After signing with the Houston Texans, quarterback Brock Osweiler immediately set to work getting to know his teammates, texting them to say hello and offer any help he could give.
This week, that process continues with some of the teammates he'll need to trust the most. Receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Jaelen Strong, Cecil Shorts and Keith Mumphery and quarterback Tom Savage, are all in Arizona with Osweiler. They're working out at Arizona State, where Osweiler and Strong went to college. They got there Monday and will stick around for about a week.
It's the second team-building exercise the Texans have had this offseason. Two weeks ago, nearly half of the roster went to Wisconsin to spend a few days working out with J.J. Watt at his home near Milwaukee and then celebrating his birthday.
This one will have a more direct impact on the Texans play on the field as it gets the process started of Osweiler and the receivers understanding each other. These are receivers who haven't had much consistency at the position lately and the head start they're getting now will help everyone.
"DeAndre’s had to play with nine different quarterbacks in two years, which is a testament to DeAndre that he’s been able to function at a high level with those guys," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "It’ll be the consistency. He’ll be able to work with this guy time and time again."
They'll also be able to share their knowledge of the Texans offense with Osweiler, who can't meet with coaches about football for another two weeks.