Texans defense puts on a show with three interceptions during Saturday's open practice

USA Today

6 hours ago

Azeez Al-Shaair pick six on CJ StroudHe was trying to rip the backside slant to Nico Collins and got stumped pic.twitter.com/i1JulDTjRG
One bad performance from the Houston Texans' offense might not be an omen for the regular season. A third great morning for the defense, however, should send fear down opposing offensive coordinators' spines.
The Texans picked off three passes during team drills in front of the fans at the Methodist Training Center Saturday morning. Each quarterback tossed an interception, with two resulting in pick-sixes and a swarm of confidence from players in white jerseys.
"We try and go out there and get a takeaway every single game," second-year defensive back Calen Bullock said. "If we get multiple, that's lovely. Yeah, that's the standard.'
The first pick happened on the opening drive with C.J. Stroud trying to connect with Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins on a slant. Middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was in the right place at the right time and turned the ball the other way, leaving Stroud and the offensive line in the dust.
The second interception came from Davis Mills, who has rookie safety Jayden Reed call game while in man coverage. The final pass came from Kedon Slovis, who Myles Bryant intercepted en route to a second house call.
"That's who we are. That's what we do," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "So, the defense just being who they are. They're making plays. You had Azeez make a play on the football a couple times. He got his hands on the ball twice. Then Myles had a really good cover snap, playing in great position and was able to finish with the ball in his hand.
"Those guys are playing well together.'
While Reed and Bryant are fighting for playing time, Al-Shaair is expected to start at the MIKE spot in Year 2. Last season, he didn't live up to the billing of a triple-digit tackler, but his on-field play against the run was promising. In coverage, times were hit or miss.
According to Pro Football Reference, Al-Shaair struggled to maintain leverage over tight ends in the postseason, allowing four catches for 36 yards, a touchdown, while also giving up a 122 quarterback passer rating in coverage. This offseason, one of his top priorities was learning how to mature in read and reaction plays in coverage.
Al-Shaair joined Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr. and the rest of the Texans' defensive back room at the annual 'Cover One Elite Camp,' in Puerto Rico. He was welcomed with open arms and sat back quiet rather than being the vocal presence he tends to turn into on Sundays.
Azeez Al-Shaair gave an incredibly insightful answer on how he's developed his leadership style.Mature, introspective, and clearly someone whose presence elevates everyone around him. pic.twitter.com/hi7U1U1jmA
"It was a chance for us to kind of pass some of the stuff that we know coverage-wise on to him. I'm not saying that he doesn't know how to cover, because obviously he does," Lassiter said. "He's a very elite linebacker. But it's just like, we soak up game from him. And he was able to, a good leader can also listen, you know what I'm saying? So him being able to soak up game from us, that also meant a lot.'
How the Texans' offense responds with pads on could be a telling sign for the future identity of this roster entering Year 3 under Ryans and Stroud. There will be a better inclination for how things look starting Monday when light tackling is added into the mix.
'Can you have a bad day and come back and rebound from that?" Ryans said. "I see a lot of great things and a lot of areas we can improve.'