11 Observations from Day Three of Texans Training Camp

The running backs made the most of a busy day before pads come on.

Training camp is well underway and the Houston Texans finished their final workout before a day away from the field. There were plenty of happenings in front of the fans who were allowed in for the first time.

Here are 11 observations from the workout on July 28.

1. The running backs had a nice day for not having pads on. Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary are going to be a fun tandem. Each of them had nice runs where the defense didn’t make any contact for a few yards down the field. I’m excited to see the rushing attack as camp gets more intense.

2. Dameon Pierce has plenty of burst and juice to his game. The success he had last season seemingly has been built on. Plus, the offensive line should be better. Pierce said he wanted to lose some baby fat this offseason. Pierce also addressed the running back value conversation that is happening across football. While he was not worried, he noted he needs to take care of his business before he worries too far into the future. Pierce also had the best joke of camp so far as well. He said, “Who knows when it’s time for my thing the running back market might be high as it’s ever been, kinda like houses in 2008 it’s time to buy a running back!”

3. Kenyon Green is still taking it slow working back from his knee injury. Green cleared some space for Dameon Pierce on a nice run. When Green isn’t in there Michael Deiter takes snaps at left guard next to Laremy Tunsil. I’m not sure how long the light load for Green will continue, but when the pads come out he will be an even more interesting watch.

4. Derek Stingley was locking down wideouts today. Stingley has looked good through the three days. Yes, he has allowed a catch. He’s not perfect. Friday Davis Mills tested him and it went poorly for Mills and his intended receiver Noah Brown. Stingley was all over Brown and Mills had to sail the ball to try to get the ball to Brown. Incomplete. Later, Derek Stingley, had the wideout covered so well that Mills had to get rid of it and just threw it to nobody.

5. Cornerback Tavierre Thomas had a nice day. Thomas knocked away a pass intended for Noah Brown. He’s quick too. It will be a good challenge for Tank Dell and John Metchie, who was off on Friday, going against Thomas in practice. Thomas has been one of the best slot corners in football for the past couple of seasons. He’s a tenacious defender and seems to understand his position well.

6. I would say neither quarterback won the day. I would go as far, as to stay with the combat sports scoring I have been talking about, to score it 9-9 for the quarterbacks on Friday. So, for those keeping track, it’s been 10-9 Stroud, 10-9 Stroud, and 9-9 on Friday. Mills was bad early and Stroud struggled towards the end of the practice.

7. C.J. Stroud had his worst throw of training camp on Friday. Now, it’s one throw. And if I could get another look I would bet it was tipped, but there wasn’t a replay. The ball fluttered like your friend who doesn’t play sports but is athletic threw the ball. It was wobbly and nothing like Stroud’s other passes and Eric Murray almost intercepted it. I say almost because an official standing there called it incomplete. Stroud holds onto the ball longer than Mills. It seems as though he’s trying to make the best play instead of the easiest play. It hasn’t synched up a lot for Stroud that the best play is the easiest play. That has led to a mixed bag through three days. Stroud missed high for Nico Collins with Steven Nelson in coverage. It just wasn’t the crispest day for the offense.

8. The easy play and best play synched up for C.J. Stroud when he hit Tank Dell in one of the team periods. The defense was bearing down on Stroud and he whipped the ball out to Tank Dell. Steven Nelson was there to defend Dell but he didn’t get anywhere near putting a hand on him. A nifty stop then cut saw Dell with plenty of real estate in front of him and Nelson searching for the wideout.

9. Speaking of escaping a defender C.J. Stroud had a nice moment with that. Defensive end Jerry Hughes looked to be headed towards a dominant sack but Stroud moved out of the rush lane. Then he took off for a good gain. Almost a first down.

10. The defense is ahead of the offense so far. DeMeco Ryans said after practice he wasn’t worried and in most training camps he has been a part of the defense started ahead and the offense caught up. Ryans said typically it doesn’t take the offense long to catch up after they get going. Jonathan Greenard had a rep where he would have demolished Davis Mills in a live rep. Thomas Booker had what would have been a tackle for no gain. Defensive lineman Byron Cowart almost flattened Mills and DeMeco Ryans jumped for joy as Cowart was headed to make the play before Mills quickly got rid of the ball for a short gain.

11. The stud on defense once again was Will Anderson. I can’t get enough of the Anderson reps. Early in practice, he was being blocked as the play developed and then hit a swim move that would have led to a sack. Then there were two plays almost back-to-back. My note was simply “51 OMG” on my notepad. Anderson initially fell for the play action, then he stopped, changed directions, and closed on Davis Mills like you see cheetahs close on prey on the nature channels. Shortly after Dalton Schultz felt Will Anderson's wrath as he blasted past the tight end for a tackle for a loss. He’s a stud.

There is an off day from workouts tomorrow, but there will be content here on the site. The first padded practice is Sunday.

If there are certain things you would like for me to pay attention to at workouts please leave a comment and I will do my best to oblige. I want to be the eyes and ears of anyone who can’t attend these workouts.