Emptying the Training Camp Notebook Before Padded Practices

Remember the Jeopardy category potpourri? Think of this as my version of potpourri.

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The Houston Texans have no workout today. The first padded practice of training camp is tomorrow.

The first three days have been full of observations. Day one was the first look at C.J. Stroud. Day two was highlighted by Noah Brown’s big day. Day three saw Will Anderson dominate.

Here is a smattering of observations that didn’t make the notes from the first three days.

• I may have underestimated linebacker Christian Kirksey. He doesn’t seem out of place through a few days. He has been on the field with linebackers Christian Harris and Denzel Perryman and looked the part so far.

• Andrew Beck and Troy Hairston have a fun battle going for the fullback spot. Beck’s receiving ability might be the tiebreaker there. Expect to see more fullback this year than in recent years.

• Rookie wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson has yet to stand out. It’s just three days but the only thing I can recall from Hutchinson is a diving attempt that failed to reel in a catch.

• Robert Woods doesn’t often look like he is exerting himself to take care of his business in his reps at wide receiver. I don’t want to say effortless, but he knows how to shift gears when needed. His route running is quite crisp as well. Woods said this wide receiver group will pride themselves on the route running.

• DeMeco Ryans praised rookie linebacker Henry To’oTo’o’s ability to correct mistakes quickly after the coaches point it out to him. To’oTo’o was lauded for his football smarts as a prospect.

• Xazavian Valladay is a rookie running back trying to beat out some veterans for a spot on the team. While he hasn’t had many flash moments, I can remember a nice catch near the sideline where he turned it up the field and gained a good chunk of yards without going out of bounds.

• Veteran defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway blew up a play for a would-be sack on day two. His familiarity with the defense certainly gives him a leg up, but he’s got some juice to him.

• Jacob Martin is quite the handful at the defensive end spot. He’s used his speed more than a few times to disrupt a play or put some pressure on the offense.

• Tight end Brevin Jordan got to his spot and hauled in a C.J. Stroud pass at just the right time. Will Anderson was giving chase, but Stroud saw Jordan and got rid of the ball.

• Punter Cam Johnston is a player who effortlessly does his job. His accuracy is impressive. He also does a good job of giving some unique wobbles for the punt returners to deal with in drills.

• Nick Caserio said some players would return either Sunday or Monday from the physically unable to perform list. I hope one of those is tight end Teagan Quitoriano. There is plenty of opportunity for him when he gets healthy.

I will be chasing down more player comments on Dalton Schultz’s praise for Bobby Slowik’s teaching ability. If you missed the Schultz conversation you can read it below.

READ: Tight End Dalton Schultz Adds Evidence to Slowik's Legitimacy

While I pride myself on the observations, I can’t see everything. My friend TexansCap has a site of his own. Check out his observations from some of the days of training camp.

Padded practices are up next starting tomorrow. We will hear from C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson soon. Texans training camp is really getting going now!