The Texans beat the Jets, 23-17, on Monday night at Met Life Stadium. After, coaches and players from both sides answered questions from the media. The following is a transcript of their respective interviews.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak
Running back Arian Foster
Quarterback Matt Schaub
Defensive end J.J. Watt
Head coach Gary Kubiak
On the injury to Brian Cushing…
I don't know what I can give you now other than we're very concerned obviously but I don't want to jump the gun here. We're going to get home and get it looked at but obviously we're very concerned. We'll just sit here and hope for the best on the long plane ride home. That's all I can tell you.
On how the injury happened…
I don't really know what happened. They told me upstairs that he got cut on the play and his foot might have gotten stuck in the turf and bent. I haven't seen it but obviously (it is) crisis (number) one.
On how it feels to get the win…
It does feel good. We knew we came in here with a team that was really backed into the corner so to speak coming out of last week. We were going to get everything. They threw the kitchen sink at us from onside kicks to fake punts, you name it. So we got it all and I thought we really were handling ourselves well. We just couldn't make that play to put the game away. They kept hanging in there and we gave them a turnover offensively which we knew we couldn't do. Special teams we did not play well in my opinion. We gave up the big return but we stood up defensively in the fourth quarter and had some big stops, none bigger than Kareem's (Jackson) play there at the end. I'm very proud of our team. (It's) tough to go on the road Monday night and get it done but we stood up and did it. I'm very proud of them.
On how significant the Cushing injury could be…
I can't even go there. I'd talk myself in a hole if I do that. We'll wait until tomorrow.
On J.J. Watt's game…
He's exceptional. He had his hands on a couple more down there. (He) almost picked that one down there, (during what) I think it was second quarter. He's been playing exceptional. I think our defense is playing really good football all year long and we continue to get some big turnovers. We almost turned one of them into a touchdown and then like I said the one at the end of the game was huge. We just have to keep going and if Cush (Brian Cushing) is going to miss some time, we're going to need some people to step in and replace him. So we'll get tested right there.
On Arian Foster's play…
He was exceptional. (I) really challenged him last week. He's what makes us go. He stepped up and rose to the challenge. He's been close all year long, he hadn't had any big plays but he found some big plays tonight and I think that was the big thing. We found some big plays in the run game and everything we do starts with him, whether we can throw it, (run) play action, those type of things. everything starts with him so he was exceptional.
On the play action pass to Owen Daniels…
We just ran a boot and threw the ball across the field and we got the perfect coverage. Sometimes those things work out perfect and it was a great first drive then after that we got kind of sloppy for a few series. They're pretty darn good on defense in my opinion they caused a lot of problems but we moved the ball. I thought we moved the ball pretty well all night long. It could have been better in the red zone. That one time we settled for three. The one before the half I think we have to settle for three right there with the situation we were in but I think we moved the ball pretty good.
On Daniels play this season…
He's been playing well all year long. I think the biggest thing is Garret's (Graham) come in and given him a chance to play less snaps. I think it's shown in how he's playing. James (Casey) continues to play well for our team. So the ball's getting spread around. I'm just sitting here looking at 14 of 28 (passing) that's not usually us throwing the ball but (they are) just a big man coverage team so you've got to make some big plays and we did with our 14 completions we made some big plays.
On special teams…
I didn't like it. We suited an extra guy tonight on special teams. We had every play we could possibly have to play good football and I don't think we did. Our return game was not good, we gave up a touchdown. We have to take a really hard look at ourselves, me and Joe (Marciano), and figure out why we aren't playing better.
Running back Arian Foster
On his performance…
It's always good to perform well on the Monday Night Football stage. But, it was a total team effort and a good win for our team.
On what he said to Brian Cushing…
We don't know the extent of his injury yet, but I told him I have (much) love for him. He plays the game with so much passion. He deserves to be recognized as one of the best linebackers in the game. I just let him know we were going to get the win for him. Hopefully, he will be back.
On the team being 5-0…
We still have a lot of games to play. Many things can happen and things can change. We are going to work to make sure that doesn't happen. We have a lot of work to put in on a short week and a good team in Green Bay coming on Sunday night.
On being the fifth fastest running back to reach 5,000 yards…
That's from a collective effort with my teammates. It's one of those things that if you play the game with everything in you, you can accomplish those things. But that's just an individual accolade, you play to win games.
On the Jets run defense…
We created creases on them a couple of times, but for the most part, they played our run game well. They are a very good defense. I think they are one of the better defenses in the NFL.
On Matt Schaub's performance…
He's been very good. He had the one turnover tonight but this is a tough group to go against. They do a good job of forcing turnovers. Up to this point, five weeks into it, Matt's only thrown two picks. If I ask him to throw it 28 times, he's effective, if I ask him to throw it 50 times he's effective so he really has a good grasp for what we're doing.
On how satisfying it is to be 5-0… Obviously it's as good a start as you can have and then this is a really tough month for us. We have a quick turnaround against a world champion and so a lot of things going on this month for our team. We just have to keep plugging, stay focused on our self, and stay away from hurting ourselves and I think we'll win our fair share.
Quarterback Matt Schaub
On the win to become 5-0…
Very excited to get a victory on the road here in a tough place to play against a good football team. To be 5-0 at this point, we're extremely excited about it but we can't be excited for too long. We have a short week to get ready for Green Bay this week. So we're definitely excited, but we have to get ready.
On the injury to Brian Cushing…
He's one of the leaders on this team. You know how he plays. He's such an inspirational player for us. We'll see how it turns out but we're going to continue to move on. It's the harsh reality of what our business is about.
On Arian Foster's game…
Arian really played well. (He) stepped up and played huge. In order for him to do that though, those guys up front on the offensive line and our tight ends really played their tail off against a good group, a stout group, a group that gave us a lot of different looks and they fought through it and Arian just kept plowing people over.
On being able to adapt from a lot of pass attempts one week, to not so many the next week…
It's however the flow of the game goes. If we can run the ball, we're going to be balanced, were going to mix in some play action pass and stuff like that. But, there's certain games where it's tough to find those rushing yards or you're playing in a high scoring game and you've got to throw it, whatever it calls for. We've got the personnel to do both and we've just got to figure out the game and take it as it comes.
On getting out to an early start…
It was huge to start fast. We knew they were going to come out ready to play, fired up, with a lot of energy. We were just trying to take that wind out of their sails. Guys executed, we found a big play there to Owen (Daniels) and really started the game fast. Our defense was playing well early. We gave them an extra series there with the turnover but our defense played outstanding the whole game. Offensively, the game really went to our offensive line and our running back.
On coming off of his injury last season…
There really wasn't any adjustments because we had all the time in the offseason to rehab. There were some rough spots in the rehab throughout the spring but once training camp came, it felt better than it had before my injury. It's just a long process to get to that point, but fortunately, I was able to get there before camp started.
On Arian Foster's first half performance…
The first half mirrored the rest of the game. He was outstanding, but in order for him to do that those guys up front played excellent. But we left some things out there as a team, we know that and we're going to go fix it, but Arian really stepped up and found some tough yards for us today.
On if he has time to enjoy being 5-0…
Typically, we go with the 24 hour rule but that's only when you play on a Sunday so with this being a late game getting home early Tuesday morning it's really just enjoy it for the flight home and then you've got to get your body right in a hurry and get your mindset focused on your game plan for next week. Fortunately, it's a Sunday night game so we have a little bit of extra time but you don't enjoy these for too long because you've got to go on to the next one.
On playing close to home…
It's nice to have family and friends come to the games and get a chance to visit with them a little bit. It's fun to come back up to the Northeast where I grew up and played, but we enjoy as a team going on the road no matter where it is.
On if they're getting everyone's best shot…
I think being that we're undefeated right now, yeah, it peaks everyone's interest when they're playing us to go out there and give us your best shot, but man I'd say in the NFL, if you're going to go into a game and not give it your best shot, then you're in the wrong business, because you only get so many chances to go out and play and you've got to be ready and go out and execute and give it 100%.
Defensive end J.J. Watt
On the flow of the game…
It was a great game against a very good football team. It shows a lot about our team that we can go on the road in a tough environment and win a ball game that goes all the way down to the end. We had a lot of fun out there but it wasn't an easy one by any means.
On all the tips…
I love it. I love that we're spreading the love. I think Connor (Barwin) got one, (Brandon) Brooks got one. The more guys that get in on it the merrier. We're having fun with it. You're not going to get a sack every play. It's another way to frustrate them. It's another way you can help change the outcome. We're not surprised, it's something we work on. All of our units emphasize it.
On the defense stepping up…
Absolutely. We feel like even if the offense is rolling we put it on our shoulders. That's how we want it. The offense did their job, the defense we did our job and that's how you win ball games in this league.
On reveling in the attention the team is getting…
We're loving it. But we also understand that it's not something that just happens. It won't continue unless we keep working hard. That's what I love about this team. Every day we go to practice and attack practice. We have intensity at practice and that's what makes us successful on Sundays.
On Brian Cushing…
That's a tough situation. That's our leader, our middle linebacker, our guy. So to see that is tough. We played that second half for Cush, won it in his home state. We just hope he's okay.
On taking the field with three minutes to play…
That's what you dream about. It's Monday Night Football. You're on the field. You have a chance to end the game. That's what you want. For us to go out there and do that, it's huge. It's big for our team and big for our defense. It's a confidence builder so we feel good going into next week.
New York Jets
Head coach Rex Ryan
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie
Quarterback Mark Sanchez
Quarterback Tim Tebow
Head coach Rex Ryan
Opening Statement…
That's a good football team that we played. The thing that is upsetting is the fact that we helped them. Clearly, that's a good football team that doesn't need any help. We're kicking ourselves. We used a couple of time-outs that hurt us at the end. It looks like we're a little snake bitten with injuries, but that's not an excuse. We had a guy here for three of four days (Jason Hill) that has to step up. With (Clyde) Gates going out, our personnel was kind of messed up, so we had to use him (Hill). It's kind of unfortunate. We lined up wrong and the kid (Arian Foster) hit us with a 50-yard run. That's a good, very talented back and a talented football team. They made some plays. J.J. Watt's the real deal. You would think the Knicks would pick him up too with all of the shot blocking he did. It's not like he doesn't do it to everybody, but he certainly did it tonight. He's an excellent football player.
* *
On the Jets on-sides kick in the third quarter…
That was me all the way. I came here to win. That's it. Whatever it takes. Faking a punt in your own territory, going for it on fourth down in your own territory-I came to win. I think when you ask your players to lay it out there and do whatever it takes to win, that's me included. Certainly, that was us. I went for it. It's unfortunate we didn't execute it. I thought we had a really good kick, and their kid (Shiloh Keo) made a really nice play on us. I'm never going to look back and regret going for something. I can promise you that.
On the Jets interception before halftime…
It was one of those things. We had them on their heels. I knew we had timeouts but I was like, 'Shoot, we've got them on their heels, let's keep going.' We felt great about it. I've been on the other end of it where you're hoping a team calls a timeout. We had a play we really liked, and the kid (Watt) made an outstanding play on us.
* *
On if he takes any positives away from the team being within six points with three minutes left…
No. It's a win business. Absolutely not. We knew we would be in the game, but we thought we were going to find a way to win. That was our message of the week. Obviously, we were disappointed in previous weeks with that performance, but I thought our guys did a great job in practice. I think all of us were excited to play. Like I said, it never worked out. That is a good football team and at the end of the day, they made more plays then we did.
* *
On if "being willing to try anything" will be the team mantra…
You try to steal possessions if you can. The other thing is, that was us, we're just going to go for it. I think I've always done that. I think we have a guy in Tim (Tebow) that gives you some opportunities on that punt team. While we won't get a punt rushed, I wouldn't rush us, because you never know when he's going to fake it. We're crazy enough to fake it anytime, no matter where the ball is.
* *
On if he had intentions of using Tebow more during the game…
Again, I think each game you go in and you have a certain amount of plays, and whether you get to them or not, sometimes the game dictates it. Again, Tim's a guy that we think is a weapon and we need to use him.
On Sanchez's performance…
(His) numbers were 14-of-30 for 230 (yards). It was very similar to the kid (Matt Schaub) that we played. But, he had the unfortunate two tipped passes for interceptions. I think his day, minus those tips, obviously it looks a lot better. The numbers would be nice. Unfortunately, he had those two tipped balls. I think he played better than the numbers indicate.
On Jeff Cumberland's attempted catch in the fourth quarter…
I thought he had a chance at the ball. You guys see it on replay, I don't.
On the injuries…
I'm not real sure. Nick (Mangold) returned with an ankle (injury). That was bad to see him with an ankle (injury), but I was happy to see him return. I know Josh Mauga had ice on his shoulder. I don't know how severe that is. I haven't heard word on (Clyde) Gates or (Kenrick) Ellis yet.
On LaRon Landry sitting out for a few plays…
What you do is you use your roster. I've said that from day one. That's what you try to do. Really, it was just a series where we were trying to get him a few plays off. We turned around and I think he thought he was off for the entire series, but we were putting him out in a certain grouping. Then, we were looking for him and he was over there. I don't know if the young man realized the grouping. I actually wanted him back out there. It was just a grouping I was trying to take him out of. Apparently, I wasn't clear on those instructions.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie
On if the team took a step in the right direction…
Definitely, I think we took a step in the right direction. I think the biggest thing is just trying to build on it and play the way we know we are capable of. We still have some things we want to clean up and try to get better on and just continue to work. This game we fell hard on the back end, too. We missed a couple of plays out on the field and when we just go back and look at it, I think we will get a whole lot better too.
On if he will be playing more snaps at wide receiver…
I don't know. I'm focused on being the best corner I can be right now and that is about it. Whenever I get that chance and when my number is being called to play on offense, I will go out there and handle the play.
On if the momentum of the game shifted after McKnight's kickoff return…
We stepped up. We made the guys punt the ball and then Joe had a hundred-yard kick off return. I think the defense stepped up a lot more, got them punting the ball to us and got the offense back the ball in short field. We have to capitalize on things and make sure that we get there and can't have any miscues. We played a whole lot better as a team, as a whole team tonight, but it is something to build on, something that we definitely want to do coming into the next week versus Indianapolis.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez
On the interception before halftime…
J.J. Watt got his hands on a few passes tonight. That's the way it goes. It's going to be a bang-bang play and JK (WR Jeremy Kerley) was going to catch it. The ball's going to be right on him and he's going to have a chance on the safety there. Put us down in tight and maybe run one of our red zone plays and get a chance to call timeout. It's really too bad. That happened quite a bit tonight so we got to find a way to keep the defensive linemen's hands down.
* *
On Jeremy Kerley…
He's a heck of a player, we're only getting better together. Under these circumstances, we've had a chance to really work together. He's playing all over the field, not just the slot. He's really getting a chance to use all of his skills. I'm proud of the way he plays. He really brings his effort. He's a leader of that wide receiver group. It's too bad we had another injury tonight in Clyde Gates. I thought Jason Hill played well. We've got to find a way to get him the ball there. It looked like he was coming open on the second-to-last drive on the third down, where we got sacked. All those guys are playing their butt off. I really appreciate their effort. Not just tonight in the game, but in practice as well.
On if the interception before halftime was avoidable…
It's a quick throw. On any of those underneath routes, if you don't get those guys hands down, that's just the way it goes. J.J. is smart. He knows when he's not getting a pass rush. Our offensive line, for the most part, played really well tonight. They kept that guy out of there. They did their very best against a good pass rusher. He's going to get some plays, it's just inevitable. He's a hell of a player. He knows though, as a good rusher, that when he's not getting any pressure and they stone him up front, then he's just going to wait back, sit there, and time his jump, and just watch for my arm to be cocked and ready to throw. He just jumps up and tries to tip it. That's part of his deal and we've got to find a way to keep their hands down.
On the fourth quarter interception intended for TE Jeff Cumberland…
Could it be more in front of him? Sure. But, it's third down and half-a-mile or whatever it was. So, we have to get some yards and put us in a position to go for it on fourth down and that would have been it. But, Jeff made some great catches for us tonight. He's not going to make them all, nobody is. We'll just keep repping it, keep working it, and try to put it in front of him.
On if he takes solace in the game being close with several key players being injured…
We're not worried what anybody else thinks. I know we have great personnel, we really do. We have good players, guys that want to win, they want to play. When those lights come on, those guys come alive. They worked their butt off all week in practice, especially the wideouts. They've been taking a lot of heat. Everybody's telling them that they can't play, they can't do it like the other guys can. I'm just proud of the way they fought. We're in it at the end of the game. It was eerily similar to a couple of years ago where we hit Tone' (Santonio Holmes) for a touchdown. The game-winning drive was right before an interception on a sacked-caused-fumble from Mario Williams. It looked like the game was going to be over and boom, we get the ball back. I mean, almost identical. This time we came up short. That's the way these go. We've just got to hang in there and be in it in the fourth quarter like we were tonight.
On having to call timeouts due to confusion over substitutions…
We've got to clean that up. When they call personnel, guys got to know who's in and who's out. It's got to be a lot sharper than that.
Quarterback Tim Tebow
On whether he has been practicing long throws…
Yeah, we were working on that a few days ago. It was something that we thought we might get an opportunity to do. We actually haven't thrown it inside, we've been throwing outside. They gave us a look and the free safety went to the other side and brought some pressure, so we had a shot. We just have to keep working hard so we can hit it.
On if he knew how much he would play tonight…
Going in I had no idea when I would go in. With what the situation would be, I just try to be ready at all times.
On whether it is hard to gain a rhythm after only playing a couple of snaps…
When you're in there, you get more of a rhythm. You try to stay in the game as much as possible, staying warmed up on the side lines, and I have had this experience before during my freshman year at Florida.
On throwing footballs more during pregame…
It was just me being cooped up in the hotel room all day. I was just excited to come out here and play on Monday Night Football. I was amped up and excited. I don't have to sit in a hotel or in here (locker room) all day. I'm still a little kid at heart playing football.
On if he thinks he can offer the team more in an expanded role…
No, I just want to be ready when my number is called and however I can help this team. When I'm out there, I'm going to give my heart and soul on every single play.
On his thoughts about the game tonight…
It was a lot of courage and a lot of effort that we showed. It wasn't always perfect. We didn't always execute the way we wanted to. You can never question our toughness or our character.
On what the team's emotions were after Joe McKnight kick return for a touchdown…
Oh, we were amped up. We were excited. (It was a) huge return. We've been waiting to see Joe take one to the house. We all know he can, and so it was good for Joe and good for us, as far as momentum, to see that. I thought we had a chance at that onside (kick), but I guess they made a really good play on it.
On what he saw from Houston on the fake punt…
They had a really good look to stop it, we just knew we had some good blockers in Konrad (Reuland), Mac (Garrett McIntyre) and some of those guys. It's funny, (Houston) was kind of calling it out, too. They were like, "Oh, we think he's running here or here." I just ran behind Mac and we got it. We knew it wasn't a long way to go and those guys up front do a great job.
On if he was itching to play more in the fourth quarter…
I was hoping, with a few opportunities I could have punched one of those in. I just have to keep working and get better.
On if he thinks he needs more reps…
I don't know. You try to do the best you can with whatever reps you get. You just try to stay after it, keep working, whatever you have to do.
On if he thought his pass downfield in the first quarter could have changed the game if it was completed…
Who knows? It would've been a big play in the game. (Jason Hill) might've had a chance at maybe breaking it. Who knows? We just have to keep working (and) get better.
* *
On if he's still excited to be a Jet…
(Laughs) Yes, I'm excited to be a Jet. Do I have to say it like 50 times now? Joking)
On if he was hoping to stay in the game during the fourth quarter when they had the ball in the red zone…
I was excited for the opportunity, there's another one, that I got with those two plays. I should've punched it in when I had the chance.
On if he knows when he might enter the game…
No, that's just something that (happens) through the feel of the game. I just try to stay ready.
On if he thought he would get more than one chance to pass…
I didn't know. You just never know. You just try to be ready whenever your number's called.
On if he ever asks to be put in the game…
No, sir.
On if he would ever ask to be put in the game…
(The coaches are) a lot smarter than I am, so I just do what I'm told.
