Calen Bullock is having a phenomenal training camp with Texans
Cole Thompson broke down the biggest winners and losers of camp so far for the Texans. Two Trojans cracked his rankings, one of them being Calen Bullock. Here are Thompson's thoughts on Calen Bullock's strong camp:
"Pick a practice. Literally, any day since camp broke last week. You got it? Bullock has been the most impressive player that morning. Yes, every morning, Bullock is the one standing out the most. He's already recorded four interceptions against Stroud in drills and has been more physical when asked to play against tight ends in man coverage. On Wednesday, the second-year defensive back went stride-for-stride with Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins to break up a deep post pattern. Last season, Bullock totaled five interceptions and helped Houston stabilize the back end of its secondary after Jalen Pitre moved into the nickel role. He's a true ball-hawk that's only getting back as a tackler and run-stopper."
The Texans last year were second in the NFL in interceptions with 19. Calen Bullock did his part, tallying 5 interceptions. That was one of the Texans' specialities last season; if opposing offenses put the ball in harm's way, the Texans were more than likely to come down with it.
Creating turnovers and making game-changing plays helped the Texans get a playoff upset versus the Los Angeles Chargers. They forced Justin Herbert to throw 4 interceptions. If Calen Bulluck can continue being the driving force for this defense to create turnovers, this Texans team can be really scary come January.
With the camp Calen Bullock is having and the success he is creating against CJ Stroud, it is safe to assume this season could be an even bigger year for the second-year ballhawk safety out of USC.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
10 players who stood out in Texans' win vs. Panthers: Cubb, Smith shine for Houston
No one is going to call the Houston Texans Super Bowl favorites after a 20-3 victory in the preseason against the Carolina Panthers. That doesn't mean that the back-to-back AFC South champions don't have anything to celebrate. Behind a C.J. Stroud 6-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins in the first quarter, the revamped offense under first-year play-caller Nick Caley took flight at NRG Stadium. Even Kedon Slovis and Davis Mills led scoring drives in the second and third quarter before a British Brooks 1-yard touchdown run sealed the deal in front of the hometown crowd. "The goal we set out by playing the starters was just to see us go out and play real football. We haven't done that, I believe, in getting real reps in games," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Saturday afternoon. "It means a lot for our guys to be able to go out and be able to do that. I just wanted to see our guys to go out and play efficient, play fast and do the things we've been coaching the guys to do and execute." After next week's preseason finale, the Texans must trim their roster down to 53 players. About 40 of the roster spots should be locked up heading into the joint practice with the Detroit Lions, so 13 spots are up for grabs. Some might come as a surprise simply based on great play in the preseason. Here were the top 10 standouts from Saturday's contest against the NFC South foe. RB Nick Chubb Chubb probably isn't getting cut, but fans have wondered if the former Pro Bowler from Cleveland has any juice left in the tank. Asked and answered on Saturday as he totaled five carries for 25 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per play. Best of all, that physicality that made him a force with the Browns for seven years was on display as he was credited with forcing six broken tackles. "Chubb did a really nice job playing physical, running behind his pads," Ryans said. "I just like the way the whole team played a physical brand of football, the type of football I expect us to play." With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce still sidelined, Chubb is going to start the season off working with the first-team offense. Runs like the ones on Saturday might not lead him back to a 1,000-yard season, but it shows he's still go something left in the tank. RB British Brooks Every play matters for Brooks, including the scoring drives. His 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the win, but it also showed his value as a fullback-type runner in the offense. Brooks, known for his lower-power and physical approach between the tackles, also made two tackles on special teams, so there's upside to one of the more underappreciated parts of the game. Right now, Jakob Johnson feels like the safe bet to make the team at fullback, but Brooks might push him down the pecking order if he can keep up the consistent work with the third-team offense. TE Irv Smith Jr. Brevin Jordan's season-ending injury has opened the door for another tight end to make the roster behind Cade Stover and Dalton Schultz. Smith was the favorite to win the tight end No. 3 job entering Saturday and he might as well locked it up after the third quarter against Carolina. The former second-round pick led the Texans with five receptions for 46 yards, which included were highlighted by a Kedon Slovis dump-off pass for 22 yards down the sidelines on third down. He's also been a promising blocker in the run game, so there's value to have him around for red zone opportunities. TE Luke Lachey Lachey isn't close to being ready for first-team reps, but the Texans are pleased with how he's played in two preseason outings. As a receiving threat, Lachey has been limited. On special teams, he made several reads that put him in position to make a play. 'Luke has done a nice job as a rookie coming in,' Ryans said. 'He plays the game the right way. He's tough, physical, plays with great hands, great catch radius. He does a really nice job.' The Texans have options at tight end, including stashing the seventh-round Iowa product on the practice squad to begin the season. Between Smith and Lachey, the latter has the highest potential, so if the Texans see him expanding his role beyond 2026, he's going to be a tough cut. OT Blake Fisher No, Fisher shouldn't be starting Week 1 against Los Angeles with the task of having to slow down reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse in pass protection, but after last week's unwatchable outing, it was a nice change. In 25 snaps, the second-round pick did not allow a single pressure from the right tackle spot. He also posted a 78.1 pass-blocking grade and 54.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, each being at least 30 points higher from the week before. "They're playing together," Ryans said. "That's the main thing. They're playing together. They're communicating well. They're picking up the pressures and stops really well. They're playing as one. They're resetting the line of scrimmage." Fisher should be Houston's top swing tackle if Cam Robinson returns before the start of the regular season. That's not a win when fans envisioned Fisher starting this season, but last week felt like he was on the verge of being cut one year into his NFL career. OL Ed Ingram Another winner on the offensive line for a player who could be starting Week 1. With Tytus Howard shifting over to right tackle, the former Minnesota Vikings castaway has been the primary right guard. On Saturday, led all offensive linemen with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 84.6. Ingram also finished with a 74.7 run-blocking grade, which was lower than last week but still a passable grade. 'Ed's continued to improve, his pass rush is being under control, playing better base, playing with his hands better, picking up the stunts and games better, I just like how he's progressed," Ryans said. "I think Cole [Popovich] has done a really good job with Ed, he's done a great job. So, I expect him to just continue to improve and we'll see where we end up." CB Jaylin Smith Earlier in the week, Smith struggled to win his one-on-one battles in team drills while guarding Xavier Legette. The former first-round pick leaped over him in practice to secure a no-dobut touchdown in the team's joint practice, but that was just the highlight of an underwhelming day for the former USC Trojan. On Saturday, Smith was in the right place at the right time to pick off Jack Plummer and return it 30 yards for the Texans' first takeaway. Multiple Texans defenders have raved about his ball-hawking skills, including 2024 interception leader Calen Bullock. That was certainly on display Saturday. CB Damon Arnette The former first-round pick is a long shot to make the active roster, but plays like Saturday at least should have him in line to be a difficult cut. In the fourth quarter, Arnette jumped a slant route perfectly to make a juggling interception deep in Carolina's territory. Three plays later, Brooks ran in Houston's nail in the coffin would come behind Brooks' touchdown run. Now again, Arnette will need another strong day to prove he's worthy of a roster spot over longtime special teams standout D'Angelo Ross. Saturday wasn't a perfect day for the former first-round pick, either. Arnette was penalized with a pass interference call on third down that gave Carolina's offense a second chance. In the end, you look for the game-changing moments to determine a player's afternoon. The interception was a positive play, so focus on that rather than the extra set of downs that led to a missed field goal. DE Solomon Byrd Right now, there's one defensive end spot up for grabs. Byrd might still be on the outside looking in, but his lone sack and fumble recovery has caught the attention of the defensive line room. Bryd, a former seventh-round pick and practice squad player, finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery on a strip caused by Arnette. Last week, he also finished with three tackles and three pressures. There's plenty to like about his potential after a successful close to 2024. He'll need one more big game to earn the praise of a potential active player this fall.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Who were the 10 best fantasy football players a decade ago in 2016?
It's nearly time for another year of NFL football in 2025 which means fantasy football season has arrived. Football fans are drawing up their draft boards ahead of another year of fantasy battles amongst friends. While you prep to pick your team, why not take a curious look in the past? Here is the list of the 10 best fantasy football players a decade ago in 2015 according to Pro Football Reference. 10. WR DeAndre Hopkins (Texans) Fantasy VBD (value based drafting): 92. 9. TE Rob Gronkowski (Patriots) Fantasy VBD: 96. 8. WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants) Fantasy VBD: 96. 7. WR Allen Robinson (Jaguars) Fantasy VBD: 96. 6. WR Brandon Marshall (Jets) Fantasy VBD: 103. 5. QB Cam Newton (Panthers) Fantasy VBD: 105. 4. RB Adrian Peterson (Vikings) Fantasy VBD: 107. 3. WR Julio Jones (Falcons) Fantasy VBD: 111. 2. RB Devonta Freeman (Falcons) Fantasy VBD: 120. 1. WR Antonio Brown (Steelers) Fantasy VBD: 125.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Report: Panthers interested in trading for Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson
Could the Carolina Panthers be on the prowl for one of the game's top sack artists? According to league insider Jordan Schultz, the Panthers are among the teams interested in trading for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Schultz also included the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts as potential suitors for the 30-year-old pass rusher, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks this past season. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Hendrickson may be available in potential trade talks. Rapoport and Pelissero reported on Sunday afternoon that the Bengals are now listening to offers for the 2024 first-team All-Pro as contract talks between the two sides have reached an impasse. Hendrickson, a third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints back in 2017, has played the last four seasons in Cincinnati. He amassed 57.0 sacks over that run, with each campaign resulting in a Pro Bowl selection. D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II are currently listed as Carolina's two starters off the edge. The Panthers also spent their pair of Day 2 selections from the 2025 draft on second-rounder Nic Scourton and third-rounder Princely Umanmielen. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
