EVP/GM Nick Caserio Talks Bills Matchup | Texans All-Access

0:00What is going on everybody welcome into a Wednesday edition of Texans all access from London Texans Radio studio I'm your host John Harris football analyst sideline reporter for your Houston Texans and it's game week Yeah, oh man cannot wait now we have preseason games and those have been fun being up in the booth That's been great, but now it's time to get out brass tax baby regular season week one Actually starts this evening the season starts real football at counts on the record starts tonight C.O.X. Patriots then tomorrow you got Rams Niners and then a full slate on Sunday. It is freaking awesome. It is back So on this Wednesday show as you know during the season we go for a couple hours We go from six to eight Friday will go from six to eight plus eight to nine Tonight's a little different because of that game. I just mentioned the the Patriots and the Seahawks kicking off the season

1:06That will kick at about 17 I believe so we will go for an hour tonight Plus a little extra so if you get it for getting that little extra in the second hour just a little ten minute Little do hiki there. We're gonna give you eight and Fisher Yeah, Mark and I had a chance to catch up with him in studio today. We'll have that for you the last Little bit there right before we turn over to Westwood one and they'll have the game for you Seahawks Patriots So we'll go full hour tonight then a little extra and Then we'll go the full hour tomorrow before Rams and Niners and then Friday We'll have the whole we have three hours. We'll have six eight eight to nine We'll have a blast in our final show of the week as we get ready for a Sunday visit from the Buffalo Bills now if you've been following us for the last six years in particular You know how we kick off each and every Wednesday show that's right the executive vice president and general manager of your Houston, Texans Nick Casario, and I know it's already been posted online. I think our buddy stressants put it out there

2:12The scouting report you know, I ask him every single week I started doing that probably a couple of years ago People like hearing it. It's a general manager. It shows you. He knows everything about the opponent about his own team It's pretty amazing. I love it. We'll have that in this conversation with Nick Casario that starts right now Here we go week one visit with executive vice president and general manager Nick Casario Nick great to see you Fellowes great to be here. Here we are. It's week one and Nick We had our last lengthy visit right at the start of training camps So between then and now how do you feel about the progress of the whole program if you will? Yeah, for sure a lot of work from a lot of different people to kind of get to this point It's hard to believe that training game is behind us and we're on the precipice of you know the regular suburbicator season game here But a lot of work from a lot of people support staff coaching staff strength editioning staff medical staff nutrition staff You know, we've had a lot of player movement, you know, which that's kind of part for the course this time of year So kind of work with a number of players here during a course of training camp

3:16There's a still a decent amount that are around some players aren't here. We know it's on point We're probably gonna need you know a few more players here as a season progresses But overall they're pretty good spot and I think everybody's excited for the opportunity in front of us Nick we always talk about each year's a different year especially in NFL every year is different here every year is different year How would you say this team is different just 30,000 foot view? How do you how would you say this team is different than maybe the two or three that came before it? Yeah, well, we have a number of new players to bad or you know, we're incorporating into the program and do a variety of different roles So I'd say that's probably the biggest thing You have days of staff schematically like we've advanced in terms of our development and I think every year You're always looking to make tweets and modifications to whatever you do regardless of how it goes good or bad And we understand that what's happened the past few seasons doesn't really have any bearing on what happens here starting on Sunday But overall I'd say the foundation of the program has been in place here for a little bit We're always trying to add and enhance some of the things that we do programmatically

4:17So that's probably the biggest difference in the biggest change is probably taking place back in the off season when we had the draft and free Agency before that player acquisition time When we were talking about the offensive line you said well, we'll see how it all comes together in camp and it did come together Last few weeks you have this line seems to be solidified for now your thoughts on the development of the line Yeah, overall, I mean it's a good group work really hard, you know, Cole and Alex have done a really good job The players have responded it's a combination of young and veteran players older players Even some younger players that have experience in the system, you know, there are some reads just second season He's a young player, but he has experience You know the big red kind of incorporating him into the group as well EBS done a really nice job, you know with his opportunities Ed kind of you know, that was a key resigning for us in the off season Yeah, we kind of had competition there at right tackle between Trent and Braden You know, Braden's gonna be out here for the first four games or whatever it is You know, hopefully Trent is available and ready to go which it looks like you know, you should be but and you know

5:21Probably have three or four players that if they are not starters They're going to be available. We're going to take eight offensive linemen of the game which we talked about But at some point there's probably nine or ten different players that are probably gonna at some point end up playing So overall you feel like it's a pretty good group good attitude good approach good reminds that much smart tough guys And you know, we'll see how it all unfold there times you say things when you're at a press conference And you say things and I'm like yes, okay got that right You were talking about Blake Fisher and throughout training camp You I think you had mentioned Blake had improved maybe more than you know a lot of other guys What are how are you phrased it? But I remember thinking as I was watching training camp This is different looking Blake Fisher and whether he starts or he doesn't the C players improve year after year And to really see the growth these make I would think that's got to be one of the rich parts of doing this Nick But what have you seen from Blake in his improvement? Yeah, sure, it's really a credit to Blake and you know the coaching staff and when we drafted Blake He was a he was a young player. He's 20 or 21 years old and you only been in college for however many years

6:24And sometimes it takes younger players they go through different stages of their overall development But I'd say his mindset is mentality. He's matured His weights in a pretty good spot And he's really taken to techniques to the techniques that we're teaching and coaching And he had a work on both sides So he's you know used him last year as a jumbo tight end and he was kind of the right tackle and that third tackle is really a swing tackles You got to be able to play on both sides But he's really embraced everything associated with becoming a better player So when he's still a young player and he's still improving Like we just mentioned that some point Blake's probably gonna have to play tackle for us You know even going in the first game last year We had to make some changes because the starter wasn't available so But overall you know for Blake to see the his improvement the archivist improvement It's credit to him is credit to coaching staff and it doesn't stop you want to continue that That growth and development Third year in the program so hopefully you know he's gonna continue to press forward

7:25Nick with Higgins going down you made the deal with Keishan booty and here he is now We haven't been able to see him at practice with the full team. Nobody has no media No fans is that kind of an advantage and how does he change or affect the offense being in there being in the mix with the wide receivers? Well, you guys will see him this week as a media will be out there at practice But no overall I mean Keishan's had a good attitude to work hard Big thing is just kind of learning the system there some carry over relative the terminology to some of the things that he's doing in New England But there's some things that are drastically different and positionally where we're gonna play him Maybe it's a little bit different than how he was used in New England. So Overall like those I mean the five that are on a roster I mean, you know those guys are probably gonna all play in some capacity. They all have different strengths They all kind of complement one another, but Saturday good attitude. He's been really good to work with You know so excited to see how the week of preparation goes and then hopefully he can take advantage of opportunities in the game when those are presented Nick I remember when Trady for David Montgomery and Mark and I were sitting in the room We saw the news and I remember thinking at the time

8:28Not so much about David Montgomery, but I thought this might unlock Woody's The Woody marks box a little bit more might allow him to catch ball to backfield a little bit more Obviously a really good pass protector. I'm gonna return kicks like you know, Damien pierced it a few years ago To thoughts about what Woody has done in this second year because it looked like he came back with Evidence like hey, this is the real me that you're seeing not the rookie me that was your last year Yeah, they're both versatile players They're both three down backs and I would say what what he's a good example of Went through rookie season. There were some ups and downs So you had a lot of positive plays and you really committed himself in the offseason because you really have an opportunity to grow from year one to year two He started training in February March April May had a really good offseason. He was out there. He was available. He was on the field I mean he and Higgins were probably the two players from the rookie class Who had made the most growth in overall development? So fortunately what happened to Higg there and with the Raiders practice But Woody had a good approach good attitude. He was in good condition. I mean he looks strong. He looked explosive

9:29And those two players demo and and Woody When we feel like we could they're kind of interchangeable to some degree So we'll kind of see how it all comes together. Nick do we have enough tight ends? A bunch of tight ends on this roster and when people ask me about the receivers I say hey, don't look past the tight ends because it might not be a volume thing in terms of catches But an impact thing how do you see the group? Yeah, I mean the tight ends are involved pretty much in every phase and involved in the big part of the passing game I mean Dalton was our leading receiver last year in terms of reception So I mean he's been a good player in a passing game over the course of his career And we've seen what players like Breven have been able to do with his opportunities You know, Marlon's a young player who we feel can help us in the passing game So really you have to look at the entire skill group They're all involved in the passing game to some degree whether it's route running whether it's protection How you're gonna formation things But it's a deep group kind of similar to the receiver group. They all kind of complement one another They're not all the same type of player So some of it will be figuring out like how do we want to play the game and then who gives us the best opportunity to go out there and execute the game point

10:31Okay, so I feel like I can check this box off even though I'm gonna ask you about undrafted rookie free agents But the rookie box can be checked off here if I ask you about Sebastian harsh and Colin right what did you see Nick from those two guys And what I find interesting Undrafted free agents it feels like they need every single second of time to show to you to the staff to everybody But they can make it but both of these guys were actually hurt during different times of training camp yet They both made the team what can tell us about Sebastian and Colin yeah, it's a combination of everything like what goes on in the field What goes on behind the scenes and when they're actually on the practice field what are they doing with those opportunities Um, Colin was a player who seemingly in the spring and even in training camp when he was out there kind of showed up every day I mean he was on to me goes highlight tape just about every day getting his hand on the football and it's Sebastian When he was on the field like he had to show the ability to sort of rep out rep our style Play with the right mentality. He was able to get to the quarterback played pretty well there in the last few preseason games

11:32And even going to the Carolina practice when we were working against their group He showed up quite a bit on the practice tape So it was a combination of things and at some point we just have to make an assessment about hey What do we think we want to do? How are we going to keep as many good players in the building? What does that look like? But those are two players real really good attitude have the right mindset and to your point Johnny They didn't get in the building until May So they had a short amount of time to potentially make an impact them But they're two really good young kids that have the right mentality the right mindset So you know glad that we're glad that they're here Nick I do all these out of town appearances and they're asking me about CJ And they talk about the preseason games and well, we don't get to see the starters But the joint practices is where so much evaluation is and what did you make of how the offense and CJ looked in these joint practices very good against Carolina and the Raiders Yeah, overall, I mean really as a team everybody's going to have moments like you're going to have positive moments The other teams going to have positive moments is not going to be all did to similar on Sunday We're out there against Buffalo, but overall often a really a lot of really good things

12:35I mean CJ probably had his best training camp since he's been here So excited to see kind of how he plays and performs Know he's excited about the opportunity in front of him to get started here this season But I mean, he's liked it captain, you know for the four-time there You know since he's been in Houston, Texan so it says a lot about what his teammates think about him So you know looking forward to kind of seeing how it all unfold starting Sunday Okay, it's great. Houston, Texans are awesome. We're looking forward to week one But this is what the people want. Let's give them what they want Nick Buffalo bills scouting report. We faced them Two years 24 25 now 26 all taken place in this building, which is always fun Let's dive into the scouting reporter of a team that is really really good But making some changes especially in the defensive side Your scouting report for the bills. Yeah, for sure. It's probably more about what Johnny Harris wants them with the fans So I don't know this is this is an outstanding program starts the top of Brandon Peans You're one of the best general managers in football They've consistently put a winning product together. I have a number of good players

13:37Made the change in the offseason going from coach McDermott who really did a great job with the Buffalo program and I like elevated Joe Brady That coach Joe probably still be a play caller, but Joe's a really really good coach good offensive coach The higher Jimmy Leonard as a defensive coordinator Jimmy is you know always been a highly thought of Assisting coach whether or in college or even in his role with the Broncos and Jimmy had a really good career You know talking about going on drafted player to add a 9 10 gear career wherever he had They hired Jeff Rogers as special teams coach Who was in Arizona previously? So really good coaching staff And we look at their team. I mean, I got great players really all over all over the roster offensively everything really starts with Josh And James Cook. I mean, they're two of the best players at their respective positions in the league Certainly present a lot of problems You know, Josh had been the MVP in a discussion almost every year so we know what he's capable of Really offensive line is kind of the state in place to change really the only change was left guard with Alex Anderson

14:41You know Edwards Latin for agency but the core of the group still in place was good offensive line Very I would say diverse tight end group three really good tight ends and Hawes Knox and Dalton concade I'm same thing at running back three really good backs. We talked about Cook Todd Johnson Ray Davis who gave them a lot of plays as a kickoff returners as well So kind of a dual threat And the offseason acquisition of DJ Moore receiver Who's been a very consistent very productive very durable player to go with Shakir Josh Palmer Coleman. So this is a really good offensive unit and then defensively Probably going to be making some changes schematically Honestly, we really don't know what it's going to look like until we kind of line up there on Sunday But a really good front walker looks like he's made a lot of progress there and in the interior defense You know, not having Oliver last year because the injury It probably hurt them a little bit, but he's a really good player The Chub acquisition is going to be a very I'd say a big acquisition for their defense He had a really good year in Miami last year coming up the injury. So you know Chubb and Rousseau they're on the edge

15:45Bernard and there's one of the more instinctive football players are going to play against You know Dory Williams You know gives them I would say a good complement and Elarms or who they drafted from TCU is that a really good training camp So they're kind of three for two there linebacker The secondary they kind of overhaul the corner position there a little bit Benford's the one holdover Signed all for to play nickel draft to dig Benosan in the second round You know, Harrison, you know, who was the third corner last year looks like he's going to play And the secondary I mean adding CD to the safety group, you know him and Bishop are pretty versatile players So I mean overall this is a really good football team Who gonna present a lot of challenges and they've been one of the top teams really in the NFL for the last however many years So you understand, you know, what's in front of us is a big challenge But you know, hopefully our players are excited about the opportunity on Sunday Nick everyone talks about the defenses success against Josh Allen last couple of years But all right nine for 32 years ago last year eight sacks these games come down to the wire anyway He's that good. They are that good of a team

16:47Which game stands out more to you as far as the nerve-wracking meter Nick two years ago when you needed that Robert Woods Many return and then a quick little pass and then the field goal by fairbaring It was a long one or last year when they hit the hook and lateral and then Kaelin had to make the pick at the end Yeah, no, they're all the same but I think you look games are one of lost in a fourth quarter and you when you have two good teams I mean typically it's gonna come down to who can make the play there in the fourth quarter You know, we were fortunate to be able to make those plays here last few years I mean nobody really knows it's gonna happen here on Sunday So there's gonna be there's always a lot of newness especially week one in the NFL I mean, it's the first opportunity for everybody to play kind of a full game There's some somatic things that you're gonna have to deal with so many in you have to go back to your basic fundamentals And your foundation a heaven place and it's gonna come down to which team executes better and ultimately in the fourth quarter Games are one of lost in the fourth quarter So I mean There's a good chance and the game is probably gonna come down to who can play better in the fourth quarter So you know hopefully in her position where we can do that. Nick. You've been preparing for Josh Allen

17:50For the minute he came into the league How have you seen him over the years? If all that's a quarterback Making it that much more difficult to prepare for him and like Mark said 9 for 30 yeah, okay got sack eight times last year. Okay yet He's still one miracle throw away from from winning the ball game How have you seen him evolve over the years and making him that much more difficult to prepare for now? Yeah, he's become really in all around quarterback You know, I think when he was drafted there was a rawness to him You know because of my only completion presenters everybody talks about that But talking about a big strong guy who smart that has a cannon for an arm and then each year the more he's played the more He's grown the more he's matured and he understood he's talked about this Are you got to pick his spots where his playmaking ability which is massive? Kind of are when you have to harness it a little bit and just kind of make the smart play But he presents problems because you can get the ball the all three levels of the field He can fit it into tight spots And then if you don't maintain your rush lane integrity He has the ability to make plays with his leg and then on you know short yardage

18:53I don't know what the percentages are but nobody has more first downs on some of the quarterback sneaks or whatever it is Third and one fourth and one than him and he kind of has a way where he kind of avoids a trash and finds a space So this is a very smart very You know well-rounded football player who's matured he's seen just about everything and he's played well in critical situations and critical game So we have to prepare for his best which is probably what he's going to provide But I mean there's a reason he's been recognized as an MVP in his league Which that comes with a lot of work and a lot of growth and a lot of development and their coaching staff certainly serves a lot of credit You know for his growth as well Nick can we put the spotlight on linebacker depth for a moment here because you lost EJ in the off season And then early in camp Jake Hansen as that injury But then we see him walking around okay great. He's on the 53 But what about the guys behind his ease and Henry? Yeah, I mean they've worked really hard I mean Jake's worked himself kind of to get himself ready to go here for the season You know Jake Humber who we signed the off season who's kind of gonna have a key role in the kicking game He's shown the ability to go out there and line up defensively as well

19:55And then Wade has had his moments wood as had his moments as well Everybody saw the interception there in the preseason game But he's a big strong guy who's smart Hope should be hopefully ready to play here Coming off a thumb injury here from training camp But like we feel overall we have five you know scoops on a practice squad You know there's our six linebackers So we have six players that we feel okay Something that happens to a z's or Henry that they'd be Prepared and ready to go in there and just maybe not play quite to the level of those players because they're talking about You know two really good players, but overall it's a really smart instinctive group That has experience in our system and you know we feel comfortable with them on the field Nick. What's the biggest week one aspect that you Are most anxious about Is it tackling because really haven't tackled a whole lot with the main group? Is it being tackled? You know cj hasn't been Well, you know will touch them a few times, but you get my point guys haven't been tackled. They haven't been tackled in a game Is it

20:56Schematically not chasing ghosts like you prepared all week for this, but then they come out of different team What's kind of the biggest anxiety filled moments you have in week one? What does it relate to? Yeah, it's a combination of everything you articulated in the other part of this There's nobody really talks about the stamina so nobody is played 65 70 plays offensively or defensively now Typically eight to ten play drive or whatever it is But and we rotate a lot of guys in so you just have to make sure your depth Everybody is sort of ready to go understanding that might be some players in my back. They don't make it 65 70 players So it's the things that you articulated plus combined with the stamina And always the unknown of week one and this particular case, you know The new staff schematically there's gonna be some things that they haven't shown right that they're likely holding that we'll kind of see in the first quarter there And we're probably gonna have to adjust as a game of alphs to me go said hey these TV commercial timeouts They're longer than the breaks that give them in practice. We're good. We're gonna be just fine No problem Nick. I wanted to ask you about artificial intelligence and I mean the football side of it

22:00Yes, but also the Nick Kiserio opinion on where we are headed as a society Nick No, just in case you have any opinions on that. Yes, the society's not gonna fall apart I mean I've viewed it you know We've utilized and incorporated into some of the things we're doing operationally But it's really an enhancer and you're really here. It's just trying to become more efficient And maybe you can do some things artificial intelligence that you free up some time and some other areas So we're a kind of experiment with a little bit we're kind of incorporating this some of our sort of week-to-week process But I mean reality is I mean it's here and you have to embrace it to some degree and understand what the application is And how to maximize and you know, I think we're trying to make sure that we familiarize ourselves with the tools I mean all things society's coming to an end. There's a lot of you know, dooms out there that think artificial intelligence is gonna end the world. I don't feel that way But all kidding aside. I mean it's something that we can get to incorporate in some of the different things that we're doing Nick one of the things you mentioned earlier I always think about Because it's the one area it feels like the rules change almost every year to the kicking game

23:02As you get into week one Familiarizing yourself with and not just yourself But the staff and the players in particular the new rules that happen with the kicking game in particular Is there any I'm not concerned but just having to do that getting ready for week one because things have changed and continue to change in the kicking game Yeah, I think the big thing is just making sure you educate the players on what some of the nuances are and some of the new things that you just have to be Aware of more than anything else So I mean whether it's a setup whether it's where you feel the ball whether it's where you catch the ball Even going back to the last preseason game there you know the penalty on the right on the point after or the last play And then you kick off from the 50 and then if the ball goes through the end zone So then instead of starting at the 35 or 40 you start in the 20 so it's just really just educating the players About some of the different things and the league does a good job the ring the referees and during training camp and talk about Hey, you're the points of emphasis here the things that are new and it's our job to just make sure we internalizing to understand it So we can actually apply it on a field on Sunday. How has Kai Kroger done for you? I noticed the net punt average in the preseason would have led the league last year. I don't know that yeah

24:07No, no, Kai's done a good job really good attitude. No, we had a competition there You know with him in Stonehouse and then we kind of made a decision We're gonna go with Kai, but he's done a really good job. He's improved He's kind of taking to the coaching, you know, Frank and Will have done a really good job with him So Really punting is about field position and just trying to control field position So whether it's kicking on a long field or a plus 50 punting and some of the nuances that are involved in that Some of the directional punting that's involved so but he's had a really good attitude It's got a good demeanor. It's done a good job of working, you know with Austin and Kaini And their respective areas. So, you know, well, hopefully you can continue to do some of the things that he's done here in a preseason Now Tuesday last Tuesday. I think it was we ended up going to Charlotte. Maybe it's a Tuesday before we went to Charlotte and in the morning The uniforms were unveiled the rivalry uniforms and there is nobody Nobody's opinion. I'm the expert on that Exactly More as to what you thought of a uniform. I know you were seeing there you refreshing refreshing refreshing Yeah, how do you know I actually did I didn't have I didn't have it on so no they look pretty slick actually

25:12They did a really good job Yeah, and it seemed like the fan response has been very positive as well And it sounds like they've sold out in the in the progis. Oh, yeah So no it's you know our marketing team creative team and honestly they did a really good job You know the players had their spin on it as well, but they look pretty slick look pretty cool We're not going to wear it for a little bit here, but um, you know has a nice touch and you know It's nice to see the positive response that we receive look good play good right? All right, Nick. Thanks a lot. Good luck Thanks, fellas. I've realized in these six years that Nick and I are actually very similar about things I remember when the jerseys came out 2024 us kind of like, yeah, you know Okay, great new jerseys fantastic. Oh, I like the h down blue. It's great But for some reason and he had kind of the same feeling about it But for some reason man, these rivalry jerseys have they've struck a chord in all of us We've all been very very happy with them there just beautiful Uh, and I was glad to see that Nick was able to answer that question with a a positive statement and not You know how I feel about jerseys john because I know how I feel it's because I feel uh the very same way all right

26:16Coming up next. Let's get Opposing view Called men behind the mics each every week mark van demir sits down with the play by play voice of the other side It's our friend Chris Brown the play by play voice of the buffalo bills He would join mark and us right here in Texas all access next state right where you are Welcome back this Wednesday edition of Texans all access from the Texans radio studio I am your host john Harris football analyst sat on our reporter for your Houston Texans and it's time to go men behind the mics Chris Brown is the play by play voice in fact. He's been in play by play voice. I think for the last couple of years John Murphy who had been a long time play by play voice there uh became sick and Chris filled in and then when it was made permanent Chris was going to be the guy his guy we've known for a long time gotten me friends with him This radio crew I've known for a long time sokapace was a side-line reporter He will not they changed

27:17Affiliation and so sound fortunately Will not be on the sidelines, but he will be in Houston. So look forward to catching up with him To discuss all things buffalo bills and Houston Texans but Chris Brown knows this thing inside and out as the play by play voice Of this team and he sat down with mark van demir the voice to Texans Let's go men behind the mics with mark and chris Joining us is the voice of the buffalo bills Chris Brown Chris great to catch up once again and let's start here How is training camp? How did it go for the bills? How would you characterize what the preseason and camp the two days everything was like leading up to this moment Yeah, I mean, I would say the headline on offense and through the preseason was DJ Moore the trade acquisition from Chicago He has exceeded expectations and has firmly established himself at the top of the pecking order in the bills receiver room Which was what they were hoping for But the on field chemistry between him and Josh Allen

28:19Has been noticeable each and every day and it only got better as camp and the preseason war on So I think the expectation is he is going to be a major component and hopefully a major improvement For buffalo's passing game after it took a little bit of a step back last year So that's probably the highlight on offense and then on defense It's the new scheme under defensive coordinator Jim Leonard coming in with a three four Front and changing this defensive system for the first time in a decade and the early returns have been very positive And the bills have a lot of young players that are going to have Important roles in this defensive system. I mean the bills drafted 12 defensive players in their last two classes So a lot of those guys are going to be on the field playing one roller another and they're going to trust their young players because they made a A conscious effort this off season to get younger and faster and more athletic on defense Chris tell me how does Joe Brady being the head coach change things if at all you mentioned Leonard being the defensive coordinator

29:26No, McDermott obviously overseeing the whole thing But the defense always had his stamp on it even if he wasn't the coordinator But then joe Brady becomes head coach. What is the leadership going to be like? What do you think the impact will be at least in the short term? What are your thoughts? Yeah, I think if you look at some of Joe's mantras, you know, they're on walls throughout the building It's put the ball down and be you with us So he's encouraging Individuals on this roster to be themselves and he's also reminding this team that when they have a formidable opponent Like Houston here in week one for example He's reminding them that team has to play us too. So let's just put the ball down and whoever it is we're going to go play our game and I think there's a from the part of the players there's an underlying Stimmaring of anger I think frustrations about how they haven't gotten to the promised land um and reach the Super Bowl and I think a lot of these players that have been here year over year

30:31Or of the mindset that's enough is enough and we're not gonna Take a week off. We're not gonna have a poor performance in any given week throughout the season certainly easier said than done mark But that seems to be their their underlying uh I guess attitude for lack of a better term and It's certainly different and in contrast to what we've seen in recent years Chris Brown joining us voice of the Buffalo bills Chris we always talk about Josh Allen here in Houston and how the Texans have done a good job against him Statistically in this building and I know the bills fans and bills media everybody's aware of that as well I am quick to point out that Look at all these games that Josh Allen especially the last two which are the most relevant to the conversation It took everything the Texans had to beat the bills at the wire basically in both of those outings How do you see Josh Allen versus the Texans in that dynamic of it? It's tough sledding. I mean, I don't think there's any question about it. You cannot

31:32You cannot be anything close to one dimensionally into the Texans defense or they'll eat you for lunch Um the bills I thought ran the ball pretty well last year I mean James Cook even had what was it a 40 plus yard touchdown run? When he hit a crease and then just beat everybody to the end zone And you know people forget that it's yeah Josh Allen steals the spotlight But the bills also bring the rushing champion from last year into this game and had the number one rushing offense in football The Texans probably had one of the better days against the bill's run game But I expect them to try to be too dimensional Against this Texans defense because they know if they get stuck doing one thing or the other only They're in trouble just like any other team would be against that Texans defense. It's just too good To even give them an inkling as to what might be coming. So I expect them to mix it up with great variety in this one Chris what are they saying at least people around the program people around the bills organization

32:32Maybe fans media whatever about the Houston Texans and about what the Texans might bring to the table here in week one What's the buzz in Buffalo about this game and about the Texans? Oh, I mean, I think there's a healthy respect For the Texans particularly their defense. I think they they garner an enormous amount of respect just by virtue of what they've done to the bills the last two years I mean Yes, they were tight games, but There were times in those games where you know, they made Josh Allen look like A regular quarterback not some superhuman phenom which is what he is most weeks so they make him look human and That's kind of startling sometimes for bills fans who are used to seeing you know the superhero with the cape So They certainly have earned their respect in the last two seasons having beaten the bills You know down there in Houston the last couple of times. I think bills fans want to hope that you know with the new defensive system And Joe Brady may be being a little bit more aggressive now that he You know calls all the shots as the head coach and you'll still be calling the offensive plays

33:36You know that they might be a little bit more aggressive take advantage of Josh's arm a little bit more But you got to be careful with that and make sure you're balanced out because I don't think you want Josh trapping Chopping back 35 40 times against this team. How much does Josh Allen to your knowledge Collaborate with Brady on the offense play selection game plan that kind of thing What are your thoughts? I think there's a healthy amount of it. I mean, this is their fourth year together now Um from the time that Brady came in as quarterback coach and then promoted to OC and now head coach So I think there is a healthy dialogue there Um, and I think there is Very good back and forth and I think Every coordinator whether they're a head coach or just the coordinator I mean, it's smart to do that right give your give your quarterback plays that he feels confident in And likes the most based on the person at least got around him. So I think there's a very healthy give and take there where if Josh doesn't like it It's not in the game plan. All right. What about the AFC east we're talking with Chris brown the voice of the Buffalo bills

34:40What are your thoughts on what the Patriots did this off season? How good they might be It's weird that these two teams are matching up because they both finished second in their respective divisions Right. Yeah, I think the Patriots are still You know for middible opponent I might give the bills a slight edge to retake the division title Knowing a lot of their games are similar and now the Patriots are playing a first-place schedule not a last-place schedule as they were last year That changes things and the Patriots are good at taste of that But I do expect them to be Buffalo's most ardent competition in the division not that that's saying a whole lot because the dolphins are in full tear down mode um Because of all the dead cap money that they have on their books about 175 million and the jets are still trying to crawl their way Back to respectability. So and they're trying to do it with a 35-year-old quarterback who you know They drafted 13 years ago and then let walk and now we're bringing them back at age 35 and genome Smith

35:41So I think it's very much seen as a two-horse race between Buffalo and New England Um because those other two teams just aren't ready yet to compete Chris, what about the other aFC contenders? How do you look at the Ravens, Broncos, Chargers? Are the chiefs going to be back? What's the conversation that you're having about the rest of the aFC contenders? Yeah, it's interesting. I think the aFC West is really tough um I think a lot of people think there's a chance that Three teams could come out of that division and make the playoffs um, you know if the chiefs can bounce back Uh, and the homes looks healthy. I don't know that you can ever count them out, you know with Andy Reedus their head coach The Chargers everybody's waiting for them to finally break through But it hasn't really happened to the degree that people anticipated maybe it's different With new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel who I think will be a breath of fresh air for that offense

36:41Particularly just in Herbert And then Baltimore It's interesting because you know they're one of the other Nine teams with a new head coach, but I don't think they have quite the same continuity You know that the bills enjoyed just promoting Joe Brady from within, you know I got Jesse Minner who's brand new there And sometimes all of that turnover takes some time to get it all to gel so i'm very curious to see how Baltimore comes out of the blocks here Uh, and whether or not they get off to a faster or a slow start because that could Largely determine just what kind of contender they can be Well, I'm looking at this bill's schedule. This is no picnic here because playing the NFC north all those teams Did well enough last year. I don't know. Nobody was outstanding the bears 1 11 games But everybody's right there with them and then you look at your other game against the NFC And that's against the Rams on the road. That's very tough. What do you make of the rest of the schedule for the bills? Yeah, the first five weeks are probably the toughest stretch You know obviously starting with Houston, but then you know Detroit at home

37:45What many people feels an upstart charger steam? Um, you know that should probably make the playoffs again this year You know, and then yeah, you got you got the patriots at home followed by the Rams on Monday night football away So I mean those first five weeks are a tough road of ho and you know You mentioned the division they're facing so in the NFC north as the cross conference division So it's I think it's the eighth tough as schedule in terms of opponent winning percentage from last season So yeah, they know what's in front of them Um, but like I said, they're just gonna you know the proverbial one week at a time thing Um, but they know what's in front of them. They know what's a challenging schedule for sure Okay, so the last time the bills went to London was what three years ago, right against the Jags 2023. Yeah, and the Texans went in 2019 But anything you can share with us about the bills trip to London international Ball is a big topic this week with the game going on in Melbourne and the Texans are going to play the Jags this year in week six

38:46What can you share with us about that trip? Do's and don'ts if you have anything Chris Yeah, it was interesting because you know, we've seen what the 49ers and Rams have done. They're taking complete opposite schools of thought As to the travel the Niners spending pretty much a whole week over there to get acclimated in the Rams leaving At the last possible moment to basically roll off the plane and getting a uniform and play And stay on what for them will be pacific coast time and a 5 30 p.m. Start in their heads Um, the bills when they traveled in 2023. I feel like they kind of middleed it They left on a Thursday night for a Sunday game Um, which kind of left them caught in the middle Because I remember we landed and it was four in the after or two in the afternoon Uh, England time and they were trying to tell everybody to go to bed And it's a bright sunny day. I mean, it was just it wasn't happening And I think it just went downhill from there and they came out really flat

39:49Against Jacksonville and lost that game a game they probably should not have lost And uh, there's always a game or two every single year for the bills where They just are not there. They don't show up for whatever reason and I think the travel was the biggest detriment In that performance three years ago Final thoughts on this matchup week one Texans hosting the bills Chris. What do you got? Yeah, I mean, I think they got to get James Cook rolling to keep their offense too dimensional Just to kind of keep the Texans defense guessing a little bit You can't give them the opportunity to just tee off because they know what's coming at him So any slight Millisecond of hesitation that you can put in the minds of their Starting 11 on defense the better off you are I want to believe that DJ Moore is going to be able to make some plays in the passing game So I think if those two elements are present You know, I think the bills are scoring Maybe not 28 a game But it's pretty clear they got to get over 24 because they've been under that total last couple of times

40:51And it wasn't Good enough for victory and then I think defensively You know, it's got to start with stopping the run this team was 28 against the run last year 30th in yards for carry against That's just flat out not good enough. Joe Brady said. I don't care if our team get the single sacked this year You're not going to run on us. So that's clearly the priority You know and David Montgomery's a hammer So they're going to have all eyes on him and Woody Marx first and figure out the rest after that All right, Chris outstanding stuff. We really appreciate the time and have a safe trip to Houston before to see you on Sunday All right, we'll see you this weekend Yes, we will see you this weekend. Chris Brown right there at reliant Stadium as the bills take on the Texans all right. We got to go around the NFL. We'll do that Next before we hand it off to aid and Fisher in our final segment of the show in the second hour But we got to go around the NFL and we got to hit that injury report which we always do on Wednesday It's the first injury report of the year. It's the first injury report of the week

41:55It's always important one later in the year But what about earlier in the year? Well, if there's good news. It's coming out of this injury report Well, have that we'll go around the NFL. We'll do that next right here in Texans all access What's everybody welcome back this Wednesday edition of Texans all access. I'm your host John Harris football analyst Side line reporter and I got this text from someone you know Earlier today when the injury report was released and it just says that is so not the injury report I was expecting the author of that text was one mark van Mir now you know as We're getting ready for each game each week Wednesday Is when we start looking injury report now as the year goes on That Wednesday report becomes really interesting because you know, which guys made it out of the weekend Who's gonna be questionable who is gonna be in who's gonna be limited in practice who's gonna be full who's a DNP all those kind of things

43:00It becomes very important later in the year You keep your fingers crossed that at the beginning of the year That the injury report is not gonna be a big deal You hope it's not you'd like to see not a lot of guys you know listed on the injury report This is one of those injury reports for your Texans No DNPs. I don't think I've ever seen the injury report no DNPs no DNPs limited caden McDonald with an ankle Full participants Trent Brown Wade Woodaz now. I remember seeing Kaden at practice So maybe this is something happened during practice. We'll keep an eye on that but uh A pretty solid all-round injury report in that there are only a handful of names and only one of them is in the limited participant category now for the Buffalo bills They had two DNPs a DB George Hancock kind of a key special teamer and non-starter and then tie Johnson deal with a hamstring is one of the three backs the bills have and they use all of them tie Johnson along with Ray Davis

44:05And of course the chef James Cook one of the best if not the best running backs in the league and then limited participant TJ Sanders So they've got a couple the DNP category and we'll keep it on of course as I always say it's Wednesday There's a lot of time between now and Sunday But to see an injury report that is not littered with names was kind of nice I mean as we're at practice we're kind of just do a mental checklist clowning. Yep. There he is Colin right. Yep. There he is All right good running backs. Oh man full house No waiting to end you are Jordan even though I practice squad and a feeling With only three running backs they might use one of those guys as an elevation. Don't know But it was at least good to see the back at practice preven Jordan back at practice It was nice to see a lot of guys back at practice today and with only a smattering Is that a good word? smattering of players on the injury report itself tonight Patriots

45:06Seahawks NFL Opener Wow here we go football is back baby takes place in Seattle they'll unveil the banner the sea ox will have their moment and then they will smash the Patriots again Yes, you heard me they will smash the Patriots again you will hear that game Coming up. I don't even want to do the math coming up in our second hour We'll talk to Hayden Fisher will turn over to Westwood one and then you will hear the broadcast of Patriots V.C. Hawks on Wednesday then You've got Rams V 49ers Tomorrow in Melbourne, Australia And a really interesting dichotomy and how these teams are Riving in Australia 49ers they got there like three four days ago Well Rams I think are actually in the air right now So it's I think yeah, and then they play on Thursday So it's 10 30 Friday time in I'm not even gonna try and do this because it just gets all kinds of kids

46:11I mean mark pulls that stuff with me all the time like oh it's game week Tuesday and it's this and I'm like no I just Just I know what time it's gonna you know here in Houston. It's gonna be 7 30 kickoff Thursday night so tonight Seahawks Patriots Like I said coming up on Westwood one right after we're done and then you've got the 49ers and Rams Tomorrow at 7 30 central time Don't care what it is out in Australia because I mean no off the figure they have to figure that out But from that standpoint It should be a fun battle between NFC West teams of Texans ended up playing last year And no Aaron Donald, but we're kind of holding our breath to see whether Miles Garrett is gonna play It's the only little me thing apparently, but I would imagine if Kyle shane had somehow found a way to face the Rams without Aaron Donald and Miles Garrett. He's a magician

47:12Absolute magician. Okay, I mentioned aiden Fisher He's gonna kick off the second hour our only segment in the second hour before we turn to Westwood one aiden Fisher the rookie linebacker joins us next right here in Texas all access Seven everybody welcome back to Wednesday this should Texans all access cyber host John Harris football analyst side line reporter for your Houston Texas. Let's jump right in with rookie linebacker aiden Fisher aiden Fisher in the house rookie But really rookie no more you've got some water under the bridge now since coming in how's it going so far? Oh, it's been great a lot of learning a lot of growing And it's been a great experience so far a lot of reps in the preseason not only joint practices The games themselves and that's a lot of activity so far because it's got to be tougher you guys Predraft you have the post draft stuff the rookie camp and then everything you've done in the preseason What about the no wear in tear for lack of a better way of putting it aiden? Yeah, I mean coming in as a rookie You know you're not handing anything you got to go out and earn it and work for it

48:13And that's just part of the process. You know you got to keep your body You know along for the ride as you go so you know having guys like a z's Henry Really the whole linebacker room teaching us, you know, how do you take care of your body? Especially your rookie year because everybody knows you know the rookie year is the longest one of your career So you just got to be able to manage it take care of your body We have great vets all in the locker room that are helping us along the way So aiden how cool is it that you can just go out and do football stuff come back and do football stuff and not have to go to any classes after that How's that feel? Oh, it's been great, you know the whole no-class thing is awesome now Doing this full-time as a career. Yeah, you know, it's a dream come true And it's it's a lot better without classes. Yeah, I can imagine so tell us about a z's and the kind of leader He is because we've talked to him a lot He came into the league as an undrafted guy and he is who he is today What about his leadership and what it's meant to you so far? Yeah, I mean he's not some way that's gonna tell you what you want to hear He can tell you what you need to hear And that's kind of the the thing that I appreciate the most You know, he told me kind of his background his story of how he got into the league and you know where how he got to where he is now

49:15And that was important for me to hear you know coming from almost a similar space seventh round to an undrafted guy And just hearing you know the trials and tribulations that he went through how he responded And how he managed different things along the way It's been huge for me, you know, the success I've been able to have so far You know a lot of it has been learned, you know the techniques that he's taught the way to handle things and take care of your body You know, I can't say enough about it. He's been great for us. Hey, everybody's got a super power Master of mine is I know what Marx is What would you say your superpower is in the game of football? Um I would say the intangibles You know the things you can't see I think it's no secret. I'm not you know six four two fifty and run up four two or anything Yeah, but I think it's the things that you can't measure now how hard I play how how much time I put into this game In the mental side of things for sure. Yeah, okay, so comparing contrast the coaching styles to meet go Ryan's versus curve Signity. Yeah, first thing. It's very different is coach sig is an offensive guy

50:20Uh, and coach Ryan's definitely, you know defensive, you know hands on which has been great, you know I was a linebacker learned from him, which has been an unreal experience. Your wearing his number I am yeah a ref in our first preseason game reminded me of that so Yeah, it's been great though. Um both of them are you know extremely You know honed in on the details that make things go, you know make a program go Um, I think uh You know with Demiko we have a little bit more more fun. Uh, you know, he's a very bright character that you know He brings out the best of everybody, but he has fun along the way Uh coach sig we were straight to business, you know at all times. Yeah seemingly at all times One of the things I've always I'm intrigued by is communication in football always You wear the green dot now you got used to that in in college. Mm-hmm a little bit Now you come here you wear the green dot there in the preseason games etc What does it sound like in your helmet? I mean can you actually make out what's being said Maybe on the road. Maybe it's a little tougher or maybe at home when your crowd is getting going

51:23It's a little bit tougher. Well, what's that like here and all that communication in your in your brain like right in your helmet How do you like that? How you adapted to it? Do you like it now? Did you not like it before? How do you like that little green dot the little Communicator coach calm in your helmet. Yeah, I love it. I think it's really cool to have to be able to communicate Especially with your your defensive coordinator who's you know getting the call will also can you know throw in a little something here and there Right that you need to hear There are times, you know back when I was in college, you know me and my DC out of tell me know you got quiet down a little bit And I can't hear you're a little too loud, so so you give me the call and just keep chirping Yeah, it just keeps going even gets that you know, it's not on mute or anything, but It's been a great thing that I think helps more than it hurts anything Obviously when it gets to a loud environment. It's kind of hard to hear. Yeah But I think it's something that's definitely great for you know the sport What about special teams? What are you doing now and how much did you do in college? I mean you're a two-time first team all-americans So were you playing a lot of special teams at Indiana? I'm thinking no Um, I started out special teams, you know, I was a James Madison and then I stayed on the pun team, you know every year of my career

52:28So that was something I took pride in You know, we'll stay on the pun teams and play special teams And I think that kind of shows the team how much you care at times, right? You know, we had guys that were starters that play special teams for us at Indiana I think our teammates and you know, especially me look at my peers like this guy cares to keep playing special teams Even when the coach have told him, you know, maybe you don't have to Yeah, who blocked the kick last year in the championship game? Is that I'll call Camarra? Yeah, hey starter came off the edge block to kick down story nice It's got to be interesting though rookie camp we see out here and Introducing coach Ross and now you're gonna learn the basics of what we're doing here on special teams, right? That's a baptism. Yeah, coach Ross is he's been great I've never met somebody with that much energy all the time But the way that he's able to kind of harness it, you know, and get the details across It's been so much fun to play for big adjustment with new rules You know, even the pun is a little bit different But the kickoff and the kick return which I actually like a lot better. I think it's great

53:30But it's been so much fun to play under coach Ross and learn from him So in preseason I guess don't do a lot of game prep you might discuss, you know, Carolina joint practice or whatever the Raiders But you're really like in-depth preparing I don't know the right way of asking this but the last time you did that you were preparing for the Miami Hurricanes and the National Championship game Now you're preparing for Josh Allen former league MVP That's pretty wild swing and getting ready. What's that been like to start getting ready for the bills? I was being great To me, this is the best part of football when you can sit down and game plan and you're playing chess pretty much And how much time are you gonna take to study to put the time in to be able to you know, know your opponent This is the part of football that I love the most And it's been cool to kind of adjust from the college setting now it's the NFL Be able to see different things and different, you know, schematics It's been great and you know, we have great vets and coach Billy Davis as well Teaching football has been you know important along the way because I think the day it's still 11 guys on the field you're playing football

54:34But being able to understand new, you know, language in different ways that you know the NFL sees it compared to college Uh, it's been so cool, you know, it's been exciting So I read a so you're a virginia guy right and you were deciding between James Madison and old dominion right and you go to jm You obviously, but if I tell you during that process. Hey, you're gonna be a national champion one day. Would you have believed it? Uh, no Not only that what was it like though when coach signati gets the job and you go over With him to Indiana. What was that process like that must have been really interesting? Yeah, it was weird for sure Because at jm you that's a school that is just the whole tradition is winning Yeah, it's a winning football program the dukes. Yeah, and you get to Indiana and that's not the case at all They're the most losing program, you know of all time Um, so like you talk to the guys and it's like yeah, like you know if we win three to four games like that's a solid year for us And we're coming off a jm you we're 11 and one and you know winning a lot of football games

55:35Um, so it was such a different you know atmosphere around the team in the program Uh, obviously it changed pretty quick, but uh, it was so weird to go from you know, James Madison to Indiana Which Indiana is the bigger school that has the big 10 tradition Um, it was weird though What was it like when you saw your Indiana friends when the Raiders were here? Oh man, they're a bunch of guys Oh, it was great. You know, I love those guys Um, being able to talk to them and just kind of see where they are not only in their you know careers and what's going on Uh, but how their lives have changed, you know, we spent every single day together for a year Uh, and now just you know being able to talk to them and play against them is it was weird, but it was really cool to do What's it been like for your family Aiden as they're kind of watching your Your progress going from jm you going in the end of winning a national championship What's got to been like for your family now to watch you as a Houston Texan? Are they all wearing number 59 jerseys and making sure they say fish You're not Ryan's of course, but what's it been like for your family to watch you kind of continue to grow and become the man You are and a player you are for the Texans. Uh, I think for for my sisters. They would tell you it's been really fun

56:37You know, they we've all been able to travel to so many cool places with football And it's taking us to some incredible venues and you know different places across across the country But it's really brought my family really close together You know, I have uncles and cousins that will travel yep, and that's just more family time together. So to me that's awesome Uh, now if you ask my mom, it's been emotional. You know, she's been up and down. Yeah, um, but she's she's loving it She's so supportive of me. You know, that's who I lean on all the time. So Uh, she's always so positive But you know, at there are times I think it was the panthers game was the first one she was able to or the writers game Yeah, she came to and she said she had been emotional all week crying and stuff. So Uh, it's been really cool Like what you guys do is very intense, but in the linebacker room who's got the best sense of humor? Who's the cut up when needed who can keep the atmosphere light enough? Oh, Jake Hansen for sure Yeah, I think that would that would probably qualify for sure We talked about his ease Henry's been at room. He's been here for four years and Henry was not a first-round pick

57:40You know, he's a guy that you know at day three pick as well. I was really grown into that type of lineback What does he meant to the linebacker room? What's he meant to you learner from him? Oh Henry Henry has been great He's kind of took me under his wing as well as these just You know having those similarities, you know, we're both day three picks Nothing's ever going to be handed to us like you're going to have to compete day in and day out Um, and just sitting and talking to him every single day picking his brain Um, so cool to just see the way that you know, he's gone through his process Um, and different things that I can pick that he does and you know, put it into my routine Yeah, my regiment see what I can take from him and improve as a player and a person Um, he's been great. He's meant a lot Excellent. Aiden. Thanks a lot for joining us. Good luck to you this year. So thank you guys All right, that's gonna do it. Pat's the see-hawks are up next. We'll see you tomorrow, but it's always go Texan