's 49 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: done a great job embracing that process. And I think 50 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: now it's time to go to work. I think now 51 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: everybody is finished and done with going through the change. 52 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: Now it's time to go play football. Brian, I want 53 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:27,959 Speaker 1: to talk about the set up here for a moment, 54 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: but just can you comment on what's going on back 55 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: home at NRG Stadium, because you Bill O'Brien, Jamie Roots 56 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 1: to McNair's everybody involved with a massive change, really and 57 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:39,919 Speaker 1: it all started with the Sports Performance Center, weight room 58 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: and now the cafeteria and everything else that's going on 59 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 1: there at NRG Stadium. Sure, so there's been external changes. 60 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: When you see those changes, I mean about the roster, 61 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 1: you visibly see the new players who's here and who's 62 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: no longer here. But there's been internal changes, you know, 63 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 1: one from a staffing standpoint, and then number two from 64 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: the infrastructure. So something that I think Coach O'Brien and 65 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: myself and with the support of the McNair family, we've 66 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: been able to make a lot of internal changes as 67 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: it relates to our facility, and it's very important to 68 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: put the resources around our players and our staff that 69 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: help them be successful. From changes in the training room 70 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: and upgrades to the facility in the training room, obviously, 71 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:23,800 Speaker 1: it's been spoken about the commitment to the Sports Performance center, 72 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: the overhaul and changes to the weight room, and the 73 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:30,520 Speaker 1: sports performance element of what we do areas in the 74 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: locker room. The cafeteria is going to be a brand 75 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: new cafeteria for our players, and I thought what was 76 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 1: important for us too was to carry forward a symbolic 77 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: message to our players as we branded our facility, to 78 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: show our players that when they walk in our building 79 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 1: every day, this is the Houston Texans facility and we 80 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: want them to have a personal investment in that. So 81 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: all those changes that we made, some are externally visible, 82 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: others are internally, but we feel like it's positioning our 83 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: players and our staff to have the resources to be 84 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 1: successful Brian. When we would have players come into our 85 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: media days or during many camps OTAs and talk to 86 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: them and we would mention the sports Performance Center or 87 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 1: the nutrition aspect, their faces would just light up like 88 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 1: WHOA have you seen a significant change, And not all 89 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 1: the players bodies, but just compositions of the players having 90 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 1: gone through sports performance center training with Luke and then 91 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: obviously with lads new with nutrition I have I have 92 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 1: definitely been impactful changes as it relates to how we 93 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: train the players and the results that we've gotten. The 94 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,840 Speaker 1: attention to detail that we put into the preparation for 95 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: individualized performance for players as it relates to weight loss, 96 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: weight gains, strength gains, from rest, recovery to wellness, hydration 97 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: a nutritional element has been a huge commitment from the 98 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: McNair's here for us to make that as great as 99 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 1: it can be. So I feel like some of those 100 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,840 Speaker 1: benefits of come to fruition through the off season program. 101 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 1: Feedback from the players has been very positive and we're 102 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 1: hoping though that the impact is and carry forward here 103 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: into the season. Texans General manager Brian Gaine with us 104 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 1: fieldside here at the Greenbrier. All right, Quarterbacks, you have 105 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: a great one and Deshaun Watson obviously a great six 106 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: and a half game stretched last year. So how are 107 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:17,240 Speaker 1: you looking to build on that? What are you looking 108 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 1: for as an organization here from Deshaun year two? Well, 109 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:22,040 Speaker 1: what I would say about Deshaun is he's a good 110 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 1: young prospect and the arrows up with a high ceiling 111 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: and a lot of ascending potential. But he only played 112 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 1: six games, so there's there's a lot yet to be 113 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: determined about his future. But we're all excited about that. 114 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: That's that's number one. Number two, My experience of being 115 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: around him, from studying him pre draft and now being 116 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: on the same team with him is h is the 117 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,360 Speaker 1: intangible profile. And I've said this a few other times, 118 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: is just just how he's wired his leadership ability, his poise, 119 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 1: his presence, his work ethic, how he operates in the classroom, 120 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:58,039 Speaker 1: his chemistry with his teammates, and and that's a part 121 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 1: of scouting a quarterback. When you when you go visit 122 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: schools and you watch guys at games, it's it's easy 123 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: to watch the physical traits on the tape, but when 124 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 1: you descend on the school and you visit the school, 125 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: and now the more time I'm around Deshaun, the intangible 126 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 1: profile is something never done to score with Deshaun, and 127 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:18,359 Speaker 1: I think that's a critical part to quarterback success in 128 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 1: the National Football League. As it relates to the room, 129 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 1: we liked the room. You know, Brandon Weedon offers us 130 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 1: a good level of experience. We have familiarity with Brandon 131 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:30,039 Speaker 1: and he has a background from being here in a 132 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: working relationship with coach O'Brien. He's won a game or 133 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: two for us when he's had to go play. He's 134 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 1: had starts under his belt. He understands his role. He's 135 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,280 Speaker 1: a good resource for the starter, and then the competition 136 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 1: will play out thereafter with with Joe Webb and with 137 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 1: Stephen Morris. So we liked the room. It's a good room. 138 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: It's a good group of guys. They work hard, and 139 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: we're excited about the promise and potential of DeShawn. But 140 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: there's there's a lot of football ahead of him. When 141 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: he played six games, so we just think the arrows 142 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: up and he's got a good ceiling. Brian, I'm not 143 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: sure if we should talk about Joe Webb today or 144 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: a different day, because a lot of people ask us, 145 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: you know, it's Joe Webb a quarterback. How do we 146 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,360 Speaker 1: look at Joe Webb because he's done so many different 147 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: things in his career. How valuable is that? But on 148 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 1: the flip side, how tricky can that be that he 149 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: does play some other positions as well? Yeah, Joe Webb 150 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: is a football player. That's the best way to catch that. 151 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: He's a football player who happens for us to play quarterback. 152 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: And the one year I spent in Buffalo, he actually 153 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: rapped for US a wide receiver, knowing that hanging an 154 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: emergency situation, he could go play quarterback. He could be 155 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: a package player, he could be a situational player. He 156 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 1: can be a role player and equally add some value 157 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: on fourth now and special teams. So he's kind of 158 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: a Swiss army knife, a jack of all trades. He 159 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: happens to be playing quarterback for US right now, and 160 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: we're excited to evaluate him and see how it goes. 161 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 1: But he offers a lot of versatility for him. Me 162 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 1: talk about versatility and utility ability from the players and 163 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: equally on fourth down. So as a released offense, quarterback 164 00:07:56,360 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 1: role play situations, wide receiver potential, but also the ability 165 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 1: to help Brad Seley on special teams. Give us a 166 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: little snapshot of Stephen Morris out of the University of Miami, 167 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: and he's been around the block a little bit. So 168 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 1: Stephen is a cerebral guy, smart, instinctive player who knows 169 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: where to go with the football. What I would say 170 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: about Stephen for us, like he's been a quick study. 171 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 1: You know, if you think about playing the quarterback position. 172 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: We claimed him here, I think I don't think it 173 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: was post draft a few weeks after the post draft, 174 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 1: so we really only had a few weeks with us 175 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: in our into our system and to play the quarterback position. 176 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: To play fast, you got to know the playbook well. 177 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: What I can say about him, he's positioned himself to 178 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: saturate himself and of knowledge and the intelligence that he 179 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 1: needs to go out and try to play fast and 180 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: earn a job. So it compliments to Stephen that he's 181 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 1: put the time and effort into learn in the playbook fast. 182 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 1: Brian with Deshaun, we've talked about all offseason, how much 183 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: is he gonna be able to do? What's he gonna 184 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:51,959 Speaker 1: be able to do at the time he gets to 185 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: training camp. Obviously he's not on pup. We saw him 186 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 1: at OTA's do certain things and there's certain things he 187 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 1: didn't do, and I'm sure you guys have gone through, 188 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 1: but he's gonna be able to do in practice and whatnot. 189 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: How tricky was that to go through, Well, he could 190 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 1: be able to do this, but he's not going to 191 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: be able to do it. How tough was that to 192 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 1: kind of put together with coaching the rest of the the staff. 193 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,559 Speaker 1: You know, not very tough because we have monitored his development, 194 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: his rehabilitation daily, so we you know, it's not just 195 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 1: all of a sudden we roll him out there and 196 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:20,959 Speaker 1: he goes and does everything at a high level. We've 197 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 1: kind of amped him up through the off season and 198 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: he's worked up to this point right now, so he's 199 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: full go. He's cleared. But you heard me say this yesterday. 200 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: We're gonna be smart, we're gonna be efficient, we're gonna 201 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 1: be productive, We're gonna get our work done. But we 202 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: also have to understand it. He is coming off a 203 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: major injury. But it's very complimentary to him that he's 204 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 1: positioned himself to be ready for this only nine months 205 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 1: removed from it from his injury. You said yesterday your 206 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: brother went to West Virginia. He did wow Oregon down 207 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: West Virginia. So I may have been in high school 208 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 1: or younger years when we would make our trips here 209 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: from New York up through the mountains and spend the 210 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: weekends with them. So we've always enjoyed our time here 211 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 1: in West Virginia as a family. Brian is, We've gone 212 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 1: through rots in mini camps, They've been in the same outfit, 213 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: shorts and jerseys, et cetera, and they got one more 214 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,839 Speaker 1: day of that. How important does Saturday become the first 215 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 1: time you get to see these guys? And I mean 216 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: there are a number of free agent signees on the 217 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,719 Speaker 1: offensive line, number of rookies out there. How important to 218 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: Saturday become for the guys that finally get to bang 219 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 1: a little bit? So Saturday will be another day of evaluation. Naturally, 220 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:22,839 Speaker 1: the tempo and the intensively would be much higher than 221 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 1: what we'll see here these first two days. But I 222 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: like to think we spend so much time preparing our 223 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: players to be ready for that session when we do 224 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: have the pads on, even but the days that when 225 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: we don't have the pads on, they're critically important too, 226 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 1: because timing, coordination, communication. Footwork technique requires a lot of 227 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 1: mental focus and although you might not be having the 228 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: engagement in the contact, those certainly are are focused days. 229 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,439 Speaker 1: So tomorrow will be a good test for our players 230 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 1: and a good evaluation from us for us as it 231 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: relates to the composition of the ninety man roster. All right, 232 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 1: let's talk offensive line now, and it's really going to 233 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: be a new unit this year because you have Nick 234 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: Martin back, of course, but you sign your free agents 235 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: at guard and everything. What about the total picture there, Brian, 236 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: as you look for the best starting five to begin 237 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: the season. Sure, so that question makes me reflect on 238 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 1: on the off season and when when we started our 239 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 1: our off season plan, we certainly wanted to address addressing 240 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: the improvement in terms of the personnel on the offensive line. 241 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: So we feel with the upgrades and the additions that 242 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: we made through free agency and the draft, we created 243 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 1: more more depth, more depth, We certainly created more versatility, 244 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: and then thoroughly we created more competition, so the best 245 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,760 Speaker 1: five will play as it relates to who gets the 246 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 1: starting jobs. The other part about that is, you know, 247 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 1: we think about our game day roster as well. If 248 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:47,200 Speaker 1: you're dressing seven offensive linemen, or if you're addressing eight 249 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,199 Speaker 1: offensive linemen, you know whose players six, whose players seven? 250 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:53,199 Speaker 1: And then when you think about the fifty three, how 251 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: many offensive linemen are you're gonna keep? It could range 252 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: from anywhere as low as eight too, maybe as high 253 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,839 Speaker 1: as eleven. All that will work itself out, we think, um. 254 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,559 Speaker 1: But nevertheless, we feel like we addressed upgraded the depth 255 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 1: of versatility and the competition of the unit. Brian for 256 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: so long, Dwayne Brown played that left tackle position and 257 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 1: obviously not going to anymore. And it can it can 258 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 1: be a number of guys, but one guy that we 259 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: have focused on is Julian Davenport played left tackle at Bucknell. 260 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: Then all of sudden he comes to the NFL. You 261 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,719 Speaker 1: go from facing VMI to facing Yannick and goquay. I mean, 262 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 1: that's a very difficult transition. But that year one, year 263 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,599 Speaker 1: two jump, we always talk about if he makes that 264 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 1: a successful jump in year one to year two, what 265 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: kind of player do you think Julian Davenport can be 266 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: the first thing I think about his player development and 267 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: that that's a long cycle that doesn't happen overnight. We 268 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 1: can't microwave players. I've often said that to the scouts. 269 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,679 Speaker 1: We gotta gotta invest in their development and work on 270 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 1: their craft. So I think the plate time and the 271 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 1: starts that he got last year will certainly pay us 272 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: some dividends here as we move into this season. Us 273 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: as relates to the physical requirements and parameters that he has. Yes, size, 274 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:02,200 Speaker 1: he has, length, he has, athletic ability. He had a 275 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: good offseason in terms of strength development and core development, 276 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 1: and I think the year of seasoning that he had 277 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: is starting to show potentially some dividends here on the 278 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 1: field as we progress into our practice sessions and equal 279 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 1: in the OTAs. With that playtime too comes confidence and 280 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 1: every day he's going out here, he's playing against Whitney 281 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 1: Merciless J. J. Watt and when JD. Clowney gets back 282 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: out there, those are three guys we think that'll battle 283 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,599 Speaker 1: test him to be ready for the season. Brian and 284 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:34,320 Speaker 1: my expert football opinion, Sean trelle Henderson is large. He's 285 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 1: a very large human being, so let's discuss what he brings. 286 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 1: He went deep in another rest for that, Staddy, So 287 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 1: I would expand on this. With our offensive line parameters, 288 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: we certainly wanted to upgrade the talent and the composition 289 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 1: of the group through free agency in the draft. But 290 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: equally Bill and I wanted to get bigger, longer, and 291 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,200 Speaker 1: stronger on the offensive line. He certainly meets those parameters. 292 00:13:56,559 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 1: All our free agents we felt added to those dimensions. 293 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:03,319 Speaker 1: But Central has versatility number one, to play either the 294 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,680 Speaker 1: right side or the left side. Right now, he's here 295 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 1: working on the right side, but eagually has the ability 296 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: to go over to the left. So when I think 297 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: about the game day flexibility, when you're dressing seven offensive linemen, 298 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 1: if and when adversity strikes, we have that degree of 299 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: flexibility to manage the roster as it relates to dressing 300 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: a forty six man roster. Central has had starts on 301 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: the right side. He's had some starts on the left 302 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: both preseason and regular season, so he's had play time 303 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: on both sides. And just perhaps this is year four, 304 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: year five of his career, Maybe now it's time where 305 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: he maybe hasn't earned that full time job. Our opportunity 306 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,520 Speaker 1: is here to be a full time starter. He's competing 307 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: for that role. He's working in that role right now. 308 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 1: But perhaps right now where he is in his career, 309 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: perhaps now it's time. It's the best of Brian Gaine 310 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: here on Texans All Access tonight. Coming up more position 311 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 1: groups will continue to check in with some of what 312 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 1: the general manager had to say at the Greenbrier in 313 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 1: training camp on the eve of the preseason opener. It's 314 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: Texans All Access. It's the eve of the preseason opener, 315 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: the Texans playing the Chiefs tomorrow night at Arrowhead Stadium 316 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: seven thirty, kick four thirty with Texans Countdown presented by 317 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 1: FCL Dental. Right here and on television on ABC thirteen, 318 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: we continue with some best of Brian gain stuff from 319 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 1: training camp at the Greenbrier, and we pick it up 320 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 1: right where we left off talking about the offensive line 321 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 1: with the GM of your Texans Brian. On the interior, 322 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 1: there are guys and Mark mentioned Nick Martin he played center, 323 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: but he could play guard. Zach Fulton played center, he's 324 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 1: been at guard. He can play either. He'd do that, no, Tis, 325 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 1: because Nick wasn't quite ready. How important is that versatility 326 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: on the inside for guys to be able to play 327 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: center and guard? And which do you think is ultimately 328 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: more difficult to play? We're talking about this yesterday, center 329 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 1: or guard. It's hard to say, but I would say, 330 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: as it relates to Zach Fulton, where please that we 331 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: got him in free agency. It goes back to what 332 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,800 Speaker 1: we talked about two minutes ago, the physical parameters. We're 333 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: talking about a guy who's six foot five, three hundred 334 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: and fifteen pounds long arms. The great thing about Zach 335 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: is he actually has generated starts at all three spots 336 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: on the interior. Legitimately, he could start at left guard, 337 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: right guard, or center if and when we needed him 338 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: to do that. So that's the beauty of his versatility. 339 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 1: When it comes to the center guard combination, there's a 340 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 1: whole lot of communication there. If you think about how 341 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: it works down a line from the center to the 342 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: guard to the tackle. You know, Zach is well versed 343 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 1: in communicating from inside to the left, from inside to 344 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: the right, so he's had to do all those things 345 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: in his career. So his ability to communicate and his 346 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: intelligence factor whether he plays a center or a guard. 347 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:08,679 Speaker 1: If he's lining up at guard, my instinct tells me 348 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:11,440 Speaker 1: he knows a lot what the center is already thinking about. 349 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 1: So the communication factor is excellent. So far as it 350 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,639 Speaker 1: relates to that, Bryan Senio Calamette, he started for a 351 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:20,160 Speaker 1: postseason team in the New Orleans Saints the last year, 352 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:23,960 Speaker 1: explosive offense. What about what he could do for you? 353 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 1: Your question makes me think of one thing. These three 354 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: free agents that we brought in all had postseason experience 355 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 1: last year. Santrell and Buffalo Senio and Zach Fulton. They've 356 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,439 Speaker 1: all had postseason playing experience. It goes back to the versatility. 357 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: Number one. He's had starts at left guard, right guard, 358 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:44,160 Speaker 1: at center. He's even played offensive tackle, and he's even 359 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 1: played the jumbo tight end role for us here right now, 360 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 1: he's our Day one starting right guard, so he's competing 361 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:52,600 Speaker 1: for that spot. Goes back to the physical parameters. This 362 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 1: guy's six foot three, six foot four, over three hundred pounds, 363 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 1: long arms, good athlete. What he adds for us is 364 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 1: as an athletic dimension that can play in line as 365 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,439 Speaker 1: it relates to those blocking assignments, but also get to 366 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 1: the second level and he's a pretty good puller. So 367 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: we're excited about the athleticism that he adds to the group. 368 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 1: When we think about the composition of the interior where 369 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 1: Nick Martin is healthy coming back, you've got a big 370 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,120 Speaker 1: presence in Zach Fulton in terms of power and strength, 371 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 1: and then you have this athletic presence with Senio Klimente. 372 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: So the composition of Zach and Senio we think creates 373 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 1: a complimentary dimension with our two guards. Brian a guy 374 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 1: that we have talked about it. Sometimes I tend to 375 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 1: say I tend to forget about him, but I got 376 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: I was drafted late, and I know we've talked to 377 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 1: will Be about him and that they like Kyle Fuller. 378 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:44,360 Speaker 1: What have you seen in Kyle coming back in year two? 379 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 1: And can Kyle be a guy that competes to maybe 380 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:49,560 Speaker 1: get in that starting five somewhere? Yeah, so height and length, 381 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: physical ability, has the physical dimensions that we like, six 382 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: foot five three, three hundred ten, three hundred and fifteen pounds, 383 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: he's got guard center flex and I keep going back 384 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 1: to the game day roster. Yeah, so if he's competing 385 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 1: for a roster spot, that's great, but how does he 386 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 1: get the jersey on game day? So if he's going 387 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:09,399 Speaker 1: to be your six or seventh offensive lineman, if you're 388 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 1: a one whole player, that creates some problems as it 389 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: relates to how you manage the forty six man roster. 390 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,479 Speaker 1: So his ability to demonstrate that he can be a 391 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: three whole guy and play center, left guard, and right 392 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: guard will be critically important in order for him to 393 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:24,879 Speaker 1: get a game day Jersey, just get to the forty 394 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 1: six man. We like his promise, we like his potential. 395 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 1: There's a lot of upside. It's year two, he's had 396 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:32,239 Speaker 1: a good offseason. We think the arrows up and he's 397 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:33,920 Speaker 1: got a pretty good ceiling. No, we don't know if. 398 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 1: I don't know if he can catch, but he can't 399 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 1: play tight end. We have seen that. We've seen that. 400 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 1: All right, a couple of quick ones for you, Brian. 401 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 1: I know you gotta go, but tell us a little 402 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,959 Speaker 1: bit about David Qusenberry here trying to make this squad 403 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 1: and make a contribution. And also Greg Matts, who again 404 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: has that versatility you like first and foremost. Now I've 405 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: told David this. He is an inspiration. He is an 406 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 1: inspiration to many, and maybe many he doesn't even know. 407 00:19:56,760 --> 00:20:00,640 Speaker 1: This guy is an excellent pro. His approach, his mindset, 408 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:05,479 Speaker 1: his competitive nature, he is an excellent teammate, and above all, 409 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: he's a He's a great person. He's got size, he's 410 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 1: got length, he's got versatility. He's played tackle in the past, 411 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,879 Speaker 1: he's played guard, he's even played center. He's competing for 412 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 1: a roster spot. He's given his best doubt there, so 413 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:19,160 Speaker 1: we're optimistic that, you know, he's gonna make these things. 414 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,879 Speaker 1: A very very difficult decision for us as it relates 415 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:25,479 Speaker 1: to how many offensive lineman we keep. With Greg Man's, uh, 416 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 1: we're happy to have him. Obviously, he's had a very 417 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 1: very good game day versatility for us in the past. 418 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 1: He's had to get starts in the past, so we 419 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 1: like if he's at one of our backups and he's 420 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: not in the starting role, that this guy actually has 421 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 1: experience in the starting job. So to have that luxury 422 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:43,919 Speaker 1: of a guy who's functioning either as your six or 423 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: seventh and tior a game day offensive lineman, like he's 424 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 1: actually had to go and play and go in and 425 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: play games. Greg's a great teammate, he's smart, he's versatile. 426 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: Another guy that's a big guy six foot five, three 427 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: hundred and ten pounds, smart, intelligent, can play three positions. 428 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:01,600 Speaker 1: We're happy to have him having played the position. How 429 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: did that change, if at all, how you evaluate tight ends, Well, 430 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 1: it really doesn't change. We have our critical factors and 431 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:10,920 Speaker 1: position specifics for the tight end position as a whole, 432 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 1: and I would use the term that I played loosely 433 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 1: and although I had a chance to compete for a 434 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,199 Speaker 1: roster spot in the league, at least it gives me 435 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: a perspective on what these guys are dealing with and 436 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:26,000 Speaker 1: what the expectations are from the coaches and maybe with 437 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: the training camp experience and how to prepare for a 438 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 1: game is for the tight ends. But in our offense, 439 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 1: the tight end position is critically important because we have 440 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 1: really different positions within that subgroup, and it's you have 441 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:40,560 Speaker 1: the Y position, we have the F and both of 442 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 1: those positions require a lot of a lot of intelligence, 443 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 1: a lot of adaptability on the fly, a lot of versatility. 444 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 1: We ask them to line up in line, we ask 445 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 1: them to line up in the backfield, we ask them 446 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 1: to detach from the formation. They have to be able 447 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 1: to react to the fronts. They even need to be 448 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:57,879 Speaker 1: able to read coverages and react to the coverage and 449 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: do it fast at the same time. So versatility is 450 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 1: a unique skill set at that position, and from an 451 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,960 Speaker 1: intelligence standpoint, we ask our tight ends to do a 452 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 1: lot of different things. Ryan Griffin seems like one of 453 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 1: those guys who could do both, and he's played a 454 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,920 Speaker 1: lot of football for this organization. He's the old guy. 455 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 1: Now he's the veteran. So how does he fit into 456 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 1: this mix? What are you looking for him in twenty eighteen. 457 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: What I like about Ryan is he can line up 458 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 1: in a lot of different places. You can put him 459 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 1: in line, he can move away from the formation, he 460 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: can motion, he can play in space, he can play 461 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:29,919 Speaker 1: at the line of scrimmage. So Ryan offers a lot 462 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:32,920 Speaker 1: of versatility in that regard. He also leads by example. 463 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: I also like the fact Ryan's a big man like 464 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:38,679 Speaker 1: you from Afar. You maybe not realize how big he is, 465 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: but when you get next to Ryan, he's all about 466 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:43,840 Speaker 1: six foot six, two hundred and fifty something pounds. He 467 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 1: moves well, he runs well. You know. The other thing 468 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:48,879 Speaker 1: I would add is, naturally, we're all disappointed that we 469 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 1: lost CJ for Doorwoodzin. CJ was a good pro for 470 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:53,199 Speaker 1: up for us, and we wish him well. You know, 471 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,600 Speaker 1: he made that decision for his future. But you know, 472 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 1: Ryan's got some big shoes to fill with CJ, and 473 00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:01,200 Speaker 1: we have expectations that he will. Well, you have Steven Anderson, 474 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:03,400 Speaker 1: but he seems like more of the receiving type for sure. 475 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 1: So you're looking for your rookies to help out as well, 476 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 1: and I know you have a lot of other guys 477 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:09,640 Speaker 1: as well, So let's discuss the rookies maybe first before 478 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:12,879 Speaker 1: we get back to Anderson, because Jordan Thomas is impossible 479 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: to ignore. He's huge, and Jordan Nakeds looks like he's 480 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 1: fitting it well so far. I'll start with Jordan Nakeds. 481 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: We selected him in the third round, a unique pedigree 482 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 1: in skill set because he was a minor league baseball player. 483 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:25,959 Speaker 1: I believe he was drafted in the third round by 484 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: an organization and was in the minor league. So he's 485 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 1: a little bit older in terms of coming into the league, 486 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:34,440 Speaker 1: but certainly presents pass game value. He's a willing blocker. 487 00:23:34,840 --> 00:23:36,960 Speaker 1: We're going to try to develop him in that phase 488 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:39,040 Speaker 1: so that he can be a fully dimensional player at 489 00:23:39,040 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: the position. And he's caught on well to the offense. 490 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 1: Jordan Thomas, you can't ignore the size. Now. The one 491 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 1: thing to remember about Jordan is he played wide receiver 492 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:52,160 Speaker 1: and lined up as a receiver at Mississippi State, so 493 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 1: he is learning a new position here, but he's made 494 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: some place for us. He's a naturally big man. He 495 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:01,679 Speaker 1: can catch the contested ball, got a very good catch radius. 496 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:03,800 Speaker 1: He's been a factor for us in the passing game, 497 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 1: but we're gonna lean on him in the run game 498 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 1: as well. So both those guys are young players who 499 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:10,199 Speaker 1: are gonna have to earn their reps and earn their 500 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: opportunities here. And it's good competition at the position. And 501 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:15,879 Speaker 1: with Steven Anderson, he's had production for us in the 502 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 1: past game in recent seasons, and a guy that's been 503 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:22,840 Speaker 1: a contributing player force so comparatively to previous years, I 504 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 1: feel like the depth and the competition at that position 505 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:29,600 Speaker 1: has exponentially increased this offseason. I think it's worth bringing 506 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 1: up with Thomas when the fan see and they're gonna 507 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:33,239 Speaker 1: see how huge he is, and they might mistake him 508 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: from offensive lineman. You'd never know. But do you like 509 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 1: the body the way it is that around two eighty 510 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 1: or whatever the weight is. Do you like this him 511 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:43,119 Speaker 1: coming in like this? Jordan Thomas is about two hundred 512 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:46,640 Speaker 1: and seventy pounds. He's a very good example of everything 513 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,400 Speaker 1: that we change this off season, from our sports performance 514 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 1: element to our strength and conditioning to our nutritional element. 515 00:24:52,760 --> 00:24:54,959 Speaker 1: A young player like him, with his body type at 516 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 1: the position he plays, from a mobility stampoint, from a 517 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:01,439 Speaker 1: flexibility stampoint, all those things. He is one of the 518 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: probably ideal players that will benefit from the type of 519 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:08,120 Speaker 1: program that we run in our sports performance element. Here 520 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:10,280 Speaker 1: who stands out among the rest? I know you have 521 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:12,160 Speaker 1: a lot of guys vying for a positions, including Matt. 522 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:14,640 Speaker 1: Lengelo has played some football for the Patriots and Browns. Sure, 523 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 1: so Matt's a big man. He's had history in the 524 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:19,400 Speaker 1: running game as a blocker. He plays more or less 525 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 1: the why position for us, but he has the ability 526 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:24,640 Speaker 1: to go out and catch passes as well. So we're 527 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: looking for him to kind of earn a role and 528 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,080 Speaker 1: earn a spot as it relates to playing a blocking 529 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:30,920 Speaker 1: role and whatever you can give us in the passing game, 530 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 1: that's great, And the rest of the group really I 531 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:38,000 Speaker 1: would say, like McCole, prewitt offers us the versatility in 532 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 1: the utility skill set to line up in the backfield 533 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:43,640 Speaker 1: to play out the line of scrimmage. He's had some 534 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,119 Speaker 1: active roster snaps in his career. He's also been a 535 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:49,879 Speaker 1: practice squad player. His versatility is attractive to us, and 536 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 1: we're looking for him to compete in that role or 537 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:54,520 Speaker 1: for the ability to play in line out, in space 538 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:57,439 Speaker 1: or in the backfield. So we're happy about that. And 539 00:25:57,480 --> 00:26:00,360 Speaker 1: then we have a young player, Givanni robin And who 540 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 1: was on our practice squad last year. It's a former 541 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:05,680 Speaker 1: basketball player. He's not available to us at the moment, 542 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:08,200 Speaker 1: he's dealing with injury, but when you see him out 543 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:10,680 Speaker 1: here in the practice field, to height the length, the 544 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:13,880 Speaker 1: ball skills, just has a lot to learn ahead of him. 545 00:26:13,920 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: But he's but he's a project for us, and we're 546 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 1: optimist think about him presenting an element for us when 547 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:20,679 Speaker 1: he gets healthy here in the passing game when he 548 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: returns Brian Gaine with us. All right, let's shift gears 549 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: to wide receivers now, DeAndre Hopkins. It's almost unfair that 550 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:28,040 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks get to throw to him out here. It 551 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:30,360 Speaker 1: just seems to catch everything. And you have to love 552 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,679 Speaker 1: having such a polished pro and a guy just shows 553 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: up and does his job at such an elite level. 554 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 1: So one thing that stands out to me now in 555 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:38,560 Speaker 1: the role that I'm here with the team as a 556 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 1: general manager, is he is a very competitive player, like 557 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:45,719 Speaker 1: he really works hard in practice for us. Talented as 558 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:47,879 Speaker 1: a guy he is, he sets a good example for 559 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 1: his work ethic in practice, so we're excited about his 560 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:54,639 Speaker 1: quiet leadership in that regard. The other thing, too, is 561 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 1: the chemistry he's able to build with the quarterback and 562 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 1: with Deshaun only being available to us six games last year, 563 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:03,200 Speaker 1: Like the off season time that he's had with Deshaun 564 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 1: and then now the time they're spending here in training camp. 565 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: You know, with last year where Deshaun was coming in 566 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 1: as a rookie and Tom Savage was still here kind 567 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:13,919 Speaker 1: of they were working through that starting role. This is 568 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:17,080 Speaker 1: really the first full off season and now first training 569 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 1: camp where those two guys are working hand in hand, 570 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:23,439 Speaker 1: one on one chemistry, communication, body language, the subtleties of 571 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,400 Speaker 1: the position that is a critical element between a quarterback 572 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:28,480 Speaker 1: and receiver. And we feel like we're ahead of the 573 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:30,920 Speaker 1: game right now down the line with that relationship. Will 574 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:33,119 Speaker 1: Fuller runs like the wind. It looks like he's a 575 00:27:33,160 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: little thicker or something. What did he do in the offseason? 576 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:38,240 Speaker 1: I know, the perfect example of another player that's benefited 577 00:27:38,280 --> 00:27:40,280 Speaker 1: from all the changes that we made in our strength 578 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:43,760 Speaker 1: and conditioning, nutrition in sports performance, and he's taken full 579 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:47,040 Speaker 1: advantage of that. He's been explosive, he's caught the ball well, 580 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: showed good route running skill, He's shown improvement development takes 581 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:54,760 Speaker 1: to coaching, so we're happy with his progress. How about 582 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:56,640 Speaker 1: La Tenny making a lot of noise in this camp 583 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 1: so far, making a lot of plays. Yeah, I wasn't 584 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 1: here last year, but I watched him from AFAR and 585 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:03,919 Speaker 1: reviewed all the films. So a natural insight slot player, 586 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:08,720 Speaker 1: natural field, natural instincts, a savvy player, very aware. I 587 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,200 Speaker 1: can read coverage, read and react to coverage, and an 588 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:15,239 Speaker 1: adjust the coverage. Good ball skills. He also presents some 589 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:17,600 Speaker 1: ability to contribute on special teams in the return game. 590 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,720 Speaker 1: How's Kiki qt fitting and so far? Brian Kiki was 591 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:23,920 Speaker 1: our fourth round pick from Texas Tech, and he's had 592 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 1: a very good camp so far, and we'll continue to 593 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,359 Speaker 1: hope that he continues to develop here. He's had a 594 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:33,200 Speaker 1: very good offseason for us. He's explosive, he's fast, he's sudden, 595 00:28:33,240 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 1: he's got twitch, he's got quickness, he's got rackability, ball skills, 596 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 1: and he offers an element in the return game. So 597 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:43,240 Speaker 1: he has inserted some speed, explosiveness and space play makeability 598 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 1: for us. When you look at Sammy Coats, he's one 599 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 1: of those impressive looking individuals, big, strong, fast, and it 600 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 1: looks like he's having a pretty good time so far 601 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:53,240 Speaker 1: out here. So what are you looking for from him? 602 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 1: Sammy is another player where you've heard me talk about 603 00:28:55,680 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 1: prototypical standards, heightweight, speed, the prototypical body type. In terms 604 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: of being six foot two, two hundred and ten pounds, 605 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 1: he's a four to four guy. But Sammy made his 606 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:08,560 Speaker 1: bread and butter last year in the league on special teams, 607 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:10,800 Speaker 1: right and we're hoping now we don't see as much 608 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 1: of that. Right now, we're hoping that Sammy can really 609 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:16,280 Speaker 1: be impactful in that area. But at the receiver position, 610 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: his natural size and his natural speed presents an element 611 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 1: that the defense has to be aware of. And when 612 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:24,440 Speaker 1: we claimed him from Cleveland, I think it was Cleveland, 613 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:27,800 Speaker 1: we thought that he would add depth in competition to 614 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:30,600 Speaker 1: the reserve units. So it's all going to work itself out. 615 00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: But but competition is healthy for any position. All Right, 616 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,000 Speaker 1: it's a big year for Braxton Miller. I guess it's 617 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:38,000 Speaker 1: a big year for everybody every year. But what about Braxton. So, 618 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:40,960 Speaker 1: Braxton Miller, you're hoping now it's year three where perhaps 619 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 1: you know he has that one to two years under 620 00:29:42,720 --> 00:29:44,720 Speaker 1: his belt. We can't forget that he was a quarterback 621 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:48,520 Speaker 1: in college making the transition to a new position. I said, 622 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 1: a very good offseason. Another guy that's benefited from all 623 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:53,480 Speaker 1: the changes that we had. He does have heightweight, speed 624 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 1: for the position that we look for. The unique skill 625 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,280 Speaker 1: set he has as he can play inside or outsider. 626 00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 1: Who although he might not be, you know, that starter 627 00:30:03,880 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 1: that they the play one starter, we think he offers 628 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,520 Speaker 1: the ability to have a contributing skill set either outside 629 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:12,600 Speaker 1: or inside. And that's that's unique for us because if 630 00:30:12,760 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 1: when adversity strikes, we want guys that have the versatility 631 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 1: to play either or positions. All right, give me a 632 00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:20,520 Speaker 1: little snapshot of the rest of the guys, because I 633 00:30:20,560 --> 00:30:22,440 Speaker 1: know you have some young talent. Deandrew White, who was 634 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:24,440 Speaker 1: in camp here last year for a bit, got hurt. 635 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 1: But he's fast, and you got Smith who's fast. What 636 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:29,480 Speaker 1: about these other guys. Brian Deandrews made a few plays 637 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:31,440 Speaker 1: here and he stood out. He's competing for a role 638 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:34,080 Speaker 1: as it relates to the roster. But when I think 639 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 1: about the receiver position like beyond the guys you'll see 640 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:39,880 Speaker 1: kind of in the top top three or four positions. 641 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:43,200 Speaker 1: The special teams element is critical. If you keep six 642 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:45,840 Speaker 1: or seven receivers, Players six and players seven really has 643 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:48,680 Speaker 1: to have an impact on special teams. Player five has 644 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:51,000 Speaker 1: to have an impact on special teams, even player four. 645 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 1: So the fourth down element of our decisions in terms 646 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:57,200 Speaker 1: of how we shape out the receiver units special teams 647 00:30:57,240 --> 00:30:59,120 Speaker 1: is going to be a critical part of the evaluation. 648 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:01,920 Speaker 1: More off from Brian Gaine and plenty more on the 649 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,360 Speaker 1: way here on the Best of Brian Gaine episode of 650 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:07,760 Speaker 1: the eve of the preseason opener. It's Texans All Access. 651 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:35,320 Speaker 1: In just over twenty four hours from now, the Texans 652 00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:37,760 Speaker 1: will be playing football. That's right, We'll have a football 653 00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:40,680 Speaker 1: game to discuss. It'll be live right here for thirty 654 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 1: pf with Texans Capdown, presented by FCL Dental and on 655 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:48,600 Speaker 1: ABC thirteen seven thirty Kickoff. Let's have some fun tomorrow 656 00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:53,000 Speaker 1: and more fun tonight. More Brian Gaine from the training 657 00:31:53,080 --> 00:31:56,360 Speaker 1: camp episodes at the Greenbrier, and we pick up with 658 00:31:56,520 --> 00:31:59,720 Speaker 1: running backs. Lamar Miller told us the other days dropped 659 00:31:59,720 --> 00:32:02,440 Speaker 1: a few pounds and he's raring to go like they 660 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:05,280 Speaker 1: all are. Really. But Brian tell us about Lamar entering 661 00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 1: this year. So Lamar has a what we would call 662 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:10,280 Speaker 1: a three down skill set. He can play on first 663 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,520 Speaker 1: down or base down, fronts or looks. He can play 664 00:32:13,560 --> 00:32:16,640 Speaker 1: on third down. He can play situational football. He's an 665 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:19,479 Speaker 1: inside runner, he's an outside runner. Lamar is a very 666 00:32:19,480 --> 00:32:22,920 Speaker 1: good pass protector for those that do study the tapes 667 00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:25,320 Speaker 1: in the place. He can pick up the blitz. So 668 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:27,560 Speaker 1: he gives us a lot of versatility in the backfield. 669 00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,400 Speaker 1: He's had a very good offseason. He's another guy that's 670 00:32:30,400 --> 00:32:33,240 Speaker 1: benefited from all our sports performance changes and we we 671 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:36,160 Speaker 1: we can recognize that maybe last year didn't go the 672 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:38,960 Speaker 1: way that he wanted to in terms of productivity, but 673 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:42,640 Speaker 1: with the changes on the offensive line, with the quarterback returning, 674 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 1: we're hoping for a bounce back year here with Lamar. 675 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:48,960 Speaker 1: Brian with Lamar, he talked about being about seven or 676 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:52,000 Speaker 1: eight pounds lighter than he was last year, and I 677 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 1: want to say it's in vogue the NFL Leonard for 678 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:55,400 Speaker 1: Neetz lost a little bit of weight. I know some 679 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: people have to add, but was that imperative for him 680 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:01,120 Speaker 1: to come back lighter. Was that something that he wanted 681 00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:02,800 Speaker 1: to do just so that he felt a little bit 682 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:05,440 Speaker 1: more lighter and explosive. Was that something he wanted to 683 00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 1: do or is that just a result of going through 684 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:09,560 Speaker 1: the program with Luke. I think it's a combination of 685 00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:13,480 Speaker 1: both Bill and I and with Luke's direction, we spend 686 00:33:14,120 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 1: a lot of time and we stress the importance of 687 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:20,280 Speaker 1: body composition number one and number two being built to last. 688 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:22,960 Speaker 1: Like this is a long ruling season. If you count 689 00:33:22,960 --> 00:33:26,120 Speaker 1: the preseason games, are those are twenty times that they 690 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:28,400 Speaker 1: gotta go the distance to get the games in December, 691 00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:32,680 Speaker 1: hopefully in January, hopefully in February. But it's about getting 692 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:35,120 Speaker 1: your your body comp right for the position that you play, 693 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:39,120 Speaker 1: very position specific to the position you play, so that 694 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:41,800 Speaker 1: you don't you don't have any physical deficiencies. And perhaps 695 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:44,200 Speaker 1: right now it takes a little bit of time to 696 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:47,360 Speaker 1: arrive to what that perfect body comp is. But I 697 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:49,320 Speaker 1: think for Lamar, right now we're seeing some of those 698 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:52,920 Speaker 1: results pay because his movement skills look pretty good. Brian, 699 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 1: we always talk about year one to year two jump 700 00:33:54,920 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 1: with players, but with Deonte forum and he's coming back 701 00:33:57,240 --> 00:34:00,640 Speaker 1: from a big injury, so what about his situation, promise 702 00:34:00,800 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 1: and flashes of potential here year one? Unfortunately he had 703 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:08,120 Speaker 1: a significant injury. So he's working through that right now. 704 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,520 Speaker 1: Time will tell. He's a work in progress. He's working 705 00:34:11,560 --> 00:34:14,239 Speaker 1: hard with the trainers. He's made some strides here since 706 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:17,120 Speaker 1: we've gotten up here to the Greenbrier. So it's a 707 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:19,319 Speaker 1: little bit of a wait and see because we don't 708 00:34:19,320 --> 00:34:21,080 Speaker 1: know if he's going to be ready for the season 709 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:23,799 Speaker 1: or will he not when when we kick off. We're 710 00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:27,320 Speaker 1: working to that goal. But what I like about about 711 00:34:27,360 --> 00:34:29,880 Speaker 1: Foreman is he has an inside run presence, he has 712 00:34:29,920 --> 00:34:33,080 Speaker 1: a downhill run presence, and he can be a complimentary 713 00:34:33,160 --> 00:34:35,960 Speaker 1: player to what Lamar offers us as a three down player. 714 00:34:36,440 --> 00:34:39,840 Speaker 1: But he's got this this hidden skill set that perhaps 715 00:34:39,880 --> 00:34:42,239 Speaker 1: maybe others really haven't seen yet. He is good in 716 00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:45,239 Speaker 1: the passing game, and for a young back coming into 717 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:47,520 Speaker 1: the league, he showed some promise and potential to be 718 00:34:47,600 --> 00:34:51,239 Speaker 1: a three down guy. Even though we anticipated a first 719 00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:54,319 Speaker 1: and second down complimentary role, he really offered more in 720 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:57,360 Speaker 1: the passing game. So we're excited about his promise and potential. 721 00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:59,279 Speaker 1: But first and the foremost, he's got to get let's 722 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,799 Speaker 1: flip it over to the defensive side, and everybody in 723 00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:05,560 Speaker 1: the city of Houston, everybody nationally wants to know JJ 724 00:35:05,719 --> 00:35:09,000 Speaker 1: Watt coming back. Will he be the JJ of old? 725 00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:11,200 Speaker 1: We've seen him out here. He looks the same. But 726 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:15,240 Speaker 1: your thoughts about JJ coming into year number eight? Wow? 727 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:17,520 Speaker 1: You number eight? JJ Watt? Yeah, it's it's hard to believe. 728 00:35:17,600 --> 00:35:21,360 Speaker 1: So JJ has had a great offseason, extremely hard worker 729 00:35:21,360 --> 00:35:24,759 Speaker 1: in the rehab process. You know, I know it's hurt 730 00:35:24,840 --> 00:35:27,919 Speaker 1: him to miss all the time that he's been away 731 00:35:27,960 --> 00:35:30,120 Speaker 1: from the game. But so far, so good. That's what 732 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:32,359 Speaker 1: I can say. Is everything that we're seeing so far 733 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:36,960 Speaker 1: from return to form, his productivity level here in practice, 734 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:41,400 Speaker 1: his energy, his conditioning levels, his body is right, he's healthy. 735 00:35:41,480 --> 00:35:43,600 Speaker 1: So if your body's right and your body's healthy and 736 00:35:43,680 --> 00:35:46,880 Speaker 1: it's ready to perform, then we're very optimistic about his 737 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:49,920 Speaker 1: return to form. Whatever JJ Watt gives us out on 738 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 1: the field, we know what's going to be a positive 739 00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:54,239 Speaker 1: and you know you're going to get every ounce of 740 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:57,319 Speaker 1: performance out of JJ as well. So we're excited to 741 00:35:57,320 --> 00:36:00,000 Speaker 1: see ourselves and we're just happy that he's out here 742 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:01,560 Speaker 1: that is healthy and now he's ready to go. How 743 00:36:01,600 --> 00:36:04,440 Speaker 1: about dj Readers second year as a starter at knows 744 00:36:05,080 --> 00:36:08,799 Speaker 1: inside run presence. You know, a big, strong guy has 745 00:36:08,840 --> 00:36:12,120 Speaker 1: the ability to hold the point. Yeah, good anchor ability. 746 00:36:12,160 --> 00:36:15,960 Speaker 1: He's strong, he's got good block recognition. He's got good 747 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:20,080 Speaker 1: read and react skills for a defensive lineman. On the interior, 748 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:22,640 Speaker 1: he's a pretty good tackler, like he can finish plays 749 00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:25,920 Speaker 1: in that regard. So we're excited about his promise and potential. 750 00:36:25,960 --> 00:36:28,600 Speaker 1: We feel like the ceiling is high, the upside is high. 751 00:36:29,160 --> 00:36:31,279 Speaker 1: He had somebody to learn under when he first got 752 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:33,640 Speaker 1: here with Vince Wilfork in terms of being that inside 753 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:36,840 Speaker 1: run presence and very good instincts for the position. So 754 00:36:36,840 --> 00:36:39,600 Speaker 1: we're very excited about his future. Brian a guy that 755 00:36:40,040 --> 00:36:41,440 Speaker 1: a lot of times we talk about the injuries from 756 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:44,439 Speaker 1: last year. We talked about Watson, Watt and Merciless. One 757 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:46,919 Speaker 1: guy that I think we sometimes forget to talk about. 758 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: It's a guy we lost in the Seattle game, and 759 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:51,560 Speaker 1: that was Christie Covington. And I remember when he was drafted, 760 00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:53,200 Speaker 1: he was coming off a knee injury at Rice, and 761 00:36:53,440 --> 00:36:55,080 Speaker 1: I was convinced he didn't have that injury. He may 762 00:36:55,080 --> 00:36:58,640 Speaker 1: have gotten drafted a lot earlier, but he seems like 763 00:36:58,680 --> 00:37:01,399 Speaker 1: a very important part to that defensive line. Coming back, 764 00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:04,440 Speaker 1: what do you see with Christian versatility and a utility player? 765 00:37:04,640 --> 00:37:06,800 Speaker 1: And for us where we play three down fronts, we 766 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,640 Speaker 1: play four down fronts, we'll play a general bass defense 767 00:37:10,760 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 1: and then we're gonna get into situational football. What I 768 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:15,560 Speaker 1: like about Christian is he's not a one whole player. 769 00:37:16,120 --> 00:37:18,400 Speaker 1: Is that you can line them up in different variations 770 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:21,120 Speaker 1: and different alignments based on how you play three down 771 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:24,440 Speaker 1: or four down. So in a bass defense, probably could 772 00:37:24,440 --> 00:37:27,400 Speaker 1: play defensive end, may even be able to play inside. 773 00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:29,640 Speaker 1: I'm in a four down front. You know, he can 774 00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:32,600 Speaker 1: play a three technique role, maybe you can reduce him 775 00:37:32,640 --> 00:37:34,840 Speaker 1: in closer to a one. So there's a lot of 776 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:37,279 Speaker 1: versatility when you have him on the roster on game day, 777 00:37:37,320 --> 00:37:40,560 Speaker 1: whether he plays in your bass look or your situational fronts. 778 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:42,560 Speaker 1: You know, last year was such a tough year for 779 00:37:42,600 --> 00:37:46,000 Speaker 1: the team injury wise, but one of the blessings I 780 00:37:46,000 --> 00:37:47,759 Speaker 1: guess you could say were silver linings. Is a better 781 00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:49,480 Speaker 1: way to put is a lot of guys got playing time. 782 00:37:49,520 --> 00:37:51,319 Speaker 1: Brandon Done got a ton of playing time, and you 783 00:37:51,320 --> 00:37:53,719 Speaker 1: look at Watkins getting some playing time. I know, Joel 784 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:55,520 Speaker 1: Heath got hurt. You have him out here. What about 785 00:37:55,520 --> 00:37:57,640 Speaker 1: some of these other guys, Brian, Yeah, So Brandon Dunn 786 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:02,200 Speaker 1: is a good inside run presence, tational run defenders A. 787 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:04,400 Speaker 1: He's a player who's a good example, who's improved for 788 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:06,239 Speaker 1: the for the a few years that he's been here. 789 00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:09,439 Speaker 1: So he gives us another inside run presence with DJ, 790 00:38:09,680 --> 00:38:11,920 Speaker 1: so the DJ doesn't get worn down in the game's 791 00:38:11,920 --> 00:38:15,759 Speaker 1: grinding on blocks. With Joel Heath, he's back here, he's 792 00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:18,760 Speaker 1: returned to for him coming off a significant injury. Between 793 00:38:18,840 --> 00:38:22,200 Speaker 1: him and Christian Covington, we're going to manufacture the position 794 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,960 Speaker 1: there at that defensive end. Joel gives us a hight length, 795 00:38:26,200 --> 00:38:29,640 Speaker 1: strength presence in the running game at the defensive end positions. 796 00:38:29,640 --> 00:38:33,520 Speaker 1: So we're excited about his promise and potential. Watkins young 797 00:38:33,520 --> 00:38:36,280 Speaker 1: player would drafted in the fourth round last year from Clemson. 798 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:39,000 Speaker 1: He gives us a three down backup that can rotate 799 00:38:39,040 --> 00:38:42,839 Speaker 1: in base and sub So we're happy about his contributions 800 00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:44,840 Speaker 1: here year one, and we're hoping he's going to continue 801 00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:47,799 Speaker 1: to develop here year two. So we think that there's 802 00:38:47,880 --> 00:38:51,239 Speaker 1: good competition, there's good rotational depth there, there's a combination 803 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:55,600 Speaker 1: of youth with experience, so we're optimistic about the productivity 804 00:38:55,680 --> 00:38:57,880 Speaker 1: levels of our defensive line. Bryan rops On a pretty 805 00:38:57,880 --> 00:39:00,279 Speaker 1: interesting a little while. You're talking about djay Reader, and 806 00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:04,960 Speaker 1: he talked about block recognition as a nose tap. Everybody thinks, 807 00:39:04,960 --> 00:39:07,759 Speaker 1: so you just get double team the whole game, and 808 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:11,359 Speaker 1: you brought up block recognition. What exactly does DJ do well? 809 00:39:11,400 --> 00:39:14,000 Speaker 1: What do you mean by block recognition? And how is 810 00:39:14,120 --> 00:39:16,239 Speaker 1: DJ good? It's something that I think a lot of 811 00:39:16,239 --> 00:39:18,200 Speaker 1: fans probably just see him why he just gets he 812 00:39:18,239 --> 00:39:20,879 Speaker 1: just splits double teams or he takes on double teams 813 00:39:20,960 --> 00:39:23,160 Speaker 1: or whatever. What did you really mean by block recognition 814 00:39:23,160 --> 00:39:24,880 Speaker 1: for DJ? What does that mean? There's a lot of 815 00:39:25,080 --> 00:39:29,399 Speaker 1: instinctive responsibility playing that position, because you're playing blocks from 816 00:39:29,440 --> 00:39:32,759 Speaker 1: three different angles, straight ahead, to your left and to 817 00:39:32,800 --> 00:39:35,719 Speaker 1: your right, and sometimes it's natural instincts that you got 818 00:39:35,719 --> 00:39:38,240 Speaker 1: to rely on in terms of how you feel pressure 819 00:39:38,239 --> 00:39:40,480 Speaker 1: of the blocks. He has natural ability to do that. 820 00:39:41,160 --> 00:39:44,799 Speaker 1: I also think just from repetition and experience, he's got 821 00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:48,360 Speaker 1: a good feel for the combination blocks and he's played 822 00:39:48,400 --> 00:39:50,960 Speaker 1: those blocks well. So some of those guys might be 823 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:53,839 Speaker 1: big and strong, but other guys may not be able 824 00:39:53,840 --> 00:39:56,800 Speaker 1: to feel and fight the pressure of those blocks. Dj 825 00:39:57,280 --> 00:40:00,399 Speaker 1: is has the ability to do that Number one umber two. 826 00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:02,040 Speaker 1: It's his body type. You're talking about it like a 827 00:40:02,280 --> 00:40:04,640 Speaker 1: six foot two guy who was you know, three hundred 828 00:40:04,640 --> 00:40:07,719 Speaker 1: and thirty pounds. He pleased with natural leverage, so he's 829 00:40:07,760 --> 00:40:10,239 Speaker 1: hard to move off the point. And we like the 830 00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:12,239 Speaker 1: fact that he can get off blocks, go make it 831 00:40:12,320 --> 00:40:15,480 Speaker 1: tackle and not just be a block grinder to actually 832 00:40:15,560 --> 00:40:18,760 Speaker 1: finish the play. So we're excited about his problems and potential. 833 00:40:19,480 --> 00:40:21,799 Speaker 1: All right, So let's talk about defensive backs, and let's 834 00:40:21,840 --> 00:40:25,640 Speaker 1: begin with the elder statesman, the veteran Jonathan Joseph, who 835 00:40:26,080 --> 00:40:28,640 Speaker 1: is back again. You resigned him in the off season, 836 00:40:28,719 --> 00:40:30,920 Speaker 1: and boy, he looks as young as ever to me 837 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:33,240 Speaker 1: anyway in the early going here in camp. Yeah, Jonathan's 838 00:40:33,239 --> 00:40:35,000 Speaker 1: had a very good off season for us. He's a 839 00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:38,319 Speaker 1: good leader, his body is right. He's benefited from all 840 00:40:38,360 --> 00:40:40,440 Speaker 1: the changes that we had in our off season program. 841 00:40:40,520 --> 00:40:43,160 Speaker 1: He trained well this spring, in the summer, he was 842 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:45,279 Speaker 1: ready to go. When he showed up the camp, he 843 00:40:45,360 --> 00:40:47,200 Speaker 1: said he actually ate a salad. So that's a good 844 00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:50,439 Speaker 1: thing for the first time, which is fascinating think about. 845 00:40:50,480 --> 00:40:52,319 Speaker 1: But then again, as a kid hasn't eaten us out 846 00:40:52,320 --> 00:40:54,759 Speaker 1: as eighteen. I can understand that the guy that we've 847 00:40:54,760 --> 00:40:58,279 Speaker 1: talked a lot about Brian is Kevin Johnson. A tough 848 00:40:58,360 --> 00:41:00,440 Speaker 1: year last year, banged up a little bit early, kind 849 00:41:00,480 --> 00:41:03,319 Speaker 1: of banged up throughout the year. But his first year 850 00:41:03,400 --> 00:41:04,719 Speaker 1: rookie year, he battled and I thought he had a 851 00:41:04,719 --> 00:41:06,319 Speaker 1: good rookie year, and then he was looked like he's 852 00:41:06,320 --> 00:41:08,320 Speaker 1: in the Virgin sixteen, and then he hurt his foot, 853 00:41:08,360 --> 00:41:10,200 Speaker 1: and then last year had a tough year. What have 854 00:41:10,280 --> 00:41:14,000 Speaker 1: you seen with Kevin going forward to feel confident about 855 00:41:14,040 --> 00:41:15,680 Speaker 1: what he can give you in his fourth year here? 856 00:41:15,840 --> 00:41:18,680 Speaker 1: So two things. Number one, his body is right and 857 00:41:19,640 --> 00:41:21,800 Speaker 1: number two, you can learn from the ups and downs. 858 00:41:22,160 --> 00:41:24,040 Speaker 1: You know where there was a lot of ups here 859 00:41:24,080 --> 00:41:26,680 Speaker 1: and you're early part of Kevin's career. Maybe perhaps last 860 00:41:26,719 --> 00:41:29,399 Speaker 1: year it wasn't the year that he wanted, but he's 861 00:41:29,400 --> 00:41:31,240 Speaker 1: had a very good off season with us from strength 862 00:41:31,280 --> 00:41:35,840 Speaker 1: development and body comp development. He's learning everything he possibly 863 00:41:35,840 --> 00:41:38,600 Speaker 1: can with Jonathan Joseph. Jonathan Joseph is a great mentor 864 00:41:38,640 --> 00:41:41,360 Speaker 1: for the Corner group. He's a great veteran leader and 865 00:41:42,120 --> 00:41:44,400 Speaker 1: shows these guys some of the subtle subtle teams and 866 00:41:44,440 --> 00:41:47,439 Speaker 1: the nuances of playing the position. So he's getting great 867 00:41:47,440 --> 00:41:50,040 Speaker 1: tutelage there. Coach Midget's done a great job with him 868 00:41:50,040 --> 00:41:53,760 Speaker 1: with this offseason and having him ready to go. Kevin's 869 00:41:53,800 --> 00:41:56,040 Speaker 1: also got his body weight up as well this offseason, 870 00:41:56,080 --> 00:41:59,520 Speaker 1: so he worked tremendously hard on that. But I do 871 00:41:59,600 --> 00:42:01,759 Speaker 1: think that there's something to learn from the ups and 872 00:42:01,840 --> 00:42:04,719 Speaker 1: downs of playing the game and playing the position, where hey, look, 873 00:42:04,719 --> 00:42:06,440 Speaker 1: these are the things I learned from all the positives 874 00:42:06,880 --> 00:42:09,600 Speaker 1: and perhaps if I didn't do these things well last year, 875 00:42:09,640 --> 00:42:12,040 Speaker 1: I can I can improve and develop in those areas, 876 00:42:12,040 --> 00:42:14,080 Speaker 1: and I think Kevin has done a good job of 877 00:42:14,120 --> 00:42:16,560 Speaker 1: trying to learn from those experiences. Brian, what are the 878 00:42:16,640 --> 00:42:20,000 Speaker 1: expectations for Aaron Colvid and how's he fitting in so far? So, 879 00:42:20,080 --> 00:42:23,879 Speaker 1: Aaron plays the nickel position for us in subpackage defenses. 880 00:42:23,920 --> 00:42:25,960 Speaker 1: He has the ability to play outside and we know 881 00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:28,880 Speaker 1: that that's a luxury for sure, but he's well versed 882 00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:31,719 Speaker 1: in experience that playing that role. Item number two is 883 00:42:31,760 --> 00:42:34,400 Speaker 1: he offers the heightweight speed we like at that position. 884 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:38,000 Speaker 1: He's borderline six foot, he's one hundred and ninety pounds. 885 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:40,479 Speaker 1: He was a four to four four guy coming out, 886 00:42:40,960 --> 00:42:43,200 Speaker 1: so we like the idea that he offers the body 887 00:42:43,239 --> 00:42:45,279 Speaker 1: type in there. And the other thing too is he 888 00:42:45,360 --> 00:42:49,000 Speaker 1: played in the division. You know, very very knowledgeable about 889 00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:51,520 Speaker 1: the opponents that we're going to have to play. You 890 00:42:51,640 --> 00:42:53,640 Speaker 1: are the three teams twice a year that's going to 891 00:42:53,719 --> 00:42:56,000 Speaker 1: do it with our special edition of Texans All Access 892 00:42:56,040 --> 00:42:58,960 Speaker 1: with the best of Brian Gain from the Green prior 893 00:42:59,120 --> 00:43:02,520 Speaker 1: well twenty four hours from now, it'll be half hour 894 00:43:02,600 --> 00:43:06,680 Speaker 1: before kickoff, so we're looking forward to that from Arrowheads Stadium. 895 00:43:06,960 --> 00:43:09,680 Speaker 1: Join us tomorrow seven thirty kick four thirty with Texans 896 00:43:09,680 --> 00:43:12,680 Speaker 1: Countdown presented by FCL Dental. The game on television on 897 00:43:12,840 --> 00:44:38,240 Speaker 1: ABC thirteen. Have a great night, everyone, and go Texans.