Texans morning huddle: Team improves to 2-1 in preseason
By Randy Gurzi
The Houston Texans went on the road and defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-13. Today’s huddle features news and quotes following the game in which Houston never looked back after scoring their first touchdown which gave them a 7-3 lead early in the first quarter.
Texans’ new starting QB Hoyer sharp in win over Saints – Fox Sports
"Brian Hoyer sounded pleased about his first game as the Houston Texans’ designated starter.Ryan Mallett, meanwhile, looked determined not to let his disappointment linger over his relegation to a backup role.Hoyer led scoring drives on two of his three series on Sunday, and the Texans went on to a 27-13 preseason victory over the inconsistent and undisciplined New Orleans Saints.“It’s good to come out and start the game and move the ball like we did,” Hoyer said. “That means what we are doing is moving the team in the right direction.”All three Houston quarterbacks led scoring drives. Mallett threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jaelen Strong, and afterward downplayed the anger he’d expressed at the initial news that Hoyer was named the starter over him.“There was nothing to put behind me,” Mallett said. “I felt like we went out there and executed our game plan and we moved the football and scored some points on them.”Houston’s third-string quarterback, Tom Savage hit rookie Chandler Worthy for a 6-yard score in the fourth quarter.Hoyer finished 7 of 11 for 82 yards. Mallett was 9 of 17 for 77 yards, and Savage finished 5 of 7 for 58 yards.Houston took the lead for good on its first offensive series, capped by former LSU running back Alfred Blue’s 1-yard run. The score was set up by a pass-interference call on cornerback Keenan Lewis, who was trying to prevent DeAndre Hopkins from hauling in Hoyer’s pass in the end zone. Hopkins had already beaten Lewis for a 29-yard catch on the drive."
Charles James II does it all against the Saints – by Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com
"To Charles James II, it was the best touchdown in the history of touchdowns that didn’t count.James, who lined up at running back for several plays late in Sunday’s game in New Orleans, ran 73 yards for a touchdown that was later nullified because of a holding call. James credited the offensive line for blocking and opening up a hole for him.As for himself, this was the first time he has lined up on offense in an NFL game. He did so in high school “a little bit” and some in college at Charleston Southern.“You know, I played offense in college, especially going into my senior year,” James said. “I would get screens and stuff like that but never in the NFL. I played punt returner my rookie year when I was in New York and I got the ball in my hands then, but this has been a first since my New York days.”Head coach Bill O’Brien has used James II in all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams, throughout training camp and preseason. James hopes to make the most of the opportunity to make the team with impending roster cuts less than a week away.“For OB to give me that ball, it says a lot,” James said. “It says, ‘Hey man, we trust you enough to give you the ball because you are carrying the hopes and dreams of the team whether it’s the preseason or the regular season.’”In the meantime, James plans on keeping his non-touchdown football. He doesn’t care if counts or not."
Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt plays catch with fans before game vs. New Orleans Saints – by Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune
"J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans played catch with several fans during warmups before a preseason game Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.The All-Pro defensive end walked along the end zone nearest the Texans’ entrance to the field as he tossed a football to several fans seated in the lower deck. He later launched a few throws into the second and third deck — including one with a tight spiral caught by a fan in the front row of the top deck.Watt has been a healthy scratch in the Texans’ first two preseason games. Texans coach Bill O’Brien said he did not expect starters to play much Sunday.Watt has been a focal point for the “Hard Knocks” series airing on HBO. Footage of his throws between fans would seem to be a natural fit for the next episode when it airs Tuesday."
What the Houston Texans said after beating New Orleans Saints – by Terrance Harris of NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune
"Quotes from the locker room after the Houston Texans’ 27-13 preseason win over the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday afternoon.“It was too many plays. I think that it was a 12-play drive. In the end, I think they (defense) bowed-up in the red area, which was good to see. The red area defense, I think, overall was pretty good today (no touchdowns allowed in three trips).”–Texans coach Bill O’Brien on the Saints opening drive that ended in a 28-yard field goal after moving the football 75 yards in 12 plays to the Texans 10.“I think we wanted to come out and start the game fast. Coach O’Brien is always telling us to start fast, whether it’s a game or practice, and he’s always putting us in situations to get us prepared to start fast and put together and drive and go down the field.”–Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer on the offense being productive against the Texans.“I was robbed,” he said. “There is no way that wasn’t a catch.”–Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins on his reception in the end zone that was ruled a non-catch on a pass interference call against Keenan Lewis in the first quarter."