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Houston Texans Transcripts**
Training Camp Practice #5
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Attendance: 4,856
Owner Bob McNair
(on thoughts on Raiders and San Antonio) "The Raiders need a new stadium and they are going to be visiting with any city that is interested in them and offering the prospects of a new stadium, so it's not surprising at all that they would visit with San Antonio, but we'll see how all of that develops."
(on thought on a potential of a NFL team being in Texas) "Well, it's a question of where is the best place, so that's how I would look at it, so it depends on what the options are."
(on if the NFL thinks Los Angeles is the best place for the Raiders) "Well, they have only been looking at in for 16 years, so I guess it's no surprise. There is some activity in Lost Angeles, but there's been activity for a number of years and the question is when are you going to get the proper results?"
(on popularity of Texans fans being affected by the move) "We have a growing fan base there and it's going to continue to grow. If there was a team there and we were there playing, I think half of the fans in the stands would be ours, so it would be a difficult situation, I think, for San Antonio, but we'll wait and see how that plays out."
(on being concerned about the potential move) "No, I'm not concerned about it."
(on room for three teams in Texas) "Again, it's a question of what the options are. What are the alternatives? If that's the best option, then something might happen there, but if there are other options that are better, it's not a question of whether Texas can support three teams, it's where is the best place for that team to be?"
(on the situation bringing back memories of Bud Adams' move) "It's a difficult situation; we were blessed here in Houston. I think the city was ready for a team. They were to support a stadium. Thank goodness we built a stadium, for what $435 million. These other stadiums now are coming in at 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 billion, so we got the best bargain of anybody in the league. I don't think there is any doubt about it, and it's a great asset of the city."
(on San Antonio being able to support an NFL team) "You would have to do some market research on that to see what level of support might be there. They've got a great owner in the Spurs, Peter Holt, and he's done a great job over there and the city has supported them. When you start getting more and more major league teams, you start having to spread that support out. You have to look at what level of support is there and if there is enough for two or three teams."
(on being involved in the conversations surrounding the move) "The finance committee has to approve it and I'm chairman of the finance committee, so I guess I would be involved."
(on the decision being in early stages) "Oh yes. It's very early, and they've been looking at other alternatives and they've been negotiating in Oakland and who is to say that they might not get something agreed upon there? But they do need a new facility."
(on personally opposing a team in San Antonio) "I think I'd look at the facts. I wouldn't oppose it just because they are in San Antonio. I'm in favor of doing what strengthens the league and where it makes sense. We need to have strong franchises. We want it to be a competitive league for a long time, and to do that, you got to have strong franchises wherever they are."
(on the Alamodome being a quality stadium) "I haven't really looked at it, but it's been there for a good while and I don't know whether that would qualify or not. Perhaps it would, but I haven't checked into it."
Head Coach Bill O'Brien
(on the game plan heading into practice with this being the last practice before a day off) "Just staying with the installation. We continued with our installation, added red area today. So we're able to get down there and get some good work on both sides of the ball. Put punt return in today and added another phase to no-huddle. We threw a lot at them today. Had fourth down, fourth and goal from different spots in the red area, which was good. So, you know, just staying with our installation that has been mapped out now for a few months."
(on getting Arian Foster back at practice and in pads) "Yeah, we put him back in there today and he ran some plays, did a good job. He's a really good football player, obviously. This team is really counting on him. You know, he's a guy that is smart, instinctive and obviously very talented. The Houston Texans need a healthy Arian Foster, so it was good to see him out there today."
(on how much he listens to a veteran when bringing them back from injury) "I think you listen to guys like that that have played a lot of football in this league, no question about it. I think at the end of the day it really comes down to your medical people and what they think. That is what they do. We follow the direction of Geoff Kaplan and then our doctors and what they say on each player. But you know, guys that have played a lot of years like an Andre Johnson, that's a guy that you're going to definitely listen to how he feels before you put him back out there."
(on how he thought the offense performed today) "Well, I would say that there was improvement on both sides of the ball today. We turned it over a couple times today, which we cannot do. We have to stop doing that. I do think the offense improved today. I believe they are very competitive practices. Today was a competitive practice. There were a lot of good things that were going on out there the field. We just have to eliminate mistakes, which you know, that are what we are going to continue to work to do."
(on Duane Brown leaving practice early) "I think he chased K-Jack (Kareem Jackson) about 95 yards, 100 yards, and 322 pounds, you know, that was a hell of an effort by Duane Brown. He's another guy that I probably don't talk about enough. He means a lot to this football team, great teammate, really good person, tough guy, fun guy to coach, really puts the team first, he left it out on the field on that one. We just told him to take it in and maybe get in the air conditioning a little sooner than the rest of them."
(on the team seeing Duane Brown chase down that play and how it influences the mentality of the team) "Yeah, Yeah. It is something I did in the team meeting the other night was to point out things like that. You know, you had the other day you had Andre Johnson laying out for a post pattern down the middle of the field. You had J.J. Watt chasing a screen 65 yards down the field. You've got Duane Brown chasing the interception; he chased another one yesterday with D.J. Swearinger. And there are other guys. Chris Myers is working hard. The receivers are working hard. The DBs, Johnathan Joseph made some really nice plays today, which was really good to see. I think anytime that you have some really proven veterans like that on your football team, you know, Shane Lechler, 37 years old, came in here and passed a conditioning test. All those types of things are important for young players and really important for our team."
(on turnovers in practice and the defensive backs getting excited) "Again, that is interesting when you're in an assistant coach you want your side of the ball to do really well. When you're a head football coach it is a little bit different because there are times where you really like to see the takeaways by the defense and then at the same time you don't really want the offense turning it over. So I try to look at it and look at it objectively and say, 'You know what, that was a really good play by Johnathan Joseph on that play or Kareem Jackson or you know, look we forced the ball there and we can't do that.' Obviously, fumbles, we do not want to fumble the ball. We've got to just continue to address it and work on it. These guys are working hard at it."
(on being hands on with the players at practice and the mentality there) "I mean, what are you going to do? Go out there and stand underneath the shed there and drink Gatorade? You know what I mean? You're a coach and that is what you love to do, and so in the places that I've coached I was able to learn from some great coaches and learn about both sides of the ball and special teams. So when I see something that I feel is a chance to teach a player on either side of the ball or on special teams, then that is what I'm going to do. That is a big part of my job."
(on what the guys do on their day off) "It is a day off. That is an NFL rule. When they have a day off, they're off. Of course, we tell them that obviously treatment is available and the weight room is open, but there is nothing mandated."
(on Jerrell Powe and his resilience) "Very mature guy. Another guy that is a really good teammate. Good communicator. Called me last week when he had, obviously, a death in the family. Just have really enjoyed getting to know him. He's fighting hard. He's in a competitive position. He's fighting out there to do a good job. But there is a guy that is another good example of a good teammate."
RB Arian Foster
(on how he is physically) "Yeah, man. I'm just trying to be the best teammate I can be, man."
(on what kept him out of practice) "Yeah, man. I'm just trying to be the best teammate I can be and working hard at doing it."
(on what was physically wrong) "Yeah, I'm just out here, man, just working hard every single day just trying to be the best teammate I can be."
(on what it means to come back from his injury) "Yeah, you know, being with your teammates and being the best teammate you can be is like—that's what you strive to do so that's what I'm out here doing."
(on his teammates needing him out in practice) "Yeah, man. When you're the best teammate you can be you just work hard at doing that every single day, that's what we're out here trying to do."
(on if his body is breaking down) "Yeah, man. I'm just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be and I'm going to work hard at doing that."
(on his progress toward being a better teammate) "Yeah, you know, just every single day just trying to be a better teammate, man."
(on the fans going crazy) "Yeah, man. I'm just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be and I will continue doing that."
(on the difference in how he felt physically today than yesterday) "Yeah, man. You know I'm just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be day-in and day-out, man. And I'm just going to continue working hard to do that."
(on working at his brother's workout facility) "Yeah. Just every single day, man, just working hard trying to be the best teammate I can be."
TE Garrett Graham
(on how involved Bill O'Brien is in receiver drills and practice) "Yeah, he's an intense guy. Obviously, he loves the game and he helps us out a ton; we need to know this offense, it's very versatile and we're just trying to learn every day, just trying to master this offense. It should be exciting once we start playing."
(on whether the tight end will be more involved in Bill O'Brien's offense) "I think so; we can do a lot of things in the tight end position and we can move people around. That's something we're trying to focus on and do a good job of and so far, I think we've been doing a pretty good job as a tight end group."
(on the chemistry with the new tight ends) "It's been going good. Everyone is learning a new offense, so we're all on the same page when it comes to putting new things in and doing stuff like that, so it's good to be able to go through the learning process together."
(on Ryan Fitzpatrick's accolades) "He's a leader; he knows what he is doing. He's orchestrating everything out there. We have a lot of confidence in him and he's fun to play with."
TE Ryan Griffin
(on what he's had to work on so far) "Just some footwork stuff in the run game, you know, we're out here after practice working with coach. We're always hitting the jugs machine after and trying to get some balls caught when you know, sometimes, you don't get a ball thrown your way during practice so that's stuff you need to work on."
(on how much changed for him as a player from last year) "It's just a new system so he's featuring new stuff, and Coach (John) Perry is a good guy and I love working for him."
(on what he is focused on most during offseason) "You know, just trying to gain the weight back that I lost last season. You know, I just worked on my whole game because it needed work. I definitely watched some film back from last year, so just trying to work on it all."
(on what he weighs now) "I'm back where I was at the start of last year. I'm trying to get it to hold in that 265 right now."
(on if Bill O'Brien coaches him on answering questions) "Yeah, well, we just had our media relations information meeting yesterday so I'm sure guys are caught up from that. But it's always been about the team. It really has. Even last year we were a team together. But now we just have a different way of saying it."
(if this is an exciting time as a tight end with roles expanding) "Yeah. I think so. The position has revolutionized since I started in college, even. But the game is always changing but that's just part of football. I'm sure someday tight ends won't be as important and running backs will be—you know you never know how it's going to go but right now it's an exciting time to be a tight end."
(on how to deal with being challenged mentally) "You've just got to be on top of everything. Right when you walk through the door at 6 in the morning you got to be on it because coach is throwing different stuff at you and you've got to know your spots, and even when we come out in the field, obviously, it's just a whole bunch of stuff going on up here and you have got to have your technique great, as well. So it's important to stay on your P's and Q's so to say."
(on if he sees what the team could be) "Yeah, yeah. I think we've seen it on films a couple plays here and there. You know, we've just got to string them together."
WR DeAndre Hopkins
(on his comfort level now that he's in his second season) "I'm a little more comfortable. You know how to do things off the field to come out and have a good practice. The cold tub, just little things like that to take care of your body so you can come out here and have a good day."
(on what he's seen from DeVier Posey) "His attitude. He practices with this attitude and everybody out there sees it. Guys like me, if Posey goes out there and tries to knock a defensive back's head off, I'm going to try to go out there and do the same. His attitude is up there."
(on Bill O'Brien's involvement at practice lining up as a DB) "He's a great coach. He's going to do things like that so this offense can have success."
(on his chemistry with Ryan Fitzpatrick) "We are working on it and got a long way to go. This is the first week of practice; we have a while until the season. We'll be alright."
(on working out back at Clemson this summer) "That was helpful. Andre Ellington, Jarvis Jenkins – guys like that. I trained with C.J. (Spiller) for a little bit. Just training with guys that I played with in college to push each other. It's always a competition when we are out there training. It's always great training back home."
QB Case Keenum
(on the process of installments and adding plays) "I like it, it keeps us busy. It keeps us pushing ourselves, keeps stretching us and trying to grow. There is always stuff that we can do better each time."
(on Bill O'Brien's direct involvement in QB drills and teaching) "I love it; He's out there behind the huddle every play, so we're hearing him coaching. He's getting us coached up after every play, putting pressure on us and making it the most game like situation that we can."
(on having a boost from the fans at open practices) "Yeah, I love it. I love it that people care enough about us to come out and enjoy the heat on whatever day it is. They have been out in numbers each day, so it's been great to see them come out and support us, cheer us on, and give us a little extra oomf."
(on representing the city of Houston) "I love Houston. I love representing the University of Houston and I love representing the Houston Texas. Getting to wear the name of Houston on the front of my jersey now for what, nine or ten years, so I did as much as I could while I was over there, I'm going to do it as long as I can here too."
(on having Arian Foster back at practice) "It was great. I missed him on a little play down here in the end zone. I need to give that guy a chance because he can do some special stuff."
C Chris Myers
(on how practice is different from the games) "Oh it's full speed, there's just no cutting. I mean, that's pretty much the way it is in practice. If you haven't noticed that in the last three days then you're watching the wrong thing. We're full tilt you're just trying to be able to protect each other to a certain extent. You don't want to have too many injuries."
(on the celebration in the end zone) "Any time you score, it's cause for celebration. Getting touchdowns in the NFL are hard especially against our defense."
(on how much information has been thrown out to every player) "Telling them information on all three sides of the ball, offense, defense and special teams. I think everyone's taking it in stride and progressively doing better and better day-in and day-out. Being able to work against each other, there's nothing better. For us to go against our defense which is one of the tops in the league, it's pretty impressive to watch."
(on what they needed to work on going forward) "With turnovers and penalties and situations like that we can't have when we're hurting ourselves, they can't happen at all. And you want to be able to knock those out and get them out of there. But unfortunately today we had a couple turnovers and that's something we're going to have to work on day-in and day-out."
(on if running laps is a throwback to his college days) "It's not a throwback. It's just the way different coaching staffs work. And I think it's getting everyone's attention. It's working for sure."
(on the importance of the off day) "It's mainly to get your body some rest. You don't really get a break mentally because there's still insight going and you still have to keep up on your playbook and stay on it because you've got to come back Friday and go full tilt, so don't get too away from the game."
WR DeVier Posey
(on coming into training camp off of an injury a season ago) "I feel good. I'm learning. New coaches and they teach so much. I just want to be a sponge, man. I always have my eyes in the team meetings. I think that is big part of everything for myself and every one in our group. We all just want to be eager to learn and we want to be a good group this year."
(on wide receivers coach Stan Hixon talking about the flexibility in the offense) "Yes. You are correct."
(on a preference of where he would line up) "I just like catching the ball, whatever I've got to do that. If I got to be inside or on a safety, cornerback or a linebacker, I just want to make sure I win."
(on the challenges that the offense will give to defenses compared to the old offense) "I mean, each system is different. Each coaching staff has different techniques. I guess, right now early in the year just being comfortable with all the stuff and the order of operation. Just making sure we're doing those things."
(on wide receiver coach Stan Hixon being a good teacher) "Yes. He says all the time, he coaches receivers. He does that really well. I just love his no excuse policy and how he has his standards really high on each route. He wants to win."
(on what he is thinking about Bill O'Brien lining up at corner and shadowing routes) "He loves the game. He loves all aspects. He studies everything. He knows a lot about receivers. When he's over there you want to make sure you're doing everything right and listening to his keys and going back in there and writing it in your notebook."
(on if Bill O'Brien is a pretty good cornerback) "You've got to ask him that."
(on taking a lot of notes in team meetings) "Since, I mean, I first started using notebooks and loose leaf paper."
(on if he thinks extra note taking helps him process information) "I mean, yeah, I've been that guy in school, I've been that guy in meetings anywhere I've been. I always have a notebook with me. It's like me and my thoughts. I'll write down a lot."
(on if he can read his handwriting) "I'm left-handed so it is kinds of tough."
(on Ryan Griffin talking about the expectations and the mental approach of coming into camp) "Everything that we like to do is geared toward winning. Anytime you come in on game day, you come in and do your routine and you get ready to play. There are no meetings on the day of the game. I just think that we're simulating that each day we practice and that is one thing that I love. He gives me a routine, he makes sure you studied it the night before and then go out and perform."
(on noticing any differences in timing) "When we're hacking at it how we do all day, you're going to see some improvement and there are going to be some things that you still have to improve on. This game is ever changing. This game is always evolving. You have to make sure that you adjust. We're trying to do that as an offense and get to know each, get everything down; this is all our first year together as a group. Obviously, we're working on that when we get inside that building and we're coming out here and hacking away at it."
(on the team approach and guys not wanting to talk about themselves) "When you have guys as talented as we have on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball, guys who are decorated, guys who are upcoming in the league, guys you haven't seen anything from have, have potential through the roof, if we can all get on the same page, we understand what we can do together."
(on turning a corner his rookie year) "I'm so over that."
(on coming back from injury) "I mean, honestly injury is part of our game. It's the only thing that is 100 percent, but the only thing we can control is how you comeback and how you respond. Just like anything in life, man, and I got the cheat code to life it's this game called football. So, it just was some adversity that I had to fight through and I think it well help me moving forward it life, and it has created some great habits already."
(on what goes through his mind on a dropped pass) "I mean, we're out here, man. You've got to move, man. Of course you're upset about it, but you have to keep playing. This is a game we all play. Everybody has had one. You just got to make sure that they're small and not too many of them because that will get you out of the rotation. I'm going to forget about it and go play."
ILB Justin Tuggle
(on advantage of being a former QB) "It definitely does help a lot. I've seen a lot of sets when I played quarterback; I know a lot of schemes. I just try to mirror that now on defense, try to get a quicker read and every time that I can, just try to make a play."
(on ILB Max Bullogh's progress during camp) "He's a really bright guy; you see that each and every day out here. He knows the calls and he steps in right every time his number is called and he produces."
DE J.J. Watt
(on if he's looking forward to the day off) "Recovery is an important aspect of the game, so yes, I am going to enjoy getting (my) legs back under (me)."
(on how nice it was to see Arian Foster practicing) "It's good to have all of your players on the field."
(on the advantages of coming at a quarterback from different spots on the line) "It's fun to line up many different places. It's fun to come out here and work at different positions and to improve upon your technique at different spots because you never know how you're going to be used or when you're going to be used in what situations, so the better you get at each one, the better you're going to be overall."
(on the team gelling during training camp) "Obviously when you spend almost every waking hour together, you learn a lot about each other. But that's part of what camp is about. It's about building camaraderie. It's about building chemistry. It's about getting to know your teammates because you're going to go into games with those guys. You're going to be in tough situations with those guys. You're going to be in the middle of camp, and be in full pads and you're going to have to pick each other up. You're going to have to be good teammates to each other. I think that's what part of the fun of camp is, is bonding with your teammates."
(on how much growth he has seen with this defense) "I think every day you definitely see growth. You learn from your mistakes. I think that's the biggest thing. Obviously, you're installing a little bit more each day but you learn from your mistakes. Every day you make mistakes. Every single player on the field makes mistakes and you learn from those mistakes and you come out and you try to correct them and you get better. Then you make new mistakes and then you learn from those mistakes and as you go, it's a process. That's what camp is for."
(on ILB Justin Tuggle getting a lot of reps) "I can't judge what a linebacker does. He's giving great effort. I think he's playing well. But you'd have to ask him how he's playing."
(on if he agrees that the defense is ahead of the offense) "I don't know. I don't know if I can really say that. You're really just focused on correcting your mistakes and coming out and improving the next day. It's tough to say, really, from an overall standpoint."
(on how the defense is coming along) "I think each day is an improvement. I think that's the goal. Like I was saying, every day you make mistakes. As long as you understand those mistakes and you correct those mistakes, then you're getting better. And then, like I said, you make new mistakes and you correct those mistakes. As you go, you want to minimize them as much as possible so that hopefully by the time that first game hits, you're ready to go."
(on his tailgate benefitting the J.J. Watt Foundation for the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff between Wisconsin and LSU) "Obviously, I love it down here. I love Houston. I love everything about it and I also love Wisconsin. That's my home and that's where I'm from. So I'm excited to be able to show the people of Wisconsin my new home and to be able to show them a bit of the hospitality, show them a little bit of the food, show them a little bit of the fans. So it's going to be a lot of fun to have a tailgate down here and obviously at the same time raise some money for kids."
