Tonight's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers marks the conclusion of the Texans 2014 preseason. While you await 7 p.m. kickoff, take a look at what's new in this year's Texans Gameday magazine.
The 152-page publication showcases one impact player for every home game. In the Texans first preaseason matchup at NRG Stadium, safety D.J. Swearinger was the program's cover boy. 'Swag's' in-depth feature took a look the growth of his game and the winding road he's taken to get to Houston.
Front cover of anything im blessed and highly favored!! Preseason game 2 tomorrow!! pic.twitter.com/fe0XEnBqjs — DJ Swearinger (@JungleBoi_Swagg) August 16, 2014
This week, the featured player is second-year wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins who is eager to build upon his successful rookie season. Texans Insider Deepi Sidhu covers Hopkins' unique journey from an athletic kid growing up in Clemson, South Carolina to an NFL franchise's No. 2 receiver.
Like years past, Texans Gameday includes game previews, rosters, team stats, depth charts, coach bios and Houston Texans Cheerleader profiles. New to the product is Fitz Tips, Football 101 and Texans Photo History.
In Fitz Tips, head strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald answers fan questions each week about fitness and nutrition. You can submit your questions to Coach Fitzgerald on Twitter using #FitzTips. An excerpt from Preseason Game 1:
* Is it better to work out in the morning, evening, or does it even matter?
*"Whenever you have time and whenever you really feel at your best. I like to start my day with a workout and feel like I accomplish something by getting something done earlier. It wakes me up, I feel alive in the morning, get ready to go. So I like it then, but we have other people that swear by 'Hey, I want to get in there at night and really finish the day off the way I want to do it; with a good exercise.' It should be like recess, it should be fun, and it should be something you look forward to. Straight shot: There's always time. Those of you who say they don't have time, you're lying to yourself."
Football 101, written by Texans Analyst John Harris, is a comprehensive look at formations, schemes and other football fundamentals aimed at enlightening fans on the new system implemented by head coach Bill O'Brien. You're a visual learner? Great, because former high school teacher Mr. Harris uses game film screenshots to illustrate and educate.
What was previously the Texans Timeline page is now the Texans Photo History section. This 10-page editorial spread features photographs from monumental moments over the course of franchise history. We take you on a journey back in time from the day professional football returned to Houston all the way to the hiring of the O'Brien regime—all in picture form.
Pick up your copy of Texans Gameday at the Go Texan Store in NRG Stadium, on the stadium concourses in-game, or purchase a digital version here.
