Training Camp day one recap: the good shined through.
Jul 26, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) catches a pass during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier we looked at the down side of the first day of training camp. Let’s start things off looking on the bright side with the best sight at camp. Andre Johnson caught the very first pass in 11-on-11 practice. The crowd roared their approval at this. Whatever animosity or ill will had been husband by fans towards Andre or the Texans is buried in yesterday. And that my friends is the best thing about day one. Last week we didn’t know, heck Wednesday, we didn’t know how the Johnson saga would end. It ended with a pass to kick things off for the team.
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As far as the players and the team, there is one element that they there were very glad to see show up. The fans. When asked about the fans at camp, O’Briens response said it all. “You know, I think the fans of Houston are awesome. It’s a football town. It’s a football state.” Darn tootin it is. It’s also a very hot state in summer, but that didn’t stop the team from running conditioning tests. Everyone passed with flying colors. Another sign the players are hungry to make 2014 a special year. The camp is being run in a far more uptempo, “get it done” manner. This I think is partially just the O’Brien way of doing business but also reflects the reality of todays NFL. No huddle offenses, more go go go and less standing around in game means practice needs to have that urgency. I think it’s going to pay off in spades come September and the Washington game.
You know, I think the fans of Houston are awesome. It’s a football town. It’s a football state.
Other bright spots seen on the field were Arian Foster out in action. Yes, he’s a running back returning from back surgery and we’re all gonna worry bout him till he’s survived through at least the bye week without further complications and a return to form in his on field play. That being said, he was out there running and getting it done on day one.
Right now the team has 90 players at camp, only about 30 know they are, barring injury or complete failure on their part going to make the team. The level of competition, the drive of the veterans backed by the reportedly very loud encouragement of Bill O’Brien means the whittling down should allow the best to rise to the top and make the cut. Loud coaches, loud music and even coaches like Mike Vrable out doing wind sprints. This certainly isn’t the Texans as we’ve known them, and day one has cemented that fact.
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*Quotes provided courtesy of the Houston Texans PR Department.