Follow the series as Sammie Coates gives us a look inside Week 2 of Texans training camp.
With ten training camp practices in the books, Sammie Coates says he's settled nicely into his West Virginia routine and even changed things up a bit in order to get more out of his practice time.
"You know I did a different program this week, going into Week 2. I've been trying to get up a little earlier. I get up at six. (I'm) coming in and getting treatment, trying to take better care of my body so I can stay on the field longer, so I can play longer so I've been getting up at six. My routine has been just going in and doing the little things: little small exercises, balancing stuff like that to get my ankle mobility stronger. It's been a good little routine going so I'm going to keep this going."
The monotony of camp is starting to settle in, especially after the last six consecutive days of practices and meetings. The weather is cooler than Houston, but after a day of downpours on Friday, heat and humidity emerged during Saturday and Sunday's practices.
"Oh man, it's getting hot out here. It's up and down raining one day, hot the next day. Your mind telling you to do one thing, your body doing the other so you're getting to the point where it's like, yeah, it's the middle of camp. I can feel like, but it's a good grind. I love it. It's a good push everyday so it's continuing to get better."
Days are long, sometimes 14 hours or so, so Coates and his teammates have very little time for anything else. Sometimes, even keeping up with family and loved ones is a challenge with the players' busy schedule. Coates says his family and friends all know he's at camp, so they understand he's focused on securing a roster spot. However, he does find little pockets of time to keep in touch with his family.
"I don't have that much time, but I usually send a text or something. Just show them that I'm still thinking about them, even though I'm not talking to them that much. You know, I love my family to death and it's just hard to be away from them but you got to do what you got to do."
With just a few days remaining at The Greenbrier, everyone is getting ready for the preseason opener against the Chiefs. For Coates, it will be his fourth season but first in a Texans uniform. He is counting the days until game action.
"It's going to be awesome," Coates said. "I'm ready to get back in the game feeling. It's been a long time so that feeling of just waiting and waiting – now it's here so it's awesome. I'm happy, getting excited. I'm out here running around with a chicken with a head cut off. I'm so excited to put this Houston uniform on for a game so I'm excited."
Check out some of the best shots from Sunday's practice at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.