Here’s everything Houston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley said following Day 3 of training camp, including comments on quarterback C.J. Stroud, the offensive line, his new wide receivers and the excitement to put on pads Monday morning.
Q: On what he’s hoping to accomplish from the offseason and Training Camp
Nick Caley: “I mean more time with the guys, in its simplest form. Then obviously, once we get through this acclimation period and get the pads on, then we’ll really get to see the physicality, get to see the pads come to life and affect the run game, play action, stuff like that.”
Q: On C.J. Stroud handling the offense
Caley: “He’s doing a good job. I enjoy being around him every single day and growing every day. So, it’s been a lot of fun.”
Q: What is he trying to bring to the team when it comes to energy?
Caley: “I’m just trying to bring the best that I can do for them, every single day and I’m naturally probably a high-energy guy, I guess. So, I’m just trying to be myself and pour into the guys.”
Q: On balancing messaging to players while assessing them with limited practices before roster cuts
Caley: “There are a lot of things you do. There’s discipline, there’s mental toughness in terms of being precise with motions, being precise and breaking the huddle with a clean operation. Whether it’s cadence, changing up cadences. Whether it’s putting guys in different spots, mixing some different formations, that they may have to run the same concept for multiple formations. So, it taxes you mentally too, not just physically.”
Q: When does he think he’ll decide on his five offensive linemen
Caley: “I think it’ll manifest itself, to be honest with you. I think it’ll naturally happen. There’s a progression. We have really good competition right now. So, I think we’re just trying to give as many reps. Again, once we get the pads on, I think that’s the truest measure of the evaluation part of it. But, I’ve been really pleased. I know we’ve been really pleased with where they’ve grown and we’ve got a really good group of guys that are hungry to learn.”
Q: On balancing a consistent group with the offensive line versus rotating different players in the starting five positions
Caley: “It started in the spring, exposing them to maybe something that may have been different, may not have been different and then obviously through camp here. But, it’s a full evaluation from a spring to fall setting. I think you put them in as many situations as you can and then you start to refine some things or you start to feel it once we start getting the pads on, once we have some practices with the pads on, you get into joint practices, you get into the preseason games, I think things start to declare a little bit more and then you tweak things as you go.”
Q: On keeping Offensive Line/Offensive Run Game Coordinator Cole Popovich on staff/
Caley: “Because, I have a lot of respect. I think he’s a phenomenal coach. He’s really smart. He’s an extremely hard worker. He really cares about the guys. He is a mentally and physically tough dude. Look at him, he looks like he could squat a house. But, I got a lot of experience with him. I’ve been through a lot of games with him in the past, dating back to New England, and he’s always growing. He’s always searching to be the best that he can be. He’s got a growth mindset and I’m really thankful that we get to work together again.”
Q: On balancing having a system in place and being open-minded to making changes around players’ strengths and skill sets
Caley: “We’re all a byproduct of our experiences. This is not a New England system, it’s our system. It’s going to evolve and that’s personnel driven. But, it’s finding out what we can do. But, also, starting with the players and the things that they’ve had success with, things that they’ve done well here, they’ve done a lot of things well here. We have a great coaching staff that all have different experiences. I’m really blessed to be around those guys and we’re just trying to formulate what’s best for us as we get going here.”
Q: On his relationship with LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Caley: “I love Azeez. Talk about an ultimate competitor, a guy that pours everything he has into it. I remember going to Hillsborough High School in Tampa and watching him and calling our Defensive Coordinator, Roc Bellantoni, and saying, “You’ve got to come see this guy.” He had a fire about him. He played and gave you everything he had. He’s a great human being. He’s a great person. I love Azeez and it’s just fate that we’re back here and I’m really excited to be a part of the team with him.”
Q: What’s it like getting WR Christian Kirk and two rookie wide receivers prepared for the season
Caley: “It’s fun, to put it simply. They’re pros. Our veterans, such as ‘CK’, lead by example; they’re pros, they work. Those young guys have come in and you’ve got to kick them out of the building. They’re great human beings. They’ve got great pedigree. They’re made of good fabric and it’s a lot of fun.”
Q: On his early impressions of OT Aireontae Ersery
Caley: “He just keeps improving and that’s a testament to him. He cares and he’s working really hard at it.”
Q: On something that’s surprised him about this team
Caley: “I don’t know that anything surprised me because I don’t think I’ve tried to come into this with any set expectations. I think that kind of sets you up for-I don’t think, I try not to go into it with expectations. We have a group of guys starting with DeMeco [Ryans] and Nick [Caserio] on down to the leadership on the team that are hardworking guys. I know this, whatever level of football it is, when your best players are your hardest workers, it sets the tone for everybody else. We’ve got really, really good people here that work hard, that love football and we’re just trying to keep it moving in the right direction.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans OC Nick Caley said after Day 3 of training camp
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
