Quick-hit observations after the morning practice on the Texans' second day of training camp:
- The sun hid behind the clouds for most of practice, making for much cooler weather than yesterday. The Texans have still yet to practice in pads.
- The Texans had problems with the quarterback-center exchanges on Friday. Today, Chris Myers, Wade Smith, Mike Brisiel and Brett Helms – all of the players who are taking at least some reps at center – practiced in their game pants, rolled up or cut off above the knees to help beat the heat. Apparently, the wardrobe change helped. "We got rid of the sloppy stuff from yesterday morning as far as just handling snaps and stuff like that," head coach Gary Kubiak said. "We should. It shouldn't take long to fix that."
- Running back Arian Foster looks like he's running with determination every time he touches the ball. Through two practices, he's showing no signs of letting up on his reign as a starter. "He's got a chance to be a fine player, and I think we're all excited to see what he's doing right now, including his teammates," Kubiak said.
- Discussing the running back competition after practice, Kubiak said that Chris Henry jumped out at him this morning. "What a practice," Kubiak said. "You watch this guy practice, he wants to play." Henry is a well-built 5-11, 234 and has breakaway speed. A second-round draft pick in 2007, he spent most of last season on the Texans' practice squad.
- Rookie kick returner Trindon Holliday turned some heads with his speed in punt return drills. With seven defenders running at him and no blockers, he fielded two consecutive punts and simply outran the coverage to the sidelines, from which point he turned on the jets and burst upfield. The first return was to the left side, second to the right. Both drew big cheers from the crowd. A fan standing in front of me summed it up by saying: "If he gets to the edge, it's over."
- Chris Mortensen of ESPN and Gil Brandt and Vic Carucci of SIRIUS NFL Radio were at practice as they tour training camps around the league.
