https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...okie-minicamp-nick-caley-higgins-20318980.php The first thing second-round pick Aireontae Ersery noticed about Nick Caley when he stepped foot at the Houston Texans' facility this week was his personality. Ersery called his new offensive coordinator “unique,” and said he was glad Caley was a human. Coach DeMeco Ryans said Friday that Caley’s energy is “on 100 every single day.” “So I love the positive energy that he brings, the smile, the joy that he brings to work every day,” Ryans said. “And that rubs off on the players. “I know he’s going to do a great job of leading on that side of the ball.” It’s only been three months since Caley was hired. Rookie minicamp began Friday, but the Texans' new play-caller is already making an impression, a hopeful sign that better days are ahead for Houston’s offense. … “Two funny guys that have personalities that know a lot about ball,” Ersery said of Caley and Popovich. “They are human and they are not robots. They are not out there trying to teach you like a robot. If there is a mistake or something, they are going to stop and slow down to fix it and work from there.” That’s what this weekend’s rookie minicamp was largely about. The rookies learned the basics so they can get caught up with their new veteran teammates while the new coaching staff gets acclimated with them. Here are six more observations from the first day of rookie minicamp: • Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel’s connection • Aireontae Ersery willing to work anywhere When the Texans drafted Ersery in the second round, coach DeMeco Ryans envisioned he’d play tackle for them. He played left tackle all throughout college and starred at the position. But when asked about it Friday, Ersery said he’s willing to do whatever the team needs of him. “I’m up for whatever they ask me to do,” he said. “That’s the type of guy I am. I’m just here to be a vessel and keep getting better each and every day. We’re going to look up and see where the sun is at when that time comes.” Though the option is there, it’s more likely Ersery will play tackle this year. It’s the position he’s most comfortable, and Ryans would rather have his rookies be at their best. But at least the Texans know, if it does come to that, he’s open. Ersery, who is 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, played his college football at Minnesota. He said he felt like he walked into the best situation for him. He said the cultures are similar. “We talk about SWARM mentality, and at Minnesota we talked about nekton mentality, always attacking and never full,” he said. “I feel like I’m meant to be a Houston Texan, so I’m going to give the organization all I got.” •LaDarius Henderson gets a do-over •Full participation •Player numbers •Teaching mental toughness Ryans said he heard Smith blurt out that it was hot outside. The temperatures at Friday’s practice hovered around 80 degrees. It stopped third-year head coach in his tracks for a second. “As we all know in Houston — as of right now, you cannot say the word ‘hot’ — this is winter for us right now,” Ryans said. “This is outstanding weather. “So just wanted him to understand like, ‘If you think this is hot, you’re in for a long training camp, buddy.’” He called it a fun moment to see, but at the same time, a teaching moment. Smith is from Palmdale, Calif., just north of Los Angeles. He went to college at USC. So Southern California weather is all he knows. “It’s different in Southern California,” Ryans said. “So, you’ve got to get some mental toughness very quickly.”
Oof I already thought Jaylin Smith was a reach in the draft and I wasn't the biggest fan of the pick. This didn't help.
Would not surprise me in the least if we pulled off a trade for 1 of NE's IOL (Cole Strange or Sidy Sow). Also former NE RB (now with Browns) Pierre Strong Jr. - if he gets cut. I think we're stacked in secondary, but Miles Battle remains on my radar.
This is what I have been thinking too - if they see value and a need, they will most likely trade for an OL after the draft, all dependent on how the draft played out.Nick even hinted at this that there are different ways to acquire players. See Shaq Mason for a 6th rounder where he was decent in the 1st year and then went to crap last year.
