Johnathan Joseph and the Texans' defense are expecting big things in 2016.
"We're definitely setting the bar high," the veteran cornerback said Sunday. "Coming off a year like we had last year and the way we finished the season. Of course you know expectations are going to be high."
Although much is expected, Joseph said he and the Texans aren't taking anything for granted.
"We're not thinking that anything's going to be given to us," Joseph said. "We're out here working and grinding through training camp trying to put all the pieces together."
After a 2015 that saw him finish with a career-best 22 passes defensed, the former South Carolina Gamecock has picked up in camp where he ended last season. Joseph's routinely been around the ball, making an impact through the first week of work. He's done so against a receiving corps that's a lot faster than in years past. And that's making him and the rest of the defense better.
"You gotta adjust," Joseph said. "Obviously, we added plenty of speed over there on the offensive side of the ball, with different skillsets. All the guys are different in some form or fashion. I think every day you come out to practice, you have to be at the top of your game and you have to study these guys, because they all bring something different to the table."
Joseph and the Texans will head inside the Houston Methodist Training Center for Monday's morning practice. They'll face the 49ers in Santa Clara on Sunday, August 14.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt, #68
DB, Terrence Brooks, #29
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, Marcus Cannon, #61
OL, Geron Christian Sr., #72
DL, Maliek Collins, #97
WR, Nico Collins, #12
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
DL, Jordan Jenkins, #50
RB, David Johnson, #31
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #1
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
RB, Phillip Lindsay, #30
DL, Roy Lopez, #79
DL, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray, #64
DL, Whitney Mercilus, #59
WR, Anthony Miller, #17
QB, Davis Mills, #10
DB, Terrance Mitchell, #39
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
RB, Scottie Phillips, #27
DB, Justin Reid, #20
WR, Andre Roberts, #19
OL, Max Scharping, #74
K, Joey Slye, #16
DB, Tremon Smith, #24
QB, Tyrod Taylor, #5
DL, Vincent Taylor, #96
LB, Joe Thomas, #48
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
DL, DeMarcus Walker, #44
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
