Joint practices between NFL teams allow coaches to go against looks they would typically only see in games. They mix things up a bit for squads who are used to facing the same offense and defense during training camps.
The San Francisco 49ers took part in the first of two joint practices with the Houston Texans on Wednesday morning. The two teams will play in an exhibition game at NRG Stadium on Saturday night.
"I do think that when you go against good competition for a couple of days in a row, in full pads, the different situations that come up, the different skill sets that you have to deal with across the ball from you, I think that's really good," Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said on Tuesday.
For 49ers players, joint practices are also an opportunity to ask questions of Texans defenders. Rookie wide receiver Richie James was one 49ers player who took advantage of the opportunity. He was seen by 49ers team reporter Joe Fann chatting about in-practice reps with Texans safety Kurtis Drummond.
Another 49ers rookie receiver, Dante Pettis, was also willing to have similar chats with Texans defenders. After all, the goal of the coaches and players during these sessions is to improve.
"When someone asks a question, you're not just going to blow it off," Pettis said after Wednesday's practice. "Everybody's trying to get better."
Going against the Texans defense during these two practices is a significant benefit for rookies like Pettis and the rest of the 49ers offense.
"I think it's cool to actually see what your players look like against that defense before you actually [play in a game]," Pettis said.
What exactly were the Texans defenders asking the 49ers' rookie receiver?
"Just like about the route I was running," Pettis responded. "One play, someone was like, 'Hey, were you a decoy on that or were you part of the read?' I was, 'No, I was part of the read. I was trying to take the ball over the top. You guys were playing a different defense, so they just checked it down.' Stuff like that."
As Peter Panacy reported on Tuesday, Pettis had an opportunity to get some batting practice in at Minute Maid Park. His father, Gary Pettis, is the Houston Astros' third base coach.
49ers rookie receiver Dante Pettis (@dmainy_13) takes BP at Minute Maid Park, with his dad, #Astros third base coach Gary watching. And Dante hit a couple out in this sequence. pic.twitter.com/9iPCkQbgik
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 14, 2018
Pettis was asked about the session and how many home runs he thinks he hit.
"I wasn't counting," he answered. "I don't know. Probably six or seven."
The 49ers' visit to Houston is an excellent opportunity for the rookie receiver to spend more time with his father. San Francisco was initially scheduled to travel on Tuesday, but the date was moved up to Monday, which worked out well for Pettis and his dad.
"Once I found out we were coming out a little bit earlier, it was pretty cool," the 49ers receiver said.