Texans Rookie Brooks Reed, “Mini-Camp More Important Than Rookie Symposium”

Tuesday we told you a little about rookie safety Shiloh Keo being in town for the three day player led mini camp the Houston Texans were conducting at Rice University.

The three day camp wrapped up yesterday and another rookie present at the camp without being under contract was second round pick Brooks Reed.

Reed was at camp in order to get a jump start on learning new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ but attended with no regard to being injured and potentially losing a shot at a NFL career if the injury was to be serious enough.

Brooks Reed has been staying in Houston with former University of Arizona teammate Earl Mitchell while attending the three day mini camp.

In an interview on Sports Radio 610 AM in Houston Brooks Reed talks heat comparisons between Arizona and Houston, player led mini-camp versus rookie symposium and helping the Houston Texans to develop an identity.

Brooks Reed confirmed that he was present for the the Houston Texans first three day mini-camp that players organized which was held a few weeks ago. Reed was back this week along with fellow rookie Shiloh Keo in an attempt to fast track their learning of Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 defense.

Besides the obvious value of having coaches on the field during the camps, Reed is taking advantage of coaches not being in attendance by practicing under a more relaxed style of play and a relaxed mindset.

Brooks Reed agreed by saying, “I think right now is a perfect time to be out there learning the defense. When coaches aren’t out there I feel a little bit more relaxed. I’m not as afraid to mess up.” Reed also said, “Thats why I’m out here and not at the rookie symposium. I thought this was more important doing this.”

Brooks Reed drew a lot of pre-draft comparisons to Tedy Bruschi and most notably Clay Matthews Jr. III due to the long hair, high motor style of play and playing the linebacker position in the NFL.

We imagine along with teammate Brian Cushing, who played with Matthews at USC, the rest of the Texans defense and the Houston fan base all hope Reed can have the same impact on the field that Matthews has had while playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Reed however, wishes to eventually create his own image but genuinely thinks the comparisons “cool”.

Reed and Connor Barwin have been working together in preparation of playing standing up versus playing with a hand down. While Reed, Barwin and Mario Williams are all Learning the outside linebacker position but in Wade Phillips’ defense the outside linebackers play on the defensive line more times than not and are told to, “Go get the quarterback” once the ball is snapped.

While Reed is preparing to go get the quarterback it’s likely Reed will be relegated to a back-up adjunct on the defense and most likely special teams until he gets a better sense of the defense and most likely will eventually come in on rush packages.

Reed who played special teams all four years While at the University of Arizona although being limited on special teams during his senior year due to the need for his high motor on the defensive side of the ball for the Arizona Wildcats.

Brooks Reed is drawing physical comparisons to Clay Matthews Jr. III, prepping to go get the quarterback and working out without a contract truly risking his future in the NFL. This mentality is exactly what the Texans need in order to turn the corner. The rookies who are taking part should be commended and it has to be a breath of fresh air for fans to know that Brooks Reed is ready to give the Fan base, the City of Houston and the Texans an identity that can be embraced and loved.

We can assure Brooks Reed that a winning identity is the only persona we want the Houston Texans to identify as.