As OTAs got rolling, I noticed how much things have solidified in the Bill O'Brien era. Last year, the roster and cosmetic changes jumped out dramatically. Things like no helmet logos, offense wearing blue instead of white and, oh yeah, a quarterback overhaul, stuck out prominently.
Take a look at photos from the Houston Texans' first day of OTAs.
Now we're fully settled into O'Brien's tenure, with a winning season in the rear view mirror and post season aspirations on the road ahead.
The quarterback play has ratcheted up with Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage carving up reps in a system they are all familiar with. Savage, in year two, is noticeably more comfortable and commanding but all eyes are on Hoyer and Mallett to see how they fare in a race to be the chief signal caller.
Last year's OTAs featured four QBs who were all learning the O'Brien way for the first time. Now you have three who have experience and the improved proficiency in OTAs is palpable.
It's also great to see the rookies jumping around as first round pick Kevin Johnson's enthusiasm is impossible to miss. But it's last year's crop that will also be well worth watching as they try to make that profound season one-to season two leap in improvement.
Jadeveon Clowney was a spectator as he continues to mend his knee. O'Brien has previously said that he's tracking well. Xavier Su'a-filo, who missed last year's OTAs because of a late graduating class, is trying to make the most of the job options with his O-line mates after seeing limited action in 2014.
C.J. Fiedorowicz played a ton last season and should continue to develop as a pass catcher. And Louis Nix III is in the mix on the defensive line, saying his goal was to 'make it through a practice' knowing that health has kept him from contributing.
We can talk all day about wide receiver as Andre Johnson isn't part of the organization for the first time since 2002. Or we can debate safety possibilities alongside Rahim Moore. But we have plenty of time for that. The fact that the Texans are back, building their case for contention in 2015, is enough for now.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
DL Mario Addison, #56 (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
QB, Kyle Allen, #3
RB, Darius Anderson, #30
DB, Grayland Arnold, #35
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
DL, Thomas Booker, #96
OL, Justin Britt, #68
DB, Terrence Brooks, #8
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
WR, Jalen Camp, #17
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #97
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Chris Conley, #18
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
TE, Darrell Daniels, #47 (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
WR, Davion Davis, #14
LB, Tae Davis, #19
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
QB, Jeff Driskel, #6
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #98
WR, Drew Estrada, #81
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
DB, Jacobi Francis, #38
RB, Royce Freeman, #26
OL, Carson Green, #62
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
WR, DaeSean Hamilton, #5
OL, Kenyon Green, #59
DL, Rasheem Green (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
LB, Christian Harris, #48
DL, Demone Harris, #94
WR, Damon Hazelton, #86
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
QB, Kevin Hogan, #16 (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55 (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
FB, Andy Janovich, #41
An image from the Aug. 21, 2021 Houston Texans preseason game 2 against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Texans won 20-14.
WR, Johnny Johnson III, #89
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
RB, Marlon Mack, #2
DB, Tristin McCollum, #39
OL, Justin McCray, #64
WR, John Metchie III, #88
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
DL, Adedayo Odeleye, #75
OL, Cedric Ogbuehi, #77
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis, #57
DB, Jalen Pitre, #42
FB, Paul Quessenberry, #45
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #34 (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
DL, Derek Rivers, #95
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Kendall Sheffield (AP Photo/Kevin Sabitus)
DB, Tremon Smith, #24
OL, Jordan Steckler, #70
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
WR, Connor Wedington (AP)
LS, Jon Weeks #46
DB, Isaac Yiadom, #20
