Reading the coverage of the Houston Texans ...
While you don't want to read too much into preseason scores, there was a dramatic difference between the Texans' 2014 and 2015 preseason openers. While last year they lost 32-0, this year they won 23-10, and there was a marked difference in the way the defense played. Writes Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle: "It's clear the Texans' defense picked up Saturday night where it left off at the end of last season, light years improved from how the Bill O'Brien era began in the Arizona desert."
Meanwhile, Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle rains on any parade you might have considered for positive preseason stats.
John Harris of HoustonTexans.com offers 33 observations from Saturday's game. Here is No. 25: Tight end coach John Perry has consistently aggressively counseled rookie tight end Khari Lee throughout training camp on his blocking at the point of attack. It's working too. He had a couple of solid point of attack blocks lined up at Y. He then made a couple of catches down the field including one down the field in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal. They can't keep all the tight ends in camp and Lee and Mike McFarland aren't making that decision easy for Perry and this coaching staff.
Rookie receiver Jaelen Strong had a solid NFL debut, writes Patrick D. Starr of StateoftheTexans.com.
Second-year offensive lineman Xavier Su'a-Filo missed Saturday's game with an injury. Su'a-Filo is not going to be available this week, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. The injury is not expected to be long-term, writes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Not a link to a story, but fun nonetheless. Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel stopped by the University of Houston to speak to the football team. Former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman is their coach.
My dear friend @CoachVrabel50 spoke to us tonight about what it takes to win a championship. Can't thank him enough pic.twitter.com/NyytRFNOPf
— Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) August 17, 2015