Here is everythingHouston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said ahead of their Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans, including his reaction towide receiver Tank Dell’s 21-day practice window being opened, motivating the team after their Week 4 to the Dallas Cowboys and his comfort level with Houston’s receivers.
Question: On how he feels like he is performing this season
C.J. Stroud: "I mean, it's all about winning. So, looking at myself in the mirror, what else can I do to be better, to make us better on third down, keep us on the field, to control the game maybe a little more. I think our offense line is protecting well in the pass game. I thought [Nick] Caley called a good game last game, just letting us be aggressive. I feel in rhythm, I feel like
I'm putting the ball where I need to put it. I just want to be better on third down and in the red zone. Those critical situations that you look back like, 'Damn, if we would have got this first down or if I would have done this, we could have stayed on the field.' All these things you can correct."
Q: On WR Tank Dell's 21-day practice window being activated
Stroud: "I'm just proud of him for real. Just his growth, not only just as a player and getting his leg back, of course, but just as a man. I've seen him grow tremendously just as a human, as a man of God, just relying on his faith. What he's been through was pretty tough. So, just the ability for him to shut out all the noise, not listen to the critics out there. The ability for him to lock in on just getting better each and every day and having a positive attitude while doing it, just truly proud of him."
Q: On motivating the team after the Week 4 loss
Stroud: "I always kind of try to give nuts and pieces just really on where we need to go as a team. Being a leader, I love showing what we need to do as a team by example, but also, I think being vocal is very important. I'm always trying to give guys just motivation and letting them know. I think when I say things, it goes a long way. I always am very careful with my words but also try to speak life into people in a world that's negative that's usually, more times than not, trying to tell you how bad you are. I've been trying to just, personally too, give myself better self-talk and then also my teammates, just giving them positive reinforcements, positive affirmations. Just letting them know how great of a team I think they are and how many great players we have on this team. Just reminding each other how great we can be and I think that's very important."
Q: On developing maturity going into year four and when it shows up most
Stroud: "I would say just how I've been able to handle just things outside of football, family life, things like that, noise. Then just really what happens in the building. I think just not only as a football player I've grown, but just as a man of God, just been able just to really hone in on what I believe and really just focus on the things that I love doing and being at peace with that. I remember hearing a Nipsey Hussle quote some years ago, 'Would you rather be at peace with the world and at war with yourself, or war with the world and peace within.' I really have tried my best to just have peace within and realize it's okay not to have everybody always like you, have your back. But just if those who love you and people in this building love me, that's all that matters. I feel like that's where I've grown."
Q: On Tennessee Titans Head Coach Robert Saleh and the challenge their defense presents
Stroud: "He's one of the best defensive coordinators/head coaches I've played against. Just his style of defense, I think their defensive line, of course. He's always had great defensive lines every place he's gone. I think with Jeffery Simmons, that's just he pops off on tape every game. But yeah, I think just as a play caller, he makes you play discipline. He makes you snap the ball every time and you have to know what you're doing, or you make a mistake and they make you pay. He does a great job mixing it up and does a lot of good things."
Q: On his comfort level with multiple receivers
Stroud: "The guys that we have are great. I think 'KB' [WR Kayshon Boutte] came in and is doing a great job. He's somebody that I'm learning that I can trust in one-on-one situations and does a great job creating separation and really good at those tough catches. I thought 'Hutch' has been doing great. I thought 'J-Wayne' has been showing up. Lewis [Bond] has been in there a little bit doing his thing and then I think our tight end room helps that as well. They're doing a good job and I think of course getting Nico [Collins] back definitely helps. I believe that room is getting better and now we're going to be adding Tank. That definitely will be helpful coming in these next couple weeks."
Q: On losing four straight games as a junior in high school
Stroud: "It's high school, bro. I would say the main thing is to block out the noise. That's what we did when I was 17 years old and we'll do it now. We'll block out the noise and just try to go forward."
Q: On having explosive plays through the first four games
Stroud: "I think just the way we've been protecting. I thought the pass protection has been really good on early downs. I think the way we're running routes, we've been seeing a lot of man coverage. Just trying to pick that apart. Guys creating separation is big in that too. I would say those are really important things. I think just creating separation, protecting, you're doing the little things right away, the fundamental things. We have to keep that going."
Q: On Tennessee Titans DT Jeffery Simmons
Stroud: "He's a heck of a player and definitely have to prepare for him and understand he can wreck games, so not naive to that. I know we have great linemen as well, I'm excited to match up against him. I know he's going to be talking and doing his thing, but I have a lot of respect for him. I think he's a heck of a football player, I'm excited to play against him."
Q: On WR Tank Dell's expectations coming back after two years
Stroud: "Be himself. As long as he's himself, he'll be fine. He'll be doing great things."
Q: On his mic'd up video
Stroud: "I've always been that way. I've always been passionate. I've always loved playing this game. This game has truly done incredible things for me and my family. I believe God has put a certain fire in me to have an excitement about playing each play. I don't care where, we can be playing in Sunnyside. I would be excited to play this game. I really love this game. I'm not mic'd up every game, so you can't see that and you don't know exactly what's going on. I always try to say no to being mic'd up, because I know I can get that way. I don't think it's a bad thing. My teammates love to see me like that. I also have some things I need to fix when it comes to that stuff, too. I am a passionate person. I love this game and I enjoy everything that comes with it."
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans QB C.J. Stroud said ahead of Week 5 game vs Titans
