LIVE: The Houston Texans address the media

LIVE: The Houston Texans address the media

All righty. The Chiefs normally their records different than this, but uh how dangerous still is the the Chiefs with all the fall players they have, especially offense? We know the Chiefs are a really good team. Uh it’s our next opponent, so we’re we’re fired up, you know, for the matchup. Excited to go play a really good team. you there’s an extra element of having to play in the cold. Um what is the challenge of that and did you have any strategies when you were a player of keeping warm in cold games? Yeah, the strategy for playing in the cold is not to focus on it too much, right? It’s it’s a mindset factor. You have three hours like no matter what the weather is, no matter what the temperature, like you got to go out and play ball for three hours. So it shouldn’t it shouldn’t be a factor for our guys. give you an update on Kamari Lasser and also on Woody Marks. Yeah, Kamari, Woody, Will, they all they all be fine. We’ll see how the week uh week goes. Last year was a pretty bitter loss in Kansas City. Pretty fired up locker room. Do you feel like there’s any kind of buddy rivalry there? And do you think that your players thought about that loss specifically the summer, the season, anything like that? No rivalry, no no hard feelings. We lost a football game, right? New season. We have a new team about this team this year like how do we go out how do we prepare this week to put ourselves in position to go out and play as best as we possibly can. How much of a problem is their speed or how much of a problem can their speed at specifically at receiver be for defense? Yeah, they they have good players like they have good players at the perimeter. Uh we have good players too. So we play fast, play physical. That that’s not going to change for us. Domingo, as you look at the tape of of the last couple of games from your offensive line play, there there’s this perception and idea that they’re playing a more physical style. Are you seeing that? And what is that group perhaps doing well right now? Yeah, our offensive line is definitely playing playing physical, right? You see you see the clips. I know the clip with Ed, it’s a really nice clip, but you see that physicality show up. You see guys playing together. They’re playing connected on the double teams. They’re finishing well. So, they’re they’re doing a really good job. It’s the second week that we had that same O line in. So excited to see them go back for another week and continue to grow, continue to get better. So, uh, they’re doing a great job. Just got to keep it going. Why do you think this unit has clicked? And, you know, you always want to find the best five guys that work well together. What is it about this unit that’s really worked for them? Yeah, the guys are playing well together. That’s that’s the most important thing. Dica, can you talk about um this Chief’s offense and the the challenges they present? I mean, forget about the obviously the record, but what is it that makes, you know, Patrick Patrick? And is he still is he still Patrick? Yeah, Patrick is still Patrick. Like, he’s call him Houdini. He finds a way to make plays all over the field. That’s why this team has always been a threat. That’s why their their games are always close because of Patrick and his capabilities of extending plays and not just to run run plays, not to run the football, but the way he extends plays, the way he finds his guys down the field. Uh it’s it’s unique, right? There’s not many guys in the league that can do it how Patrick does it. That’s why he’s a special player. Uh the guys he play with, they know where where he’s looking. They know what to look for. So they’re they’re connected. Although it may seem like they’re scrambled plays, they’re connected and coordinated in where they’re where they’re finishing and Patrick knows the spots. So, you just have to be aware. And now with that threat as well, he can run the football ex, you know, gain third downs and those critical moments as well. So, it’s going to be a challenge as always with the four guys rushing. got to do a great job of having awareness, knowing where he is, and the guys in the back end, you got to cover him twice like because he can extend plays. They can go on and on and on. You have to be aware of the guys in your your zone, your area, and you have to stay on them. Um, what what does Nico Collins mean to this team? And how valuable is it to have a superstar like that that will do whatever you need to help the team win? Nico is is such a valuable uh piece to our team. first off with that’s his mindset. He’s he’s humble. There’s not an ego with Nico even though he’s one of the best receivers in the league. You know, he doesn’t walk around that way like somebody owes him something. Like he’s a very humble guy, respectful guy. He brings it every single day that he’s working. Like just watch him work on a Wednesday, Thursday. Like he works extremely hard at his craft. to see a young guy, you know, like Nico just continue to get better and better as he’s been in this league. That’s what it’s about, that growth. He’s exhibited that. And he’s he’s a great teammate. Uh he he’ll do whatever it takes for the team to win, knowing that it’s not just about him, it’s about the team, and you couldn’t ask for a better guy who should be this this superstar a lot of people are are talking about, but you don’t hear much about him. He’s quiet. He goes about his business the right way and you know that’s his approach and that’s just fine. I love the way Nico prepares each and every week. Love the man that he is and I’m just excited to have him on our team and see him, you know, get the the praise and accolades that he truly deserves. Along those lines, coach, you talked about the offensive line earlier and then you discuss talking about Nico College and that wide receiver role. um you have players in there that are willing to, you know, give themselves up as far as blocking is concerned. Last week, uh especially on on the touchdown run uh there was touchdown run and I think it was another play where Xavier Hudson got in there and made a huge block. You know, Christian Kirk got in there and made a huge block. Those type of things show up on the film, but they don’t show up on social media and things like that. How much of an emphasis have you all put on having your wide receivers get involved in the run game like that? with our wide receivers is very critical to our offense that they that they block. You know, a lot a lot of receivers want the football that you can’t get the football like unless you’re unless you’re blocking. So, our guys have that unselfish mindset. Coach Ben has done a great job with the group when they are blocking. All the guys are responsible to block at some point of the game. So, it’s not just one particular player who has to do it. All the guys have to do it. all the guys are getting better and they’re excelling at it and some of our touchdowns that we’re able to get it. It will be because of how our wide receivers are finishing their blocks downfield. Like they are the touchdown blocks and they have to get it. They have to stay connected, move their feet and they have to be physical in there and our guys are willing to do that and that’s why, you know, we can make the plays we make because of those guys. in the run game is very critical, you know, for our wide receivers to to block and that’s why our run game will excel because of them. Had a couple moments last year in Kansas City where you could have kicked a field goal, punted, gone for it. Have you re-evaluated or watched those decisions and do you ever go back in the tape to think about that on fourth down? Uh this is new year. We’re here to play Kansas City with this team this year. The Chiefs front, George Kahus and Jones. What are some of the challenges of those guys in particular? Their front is very good front. You know, starting with Jones, you talk about a guy who is very disruptive in the run game. Uh it’s passing game like he finds a way to get into the opposing team’s backfield time and time again. So, he’s a guy we have to have awareness for him at all times because he can he can wreck a play and wreck your series if you don’t have eyes and awareness for him and you have the intensity you need to go out go after him and block him consistently. Then you got Carlas on the edge. really good player, good young player in this league, man. You talk about a workhorse. He’s gonna stay after it. Relentless guy. Finds a way to get after the quarterback, leading their team in sacks, but just a physical, relentless rusher, and we’re going to have to outwork him this week. What are some of the things that Spagnolo does well as a as a defensive coordinator that presents challenges for you guys on offense? Yeah, Coach Spags has done a great job his entire career of having some of the best defenses in the league. And what he does, he really stresses offenses just with his blitz package. Think that everybody’s aware of that. He does a good job of bringing the pressure. The guys do a great job of executing it. And it could be anyone, right? Corners, nickels, backers. Like he does a good job of mixing it up. So it’s you can’t just watch it and say, “Oh, I know who’s blitzing all the time.” Like you really have to trust your rules. You really have to be aware. And then the receivers, tight ends, everybody have to be on the same page. Everybody has to see the game through the same set of eyes when it comes to their blitz package because it’s very lethal and he does a good job of calling it not only on third down but in some of those, you know, first down, second, like anytime. So, we have to be prepared for that. And if we can execute that the right way, we feel like we can make some plays. You guys, go ahead. You guys have obviously finished at both home and and away in this recent streak, but are there differences um in finishing at home versus uh finishing away or or things that you have to account for late in games? There’s no difference. Every game I would say every game is, you know, it’s a game of itself like whatever that if it’s on the road or away, it really doesn’t matter. Whatever that game calls for when it comes to making the plays necessary to win, it really just no difference. game at home or away. Coach Andy Reed this week that you know his team is on a with the play calling on tickle the tonsils of of other people. What is it like matching with with Andy Green? I don’t try to. It’s my old coach. I don’t try to let Andy have that. So, we’re preparing how we need to prepare. Andy’s uh he’s he’s a great coach. Um had the pleasure of playing for him for one year. He’s been uh he’s an outstanding coach and he’s has the track record to prove that. So, you know, it’s always a challenge going over Andy because, you know, whatever you’ve seen on tape, he’s going to have some type of wrinkle, right? There’s going to be some type of new play design that we can’t prepare for because we haven’t seen it because he’s very still cutting edge. Uh just a really smart coach. Does a great job of positioning players, making you have to adjust and think on the fly on defense as well. And that’s why he’s one of the best to ever do it. How much of an asset is Kamari Lacader, not just on the outside, but near the line of scrimmage? Seems like he’s getting more involved blitzing. And every time he’s around the line of scrimmage, seems like there’s a lot of violence. How much of an asset is that? And Kamari is is one of the hands down one of the best corners in this league when it comes to playing physical. When it comes to stepping up in the run game, you want to see a corner tackle, go watch Kamari’s tape. For any corners that want to learn how to tackle, young corners, go watch Kamari Lacader, go watch him tackle. Go watch him take on blocks. Like, there isn’t a better corner in the league when it comes to the physical uh presence that he provides to a defense. There is not a better guy than Kamar. We’ll close it out with Chris. Um, I know you like to take things week by week, but if you could pick out a common thread that has led to you you guys success during this winning streak, what would it be? common thread for us winning is our players making the plays. That’s what it’s all about, Chris. Like our our guys done a great job of finding a way to make whether that’s special teams, offense, everybody stepping up, making a play when we need to make a play and that won’t change. You know, this week as well, it’s always going to be about the players and that that won’t change. Holmes and Kelsey’s connection remain strong this season. just what about the way that they play together and their chemistry makes them so difficult to defend. And both guys have of course they played together for a long time and they kind of know, you know, when the routes Kelsey can shut a route down probably sooner than it needs to be shut down and Momes is feeling the same thing or seeing the same thing that he’s seeing and that’s why they’re able to have that, you know, good connection. Kelsey plays with, you know, he has great hands, really good job, really great awareness of zone coverage of when to sit it down, like when to break out, break in. It’s just they’re tied in together because they’ve seen football through the same set of eyes for such a long time and you see that connection. It’s still there on tape. All right. Thank you guys. Thank you. CJ, in terms of building on your first game back, what are some things you think you can do even better going forward in this game against the Chiefs? Uh, I mean, all around there always things you want to clean up. Um, so just communication, um, execution, you know, all the little things, footwork, you know, ball placement, always can, you know, tweak things and get better. So I, you know, just get better as the weeks go on. Is there anything you enjoy about squaring up on the other side against Patrick Mahomes? And do you guys think you have any kind of fun buddy rivalry or anything like that? Uh, I mean, it’s always cool to go playing KC, you know, against, you know, uh, a team who’s, you know, been really great for the last couple years. I’ve been a fan of, you know, Pat for a long time. Um, and just he’s a heck of a player and it’s it’s just really cool, you know, being about five years ago I was in high school, you know, watching and then, you know, now you’re competing against those guys. So, uh, but yeah, I mean, I don’t really think we have that. I don’t really know him too well, you know. Um, but, uh, I think, you know, he’s a heck of a player and anytime you get to share a field, you know, some legendary guys, you know, um, and you just try to gain their respect and, you know, move from there. What’s cool about playing? Uh just the environment, how loud it is, you know, the the crowd and, you know, their fans are, you know, always talking crazy and, you know, saying some crazy stuff. So, um, you know, it just makes it more fun. So, you obviously played in the cold a lot in college. Um, but you’ve been here a long time playing in a dome, not a long time, but a few years. Is there is there any challenges to playing in a cold environment when you haven’t been used to it in a while? No, I think I’m still kind of used to it. I mean, it wasn’t that long ago to where I was playing, you know, in the cold. So, I try my best, you know, to stay warm, but, you know, it’s I don’t really think it it really I mean, for some guys maybe, but I’m grateful that I went to Ohio State and played in some of those environments where where uh players like put on like um petroleum jelly or or Vaseline on to keep warm when it’s real cold. Like, did y’all have at Ohio State, did y’all have any weird ways to keep warm or even here when y’all go to the cold? Uh when I was at Ohio State, we weren’t allowed to like really do that type of stuff. Um, but when you live in the cold, it doesn’t make it like when you’re playing in it, it’s kind of not as bad. And on the bench, you’re fine because you have the, you know, the heaters. But the the one thing that’s hard is like TV timeouts or like, you know, just sitting out there is when it gets kind of colder and then warm-ups is always hard. But once you get past task kind of, you know, and you’re playing is kind of normal as long as it’s not like super windy. But, um, I don’t have any like and plus I don’t think I think it mess up my grip for the ball. So with their front, what are some of the things you see from Caroftus and also Stone Cold have a followup? Who what do you see from Caroftus and Stone Cold Jones? I don’t know. That’s what people called him. That’s what people call him. Oh, yeah. Oh, cool. Yeah, he’s a heck of a player, man. He’s he’s a legend. He’s a Hall of Famer guy. U he’s really good. Carl is somebody I played against in college, you know. Um you know, played against last year. Had really good game last year. So, you know, we got to be, you know, uh, really good up front. We know that every game. You know, the better we establish the line of scrimmage, you know, the better, you know, we play as a as a offense. So, be good for us. I follow up with Tamiko was talking about Coach Spags and some of the things that he will draw up. What are some of the kind of things that makes him a little bit unique as a defensive player? Um yeah, I mean he’s he gets really creative with his blitz packages and his personnels and um he has some really talented guys on the outside, you know, where they could, you know, mix pots. Some of them can be a nickel, go play corner or play safety, be at corner, play safety or you know, um and then, you know, Trent McDuffy is one of the best in the league and he’s been doing it for a long time. So um you know, I think Spect um and does a really good job of you know, making it hard on you. CJ, one of the things that doesn’t get highlighted enough is the fact the way that the wide receivers block on last week. I think it was Hutch and uh Kirk who helped on those two on the reverse and on uh on Chub’s run in this offense that you all play. How important is that to have those wide receivers to be able to block like? Yeah, it’s really important. you know, uh it’s just a testament to, you know, those guys and how much they care about the teammates and how bad they want to win, you know, cuz you can have the opposite where, you know, guys are just, you know, not trying to block and, you know, running around it. But I think every single guy we have, you know, from top to bottom in our receiving room, you know, wants to do, you know, their job at the highest ability and, you know, blocking is a part of that. So, um, I think, you know, that springs, you know, our guys to get more yards and, you know, uh, makes our run game even more efficient. So, um, I think it’s it’s dope and I I love to be a part of that that, uh, maybe one day I’ll be out there blocking, too. But Davis’s got a block against Buffalo, which I thought was good. See, having played against the Chiefs like twice in the past year already and there. Is there anything that you feel like y’all can take away uh, from those games that apply to here? Yeah. Um, I mean, like Spags is a heck of a DC. somebody uh you know who you know knows what he’s doing, knows how to get his guys in one-on- ones and you know messes with your protection rules and things like that. Um so I mean you got to just be alert for that type of stuff. And um I just think you know scoring in the red zone, you know, scoring touchdowns is going to be big. Um that’s every week, but I think even up there, you know, we made it to the red zone a couple times and you know didn’t punch in seven. So I think that that got to, you know, be a goal of ours is to do that better. Um so um I think that that some things that I can take from last year’s game. Are you personally more eager to go for it on fourth down? Do you think your offense is and just playing Kansas City impacts how you guys attack fourth down decisions? Do you think? Not really. I’m good with whatever, you know, whatever coach decides or, you know, the the guys up top. Um, so whenever my numbers called, I try to make the play, but you know, if not, I trust, you know, the decisions that we go with. So, you guys have a lot of offensive lines. Why is this unit really clicking and playing as good as they have all year, you think? Um, I mean, a lot of talent I would say I guess and you know, a lot of, uh, guys finally, you know, getting the offense, getting the scheme. Um, got some, uh, guys who, you know, have some experience up there. So, say just a multitude of those things. And, you know, I think Tay’s really settled in, you know, knowing how he wants to play and, um, you know, how to play in the NFL is a little different than college. I think he’s done a good job at that. And then, you know, the rest of the guys have been solid all year and plugging and playing. Titus, you know, I think he’s having a pro bowl year in every position he’s been playing. And um so, you know, Big Trent coming in there doing his thing. Um and then, you know, Ed, you know, coming back off injury, you know, doing really well up there moving guys, has some crazy blocks. And then, you know, Jake, you know, being super great with communication, and then, you know, working his tail off each play to, you know, get his job done. So, I think it’s a multitude of effort, you know, talent, and then, you know, um experience. And I think that’s why they’re doing pretty good. CG is a franchise. You guys have been up there many times and hasn’t always gone the Texans way. Do you guys feel like this team, this edition of the Texans is built for that environment, maybe a little better, confident, all those kind of things? Uh, yeah. I would say every game you go in, you know, expecting to win and wanting to win. And, um, I think it all goes back to preparation and is how confident you walk in those those stadiums. So, you know, our preparation just even has to be even better than last week because every game gets bigger and bigger and bigger. So, um, it’s exciting times and I think, you know, everybody knows that and knows what’s at stake. Um, so it’s just, you know, trying to rise up to those levels and, you know, you going want to know every play. You mentioned after the game that y’all’s identity offensively. Do you feel like there’s anything that y’all are still trying to unlock offensively or y’all just trying to at this point master what you’ve already kind of found at this point? Uh, I mean, probably both. Like more so on the side of mastering what we’re doing. Um, but every week, you know, you have game plan ideas and, you know, um, you got to just, uh, try your best to execute at the highest level because you’re not going to get a bunch of practice reps at them. Um, which is something I’m kind of used to, you know, being, you know, in Coach Day’s office in college. Um, but I think now, you know, we’re doing a little bit of both, which is, which is really cool. So, um, I think, you know, mastering, you know, what we’ve been doing is, you know, how you stay on the field, you know, execution on third down, you know, those type of things, you know, are is mastering the offense. So, a little bit of both. This might be hard to to choose from, but what is the best thing about Nico Collins as a player? There’s a lot of things. Uh, I mean, as a player, I mean, there’s a bunch of things as a teammate that I think, you know, stands out to me, but as a player, I would say, you know, uh, I would say routes, man, like, and how fast he is. I think people don’t realize how fast Nico, you know, gets up and gets down up the field. So, um, but I think his route detail is, you know, gone up like to the roof, uh, since I’ve been here, just, you know, the work that he’s put in, you know, to get to his depth and, um, you know, do the right things. And then, of course, his yards at the catch ability is amazing. So, but I think it really starts with his speed and, you know, establishing, you know, his dominance down the field of being a deep threat, but also, you know, being dominated in the short game as well. Any bets with him this weekend? No, we didn’t bet. We didn’t bet. Um, so you know, your completion percentage under pressure is at a career high right now. Is there anything about your approach or this offense that’s allowed you to have success under duress? Uh, I mean, I would say, you know, the guys outside, you know, getting to their their depth and u running detail routes, you know, is a big part of that. And then up front, you know, um, getting the IDs right and just knowing who I’m hot off of or knowing the situation as best as I can. Um, so I I would say it’s a testament to that. But, um, yeah, I mean, um, I don’t know. I just try to, you know, make a play. Ohio State question. Um, we talk a lot about Ohio State receivers and Brian Hartine’s name always comes up. What What’s going to make him a good head coach and how impactful is he as someone who was there with him? Is there something I’m missing? No, he got he got a head coaching. Really? Yeah. So, he finally got a head coach. Where too? Uh, he’s going to sophomore. Oh, dope. Oh, congrats Hart. I didn’t know that. That’s cool. Um coach throughout. Yeah. Yeah, of course. Um man, Hart H Heart is somebody who played the position, uh play at a high level, you know, play in the league. Um and he and he knows how to relate to everybody. And I think what’s cool about Hart, he doesn’t like fake who he is. Um he’s going to be who he is, you know, through everything. And um he’s some he’s really the one of the main reasons that I went to Ohio State. uh he recruits at a very high level and knows what to say, how to say it, and um but is always honest and that’s something that I that I appreciate him for is, you know, his honesty. So, um I think he’s going to do great and um I can’t wait to see, you know, him, you know, flourish as a head coach and um yeah, I think he’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to see it. Last to Cody, did you did Kate ask you for any tips or advice on taking snaps? Yeah, he did. Yeah. You able to offer him some advice for that role in that situation? What you think? Is he Is he Is he a good students? Yeah. I mean K I mean I’ve been around Kay since I’ve been 18 years old, you know? So like he’s he listens to almost everything I tell him to do and I vice versa. Like that’s my brother, man. He tells me to jump off the bridge. It’s probably for a good reason. So I would go do it. When you first got here, you guys were really good at games out. Um same points last year. Obviously this year it was kind of wonky, but now you guys kind of got high. finishing closing games. What has been the biggest reason to a lot of you guys have kind of closed the deal um lately? What’s it mean to kind of get that swagger back in closing games? Uh I would say just scoring touchdowns um in the red zone is probably the biggest thing and you know being able to do it you know at a high level. Um and I think you know even on Sunday there’s a lot of things we could have fixed there like we missed probably two down there. Um and I think that that cuz it’s never just the last drive or the last play or you know it’s always you know plays before that. So, uh, just cleaning those things up and sometimes you’re not, it doesn’t work out that way. So, um, there’s times in the last two years where we’ve been great at winning close games where probably should have lost and something happened to where we didn’t, we we end up finding a way to win. And so, when it doesn’t happen, you don’t change anything. You keep the process and then the production comes as you keep going. So, um, I think that’s something that we’re going to do and and have been doing. So, I’ll just keep that going cuz every game in the NFL usually comes down to one score and it’s just all about execution at that point. Thanks.

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