Here's everything Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said following roster cutdowns on Wednesday, including his thoughts on the new team, his new quarterback and the expectations with the AFC South franchise in a contract season.
Question: On the Houston Texans organization and how his time has been with the team
Boutte: "Obviously, we know the Texans are a tough team. Last year with the Patriots coming into the playoffs, we knew that that was one of the top teams we would have had to face on our path to getting to the Super Bowl. I always did believe this team had potential. They're a great team on offense and defense and I think just with this year we got another chance to get back to that. That's the goal."
Q: On what he brings to the
offense
Boutte: "Big playmaking ability. Whether it's short routes, mid-routes, deep routes, go ball, I'm going to always build that trust every day with C.J. [Stroud]."
Q: On building a relationship with QB C.J. Stroud
Boutte: "It's been great. We get together after practice and kind of start building that timing. Different quarterback for me, a different receiver for him. As long as we're on the same path, that's the goal at the end of the day."
Q: On whether the biggest challenge is finding time to build chemistry
Boutte: "I feel like from a receiver standpoint, chemistry is not really a tough thing to do. It's all about the effort you put in with the quarterback."
Q: On the challenge of learning the playbook after joining the team close to the season
Boutte: "It's not really bad. Half of it is carryover from what we kind of ran in New England. At the end of the day, it's all about how much you put into it too. You've got to study outside the building. Knowing the playbook is a part of your job. If you don't know what to do, then you can't play."
Q: On staying focused with the offseason speculation of potentially getting traded with New England
Boutte: "Just being a pro. When I was 20 years old coming in, I could tell you that I maybe would have handled that whole situation differently. What I've experienced the past three years going on year four, learning how to be a professional about it and that's the way I carried myself throughout the whole process."
Q: On his relationship with CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Boutte: "We've talked every day since I've been here. Cool relationship. We go back to college. We played two years together, so that's something that was cool for me, seeing familiar faces in the building. We have a couple of LSU guys, so it's good being back."
Q: On thoughts on comments made about him by New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel and if he uses it as motivational fuel
Boutte: "No, they did pay two guys to come in and do that job. Sadly, it is the way it is. Being that it's a contract year for me, I seek the bigger role. I feel like what 'Vrab' said in his media interview, it wasn't nothing bad. I wouldn't say I used that as fuel. At the end of the day, it was an honest opinion. He sat there, talked, spoke his truth and pretty much moved forward from there."
Q: On what he likes about the Texans offense
Boutte: "A lot of playmakers. Whether it's the running backs or the receivers. Nico [Collins], he's bigger than I thought. A little taller than I thought. Just kind of getting a familiarity with everybody and how they play. Their play styles, but whether it's the deep ball ability, the short routes being able to take that to the house 20 yards. Just being here a week, I've been kind of getting familiar with the schemes, the program, but I love everything so far."
Q: On QB C.J. Stroud
Boutte: "He's been great so far. The player, I would say, has playmaking ability. He's able to do anything. I trust that he'll get the ball anywhere on the field and he trusts that we're going to be in the spot whenever he needs us."
Q: On his fit in the offense
Boutte: "I'd say I haven't been here long enough, so still figuring out that process, but just doing whatever they ask of me."
Q: On being traded to the Texans with one year left on his contract
Boutte: "I think it's always good when the team wants you to come here. They truly believe in your ability, big playmaking ability. I would just say for me, just doing what I always do, not overthinking it, try to catch everything that comes my way. At the end of the day, I know it's a big year for me, so I make the most of my opportunities."
Q: On maturing as a player
Boutte: "I would say I think when I was 20, I was still a little childish, young, coming out of college. I think my second year was still a little of that; it was more 50-50. But I think at the beginning of last year's offseason, when Vrabel and them came in was kind of when my mindset shifted. I think that was big for me."
Q: On going against the Texans defense in practice
Boutte: "It's been great on great. We know [Derek] Stingley is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, [Kamari] Lassiter is great himself, so going against those guys every day, that's kind of the guys you see on Sundays. I always did say coming from LSU, you know, you play a lot of those guys, the [Patrick] Surtain's, the Stingley's, a lot of the top guys in the league. You're really seeing that every day. Just going against those guys every day is only going to make us better on Sundays."
Q: On his playmaking ability
Boutte: "I'll say when it comes to big plays, it's really something that's not predetermined. It kind of just happens. Not every ball is going to be perfect. You're going to have to make plays sometimes, whether the ball is behind you, whether it's in front of you, you just got to make a play. It's all about adjusting."
Q: On if he embraces the S.W.A.R.M (Special Work Ethic and Relentless Mindset) mentality
Boutte: "Yeah, I kind of like the Texans' S.W.A.R.M. That's pretty much my mindset."
Q: On playing for his fourth different head coach in four seasons
Boutte: "I didn't even think about that. Now that you say that, that is a thing. That doesn't have anything to do with me. They believe in me, they trust in my ability. They brought me here for a reason, so I'm going to do that."
Q: On being closer to home
Boutte: "I would say it does feel good. Being in Boston, it's a four-hour flight back home. But Louisiana is three hours right up the road. LSU plays this weekend, might go back home and watch them play Clemson. Saturday night, Death Valley. It feels good. Even though I'm not really home, it's the people make it feel like home. Shout out to them."
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything new Texans WR Kayshon Boutte said in his introductary press conference
