Texans' Dameon Pierce '1,000 Leaps' Ahead In Development

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce battled injuries to rush for the eight-most yards per game in the NFL last season.

It's hard to think Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce was just a rookie last season.

Before an ankle injury hampered his first year in the NFL, Pierce was well on his way to being a top-10 rusher in the league, finishing with 939 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Pierce said he has continued to grow ahead of Year 2 and the complexities of the playbook are starting to slow down.

"I'm 1,000 leaps ahead of where I was last year," Pierce said. " This time last year, my head was spinning here in camp, I'm trying to remember plays so I see how C.J. (Stroud) feels. Now, the game's slowed down tremendously."

Pierce stepped into the running backs room last season and took control as a fourth-round draft pick over veterans Dare Ogunbowale, Royce Freeman and Rex Burkhead. The Bainbridge, Georgia, native had fumbling issues at times, finishing tied for the sixth-most fumbles by a running back last season with four.

For as much of a step Pierce took in the right direction in Year 1, he said he can tell his development is moving in the right direction based on how running backs coach Danny Barrett speaks to him.

"Coach DB, he's still on me, but I can tell that by the way he's on me that I'm growing," Pierce said. "He's not repeating the same thing twice. I'm trying not to make the same mistake twice. We're working on the little things to make me a great player and to make me a better teammate."

There's still going to be errors. That's part of the game. However, Pierce said it's about seeing and understanding your mistakes, something he feels has been brought down to "a minimum."

"I just feel better," Pierce said. "I feel more in shape. I feel better mentally. (I) feel sharper. I'm ready to have a good season."

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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