O’Brien praises first week’s productivity
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The players get their first day off Monday after five consecutive days of practice.
On Sunday, they practiced in sunshine for the first time since they arrived at The Greenbrier Sports and Performance Center.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot accomplished,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “A lot of situational football — third down, red area. I’m not going to get into the details of that we’re doing on both sides of the ball.”
O’Brien was asked what he likes best about his team.
“These guys compete,” he said. “That’s the big thing.
“I can’t wait to come to meetings and practice every day because I know these guys are going to do what we’re asking them to do. They’re a very coachable group, and it’s been a fun week.”
Even though O’Brien said it was a good first week, it’s never good enough for coaches.
“It’s the beginning of training camp (and) every day you’re looking at things you can try to improve on, whether it’s playing or coaching,” he said. “How can you attack this better? How can you perfect your technique as a player?
“You can learn a lot when you’re on the field.”
All eyes on Fuller’s growth as key WR
Second-year receiver Will Fuller is expected to make a big leap this season.
He earned a starting spot as a rookie opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
Fuller had 47 catches for 635 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 15 yards on 11 punt returns and beat Tennessee with a return for a touchdown.
But Fuller also dropped too many passes.
“He’s had a good camp,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a really good route runner, comes to work every day.
“A very studious guy, knows the playbook inside and out. Fun guy to coach.”
McKinney praised for his stablility
In his second season, inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney developed into one of the better players at his position.
He was the only player in the league with at least 100 tackles and five sacks.
“He’s a pro,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He loves the game. He prepares. He loves meetings and practice … everything about football. He’s one of our leaders now.
“He’s on the inside there with Cush (Brian Cushing), and that’s a good duo. He’s come a long way since his rookie year, and he’s one of our better players; there’s no doubt about it.”
Trust key to veteran’s special-teams success
Punter Shane Lechler (18 years) and kicker Nick Novak (10) have a combined 28 years of experience, the most of any punter-kicker combination in the NFL.
Add snapper Jon Weeks, entering his eighth season, and you won’t find many threesomes in the league with more experience.
There’s a secret to their longevity and success.
“The trust factor,” Weeks said. “It comes down to each of us has to trust the other one. I trust that if I don’t snap the best ball on a field goal, Shane’s going to put the ball down, and Nick’s going to put it through the uprights.
“With Shane’s punting, he knows that if he doesn’t hit the best ball, he’s got 10 guys running down the field trying to cover their tails off for him. The same goes for Nick. We work well together. So far, early in camp, everything’s going well.”
Turnovers a focus for top defense
The Texans finished first in defense last season, leading the NFL in fewest yards allowed.
The defensive players want to be better this season, and they know where that improvement must come.
“One of the things we talked about as soon as we got back for OTAs is creating turnovers,” cornerback Kareem Jackson said.
Last season, the Texans had 17 takeaways, including 11 interceptions. Jackson scored the only defensive touchdown on an interception return.
“We feel like our job is to create turnovers,” Jackson said. “We definitely want to be the best unit in football (but) we (have to) improve on that as well as continue to get better in some of the other categories.”