Texans quarterback CJ Stroud will be the first to tell you, it’s been “a long, long, long (training) camp.”
But the Texans finally broke camp Thursday morning with spirited combined practice with the Los Angeles Rams in front of a packed crowd at their practice facility. It was exactly what the Texans needed after more than a month of competing against each other.
“Today was good to see a new structure, a new type of defense,” Stroud said following Thursday’s practice. “I thought we handled it well. It was ups and downs. We’ve got to get better in a lot of different areas. But ultimately today, we got what we need and what we wanted.”
The Texans and Rams went at it all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams, in practice ahead of their preseason finale matchup on Saturday (12 p.m.) at NRG Stadium. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans thought it was good for his team to go against different players and see more simulated game speed than they normally see in practice.
Both teams did a lot of situational work, and Stroud and new receiver Stefon Diggs even showed their growing connection on deep pass plays.
“The biggest benefit of this is we get to go against a different team, different schemes in all three phases and to see different players,” Ryans said. “We have our matches where we go one-on-ones or whatever it may be but it’s always the same receiver, same corner.
“So now, the guys get an opportunity to get as many reps as possible against a different player. You see how they run routes, how they come off the ball as a D-line, how we need to protect, so it was really beneficial in that regard.”
Ryans said the combined practices are probably more beneficial than the preseason games because of the extended work and the opportunity to put players in different situations.
“This gives us a lot to evaluate for our guys, seeing how they handle different situations, seeing how they handle different looks from an offensive perspective and a defensive perspective,” he said. “You see who is steady in those moments and you see who is still kind of swimming and trying to figure it out.
“So it really helps us to see all of the rules we have been teaching, are guys able to stick to it or do they kind of waiver. So this is really a great evaluation tool to see us going against another NFL opponent.”
The defense saw some much different looks against Sean McVay’s high-powered offense, which is led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and features explosive players like second-year receiver Puka Nacua and workhorse running back Kyren Williams.
There was no Aaron Donald to pressure Stroud, but he definitely felt the heat coming from defensive tackle Kobie Turner and Co.
But another benefit for Stroud was watching a veteran like Stroud put in his work up close and personal, as well as the little nuggets of information and encouragement McVay could be seen offering the Texans’ second-year quarterback between plays.
“I’m a super fan of his, the type of scheme he runs and the way he calls it,” said Stroud, the reigning AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. “He seems like a good guy. He just had some tips and pointers and showed me a lot of love and I appreciate that.
“I appreciate him more than he knows, just watching film and not even knowing him but getting better from the stuff he does. It’s an honor to just know that he knows me.”
The close relationship McVay and Ryans share is also quite obvious. The two could be seen talking before, during, and after practice.
They were NFC West rivals when Ryans was an assistant coach and then defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers. But they were clearly friendly and gained a great deal of respect for each other.
“With myself and McVay, we have established a really good relationship from our time going against each other in San Francisco, six or seven years. It’s mutual respect,” Ryans said. “I really respect the program that he runs there, how he has his guys prepared and ready to go play. And he shares the same sentiment with me. He is always encouraging. He is always uplifting.
“After we’ve played, we’ve always found a way to find each other after the games and talk. I really respect what he has done in this league.”
