OL Scharping shows flexibility
Texans left offensive guard Max Scharping gained a lot of knowledge as a rookie, emerging as a reliable starter.
The second-round draft pick from Northern Illinois started 14 of 16 games for the AFC South champions.
After Scharping entered the starting lineup against the Chargers, he performed capably. Scharping (6-6, 327 pounds) drew high marks for his work ethic, intellect, versatility and power. He allowed just three sacks overall with six penalties lining up next to left tackle Laremy Tunsil and center Nick Martin.
The Texans are encouraged by Scharping’s progress and positional flexibility, including his ability to play offensive tackle or center when needed.
“Max is definitely improved,” Texans coach and general manager Bill
O’Brien said Thursday during a Zoom video call. “I believe that experience, you can’t replace it. You learn the speed of the game, the strength of the game and the things you need to get better at technique-wise. Max is so coachable.
“He’s a very, very focused guy that cares a lot about doing what’s best for the team. He’s getting better. He’s put on weight; he’s gotten stronger in the offseason. He’s had a good camp. He can do other things. He can jump in and play tackle if we need him to. He’s played a little center for us. He’s a multiple-tool guy up front, which is good.”
Signed to a $5.068 million contract, Scharping led the AFC South champions with a $257,393 performance-based pay bonus.
“I think anytime you’re getting more experience, it helps you confidencewise,” Scharping said. “Anytime you’re playing next to good guys like Nick and Laremy, it helps you mentally. You’re going to get a little bit better.”
Video seeks to ‘affect change’
The Texans released a social justice video seeking tangible changes intended to stop police brutality and systemic racism.
The team made six specific calls for action, including support of the George Floyd Policing Act in solidarity with the Ravens.
Among the statements made by players:
Kenny Stills :“Noone should feel like the color of their skin increases the chances that the people who have been put in place to protect them may be the very ones who end up killing them.”
Darren Fells :“Noone should have their neck knelt on for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while unarmed and already detained by four officers.”
David Johnson :“No one should be shot in the back seven times unarmed while their kids are watching in the car.”
Brennan Scarlett :“No one should feel comfortable knowing that Breonna Taylor has not received justice.”
J.J. Watt: “In order to hold ourselves up to the great ideals that we claim to hold ourselves to in this country we must recognize that change is necessary and it needs to happen now.”
“I thought the video was awesome,” safety Justin Reid said. “I thought it was very powerful. It’s a time now to start getting more specific and not be as vague and list out the actual points and ways we can actually affect change and make those concrete statements.”
Receiver Coutee healthy again
Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee had an encouraging scrimmage.
Especially considering he is coming off of a minor stress fracture that sidelined him for a week of practice.
Bill O’Brien indicated that Coutee was able to fully participate, including return duties and lining up at different receiver spots.
“Keke looked good,” O’Brien said. “He was cutting off of his foot and doing some good things. He returned kicks. He played in the slot.
“He played on the outside. He ran reverses. He did a lot of different things. He looked pretty good.”
Reid honored for community work
Texans safety Justin Reid won the annual Spirit of the Bull award for his involvement in the community.
Reid helped provide Microsoft Surface tablets to Houston area medical students. He previously donated to Kid’s Meals Houston and is also involved with Candle Lighters and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“The Spirit of the Bull award is probably one of the coolest awards that the Texans organization does,” Reid said. “It’s a big honor. It’s a big deal to me to always want to give back, especially work with kids. I’m in the middle of trying to create my foundation and I plan to do a whole lot more in the future.”
Ex-Raider Hall makes progress
When the Texans signed former Raiders defensive lineman P.J. Hall, they wanted to give the former Sam Houston State standout time to get into better shape before letting him practice.
For the past few weeks, Hall has made a strong impression on the coaching staff with two good scrimmages.
The highest drafted player in school history as a second-round pick, Hall wasn’t a fit with the Raiders and was cut this year after an attempted trade to Minnesota was nullified when he failed his physical. A change of scenery has benefited Hall.
“We’ve asked him to get in better condition,” Bill O’Brien said. “He’s lost weight. He’s shown up every day. He’s worked hard in the weight room.
“He’s trying to work hard on his diet. I thought he played well the last couple days. We’ll continue to work with him and we’ll see where it goes.”