After the Texans wrapped up their second week of organized team activities (OTAs) with a Thursday morning practice, head coach Gary Kubiak answered questions from the media.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak(on the health situation of the team) "(CB) Mark Parson had a hard spill yesterday and wasn't feeling good, so he missed. (DE) Mario's (Williams) ankle is bothering him a little bit so I just pulled him out of the drills. Other than that, I think we're fine."
(on if G Kasey Studdard is being pushed for his starting job) "He's lining up as a starter. So yes, it's his until someone gets him out of there. Kasey's still a growing young player. He understands that he's right there on the fence and being pushed. That's part of the career, so I think he understands that. He's competing and doing a good job."
(on what he wants to see from G Kasey Studdard this year) "We just want to continue to see growth. Kasey's biggest issues have probably been more a little bit mental than ever about his effort and what he does and getting the whole pro game down and all of the issues he deals with on a regular basis. He's improved in that area."
(on the progress of WR Jacoby Jones) "He's had an excellent OTA. He got some great work when (WR) Andre (Johnson) wasn't here, and had some really good days. He looks like a better player than he was last year, so it'll be very competitive."
(on what he expects to see from WR Jacoby Jones this year) "I think he should be pushing (WR) Kevin (Walter) for a job. He's pushing Kevin and pushing (WR) David (Anderson) and pushing for more playing time on this football team. If the OTAs are any indication, he's doing a hell of a job."
(on if it would be ideal if WR Jacoby Jones didn't return punts and let rookie WR Trindon Holliday just be the return specialist) "I don't know. To be honest, that's something that I've never dealt with as a coach, having just a return guy. We have that option this year with the kid (Holliday) that we drafted. I think we've got him and see how he grows, and see if he deserves to be back there. But it is an interesting aspect."
(on WR Jacoby Jones' development) "Oh yeah, I think so. Obviously if you're playing a great deal, you don't want a starter back there probably. He's still developing, he's still handling both, and he's still working. He's not doing anything different than he's ever done."
(on if WR Jacoby Jones has matured enough) "He's much better – much better."
(on what makes him think QB Dan Orlovsky has got it despite having an off practice today) "I'll have to go back and watch the film. I don't know if he didn't have a great practice. We made some mistakes as an offense. But he's much improved and has come a long way, and he should. He's been doing it now for a year and everybody's looking at him to see if he can lead this team if something happens to (QB) Matt (Schaub). So it's very important."
(on if DT Amobi Okoye's age is helping or hurting him in his development) "He's probably the age of what a rookie is now so that's different. Still, he has a lot of snaps under his belt. A third-year player, he should start to be as good as he's probably going to be over the course of these next four, five, six years. He's been better in these OTAs. We all know the weight issue, and he feels better. So we'll see, but he's had good OTAs."
(on how WR Jacoby Jones is better) "He doesn't have to work so hard at what we do. He knows what we're doing, so it's more technique for him now. Just knowing how to beat this corner compared to that corner. I've been impressed with how he's helped (WR) Trindon (Holliday) back here, and just working with him as a punt returner. Jacoby's growing up, so he's doing a lot better."
(on rookie RB Ben Tate's status for next week) "I would say he's probably feeling it Tuesday. We'll see, so it'll be day to day."
(on if he has an idea of WR Jacoby Jones' top side and how good he can be) "I don't think anybody does. I just think we've all seen brilliant flashes as a player. If he gets that consistent mark, yeah he's got the ability as a player to go up there and play with the best of them. We'll see."
(on if WR Jacoby Jones could be a dominant receiver) "He could be a very good player, but there's another level for him to go reach. Hopefully we're heading there."
(on how he's been impressed with RBs Arian Foster in the first team and Steve Slaton in the second) "I've been impressed with both of them. Obviously Arian is lining up first, but I think Steve has been excellent throughout the OTAs. Two young players that you're hoping to hit their peak, and they're getting a ton of reps so they're pretty good."
(on if there is an ebb and flow to the offense being better one day and the defense better the next) "I think our defense really is a little ahead of our offense. I think that they've picked up where they left off last year from a confident standpoint in how they were playing. I think they've been excellent. Offensively, I don't think that we've been disappointing at all. We're starting over. We've got a new coordinator (offensive coordinator Rick Dennison) and we've got a new quarterback coach (Greg Knapp). We were missing (WR) Andre (Johnson) for a few days so we've got a shuffle system going on inside where we're trying to find out who our best five guys are going to be. We can catch up. I think the defense is just a little ahead."
(on how much of a difference SS Bernard Pollard makes being at the OTAs since day one) "He's a difference. Y'all watch practice and y'all can see what he brings tempo-wise to the football team. He's respected by the players."
(on how impressed he's been with rookie TE Garrett Graham) "I think I hollered at him more than anybody else. He's got some potential, and he's a good young player. He's just got to understand what's expected of him. He's getting a chance as a rookie that not many guys get. He's basically playing as a starter out here throughout the OTAs when we go two tights and stuff. He's got a ways to go but we need him to hurry up."
