HOUSTON TEXANS
INTERIM HEAD COACH ROMEO CRENNEL (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
Could you talk about what it means to get the win and the performance of the defense with those two drives that started in your end?
“That was huge. The win was huge. You know, particularly the way that we started the season, not winning a game out of four, and then being able to come here at home and play a tough game, hang in there. All phases made a contribution to the victory, and then we had several players who stepped up and did very well. The quarterback played well. The receivers played well. The runners were able to run. The line blocked defensively. I think we were under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season and got some turnovers, which we hadn’t been getting. So all of those things combined help us win the game.”
What about those two drives in which they started in your end and did not score?
“Well, I think we got a turnover on one of them, but that’s huge when you can hold a team down and keep them from driving the ball and scoring, particularly when the game is a close game, because this is a game of momentum. And if they were able to drive it and score, then the momentum shifts to them. But then when we make the stop, the momentum shifts to us. The guys on the defense and the offense, as well, because they appreciate the stop. So I thought both sides complemented each other in those areas.”
Your thoughts on WR Brandin Cooks? Until today, he and Deshaun hadn’t really gotten into a consistent rhythm. And talk about how the game plan worked today with Offensive Coordinator Tim Kelly being able to open some things up?
“The reason he’s here is because he has ability and has produced in this league, and so today we were able to see what he can do. You know, in the past four games or whatever, I know Deshaun has said sometimes when he
made his read, Cooks wasn’t there, but today Cooks was there and they connected. And then once they started connecting, you keep feeding him, and he had a great game in production and helped us win.”
What are your thoughts on how Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach Tim Kelly did today now that he’s the play caller and what he was able to do? What was the strategy? What were you attempting to do today offensively?
“Well, win for one. That’s the main thing, we wanted to win. But then offensively, we wanted to try to run the ball a little bit and then use the passing game. And the running game complements the passing game, so if you can gain some yards on the ground – I mean, you don’t have to be a juggernaut on the ground – but if you can gain some yards then that opens up the passing game a little bit. So I think that that worked well today.”
What was the mood in that locker room? What was it like walking into the locker room after you got your first win of the season?
“The players were really excited about winning the game. It was our first win this year, and so they were really excited about it. I think they felt good about the way they played the game and the situations that came up in the game that they were able to fight through and make plays and make stops, and so they felt really good about those things. And so as a result they felt really good about the win. You know, I told them that they were better than the record showed going into the game, and I think that they believed that to a degree, and then they won the game, so now they might believe everything I tell them.”
Could you see that energy and that different attitude that you said you wanted to see going into this game? “Yeah, I saw the fight during the course of the game. I didn’t see anybody going to the tank when things went wrong, they said, ‘let’s go, let’s pick it up,’ and then boom, that’s what they did. They picked it up and they fought all the way to the end.”
It’s been a while since you’ve been a head coach; what was it like for you to be back down there and be in charge of things for the first time in a while?
“I think for me it was easy because the guys were playing good, offensively and defensively and special teams. The coordinators were making good calls. The coordinators had their guys ready to play, and the execution was good. You know, I know (Brandin) Cooks and the defense, but Ka’imi (Fairbairn), he made some kicks that helped us. And so the whole team as a group, I think they played very well.”
You said you can’t make a whole bunch of changes in one week. Were there things that you did that you think helped these guys loosen up for this week?
“Well, I think maybe my personality, you know. I do smile some. I can joke with them a little bit. I think that and the change – anytime there’s a change, attitudes change just a little, and so that we were able to win the game, and I think that that helped. If we had lost the game, it would be a different story, but because we won the game, I think that everyone wants to say what did I do. Well, the players are the ones who did it, and that’s what I’ve been telling them all week, that they have the ability to do it, and you try to show them evidence that they can do it, and then now they have to go out and perform, and they did a good job today.”
After the first series your run defense was great. Was it as simple as being disciplined and playing your gaps? “After that first series, I think what happened is we settled in. We settled down and started playing better run defense. I know on one play there was a cut. We had a pressure on, and the cut back got in between the pressure and the guy stunting inside and they were able to gain some yards. But once we settled it down, we were able to slow that running game down, and then what that does is that helps the pass rush when they have to start throwing, and the guys can kind of pin their ears back. So I think that that was it.”
Tell us about that fourth down call, why you went for it to get the touchdown instead of kicking a field goal. You mentioned Fairbairn had been kicking well and he had.
“Well, I’ll tell you what, that was a great move on his part to get the touchdown. All I was trying to do was get the first down because it was a two-score game. And the field goal, even though it would have put points on the board, potentially it might not have made a difference if they had gone down and scored. And so I wanted to try to get that done and kind of put it out of reach and make it much tougher for them to have a chance to come back.”
WR BRANDIN COOKS (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
How did it feel to have this kind of breakout game after a slow start to the season, and what do you think were some of the keys to getting that downfield connection going?
“It feels good from the overall standpoint of the offense, going out there and playing complementary football when we had the chance. So you know, just blessed from that standpoint and just getting everybody going, and at the end of the day when you do that, it seemed like everything clicked. For personally, I’m just thankful. Deshaun was throwing great passes today, o-line was blocking well, running backs, as well. It takes a collective effort, and so I’m just thankful from that standpoint.”
Was the strategy and feeling any different with Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach Tim Kelly that allowed you to get going today?
“I just think it’s one of those things you felt that’s where the game was going. You call your opportunities, you just try to take advantage. It wasn’t nothing in particular, just came out and had a great day, even from a coaching standpoint.”
Could you take us through the fourth down conversion that you turned into a touchdown? What did you see and what was the moment like for you?
“I think that moment defined the trust right there. Not only from a player to player standpoint but from a coach to player standpoint. You know, calling it in a ‘got to have it’ situation. All guys were open, he just happened to come to me, and I just tried to do my best to make something happen for the offense. He threw a great ball and the rest was history.”
What was different for you and QB Deshaun Watson today?
“I think it was just more so we all getting involved. It was just one of those things, I wouldn’t say anything was different. The ball happened to come my way. Everyone was making plays today, and when you have that, it seemed like everything just goes well for everyone.”
What was it like playing in the first game for Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel, and was there anything different he did or a different energy he brought today?
“It was great. You’re talking about a coach that has a lot of history in this league and a lot of respect for him and everything that he’s done. So, once again, trusting him, and he put us in a position just to go out there and play great ball on both sides of the ball and trusted us as players and coaches. So other than that, just the respect that you have for him, the guy is awesome. Yeah.”
What does it mean to get this win, to get your first win of the year?
“It means a lot. At the end of the day just getting a win on the column and trying to take that momentum and continue to take it day by day, game by game. We see what we can do as an offense and a defense and special teams together when we all play together and complementary football. So, to be able to get that win, it just gives you that joy of all that work that you put in throughout the week pays off.”
What was the locker room like?
“Exciting. I mean, when you win, you’re always excited, right?”
RB DAVID JOHNSON (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
What was the feeling like to have a victory just after you guys got off to such a slow start? What was it like to win this game and score some points doing it?
“It was great, man. The feeling is amazing. Just with everything going on the last four games, it feels good to come out and get a victory the way we did. Everyone complementing each other – defense, offense, special teams – and the locker room was very joyous, everyone was excited, everyone was jumping, just pumped to get this first win.”
What are your thoughts on your performance and on Offensive Coordinator Tim Kelly’s strategy and what he was trying to do?
“I ran the ball pretty well. Still had some runs I wish I could have got back, a couple of them. Just trying to do too much sometimes instead of just relaxing, being patient and letting our guys up front do their jobs and me just being patient running the ball. But overall, I feel like it was great, especially at the end of the game. We needed to get the first down or we needed to run the ball to really finish the game, and we did a great job.”
On the last series, how much did it mean to you knowing they wanted to run the ball, run out the clock and they called on you and you ran it so well? What does that mean for you, what you mean to the running game? “It means a lot. At the end of the day, that four-minute is very huge for an offense, especially with our defense being on the field and doing what they did at the end of the game. We really wanted to give them a break, and it really just made me feel confident that they gave me the ability, the opportunity to run the clock out, run the ball, and I just wish I would have capitalized and score the touchdown at the end.”
Do you feel like you all are getting a grasp for what you are trying to do offensively, schemes, terminology, all that stuff? How would you say that stuff is better now than in the beginning when you first got started? “I think the biggest thing is we’re just starting to figure out how to play with each other. Obviously with no preseason games and stuff like that, it was hard doing everything virtually. It’s tough to get a real feel for how we play as a unit, how we try to play together. Hopefully, we can continue this success and I can continue to do my job. Obviously, like I said, on some of the runs, not just the runs but the passing game, I missed a couple of those, as well. Just trying to improve on those, correct the mistakes and continue to have success.”
What was it like in the first game with Romeo (Crennel) as the head coach? What was the vibe out there with him for the first time?
“I think he was just trying to make sure everyone was doing their job. They didn’t have to do too much. He wasn’t asking anyone to go out of their element, out of their skill set. I think the biggest thing isjust do your responsibility, do what you were brought on this team to do, and I think that is really what helped us get over this hump and getting this first win.”
When the receiving in the passing game is just as explosive as it was today, can you get a sense for how it changes the way the defense defends you and defends the run as the game goes on? “I think the biggest thing is that they have to really try to figure out who they’re going to match on either me or a tight end because they’re bringing a safety on me or a tight end, that leaves open holes for the other receivers to get open. And it really just puts them in a bind, who they’re going to try to pick on to either double team, or like I said, put the faster guy on, on us as a unit. It’s really going to hurt them and put them at a disadvantage.” -back to top
CB BRADLEY ROBY (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
What was it like playing for Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel in his first game as coach? “I enjoyed it a lot. I think this week he did a great job of just keeping us loose and really wanting to play for him. I think it was just a good job by him at a hectic time and to keep everybody loose, crack some jokes here and there, and it wasn’t really pressure out there today. He set the expectation to win and we did it.”
It looked like a much more aggressive game plan. You guys were sending defensive backs on blitz pressures, you’re getting home and sacking the quarterback. How much does that build momentum as a defense as the game goes on and how can you carry that forward?
“Yeah, we just wanted to pressure them and not let them just get comfortable back there, and we did a great job. We were back there, and I could tell from the secondary that he was kind of unsettled early. We got some sacks and some pressure, and I think he had some trouble with that, and he was kind of panicking back there. Any time you can get the offense unsettled and the quarterback rushing his throws and things like that, you’re going to be successful, and that was our plan today.”
How could you guys build on that going forward? Everybody mentions this word “fun.” It’s fun when you pressure, it’s fun when you take the football away.
“Yeah, and it’s fun to win. We’re going to just keep it going and stay light, you know. We know we have a good team. We just have to play complementary football, and I think this was the first game where when the offense was going, we were stopping them, and when we were stopping them, the offense was going, and that’s how you win ball games. I think as long as we carry that and we play as one unit, one family, we’ll be good.”
Speaking of complementary football like you just mentioned, when you’re a defensive player on the sideline and you watch your team go for it on fourth down and 4, and (Brandin) Cooks catches it and runs it into the end zone, what was that like for you as a defensive player to see that?
“I loved that. I love that aggressive mentality, like let’s end this game, let’s not leave anything to chance, or they might score or get an onside, none of that. We want to end them. And I was proud of the offense, how they played today, and they put them away, and all we had to do was just stop the bleeding and don’t give up any big plays toward the end.”
We heard Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel has some pretty cool old-school moves. Did you get a chance to see it?
“Man, he did like five dances. He did the Soulja Boy, he did the Macarena, he started doing the disco. I didn’t know what he was doing. It was funny though. It was funny, man. That’s what it’s all about. NFL games are hard to win, so just playing in the league so long, you’ve got to enjoy each one.”
What about the takeaways? What went right for you today and how can you build on it moving forward? “That’s a big thing we’ve been focused on is just getting the ball, because you can’t win if you’re losing the turnover battle every game. If your offense has the ball more than the other team, then you’re going to win most likely. That was a big focus this week is that we wanted to get our first takeaways and we got two today. No interceptions yet and that’s killing me specifically, but they’ll come. They’ll come. I’m just happy we got the win, and we’ve got to keep forcing those turnovers in the future.”
S MICHAEL THOMAS (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
What did it feel like to get a victory and to do it with Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel, a guy that you guys obviously have strong feelings for as a coach and as a person? What was this like?
“Man, first off, I’ll just say everybody has much respect for OB (Bill O’Brien), and anytime you go through a coaching change like that, especially this season, I’ve been through that before, you wish them nothing but the best. Got respect for him, everybody in the locker room has respect for OB.
But to answer your question, it felt good to get out there and get a win because everybody felt loose, felt relaxed, and they know ‘RAC’ (Romeo Crennel), who was just trying to put us in the best position knowing that we were amongst the storm and knowing we had some big changes this week, but he just kept everybody focused, he kept everybody loose at the same time, like hey, these are the fundamentals you need to focus on to get a win. All we were focusing on was getting win one and he made sure that was everybody’s main goal. And to see everybody fly around out there today was fun. Everybody was smiling, making plays, feeding off each other, even when something bad might happen, interception here, we have a big play here — offensive players, we got y’all’s backs; defense, we got the offense’s backs. Special teams was trying to force those missed kicks, and then to hear ‘RAC’ (get the big boom calls in the locker room after the game and we presented him with the game ball, that was amazing, man.”
How much did it mean to the defense for the Jaguars to start two series and you’re into the field, you didn’t give them a point?
“Right, oh, man. Like that boosted a lot of our confidence, man. It probably gave us that momentum to really believe in — like it doesn’t matter what happened, it doesn’t matter the situation, we’ve just got to take the field and try to close it as an opportunity to have the rest of our team’s back, to have the offense’s back, to have the special teams’ back. Like it’s on us to go out there and get a stop, and I think that was huge. I think that was what sparked us just really having that belief that we were going to go out there and win that game, stopping them when they get to the goal line. You know, the first field goal that was missed, then we throw an interception, we’re less than a minute, 30 seconds left, go out there, get a stop, hold them, and then they miss the field goal again. I think that was huge, that was big for the momentum of this team. It was big for the defense to understand like look, we’ve got the confidence to go out there and stop them every time we get on the field.”
In what ways do you feel the defense was a bit more efficient this game versus the previous four games? “Yeah, I think we just had it — put it on ourselves that we had to go out there and execute. We had to finally go out there and believe in the game plan. We had to believe that — what we said the other team was going to do that they’re going to do and this is the defense that we need to be in and execute that and stop them. I think that’s what happened. We finally believed in the game plan. We finally went out there and executed at a high level. When the plays were there to be made, players made the play. Whenever you had to set the edge, players set the edge. If you had to make the tackle, players made the tackle. I think that was the difference in this game, and with that there was more energy, guys fed off each other. We had a couple injuries, so some new guys that stepped up in roles. I think Tyrell Adams played a hell of a game today. That’s my brother, especially we’ve battled it out on special teams a lot, so it was great to see him flying around out there making plays, and everybody just fed off of each other today.”
Can you talk about what K Ka’imi Fairbairn has done this year?
“Man, Ka’imi (Fairbairn), he’s having a hell of a season. Proud of him. Obviously we’ve got a close-knit group with this special team unit. Even when guys go down, we have some young guys step up, and it was great to see them fly around there today. And Ka’imi, he’s focused. We see it every day at practice. He doesn’t feel like the pressure. He’s just going out there trying to execute and get points every time he steps on the field. We’re right behind him. We’re rallying with him. That’s our kicker, and he knows that this team is depending on him to get points, and he’s executing every single time he’s getting out there. Shout-out to Jon Weeks and ‘Banger’ (Bryan Anger) for going out there and having great operation time.”
QB DESHAUN WATSON (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
What was this like to right from the start come out firing the football and be able to get into a rhythm with WR Brandin Cooks and Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach Tim Kelly’s approach to the game and his strategy?
“Yeah, that was the biggest thing. I know Cooky (Brandin Cooks) didn’t have a catch last week so we wanted to get him going early. He had a big day, made some big-time catches. But that’s what we wanted to do, just kind of set the tone from the jump and get myself in a rhythm because as far as I go, the offense goes. We of course wanted to establish the run as much as possible, but if the passing was working, we want to continue to do that to get those guys to soften up a little bit, and of course they made a couple — they got my hand on one throw, the interception, and the other interception. I actually put it out a little bit more and Sidney Jones tipped it up for the safety, so they made two good plays on that, but outside of that everything was pretty much clean. And the David Johnson throw in the back of the end zone, I had just a hair of a second, they had a little game and I got hit so I had to throw it a little early, but outside of that, everything else was pretty clean, and that’s what we wanted to do as an operation, just focus on that and getting in a rhythm.”
WR Brandin Cooks mentioned the confidence to go for it on fourth down. For the coaches to have that trust in you as players, how much did that mean to you to put away the team that way but for the coaches to do it in that manner?
“That’s what we have to do. We want to set the tone. If we want to win some games in this league, especially divisional games, we’ve got to set the tone. We’ve got to go for it. And we’ve got to put our best players in positions to go make big-time plays, and that’s what he did today, and we capitalized. Made a good throw where he could catch it, and he made a great run after that and we put it away from there. Then the defense made a stop and did their job, and we ended the game. That’s how we want to end the game. Everyone came out healthy and it was good.”
What was the feeling for you to finally get the win, and what do you think y’all need to do to build on this? “We’ve just got to continue to have fun and continue to build the momentum, continue to keep guys healthy, continue to prepare and just be loose. Not too loose, but at the same time just have fun. Regardless of what happens, good or bad, because each team is very, very good, and each team is going to make plays. It’s hard to score points in this league. It’s hard to stop people in this league. For us, just to keep building and just take it one week at a time, that’s our mentality. We’re not looking four to six weeks down the road or anything. We expect to win each and every week, and we’re going to go into each game and you’re going to get our best, and you’re going to get everything we got. We have nothing to lose. That’s the mentality we have to have and just keep stacking them each and every week. We’ve got to continue to ride this wave and build on it, you know.”
Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel mentioned to me that what he wants more than anything out of you is to just be yourself, and you mentioned that word loose. He clearly has so much faith in you to go out there and make plays. How much does that help you, and how can you build on that aspect going forward? “Yeah, it’s just me personally, I think sometimes I’m a little too hard on myself. I want to be so perfect, and it just kind of causes mistakes, and everyone says it. A lot of guys, not just Romeo (Crennel), but even when Coach OB (Bill O’Brien) was here, he was saying the same thing, Tim Kelly, AJ (McCarron), all the receivers, just be me, just play loose, just let it rip. Something bad happens, hey, forget it, you go to the next play. That’s me and my mindset. Sometimes I get too hard on myself, just wanting to be so perfect and wanting to make every play. But I can’t do that, I’ve got to continue to just take one play at a time, take what the defense gives me and do what’s best for the team, and for me to do that I’ve just got to continue to be loose, continue to have fun and bring that joy and bring that confidence so it can spread throughout the team and give this city and give this organization hope that we can go win games.”
When you have one big game like this with WR Brandin Cooks, what can that do for the connection between you guys moving forward? What sort of confidence can it give you?
“I mean, a lot of confidence, building just — for myself to be able to rip it whenever he’s playing, whenever he’s got a guy on him or he’s running free open, I can just rip it and he’s going to catch it and make something happen. For all those guys, we’re very excited. You never know who can make a big play. One week it’s Will (Fuller V), one week it’s Cooky (Brandin Cooks), one week it’s (Randall) Cobb, then one week it could be (Kenny) Stills or the tight ends. We have so many weapons that can really be very, very explosive. We’ve just got to make sure we take advantage of those times and those opportunities for us to do that.”
You guys all mentioned being loose and having more fun, and I know that comes with some success on the field, but how much does Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel’s personality fit into you guys having a looser week in preparation for the day?
“Yeah, he was very loose. The memes are very, very hilarious. And he doesn’t do it on purpose, at least I don’t think so. But that’s just his personality. And he’s just very loose, got guys laughing and enjoying and wanting to come to meetings, and he lets the coaches and the staff just do how they want to coach us and have our own sessions and own units, and then we play as one complementary football, one team, and that’s what it’s all about, it’s about being a family and just supporting and serving one another.”
Would you describe Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel’s dancing in the locker room? We heard there’s no video unfortunately.
“I kind of missed it because I was doing the broadcast thing outside, so I came in towards the end. So I didn’t really get to see it. Yeah, next time. Next week we get the victory, I’ll make sure that I can get in there a little faster so I can see it.”
TE Darren Fells’ speed, pretty good in your opinion?
“I think he was running slow. He almost got caught, so we’ve got to work on that, too. He made it to the end zone but he almost got caught. If he had another five, ten yards, I don’t know if he would have made it.” -back to top
DE J.J. WATT (Transcribed by ASAP Sports)
What was the feeling like to get a victory in Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel’s first game as interim coach and get this done today?
“It was great. We had a lot of fun today. We had a lot of fun offense, defense, special teams. Everybody pitching in. Whenever something went wrong, the other group was ready to step up and make a play to make it right. Nobody hung their heads. Everybody was ready to roll, had great energy. I thought the fans were great, had a great vibe from the fans. It was just a lot of fun. For Romeo (Crennel), seeing his dance moves in the locker room after the game were a real treat, so that was enjoyable.”
That’s the best game you’ve had on run defense this season. How do you account for that especially against a good young back in RB James Robinson, and what was the plan?
“Yeah, he’s a good running back. I mean, all week long we harped on the fundamentals, we harped on everybody doing their job, getting back to the basics a little bit, and I thought we did that well. Obviously, that in conjunction with stopping them early in the game, offense putting up points and then putting them in situations where they had to throw the ball late in the game makes a massive difference. We’re very pleased with the way we played on defense today. We have to continue to do that and improve and get ourselves even better.”
You mentioned having fun; how much of what looked like a very aggressive game plan defensively helps that fun, and then what does it do for you not only today but going forward to see guys get to the quarterback and create those turnovers?
“Yeah, it was great. Guys were flying all over the place, making plays, and any time we’re doing that, once you finally get takeaways like we did today, it’s always going to be more fun. It was a great day, and we’ve got to carry it forward and continue to get better.”
You talked about a lot of things that y’all did better today. What do you think was the biggest key to being able to get that first win today?
“Just everybody doing their jobs, everybody — like I said, whenever anything bad happened, whether it was a big play on defense or an interception on offense, the other group was ready to pop up off the bench and ready to go out there to make a play to make it right, and I think that was a big thing for us today. I thought the energy was great. I thought from the time we got into the stadium today, the guys had great energy, the fans had great energy, and it was fun. We had fun. And that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
I’m pretty sure I had a football question, but then you mentioned Romeo Crennel’s dance moves. Tell me about the dance moves of the oldest coach to coach a game in the NFL.
“I don’t even think we got video of it, which makes me the most sad, but hopefully we can have him dancing all year long. It was pretty impressive. There were certainly some old school moves in there. But he had the locker room riled up. It was a pretty awesome atmosphere.”
It seemed like you had some pretty cool battles with the tackles, with the Jaguars tackles. Could you tell us a little bit about that, what you thought of OL Jawaan Taylor and OL Cam Robinson and some of your head-to heads with them?
“Yeah, I felt like I couldn’t buy a sack today but I could get a lot of pressure. Got one holding call actually called, which was a positive for the trend of holding calls for the year if you just look at the percentages. I think they’re down like 59, 60 percent on the year. We kind of know it is what it is. You’ve got to find a way to get back there, find a way to make plays, and if a double team or a triple team opens up other guys to get the sack, I’m all for that. I don’t care who gets it as long as we get it. That’s all that matters to me.”
They started drives at your 36 and 27 and did not score. How much did that mean to this win? “Yeah, that was massive. Obviously very difficult to do. But like I said, that kind of goes back to what I said earlier. Whenever anything went wrong, the other group is ready to pop up off the bench and say we got this, and I think that was a huge thing for us today is that there was no point where anybody hung their head, there was no point where anybody got down on themselves, it was just what do we have to do next to make this win happen, and all day long everybody had this kind of ‘we got this’ mentality, and that’s what it took, and that’s how we got the win.”
