Everything Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. said following Day 1 of voluntary OTA workouts

Here’s everything Houston Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson said following Day 1 of voluntary organized team activity workouts at the Methodist Training Center.

Sep 17, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) enter the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Q: On how it feels going into his third NFL season

Will Anderson Jr.: “It’s crazy. I came out here all fired up and everything. DeMeco [Ryans] pulled me to the side and was like now it is about fine tuning those little things in your game. How precise can you be? How good can you be at taking the next step up? For me, it is just like when I am on the block using my hands better, getting off blocks, my escape when I am rushing the passer, am I reaching with position on the quarterback, can I get some strip sacks? Stuff like that, those are the things I want to work on this off season, this time during OTA’s. Really just getting precise at those things and taking my game to the next level.”

Dec 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: On his goals this offseason

Anderson: “Phase one, Phase two, Coach Rod [Wright] I think he has been doing an excellent job. We do these things called pro rolls, where we go back and look at all the tapes from last year. He has done a really good job of putting together a really good presentation for each one of us. For me, mine is just reaching for precision. After practice, or during practice when I am not in we are getting on the dummies, we are reaching, we are going through bags, bending the corner, reaching for precision, stuff like that. Just making sure it is muscle memory so that when you get out Sunday, you are just doing it.”

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) warms up before the start of Sunday’s game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Bob Self/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWORK

Q: On if one of his goals is number of sacks for this season

Anderson: “Any double digits. My thing is, how much can I enjoy my process? When you fall in love with your process, how consistent can you be? I think that is something you can reach. Right now, I have to fall in love with the process, I have to keep doing my process the right way and be consistent.”

Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Q: On how the attitude of OTA’s has changed over the year since he has been here

Anderson: “We are grateful for any guy that comes here. A lot of guys come, a lot of guys want to be a part of this. It just shows the type of comradery we have in the locker room. It gives everybody a chance to bond with each other and really just build good relationships by coming out here on the field, having fun, turn up, and make plays with each other. Throughout the years, more and more people start showing up, start having fun, and it has been awesome to see.”

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) attempts to evade the tackle of Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: On his growth since being drafted

Anderson: “My coach has done a phenomenal job, Coach Rod. He has done great of just putting together a whole presentation for us of all the sacks we missed, the missed opportunities we could have done, hitting the ball the wrong way, hitting the elbow the wrong way, reaching too high, getting the penalty, stuff like that. We left a lot of sacks out on the table and that is why I am talking about going back and being precise. How good can you be at the process of attacking the throwing arm? How good can you be at taking the ball away? Getting good the strip sack? Picking it up, taking it to the crib? Those are the things we want to start putting into our bag. Finesse moves and things that can take our game to the next level.”

Sep 10, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery (69) blocks Western Illinois Leathernecks defensive back JJ Ross (1) in the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Q: On how the defensive line can help prepare OT Aireontae Ersery

Anderson: “He is a large human being. I think he is going to be really good for us. I am happy he is here. Just seeing him today going against our guys, very athletic, can move, can bend, and I am excited to see what he does and going against him. Just like Coach [DeMeco] always says, iron sharpens iron.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: Houston Texans player celebrate with Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans after Anderson’s interception during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Q: On what he thinks is the next step for the Texans era and how he can help them get there

Anderson: “Just being more detailed, more focused, a sense of urgency. Now that we have been in some of these big games, we know what it takes to be there. It is about execution, it is about locking in, playing one game at a time, and everybody doing their job at the highest level possible.”

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) celebrates his interception against the Chicago Bears in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Q: On what he has seen from CB Kamari Lassiter and S Calen Bullock with their energy

Anderson: “It is fun watching them. They love football, they are passionate about it. You hear Kamari slapping his helmet. You hear Calen running to him. That is what you need on a defense like this. We play an attack-style defense, and we have two attackers in the backend that don’t mind getting their hands dirty.”

Dec 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Q: On what he learned from Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett this offseason after working with him

Anderson: “We didn’t really get into much of the passer rush stuff, it was more mentality and working out. It really all came down to mentality. I had a good mentality but working out with Myles and just seeing how he works and stuff like that it kind of changed my mindset a little bit. He doesn’t worry about the outside noise, he is all about self-improvement, how much better can I get. It is really just me versus me. That is the attitude I am taking on, it is me versus me. You don’t have to worry about anything anybody else says. How are you enjoying your process?”

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (left) laughs as he watches a video on the scoreboard during a preseason game against Washington on Aug. 8, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Q: On if he guarded when he works with players from other teams

Anderson: “On no, it is very competitive. He is hilarious, he is a funny guy. It got very competitive, a lot of words were shared, and it just brings out the best in both of us. Myles is someone I look up to, obviously. I respect his game, he respects my game, and I can’t wait to see him ball out this year.”

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: What did Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. say following Day 1 of OTAs?