Houston Texans Morning Huddle–Those on the Up

Here are your daily Houston Texans stories to kick off your weekend:

Texans that have Improved by Sean Pendergast, Houston Press

"4. BERNARDRICK McKINNEY, Inside linebacker2015 Summary: Played in 14 games and wound up the third leading tackler on the team (63 tackles), and improved as the season went along.Why improvement in 2016 is crucial: Because Brian Cushing has never really had a plus-level fellow inside linebacker playing alongside him, and the improvement of this defense from really good to great lies in young players like McKinney and Clowney approaching their ceilings. Also, Cushing is on the back end of his career and an heir apparent as a leader at inside linebacker would be a nice development this season."

McKinney will certainly be one of the guys that Houston calls on to produce this coming season. It’s great to see the coaching staff singing his praises.

Ross Tucker Questions Osweiler by Greg Rajan, Houston Chronicle

"“I do believe he probably didn’t go because he thought it’d be uncomfortable or awkward. I do think that does say something about him. … (Missing the ring ceremony), it makes me wonder about him a little bit in terms of his psyche now that he’s ‘the guy’ somewhere. And when things are going to get tough – because they’re going to – it’s going to be interesting to see how he handles it. He clearly wants to avoid certain situations for whatever his reasoning.”"

More from Toro Times

• Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
• Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
• Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
• Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
• Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith

People just can’t stop questioning this guy. Can we just let him play some games before we pass any more judgement please?

Covington Learning Defense by Aaron Reiss, Houston Chronicle

"Rice football coach David Bailiff chuckled at the thought. Not because he didn’t want to or couldn’t believe it, but because it seemed almost too ideal.Christian Covington, a former Owl and now a Texans defensive lineman, might be the starting end opposite J.J. Watt."

Glad to see progress from the young player. In his second year in the league things will become a lot easier. He can slow the game down and just play, and it looks like he is emerging.