Pads popped, and tempers flared.
The second day of practice against the Broncos brought out an increased intensity level from the Texans. Both squads went against each other in Englewood, Colorado, and they did so in full pads. Late in the Wednesday practice, play stopped for a moment as both benches met in the middle of the field. Nobody was hurt, but the emotions were evident. And that's to be expected, according to wide receiver Andre Johnson.
"I think that comes with competition, You have two competitive teams that are working. With this
game of football, sometimes tempers get to flaring a little bit. Everybody was able to settle down and realize what we needed to do and that was get this good work that we needed as a team."
Head coach Bill O'Brien had his own view of things, and thought the day's work was productive.
"It was just a lot of good competition and I felt like it helped our team a lot, and I'm not speaking for the Broncos, but I know that competition helps everybody, so it was good," O'Brien said.
Safety D.J. Swearinger, who intercepted Peyton Manning in 11-on-11 drills at the end, said the raised intensity level is all part of the game.
"We had some choice words at the end," Swearinger said. "The offense going against their defense, you know, it got a little chippy. And you know, it's all football. Everybody competing, everybody having a good fun, but I think at the end of the days it's just some people being mad, and it's all good, it's football."
The work will be a bit lighter on Thursday, as the two squads will be back in helmets and shoulder pads. Friday will be a walkthrough, with the game on Saturday night (8 p.m. CT on ABC-13/KTRK) at Invesco Field.
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