Coach detects ‘buzz in the building’
The Texans have built a somewhat unconventional front office as they will go without a traditional general manager after firing Brian Gaine in June.
After making an unsuccessful run at New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio and briefly being charged with tampering before agreeing to end their pursuit of Bill Belichick‘s top lieutenant, the Texans have decided to divide up responsibilities on football decisions.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien reports directly to chairman and chief executive officer Cal McNair.
O’Brien has the primary authority when it comes to personnel decisions, but he doesn’t work in a vacuum. He operates in tandem with senior vice president of football Chris Olsen, director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan, director of pro scouting Rob Kisiel, director of college scouting James Liipfert and executive vice president of player development Jack Easterby.
“We have a really strong structure in place here,” O’Brien said. “Chris Olsen, he’s been here for a long time, a very valuable member of the organization. Cal and I talk every day. Cal talks to a lot of people in the organization every day. He’s really done a great job of leading this organization.
“We have a lot of experience, a very strong structure in place. We meet together, we think about things, we make the best decisions in the best interest of the team, and it’s been really exciting and there’s a buzz in the building.”
O’Brien was asked if his decision-making power has grown since Gaine’s dismissal.
“I’ve always been involved in personnel decisions since the day I walked in here, no more no less,” O’Brien said.
It’s no surprise that Clowney a no-show
When the Texans launched their first practice, Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was, as expected, a no-show.
The unsigned franchise player plans to skip the majority of training camp and the preseason before signing his $15.967 million tender shortly before the start of the regular season, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Clowney is not required to report until he signs his tender under NFL rules and can’t be fined. He has been training on his own with LeBron James’ trainer and appears to be in excellent shape.
“I can tell you unequivocally that we want Jadeveon Clowney here,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “There’s always a difference when you’re talking about money relative to wanting him on the team. That’s something that the agent ( Bus Cook) and our organization are working on. We would love to have him here. He’s a really talented football player.The sooner the better, I’d love to have him here.”
O’Brien declined to say if he has been in regular communication with the former top overall pick from South Carolina.
“I’m not going to get into that,” O’Brien said. “I will tell you that he’s working and he’s doing what he needs to do. When he decides he wants to be back, he’ll be back.”
Fuller, Kalil take part in practices
The Texans’ most dangerous deep threat is ahead of schedule in his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last season.
Starting wide receiver Will Fuller returned to practice and is expected to be ready for the season opener at New Orleans.
“He’s had a really good offseason relative to the things he’s had to do to get himself back on the field,” coach Bill O’Brien said of Fuller, who caught 32 passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns last season before getting hurt against the Miami Dolphins. “He was here every day, put a lot of time into it, just did an excellent job.”
Former Pro Bowl left tackle Matt Kalil, who was out for the entire offseason and has missed a lot of time in recent years, practiced Thursday and joined younger teammates for sessions earlier this week.
“Matt did a nice job,” O’Brien said. “It’s obvious he’s studied a lot.”
Odds and ends
Safety Justin Reid was at practice, but he isn’t ready to participate yet after being involved in a car accident last weekend. Reid is on the nonfootball injury list with assorted bumps and bruises, but he isn’t expected to be out long. … Starting center Nick Martin was sidelined with a minor, undisclosed injury but is expected back soon. … Rookie outside linebacker Jamal Davis was activated from the non-football illness list now that he’s recovered from the flu. … Wide receiver Isaac Whitney was carted off the field. He was holding his hand and wrist.