Here's everything Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following Tuesday's joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, including his overall thoughts on effort, the role of the running backs in the passing game and his relationship with former Texans assistant and current Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak.
Question: Thoughts on the joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders DeMeco Ryans: "It was a really great opportunity. We've been looking forward to the joint practice versus the Raiders. Being out here today, it was a really good day. Both sides are really competitive football, physical football. Both sides making plays, so a lot of positives from us on both sides. Also a lot to learn, a lot to clean up as well. We got out of the joint practice right now exactly what we wanted. Really good competitive work, different schemes to go against different players. It was really great work, so proud of the guys for today." Q: On the positives he took away the joint practice Ryans: "I really liked the way we ran the football. I thought we stuck well onto our blocks and we finished well. Our running backs, they were the highlight of the day for me. The way they ran the ball physically, low pad level, really finishing runs. They did a really nice job."
Q: On seeing the offense line go against a different defensive line Ryans: "Standing there behind the offensive line, just hearing the communication, seeing all the guys getting on the same page. Really proud of starting with our centers for the way they communicated, also for the quarterbacks and everybody echoing the calls to make sure we're on the same page versus a different front. Really happy that we were able to get some five-down looks so we can really stress our communication and it worked well for us today." On RB Woody Marks Ryans: "Woody has shown confidence back since OTAs. Seeing him running the football, looking faster, quicker, but also in the passing game, excelling. He is very defined at the top of his routes, which is cool to see. He's a tough cover because he's so quick. He can beat you deep and also beat you underneath as well. He's done a really great job."
Q: On his takeaway from both sides during the joint practice Ryans: "I thought the practice was very efficient on both sides. We got done with some periods quicker than we normally do, so I thought the tempo, the pace was really good work." Q: On WR Jayden Higgins injury status "No update at this time with Higgins. They're still evaluating him for a leg injury."
Q: On T Blake Fisher "Blake did a nice job today. [Maxx] Crosby is a really great player, gave us some tough looks. The thing about Crosby is he stays after it. He's not just going to go one rush and just stop. He has great effort. He plays with great effort, so you have to strain, you have to finish at the tackle position and our tacklers did a good job today." Q: On C/G Evan Brown Ryans: "Evan's done a great job being versatile. Starting at the center position, he does a great job communicating. Then he can also bump over to play either guard spot. Very versatile guy. You need a guy like that when you only have eight guys on game day. You need a guy like that who can be versatile and Evan has shown that he can do that for us. Excited to see where he continues to grow."
Q: On QB C.J. Stroud Ryans: "I thought C.J. did really well today. Some really nice plays all day. Really great decisions again. The same thing he's been doing all camp. So, proud of just his competitive spirit as well. When he was out there, he started barking back and forth. Yeah, he's doing that, but he's still holding his composure and making plays as well. So, I'm proud of the work that C.J. did today." Q: On his relationship with Raiders' Head Coach Klint Kubiak and coordinating a joint practice Ryans: "It was real easy working with [Raiders' Head Coach] Klint [Kubiak]. I've known Klint since he was a teenager when he was out here with his dad at practices. Known him for a long time. What I love about Klint is, he’s just a really cool, calm, quiet spirit. A guy who loves the Lord. He's a great family guy. So, it's really cool talking to him, catching up. It was easy to schedule practice. Very like-minded in our approach to the game. I really appreciate him and the Raiders organization for the way we handled practice today."
On scuffles breaking out throughout the practice "It was a much needed day for us to go against someone else. I thought, for the most part, it was a pretty solid practice. I mean, the tempers flaring. We had probably one little dust-up, but we resolved that very quickly and guys got back to work. Everybody's a true professional here. Their side of the ball, our side of the ball. Everybody worked as professionals. We did practice the right way, exactly how we orchestrated it. We didn't have any fights or anything today. I’m proud to come out of a joint practice without having any fights." Q: On the running backs good performance during practice Ryans: "The flow of the practice dictated that. I didn't come in expecting one thing from any particular group. We put the ball down, lined up and we win and guys just truly just got after it. It was cool to see those guys. The way they ran the football in a physical manner, that's what I liked the best."
Q: On QB C.J. Stroud's composure from the Raiders' pressure on the defensive line Ryans: "We got some different looks when it came to the pressures that they were presenting to us. They got us a couple of times on some pressures and we picked up the others. I'd say It was about 50-50 on the pressures, but I like the way our offensive line battle picked up the twist games, the stunts. They really battled and finished, allowing C.J. to step up in the pocket to deliver the ball downfield." This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said following joint practice with Raiders