HOUSTON (AP) -First-round draft pick Duane Brown admits to being a bit nervous as he prepares for his first NFL game.
Good thing he’ll have one of the original Houston Texans around to calm him down Sunday. Fellow offensive lineman Chester Pitts isn’t worried about Brown and said one of his jobs this week is to help out the rookie.
“I’m there to help him along and keep him focused,” Pitts said. “Just really try to make it easier for him so that he’s not so nervous.”
He doesn’t see Brown’s butterflies lasting very long. Pitts was drafted by the Texans and has started in every game in their six-year history.
“I’m expecting him to be nervous maybe the first series, but after that it’s time to go to work,” he said. “But one of our sayings is: ‘The measure of how good you are as a player is how good you make the people around you.”’ So, I take it on my shoulders and try to make him better.”
The 23-year-old Brown already has learned to rely on his teammates as he makes the transition from college to the NFL and prepares to face the Steelers.
“I’m leaning on them a lot,” he said. “We have our offensive film sessions with guys who have gone against this defense and gone against these players to tell you what to expect. That’s been key for me and I’m just going to keep continuing to do it throughout the week.”
Brown, the 26th pick in this year’s draft, gained the starting left tackle job over veteran Ephraim Salaam almost immediately upon arriving in Houston. The Texans hope he’s the answer to their long-term problems in protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
He’s aware of Houston’s history at the position and the importance of his new role in helping keep Matt Schaub healthy.
“It’s a huge job,” Brown said. “He’s our starting quarterback – the guy leading our offense. I’ve got to keep those guys off his back any way I can, no matter who it is or what team it is. It’s a great responsibility, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Coach Gary Kubiak isn’t worried about starting the rookie, but knows it will be a learning process.
“He’s our best guy,” Kubiak said. “He’s been exceptional throughout the camp. Is he in for some growing pains? You bet he is. But, he’s been a rock. He works, does his job. He’s gotten better every week. This will be the ultimate challenge for him.”
Brown said he’s feeling more comfortable each week and that facing a 3-4 defense against Dallas in the preseason should help in knowing what to expect against Pittsburgh, which also runs that scheme.
Notes: The Texans have signed S Eugene Wilson and released tackle Brandon Frye. “I coached against him. (He’s a) very smart player,” Kubiak said of Wilson. “So, we just felt we needed to add that depth right now and the fact that he can play nickel (defense) helped.” … The Texans chose Andre Johnson and Schaub as their offensive captains, Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans as defensive captains and Kris Brown as special teams captain.
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