Texans training camp report: Day 4

August 3, 6:58 PMHouston Texans ExaminerAlan Burge

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In terms of homemade fan attire, this Bobble Texan headgear is one of the best

The Texans wrapped up Day 4 of their open practice schedule with a morning session at the Methodist Training Center, aka the Texans practice facility.

I was surprised to see such a big crowd on a Monday morning but it was Youth Football Day so a lot of parents brought out their kids to camp today.

Random thoughts and observations from practice this morning:

• Do I even need to tell you who won  the 'first on the field' award again?  If you need a hint, check my Day 3 and Day 2 reports.  So instead, the SOFA (second on the field award) goes to Brice McCain and Glover Quin.  Jacoby Jones was the first offensive player on the field.
• Of course the buzz of the day was Brian Cushing's haircut.  All I can say is that I'm glad he was a good sport about it because he looks quite different.  During a water break a mid-practice, Cushing, Matt Schaub, David Anderson and DeMeco were all chatting at mid-field - no doubt discussing hair styles.
• Zac Diles seemed to be walking a bit stiff as he came on the field but he got plenty of reps today so it's probably not a big deal.  Based on chatter in the bleachers, fans were theorizing that Coach Kubiak might be pushing Diles just a little bit to see how he holds up running with the 1's at weakside linebacker.
• The DBs and LBs did a joint walk-through today to start practice.
• Chester Pitts was on the field but didn't participate for the third consecutive day.  It's time for a shout-out to Kasey Studdard who's filled in for Pitts, running with the 1's for his third consecutive day.  More on that later.
• Freshly off the PUP, rookie tight end Anthony Hill (Clear Brook Wolverine) was dressed and participated in practice.  Yes, he can block and catch.
• The other PUP-ers, Antwaun Molden and Travis Johnson, started practice working out with a coach on Field 3.
• One change in routine this morning was that LB coach Johnny Holland took his guys over to Field 2 to hit the blocking sled right after walk-throughs.
• David Gibbs worked with the DBs on tackling drills - with mats and dummies - obviously emphasizing tackling 'through the ball carrier.'
• Vonta Leach is back - at least for a day or two until he has to return home for family business.  He got the majority of reps at FB.
• First team DL today (at least at the beginning of practice) was Mario, Okam, Amobi, and Smith, and they continue to flip flop ends and tackles based on strong-side/weak side.
• One look at the second team D had Barwin, Deljuan, Cody, and Bulman on the line, Thompson, Bentley and Diles at LB, McCain and Richardson at corner, and Barber and Harrison at safety.
• Glover Quin was spotted on the sideline with an ice pack just below his right knee.  Reports that he left practice are false.  He wore the ice pack for a while and spent the rest of practice watching on the sideline (without ice).  There were reports that he had a precautionary MRI this afternoon. 
• Rex Grossman seems to be 'less lost.'   He hit Jacoby Jones on a nice deep cross in 9 on 9's.  A pro throw.
• Orlovsky didn't have as good of a day.  Too much air under the ball and too much time getting the ball out.
  
  What a difference a day makes - yes, that's Brian Cushing
• The Texans actually used something other than a Juggs machine for punt drills for a change (Turk's leg).  Darnell Jenkins joined Andre Davis, Jacoby, and David Anderson fielding punts today.
• Texans GM Rick Smith, who spent the past three days watching practice with Texans owner Bob McNair and his son Cal, spent some time watching practice with Kubiak on the near side of Field 1.
• Heard in the crowd:  Fans chanting "Pay 59, Pay 59" after they spotted Smith.  Not sure if it was just a coincidence, but Smithiak, who were both within earshot, shared a laugh as if they heard it.
• As I said earlier, Kasey Studdard has been working at first team left guard for the last three days in Pitts' absence.  He's not platooning with Chris White which tells me he has a leg up on White in the pecking order.  White has been working primarily at second team LG while Antoine Caldwell has been getting the second team reps at center.
• One variation of second team OL today was from L to R, Washburn, White, Caldwell, Jones, and Butler.
• Connor Barwin didn't win too many one-on-one battles during full team.  I saw fellow rookie Anthony Hill lock up Barwin on two consecutive plays.  Barwin also worked against Winston and he didn't have much success there either, although he did show his edge speed from time to time, once beating Winston around the edge but taking too wide of an angle to reach the QB.  Athleticism will help him get through his rookie season, but he will need some coaching to help develop various techniques. Patience.
• I bet Fred Bennett's helmet is still rolling after that collision he had with Vonta Leach.
• Dan Orlovsky connected with James Casey for a nice 15 yard TD.
• Lots of youth football players in the crowd today.  Several were yelling for Mario as he took a drink.  Mario looked over and waved, and by the look on the kids' faces they'll be talking about that for a long time.
• I've noticed that Nick Ferguson has a little attitude about him in these early practices.  Receivers and running backs need to watch out when they enter his territory.
• Diles and Adibi were the LBs on second team nickel.
• Catch of the day:  Andre Davis over Fred Bennett on a sideline route right in front of the fans.  Bennett had great coverage but Davis tipped the ball up and came down with it on the second touch as he fell.  Great concentration.
• Spotted 25 yards downfield picking off Dan Orlovsky on a poorly thrown ball:  Brian Cushing.
• Brice McCain's speed is as advertised but the knock on him is his size.  After watching four practices, McCain has proved that he can run with Andre Davis and Andre Johnson.  Late in practice today, McCain used every bit of his 5-9, 180 to run Andre Johnson (yes Andre Johnson) off a route which raised some eyebrows in my little corner of the bleachers.  Things like that will be the key to his success as a Pro.
• The offense wasn't sharp again, and as a result of their three turnovers during practice, Kubiak had them run four 100's on Field 2 after a two hour practice.  I thought I saw some tired legs out there in general today, as this practice was not as intense or crisp as Sunday morning.

The next open practice is Thursday night so this will be my last camp report until then.  In the meantime, check the Texans website for their daily camp updates.  The staff over there is doing a great job with daily news reports, quote transcriptions, and video.