Originally published by John McClain.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t try to hide his enthusiasm for joint practices. He prefers two each preseason, but he won’t get involved in any controversy over reducing the preseason schedule for additional practice sessions with opponents.
In light of season-ending injuries to players like Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson, O’Brien stresses that health is the most important thing for a team.
O’Brien has held out defensive end J.J. Watt, nose tackle Vince Wilfork and cornerback Johnathan Joseph from the preseason games against San Francisco and Denver.
“The health of your team is the most important thing you can think about,” O’Brien said after practice Tuesday. “The games don’t count. I’m a strong proponent of joint practices, especially on the road.”
College teams don’t need preseason games to be ready for the season. Why do NFL teams considering players stay in such good shape? O’Brien was asked if he favors a reduction in preseason games in favor of more joint practices.
“I’m not getting into that,” he said. “I do like joint practices, even though ours at Washington didn’t end well (because of fights). I especially like them when we can go on the road, stay in a hotel (like road games) and prepare for the practices.
“I like the competitiveness of joint practices.”
O’Brien coached two years at Penn State before coming to the Texans, so he’s been on both sides of the issue.
“Those are two different discussions,” he said. “There are college guys and professional guys.
“Times have changed. I was impressed with the level of their conditioning, at least 98 percent of them, when they came back.”
O’Brien used Wilfork as an example.
“He’s (33) years old and in his 12th year,” O’Brien said. “Passed the conditioning for a man that’s clearly not under 300 pounds.”
Curated by Texas Bar Today. Follow us on Twitter @texasbartoday.
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