Boxing belt has team ready for fumbles
Five games into the season, the Texans are the only NFL team that has yet to intercept a pass.
Because the Texans haven’t created or capitalized on opportunities in games, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is providing an incentive and a reminder about the importance of turnovers.
Weaver ordered a Texans-themed, boxing championship style belt that includes the words: “Turnover champ,” “HOU,” and an expletive.
“I know it’s kind of high schoolish and gimmicky but it does its job,” Weaver said. “It serves its purpose.”
The Texans rank 28th in the NFL in turnover differential with a minus-5 mark. The recovered their first two fumbles in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville.
“Obviously, turnovers with us was a stat that we were lacking in,” Weaver said. “So, I just wanted to make sure that I drew purpose and intention to what we were doing in practice. So, what we do is we chart strip attempts. We chart PBUs, tipped balls, all those things, just to try to get the guys focused on trying get the ball and hunt the ball.”
Vrabel knows it’s a business
When Titans coach Mike Vrabel was coaching at Ohio State, his first NFL opportunity came from former Texans coach Bill O’Brien.
O’Brien hired Vrabel to coach the Texans’ linebackers, later promoting his close friend to defensive coordinator before he was hired by Tennessee as head coach.
O’Brien was fired from his jobs as coach and general manager two weeks ago. Now, Vrabel is coaching the undefeated Titans heading into a Sunday game against the 1-4 Texans.
“Bill was the person that called and offered me a first job in the NFL and one that I was excited to take,” Vrabel said. “To be a part of that staff, he helped prepare me for this opportunity, which I was grateful for. Things that he had done, things that he would do differently, the daily requirements of a head coach in this league.
“And then my response was that, when people that you consider to be friends have something that doesn’t go their way, you’re disappointed for them but you understand that’s part of the business. Unfortunately, we all know what we signed up for. I care about Bill’s family.”
Watson messages injured Prescott
Deshaun Watson, who had his rookie season cut short by a knee injury, reached out to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott via social media and text after Prescott suffered a broken ankle that required surgery and ended his season.
“These next six months are going to be a challenge but he’s that type of person to handle all that,” Watson said. “He’s going to have a great supporting cast and everyone in the NFL, especially in the quarterback position, is going to lift him up and send our prayers towards him and make sure he’s good.”
Ex-A&M receiver has workout
Former Texas A&M receiver Damion Ratley is working out for Texans, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. Ratley (6-2, 200) was released by the Giants this week and went unclaimed off waivers.
Ratley was flagged for offensive pass interference for a pick that nullified a touchdown pass in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.