One of the advantages the Houston Texans have in deploying a new coaching staff is a two-week head start on the offseason program.
The NFL allows teams with first-year coaches to begin their offseason workout programs early, and the Texans took advantage of that stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement.
New coach DeMeco Ryans was pleased with the participation he saw from the Texans after their first day.
“Our first day of offseason started and it was encouraging,” Ryans said. “Great participation from a lot of our guys. For me, the message to our guys was really just how are we showing up? Showing up on purpose, being detail oriented in how we work and just continue to have a growth mindset in everything we do.”
The Texans are in Phase 1 of the offseason program, and are limited to just meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation for the first two weeks.
Nevertheless Ryans and the coaching staff can set expectations for how the order of business will be conducted throughout NRG Stadium with a new regime on Kirby Drive.
“Our guys understand that if we want to be the best, we have to continue to strive to be better each day in everything that we do,” said Ryans. “We’re excited as coaches, excited to have the opportunity to meet with our guys for the first time, have the opportunity to in a couple weeks go on the field with our guys and work with them.”
Although the Houston Astros are 12 games into their regular season and the Houston Rockets concluded their 22-60 campaign April 9, there is palpable anticipation for the Texans throughout Clutch City.
Said Ryans: “It’s an exciting time. We feel the energy, the excitement from around the city, from our players, our entire building. We’re all fired up, and we’re excited to get going.”
Phase 2 begins April 25 with a voluntary minicamp that lasts through April 27.
