When the New England Patriots and Houston Texans finished their joint practice on Wednesday, Dont'a Hightower Jerseysthey came together and shook hands, Rob Gronkowski Jerseysalmost as if it was the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

Cool scene. And one Patriots safety Devin McCourty said reflected two teams that viewed each other similarly.

“Out here there is a lot of respect for guys. We’ve played them a ton. Tom Brady JerseysWe know their guys, watch their film,” McCourty relayed. “Once we get practicing, it’s a battle out there. Guys are going after it. Once you see the joint practice conclude, Julian Edelman Jerseysit’s a ton of respect and just talking to guys.

“Obviously it wasn’t long, but just shaking their hands and saying you respect them, and wish them luck in the season.”That respect was evident throughout the two days of practices, as both teams took it to the edge of extremely physical play without letting things go overboard in a way that could have led to scuffles.

“I thought we got a lot out of these two days. They were really good,” remarked Texans coach Bill O’Brien. “Guys came out and practiced hard. Wasn’t chippy. It was two good pro football teams practicing against each other, LeGarrette Blount Jerseysand I thought it was a really productive two days.”