47 Notes on Training Camp, Day 8 | Harris Hits

31. I’ve known this for a while, but RB Cam Akers isn’t going to go down on first contact. He’s a powerful guy. So when he took a pass on third-and-1, he burst to the second level where a linebacker threw a shoulder at him and it barely slowed him down. In fact, there was a DB who jumped on his back and he kept running. He may not be 5’10, but he’s seriously POWERFUL. Balance on contact is a big part of his game.

32. On the first play of the third period, oh my god, if there’s one thing NOT ONE Texans fan wants to see, well, we all saw it. Stroud came back to pass and as soon as he took his step back, Fatukasi was in the backfield in the blink of an eye and accidentally stepped on Stroud’s foot. SACK! But, oh my god, CJ LIMPED!!! In my head I’m saying every curse word on the planet, but Stroud pulled himself together as best he could to finish the drive.

33. A few plays later, Ward made a WONDERFUL pass deflection on a long pass down the opposite sideline. He didn’t lose his discipline and read his keys the entire way. The defense went crazy as Jimmie celebrated with the fans on that side of the field.

34. I mentioned Bullock a few paragraphs back and he was involved in a competitive duel with fellow TE Cade Stover. On the first play, Stover stepped up and caught a nice pass from Mills for a first down. On the next play, Bullock knocked Mills’ pass back to Stover. Those two are going to be a factor for this team, watch them.

35. After a few penalties and short runs that went nowhere, QB Tim Boyle saw enough and reached out to throw the ball deep to WR Quintez Cephus. The only problem was CB Kris Boyd took a step forward and forced an incomplete pass. The defense erupted and rushed to congratulate the former Longhorns star.

36. It was in the team’s fourth period that Stroud began to find his rhythm. After the defense stopped a Pierce run and a free throw, Stroud hit WR Stefon Diggs into the sticks for a first down.

37. On the ensuing first down, Stroud threw a ball to Diggs on the inside route for another first down. Then, running, on a bootleg, Stroud found TE Brevin Jordan wide open for another completion. Stroud’s next target was Dell who he found open and hit with a low pass. Dell made the catch for Stroud’s fourth straight completion.

38. After a few running plays, Stroud went back to throw and had to move to find a receiver. He saw a WR on the field, but rookie CB Kamari Lassiter made a play on the ball for PBU. Yeah, 14 is a dude and if you don’t believe me, ask Ryans. He knows it.

39. Boyle then threw a few missiles, including one to WR Johnny Johnson on the opposite sideline. Johnson made another catch on the opposite sideline a few plays later on a throw from Boyle.

40. Brooks again completed a pass inside for a substantial gain. Those inside runs have been his bread and butter this week.

41. Then Akers hit it well through a good-sized hole and carried defenders who wanted to make a turn for yards.

42. Boyle finished this sequence with a fastball to WR Quintez Cephus on the far sideline for a catch. It was a similar play to the one Cephus failed to control on our sideline earlier in practice, but he adjusted and made a beautiful catch on that far sideline to end this series. Boyle was excellent on this sequence as well.

43. The defense got Mills hot on the first play of the next series, but Mills and the offense read it well. WR Steven Sims realized he was the hot receiver and Mills threw the ball to him before the blitz got to him.

44. Two plays later, Hansen was about to make his second BIG IMPACT play of the day, but Mills’ pass went right through his hands…and into the hands of Metchie III for a completion.

45. RB JJ Taylor then got into the cat and made a zone run to the house on the next play. This play was blocked as well as humanly possible. As soon as Taylor got the ball in his gut, he had a straight path through the defense, into the secondary, and down the field to the end zone. So well blocked.

46. ​​The next two plays were for Akers. On the first play of the series, he snatched the check from Boyle, came forward and dared anyone in a white jersey to tackle him. He took a few more for hits. On the next play, he showed a little patience, waiting to let the blocks develop in front of him and when they did, he went into the hole. It was great patience and a wonderful play by Akers.

47. Bullock was spot on on a screen to Johnson. In a game situation, Bullock would have announced his presence with authority, if you know what I mean.

And that’s it for my Saturday Harris Hits. It’s time for a rest day and everyone needs one as we start getting ready for Ohio in a few days. I’m looking forward to that trip, but the Texans still have a few more TC days to work on Monday and Tuesday. See you soon, everyone!