The Houston Texans started training camp in unfamiliar territory. The franchise decided to hold the majority of their 2017 camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and it will be the first time in franchise history (15 years) that training camp will be held outside the city of Houston. There will be a total of fifteen training camp practice sessions that the residents of White Sulphur Springs can attend to see the reigning 2016 AFC South Champions. The Aug. 15 – 16 sessions will be joint practices with the Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots.

“This is a wonderful facility to be in. We’re thrilled to be here, excited to be here in West Virginia. There’s a little bit of a buzz around the building, I think, in anticipation of getting here. We’ve got to get settled. We’ve got meetings tonight, but we’re here for a reason. This is a business trip and we’ve got to get our football team – the goal of training camp doesn’t change because we changed environments,” said General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Rick Smith.

Houston looks to improve on a 9-7 finish from last year. That record tied them for their third-best single season record in franchise history. The Texans are also one of two teams (New England Patriots) to win its division over the last two seasons. Four of the last six AFC South Championships have been won by Houston. One more AFC South Division title and the Texans will be the first team since the Indianapolis Colts to win three in a row.

One of the biggest issues they face is off the field with key veteran OL Duane Brown in a holdout dispute with the franchise. Brown is the longest tenured player on the team and an All-Pro (2011, 2012) offensive lineman who has only been called for holding just seven times in 132 games. The starting left tackle played every snap from week 6-16 during the 2016 season, which was key for the offense as they dealt with multiple changes at the quarterback position.

“Duane and I have a really good relationship. He is under contract for the next two years, so I really don’t see this as a holdout or contract dispute,” said Smith. The team has placed Brown on the Reserve/ Did Not Report list because he did not report to camp on the first day.

If there is such a thing as positive adversity. The Texans look forward to it during training camp as the starting job at quarterback position heats up. First round draft pick (12th overall) and 2017 NCAA National Champion Deshaun Watson (10, 168 yards passing and 90 passing TD’s – career) looks to compete against current starter Tom Savage. The 2014 fourth round quarterback was given the starting job in 2016 after replacing Brock Osweiler (Browns) in week 15. He threw for 461 passing yards and no interceptions in two and a half games before getting injured in week 17.

The Texans will have other tough decisions to make as camp goes forward, but Head Coach Bill O’Brien has a very positive outlook after the first day of camp. “I thought knowledge of assignments, effort, conditioning level for the first day I thought was decent,” said O’Brien. “Just being in a new place, knowing where to go, how the field were set up. Everyone was pretty much into it.”