HEAD COACH BILL O'BRIEN
How does RB Lamar Miller's versatility help the offense?
"He's what we call a three-down back. We feel like he can play on first, second and third down. He's a very good pass protector, blitz pickup guy. He's really good at that. Very good runner, good receiver out of the backfield, very smart player. He and Deshaun (Watson) have a real good chemistry back there in the backfield, and he's a good guy to have back there."
What do you think about RB Lamar Miller's work ethic?
"Great work ethic. He comes every day. I can't remember a time where he's missed practice. He's been out there virtually all the time since he's been here. A good pro, very good pro."
What would you like to see on offense, defense and special teams this weekend?
"Just keep getting better. It's important. It's the third game. It's an important game relative to the preseason, not relative to the season. Still doesn't count in the standings, but it's important for us to keep improving as a team, keep trying to get better in specific areas. I'm not going to really get into that with everybody but I think it's just important to keep getting better."
Is WR Will Fuller V OK?
"As far as I know he is, yeah."
Over the years, have you changed how you determine how much starters play in preseason?
"I think every year's different based on each individual player, based on where you are as a team, the experience of your team or the inexperience of your team at certain positions. Every year's different relative to how we approach the preseason."
What are your thoughts on having Hurricane Harvey victims here at practice?
"The more we can do for people that are still recovering from Harvey – you know, I think J.J. (Watt) put it the best when he said last year, 'It's not going to take like a month. It might take a year, it might take two years, it might take three years.' I think Bob McNair and this organization have done a great job over the years supporting everything in Houston. There's a great example of it with our support for the people that are suffering still from Harvey."
What has TE Matt Lengel shown you?
"Tough guy, really good guy, fun guy to coach, hardworking guy. Just brings a lot of good work ethic, toughness to the position."
WR KEKE COUTEE
What was it like the last couple of days to be back participating in practice?
"It felt good to be back with the guy after being in the training room for about three or four weeks. Just to be able to get back yesterday and be with the guys and actually getting to practice again, it felt good. This is the best my body's felt in a while, so I feel pretty good."
Have you had an injury like that where you've missed time before?
"No, sir. This is my first actual injury like that, just to miss time. Hopefully, now I just keep it up to maintenance."
How tough was it on you to watch practice but not participate?
"It was very tough on me. Like I said, this is the longest I've sat out for anything. So, just to be away from the game for that long, it really set me back a little bit but I took the process on and I just got better every day. So, that's what I was doing in the training room."
What would you like to show everyone now that you're back healthy?
"Just showing them I'm a great team player, great hard worker. I just want to contribute to this team as much as I can and in as many ways as I can."
Do you feel like you have to make up for some missed time?
"Most definitely. Me just staying in the playbook, me being a young guy and knowing my role on this team. I'm going to have to make up for a lot of time but just to get better every day is my goal."
Have you dropped a pass yet?
"I don't recall any drops. I may have dropped one here and there, but I feel like I have pretty strong hands for a small guy."
What are you learning from the other wide receivers on the team, specifically the slot receivers like WR Bruce Ellington and WR Braxton Miller?
"Just the way the game is and how fast it is and learning different ways of how to run routes. Bruce has been in the league for a long time and Braxton is three or four years in, so now just to learn from those guys and D-Hop (DeAndre Hopkins) and even learn from the tight ends sometimes. It's really great. As much as much knowledge as you can suck up from those guys, the better."
What helps build chemistry with a quarterback?
"Just being able to be on the same page with the quarterback because he runs the show. The more you guys are in sync, the better the whole offense will run."
What's it like having WR DeAndre Hopkins as a leader within the wide receiver group?
"I feel like he's one of the best receivers in the league. Just for him to have that leadership like that in the receiver room is really beneficial for everyone. He knows the ins and outs of this game and how the game really goes."
Is WR DeAndre Hopkins a vocal leader or one who just leads by example?
"He's a very laid back guy, but on the field he's very vocal. He's a fearless guy. He's a guy that demands a lot from everybody, and we perform when he asks us to because he's a leader on this team."
Are you tired of the Drake song?
"Oh yes, I'm really tired of the Drake song right now."
Do your teammates sing Drake's 'In My Feelings' to you?
"Everywhere I go, it's just, 'Keke, do you love me? Keke, do you love me?'"
Do you have a dance prepared for when you score your first touchdown? Will it be the Shiggy Challenge dance?
"I don't know, yet. I might pull it out just because it's my name. So, I might pull it out soon."
You were named before the song came out, right?
"Right. I just don't like that song right now. It's one of my least favorites right now."
Does dancing in practice equate to team chemistry?
"Just a guy like Bruce (Ellington), for instance, he's a guy that's always dancing. Just have a good vibe around practice and be around guys like that who like to have a good time is very good."
Who's the best dancer among the receivers?
"Bruce (Ellington). Every song that comes on, Bruce is dancing to it."
What about your skillset will help you play in the slot?
"I feel like I have good route-running ability, but I still have room to improve. Great explosiveness getting in and out of breaks. So, for me, I just want to get better every single day and be the best contributor on this team that I can be."
