TEXANS INTERIM HEAD COACH ROMEO CRENNEL
(On how important the two long touchdowns were to Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller) “They were really important. On the one to [Brandin] Cooks, they had just scored on a touchdown themselves. For us to come back and score, that was good because it evened up the game. Then on the one to [Will] Fuller, after the interception being overturned for a touchdown, we threw the long ball and Fuller makes a great adjustment on the ball to catch it and run it in. It gave us a little cushion during the game. Those guys are tremendous players and work very hard every week. Today, it showed up on the field. We are happy they made those plays.”
(On how he felt Deshaun Watson played and how much he ran the ball today) “I kind of like him running because he was able to gain yards and didn’t get beat up too badly when he did. He is a magician. I don’t know how he was able to get out of those situations he was in, but he had a feel for finding the opening and being able to get through. When he is able to get through, he gains yards and keeps the sticks moving and keeps the momentum for the offense going. You can say don’t run it, but if you say don’t run it then you are not going to move the ball and then you will be asking me a different question then. I am ok with him running.”
(On leaving Bradley Roby home) “The Bradley Roby decision was a personal deal that we made together so I decided to leave him at home for this game. That’s all I am saying about that one.”
(On the defense being short-handed due to injuries) “Our guys stepped up because we did have some injuries. Guys got banged up and had to miss plays. Guys who were backing them up were able to step into it and do the job. They fought hard all game. (In) critical situations we were able to come up and make plays. Then we were able to win the game.”
(On J.J. Watt getting his 100th sack and his overall performance) “J.J. is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous pro. In my time here with J.J., he has done a little bit of everything. He intercepts balls. He causes fumbles. He tackles in the backfield. He invades the run and rushes the passer. He does it all. I feel really good about him getting his 100th sack. As he said, he appreciates getting his 100th sack with a team victory.”
(On Will Fuller’s work and what he was able to do on the long touchdown) “I think we saw today why I would only take deluxe nuts for Will Fuller. He made tremendous plays. He is a tremendous athlete. He is a tremendous receiver and I am so glad that we have him.”
(On if playing Duke Johnson more due to David Johnson’s injury altered the game plan) “No, not really, because both of them can execute the game plan. In the last game, we started getting Duke in a little more on third down and some on first and second after he stayed in on a third down. We have confidence in both guys even though they are a little bit of different type runners. They both are effective in gaining yards and picking up the blitz so they fit right in our package.”
(On if he considered going for it on the fourth-and-6 late in the game before punting) “It went through my mind. But I knew if I punted and we could back them up then going the length of the field would be more difficult than making it and going half the length of the field. I made that choice to punt and try to back them up.”
(On if Bryan Anger has the option to pull a fake on his own) “Not unless we tell him beforehand and we didn’t tell him beforehand on that one.”
(On if running on first down today worked more than passing in the last few games) “It just depends on what part of the game you are talking about. In the second quarter, they were able to run the ball on us, move down the field and get a score. But at critical points in the game, we were able to bow up and stop those inside runs which we felt good about it.”
(On the Jaguars running on first down) “Sometimes you make plays, sometimes you don’t. The thing I felt like we had going is the passing game. It’s been pretty productive. We were able to move the ball passing so you don’t have to rely on the run.”
(On how the rookies performed after being short-handed on defense) “The thing about the rookies is that they hung in there. Like [Jonathan] Greenard, he made more plays he has ever played around here. He hung in, even though he was tired, he kept going. That is the impact, having a guy who is willing to give the effort, line up out there and play. That is what a lot of the backups did today. They just stepped in and did their job so we could win the game and they helped us win.”
(On health updates to Charles Omenihu and Brennan Scarlett) “Yeah [Scarlett], he had a lower arm injury. They are going to take a look at it. They are going to get the x-rays and all that stuff. But, he had arm injury. On the leg injury to Charles [Omenihu], Charles is a really fast guy and sometimes fast guys strain their hamstrings so he has a hamstring. We will work through that. Hopefully, we will get as many of those guys who got banged up back soon.”
TEXANS QB DESHAUN WATSON
(On what he was thinking during his two long touchdown passes in today’s game) “Just give them space and let those guys go to work, especially the first one, the first drive to Brandin [Cooks]. He caught it, they made a great block on the outside and he got on the edge and once he gets on the edge with those guys, they got speed and they got some distance and they can really run so that’s all we needed was some little space and Brandon took his. Then with Will [Fuller V], I missed him earlier and he brought it to the sideline to me so I wanted to come back to him and give him a chance and I threw it up, he made a great catch and after that he did the rest. With guys like that, that can really run, you just give them a chance, get the ball in their hands and let them go to work.”
(On if he’s been trying to target WR Brandin Cooks and WR Will Fuller V more in recent games) “Of course. They’re the two receivers that we want to get the ball in their hands, but all the receivers. None of our receivers go into the game begging for the ball. Our job is to find the open guy depending on how things are going to do. Some games where like we played Green Bay, they bracketed Will [Fuller V] and let the other guys play free. This game, they kind of played a little more man and so everyone had opportunity depending on the concept and the route running and down and distance, so everything just played a part in that. The beauty of it is not one of our skill guys are selfish. All the guys want everyone to be successful. All of them want to go for 100 [yards]. We all encourage each other to keep doing it, so that’s the beauty of it and we just keep passing the ball around and running and when guys get their opportunity, take advantage of it.”
(On the threat of the WR duo of Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller V) “They make explosive plays, possession plays, everything. You got [Randall] Cobb, [Kenny] Stills when he comes in, and then get those tight ends rolling, it can be very, very scary. We’re still pinning the pieces together and getting that chemistry building up and things are continuing to roll.”
(On WR Will Fuller V not being traded amid conversation before the trade deadline) “Ain’t nobody going to do that. Would’ve been hell if they would’ve did that, for sure, honestly. But no, I’m glad to continue to play with Will [Fuller V]. We’ve been making a lot of big, big plays since I came in this league together and are going to continue to do that as we continue to go the rest of this year and hopefully the rest of our career.”
(On being able to make running plays for the Texans offense) “Teams know that, so they do things where they try to disguise. They have a linebacker, or depending on what the run concept is, sitting out there. So yeah, there’s opportunities for me…(inaudible).”
(If he made more of an effort to run the ball today and on Will Fuller V’s adjustment to catch the touchdown pass) “It wasn’t scheme based. I just made plays and the holes opened up so I just kind of took it and ran with it. But the play that he [WR Will Fuller V] made with that, the beauty for me is just give him a chance and he does a great job of adjusting, seeing the DB and playing the ball, and he went and got it and took it to the crib. For me, I just have to give those guys a chance to make plays.”
(On if he knew the play clock had expired on the Will Fuller V touchdown pass play) “Yeah I did, but we didn’t get no flag, so I guess that what money do.”
(On the offense in the fourth quarter) “I feel like, honestly, we could have done even a better job of really putting the game away when we had opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize. They did a good job, got to give them credit scheming up the third down, a couple third down pressures to get us off the field. We could’ve punched at least 10 more points, a touchdown and a field goal, in the fourth quarter that could’ve really put the game away. But that’s a good learning lesson for us to carry over to next week and really try to do that especially when we go on the road. We play Cleveland next week, so it’s going to be opportunity for us to improve that and try to put games away.”
TEXANS WIDE RECEIVER WILL FULLER V
(On the long touchdown pass and the adjustments he made) “He just threw it my way and gave me a chance. I saw that it was a good ball because the DB (defensive back) was over the top of me. It was an adjustment, come back to the ball and then didn’t see anyone in front of me and then just ran.”
(On what it means still being with the Texans and having six consecutive games with TD catches) “It means a lot. I want to be here. I love playing the game here. I love playing with DeShaun [Watson]. I got drafted here and be here my whole career, so I love it here. Just continuing to score every game and doing my best to help the team win. Hopefully we can keep stacking the wins.”
(On becoming a tandem with Brandin Cooks) “It’s great. If we’re both getting targets and the other guys too, Randall [Cobb] and Kenny [Stills], I think we can be a great offense, an explosive offense, but we have to keep it going and stay consistent.”
(On how demoralizing it is on a defense on their long touchdown receptions) “I think it’s very tough because like you said, it’s one play; it’s a big chunk play. It also opens up a lot of other things against a DB you are facing. I think it’s great we got those two big chunk plays.”
(On how the day went for him as the trade deadline passed) “To be honest, it really sucked being shopped around like that. Giving this organization my all and coming to work every day, I’m a very unselfish player and do everything they asked. To be shopped around, I did feel a certain type of way. Like I said, I am happy to be here and to play with DeShaun and to continue to try to get wins with this organization.”
(On if he will have almost being traded here on his mind as he moves to free agency) “I’m just focused on staying healthy and helping my team win.”
(On the relationship with QB Deshaun Watson and how it’s played into their success on the field) “For one, the chemistry. I think we’re going on four years now so it’s the longest I have ever played with a quarterback in my football life. I think just being that chemistry with all the practices we had have together. We’ve had four training camps together and a bunch of games. Just the chemistry and I think it’s going to continue to get better.”
(On what it’s like with the college rivalries between him and Watson) “It’s always fun when you have a guy on your team that went to a school that your college plays. I always regret losing to him while I was there (Notre Dame). We went up there to Death Valley, College GameDay was there and it was pouring. They had a great quarterback in DeShaun, and we came up short with two points. It’s always great to get bragging rights because that was a great game last night. I stayed up the whole time and watched it and the Irish pulled it out.”
TEXANS LINEBACKER ZACH CUNNINGHAM
(On what it was like playing with teammates he normally doesn’t play with) “Of course it’s sad when you see guys go down, but we’ve been playing with these same guys this entire season and even back before the season. It’s not like there’s new faces that are out there; it’s guys that you’ve been around and have played with so you still have that trust in them to step up and fill that role.”
(On if it was tough to play without Bradley Roby) “Yeah, he provides a big [role on] defense so it was definitely different having to go out there and play, but I felt like the guys that we had stepped up and got the job done.”
(On if he would call this his best game of the season and how did he feel out there) “I wouldn’t say my best game. I felt like I played good enough to get a W. I played decent out there, obviously I made some plays. There’s still more that I could’ve been able to do out there.”
(On how much communication does he have to have with newer players in the huddle) “Obviously, communication plays a big part. For me, just getting out there and making sure I bring the other guys along with me, anybody that’s coming in and hasn’t gotten those game reps in. Getting them in there and getting them acclimated to the speed and everything that goes on with the game, just bringing them along with me.”
(On if he felt extra pressure to pick up the slack with key players out) “No, I didn’t really feel that pressure. I trust all the guys that were able to come in and step into their roles, trust that they’re going to make their plays, they’re going to do their jobs, knowing that I could trust them playing around me. I didn’t really feel much pressure.”
TEXANS RUNNING BACK DUKE JOHNSON
(On his mentality on playing more and stepping in for David Johnson) “I mean, the biggest thing is always the next man up, just being ready for the opportunity. Coach talked this week about the next man up and being ready for the opportunity. That’s all that was – preparation, being ready, practice like I’m going to play, like I did today.”
(On how much two long touchdowns help the offense) “It helps a lot. Just knowing at any given time we can make a big play and score a touchdown from anywhere on the field.”
(On what he’s seen from this offense that has allowed it to grow from the start of the season) “I think it’s the trust and belief. We’re trusting the person calling the plays. We’re believing in Deshaun [Watson] and getting open for him and protecting him because we know if he’s off the ground and he’s on his feet, he can make any throw in the world.”
(On what impresses him about what QB Deshaun Watson does on the ground) “His ability to make plays out of nothing. A lot of times today he used his legs to get us a first down when we needed it. His read that he wanted to throw the ball wasn’t there, so he took off and had a lot of crucial runs for us today.”
(On if the passing game is working better this season than it was last season) “I think it’s still too early to tell. We still have a lot of football left to play, but we’re definitely making strides that we wanted to make. We have the playmakers that can make plays at any given time from anywhere on the field. We’re getting there, but there’s still a long season left and we still have a lot of football to play.”
TEXANS DEFENSIVE END J.J. WATT
(On what the feeling’s like to get his 100th career sack and another victory) “Thank you. It’s good to get a victory. Obviously we want to get as many of these as we can. Talked about it before, it’s not a fun feeling when you’re not winning, so to get a win today feels good. Made it closer than we should have, but you’ve got your top two corners out, top three outside linebackers out, starting middle linebacker out, to get a win today is good for our guys. Everybody rallied, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we got a win and got it done.”
(On Jonathan Greenard and Ross Blacklock’s performances today) “I was out there so I couldn’t watch them, but I’ll have to watch the film and see how they played. We got the win, so obviously they played well enough for that. I know that it’s very valuable to get those guys on film, to get those guys reps, for them to watch and learn and grow from, so no matter how they played, it’s good for the growth and that process. I‘m looking forward to watching the film and being able to go over it with them and help them grow.”
(On how he prepared to face a QB he’s never faced and his thoughts on Jake Luton’s performance) “I thought he played well. When you come out on the third play of the game and throw a 75-yard touchdown that’s got to be a pretty nice confidence boost for you on your first ever start. You prepare the way you prepare for anybody. You watch a little film, try and watch some of his college film, but I’m a defensive lineman, I’m not going to get a whole lot out of that. So you just prepare to play the football game and go out there and do what you do.”
(On what it means to him to reach 100 sacks and being the first Texan to do so) “Yeah, I’ve said it before, I appreciate the sentiment and everything. I probably should’ve done this three or four years ago so it’s not necessarily – it’s a big deal, but to me it’s past due. Like I told the guys in there, anytime a personal achievement in this game is accomplished it’s because of many, many people, it’s never just one person. This is the ultimate team game. It’s all my teammates, linebackers and DBs covering, D-linemen helping push the pocket, offense putting teams in tough situations where you get to rush the passer in the fourth quarter, all that stuff comes together, all the people behind the scenes helping you out. It’s a team sport and while it’s me who got to the 100 today, there’s a whole lot of people who had a hand in that, so I’m thankful to all them.”
(On what Tyrell Adams has done this season) “He’s got some juice, he flies around. He’s always got energy, he’s willing to fly around and throw his head in there. So I think he’s done a good job, and I’ve enjoyed it.
(On how the defense played in the fourth quarter) “Yeah, on that last drive – and we got them off with the strip sack and then they got the ball back and had a chance to go down the field and score – I mean I personally am looking forward to going back and looking at the film because the ref explicitly told me I was not held on the play, and I explicitly told him that I was so I’m interested to see how that one goes down. We’ve got to get off the field there before we get down to the two-yard line on a two-point play. As a defensive player, that’s what you live for. Obviously, like I said, we had all the guys we had out, but at crunch time you’ve got to find a way to make a play and at the two-point play we did, so we won the game. I’ll take it.”
