HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are in their final week of organized team activities, and one group is starting to develop the type of chemistry you want to see heading into training camp later this summer.
Veterans Robert Woods, Nico Collins, and Noah Brown are making sure they are getting accustomed to the offensive playbook of coordinator Bobby Slowik while trying to help rookie Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson get acclimated to the position at the NFL level.
Although many NFL analysts do not believe that they have a strong core of receivers, Collins is ready to take on that challenge to prove the naysayers wrong.
“It is another year,” Collins said during his press conference on Tuesday. “New year. I have to reload and stay healthy. Keep my head down and keep grinding and keep your foot on the gas.”
“Coach Bobby (Slowik) keeps telling us, ‘Man, you get that ball in your hands; just go score,’” said Texans wide receiver Nico Collins about the new offense. #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/RFB397ucqk
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) June 6, 2023
Collins, who is in his third year with the Texans, only played in 10 games in 2022, finishing with 37 catches for 481 yards and two scores, before being held out for the rest of the year with a foot injury he sustained against the Cleveland Browns. He looks forward to competing this upcoming season in a new offense that will help utilize his 6-foot-4-inch frame and massive catch radius.
“I feel like this offense will find ways for everyone to touch the ball,” said Collins. “Make plays; whenever your number is called, you make a play. Coach Bobby keeps telling us, ‘Man, you get that ball in your hands; just go score.’ Just have that mindset. He wants that dog about you, and that is what I love about his offense. I can’t wait for the season.”
Two other players ready to contribute on the offensive side of the ball are Dell and Hutchinson, who have been finding ways to become more productive in the system. Collins and Woods have spoken highly of their work ethic on and off the field.
“Those two young guys coming into the league, they were just like me,” Collins said about the rookies finding their niche on the team. “I feel like I was just in their shoes two years ago. It flew by.
“So, I feel where they’re coming from. They’re asking for help, so I’m just helping them out as much as I can. I’m still learning just as [much as] them. So, we’re all kind of in the same boat. Just coming in every day and getting better.”
