Inside
Five takeaways from the Texans’ day at practice as well as a look at the running back situation, where coach Bill O’Brien has decisions regarding the starter. Veteran RB Alfred Blue takes nothing for granted.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien has noted on a number of occasions how tough it’s going to be to make the final cut among the running backs, and Alfred Blue, who started 12 games over his first two NFL seasons because of injuries to Arian Foster, is paying attention.
Blue has yet to play during the preseason because of a shoulder injury and he admitted Monday, after returning to practice, he’s taking nothing for granted.
“It felt good getting back out there and helping contribute,” Blue said. “It’s very tough (being hurt during the preseason) because this is the time of year when you have to make the team. I feel like every year I have to make the team. It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been here. There’s always somebody coming, gunning for you. That’s my mentality.”
Blue is the projected backup to starter Lamar Miller. But his former LSU teammate Kenny Hilliard, who spent his rookie season in 2015 on the practice squad, has taken advantage of the extra playing time he has no doubt received because of Blue’s absence. Hilliard and another second-year pro, the speedy Akeem Hunt, have shown flashes. Rookie Tyler Ervin ,a fourth-round draft pick, seems certain to make the team and another veteran, Jonathan Grimes ,is highly thought of by the coaching staff.
Asked about Blue, O’Brien said jokingly: “He looked dynamite. It was the greatest practice I’ve ever seen. There’s a (Hall of Fame) gold jacket fitting ceremony in the locker room right now. No, he looked good. He’s a good guy and he’s out there. We just want to bring these guys back when they’re ready to play and he’s ready to play, so he’ll be back in there this week.”
A former sixth-round draft pick, Blue has rushed for 1,226 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons, with 30 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
Coaching job not for Wilfork
Although defensive line coach Anthony Weaver went into coaching as soon as he was finished playing, Texans 13-year veteran nose tackle Vince Wilfork insists that won’t be an option for him.
“(I) never want to coach,” Wilfork said. “I always said if I can coach, I can play because of the hours they put in.”
But Wilfork concedes he behaves much like a coach when he’s on the field, saying: “Even when I was a young guy, I always had a knack for bringing people along. I was always a leader. I have passion for whatever I do. I want to be the best, and I want to win at everything I do. I think that’s something that comes naturally for me and I accept my role and enjoy my role.”
New surface already a hit
The 16-9 victory over New Orleans on Saturday night was the Texans’ first game on the UBU synthetic surface that was installed last week at NRG Stadium. And because of the rain Monday morning, they were back on it for practice, saving them from getting soaked making the trek to the Methodist Training Center bubble.
“I believe that our players really like it,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think that it’s a really nice surface.
“With it down now, we have the ability to go in there and practice without having to walk across the street. We can go right across the hall here. I think it’s really good for our team.”
Clowney applies practice lessons
After missing the preseason victory at San Francisco with soreness in his surgically repaired knee, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney helped the Texans defeat the Saints. Clowney had a 14-yard sack and played the run well.
“He had a good week of practice,” linebackers coach Mike Vrabel said. “He saw what the Saints did in practice, and he was able to carry that over into the game.
“That’s a good lesson for him. If we can see him and he gets the practice reps and sees what they’re doing, he can make his instinctive plays. As long as he’s able to prepare, he gives himself a chance and gives our defense a chance to be productive.”
Cushing keeps rolling along
Linebacker Brian Cushing was in on a team-high six tackles, including four unassisted, against New Orleans. He helped the defense stuff the Saints’ running game and surrender only 57 yards in the first half.
“He loves football,” linebackers coach Mike Vrabel said about Cushing. “He takes care of his body. When you love football, you’re going to find ways to play well and extend your career.”
Cushing has enjoyed an excellent training camp and earned the coaches’ praise on a consistent basis. This is his third season playing for Vrabel and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.
“He’s really into the scheme,” Vrabel said. “He’s into what the offense is running. He’s trying to diagnose plays. He’s tracking the ball.”
No kicker? No problem
The Texans didn’t have a healthy kicker for practice Monday. Veteran Nick Novak, who made all three of his field goals against the Saints, remains in concussion protocol after taking a shot on his final kickoff near the end of the game; rookie Ka’imi Fairbairn has been dealing with a strained quadriceps muscle. Coach Bill O’Brien didn’t seem concerned.
“I thought Nick (Novak) kicked well the other night,” he said. “Obviously the kid from UCLA, he’s got a quad deal, so he’s dealing with that. When he comes back, we’ll put him back into the mix. I think they’re doing fine.”
So far, so good for rookie WRs
Sean Ryan, the Texans’ first-year receivers coach who came from the New York Giants, was happy with his rookie receivers’ performance against New Orleans. Will Fuller and Braxton Miller combined for seven catches, 107 yards and a touchdown.
Fuller, the first-round pick from Notre Dame, led the Texans with four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Brock Osweiler. Miller, the third-round pick from Ohio State, added three catches for 34 yards.
“That was another step in the process,” Ryan said. “There’s talent and production. Those guys have had a really good attitude about working and studying and acting professional. We’re happy with where they are, but they have to keep doing it. If they do, they’ll improve. But they’re not finished products, obviously.”