Anyone unfamiliar with Texans coach Bill O'Brien's fiery demeanor and competitive spirit were quickly introduced to both in the first scene of the first episode of HBO's Hard Knocks, which aired on Tuesday night.
"No one talks about the Houston Texans because no one thinks that we're gonna win," O'Brien said during a meeting with staff before the start of Texans training camp. "And the disrespect that they show our quarterbacks, I'm tired of that too. Because both those kids can play. They just need a chance and both of them are going to get it. Enough is enough.
"Every player that's out there -- all 90 players -- are players that I want for the 2015 season. When you [expletive] guys show up for practice tomorrow, they better be ready to [expletive] go."
When the cameras weren't trained on All-Pro defensive lineman JJ Watt, O'Brien -- who spent five seasons with the Patriots, including one (2011) as offensive coordinator -- stole the show with his candor. Whether he was quizzing players about the names of their teammates or getting them ready to practice against the Redskins, O'Brien's personality was always one of the biggest in the room.
At one point, O'Brien referenced his days in New England, saying that during joint training camp practices, Patriots players "had each other's back." Minutes later, with a little bit of editing, the show featured video of a fight between Houston and Washington during their final practice together.
Here are a few other highlights of the first episode, focusing on some of the former members of the Patriots currently with the Texans:
* The two quarterbacks O'Brien referred to above were Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, two former backups to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Neither player featured prominently in the first episode, though it's clear that both are competing for the starting job. At one point, Hoyer remembers one of Brady's best skills -- his mobility inside the pocket -- and explains that Brady only has to move about three yards at a time to evade a rush. Just before Hoyer's scene, a clip from 2009 showed Hoyer, Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick watching film together. In it, Belichick explains to his quarterbacks how it's important not to run into a pass-rush while trying to avoid it.
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* Early in the episode, clips are shown of the Patriots Super Bowl ring ceremony at team owner Robert Kraft's home. Vince Wilfork, who signed with the Texans in the offseason, is shown greeting Rob Ninkovich with a bear hug. Wilfork also talks with Brady and team president Jonathan Kraft as they marvel at the new championship rings. "That's icy!" Brady says. Brady added later about the rings: "Hard-earned for all of us."
* Plenty of behind-the-scenes footage featuring Wilfork made it to the final cut of the episode. He was shown both cracking jokes in the defensive line meeting room and shooting hoops with his wife, Bianca, watching on the sidelines. It's early, but it seems as though Wilfork's enjoying his new surroundings.
* Texans assistants -- defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and linebackers coach Mike Vrabel -- saw plenty of camera time. Vrabel admonished players for playing soft against the Redskins in Richmond. "Throw a marshmallow at him next time," he said. Crennel also took a hard line with his defense when he thought it wasn't performing up to its capabilities.
* The second episode of the show will air next Tuesday at 10 p.m. on HBO.