Here's everything Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following a 44-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, including his thoughts on the return of Tank Dell, the play of C.J. Stroud and the future in the AFC postseason race.
DeMeco Ryans Opening Statement:
Ryans: “First and foremost, all praise and glory goes to our savior Jesus Christ, thank you for the opportunity we have to do what we do and love what we do. Proud of our guys for getting back to I feel like repping our style of play. Our offense did an outstanding job today, scored over 40 points. C.J. [Stroud], five touchdowns, spread the ball around to a ton of different guys, getting Tank Dell back over 100-yards, had a lot of guys had a lot of big days, [Kayshon] Boutte as well
did outstanding. I love the way our guys were finishing, how our guys caught the ball, just seeing how ourguys finish, blocking for the other man down-field, just a really great offensive output today.”
Q: On WR Tank Dell:
Ryans: “We know we had the right look there with the cover, so we knew we wanted to get him those yards, and he deserves it for all the work he has put in. Tank has done an outstanding job, so to see the big play happen, credit to C.J. first and foremost; just the ball placement on that play was insane, outstanding ball placement, and Tank just ran underneath it, huge play for us. Proud of both guys, getting that connection going, excited to see how that continues to progress throughout the year.”
On WR Nico Collins touchdown catch:
Ryans: “I hadn't seen one that nice. What a catch by Nico. Nico—I call him 'playmaker.' Every single day, that's what he does. He makes big play after big play and we can always count on Nico and to make that type of catch in the end zone, that was an outstanding play for him.”
Q: On the defense:
Ryans: “Very pleased with the defense. I felt like the guys truly repped our style, felt the physicality from our guys. Starting with Jalen [Pitre], having him back definitely helps our defense out a ton. He's just such a spark plug for us, the way he flies around all over the field, playing physical, does a really great job of just being able to help us to be multiple on defense. And our guys tackle well, defensive line, did an outstanding job getting after the quarterback. They had eight sacks; that's a franchise record for our guys. The effort that they showed up front, it was fun to watch. Fun to watch when the quarterback drops back and our D-line is getting home; that's back to being used to what I'm used to seeing out of our defensive lines. So, I’m proud of their effort.”
Q: On team morale:
Ryans: “I love the emotion and enthusiasm from our entire team. I felt like we had great energy throughout that entire game and that's what I implored to the guys last night—that's what I want to see. I want to see us encouraging one another, showing enthusiasm for one another and our guys put them on display today.”
Q: On the Chargers' defense and QB C.J. Stroud:
Ryans: “The Chargers are a really good defense, really good front. They had a lot of different pressures, unique things that we had to work through and pick it up. Though the offensive line did a great job and [QB] C.J. [Stroud] was able to have that poise in the pocket because of the time that the old line allowed him to have. But you see the growth, you see the maturity in C.J., top quarterback in his league because of that, because of his steadiness in the pocket, his resolve, his great energy all day. And he's having a phenomenal year, phenomenal year and he's definitely deserving of all the recognition that he should get.”
Q: On WR Kayshon Boutte:
Ryans: “I've really been working with the offense trying to get them to get Boutte a pass where he can stay up and run it in for a touchdown—he did that today. A lot of the catches he's made in the previous weeks were tough catches on the sideline, but this time he was actually able to run one for a touchdown. On that particular play, to see Nico downfield blocking and see Dalton [Schultz] downfield blocking, that's probably what I'm most proud of on that play. Guys really selling out for each other.”
Q: On QB C.J. Stroud:
Ryans: "C.J. has brought just elite execution and playmaking ability. Even when it's not there, seeing himscramble, step up in the pocket and make plays running. He really gives that confidence to the entire team. When the defensive guys, they see him up making plays, everyone is excited. Everyone knows the type of energy, the type of momentum that that brings to our entire team when he's making those plays and he's done it all year. So, it's fun to watch, fun to watch him spin it. He's thrown it to a lot of different people, which is what I'm most proud of. Everybody's getting the touch and the guys are showing up and capitalizing on the opportunities that they do get.”On momentum and sustaining it: “Yeah, it was a great win versus a really good team. I'm proud of the effort, the execution, proud of how we showed up today. Most proud of the enthusiasm and you only get that by playing good football. All three phases played really well today. It was a really good win and we flush this one and get on to the next one.”
Q: On the takeaways:
Ryans: “Again, that was big for us, the takeaways really coming in there. They were in our territory, so in the red zone, we're able to come away with some picks, [CB Derek] Stingley Jr. as able to get one. We were forced to fumble there after they hit us on a huge explosive, so our guys defensively, they made stops when we needed to make stops. Third down was really great. Red zone was really great as well. They executed our keys to victory for all of us.”
Q: On Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley:
Ryans: “Yeah, proud of Caley. He called a great game. The offense has scored a ton of points all year and he doesn't get all the recognition that he deserves. He's done a great job of calling it, mixing it up, taking shots, being aggressive and our guys are making big plays because of that. Caley called a really great game and the guys executed really well. One of our offensive staff, our offensive players, they truly the players of the game today.”
Q: On who is getting a game ball:
Ryans: “The game ball today went to Boutee. Had a career day: 125 yards, a touchdown. Tank was back in the hundred-yard club with a touchdown. C.J. tied his career high, five touchdowns, threw a lot of game balls. The defensive line got a game ball, tied a franchise record with eight sacks. And coach Caley got a game ball as well. We had over 450 yards, 44 points. Anytime you do that, it's pretty good play call.”
Q: On penalties:
Ryans: “Penalties, yeah we did. We cleaned that up. Thankful that we cleaned up the penalties, cleaned up the tackling and we could still improve, still get better, but I'm thankful that the penalties did crush us today.”
Q: On WR Tank Dell:
Ryans: “All the credit goes to Tank and for the work that he put in, he was ready for his moment. Tank is, he's never shy of confidence. He's never short of the confidence. He's a confident young man. He knows his ability. He believes in himself. He put the work in and he was ready for this opportunity. So even when you go through an injury like he suffered, there are a lot of dark days, there are a lot of difficult moments on the road to recovery. A lot of people don't see that, they see where he is right now, but you really understand the work that he's put in. Everybody on that side run was really showing emotion and proud of the way Tank was able to come in and actually be an impact player for us, give back to the players that we're all used to seeing Tank man.”
Q: On CB Derek Stingley Jr:
Ryans: “Stingley did a great job of finding a way to take the football away. He finds it, gets opportunity afteropportunity, he was able to go down and catch the ball. I was happy for him,he has been trying to get one for a whilethis year, and I am happy that he finally got that one today.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said after of Week 9's win vs. L.A. Chargers
