C.J. Stroud Texans Week 7 Press Conference | Full Pre-Seattle Q&A

C.J. Stroud Texans Week 7 Press Conference | Full Pre-Seattle Q&A

CJ, he’s coming off of the uh success against the Ravens game. How do you feel like you as an offense, what do you think is working and what do you think you guys can do to carry that over? Uh I think, you know, we’re starting to find our identity, you know, and being versatile. Um a lot of guys test the ball against Baltimore. I think that’s a good thing. So, uh some things we can keep up and uh keep up our tempo and getting in and out the huddle. Just operational things is good. So, keeping all that stuff up. What were you able were you able to do anything on a short by-week or an early by-week versus the first two years in the league you had a late bye-week. Were you able to kind of reflect a little bit more, look back more, change more, or is it just kind of same old for you? Uh, yeah, same old. You do a little self scout and then you, you know, come back and you see who you’re playing and you work from there. So, uh, it’s kind of similar. I think we had a week six by my rookie year, so kind of used to it more than what we had last year. DJ, I wondered about your relationship with uh JSN and um when you knew in college that he was going to be a special player. Yeah, the first day I met him uh I think we were at the opening and he was killing. He was on a different team. He was doing really well and we go to Ohio State. Uh I think we were in the same dorm. No, he was with G. Um but yeah, we first day of practice he like one-handed like a pass and like I was like this dude’s for real. So, ever since then, I’m like, man, he the one of the best I’ve ever played with, if not the best. So, um, man, I’m just super proud of him. I’ve always known that this is going to happen. So, it’s no surprise to me, but just very proud of him, and you know, he’s I think he’s going to continue to do great things. And if you don’t mind, would you be able to share any of your recollections of that epic Rose Bowl where you two just went crazy? That was like a honestly like for us, we didn’t even really know it was like that crazy, but it was like a day of practice for us. Yeah. So like me and him have a connection that you know I think is just kind of natural. Um and we just took off that day. But it was other days we did really good too. So but that day was special. You know playing back home and him having probably the most legendary receiver performance in college was pretty dope. But honestly it seemed like we were just at practice. When you look at this uh Seattle defense, talk about what you see and what you really have to be prepared for. Yeah, their D line is really good. Um you know they they play together. They play stout. Um, you know, not a lot of playmakers up front. Um, you know, Ernest is a great backer. You know, he gets those guys lined up and in the right calls and, uh, Spoon is a heck of a player along, you know, with with their back end. So, I mean, all around from top to bottom. They’re really good team and they play together. Um, Mike is a great coach, head coach of course, but a great play caller as well, great defensive coordinator. Played against him a couple times and, you know, he’s he’s uh does some challenging things. So, we just got to be prepared and prepare us the right way. On the flip side, um you all’s defense has been among the best in the league. Um you go against them every day, went against them a lot in training camp. How would you describe what it’s like to go against this particular defense? Yeah, it could I mean it could be suffocating where you know like they’re pushing the pocket, playing sticky coverage, um the run game, they’re being stout, setting edges and running to the ball, talking crazy and slapping their helmets, do all type of crazy stuff. So, uh, that stuff could be demoralizing. Um, so I’ve been on the other side of that. But I think it prepares you, you know, to even cuz that stuff is bound to happen like the other team gets paid too. But it keeps you, at least for me, to keep myself motivated for the next play, next play cuz, uh, it takes time, you know, these defense are really good, but it takes time to unlock a defense. Sometimes the first play, sometimes it’s the last. But I think playing against our defense has taught me, you know, to stay down for the come up, uh, play my game, take what’s there, and, you know, and try to just move forward and and don’t fall for the hype. But they do a great job of, you know, running around, playing together, uh, and just playing free. One of the things that we talked about a lot uh, in training camp was the amount of control and command that you would be able to have over this offense. Um, as time has gone on and especially over these last two games, are you starting to get more of what Nick wants you to do, but also implementing more of CJ Stout into this offense? Yeah, I think every week I get better. Um, I think as offense, we understand what what fits for us and what doesn’t work that we’ve tried, you know. So, uh, it’s all about just adjusting week to week, upgrading, upgrading our iPhone, upgrading our ideas. Um, so, you know, I’m I’m all for that. Um, and I think it’s just been good because, you know, it’s we’re able to get some games under our belt where we play good and I just want to keep that going. So, yeah, it’s just it’s every week getting better. A lot of the players on the offensive side of the ball said that what Nick Kayley does is he utilizes who’s on the field. So, he has different types of packages for the players who are on the field to utilize his skills. Was that something that you all emphasized coming into the Baltimore game as far as Xavier Hutchinson was concerned? Um, I mean, yeah. Yeah, I mean everybody that we have is very talented, you know, and does different special things. Like Hutch is different than, you know, the other guys in his room. Harrison is different than other tight ends where Titus is different than the other linemen. So you do things to, you know, uh to make them look good as well, you know, to to work to their strengths and benefits. Um and I think, you know, that’s just NFL offense, just offense and football. So Hutch was the guy, you know, who ate, but I think, you know, thought J played great. Hig Nico um see Kirk stepped up really big for us. Um so you know I think it’s cool because you see a lot of guys eat. You mentioned doing some self scout through the by-week. Just kind of what were some of your takeaways from the first five games of the season so far. Uh I think I’ll just keep that kind of to myself on what we think. But uh there were some some things where I think we can build upon and there are some things that I think we shouldn’t do anymore. We should just move on, try some other things. But, um, I thought, you know, what we did coming to practice last Wednesday, um, was really helpful to, you know, um, work on some of the things that we need to work on, um, from just a a big picture standpoint as a offense instead of just against Seattle or against San Fran or whoever we’re going to play. Um, it was good for us as a whole to just fit what we need. So, that was good for us. Along those lines, like you mentioned, the big picture as a team, just not the offense. How pivotal is this game? You could even your record. There’s a lot on the line. Also, it’s considered a very high quality opponent. Yeah, every game’s important. I think every game I we take very seriously and we know what’s at stake. Um, but it’s all about you can’t overthink it. You got to one play at a time, one game at a time, one opportunity at a time. Um, so I think with that mindset, it’s it makes it a lot easier to to execute and do well instead of putting a b bunch of pressure on yourself. So, I think that’s what we we’re doing this week and I’m excited to go up there and play. Is there anything different or extra that you do to prepare for a 9:00 p.m. kick? No. No, I don’t think so. Yeah, just go and play. Um, how much do you think there was like a psychological I guess edge or help in Astric when was just saying, “Hey, I want you guys to start practice getting in the end zone and having some celebrations going.” How much do you think that might have helped the offense psychologically? Um, I guess with that just overall I guess edge in that aspect. I think you got to ask him. I don’t know. I think I think it’s cool, you know, to have. I think we probably need a couple more in our back pocket. But um yeah, I I would say, you know, like execution brings energy and brings like all that fun cool stuff. No one celebrates if you’re not doing good. So it takes for you to execute first. But it’s it makes everybody, you know, smile and have fun and looks fun. So I think but it is fun too. So probably got to add some more things. But I think maybe some some u method to his madness. What he knows? I’m not sure. AFC player of the week after your week five performance against the Baltimore Ravens. How much of that can you attribute to just those guys up front who don’t get a lot of the credit when they’re doing good, but definitely get criticized when people think they’re doing bad. Yeah. I I I try to tell them cuz the same thing happens to me. You can’t focus on that. But without without them is no me. Without them, it’s no Nico. It’s no Woody. It’s no Chub. It’s no none of us. You know, they’re the heartbeat and soul of our team. And um I’m just proud of them for them for keep fighting you know week to week um cuz they’ve done a lot of great things you know and um as a team we just we got to help them out like I told y’all before and I think we’ve been doing that by being more versatile in different ways uh you know helping our guys out. So um yeah they’re doing great. I told you Titus is playing I think like at all pro level. Um I think Jake is being a really good leader up there. Um Ed looks great. Juice uh Tay’s really filled into his role. So, um, you know, with those guys, I think, you know, the sky’s is the limit when they’re on and we’re rolling. You mentioned Woody there. How have you seen him grow as a, uh, as a rookie and then also like what’s the best aspect of his game you think he can bring to you guys? Uh, I think, you know, Woody’s somebody who’s played a lot of ball in college. Um, played a lot of meaningful ball. Um, thought he, you know, he brought a new like type of tempo to our team. Um, I think he puts his foot in the ground and cuts and changes directions really good, catches the ball at the back field really good, and I think he sets a block really good. So, he’s very versatile and does a lot of special things. We’ve talked a lot about um Xavier Hudson’s growth, but what has he meant to you like as a teammate, as a friend? Yeah, he’s a brother of mine, man. I love Hutch U with all my heart, man. We came in together, been through a lot of highs, lows together, and he always put a lot of confidence into me and, you know, he’s he’s hilarious. He’s one of the funniest people I know. Um, but he’s a very motivated and and serious player. He loves the game of football and he’s super talented. I’m just happy that he’s getting the, you know, the recognition he deserves. I think the sky’s is the limit for him. Like he he’s a really a receiver in this league and I think continue to prove that. Last, um, is there any extra juice with these these night games? I know you say the 900 pm doesn’t matter, but just playing knowing you’re one of the only teams playing that night. Is it is it extra special? Yeah, I think you know whenever you’re playing on a prime time game, it’s it’s super fun. And uh I just try to focus on what’s on the field and I think, you know, playing in Seattle be fun. But every every night game that I’ve ever had has been, you know, pretty fun and energy is a little bit more and um the focus is a little bit more. Everything is like is is dialed up. So, it’s fun. Um but yeah, it’s it’s going to be a great environment. I’m excited. Hey, um CJ, how do you balance uh being patient as you’re you guys are growing in this new system, but also still being, you know, that you’re keeping your intensity up? How do you balance not getting impatient with the process? Uh I mean it’s I would say just transparency, communication with a lot of people, communication with myself. Um I mean because like I told you, you can be the hero of the zero and you can be doing the same things you did in previous weeks. it just it finally works. But it takes time like new offenses, new schemes, new coaching with new quarterbacks and all these different new things that we’ve had this year. Um it just takes a little time to roll, but I think you got to keep the confidence. There’s no there’s no good player in this league that is not confident in what they can do or good coach that’s not confident in what they do. So, um and I think in focusing on the on the important things, which you know is God, family, football, and I know it’s cliche, but it’s the truth. Like if you’re good with the Lord, you’re good with your family, you’re good with your teammates, then I think the the play is is uh is what picks up as well. So Okay.

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