DeVier Posey Rookie Diary: Mental reps, Andre Johnson

Posted Sep 14, 2012

DeVier Posey with HoustonTexans.com's Nick Scurfield @DPo8

Throughout the 2012 season, Texans rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey, a third-round draft pick from Ohio State, will give insight on his experiences in his Rookie Diary on HoustonTexans.com. To ask DeVier a question, leave a comment below or tweet at the Texans' official Twitter account (@HoustonTexans) with the hashtag #DPoDiary. Follow Posey on Twitter @DPo8.

Week 1 was great. Even though I was inactive, just to see the crowd with the white jerseys and the spirit and feel the vibes in the building was amazing. It makes me want to go out and practice and work harder so I can get out there.

The San Francisco (preseason) game, the first half was like a nice little preview of what the crowd would be like at Reliant Stadium. But Sunday, it really didn’t compare. Nothing in the preseason compared to that.

Watching the game, I was just trying to get mental reps, stand next to T.J. Yates to kind of see what he’s seeing and get the plays, kind of play the game in my head. That’s the only thing I can do. You just try to get better and just learn different game situations and try to figure out if you were in that situation, what would you do.

When T.J.’s watching games, he’s reading the safeties and he’s like, ‘Oh, you should go here with the ball, go there with the ball.’ Most of the time, I kind of just listen to what he’s saying or ask him what he saw.

A lot of people have asked me what it’s like to be around Andre Johnson. He’s just the best at what he does, man. He makes it look so easy. He’s consistent and his shoulders are always downfield and he runs great routes. It’s not just that he’s bigger and stronger and faster than everybody and that’s the only reason he gets open. He’s a perfectionist. He does everything right, and that’s why he is who he is. To learn from a guy like that, it’s meant a lot. Anybody that’s in my situation would try to take advantage of it, just learn from him every day and try to get all you can.

I guess my role right now is being the fifth receiver, just trying to help out on scout team, trying to do whatever I can, jump in when somebody needs a play. I think going through what I went through last year at Ohio State as far as being suspended, having to be on scout team and be patient to play and work on my game, it kind of prepared me for this situation. If I would have left after my junior year, I don’t know how I would have taken this mentally. But the only way you can do it is get in your routine, and I just try to stick to what I’m doing and prepare like I’m a starter. Last year really prepared me for anything.

I know that special teams is going to be important for me to contribute as a rookie. I take it serious, just like scout team. I try to give good looks. I try my best to get better every day in any aspect that I can. That’s all I can do.

I’m excited about our first regular-season road trip. Everybody’s going to have their nice suits on and stuff. I’m excited to see the fashion show on the way to the game. I heard you got to come ready, because the Texans are a nice-dressed team is what they say. So, I’m ready for the fashion show.