It’s hard to describe the first day of training camp in Houston. There’s so much excitement about the season, yet it’s just day one. New players are going to rush for 2,500 yards in the first week after taking a handoff in individual or register 35 sacks after one rep against the heavy bag. Hyperbole and reality don’t often intersect during the first day, much less first week, at least, not until the GRIND of training camp REALLY sets in.

Throw in mid-90 degress throughout most of the 90 minutes of practice and it’s almost too hot to think straight watching practice and counting how many Super Bowls the Texans are going to win.

So, over my 18 years of covering training camp, I’ve tried to find equal levels of joy/happiness, mixed with the reality of this team, the game and the performance. But, BUT, on day one, it’s okay to let happiness and positivity run wild a bit, so indulge me as we dive into my Harris Hits – training camp observations

Leadership

As I mentioned above, the heat/temperature is the additional player for both sides of the ball that must be accounted for throughout July/August and Coach Ryans did just that, having his guys on the grass for about 90 minutes. Got after it pretty good, with success on both sides of the ball.

One thing that stands out to me more than anything is the leadership on this team. It often comes through quietly too. For example, there was a ten minute special teams period when Tommy Townsend and the punt team got a ton of reps. I looked out and saw Derek Stingley Jr, Jalen Pitre, Kamari Lassiter amongst others on the punt return scout team. Let me repeat…punt return scout team. That’s two young dudes that just signed large extensions, and one, who will in due time, stepping over to the scout team side to give the punt team gunners a good look. Coaches didn’t have to call for them, either; they just stepped in and helped guys out on scout team punt return.

Gunners at work

Prior to that, I watched the gunners work down at the end of the practice field. Newly signed Damon Arnette was at the front of the line as the coaches changed up the technique they wanted the gunners to use on the drill. Arnette was trying to work through the technique, so Tremon Smith stepped up to show Arnette the best way to do it, ran his rep and Arnette ran it perfectly just after Tremon.

Little things like teammates helping teammates, veterans showing young dudes how “it’s supposed to be”, that’s what DeMeco Ryans and Nick Caserio have preached since they linked up in 2023. That aspect shows through in spades – in the players they’ve acquired and the young players they drafted and signed.