Kubiak: Duane Brown is taking his game to next level - Houston Chronicle (blog)

Posted on June 5, 2012 at 7:20 pm by Sam Khan Jr. in General

Duane Brown allowed just one sack while starting all 16 games in 2011 for the Texans. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said several veteran players have had good offseasons and one of those is left tackle Duane Brown.

Brown, a fifth-year pro, received praise from Kubiak after organized team activities on Tuesday.

“I tell you, we were talking as a group yesterday. He’s one of the guys who have had a great offseason in my opinion, watching him practice,” Kubiak said. “Some guys that have jumped at me offensively, I think him, I think Arian (Foster), I think (Ben) Tate. Defensively, just watching Danieal Manningâ€"I could sit here and name veteran players that really look like they’re taking their stuff to another level and Duane is definitely one of those guys right now.”

The 26-year-old Virginia Tech product allowed just one sack while starting all 16 games in 2011 for the Texans. He was bypassed for the AFC Pro Bowl roster but was selected as an alternate. Kubiak said Brown has the chance to be a Pro Bowler.

“Duane loves to play,” Kubiak said. “He has a good time on the field. Duane can run; he’s a heck of a specimen from that standpoint. He plays against the best players in the league rushing the quarterback. Once you get the confidence that you can play with those guys, the sky is the limit. I think that’s where Duane is right now. He’s got a chance to be a Pro Bowl player.

“Like I think I told y’all at the end of the year, I thought he played as good as any tackle in football last year, but they usually make you do it more than once. I’m ready for him to come back and do it again.”

Images from the Texans' organized team activities, which began Monday, May 21 and continue into the first week of June.

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MONDAY, JUNE 4

Texans players gather in the middle of the field before practice during Texans organized team activities at the Methodist Training Center. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Justin Forsett makes a catch. Forsett, a free agent from Seattle practiced for the first time Monday with the Texans. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle) (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans center Chris Myers (55) throws a pass. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running backs Justin Forsett (32) and Davin Meggett (30) get ready for practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Justin Forsett (32) takes a handoff from quarterback John Beck. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Jerrell Jackson makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans quarterback John Beck (12) throws a pass during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Jerrell Jackson makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (13) throws a pass as tight end Logan Brock looks on. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker D.J. Bryant runs through a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans cornerback Alan Ball makes a catch during a drill.
(Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans tight end James Casey (86) runs through a blocking drill with Logan Brock, also a tight end. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans cornerback Alan Ball dives on a loose ball during a drill. Ball, a free agent from the Dallas Cowboys, practiced for the first time Monday with the Texans. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster takes a handoff from quarterback T.J. Yates. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Davin Meggett makes a catch during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster stretches out before practice during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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THURSDAY, MAY 31

Houston Texans linebacker Brooks Reed runs through a line of blocking dummies during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Thursday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) hits a blocking dummy during a drill, Mercilus impressed former Oilers coach Bum Phillips on Thursday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans tackle Rashad Butler, left, runs through a blocking drill with tight end Phillip Supernaw. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Shawn Loiseau (90) shakes water off his head after taking a water break. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans fullback Jason Ford (45) leads the way for running back Arian Foster, after Foster took a handoff from quarterback T.J. Yates (13). (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) takes a handoff from quarterback John Beck. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, left, takes a handoff from quarterback T.J. Yates. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans tight ends Phillip Supernaw (48) and Owen Daniels run through a blocking drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Bradie James (53) dives on a loose ball. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebackers D.J. Bryant (63) and Shawn Loiseau (90) run through a fumble drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, left, and center Chris Myers (55) walk to practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans punter Donnie Jones. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) reaches up for a football during a tip drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans safety Danieal Manning (38) leaps during a tip drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reaches up for a football during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) walk to the practice field. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Former Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips, left, talks to Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates takes a break between drills during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans punter Donnie Jones works on his kicks. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 30

Houston Texans punter Brett Hartman, left, greets linebacker Darryl Sharpton (51) before practice during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey stretches out during the Texans' OTAs. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans quarterback John Beck (12) hands the ball off to running back Ben Tate. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) lines up under center. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) makes a catch during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans punter Donnie Jones works on his form. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans quarterback T.J. Yates, left, hands the ball off to running back Arian Foster. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans tackle Duane Brown (76) leads the way for running back Arian Foster (23). (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans linebacker Bradie James (53) makes a catch during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans defensive ends J.J. Watt (99) and Antonio Smith (94) run through a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans defensive end Jared Crick (93) and nose tackle Ra'Shon Harris run through a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans quarterback John Beck (12) throws a pass as wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) walks past. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter, center, kicks high while warming up. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches his team warm up. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter lines up to run a pass route. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receivers Keshawn Martin (82), Juaquin Iglesias (19) and DeVier Posey (11) work with receivers coach Larry Kirksey. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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TUESDAY, MAY 29

Texans Whitney Mercilus (59) and Shawn Loiseau (90) walk out to the field before the start of the Houston Texans OTAs. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch on the ground during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans rookie Hebron Fangupo, who was injured during the first week of OTAs, stacks footballs on the field before the start of practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Quarterback Matt Schaub surveys the field as he continues to come back from a foot injury that ended his 2011-12 season. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans defender Jesse Nading makes a catch during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie Nick Mondek. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks onto the practice field (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Bradie James (53) makes a catch during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing hauls in a ball during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Bryan Braman tries to make a catch during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie receiver DeVier Posey (11) makes a nice grab. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans receiver Trindon Holliday makes a catch. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texan J.J. Watt (99) walks out to the field. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans linebacker Darryl Sharpton warms up. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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THURSDAY, MAY 24

Players make their way onto the field via the bridge over Kirby Drive. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Matt Schaub stretches before rehabbing during the Texans' Organized Team Activities (OTAs). (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans receiver Trindon Holliday catches a pass. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans receiver Andre Johnson watches his teammates work out with a towel on his head. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Rookie kicker Randy Bullock out of Texas A&M kicks a football during practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans receiver Andre Johnson watches his teammates work out with a towel on his head. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans Shawn Loiseau works during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans' D.J. Bryant grabs some water during a break in practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) runs around Bryan Braman (50). (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans' Jason Ford (45) catches a pass. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans receiver Keshawn Martin (82) catches a pass. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches his players during drills. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Rookie kicker Randy Bullock out of Texas A&M kicks a football during practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)

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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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TUESDAY, MAY 22

Houston Texans players run springs during warmups at Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans tackle Rashad Butler, left, and guard Antoine Caldwell line up for warmups during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans tackle Duane Brown jogs to the next drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie guard Brandon Brooks, left, runs a play with the third offense during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running backs Ben Tate, left, and Arian Foster run a blocking drill during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Connor Barwin runs a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing runs a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans nose tackle Earl Mitchell hits a blocking sled. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie guard Brandon Brooks takes a break between drills. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie guard Brandon Brooks, left, runs a blocking drill with center Chris Myers. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, right, looks on as wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Dwight Jones makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans safety Glover Quinn (29) knocks the ball away from safety Shiloh Keo. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans safety Glover Quinn (29) knocks the ball away from safety Shiloh Keo. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, puts his arm around cornerback Brandon Harris while coaching a defensive backs drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans linebackers coach Reggie Herring, center, runs a drill with linebackers D.J. Bryant (63) and Brooks Reed (58). (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter runs with the ball after making a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Trindon Holliday runs with the ball after making a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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MONDAY, MAY 21

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) walks to practice with his teammates Monday for the start of organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson watches practice during Texans Organized Team Activities at The Methodist Training Center on May 21. Johnson will miss OTAs after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two weeks ago. He is expected to be back in time for training camp. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during Texans Organized Team Activities on Monday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities on May 21. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans players run sprints during Texans Organized Team Activities on May 21. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean (18) walks onto the practice field. Jean practiced with the first team in Andre Johnson's absence. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster stretches out during the first day of Organized Team Activities on Monday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson watches practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie nose tackle Hebron Fangupo runs a drill. He later was carted off with a knee injury. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias (19) makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus runs a drill during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans backup quarterback T.J. Yates throws a pass. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie running back Davin Meggett (30) makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates throws a pass during Texans Organized Team Activities at The Methodist Training Center Monday, May 21, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson watches practice during Texans Organized Team Activities at The Methodist Training Center Monday, May 21, 2012, in Houston. Johnson will miss OTAs after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two weeks ago. He is expected to be back in time for training camp. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans rookies Whitney Merciless (59), Desmond Marrow (34), and D.J. Bryant (63) walk onto the practice field. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans center Chris Myers (55) and quarterback Matt Schaub walk onto the practice field. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans kicker Randy Bullock (4), punter Shayne Graham (17) and long snapper Jon Weeks (46) talk before practice during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

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Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks (46) and rookie kicker Randy Bullock (4) get ready for practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)