I believe the Texans match up very well with the Ravens - So I will go with an 11 point Texan win. DD
If the Texan destroy ravens like the broncos did, are we gonna get as much credit as them? So far they have played ravens and giants... They'll play Oakland next. We played chargers and titans... With ravens next.
We're still around the 3-4 range in the majority of power rankings...so at least were not being overlooked. If we dominate the Ravens, I think we'll definitely get a lot of credit...but the Broncos have won handily in both weeks, so they should be getting the higher praise, so far.
Kubiak talking to the Baltimore media: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Andre Johnson "should be ready to go" per Texans coach Gary Kubiak. Offensive tackle Duane Brown (toe) status to be determined end of week</p>— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/380338809755291648">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ed Reed is as "close to playing" as he has been, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said</p>— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/380338992454967296">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Giants defense is terrible. And ravens seem to be terrible and if we so destroy ravens that should be a wash. Oakland is terrible also. Rivers and company aren't that bad and titans seem great also.. I understand beating opponents badly but we did that last year in the beginning or so and we never got the praise broncos are getting.
This is the first of only two times the Texans will play on artificial turf during the regular season. The other time will, of course, be at Indy on 12/15. All other games will be played on real grass. Game Release Video Trailer Uniform: White jersey / Blue pants TV Distribution Map (Texans game in red -- 1st CBS map) Win Probability Graph (will be live during game) Spoiler <iframe width="500" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://live.advancednflstats.com/featureGraph.php?team=HST" name="game" ></iframe> Weather forecast: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High near 77. Wind from the NW at 6 mph. Go Texans!
Sorry, meant to add this in previous post. It appears that Kubiak is either being extra cautious or trying to protect Reed from criticism. Maybe both.
I'll be damn impressed with this team if we win this week. Duane Brown either out or playing on a freshly injured turf toe meaning Schaub is going to be vulnerable against Dumervil/Suggs, and Ed Reed either out of making his first start against a team that loves the deep ball.
Jacoby Jones is also out; that is probably worth one score on a run back. If Reed doesn't play the Texans got cheated on his signing.
Quotes from Wednesday: Head Coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (opening remarks) “Obviously, two guys that didn’t practice are (WR) Andre (Johnson) and (T) Duane (Brown). Other than that, we’re back to work.” (on the status of WR Andre Johnson) “Andre’s fine. He’s doing really good. Expectations are for him to practice tomorrow with his pads on and that’s the last stage before you can before on to playing again. So the expectations are for him to be able to do that. If today’s an indicator, then we should be there tomorrow.” (on T Duane Brown’s status) “No, he did not practice. Actually, we didn’t even take him over to the field. We left him in. obviously, you all know he has a sprained toe. It’s going probably an end of the week decision, but you’ve got a player how can play without practicing. He’s got plenty of football under his belt. He knows what we’re doing. We’re just totally committed to the treatment room throughout the course of the week and we’ll see where we’re at at the end of the week.” (on if he has any indication that WR Andre Johnson will play this week) “Yeah, form what I’m seeing right now, yeah. There’s still that stage, wherever the stage is, I know the last stage is practicing in pads again with the team. So that’s the expected to happen tomorrow. I just walked in with him here, so the expectations are for him to do that and we’re on to Friday and ready to go.” (on if he’s optimistic that T Duane Brown will play) “I don’t know. We’ll have to see. Obviously, we’ve battled through it in a game. It was obviously bothering him, but he battled through it for his team and was very very sore. We’re taking the approach that he’s better off in the training right now than being out there standing around, so we put him in a boot and, like I said, we’ll see where we’re at. I have no feeling one way or the other right now.” (on the status of FS Ed Reed) “He took a full-load of practice today, the most he’s taken. S. we continue to move toward him playing, but I still say it’s going to be an end of the week decision. We’ll see how he comes out of this and how he comes out of tomorrow. If the progression stays the same, then obviously we’re real close.” (on what his comfort level is with T Ryan Harris playing at left tackle if T Duane Brown is unable to play) “I feel good about Ryan. He had played a lot of football for us last year with our situation with (T Derek) Newton missing time. Ryan’s played a lot of football. He played a lot in Denver, so I’m very comfortable with him. That’s why he’s here. If you have situations like this, guys have got to step up. That’s part of the NFL grind and finding the way to answer the bell in those situations. Yeah, we obviously have a lot of confidence in him.” (on T Ryan Harris playing mostly at right tackle in the past and now maybe having to play left tackle) “Well, he practices both. He’s our swing guy every day, so he practices right and left all of the time and he played a lot of left in Denver. So we’re comfortable with that.” (on if T Duane Brown’s toe had been bothering him prior to this past Sunday) “No, it happened on that given play.” (on WR DeAndre Hopkins’ role if WR Andre Johnson can’t play on Sunday) “His role doesn’t change. He’s going to play the same spot. Nothing’s going to change. It’s not like we’ll give him Andre’s plays. He’s going to play the same spot. He’s gaining confidence, just watching him practice today. He comes out of the game making some plays and boy he goes out and practices really well today. I think he’s gaining confidence in game plans. He’s gaining confidence in himself. That’s kind of what I told you all after the game, it was great to see, but boy it’s really fun to know how much better he can get.” (on how much it helps having WRs Keshawn Martin and DeVier Posey if WR Andre Johnson can’t play) “Yeah, it’s importan.t I think Keshawn has been doing a good job and obviously made some big plays in the game the other day. Posey’s about, I would say, he’s very very close to being himself again after watching him practice today. His role’s fixing to pick up for the team and he’s playing very well on special teams. Yeah, they’ll all be important for us when all is said and done.” (on the contributions from the TEs Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham this year) “Yeah, they have touchdown catches, you’re right. I have confidence in both of them. How we kind of got played, especially the first week, we stayed in a bunch of two tights. Last week, we did a great deal again. But I have confidence in all three of them. I think our young one’s (TE Ryan Griffin) going to be a good player too. You’re going to start to see him play more and more. It keeps the field balanced. Some of the things we’re getting done to us defensively, our tight ends have got to play good. They’ve got play very good inside with what’s going on with Andre and some of those things. They’re a big part of what we’re doing and obviously they’re off to a good start.” (on signing TE Nathan Overbay to the practice squad) “Yeah, we put him on the practice squad. Well, we have a little past experience with him. He’s a big guy number one. A lot of our interchangeable practice squad situations has to do with what’s going on in practice. You’re missing (T) Duane (Brown) and we need some big bodies out there. The kid had to play everywhere today. (DE Keith) Browner’s playing tackle on scout team. You’re surviving as the week goes on and you’re trying to set your practice squad each week to help you get ready for that team.” (on the signing of TE Nathan Overbay and if that had to do with his affinity for tight ends) “No, we like the guy. He worked out good, but there are some other things going on with us that we have to kind of take care of some guys on the field right now.” (on TE Owen Daniels and how steady he has been) “Yeah, I did no mention, he did not practice today, but that’s strictly a rest day for Owen. Owen’s a fine player and I think the program we’ve kind of gotten him on here the past couple of the years has really helped him. He’s had a couple of knee issues along the way in college and pro. Owen’s a guy that can give you two days of practice and still be at the top of his game. I feel very comfortable with him.” (on TE Garrett Graham starting off slowly with the organization and now contributing a lot) “Yeah, we really liked him. Kind of a lot like I’m talking about our young one (TE Ryan Griffin) right now. I think if he was forced into action, I think you would see him make some plays. We’ve been fortunate at that position. I think (TEs Coach Brian) Pariani does a great job with those guys. We always have versatile guys. I think our scouting department has done a good job of bringing in guys that can block and run. We don’t have the big guy and then the receiving guy. They all look the same so to speak. So I think it helps us.” (on what has changed for WR Andre Johnson now that WR DeAndre Hopkins is opposite of him) “Nothing’s changed for him. They’re paying a lot of attention to him still. I don’t think that’s changed. He’s getting a lot of work, a lot of rolled coverage his way, which is expected. The good news is we had some other guys step up and makes some plays in that situation the other day.” (on how P Shane Lechler has been playing) “I’ve used the word ‘weapon.’ It’s hard to say you’re punter is a weapon, but he is because he can flip the field. First off, he does a great job of pinning people, but, when you get backed up, he can really flip the field with the big punts. He’s helped our special teams room. I think his leadership, them naming him the captain kind of tells you. I think Shane’s kind of wanted to come home for a few years. I’m glad he’s here now.” (on FS Ed Reed’s return to Baltimore and if that’s a big reason for him maybe playing this week) “I’ve been asked that a couple of times the last two days, I don’t sense that it’s like this is an earmark. No, I don’t. I think he has been giving us everything he has to come back and I think he was standing there Sunday saying, ‘I can give you all something.’ We just felt like we would make the other decision that was the best decision. I see the same driven guy that I’ve seen the first few weeks. I think it just happens that, here we go to some place to where he’s played. That’s just part of it.” (on if FS Ed Reed thought he could play this past Sunday) “I think he felt like he could play, yes. As a matter of fact, I know he felt like he could play because he told me a few times.” (on the Ravens this year) “Scheme-wise, coaching, everything is the same. They’ve just went and reloaded in a lot of situations defensively. They bring in (DE Chris) Canty. They’re huge up front. Obviously, they go get the pass rusher from Denver (OLB Elvis Dumervil), who has been one of the top pass rushers in football. We had him at the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago, got to see him. Offensively, they’re built the same way with (QB) Joe (Flacco) throwing the ball and then they’ve got two great backs. Their team hasn’t changed. It’s a great football team. When you go in there, you’re going to be in a slugfest so to speak. You’re going to have to play clean. I think the key for us right now is we’ve got to improve as a turnover team. We’re at the bottom of the barrel in the league and, if we stay there, it’s not going to be good. That’s a point of emphasis this week.” (on if there’s a rivalry developing with the Ravens) “I don’t know. I think we’ve just crossed up that way. You never know how that’s going to work, but we have played in some good football games with them. I remember the overtime game here, we got beat. The playoff game was a great game. I don’t expect this to be any different. We’ve got great respect for them and what they do. (Head Coach) John (Harbaugh) does a tremendous job. We know what we have to go do to win. We know how well we have to play, so that’s our focus. We’re off to a good start today.” (on the Ravens’ home field advantage) “That’s a tough place to play and it’s my understanding they’re retiring Ray (Lewis’) jersey or something on game day. I’m sure that will add to the emotions, so we better stay focused on the Texans.” Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison Spoiler (on the Baltimore Ravens defense compared to the past) “Their defense?Very talented up front, as always. Elvis (Dumervil) is a great addition for them rushing the passer. They’re younger in the secondary. Obviously, they have a couple of guys that aren’t there but they are very talented. They do a good job in man coverage and playing their zone. They’re a big challenge for us.” (on Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs being one the most dangerous duos rushing off the edges) “I don’t know about rating them all, but they’re very dangerous. I would say that. Obviously, I was with Elvis in Denver for a little bit and I know how talented he is going from him on a day-to-day basis. Just being around Suggs, he’s a special rusher.” (on ) “We try to do the same thing that we do. We do the best that we can with our operation. We try not to change too much and we expect Ryan to step in and do a good job. We’ll see how that goes.” (on how difficult it is for Ryan Harris play on the left side after mostly playing the right side in his career) “Well, he’s been working at both. Obviously, I was in Denver when we got him too. I know he’s played the left at times. Like I said, we’ll just wait and see and see how Duane responds. I don’t know much about that, but whoever is out there, we’ll have 11. That’s for sure.” (on if he plans to sit down with FS Ed Reed to discuss the Ravens) “We’ll do our work. Let me just say it that way. We’ll do our homework. We’ll do whatever we need to do. We’ll do our work.” (on TE Garrett Graham’s evolution at the position and TE Ryan Griffen showing the same kind of promise) “Certainly, they’re both talented. They do a lot of things on the line of scrimmage and running routes. They both have good hands. For us, it creates a great deal of flexibility if you have two guys that can make plays. I think that’s what Garrett has afforded us. He can play on the line of scrimmage. He can make plays in the passing game.” (on the Texans tight ends leading the league in touchdowns at the position with five) “I’m not keeping track. That’s the way they are every day in practice too. They’re out there producing. If you went give them a chance to get open, they’ll get open and they’ll catch the ball.” (on the development of TE Garrett Graham from not playing early in his career to where he is now) “Any time you draft somebody, you think you’ve got a chance to have a player. That’s why you draft them. It’s just a matter of working through the system and learning the system and learning how to play and practice. Garrett has certainly done a great job of that. We always try to have some depth at tight end because it’s a very crucial position for us.” (on continuing that development with TE Ryan Griffin) “We just keep working them in and keep trying to keep the stable full because it’s a spot that we like.” (on if they are targeting the tight ends more in the red zone) “We try to get everybody a chance to make a play. I don’t think we really isolate on any one because you don’t have a crystal ball to figure out what they’re playing. You can have a certain level of confidence that they’re in a certain coverage or front or whatever based on research, but each guy has an option and we try to give the quarterback as many options as possible.” (oh what changes in the red zone where matchups are favorable to tight ends) “The field is short. They can do certain things with their safeties. Obviously, they don’t have to drop as deep. They can work on backers. Not all the time, but they can work on backers. I don’t know that I want to get into we’re targeting this or that. We’re just trying to get into the end zone, any way we can.” (on what WR DeAndre Hopkins has improved on the most from his first day with the team until now) “I think we saw the talent that he has, but it’s the consistency and he’s’ getting better and better at that. he’s really working at it. He works very, very hard in practice to get that. He’s finding the right spot, the right landmark, running the right routes, being in the right spot, he’s just improving every day.” (on if he was surprised by what WR DeAndre Hopkins was able to do in overtime last week) “Not at all. We see that all the time. If you’re out at practice watching him, he makes a spectacular catch once a day, maybe three times a day. For us to put the ball up and for him to make a play, that’s great to see, but we kind of expect it. That’s what he’s there for.” (on the inconsistency of the offense at times during the game) “I try not to confuse our guys. My job is to facilitate their jobs. No, it’s a consistency issue when you see us bogged down. We’re just not all on the same page. Somebody is just not doing it right. We just keep working on the consistency and once we get that and fortunately we keep working on it. We have time to get it right and keep practicing and keep preaching it. ‘Let’s be consistent and make sure we do what we’re supposed to do, when we’re supposed to do it and how we’re supposed to do it.’ Everybody in the building has got that problem, so we have to keep working on it.” (on what about QB Matt Schaub has impressed him) “He has done a good job coming from behind, obviously. His mental toughness and fortitude has been great. Just like everybody else, like I said, it’s a consistency all the way through, which I know Matt has in him and he’ll get it done. He’s never not worked a day. He’s working his tail off every second and knows what he needs to work on and I think that’s what he’s really focused on, making sure we become consistent as a group and he’s leading us that way.” (on how impressed he has been with the tight ends) “The two guys are very productive and they’re really good players. They catch the ball. They run great routes. They’re hard to cover man-to-man, but they also know where to sit in their zones. Like I said before, we’re not so much scheming one guy to score. Everybody is getting in their spots and they can’t be right all the time and finally, having the quarterback going through his progressions and finding the guy that’s open. They just happen to be the guys right now, which is great.” (on their success running the ball on the right side of the line) “Oh yeah, those two guys have really done a great job as far as doing what we ask. They are getting on their guys and making sure there is room to run. It’s not always what’s happening on the front side, it’s what’s happening on the back side too. They have to be productive to make sure the defense isn’t closing. At the end of the year, we’ll take a look at it in our cutups and determine if it was the front side being great or the back side being great. We’re trying to be as balanced as possible. Sometimes it’s just field position, what hash we’re on, that predicts where we’re going there.” ILB Brian Cushing Spoiler (on how he views the various hits and fines around the league defensively right now) “I don’t know. I think it’s getting a little ridiculous, but obviously they’re stressing the safety of hits and everything. I don’t know. Some are very questionable and it’s a lot of money. A lot of money. I don’t know. I don’t know what to say about that, you know? It’s difficult, really difficult.” (on how RB Ray Rice changes the game) “He changes the game because he’s a very good football player. We’re going to plan for him to play and we’re going to expect him to play. It’s the kind of competitor that he is. He’s a great football player, so we’re going to prepare for him to play and if he doesn’t, there is a very good backup as well.” (on DE J.J. Watt saying he wants more turnovers and shorter drives from the other team’s offenses moving forward) “We’ve got to make more plays. We’ve got to make more plays to get off the field and prevent the big plays. When we do that, we’re going to be playing a whole lot of better defense and we will be definitely improved as well.” (on how much of a measuring stick is this matchup with the Ravens) “I think every game is. I think every game is to see where you’re at. Obviously, you want to win and that’s what’s most important. I don’t know about the whole measuring stick, but I do think just going 1-0 every week, that’s all you can do and that’s all we want to do.” (on if it feels like the Ravens are becoming one of the Texans rivals) “We’re playing them a good amount, yeah. We’re pretty familiar with them as a team. We look at them as a very good football team. It’s going to be a good matchup every time we play them. We understand that and we have to buckle for every game.” (on if the Ravens bring out the best in the Texans and vice versa) “I think so. I think so because we’re two competitive teams. I think we have a hard-nosed mentality that both of us, whether we’re playing here or there, we know it’s going to be a very good football game.” (on the opportunities he has in the middle with DEs J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith getting so much attention) “It does, but I think I get a pretty good amount of attention too. I think we all do. They kind of have to pick who they want to go after on certain plays, but there are only certain kinds of guys that can block us. You can’t double-team any of us because it’s going to free up other guys. You have to respect all three of us and all of the guys on the defense because we feel we’re all playmakers. (on what QB Joe Flacco does that is so special) “He can make any throw on the football field, no matter where he is. He has very good pocket awareness. He gets away from a good amount of blitzes and sacks and can throw the ball at any point on the field as far as he wants.” TE Owen Daniels Spoiler (on being halfway to his career high in touchdowns right now and in the past having more receptions and less touchdowns, and if it’s just a function of QB Matt Schaub finding the open guy) “I think so. There’s no like, ‘We need to get this guy the ball.’ Matt goes through his reads and gets it to the right guy. Hopefully, we have a lot of people with a lot of scores.” (on TE Garrett Graham having two touchdowns as well and if they both create opportunities for one another to score touchdowns) “Yeah, it all works together. Obviously, (RB) Arian (Foster’s) a big threat down there, so they’re probably keying in on the run and play-action has been working. Obviously, Dre (WR Andre Johnson) gets a lot of attention. So someone’s got to score.” (on if WR DeAndre Hopkins on the other side of WR Andre Johnson helps open up the offense) “I think it will. I think he’s going to get a lot more respect as things go along. It’s going to keep defenses very very honest, which benefits us.” (on playing a lot of two tight end sets the first two games) “Like you said, we’ve been doing a lot of that. That’s kind of been a staple of our offense though since I’ve been here. Myself and (TE) Garrett Graham) are two pretty well-rounded guys in terms of blocking and catching passes. We can run the ball well out of those sets and then throw it as well.” (on him and TE Garrett Graham having similar playing styles instead of most teams having a blocking tight end and receiving tight end) “We are. We’re Badgers. We’re flexible. We do a lot of the same stuff. We complement each other well. It’s tough for defenses. At times, they bring a nickel guy in to defend the pass and then it makes it easier for us to run the ball, so they’ve got to kind of decide what they want to do and we work off of that.” WR DeAndre Hopkins Spoiler (on if he feels like he is progressing) “Yeah. I feel like I’m getting comfortable with the playbook, which is the main thing. It’s helping my play.” (on who he has heard from about his play last Sunday) “I really turn my phone off a lot so I really don’t get those distractions and worry about what I’ve got to do.” (on how important it is to his development to make catches like he did at the end of the Tennessee game) “I feel like it’s important to the team. It takes some pressure off other guys that are making plays. When you’re one-on-one you always want to win those matchups.” (on how he’s approaching the Baltimore game with the possibility of WR Andre Johnson not being able to play) “I’m approaching just like I would last game, getting my script down and what I have to do.” (on how his comfort level and confidence has changed from last game heading into Sunday) “I feel like my confidence has grown since the first day I came out here going against Johnathan Joseph. Like I said before, you don’t go against too many defensive backs that are as good as him. Going against him in the offseason I felt it prepared me for the season.” (on Baltimore’s defense) “They’re physical. They’re a good defense. But we’ve got to go out and execute our game plan.” (on QB Matt Schaub being impressed that he is making the tough catches that he has made only two games into his NFL career) “It just means I have to keep being consistent. I can’t get complacent on what I’ve done over the span of two games. It’s a long NFL season. If I sit here and talk about those two games, I’m going to be living in the past. So I’ve got to keep going, move forward and get better.” (on Titans S Bernard Pollard getting fined for his hit on WR Andre Johnson) “He was trying to make a play. I’m sorry to hear it. That’s a big pay cut out of anyone’s check. He’s a good football player. But you know, rules are rules and you’ve got to go by them.” (on if he would want someone fined who hit him the way WR Andre Johnson got hit by Titans S Bernard Pollard) “I’m not sure how I would feel. I honestly couldn’t tell you what would be going through your mind.” CB Kareem Jackson Spoiler (on getting fined by the NFL) “I have to appeal it. It is what it is. I don’t think there is much I can do about it now but appeal it. I don’t like it. I’m just playing ball and the way the rules are now, there is not much you can do in situations like that on bang-bang plays.” (on $42,000 being a large fine) “It’s a huge number. It’s outrageous. I don’t know. Can’t do nothing but appeal it. It happened, so that’s all I can do.” (on if he can understand the reason he was fined) “I will never understand a $42,000 fine for a hit. Never. The guy got up. He was okay, so I will never understand that, regardless of the situation of the hit. That’s how I feel about it.” (on if he would play the ball the same way again in retrospect) “I would. I’m a defensive player. That’s our job. We’re supposed to be physical and try to jar the ball loose from the guy when they catch it and situations that you can. That’s what we get paid to do. Now you’re telling me you’re going to take my money for doing that? Like I said, that’s my style of play. That’s how I pay. I’m not trying to be a dirty player. That’s just how I play the game. Like I said, I’ll just appeal it and see where it goes from there.” (on how quickly did he make the call to appeal the fine) “He (agent Tony Fleming) actually called me first. I didn’t know about it until he called me yesterday and told me. That’s the first thing he said we were going to do so hopefully I can get some of it back, if not all of it.” (on what is the biggest fine he’s had) “That’s by far the biggest.” (on if it’s hard to know what is a legal hit and what’s not anymore) “Yeah, it is. It’s tough when you’re going in to tackle. Of course we don’t want to blow guys knees out and have them out for the rest of the season. If you go low on them, you’ve got guys saying that it’s a dirty play and we’re trying to hurt people. I don’t understand. You can blow a guy’s knee out or go high and he can get up and play the rest of the game, rest of the season. It’s hard, but, at the same time, we’re defensive players and we get paid to be physical out there, that’s our job.” (on if the League told him about what the penalty would be if another hit like that happened) “No, they didn’t.” (on if it’s tough to play with thinking about not getting fined in the back of his mind) “To be honest with you, when I’m out there playing, I’m not thinking about any fines. I’m not. Like I said, that’s my style of play. I pride myself on being physical out there. I want to let receivers know that I’m out there. I’m going to be out here on this corner and every time you come out here, you’re going to feel it. That’s the problem I set for them for the games to come this week. That’s how I play the game, so I’m going to continue to be physical form here on out and hopefully I’ll just have to aim a little lower, but I’m going to continue to play how I play.” QB Matt Schaub Spoiler (on how much of a luxury it has been to have one of the best tackles in Duane Brown on his blindside) “Yeah, it’s great for a number of years now having Duane over there, holding down the back side. I don’t even have to think twice about what’s going on over there because I know Duane’s handling his business and keeping me clean over there.” (on the possibility of not having T Duane Brown this week) “Well, I’m not sure of his situation. I know he’s going to be on the field as soon as he’s ready to go. We’ve just got to keep moving forward. We’ve got to go onto the next one, next man up. We’ve got confidence in what (T) Ryan (Harris) can do and we’ll just have to play our game, and he’ll step in there and do a heck of a job for us.” (on it looking positive about having WR Andre Johnson back at practice tomorrow) “Yeah, you always want all of your playmakers and obviously he’s one of our best. Knowing him, I’m sure he’ll be as close to ready to go as he possibly can. As a quarterback, you want all of your weapons at your disposal. Hopefully, we’ll end the week that way.” (on having the one-two punch in RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate) “It’s huge, especially for the duration of the season. In the league nowadays, you need to have multiple guys that can come in and perform at that level and we’re fortunate to have both of those guys. It’s good for both of them now early in the season, but, as we get going, to have both of them playing at a high level with the wear and tear that you see during the season, it’s just great to see both of them carrying the load.” (on how much confidence he has in WR DeAndre Hopkins if WR Andre Johnson can’t play this week) “Yeah, I have confidence in all of those guys, just watching them work, work through the summer. After a few years now, with (WR) Lestar (Jean) and (WR) Keshawn (Martin) and (WR) DeVier (Posey) and throwing with them, just a ton of confidence in what their ability is and them getting open and finishing plays.” (on if he’s been impressed with WR DeAndre Hopkins) “Absolutely. With DeAndre, he’s been asked to do a lot since he stepped in the building and we’ve had a lot of work the entire offseason and all of camp. Watching him through the first two weeks, he just continues to make plays and, you give him a chance, he’s going to make you look good. It’s exciting just to watch him grow each week.” (on his communication with TE’s Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham) “Yeah, with those guys, with being here now with Owen for seven years, we’ve been through almost every route versus every coverage and understanding how he runs routes and how to get open versus all of the different coverages. And Garrett now through four years, we’ve just had a lot of time on task with all of the looks. Just understanding their body language, running routes and when they’re going to be open, and them making plays. It comes down to them getting open and finishing the play, and they’re doing a heck of a job for us.” (on being 2-0 and yet still not having played the best football they can) “Yeah, we haven’t even come close to playing our best, most complete game, being consistent from start to finish. We couldn’t have started any worse Week 1 and then we couldn’t start any better Week 2 with the first drive and then there were lulls in those games. So we haven’t even come close to playing our best ball, taking care of it, playing a clean game. We can only get better form that standpoint, but we’re fortunate to come out of both of those games with a W. At the end of the day, that’s what matters, but, for us to get where we want to go, we can obviously play a heck of a lot better.” (on the Ravens this year compared to last year and what’s different about them) “Just some of the faces, but they do a lot of the same stuff. They play a similar style. It’s a heck of a group. We’ve got a tough task and a tough challenge against them.” (on the combination of Ravens OLBs Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil) “It’s a very tough combination. You can’t slide your protection one way or the other. You’ve got to be honest on both sides. Their guys inside are pretty good too, bug guys. So they have a very tough front to go against, very active, very physical. So it’s going to be a tough challenge and our guys are going to have to be ready to go form the first snap.” (on his comfort level with T Ryan Harris if he has to start at left tackle) “He has been on the right, but we’re going to go out and play our game, our calls. Ryan has stepped in and done a great job last year at the right side. He can obviously play the other side. He’s a veteran. He’s played a lot of football. We’re just going to go and we’re going to go play. We understand that no matter who’s in there, they have a good pass rush and we’re going to have to be timely in getting the ball out and getting it to our receivers.” (on the rivalry with the Ravens and how tough it is to play there) “Yeah, it’s a tough place. They’re a good football team and a great home crowd. It’s going to be challenging. It’s early in the year and we’re going to have to go and communicate and talk and be on the same page. We’re going to have to have our hand signals, communication, whatever it might be, going on the road early in the season in a tough environment; we’re going to have to be ready to go play good road football.” (on starting off better on the road and avoiding the start the way the team had in San Diego) “Well, we never talk like that because that’s some negative talk. We just need to go out and play our football. We need to clean some things up and we need to go play good road football. We talk about the positives and we’ve got to go handle our business and start fast and finish strong.” (on his success in hurry-up situations) “I think our offense is so much based on rhythm and getting into a groove. I think our guys all play well in that. I think it’s a group thing. I don’t think it’s just me. For me to be able to go out there and play well and get things done, I’ve got to have 10 other guys in the huddle being able to handle that situation and be able to play up tempo. Our offensive line is built that way, very athletic. Tight ends can hand a lot of different things. Our blocking schemes and our backs do a great job. Our receivers get open and make plays. But I think we play well in that up tempo system, it’s just a matter of the communication, letting guys know the calls, snap count and being able to work fast.” (on if teams are playing WR Andre Johnson differently with WR DeAndre Hopkins on the other side) “It’s early in the season. Obviously, Tennessee, they know us well and we play them twice a year. They did some things to try to help out with Andre with their free safety, whether it be rolling a two deep over top or just their single safety going to help on him. That’s why we have our other tight ends and we’re bring in DeAndre along and out other receivers, so we can help balance the field out and I think we’re doing a good job of that.” (on WR DeAndre Hopkins making a lot of tough catches and how impressed he is with that) “I think it’s something that he’s showed us since he stepped in the building, back in the spring, he’s been making those plays. I’m not surprised from that aspect, but just in general in this league, it’s impressive for him in those situations, in those critical situations, him making those plays. And it’s great to see that because he can only get better from there.” (on if he gets used to WR DeAndre Hopkins making great plays every day or if he’s still wowed by him) “I think since he’s so young, there’s still that wow factor. A guy like (WR) Andre (Johnson) and I’m asked a lot, ‘Does he ever stop amazing you with some of the things he does?’ After seven years, he continues to do that, but you come to expect it from him. We’re beginning to expect from that number 10. That’s exciting to see.” (on if he’ll talk FS Ed Reed about preparing for the Ravens) “A little bit. There’s something to be said for trying to gather too much information instead of just cutting it loose and reacting to the play because we’ve faced them a number of times over the last few years. Obviously, he’s been in their huddle and you might try to bounce some things off of him and what he thinks watching tape with him. But he’s got to go and prepare just the same. He’s definitely a veteran that definitely can give you some advice.” DE J.J. Watt Spoiler (on Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh talking about having to adjust to how he plays in the passing lanes and what he thinks about that) “I appreciate that. Any time anybody in the business compliments you or says nice things, you appreciate it because those are the people watching the film every day. Those are the people who know what they’re talking about. Coaches and players, those are the type of guys that know the game and so it’s always nice to get a compliment like that.” (on the Ravens this year compared to last) “Yeah, they’re still a good football team. They won a Super Bowl last year and they’re still a good football team. Always a great AFC little rivalry. It’s always fun to play a game like this.” (on if it’s a budding rivalry between the Texans and Ravens) “We’ve played a lot in the last few years. This is only my third year, but we’ve played a lot of games in my two years. It’s always a great game. That’s one thing you know is it’s always going to be a good game. It’s going to be a physical game. They have good players. We have good players. It’s always a really good matchup.” (on Titans G Chance Warmack calling him just another player and how he views that) “I let my play do the talking. That’s fine. I put my helmet just like everybody else. It’s what I do once the helmet is on that matters.” (on the challenges that Ravens QB Joe Flacco presents) “He’s a very good quarterback. He’s a guy who’s smart. He’s got obviously a very good arm and then he’s got some weapons too. He’s got some receivers who can go long. He’s got guys that are smart and can make plays. He’s a good quarterback.” (on how much better it feels to have DE Antonio Smith with him) “It’s great. It’s really nice to have him out there. He’s a great player. He plays with good energy and he’s just got a knack. Like I said, you can’t just send double teams my way all the time when you’ve got a guy like Ninja on the back side. He’s going to command double teams too and that makes it better for everyone.” (on having multiple sacks and pass deflections last week and what that says about his game right now) “It’s just the beginning. I’m feeling really good. I’m in a real nice groove right now and it’s only going to go up from here. It’s still early on in the season. I’m still just finding ways to make my game even better and I’m excited. I’m really, really excited. I love playing out here and it’s so fun to play in this defense because, like you said, you’ve got (DE) Antonio (Smith), Cush (ILB Brian Cushing), where if they want to adjust the game plan a little bit for me, you’ve got Cush making every play behind me when they try and do certain things. At some point, they’re going to have to start trying to block all of us. It’s a very difficult thing to do, so it makes it really,really fun to play in this defense.” (on his goal of reaching 20 sacks, tackles for a loss and passes defensed) “Absolutely. A lot of people don’t think it can be done. A lot of people don’t think it’s possible, but I love doing impossible things. That’s my favorite.” (on how he thinks the defense has done so far in that it has allowed a couple of long drives in games and then mostly shut the offense down and if it’s a matter of fine tuning) “Yeah, there are a couple of things we need to do as a defense. We need to take care of the red zone and then we need to get some takeaways. Those are the biggest things we need to do and then there are a couple of long drives that we need to eliminate. That’s what we’re working on.” Head Coach John Harbaugh Spoiler (on his thoughts about seeing FS Ed Reed in a Texans uniform) “Emotional. Obviously, we’re good friends, have been through a lot together, all of us, personally. It’ll be mixed emotions I would say.” (on if the Ravens were aware of FS Ed Reed’s hip issue when going through the free agency process this past offseason) “Well, Ed’s had a hip issue for about four years that we’ve dealt with.” (on FS Ed Reed’s personality being like an old soul) “Yes, that’s a great way to describe it. They say that still waters run deep, I guess is the term. Ed’s soul runs deep. Very thoughtful, introspective person. I feel like when you get to know Ed and you become friends with Ed, you share a connection on kind of a deep level and there’s an opportunity to talk about a lot of things that transcend football or just the smaller things in life. I really treasure that part of our relationship.” (on if anything has changed with the status of Ravens RB Ray Rice or if he won’t practice during the week and make a decision if he’ll play on Sunday) “That’s probably it. There’s a chance he could practice. I’m probably going to be the guy that says that he doesn’t need to practice. It would probably be the prerogative of the head coach and we’ll just see how he feels going into the game.” (on how much the Ravens offense changes if RB Ray Rice can’t play) “That remains to be seen. I think that’s something that we’ll have to watch for on Sunday.” (on the Texans-Ravens matchup becoming a rivalry) “Right, I would agree with that. We’ve won the division the last couple of years, so we’ve had a chance to play them pretty much every year. I can’t really remember, maybe there’s been a year in the last five years we haven’t played, but it seems like we’ve played them every year and they’ve always been tough, hard-fought games, you go back to the overtime game. Obviously, last year, they got the better of us in a big way. We have a lot of respect for the whole program, the organization, the coaches and the players as well.” (on ILB Brian Cushing not playing in the matchup between the teams last year and what he’s seen from Cushing early this season) “Brian’s a force in the middle, run and pass, and pass coverage and pass rush. He had the interception for the touchdown to kind of cap things off. But when he blitzes and he brings it up the middle and he adds on the blitzes, he’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s just such a powerful, strong, explosive guy. Then, in the run game, he’s kind of tackle-to-tackle and really sideline-to-sideline, but he plays off of (DE) J.J. (Watt) so well in what they in terms of the gap control and the different things they do to change things up schematically. They just really fit well together.” (on if the Ravens have had to adjust their offense at all to account for DE J.J. Watt getting in quarterback’s passing lanes) “Oh, gosh yeah. You really can’t believe it until you see it. I don’t think we really had a great understanding of it last year until we experienced it, what a force he is. Yeah, I can tell that they do a great job coaching. The rush isn’t it, it’s the whole defense, it’s not just the D-line, but when they get blocked, they all get hands up and they try to find the quarterback’s eyes and intentions, and try to get a hand up in the passing lane. He just happens to probably be the best at it because he’s just so big and athletic.” (on if former Ravens LB Ray Lewis will give the team a pregame speech) “Yeah, I don’t know. It’s a good question. I’ve never been one to kind of plan those things out. I think we’ll just kind of let providence have its way on that one and just see where it goes.” QB Joe Flacco Spoiler (on what stood out to him about FS Ed Reed as a person and how he was in the locker room) “Ed is a bright guy when it comes to football and making sure guys are working and on the same page and having a good understanding of their opponent. He’s the kind of guy that makes sure that he puts his time in and makes sure he brings other guys along with him and makes them put their time in. he’s just a savvy player. He knows the game of football. As a person, he’s just one of those guys that is a big figure in the locker room and carries himself in a professional manner and does the right things.” (on if he would be surprised if FS Ed Reed didn’t play on Sunday) “I don’t know. I’m hearing that he’s going to play, so I guess so.” (on if he will have to adjust his gameplan or anything with FS Ed Reed on the other side) “Not really. We’re going to have to go out there and execute our gameplan no matter what. Obviously, he’s a good player back there and we understand what he can do, but you can’t let him dictate the whole gameplan. Maybe a couple plays here and there, but you just have to make sure that you go out there and play your game and play smart and go through your reads, run routes well and all that stuff. Just like any other good player, they may make their plays; we just have to make sure we limit them.” (on how hard it will be to play without RB Ray Rice) “We don’t have very many guys at that position right now, so we’re going to have to go with what we have and make the best of it. We’ll see what happens. We’ll adjust and we’ll be ready to go. We’ve been dealing with a lot of that stuff lately and we just have to find a way.” (on what is missing when RB Ray Rice is not on the field) “Ray is a veteran running back now. He’s gives you a lot of confidence back there because he runs the ball and he runs good routes when he needs to. One of the toughest things is he is very good at picking up who he needs to be picking up in blitzes and protection. When you have guys that aren’t as experienced as he is with that, then you can run into a little bit of a problem.” (on how things are going offensively for the Ravens right now) “I think it is always a work in progress, but we have the ability and we have guys getting more and more comfortable. I think it’s always a work in progress in the offseason, always, no matter what your situation is just because you always have to be getting better and better. Obviously, our situation is a little bit different now than we thought it may be and I think we’re just trying to adapt right now and work hard and I think we’re doing a good job. We’re going to get there. We still have some work to do, but we’re really starting to get confident I think. Guys are really starting to play quickly and play confidently and really play with that sureness of what they’re supposed to be doing which is what you need to play fast.” (on if it will be weird or strange to see FS Ed Reed on the other side of the line on Sunday) “Yeah, it will definitely. I’m used to seeing him across from me, but it will be different being that he’s in a different uniform. It will definitely be a little weird to see him in the Texans uniform.” (on if this is a different Texans team than they’ve seen in the past and if he sees a different mentality with this team than in the past) “I don’t think so. They’ve been a good team. They’ve just done what they’ve had to win the last couple of games. We’ve played these guys a good amount over the last couple of years and the biggest thing that they’ve done, since early on in my career, is they have just gotten to the point where they are a really physical football team and they continue to be that. We’re going to have to continue to make sure that we do things to combat it.” (on the developing rivalry between the Ravens and Texans) “There’s no doubt about it. We played them two times a couple of years ago, once in the playoffs. Last year, they beat us up pretty good back at their place. (We’re) playing them again this year. It always helps rivalries and rivalries always develop when it’s two teams going at each other at the top of their conference. That’s kind of what it’s been. We’ve definitely been teams vying for playoff spots and playing each other in the playoffs. When you have those kinds of things working in your favor, it always starts rivalries. Good rivalries always kind of start out like that and grow form there. I think it’s definitely growing into one.” (on the start WR Marlon Brown has had so far and what kind of future he sees from the rookie) “Yeah, I hope he’s got a really good one. He’s a big, strong kid who is catching on quickly and the game has proven not to be too big for him. He just gets in there and just goes at it and plays. He’s getting better and better each week and his confidence is growing each week. It’s fun to see.”
not worried about our defense...If Reed plays, great; if not get better...we need him primed and ready vs Seahawks and Niners if possible...Ravens can be a good game for him to get ready against a big arm QB...also because its the return of Ed back to his old stomping grounds...Gonna be emotional for him, so I think we do see Ed playing Sunday for sure... Im more concerned about the offense...Duane is very important, and losing him could be an issue...Matt Schaub needs that extra second sometimes...And they have guys that get to the QB in a hurry. And also considering that they are 0-2...they will be gunning hard for their first win We have yet to beat the Ravens in Baltimore if I am not mistaken...so big road game... Think Houston wins another close game: Houston 24-Baltimore 17
Rice hasn't started the season well. The danger for the Texans is if Flacco connects on his long bombs against an ordinary secondary.
