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TEXANS QB MATT SCHAUB
(on if he, or Matt Hasselbeck is a better comedian)
I think you can flip a coin on that one, that's a 50-50 guess right there. I have heard he is a pretty good practical jokester but I feel like I have a few tricks up my sleeve myself.
(on Jacoby Jones stepping up last week)
He really stepped up and played well for us when we needed him to. He has always had that ability and to see it come through in a must need situation was very encouraging and we need him to come through a little more.
(on how he feels the play action has worked over the last few weeks)
Well, yeah a couple of years ago we were a very effective play action pass team and that was when we were struggling to get the run game going and then obviously last year being able to run the ball with Arian (Foster) more effectively even helped it out even more. It has always been a good part of our offense and a staple of what we do. We just need to continue to work it and continue to work your run game to be able to be effective with it.
(on if he got the day off today)
No, I didn't take the day off. I was out there today at practice. I felt good.
(on if the head coach encouraged him to take the day off)
It was kind of a feel situation, not having really done anything the past couple days and just get back out there and see how everything felt. It felt good and just proceeded from there.
(on the rivalry and the importance of the game)
It always is regardless of the position in the division or anything like that. It is a divisional game against two rivals and it is always a tough matchup and a challenging game on both sides of the ball. It is two teams that know each other well and a pretty physical game, but it is always one that comes down to the fourth quarter. Usually the team that has the ball last is the one that is going to affect the outcome of the game. We are excited for that challenge in a tough environment.
(on what the Ravens did to take away Owen Daniels last week)
They have a great defense and have been for a number of years, so they had a good plan. Their front is very strong and then their secondary is pretty veteran in some of the abilities that they have in their matchups to take some things away at the line of scrimmage and what you are trying to do. Owen has been a focal point of our offense for the last few years and this year especially, but they did a good job.
(on how the Titans defense looks different than previous years)
Obviously, some of the blitz packages and coverages that they are playing are a little bit different but there are only so many out there that you can run. They are not too different, but obviously it is about the players that they have in the lineup and they are very much the same as they have been in the past, the physical front seven and a veteran secondary that does a great job of reading things and adjusting to in-game situations.
(on how much different it is with Cortland Finnegan in the slot)
It definitely allows him to be a little freer in what he is doing. He is able to blitz more and read patterns and play against the third receiver and inside against tight ends and be able to read patterns a little bit more. It frees him up to be more aggressive on the inside.
(on if Cortland Finnegan is a good blitzing corner)
Yeah, he always has been, even in the days where he would blitz off the corner out wide from his position going up against running backs in pass-pro and he has always done a good job with that. With his experience he has even expanded that role more.
(on Derrick Mason getting more involved this week)
I think he can help us out a bunch with his experience and ability to pick things up quickly. He came in and in two days picked up his role as a player for our team in last week's game very quickly. With more practice time and more meeting time that role is even going to expand more. He is such a precise route runner and great hand hands and knowledge of the game that he has really picked things up very quickly.
(on a wide receiver lasting as long as Derrick Mason)
It's pretty amazing, and seeing how he is still able to move and have speed and quickness and getting in and out of cuts, you wouldn't think he is as seasoned as he is. He does a great job with things and taking care of himself. It's a credit to him and how he works.
(on if "seasoned" is a nice way to say old)
I was wondering if you were going to pick up on that. Yeah, I guess you could say that's the nice way of saying "the old man."
(on the Texans inability to finish games)
I think any team that doesn't win every single game and has some losses on your card, it's going to be said to not be able to finish. Every game in this business is close. Regardless of the outcome, they are always tough and contested and it always comes down to a couple plays and either you make those plays or you don't. When you are on the short end, that's the label you are going to get. You have to deal with it and find a way to make those plays at the end of the game in fourth quarter that pushed your team over the edge to victory.
(on if he is confident that that they will get over that "hump")
Of course we are confident that's coming. If you aren't confident in what you are doing then you are not going to do it anyway. If you believe in yourself and your team that you are going to get it done then you will. You just have to keep working at it and good things will happen to you.
(on what losing Mario Williams does for the whole team)
Well I think anytime you lose a guy of Mario's (Williams) caliber it's going to affect your defense or your scheme or your team in general. Guys have done a good job, Brooke (Reed) did a great job filling in. He is a young player getting an opportunity last week and injuries are a part of this game. Every team has to go through it and deal with them and you just have to have that next guy step up and fill in that void. It's more than just that one guy, it's the whole collective group that has to pick up the slack and find a way to pick up the production from that area and take control of things.