Texans ready as virtual gives way to real
With return to facility, field on the horizon, offseason was as productive as possible
During these unprecedented times, the Texans have needed team leaders like quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt to step up and set an example for their teammates through such an unorthodox offseason.
The coronavirus pandemic forced teams to have virtual offseason programs without on-field instruction from coaches. Unless they were undergoing rehabilitation, players weren’t allowed at their practice facilities.
The restrictions didn’t stop Watson from working with some of his receivers, including new veterans Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb, each of whom was acquired in March and have been learning a new system overseen by coach Bill O’Brien and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.
Watson also is planning to go to Los Angeles and Phoenix to continue working with teammates as the Texans get closer to the start of training camp the third week of July.
Watt, the leader on defense and an influential voice on Zoom and Discord teleconference calls with teammates and coaches during the offseason program, was the first member of the organization to speak out after one-time Houstonian George Floyd died May 25 in the custody of Minneapolis police.
The Texans have been at the forefront of NFL teams demanding justice for Floyd, supporting their players’ right to protest and seeking an end to police brutality against African Americans.
O’Brien gave his players the day off Tuesday when many in the organization, led by owners Cal and Hannah
McNair, attended Floyd’s funeral.
The Texans end their virtual offseason program on Thursday and will report to training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center 47 days before they’re scheduled to kick off the NFL season at Kansas City in a Sept. 10 prime-time game.
Even though players have been unable to work at their facilities, it didn’t keep many of them from working out together.
Watson’s timing with his receivers is vital. Besides Cooks and Cobb, Watson has been using some of his time outdoors to throw to receivers Will Fuller, Kenny Stills and Keke Coutee and tight ends Darren Fells, Jordan Akins, Jordan Thomas and Kahale Warring.
Like Cooks and Cobb, Warring needs as much time as he can get with Watson after spending his rookie year on injured reserve because of a concussion. To make the kind of contribution
the coaches believe he’s capable of, Warring needs to develop an on-field rapport with his quarterback.
The offseason program began in mid-April, and by that time, the first wave of free agency was over, and the NFL had issued guidelines that called for shutting down facilities until the league’s medical experts told them the coast was clear.
The league scrambled and came up with a plan to conduct business remotely, and Zoom became a part of every-day language. The draft came off without a hitch, and the NFL released the schedule as if it was business as usual.
The NFL provided welcome relief for fans across the nation who had no live sports to watch.
While participating from home in the virtual offseason program, players trained on their own. The Texans stressed to players they needed to be in top physical condition when they were able to report to training camp. The fastest way to get in O’Brien’s doghouse is to be out of shape.
O’Brien, Kelly and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver — as well as the position coaches — have been impressed with how and what the players were able to learn remotely. Now Kelly and Weaver, who are making the calls for the first time on their sides of the ball, are eager to get on the field to work with their players.
Under the new CBA, when players report for training camp, they receive five days to get adjusted before the start of practice. Based on guidelines handed down by the league, players, coaches and other members of the organization will be severely restricted in what they can and can’t do until they get on the playing field.
The Texans can take comfort knowing leaders like Watson and Watt will continue to be examples for how players adjust to the unprecedented times that affect every team equally — at least until the season starts and all teams aren’t created equally.