3 months ago
Here is everything Houston Texans safety Reed Blankenship said after day 14 of training camp, including how his style of play compares to fellow safety Jalen Pitre, his thoughts on the upcoming joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders and his experience with the Texans so far.
Question: On how his time with the Texans has been so far
Reed Blankenship: "I think it's been great. I feel like we have a lot of fun. One of my main things coming in here was trying to be a voice on the defense, to be a communicator. I found out really fast, I think it was in OTAs, where it was one play and there was a check. I started checking to something and Azeez [Al-Shaair] was like, 'What's this guy doing?' And then he corrected me, but I'm like, 'Okay, there you have a communicator.' I just want to let him know that I want to be on the same page. We're going to work in unison, but we're going to get everybody lined up. It's been great. It's been fun. There's a lot of different personalities, especially in the defensive back room and I just feel like I can get along with a lot of guys and just keep the vibes high."
Q: On his leadership and communication style
Blankenship: "I've always lived by being a follower before a leader. Obviously, in Philly, I was fortunate enough to be a captain and there were a lot of people before me. I've had [Darius] Slay [Jr.], I had Marcus Epps; I had a lot of these older vets that led the way for me. I just want to sit back and watch how they lead, especially coming to a place like this. Obviously, there are established leaders and stuff, so it would be wrong for me to come in and try to step on people's toes. Obviously, I had success there in Philly. Coming here, I want to bring the same thing, but I'm not going to say, 'Oh, we did this a different way,' or, 'We need to do this because it worked here.' Everything's different. The organizations are different. Players are different. At the end of the day, you just want to be as smooth as possible. As I said, be on the same page. Communicate, be on the same page. At the end of the day, enjoy football and have fun."
#blankenship #obviously
Question: On how his time with the Texans has been so far
Reed Blankenship: "I think it's been great. I feel like we have a lot of fun. One of my main things coming in here was trying to be a voice on the defense, to be a communicator. I found out really fast, I think it was in OTAs, where it was one play and there was a check. I started checking to something and Azeez [Al-Shaair] was like, 'What's this guy doing?' And then he corrected me, but I'm like, 'Okay, there you have a communicator.' I just want to let him know that I want to be on the same page. We're going to work in unison, but we're going to get everybody lined up. It's been great. It's been fun. There's a lot of different personalities, especially in the defensive back room and I just feel like I can get along with a lot of guys and just keep the vibes high."
Q: On his leadership and communication style
Blankenship: "I've always lived by being a follower before a leader. Obviously, in Philly, I was fortunate enough to be a captain and there were a lot of people before me. I've had [Darius] Slay [Jr.], I had Marcus Epps; I had a lot of these older vets that led the way for me. I just want to sit back and watch how they lead, especially coming to a place like this. Obviously, there are established leaders and stuff, so it would be wrong for me to come in and try to step on people's toes. Obviously, I had success there in Philly. Coming here, I want to bring the same thing, but I'm not going to say, 'Oh, we did this a different way,' or, 'We need to do this because it worked here.' Everything's different. The organizations are different. Players are different. At the end of the day, you just want to be as smooth as possible. As I said, be on the same page. Communicate, be on the same page. At the end of the day, enjoy football and have fun."
#blankenship #obviously
3 months ago
If there's one thing the Houston Texans don't need to teach Keylan Rutledge, it's physicality.
Playing after the whistle? That could be up for debate.
The fiery first-round pick out of Georgia Tech has been the talk of training camp for all the right reasons. A former guard, Rutledge has transformed into a solid center prospect, winning the starting job as Houston prepares for its first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But Rutledge hasn't been afraid to throw it back at the defense after reps, including some of Houston's top players. On the first day of padded practice, he and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair sparred for a second once the whistle blew. He fired back at Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Rutledge got into it once more, this time sparring with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. And unlike Al-Shaair, this continued for several seconds and needed multiple players to break the two up.
#houston #shaair #defensive #texans
Playing after the whistle? That could be up for debate.
The fiery first-round pick out of Georgia Tech has been the talk of training camp for all the right reasons. A former guard, Rutledge has transformed into a solid center prospect, winning the starting job as Houston prepares for its first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But Rutledge hasn't been afraid to throw it back at the defense after reps, including some of Houston's top players. On the first day of padded practice, he and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair sparred for a second once the whistle blew. He fired back at Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Rutledge got into it once more, this time sparring with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. And unlike Al-Shaair, this continued for several seconds and needed multiple players to break the two up.
#houston #shaair #defensive #texans
3 months ago
Here is everything Houston Texans linebacker Henry To'o To'o said after Day 7 of training camp, including what it is going to take for Houston to win the Super Bowl, how he takes care of his body and his thoughts on the Texans adding Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Question: On what he did during the offseason to prepare for Training Camp
Henry To'oTo'o: "It was a lot. It was a whole lot. I feel like I spent a lot of time with Azeez [Al-Shaair]. I do every offseason. I was here most of the time, spending time with this training staff, with [Head Strength and Conditioning ******* istant Coach] Mike Eubanks, spending time with them and then just working on footwork stuff here with Azeez. Azeez and I spent a lot of time together this offseason. Then obviously going back home, working with my coach, Coach [Mark] Wine. It was like my term, 'It takes a village to raise a child.' It was a whole village that I put into this offseason, knowing what kind of year it is for me personally, but for the team collectively. I want to be the best player that I can be for this team. I try to use all the resources that I have available to be able to make that happen to be the best I can be."
Q: On what this year means to him personally
To'oTo'o: "I want to win. I've answered this before. Obviously, it's my fourth year. We all are contract this, contract that. Yeah, that sounds good and all, but I just want to win. I want to make this team the first team in this organization to make it to the Super Bowl and to win the Super Bowl. I want to be a winner. No matter what it looks like, I want to win the play, win the down and then obviously win the game, every game that I go out. But I think my main goal, it means to me, is just to win. I want to win. I don't like losing. I just want to win."
#bowl #offseason
Question: On what he did during the offseason to prepare for Training Camp
Henry To'oTo'o: "It was a lot. It was a whole lot. I feel like I spent a lot of time with Azeez [Al-Shaair]. I do every offseason. I was here most of the time, spending time with this training staff, with [Head Strength and Conditioning ******* istant Coach] Mike Eubanks, spending time with them and then just working on footwork stuff here with Azeez. Azeez and I spent a lot of time together this offseason. Then obviously going back home, working with my coach, Coach [Mark] Wine. It was like my term, 'It takes a village to raise a child.' It was a whole village that I put into this offseason, knowing what kind of year it is for me personally, but for the team collectively. I want to be the best player that I can be for this team. I try to use all the resources that I have available to be able to make that happen to be the best I can be."
Q: On what this year means to him personally
To'oTo'o: "I want to win. I've answered this before. Obviously, it's my fourth year. We all are contract this, contract that. Yeah, that sounds good and all, but I just want to win. I want to make this team the first team in this organization to make it to the Super Bowl and to win the Super Bowl. I want to be a winner. No matter what it looks like, I want to win the play, win the down and then obviously win the game, every game that I go out. But I think my main goal, it means to me, is just to win. I want to win. I don't like losing. I just want to win."
#bowl #offseason
3 months ago
Former Houston Texans linebacker Devin White has found a new home.
According to reports, White and the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms on a one-year deal. The former first-round pick spent the 2024 season with the Texans as a No. 3 option behind Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o.
White, 28, started all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, totaling 174 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, an interception, three forced fumbles and one pass breakup. His hit total ranked third in the NFL, trailing only new teammate Jack Campbell (176) and Miami Dolphins' Jordyn Brooks (183).
A former star for LSU, White was selected fifth overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He spent his first five seasons in Tampa, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and a second-team All-Pro nod in 2020.
During the 2020 season, White was the anchor of the Buccaneers' defense en route to a Super Bowl ****** le. He recorded two interceptions, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries to go along with 23 total tackles.
#white
According to reports, White and the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms on a one-year deal. The former first-round pick spent the 2024 season with the Texans as a No. 3 option behind Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o.
White, 28, started all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, totaling 174 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, an interception, three forced fumbles and one pass breakup. His hit total ranked third in the NFL, trailing only new teammate Jack Campbell (176) and Miami Dolphins' Jordyn Brooks (183).
A former star for LSU, White was selected fifth overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He spent his first five seasons in Tampa, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and a second-team All-Pro nod in 2020.
During the 2020 season, White was the anchor of the Buccaneers' defense en route to a Super Bowl ****** le. He recorded two interceptions, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries to go along with 23 total tackles.
#white
4 months ago
Finally another member of the Houston Texans has cracked the NFL's Top 100 list for 2026.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, fresh off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, was selected as the No.58 player for the upcoming season. He's the first Texans player to make the list since Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair appeared back at the initial ranking at No. 92 player.
"I don't think anyone can cover him one-on-one," All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said in the release from the NFL. "It's just not possible. It's really not."
While it is a drop from last season's No. 32 ranking, still being considered a consensus top 10 wide receiver is key. Collins has dealt with injuries throughout his career, limiting him to under 17 games per season.
That hasn't limited his production since Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud arrived in 2023. Over his past three seasons, the 6-foot-4 wideout has been consistent, totaling at least 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns. Last season, he finished with 1,117 and a team-leading six touchdowns on 71 catches.
#since
Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, fresh off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, was selected as the No.58 player for the upcoming season. He's the first Texans player to make the list since Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair appeared back at the initial ranking at No. 92 player.
"I don't think anyone can cover him one-on-one," All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said in the release from the NFL. "It's just not possible. It's really not."
While it is a drop from last season's No. 32 ranking, still being considered a consensus top 10 wide receiver is key. Collins has dealt with injuries throughout his career, limiting him to under 17 games per season.
That hasn't limited his production since Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud arrived in 2023. Over his past three seasons, the 6-foot-4 wideout has been consistent, totaling at least 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns. Last season, he finished with 1,117 and a team-leading six touchdowns on 71 catches.
#since
