HOUSTON — Outside of the Houston Texans mantra, “SWARM,” (Special Work Ethic and Relentless Mindset), which first-year coach DeMeco Ryans created, they have also adopted a second saying that has become one that is etched into their minds as well as they go through training camp.
“Iron Sharpens Iron” is said by players in interviews and is displayed every time they take the field, working against one another in team drills and, after practice, helping each other improve by correcting their mistakes.
One of the most significant examples of iron sharpening iron is the battle between third-year wide receiver Nico Collins and second-year cornerback Derek Stingley. They often find themselves matched up against one another during 11-on-11 drills, and each player takes it as a personal battle that they want to win, but at the same time make each other better. The winner varies from play to play, and both players talk a little trash to each other and congratulate the rep’s winner.
“You know we are going to compete every day,” said Texans WR Nico Collins about the daily battles between him and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/j82a3V7NXO
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 5, 2023
On Monday, Stingley broke on a sideline route and intercepted a pass from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud that was intended for Collins and went 40-plus yards for a touchdown. Three days later, Stroud and Collins connected on a touchdown pass over Stingley in the back of the end zone. Those back and forth has become a matchup that the media have focused on throughout the first two weeks of camp.
“You know we’re going to compete every day,” said Collins when asked about the one-on-one battles with Stingley. “You’ve got to. You know, him [Derek Stingley Jr.] and Steve [Nelson]. The whole secondary, actually. They’re some dogs back there, for sure. So, you know, you’ve got to have that mindset to come out and compete because you know they’re bringing the juice on the other side. But, you know, iron sharpens iron, man. You’re competitive every rep, so you win one, you lose one. But we’re there to get each other better.”
Collins has a point to prove this season to some of the doubters who believe that he is not ready to be the primary focus for the receivers in a Bobby Slowik-led offense designed to help create mismatches in the secondary. He has only played in 24 games and has produced 927 yards receiving on 70 receptions and three touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Texans, being limited by injuries that have kept him out of the lineup for a significant amount of time.
“Man, I feel like this offense is going to have opportunities for everybody to make plays,” Collins said when talking about the new offensive system. “Got a great quarterback, drafted a great quarterback, him [C.J. Stroud] and Davis [Mills] have been competing every day. And this offense, it’s built for everybody to make plays, and I feel like when your number is called, you’re going to make a play. It’s as simple as that.”