Here's everything Houston Texans defensive tackle Tommy Togiai said following Day 12 of training camp, including his thoughts on the newcomers at defensive tackle and the reunion of Jadeveon Clowney.
Question: On his impressions of DE Jadeveon Clowney Tommy Togiai: "Yeah, I played with him in Cleveland, so I've known him for a little while now and I know what he can do. When he first got here, he was like, 'Tommy T,’ I'm back with you.' It's easy to see that." Q: On his impression of the defense through Training Camp Togiai: "Very good. I think we've improved as days gone on through camp. I think that's what we're chasing, consistency. I've seen flashes of things and now it's just like honing in on those skills and can we make every rep count."
Q: On C/G Keylan Rutledge and what he has brought to the offensive line Togiai: "I think that mentality. Obviously, we don't want any fighting, but to have that on the offensive line, that mentality, I think we need that kind of nastiness, like you said. We need that on the offensive line, so that's a great mentality. We're just challenging each other each day. He's making me better; I'm making him better. Iron sharpening iron each day." Q: On the offensive line being stout going against them in Training Camp Togiai: “Yeah, I would definitely say that. The double teams, it’s a fight to stay in the double teams for sure. Like I said before we’re just making each other better.”
Q: On his focus going into the season Togiai: "Honestly, I'm just focused on the season and trying to go ball out this year best I can. Help this team to a Super Bowl. That's my focus. If the contract comes, sweet. I'll be really grateful and really hopeful for it. But right now, I'm just focused on football." Q: On what makes him a reliable football player Togiai: "It just starts with preparation. For me, my routine is everything. Just trying to stay disciplined in that. Each day, treating it as it is, not just trying to drag through each day, but it's a new day each day. It's a new opportunity to get better. That's how I treat it as such and try to go make new plays out on that field."
Q: On the goal of reaching the Super Bowl Togiai: "You always have that goal each year. That's the thing you strive for. I think I would say the same emphasis, but it's like time is now. We've gone to a divisional round a couple times now and that's not good enough. We've got to get to that Super Bowl." Q: On QB C.J. Stroud getting game-like reps during Training Camp Togiai: "Yeah. I would say it's real game-like because I know we're getting as close as we can because we can't get a sack or anything like that. It gives him real-life situations of how the game might be with him moving around in the pocket, being good with the ball and finding his reach through the pocket, so I think that gives him a good look." This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans DL Tommy Togiai said after Day 12 on training camp