How much pressure does it put on you to be the guy to come and replace WR DeAndre Hopkins, and can you give us an update on your concussions?
"First and foremost, I think just being brought in in general as far as specifics of being brought in for a guy like DeAndre Hopkins or anything like that, I wouldn't necessarily say that. You're talking about a great player that's played a lot of great football in his years as a Texan. I'm just looking at it from the standpoint to just come in and help the team win as best as I can, so that's the way that I look at it. As far as the concussions, I'm doing great and I look forward to playing football. That's all I can say about that."
Can you tell us about the relationship you have with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Jack Easterby that you formed in New England, and your thoughts on being reunited?
"I can't say enough about a guy like Jack Easterby and what he's meant to me and my life just in that one year that I got to know him while I was in New England. He's a special human being not just for me, but for my family, and to be reunited is definitely a blessing. I look forward to it just because you talk about a guy that holds you accountable at a high standard. Those are the type of guys that you want to be able to work with and know that they're going to hold you to that accountability every single day. Gosh, I love Jack and I look forward to being back with him."
Why do you think your production was down last year with the Los Angeles Rams, and have you had a chance to talk with any of the Texans receivers you'll be playing with?
"To answer your first question, I think there were a lot of nuances that was going on last year, not just for me but from a team standpoint. We had a lot going on and at the end of the day I dealt with some things on the field, but that does not go to show what type of player I am, the production I've been putting in year in and year out since I've been in the league. That was just one of those off years, but it comes with the game. That definitely is not the trend that you should be looking for from me as a player. And have I talked with Kenny (Stills) and Will (Fuller V)? Absolutely. We've been meeting in our Zoom meetings as a team, but just on the side texting both of them, two great guys. I played with Kenny my first year in the league. They're doing a great job of just helping me along the way and I appreciate it."
What do you think you can bring to this Texans offense?
"First off, there's a lot of speed on this offense already. Usually I can say that, but you've got guys that are able to blow the top off from every single position in this offense. I think from a bigger standpoint, just a leadership role, just the way that I go about the game and my process, just being a veteran voice in that room with the special guys that are all the way around. I've been blessed and fortunate to play with such special quarterbacks. I look forward to just sharing that knowledge that I've learned from them with guys in the locker room."
What goes into establishing chemistry with a new quarterback, and what challenges do you expect specifically this season with the constraints of the pandemic?
"I think the biggest thing is, first and foremost, learning what I need to do in the offense and learning the playbook, where to line up and the process of how they go about things. A4s far as gaining that chemistry with a new quarterback, I think that's coming with throwing, whenever that may be, whenever we can get together and throw, but not just that, from this time when we're doing Zoom meetings, asking Deshaun (Watson) what he's looking for, what does he like to see from his receivers, what is he seeing in this defense and the way that he likes to throw things. We'll still be able to do that from that aspect, and from the physical aspect there's going to come a time and place, and I'm sure we'll pick it up pretty fast."
What is it like coming to a new team and having to be introduced through Zoom meetings, and what are you doing to stay in shape?
"I guess the great thing is from the Zoom part, we're all dealing with that part. But it's pretty similar as if you were in a classroom, just you're not physically there, but they do such a great job from a coaching standpoint in elaborating and sharing screens, so being able to put a voice to a face is still there, just not physically. Then from a physical standpoint, I'm working out every single day. I have a gym in my garage. The most important thing is, whenever we are able to go back, I think the biggest thing I tell guys is just be in shape and not taking this time as a time to relax or to sit back, just because you never know when we're able to get back out there as a team so you want to be ready."
Do you think playing with QB Deshaun Watson is going to help your skillset?
"You look at a guy like Deshaun, just watching him from a distance and now watching film on him now that I've joined the team, the guy can throw every single ball. He throws the deep ball so great. He's able to throw on the run and on the move. There's a lot that you look at and you're like, 'OK, what can this guy not do?' You can't answer that because he makes every single throw. So, I look forward to that from that standpoint and just being able to clash with the other guys like Kenny (Stills) and Will (Fuller V), and Randall (Cobb) and Keke (Coutee), and D.C. (DeAndre Carter). So, I look forward to just coming together as a group and just be the best group that we can possibly be."
After playing with Buccaneers QB Tom Brady and Saints QB Drew Brees, do you see some of those same characteristics in QB Deshaun Watson?
"Oh, no question. The hard thing right now is I'm watching everything virtually. I'm not able to get there in person and really get that feel. But you talk about from a film standpoint. Like, I said what I throw can he not make? He makes every single throw just like those guys, and just from the little bit that I'm gaining from him, his process and his hunger and his drive and dedication is there as well. That's what I've learned from those guys and saw from them every single day. So, I look forward to getting with him in person and really see that come alive."
What have your initial conversations been like with Head Coach Bill O'Brien and Offensive Coordinator Tim Kelly?
"First and foremost, you're talking about coaches that have a lot of energy. Talking to Billy O, I got off the phone with him and I felt like I wanted to run through a brick wall. I just can't wait to get out there on a field with a guy like that. Same thing with Coach Kelly, just through the process of our meetings. But as far the particulars, we'll just keep that to ourselves."
Why do you think you have been traded so much in your career, how did you get your nickname 'The Archer' and where do you think your speed comes from?
"The way that I look at it, I take it as a positive in that I'm wanted and that I'm valued at a high level still to this day. You look at all the trades, they all went for a first round [pick] and this one going for a second round. To be honest with you, I'm blessed to be able to go around and play with so many different teams and different quarterbacks and different organizations. For me, I don't look at it as a negative at all. I look at it as teams want me and former teams feel like 'Man, gosh, this is such a great deal for both sides. It's a win-win.' So, I don't think of it as a negative. I look forward to it. I'm a guy that adjusts pretty quick and wherever I go, like I tell people, I'm going to ball. I'm not worried about that. For my nickname, it just for me. My favorite bible verse is Psalm 144:6 'Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy. Shoot your arrows and rout them.' So, for me it's another way to glorify God, go out there and play, and just come up with a unique way to glorify him. As far as my speed, I like to think it came from when I was young. I remember racing my dad from across the street to the garage. It was one of those things that a lot of people say 'Where you born with it?' I would say it was a little bit of both. I had to work to really get that elite speed. I remember friends growing up that were actually faster than me, and they peaked at a certain time. For me, I felt like I also had to put that work in to become fast, and I was running track since I was seven years old all the way through high school, even my freshman year of college. I think it's just the journey and the process of track that helped me build that speed."
How fortunate have you been in your career to play with such good quarterbacks like Buccaneers QB Tom Brady, Saints QB Drew Brees, Rams QB Jared Goff and QB Deshaun Watson?
"I mean, come on now. You tell any receiver that they get to play with those four quarterbacks, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't complain at all. I learned something from each one of those guys and I'm extremely blessed to be able to implement that, not just into my game, but also my process and how I go about my everyday life on and off the field."
