Cornerback Dunta Robinson spoke at length about his friendship with Titans quarterback Vince Young.
Members of the Texans spoke with the media on Wednesday about their upcoming matchup with the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium.
Head coach Gary Kubiak
(on WR Andre Johnson's status) "He ran again today. He did more cutting and those type of things. He still did not work with the football team, so we'll see. I think he's day-to-day and he's just waiting any day for us to turn him loose with the guys as far as getting involved in the football part of it, but he's running at full speed and cutting at full speed. We'll just have to make the best decision for him, but he'll be day-to-day."
(on the chances that WR Andre Johnson will play Sunday) "I have a hard time telling you that today. Everything is so good; the rehab process and everything he's doing is so positive, but ya'll know as well as I do until you step out here on the field and do it, it's hard to make that call. I would say, let's wait and see to tomorrow, let's see if he does get some plays in with the team. You know, he looked pretty close to full speed, so we'll see."
(on if he needs two defensive plans with QB Vince Young questionable) "The first game plan better be to stop the run. If we don't stop him from running the ball, especially after what happened to us last week, we're going to be in for a long day. But they both played last week so Richard (Smith) has had a chance to watch what they both do. And we know what Vince (Young) can do and what type of player he is, and, of course, the other guy's been a successful quarterback in this league for many years. He goes in there and makes some unbelievable throws last week. So we've got to prepare for their offense and that means you've got to prepare for everything."
(on RB Ahman Green and CB Dunta Robinson not practicing) "Ahman (Green), this is basically his rest day. This is just what we do with him. As far as Dunta (Robinson), he was just basically taking a little bit today. We wanted to take a hard look at (Jamar) Fletcher and we want Fred (Bennett) to get more work. I mean, he's the guy who gives us everything he's got, everyday so it was kind of my decision to take him out for some of the reps."
(on how the offensive line will have to proves itself Sunday) "Yeah, it's a hell of a challenge; two week in a row against a big, aggressive front and this one is playing as well as anybody in football against the run. So it's a tremendous challenge for our football team, especially with our disappointments in the last two weeks with us running the ball. And as I've told you before, we're not going to quit running; we're going to keep running and just at some point we're going to do it better. The challenge against us can't get any bigger, but we're going to have to find a way to run the ball."
(on how similar the Titans and Jaguars are in terms of physicality) "I think the teams are a lot alike in the way they play. They run the ball; they are very committed to the run. They're a very physical group; they play extremely hard and can make big plays on special teams. They play the game a lot alike. And, of course, ya'll know what we're coming off of last week when we went down there, and if we get sloppy against this group we're going to have a lot of problems. We've just got to clean up our problems to have a chance against this group."
(on how he felt about WR Kevin Walter's performance) "I hope you understand what I'm saying, he's been doing that. He just happened to catch 12 balls and all the balls came his way in the game. But as far as Kevin's been playing, he's been playing well. It's a credit to the kid because he was ready for his opportunity, got a chance to play – guys in this business either take advantage of their opportunities or they don't – and here's a kid who's taken full advantage. Somebody told me he almost equaled his best year in Cincinnati in one game the other day. That just tells you what he's been doing and our guys really respect him."
(on what he has always seen in WR Kevin Walter) "His work habits. He works out here like it's game day, everyday. He's really into football, a very physical player. He'll give up his body for us to get another yard in the run game, so players respect that. They see that down in and down out. They give him a lot of respect for how he plays the game."
(on how WR Kevin Walter has been a role model for young guys like WR Jacoby Jones) "For them to watch a guy like that play everyday and practice the way he practices everyday, he's one of the first guys here and last guys to leave type of player. That's the way he goes about his business. He's an overachiever in this business. Guys like that last a long time."
(on getting the younger guys more reps, especially G Kasey Studdard) "We're definitely looking at him as a guard. He deserves some reps is the way I should put it. You watch players work and earn their keep and earn their way on the field like David Anderson, Harry Williams. You know, Kasey's (Studdard) been the same way; he's been practicing very, very well and working very hard against our defense. He deserves to get on the field for some reps. Us finding him reps has a lot to do with us suiting seven or eight kids. It's up to us to find a way to get him out there."
(on if he expects to activate G Kasey Studdard) "I hate to yes right now, but like I said, for us to do that we've got to suit eight because we're always going to have to suit the extra center and the tackles so we're got to pull from somewhere else on our football team. You never know how the rest of the week's going to go, so we'll see."
(on if WR Jacoby Jones is still the number four receiver in the rotation) "I don't see him that way. I just think those other kids have been playing so well and I didn't think he was quite ready last week. I think he's ready this week. He looked like himself out here today both catching punt and kicks and as a receiver. So if he works the way he's capable of working, he's going to get on the football field, but we're going to rotate all four of them. They're all going to play."
(on how he can improve the running game) "You've got to dissect every play. If you're looking at your plays and saying, 'We're running bad plays here. We've got no chance here,' then as a coach you've got to figure out some ways to go run the ball. If we're running those plays and breaking down at one spot or another, we've got to get better at those spots. I think it's a combination of all of those things and it's also a combination of being committed from the standpoint of playing a game that you come out of the game with 35 to 40 carries. It would be nice to have one of those. We haven't had one of those. We got down the other day and we started throwing at every snap. We're going to keep doing what we do and I think Ahman (Green) is going to get better, coming back for his second game. It's like a lot of things, it's not just that; anything you're not doing well you've got to keep working at to get better."
(on what makes QB Vince Young so special) "That's what he's all about – he's a winner. He's going to find a way to win the game, find a way to make the plays that's the difference in the game. That's the way he's always been. When it comes to putting W's on the board, there's nobody better than that kid in college and at the pro level also. I just have a lot of respect for him. He's a great player."
(on injuries) "I think we're okay. Tell you what, let me check on it before I say anything."
(on T Jordan Black moving positions) "No, he'll just keep being our third tackle. He plays the short yardage and on the goal line. We'll keep him working there."
(on injuries) "Since you got me there, (Kasey) Studdard had a little tweak in one-on-one's and we've got to go back and take a look and see what happened – a groin or something. I really don't know. I've got to go back to the locker room and find out."
LB Danny Clark
(on not being able to get off the field on third down) "It's something we can't get in the habit of. It's a small mistake here or there. It's just not one guy. It's not anything we can put our finger on, but we definitely have to pay close attention to everything on third down."
(on making QB Vince Young throw) "Yes, but that's any quarterback. We honestly want to make a quarterback one dimensional. We don't them to be to able to run the ball, whether it's him or the actually running back. We want those guys to be prepared to pass the ball this week."
(on the problem with run defense last week) "It was tackling. We just didn't tackle well. We had a lot of guys get to the ball carrier and they did a good job of shedding tacklers and we didn't do such a good job of bringing them down."
(on the Titans offensive line) "They're disciplined. Those guys are all on the same page, like they've been working together for a little bit. They've got a great zone blocking scheme. At the end of the day, it's going to be a toughness game. It's going to be our front seven against their front seven and who wants it more."
TE Owen Daniels
(on the inability to convert in the red zone) "I think we move the ball well, pretty much every game this year. I think we're ranked pretty high in total offense around the league, but we just haven't been executing down there for whatever reason. I think we're going to put a big focus on that this week."
(on what he sees happening on the field) "I think a lot of it comes back to being able to run the ball. If you can really run the ball down there, if you can run the ball effectively at any spot on the field, you're going to be a little bit more successful. We need to fix that and we will this week."
(on it being tough to throw the ball in the red zone) "It is, things happen faster down there. There's less field to work with and defender have less field to defend, less things to worry about. If we can our running game together, I think we'll be alright down there."
(on what it says that Tennessee has the top ranked rush defense in the NFL) "It means we have our work cut out for us again this week. It seems like that's how it is every week. We're going to keep pushing, we're going to keep working and we're going to get it fixed. This will be a good week to do it."
RB Samkon Gado
(on running against tough defenses) "We could go up against the worst defenses and put up 100 yards on them, but then the problem really isn't fixed. But now we're forced to deal with it, and so if we can run the ball well against the tough defenses in the league, then we can run the ball against anybody. So this in that sense is a blessing in disguise and hopefully we can capitalize on it."
(on if that's looking for the silver lining) "Yes it is. That's looking for the silver lining in the clouds."
(on if they have found a silver lining yet) "Hopefully we will. But we're optimistic on it, and we believe in ourselves. We have to; or else if we don't, then we can just pack the season in. We've got 10 more games left. It's not over; we still have a chance."
(on if the running is hurting the team in the red zone) "It definitely plays a huge part. I don't know if I can say it's the fundamental issue that's causing us not to get in the (end) zone, but it's a big part."
(on if he can put a finger on what the problem is) "Well, I think it's a combination of factors. I think from our end, we're not executing as well as we could have, and it's not consistent. At times we do as running backs and as tight ends and linemen, sometimes we execute well and sometimes we don't. Then, on the other end, we have been going against some tough defenses and they're paid to stop us as well. And sometimes they do win, but hopefully we can come out on the other end."
(on if Jacksonville's rush defense prepares them better for this week) "In some sense, it does, because last week we had to gear up for a tough run defense. We put a lot of emphasis on it and we got some results, not the kind we were looking for. But hopefully this week, we can kind of piggy back off of what we did last and a lot of the things that we emphasized on and the same effort that we put into it; hopefully it'll carry over and we can have a snowball effect and eventually get this thing going."
RB Ahman Green
(on how the Texans are running the football going up against a team with one of the best run defenses in the league) "For us, we've just got to continue to work on the run and just be more effective. It's not where we've got to be, everything, 100 yards a game, it's just where we're having a good balance to where defenses gotta be honest, because we can't be effective with the run to help out the pass and vice versa. So going against a team like the Titans is going to be interesting because they've got the number one defense, period, and number one against the run and so it's going to be tough. It won't be easy, which it hasn't been every week, but with them it's going to be because they're very disciplined, and they fire off the ball real well."
(on what needs to happen different for the running game to improve) "Just being consistent and me getting my timing back with the offensive line, because I've been out two weeks. It takes a little bit; it doesn't happen right away. Still early in the season, so we just continue to work in practice, which we're doing, working hard and then doing the same in the game, just working hard and taking it one play at a time."
(on what the team in general needs to do for the running game to improve) "Same thing. Like I said, everybody's got to be consistent, and just be on the same page. Knowing where we've got different audibles and different line calls, knowing when to make them and why we're making them, just being on the same page about that."
(on how close he is to being 100 percent) "I'll say I'm at a percentage where I know I can go out there and be effective for the team and help us out and be positive, basically, and help pick up the blitz and run the ball and catch the ball out of the backfield."
(on if the biggest issue is not keeping defenses honest) "No, that's not been the biggest issue. We've still got to be disciplined. We had penalties, we're holding or offsides, things like that. So it's not really all with the run, just kind of everywhere around. That's why I said we've just got to be consistent eliminating some of the mental errors that are internal, basically."
(on the struggles in the red zone) "It's just trying to like I said be consistent. When we get in the red zone, continue to run the ball well and then with that, it'll help with the pass game. So it's kind of all tied in together."
LB Morlon Greenwood
(on the Titans' running attack) "Running attack, they've got two big, physical runners. I think the other guy, Chris Brown, he's actually their leading rusher. I think he's averaging about 5.3 yards, even though he's not the starter. LenDale White, he's averaging about I think 3.2 yards a rush."
(on being told that those stats are exactly right) "Yeah, you know, I know my stuff. So I think as far as their running attack, they have a balanced running attack and they switch it up with those two guys."
(on if Jacksonville's running performance last week was just an anomaly) "I think if you look at the last two games, it's just a matter for us playing sound football. And if we don't play sound football, we're going to get gashed. So that's definitely an emphasis this week that we need to do. We need to play sound football; everybody's got to play technically sound against this group to be successful."
(on where the breakdowns occurred) "Jacksonville, they have two pretty good running backs in Fred Taylor and (Maurice) Jones-Drew and they have good speed, so they have the ability to stretch a defense. So in different acts, might be a guy here or a guy there that might be out of their gaps. And also we had a few missed tackles which good backs make you do. It shouldn't be something you should have an excuse for because this is the NFL, you have to come and perform every week. So basically like I said before, we've just got to be in good gaps and play fundamental football. It everybody's doing that, then there's not going to be a problem."
(on if QB Vince Young can really cause problems on first downs) "Well, it's not really just a problem on third down. He's a real athletic quarterback. He has the ability to make a play anytime, whether it's first, second or third down. So if he's in there, he's definitely a threat."
(on how much their mindset will change if QB Kerry Collins plays) "Collins, he's also a good quarterback. He's a veteran quarterback. He also knows how to read our coverages, so it's not like if Vince Young doesn't play, like they're going to go down. Because Kerry Collins I think is doing a good job throwing the ball."
(on what kind of problems QB Kerry Collins presents with his different style) "As far as the style, it's not as mobile as Vince Young is. He's more of like a drop-back quarterback. Any quarterback can become a scrambling quarterback if he has a big hole to run through, so you've just got to be alert for that."
DT Travis Johnson
(on what comes to mind with QB Vince Young) "University of Texas. Alright – Vince Young's a good player, a good young player, has led his team to a lot of victories, so obviously you've got to be prepared for a lot of things."
(on QB Vince Young saying he may not play) "He's going to play. You know he's going to play. So you've got to prepare for him."
(on how you do prepare for QB Vince Young) "He's a winner. He has 'it.' That's all you can say about him. You can't say he's the greatest quarterback, can't say he's the greatest running back, can't say he's the greatest receiver, he just has 'it.' And that's a big thing in this league, because if you've got 'it,' you can do a whole lot of things."
(on if he can define "it") "'It' is 'it.' everybody knows what 'it' is, it's a capital I, capital T. He's just got 'it.' Some guys got it, some guys don't."
(on how important it is for them to slow down the run) "I think it's very important, really, just because we struggled last week in the run. Hopefully we get together and fit our gaps responsibly and get the job done this week."
(on what is wrong with the run defense) "I think it's just execution. I just think we haven't been where we're supposed to be. Nowhere along the front seven, back end, we just didn't gel last week, so we'll be alright."
(on what it meant that head coach Gary Kubiak said he had his best game last week) "You take it with a grain of salt. You've got to get better. I mean, look what I've got to base it off of. I hadn't had too many good ones since I've been here, so I guess it's alright. It's a good compliment, I've just got to continue to get better."
(on the way the Titans game ended last year) "Hats off to the past, coats off to the future. The time is now. You've got to move on. Now it's kind of like one of those things where you've just got to play for today. You're only as good as your last game, so it's kind of one of those things where you don't worry about last year. Last year is last year, this year is this year."
WR Jacoby Jones
(on what it was like watching the game last week with them never punting) "Very frustrating. So frustrating. Every time they got down to that third-and-long, I would be just pacing the sidelines, I'd be like 'Jesus!'"
(on if he feels healthier entering this week) "Yes, like I said, Kevin (Bastin) and those guys do a real good job at rehabbing, so I feel even better."
(on if he plans to be more involved in the offense this week) "We have to see that. We'll see how practice goes and everything like that."
(on if he's ready to be more involved) "Yes, I'm always ready, born ready."
(on if there will be any rust on punt returns) "No, I'm actually hungry for a punt return. I haven't touched one in a minute, so I'll be anxious."
(on topping the last punt return he had) "Of course I'm trying to, I didn't get in the end zone last time."
(on what they need to do as receivers to help the running game) "We just have to gel together. The receivers have to help block for the running game. We'll get better at that in the long run. The receivers have to try to put the ball in the end zone, too."
(on watching WR Kevin Walter's performance last week) "He was balling. He had a lot of energy. He had me wanting to make plays, too."
DE N.D. Kalu
(on if QB Vince Young possibly not playing affects their game plan) "No, we're approaching it as if he's playing, Vince Young. He's such a competitor, you know he circles the date for this game. So we heard that he might be injured, but it's going to take him (having) two cut off legs before he doesn't come out for this game. So we're just assuming he's going to play.'
(on what QB Vince Young does to a defense) "He makes you change your whole thinking when you're out there, because usually you really just want to lay your ears back, go after a quarterback. But he's so athletic, he's so strong, if you're luck enough to beat the offensive linemen blocking for him, then you have another task in trying to bring him down. He's an exceptional player."
(on if they have to worry more about containing him instead of going for the sack all the time) "Usually you would say that, but at the same time you still want to be aggressive because you don't want him to sit back there and pick you apart. So you still want to get after him, but just in the back of your mind, you've just got to realize that he's the most athletic and strongest quarterback back there. So you've got to really try to bring him down."
(on if they want to make him pass) "No, because he's shown he can do that, too, now. And he's the type of dude, he'll take that challenge. If you sit up here and say we're going to make him beat us with his arm, he's going to mess around and beat you with his arm because he's just that type of person. He's going to take that challenge, so you don't want to say anything is basically what it comes down to. You just want to get after him. And again with a guy like him, you throw the stats out the window because you know he's just a winner. We've got a big task ahead of us."
(on RB Chris Brown being able to break loose and have a big game) "I was thinking of our kicker. You talking about the running back? I'm sorry, I'm like, 'Kris Brown?' No. Both their backs, you're right. They'll look like they're having a tough day, tough day, then they break some big runs and LenDale White, he's one of those guys that runs angry. So we've got a two-headed monster coming in here at running back and we have nothing but respect for him, but after the way we played last week, we're looking forward to this challenge to prove to ourselves and our fans that we can play against a good running team and succeed."
(on the Jacksonville game getting out of control in the fourth quarter) "I don't know. It's just like they wanted it more than us. We didn't play the way we were supposed to. We weren't in our gaps. I know one play, I wasn't in my gap, they took it for 60 (yards). So we just didn't play the way we usually play. Hopefully we can correct that this week."
(on if Tennessee will look at that and try to challenge them that way) "Why wouldn't they? I mean, they had two guys almost rush for 100. Tennessee has two good running backs; they're probably chomping at the bit to go against us. But we need that challenge, and we need to prove it to ourselves and to the Houston fans that we can play good defense."
DT Amobi Okoye
(on the challenge of playing against QB Vince Young) "It's a privilege to go against a guy like that because you get a chance to go see what you're about, what you can do. I know one thing, our defense, we're looking forward to it. We're never not looking forward to a game, so we're looking forward to it."
(on this game coming after the defense struggled against Jacksonville) "It's another test for it. We're privileged enough to get these tests every week, so we've really got to show up. I think the package we've got going in is something real good. I have faith in it; a lot of players have faith in it. It's all about execution, though. Got to go out there and execute, and I think that's one thing we're not doing real good right now."
(on how the philosophy will be different this week) "Can't give too much out, but I know for a fact one thing is better tackling because you have a tendency to get away from stuff like that and miss the fundamentals of actually playing football. So I know one thing, each and every one of us, we're on each other to do a better job in tackling and just to wrap up."
(on the Texans' home game against the Titans last season) "Yes, I saw that. I watched the game and stuff, but that's the kind of player he (QB Vince Young) is. He's a gifted athlete, but we've just got to go in and make sure that doesn't happen again."
(on the Houston fans cheering for both the Texans and QB Vince Young) "I mean, that should tell you what kind of character of guy he is, the kind of person he is. This is his hometown, and that's what he gets. Everybody wishes they get that when they go and play in their hometown."
(on if fans cheering for QB Vince Young offends him) "No, it doesn't offend me at all. As long as they cheer for us too, that's OK. If it's the other case where it's only one way, then that's when I'll kind of have a concern with it."
G Chester Pitts
(on the problems in the red zone stem from the inability to run) "I would say, obviously, it plays a big factor in it if in the red zone, if you're not running the ball well, it's just hard to throw the ball to the short space. It feels more compact. There's a lot less room so throwing limits your options."
(on Tennessee having the top ranked rush defense) "That doesn't surprise me. I just watched about three games on them and their front seven is as good as we've played this season."
(on if it's breakdowns in the red zone or is it something else) "We're just not executing. It's a combination of a lot of little things, technical issues. They're all fixable things, all correctable things, and we're going to find a way to get it done."
(on how good DT Albert Haynesworth is) "(DT Albert) Haynesworth, he's playing the best ball he's ever played in his life and not only that, I've always said that I felt his was one of the best interior linemen in the NFL and he's really showing that, really playing like that this season."
(on if he's comparable to DT Marcus Stroud and DT John Henderson) "I personally think he's better than them. He's more explosive and I would say he's probably a little more disruptive. He's a good player. I've got my work cut out for me this week."
CB Dunta Robinson
(on if he's going to play Sunday) "Yes, I'll be out there. It was just the hammy felt a little funny today, so just sat out on the side. I could have went, but the coaches, they didn't want me to go so I just sat over there on the sideline."
(on if the coaches figure he knows what he's doing) "I hope so. I've been here long enough, so I hope I know what I'm doing."
(on his relationship with QB Vince Young) "We just became close. Vince is a good dude. His mom lives right around the corner, so when I had my little incident, she wanted to come to the house and pray with me and everything. It's just a good situation. He's a great player; I respect him, and I think he feels the same way about me. And whenever he's in town, we try to hang out as much as we can."
(on QB Vince Young saying he respects what kind of tackler he is) "Yes, people are starting to respect that for some reason. I guess they don't see how a little guy can tackle the way I do, but you know I just put my heart and soul, I just lay it all out on the line when I go on the football field. And coming from a guy like Vince Young, for him to even notice tackling, that's something small; a lot of people really don't compliment you on that, so the fact that he even notices that just lets you know that guys do respect you as a player."
(on what he said about the game despite the fact that he's friends with QB Vince Young) "I'm still going to get him. That's what I said. You said, 'Vince said some good things about you,' and I said, 'Alright, that's cool. I'm still going to get him.'"
(on if QB Vince Young was just buttering him up) "He was buttering me up. I've been getting buttered up a lot this year, so maybe that's what it is."
(on if QB Vince Young's mom will get mad) "No, she ain't going to get mad. She knows it's all fun and games."
(on if he expects QB Vince Young to play this week) "I expect him to play. I saw him walk off the field. As long as you walk off the field, you can run around on the field, so I do expect him to play."
(on what it was like to see the crowd give him a standing ovation at the end of last year's game) "For him, I bet it was everything he could dream of. For me, it was probably the sickest thing I could dream of. The one thing that you don't want to happen. But we've just got to make sure it doesn't happen again. Like I said, for him, it had to be like a dream come true. For me, it was like a nightmare that came true, so it had a totally opposite effect on me."
(on seeing more QB Vince Young jerseys in the stands than Texans jerseys) "This is born and raised, so you kind of expect that. People are going to stay true no matter what. I went to Atlanta and I had probably 100 '23' jerseys in the stands, so I understand. You can't get mad about that. We're not from this city. He's from this city, he just doesn't play for this organization. And he was a high school legend when he was here, and then he went to UT and was a college legend, so people know all about Vince Young, and they love him. He can basically be the mayor of this city when it's all said and done. But it is what it is; we've just got to make sure that we send all the Vince Young fans home sick Sunday."
(on the fans cheering for both QB Vince Young and the Texans) "They have mixed emotions. They want to see the hometown hero do good; I think that's what it's all about. I think it wasn't more of Vince come in and kill the Texans, I think it was more they were happy with the success that he's had over the years, and I think that's what it all boils down to. The fans in Houston, they're still faithful to us when we come out and when we play against any other team, just not the Tennessee Titans. So it's just one of those things that you've got to live with."
(on DE N.D. Kalu's remark that QB Vince Young would have to have both of his legs cut off not to play) "We know he's going to be there. Vince is a tough guy, so he's probably just going to wrap it up and get ready to roll. We have every intention on seeing him and not Kerry Collins."
(on if he talks to QB Vince Young during the game at all) "Yes, all the time. All the time."
(on if he can share some of what he says) "'You snuck one in one me,' if he gets a pass. It's no disrespect, it's just all fun and games. It's not like every play we're talking. If I happen to tackle him, then we'll say a few things; he'll point to the stands and show me where his people are sitting at. Just stuff like that, that's it."
QB Matt Schaub
(on having issues that are correctable) "Without a doubt. The things that are going wrong for us, they're easily correctable. It's just a matter of all of us putting our heads together and fixing them, getting them right as a team and as a group and we'll be fine."
(on if that will help fix the red zone attack) "That's part of it, the red zone. That's part of the correctable things. We'll go out there and keep working at it and we'll get it right."
(on what is not happening in the red zone) "We're not scoring touchdowns."
(on why they are not scoring touchdowns in the red zone) "To execute the plays as players. The coaches are putting us in position and we're not connecting and we're falling short. We're getting down in there and we can't score seven and that's the main thing and the bottom line. We just need to turn those threes into sevens and we'll be fine."
(on preparing to go against the top ranked run defense in the NFL) "The same way we do every week. It doesn't matter who we're facing. We're going to try to establish the run and work in the passing game and try to have a balance attack. That's what we try to do every week and you find ways to get that done. Just because they're number one right now against the run doesn't mean we're going to try and get away from what we're trying to do every week."
(on if WR Kevin Walter's performance surprised him at all) "No, he didn't surprise me or anybody on this team at all. We knew what he could do and he's been doing it for a couple weeks now. It just so happens he had a bigger game, he had 12 (catches) for 160 (yards) the other day. We knew that he could to do that. It's just unfortunate that I missed him in the end zone there, so he didn't get a touchdown in there. We knew he could play that well."
(on if WR Kevin Walter needs to have another game like that this week) "I think for us to have a successful game, everyone needs too. Whether it's him or we just spread the ball around or someone else has a game like that. We're all going to have to step our play up and play well this weekend and play mistake free."
(on if he pays attention to the division standings) "I think you notice it, but at the same time, we're going into Week 7 here, so it's still early in the football season. There are a lot of games to be played. We just have to go out each week and do what we can to get a win that week and at the end of the season, we'll look up and we'll see where we stand. Right now, we just have to take this game with Tennessee, study, and work at the game plan this week and get ready to win."
(on red zone success predicated on establishing the running game) "I think it's a big, establishing the running game early in the game and also down there when there's not as much space to run the football. Defense is tighter to the line of scrimmage and there's not as much room. If you can establish that run, then it definitely helps your ball club. At the same time, the passing game, we haven't been able to get it in there either and that's on us as players to execute."
(on how aware he is to the stature QB Vince Young has here) "I've been told about that and it's understandable because he's from here, grew up here. He played his college ball just up the road and won a national championship. It's understandable that he's well like here. That's just the nature of (QB) Vince Young and what he brings to the table."
G Kasey Studdard
(on having a minor injury just as head coach Gary Kubiak said he would like to get him more involved) "That's frustrating, but that's what the game is. It's a physical game; you've just got to go out there and, you know, stuff happens. But I'll be fine. I'm a battler."
(on how looking forward he is to getting on the field) "I'm geeked up. I'm excited, but I've still got to get in here and learn and do all that kind of stuff."
(on what he will bring to the offensive line) "What I bring, I don't know. I don't know what I'll bring, but I am an intense player. I like to get up, 'rah rah,' get going and everything. That's how I play."
(on what his mindset will be this weekend knowing he may play) "If I get in this weekend, I'll probably be a little pumped up that first play, but I know I need to calm down and do my job. But I'm just excited thinking about getting a chance to get on that field again in live action and have that helmet on wearing that Texans logo."
(on his long games played streak at Texas and being inactive here) "It's hard, but I'm learning from these older guys. I'm learning, seeing what they do and learning the techniques that they use to help themselves out with blocks. So it's all learning, and I'm young and I've got a great group of offensive linemen that teach me every day different things, so I'm glad to have these kind of guys around me."
(on if what kept him off the practice field will keep him sidelined tomorrow) "No."
WR Kevin Walter
(on Sunday being bittersweet for him) "It was great to go out there and get the opportunity to make plays, but what it comes down to is winning and losing and we didn't get it done in the win column and that's what really hurt."
(on not being able to convert in the red zone) "We've been focusing on that for a few weeks because we've been struggling in that category for the last few weeks. I believe we were one-for-five in that category last week. Against a team like Jacksonville, we can't do that. We're going to fix that this week and instead of getting field goals, we're going to get seven points."
(on if he ever thought he was going to get his chance) "I always believe in hard work, hard work pays off. You just have to go out there and prepare yourself like you're going to catch a lot of balls and if you do, you do and if you don't, you don't. You have to work hard and opportunities like that will come."
(on what it means to have coach recognize you for your work ethic) "I take pride in my work ethic. I try to prove to coach and my teammates that I work hard and when I do get the opportunities I will make the plays. Really, that's what it comes down to."
(on if you pay attention to the standings in the division) "Yes, definitely. This division is a tough division this year. It's extremely tough. Everyone knows Indianapolis is always good and these two teams, Jacksonville and Tennessee, are also good, too. The great thing about is we're going to be able to play Jacksonville again later in the year and we have Tennessee coming in our house this week. It's going to be a physical and fun game, for sure."
