Hard-hitting safety Justin Reid reflects on Saints' first padded practice of training camp
With the abrupt retirement of Louisiana legend Tyrann Mathieu, questions quickly surfaced about who would step up as the vocal leader in the defensive backs room. Losing such a foundational presence left a void -- but it didn't take long for eyes to turn toward newly-acquired safety Justin Reid. Mathieu's former teammate on the Houston Texans, and a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. And with Mathieu retiring from pro football, Reid is now the elder statesman in the secondary.
Another Louisiana native, Reid is not only known for his play on the field but also for his strong leadership and poise on the backend. In a recent tweet after the first padded practice session of training camp, he gave fans a glimpse into his mindset, expressing his deep passion for the game and what he truly loves about football.
With a young group surrounding him in the secondary, Justin Reid now steps in as the seasoned veteran of the defensive back room. A two-time Super Bowl champion with several years of high-level play under his belt, Reid brings invaluable experience and leadership to the unit -- serving as both a steady presence on the field and a trusted resource off of it.
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USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Texans QB C.J. Stroud believes offensive line 'takes time' to build rapport
Nearly two weeks into training camp, the Houston Texans' offensive line has been basically an eye-sore. No, strike that. It's 100% been the souring feel around the roster after the defense finished a third straight practice where C.J. Stroud was feeling the pressure against a front seven that constantly tried to put the Pro Bowl quarterback on his rear end. Still, as the team leaves for The Greenbrier for a week, Stroud isn't worried. He understands that sometimes the bad has to be beaten out of players before the good can finally appear. 'It takes time,' Stroud said Saturday of the offensive personnel. 'It's not something that just happens overnight. I feel like we're getting better every day." The five-man front will look different from a season ago. That might be a blessing since Houston's expensive front line gave up 54 sacks, the second-most in the NFL last season, though it also will feature a new left tackle following the trade of Laremy Tunsil. Cam Robinson comes in at left tackle on a one-year deal and is expected to start. On the right side, second-round pick Tay Ersery has been the most consistent player as the opposing book end. Tytus Howard, who saw action at both right tackle and right guard, has shifted inside full-time while Laken Tomlinson is expected to start on the left side. All the changes have led to some confusion when it comes to protection calls, which has put Stroud under duress against the front seven. That's one way to look at the mishaps, but Stroud, trying to find a positive, mentioned that the unit could be going up against the league's best pass rush daily in practice, meaning they'll only improve against weaker competition. "That's the best defensive line in football right now, with just how they get off the ball, to edge guys Will [Anderson Jr.] and Danielle [Hunter] are crazy athletes," Stroud said. "They rush together, they rush as a unit. I think it's just making us nothing but better. I think you don't want to continue to just say the defense is good. You want to start seeing progress and seeing plays being made. I think we've seen that these last couple of days. So, it's helpful for me to start going through reads and be able to go through my full progression when the offensive line is picking everything up." The Texans' offensive line will look to respond in West Virginia at The Greenbrier before taking on the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Everything Texans Pro Bowl QB C.J. Stroud said before the trip to The Greenbrier
Here's everything Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said following the final day of training camp before the team's trip to The Greenbrier, including his thoughts on the offensive line, the future of the offense and what he wants out of the team's road trip. Question: On if the trip to The Greenbrier will be good for team chemistry C.J. Stroud: 'Yeah, for sure. Once you get a group of guys together and you find things in common, you find things that are different about each other and you build that bond and that team chemistry. So, I think it's going to be good for us.' Q: How is the offense coming along from his viewpoint Stroud: 'It takes time. It's not something that happens overnight. I feel like we're getting better every day. We're having good conversations on how routes are going to be ran and scheme is seen by both player and coach. So, it's been really good to hash out some things and going up against a good defense. So, it's not always easy going against them and they're really good. So, it's bumps and bruises, but I feel like we're making progress.' Q: On what he's seen from WR Christian Kirk as a piece of this offense Stroud: 'Christian's always been great. I've been a fan of his since college. He's been somebody who's put it on tape a bunch and been one of the best receivers in the league for a minute now. So, I think our chemistry is being seen every day. We've not just been close on the field, but off as well. Just having conversations on how we look at schemes and routes and whatnot. I think he's going to be great. He's been that way so far in camp.' Q: On how TE Cade Stover's farm boy attitude manifests itself on and off the field Stroud: 'He's a tough guy. He's just Ohio tough that when I moved to Ohio to go to school, they always talked about being tough and being developed. That's just how guys from Ohio State come out. We're all mentally, physically tough and we're trying to show that we're that way. I think it comes off naturally for him. Just his background with farming and whatnot. So, he's done incredible things, but he's taken another step with route running, pass catching and I think that's somewhere where he wanted to take his game up a notch and he has.' Q:On how challenging it's been to learn a new offense while continuing to be a leader for new players on the team Stroud: 'Just challenges every year. I don't really look at it as a challenge, more like opportunity to learn something new about the game of football and also take the opportunity to help other guys. I don't really look at it as a challenge, I don't really look at it as challenging. It's something that you…When you're playing football, you get used to learning new schemes and learning new people. So, it's been fun. I don't know, as a quarterback, I feel like I'm just starting to feel comfortable, trying to get better every day. I think I'm really hard on myself and I think it's a good thing to get better each day. I think next step for me is taking the guys around me to think the same way and to get them to buy into what, as a team, we're trying to do. I think that's where I can grow as a quarterback.' Q: On what excites him about this new offense Stroud: 'I would say the people. Scheme is scheme. It's great, it's timing that you want to call great plays against great looks. But even in those looks, you got to still make plays with the players. Also, when the looks aren't as great, we've got to have our coaches back to make those plays to run smoothly or just get a positive play. So, that's what excites me. This is a really, really talented group. I'm excited to go out there on Sunday with these guys and compete.' Q: What he likes about throwing to receivers in the slot and if he thinks it's one of his strengths Stroud: 'I think it's football. It's whoever's open, I try to get the ball too. I think I'm good on throwing to guys at outside and inside. I don't really have a preference, so to speak. But we've had great guys in the slot with 'Stef' [Stefon Diggs] and Tank [Dell], 'Metch' [John Metchie III]. Now we've got C. Kirk [Christian Kirk], 'J-Wat' [Justin Watson]. I think our guys are very versatile too. So, I've been trying to get better in both.' Q: On if the offensive line is having good moments at Training Camp 'Yeah, it takes time. Especially the first couple of days, no pads. It's not always easy. I think that's the best defensive line in football right now, with just how they get off the ball, to edge guys Will [Anderson Jr.] and Danielle [Hunter] are crazy athletes. They rush together, they rush as a unit. I think it's just making us nothing but better. I think you don't want to continue to just say the defense is good. You want to start seeing progress and seeing plays being made. I think we've seen that these last couple of days. So, it's helpful for me to start going through reads and be able to go through my full progression when the offensive line is picking everything up. They've done a great job of continuing to work and keeping their head up, staying confident because it's not easy going against those guys every day, I get that. But we have trust that those guys, our guys are very talented too on the offensive side of the ball.' Q: On how the physical improvements he made in the offseason are manifesting themselves Stroud: "I feel good, I feel fast, I feel strong, I feel healthy. I don't know if I look chubby or look fat, but I feel good. I don't know. I feel good though. I'm running fast.' Q: On if he feels his self-criticism is a blessing or something to be worked on Stroud: 'It could be both. It could be something that your body, my body language isn't always great. I think I'm just… I love winning. It's hard when you're not doing what you want to do or things around you aren't great. It's easy to be negative. So, my thing is I have to try to be more positive in my body language and things like that. But, I've learned this over my years too. This is a little nugget that I got from a pastor was, 'Mistakes and failures or even successes can either be a classroom or a coffin.' So, I can either let it train me and I can learn from it or I can let it kill me and I can get in a coffin with it and let that mistake take a course in a negative route. For me, I try to make it a classroom as much as possible to where I can learn from it, analyze it, study it and then move on. I think that's something that I'm trying to get better at.' Q: On how he's seen S C.J. Gardner-Johnson affecting the team Stroud: 'He's a different cat. He's a great guy. He wants to be a locker room guy. He is a locker room guy. Very friendly, very cool. Me and him mesh well. His first day, I called him. Well, I texted him and welcomed him on the team and was just excited to have him. I think it's dope because he's coming off some, a lot of playoff experience and Super Bowl experience. So, he doesn't do nothing but help us. He's doing a great job of just helping us all around.' Q: On how he balances playing on script and off script during practice Stroud: 'For me, I just try to look at the game as: play what I see and let my instincts… I think I'm a very instinctual player and I'm very thoughtful pre-snap. But, once the ball is snapped, I try to play with instincts and feel rotation, feel coverage and whatever that looks like and also feel the pocket. So, it's a lot to do, but I've done it for a little minute now and I'm getting better when it comes to the NFL process of ripping one if one's there, taking two, you can shortcut to five, go to five. There are things that you do when you get more mature in the game. I'm only 23 and I'm still learning a lot. I'm just trying to get better in those things. Just learning from the times where I should have checked it down instead of running or should have run instead of checked it down or vice versa.' Q: On why it's important for him and his mother to give back to the community together Stroud: 'That's how we started. When I was a kid, that's what we did. We gave back every weekend I can remember, to the homeless. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, back to school things. We've always wanted to keep that a thing. I think it's just not only did that experience inspire the kids, but it gave me joy to see. It makes me emotional, but to see them going through so much to still have joy and still be hopeful for life, and for us, we're playing this game. It's an important game. It's a blessing, but it's not the biggest thing. I think those things are a lot bigger than throwing a good pass or whatever. Those things are still important. But, when you're looking at those lives it doesn't even compare. So, I think that not only did it help them, but it helped me a ton. We just want to… Houston's opened up arms to us as a home and we want to be able to give back. We do the same thing in California too. So, it was a blessing.'
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Sterling Sharpe joins brother Shannon as only siblings in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Sterling Sharpe stood on the podium a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother. Shannon Sharpe had given Sterling his first Super Bowl ring and now big brother was returning the favor on stage after the crowning moment of his football career. 'This is why I played football,' Sterling said, referring to his younger brother, who wrapped his arm around him and had tears streaming down his face. 'This is why I got out of bed; it wasn't work. It was because of this right here. Before I leave you, I want to do two things. The most precious gift I've ever received is the Super Bowl ring. ... I wear this ring because of love. You gave me this not knowing you were going to get another one. And I prayed to God: 'Please, God, let him get another.' God blessed him with two. 'The second thing is, the last time I was here, you said that you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say that you were the second-best player in your own family. I agree with that statement, but it would be an extreme privilege. ... for you to be the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two gold jackets. You see, you have to learn to follow before you can lead.' Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates joined Sterling Sharpe as the Class of 2025 was inducted into football immortality during a ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night to kick off the NFL preseason. Sterling Sharpe averaged 85 catches and 1,162 yards, finishing with 65 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The wide receiver was named to five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times. A neck injury cut his career short and he waited a long time to get the call from the Hall. Shannon Sharpe, who played tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, was inducted in 2011. They are the first brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jared Allen was the first player among the new class to take the stage after Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas led the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to former Bills coach Marv Levy, who turns 100 on Sunday. Wearing his trademark cowboy hat, Allen talked about his motivation for success. 'Why is what makes you different; it's your long game,' he said. 'It's the motivation that drives you to do all necessary action steps to achieve your goal. My why can be summed up in three things: fear, respect and the pursuit of greatness. ... I apply my why to everything in my life, to my walk with Christ, my marriage and being a father.' Jared Allen made five Pro Bowls, was a four-time All-Pro and had 136 sacks in 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers. His final game was Super Bowl 50, a loss by Carolina against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Eric Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback who played for the Eagles, Saints and Raiders, was presented by one of his four sons. Allen, who had 54 career interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns, gave the obligatory 'Fly! Eagles! Fly!' to support the Super Bowl champions who drafted him in 1988. 'I grew up in Philadelphia. I became a man there. I have a special gratitude for the organization,' Allen said. Allen also thanked current Raiders owner Mark Davis, who was in attendance. 'Al Davis had a statement: 'Commitment to excellence,' Allen said. 'It's all over our building in Las Vegas. We are trying to make sure we fulfill that destiny, we fulfill what Al Davis was about.' Gates closed out the day with a 23-minute speech that he began by saying he wouldn't cry, but it included several emotional moments. Gates, who was presented by Chargers owner Dean Spanos, never played a single down of college football yet ended up becoming the 23rd of 382 Hall of Famers who were undrafted by NFL teams. He thanked former Chargers tight ends coach Tim Brewster for discovering him after he led Kent State's basketball team to the Elite Eight. 'Tim Brewster saw something special in me. He was pretty sure that I could make the team. He was adamant that I'd be All-Pro in three years,' Gates said. 'You see, the thing is when switching sports or careers for that matter, it can be life-changing. The unexpected are often the most powerful ones because it can completely redirect your life if you're ready to take advantage and you're ready for the opportunity. Thank you to Coach Tim Brewster and Coach Marty Schottenheimer. They gave me an opportunity to play tight end in the NFL. Because of you, Coach Tim Brewster, NFL teams and NFL scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again.' Gates played all 16 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers, finishing with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and 116 TDs. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was All-Pro three times, the first in just his second season.
