The Houston Texans had nearly 100% attendance during their offseason program — save for left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
The two-time Pro Bowler was absent during the course of organized team activities. However, coach Lovie Smith said that — just like in Big Sandy, Texas — “voluntary is voluntary” and that there was only one portion of the offseason program that was mandatory.
Tunsil showed up for the Texans’ mandatory minicamp from June 14-16. Smith was right. Crisis averted.
General manager Nick Caserio joined “Payne & Pendergast” on Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] June 16 to talk about how the organization views players who aren’t available for voluntary workouts.
“I think the most important thing on all of this is to make sure that you have communication and dialogue along the way,” said Caserio. “That’s the most important thing, and I think Lovie has been consistent about that from the beginning. He spends time with all of our players, talks to all of our players. And in the end, it’s a voluntary program. So, every player has to make a decision they feel is in their best interest. So, you know, that’s part of the NFL. That’s part of what we deal with.”
Undoubtedly having Tunsil at the facilities at NRG Stadium generated even more optimism for the Texans. Nevertheless the Texans’ overall approach is to work with players as partners in the offseason.
Said Caserio: “I would say just from our perspective, the Texans’ perspective, this is never adversarial. It’s never confrontational. So, you try to maintain. You try to handle like adults. I think that’s one thing about Lovie. Treat them like men and handle adults, have communication. If an individual has their opinion, we respect their opinion, and our job is to just keep moving forward and just try to do what we think is best on a day to day basis.”
The Texans are off until July 26, which is the earliest date the veterans can report for training camp.
