**Showdown Every Play**
-----------------------
Many Texans' players/coaches/staff etc…noted that Monday's practice was a little chippy between the two units. I'm here to tell you that if Monday was chippy then Tuesday was damn near explosively feisty. The first full-on offense-defense brouhaha took place and, well, it might be time to hit someone in a different colored jersey. Not yet! But soon. Here are my HARRIS HITS from day 11 aka day two at The Greenbrier.
**Surprise One-on-Ones Break Out**
----------------------------------
Marc and I got a little surprise early in practice, but near the end of our show - one-on-ones all over the field! It was great, yet really frustrating because we were still on the air and there were three different battles going on at the same time. OL/DL was right in front of us, but some of the action on the DB/WR field was awesome to watch.
**In the Trenches: OL vs. DL Battles**
--------------------------------------
Let's start with the OL/DL and the first ones up were OT Tytus Howard and DE Will Anderson Jr. Howard has been at guard the entire camp, until we got to West Virginia where he started playing more right tackle. So, he hasn't seen Anderson Jr. much in practice, but he held up to Will's power on the first rep about as well as anyone has in camp.
Anderson's pal DT Sheldon Rankins had a strong day, in my opinion. He consistently got on edges in one-on-one pass rush drills, easily getting to the QB and he was in the backfield a ton in team periods. When the OL/DL went two on two, he slipped an arm over to get clean into the backfield against the guard. That was one of the best rushes of the day.
DE Danielle Hunter turned up the heat as well. On his first rush against rookie OT Aireontae Ersery, Hunter blazed a trail up the field, ripping under the stout rookie, taking a bee line to the QB. That was explosively impressive from the Texans star.
OG Jaylon Thomas had to REALLY anchor in to slow down DT Mario Edwards Jr on one of their battles, but the former SMU Mustang was able to get his cleats in the ground and keep Mario from the QB. That was some serious anchor and power from Thomas on that rep.
DE Casey Toohill is one heck of a rusher and he showed that with a slick crossover inside move to get clean inside a tackle on his first pass rush rep.
Every single day, I keep thinking that DT Tommy Togiai can't be any better, but he was stellar again on Tuesday. On his first one-on-one rep, he used a shock/yank about as well as it can be done. He powered into the guard and then when he felt the guard about to anchor, he yanked him forward and got clean to the QB.
**Wideout Wins: WR vs. DB Highlights**
--------------------------------------
I saw some of the WR/DB one-on-ones as well. One of the first I saw was WR Xavier Hutchinson and DB D'Angelo Ross. The Texans DB was all over Hutchinson, but X was able to wrestle the ball away for a reception. That was one heck of a competitive rep.
I've mentioned rookie WR Daniel Jackson a bit more the past few days and for good reason. All he's done is catch seemingly everything thrown his way. He was able to shake free from rookie CB Jaylin Smith for a nice catch on the sideline in their one-on-one rep.
WR Christian Kirk put his route on shimmy shake to the power of ten as he slid out to the sideline wide open for a catch. I mean, what? That was so impressive.
Each and every day I see WR John Metchie make an outstanding play that gets my attention. He was able to get separation from All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. for a catch on the sideline. That was another competitive rep and a wonderful play by Metchie for certain.
Rookie WR Jaylin Noel's reps go so fast and so quick, as he's blur when he's running routes or running after the catch. He fought for space against DB Myles Bryant and reeled in the catch in their one-on-one battle.