The best thing about day one at Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity is that there’s always a day two, which took place in the heat and humidity on Thursday morning. As such, let’s not mess around and get right to my Harris Hits for day two at the Houston Methodist Training Center.

Flashbacks…

The first observation is one that brought me back, if you will, to the J.J. Watt halcyon days in Houston. That man knew one speed and only one speed. If the offense wanted to get ANYTHING done, there were times they knew they had to get 99 off the field for a bit. 3rd year Pro Bowler Will Anderson Jr is getting to that status, seemingly.

Now, like Watt, Anderson Jr. will NOT leave the field at any point and the offense, honestly, wouldn’t want it any other way. He’s so relentless and has learned a number of different techniques and moves, honing them in the offseason. Thus far, all he’s doing is applying his recently learned skills on anyone (everyone?) in a blue offensive jersey. He won’t hit C.J. Stroud, but anyone else is freakin’ fair game.

In the second team period, he used long arm power to drive the right tackle right into Stroud, who then had to step up just to get the ball off.

Later, he used his deft handwork and explosiveness to set up the right tackle, then rip underneath him to get a clean line to Stroud. A freakin’ terror.

Now, before we start panicking about the OL (I’ll get to them), Anderson Jr. did that to every single Kansas City OT in the building in last year’s playoff game. He’s just now taking his already advanced game to a different level and forcing the OL to match his intensity as he says “Iron sharpens iron.”

Tytus Talks ‘The Truth’

I don’t want to steal too much away from Marc’s interview with OL Tytus Howard, but Marc did a little word association with Tytus on some guys in the OL room. Eventually, Marc got to rookie Aireontae Ersery…

Okay, position group mates will have each other’s backs, but I’ve watched Ersery as much as I can through the first couple of practices and I don’t think Tytus is far off, honestly. The former Gopher All-American is going to struggle at times against the two star defensive ends on this roster, but Ersery is long, strong, and possesses an enormously powerful backside. Plus, he doesn’t back down.

When he was at right tackle during a team period, he did “get got” by Anderson Jr, on a pass play but he’s never played that side, so there’s some adjustment to being on that side of the line for him. But, when Ersery run-blocks, there is a distinct difference from him and some of the other guys on the OL because of his strong build and immense power. Again, yes, I know there are no pads being worn currently, but what I’ve seen in these two practices match what I saw from him at Minnesota.

On the first play of the first team period, QB C.J. Stroud threw a completion to Nico Collins, nice way to start off the drill, right. But, my eyes were on Ersery v. Danielle Hunter. Yesterday, Danielle rushed Ersery and it was clear Danielle was trying to figure out his rush plan against the hulking rookie. Today, on this rep, Hunter decided to show his speed, working the high side of Ersery. Like he did as a Gopher, Ersery just ran with Hunter and the two ran past Stroud, who stepped up to find Collins open for the first down catch. I don’t know how many defenders I’ve seen Ersery do that to throughout his college career but start with Abdul Carter and go from there. Baby steps, baby steps, but it’s great to see a young guy make those steps.