Here's everything Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said ahead of Week 2's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, including his thoughts on Andre Johnson's comments, the Bengals' defensive line and more.
Question: On what can be improved upon from Week 1
C.J. Stroud: “I thought we ran the ball pretty decently. I thought we were half our head on a lot of them. I thought we got to the second level pretty well. I think we can get a little better on early down passing and then third down, just staying on the field. I think we can be better even though we were decent. But I can be better just with communicating the huddle, making sure we're getting out fast and doing those things, those little things that get us to score touchdowns and score points.”
Q: On what early down success looks like
Stroud: “It's positive plays, anything that's going forward.”
On whether the redzone success in Week 1 gives him optimism moving forward
“I think so. I think if you look at what we've done in the past, I think we're just more seasoned in the system. We're more on the same page. A lot of the same guys returning. I think the chemistry is there and we're building off that. I'm excited.”
Q: On where he saw the most benefits of being in year two of the offensive system
Stroud: “It's been beneficial for me all the way since we started OTAs. But in the game, I picked up a couple of protections. Knew I was hot on one of them. I got the ball out on a couple ones where I knew pressure was probably going to come. Just little things like that, but it got us in the right run looks, stuff like that.”
Q: On the Cincinnati Bengals defense
Stroud: “Their defensive line is really good. [DT] Dexter Lawrence is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL with [DT] B.J. Hill. I think [DT] Jonathan Allen's playing some really good ball as well. I think their ends are good as well. Their defensive backs are young; they fly around. They make a lot of plays. Their back end, they've been playing together for a while in same system. I think they play together for a little minute now. But they look good against Tampa and made a lot of plays, had a lot of turnovers. I think they do a good job. We definitely have to be on our P's and Q's.”
Q: On RB David Montgomery’s impact
“It was huge. I think he broke a record on being the first Texan to have three touchdowns in their debut. I think that's huge. Just a glimpse of what he can do. I'm excited to have him on our team.”
Q: On playing with WR Kayshon Boutte
Stroud: “He knows how to get open. I know we didn't connect on a couple of them, but we're still building that chemistry, but he knows how to get open and play fast.”
Q: On his relationship with his teammates and how he is viewed
Stroud: “I would say you probably have to ask them. I try my best to be me and I think my teammates love that about myself. They buy into that, but I would say, like Will said, I didn't get a C on my chest…They don't just give out captains just for you to get the quarterback. I think I'm just myself. I don't want to go into full detail on what exactly I do, but I ask my teammates and I'm sure they'll tell you.”
Q: On how he prepares to regulate his emotions in a emotional game
Stroud: “Have just a next-play mentality. It's probably easier said than done, but try your best to things are going to happen. I think the best thing you can do is just respond better. That's something that I think as a team we've done, especially this last game, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of score changes, high scoring game. I don't think we wavered on this sideline. We kept going and we fought to the last play. I'm proud of my guys for that, but now you have to learn to flush that and go and now we have to go play a really tough Bengals team. We have to go and recoup. I think that's something that, as part of the NFL, is just you can't harp on what happened last week and just move on and try your best to go. The Bengals don't care what happened last week, so we have to go back and fix the things and do what we need to do to win.”
Q: On WR Jaylin Noel
Stroud: “I thought he did great. I think he's growing, he's learning how to run routes and to be friendly to the quarterback. I think his speed, of course, but he's learning how to use his speed and when not to and his pace. I think he's doing a great job.”
Q: On whether he believes the Texans will face the Cincinnati Bengals or the Buffalo Bills down the road
Stroud: “I don't know, I'm just focused on this week. I would say that they're very talented teams and they both play really good ball.”
Q: On the process of not harping on mistakes
Stroud: “You kind of just have to do it. It's not really like a secret sauce to it. No one cares about your excuses, so you have to suck it up and go. I think I'm a firm believer that you just have to try your best to forget it and keep going. I think our team has done that this week. I think we had a great practice today and we'll continue to do that.”
Q: On the tight end play in Week 1
Stroud: “They did a great job. I thought Foster [Moreau] and Dalton [Schultz] and Marlin [Klein] and Cade [Stover] all did great. I think they set the tone in the run game. I thought they were a lead in the pass game, made a lot of good decisions. If we can get those guys going, I think it'd be great for us.”
Q: On Texans Hall of Fame WR Andre Johnson’s comments
Stroud: “I don't really have a comment for it. I would say, I respect ‘Dre’ [Former Texans WR Andre Johnson] as a person. I appreciate his critiques. I'm focused on this week, trying to go 1-0 against the Bengals. But I respect ‘Dre’ and if that conversation needs to be had, it'll be had.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans QB C.J. Stroud said ahead of Week 2's matchup vs. Bengals
