00:00:00
Speaker 1: Time for the Countdown to kickoff interviews ahead of the week ten AFC South Showdown between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans. JP Shadwick with you, and let's start with the Voice of the Texans, Mark Vandermere, with an inside look at a team up against the wall. Now at three and five, Mark Vandermere, the voice of the Houston Texans. The Jags and the Texans for the second time, the Jaguars trying to sweep the season series for the first time since twenty seventeen. Both teams banged up, right now, Mark, I mean, let's let's dig into this Houston team and what is the Davis Mills experience going to be like?
00:00:35
Speaker 2: Well, this is a Class of twenty one reunion. JP.
00:00:38
Speaker 3: You know you got Trevor Lawrence and Davis Mills going at it now. Mills was a third round pick, of course, not the fanfare of Trevor Lawrence. But Mills is four five and one versus the AFC South in his career, so there's something. I mean, it's not a great record, it's not a winning record, but it's a record and Mills has twenty five starts in his career. This will be starting number twenty, so he's played a lot of football.
00:01:02
Speaker 2: When he came into the game last Sunday, it had been a while.
00:01:05
Speaker 4: You know.
00:01:05
Speaker 3: He played well in the finale against Tennessee last year. Didn't play the first drive of the game. They just want to get CJ going in that game, and then Mills played well the rest of the way pretty well, And I think that Mills has got a lot going for him when he's got the full cup of soup, you know, a full week of practice prep all of it. He talked about, Yeah, he's mentally ready every week, but the speed of the game is just something that he's got to get used to. So he wasn't able to be at his best against the Broncos. So maybe it's a lot better against the Jaguars. But he's not the only guy who's backed up, So we'll see how it goes.
00:01:37
Speaker 1: Can they run the football to help him? How's the offensive line play been and all that?
00:01:42
Speaker 2: Yeah, and Chubbs started the week hurt, so you don't know about him.
00:01:45
Speaker 3: Woody Marx has been really good for them, and I like Woody marks getting more touches. Actually after that there's a drop off, but Damian Pierce.
00:01:53
Speaker 2: You know, we've seen some good things.
00:01:54
Speaker 3: The best run of his career is against the Jags, as you know, in twenty twenty two, So it wasn't long run, but it was an angry run. It one angry run of the year on NFL Network. So you never know how this is going to go with the running game. I think that they'll be committed to try it. It's tough against the Jaguars, but they have to try it because if it's just Mills throwing all the time, and I thought they might have thrown it a little too much down the stretch against Denver because it was just a slim margin you were dealing with. They were never down more than three points in that one in the second half. So I think that they'll attempt to run the ball well JP and you know, maybe Damien's got something left, but what he has a whole lot to offer. They just have to find a way to pave some holes for him, to make some holes for him with the guys up front, and they've got injuries there too, so we'll see how it goes.
00:02:44
Speaker 1: Dag Wrz couldn't cover bruck Bowers last week, tied end for the Raiders had three touchdowns. So how's Dalton Schultz feeling going into the game.
00:02:52
Speaker 3: You know, he's been playing with all sorts of ailments, but he's been out there and he's been good for them and leading them and receiving many of the weeks. And I think that he's probably, you know, outside of Nico Collins, he's their best receiving weapon for sure, so they'll look to lean on him.
00:03:08
Speaker 2: You know, he's a good target.
00:03:11
Speaker 3: He's not Brock Bowers, but he's definitely useful out there. They got Nico back last week after he missed the forty nine ers game the week before, And it was interesting in that forty nine Ers game JP because no Nico Collins, no Christian Kirk yet they were dealing CJ threw for over three hundred yards against a good defense. Now they had some guys out too, but the Texans were without Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, so and this was a Texans team that had been challenged to throw the football against good teams and they did it well. So I think if all the guys can work well together, they can get some things done. It was interesting with Kirk coming back in because Kirk's been good, and you know Kirk is a good player, But this Jael and Knowle who they have the rookie from Iowa State. I know they drafted Jayden Higgins higher, but I think Nol is really good. You have to get him the ball somehow. And I believe they'll look at that game tape against Denver and say, we got to find a way to get jalen O some touches.
00:04:04
Speaker 2: I don't care who's on the team.
00:04:05
Speaker 3: We got to find a way to get this guy in the ball at least four or five times as a receiver. He had a big punt return in the Denver game to give him great field position in plus territory.
00:04:15
Speaker 2: They only got a field goal out of that.
00:04:17
Speaker 3: But I think you're with me that in this upcoming game, field goals are going to be worth plenty. This is a low scoring affair shaping up to be in all likelihood.
00:04:25
Speaker 1: Mark Vandermer, voice of the Houston Texans with us and a big reason why it could be a low scoring affair as it was last time. Is this Texans defense ranked number one in the National Football League. How different are they from Week three?
00:04:39
Speaker 3: They've really found their stride and they played good defense against the Jags. I really feel that way. I know the final drive it wasn't there. But this Texans offense has been really challenged and the defense is on the field a lot. The Texans offense against the Jags the first meeting, you know, it was turnover city in the fourth quarter of me my gosh. You know, if you just hang out out of the ball and kick a field goal or two, you might win that game as opposed to just coughing it up and donating it back to the Jaguars.
00:05:06
Speaker 2: And they know that.
00:05:07
Speaker 3: But this defense last week against Denver got off the field again and again and again and again, and with the Davis Mills led offense, they look pretty good. When CJ first went out in the first half, Mills was moving the team a little bit, but it was field goals, not touchdowns. And then in the second half you had zero for seven and third down a lot of three and outs. It just didn't work, and it just felt like a monumental task to get first downs. So I believe that this is definitely one of the best defenses in the league. You're right number one points in yards and this is the deepest end of the season of Texans offense has ever been this good at scoring, defense at holding the opponent down, And I believe they'll be able to do that against virtually anybody, including the Chiefs when they get there in December. But the question is can you match them on the offensive side of the football. And this week with no CJ. Stroud and possibly no Chubb and Titus Howard and the concussion protocol, you got a lot of challenges there. But they'll have to do their best and try to get it going because if they don't get this one JP, it's three and six and it's gonna be really tough.
00:06:12
Speaker 1: Yeah, up against the wall for the Texans. Last game, first half, Texans defense showed a look and stop the Jags running attack in the first half. Jags adjusted at halftime and got the job done with the ground game. How's the run defense been as of late, especially in the front seven.
00:06:30
Speaker 3: Well, they played Derek Henry and they shut him down completely. They played Christian McCaffrey and they basically shut him down. And last week, you know they're going up against JK. Dobbins, who's third in the league coming in and they did a good job on him. So I believe that they're better. They'll swarm on the running back. They'll figure out a way to slow the running back down at the very least. Now it becomes can you get to the quarterback on third down? Can you force in completions? They're so good in coverage on the edges with Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Junior. Now he's in the concussion protocol. He'd a pick against the Jags last time. That's a big deal for them because Petrie, I think Sean Payton went over to talk to him directly after the game and talk about how well he played. And this is a team that has Derek Stingley Junior All Pro and Lasseter, who I think people are finally starting to notice. So the secondary, when everybody's healthy, is one of the best, if not the best, in the league, and that enables I think it really helps the pass rushers get to the quarterback. They're not great in sacks as a whole as a team, but Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.
00:07:32
Speaker 2: I mean, this is one of the best tandems in the.
00:07:34
Speaker 3: NFL, and the guys who rotate at defensive tackle, that mix is really good.
00:07:39
Speaker 2: Sheldon Rankins and friends.
00:07:40
Speaker 3: They get after it as well, so they find a way to slow down the run. There's no question I'm fine with this defense. There's no question there are a good defense. When you look at the numbers, when you look at where they are in turnover margin and points per game allowed and all that, you cannot believe they're three and five.
00:07:55
Speaker 2: Yet here they are.
00:07:57
Speaker 1: It could be the Matthew Wright revenge game this week.
00:08:00
Speaker 4: To the Texans.
00:08:02
Speaker 3: Yeah, you know it's these kickers, man, I mean, how about your kicker? This is unbelievable. You get to the fifty, you're like, we're good. You know, it's crazy. It's crazy, and I don't know how you see it, but I'm sure you guys talk about this all the time. Field position in this league. I was talking with Andre Davis who played for the Texans and the O's and he had two kickoff returns for a touchdown in one game against the Jaguars in the seven finale, and he was amazing in that era. But back then, a touchback was at the twenty and it just felt normal. Now, if you're at the twenty, it feels like what a punishment. We didn't get to the thirty thirty five or forty if they don't hit the landing zone and then you're at field goal range just crossing to fifty these days, it feels like with so many of these kickers, So it becomes more important than ever to be great on third and fourth down because now you feel like we better be aggressive because of field goal. What does it really do for us, because they're going to be in range in a moment anyway, so you need the touch downs more than ever. Now, this game could play out differently because you have two. You have the Texans defense, you know, the Jags defense against the depleted Texans offense. So it could be one of those thirteen, ten, seventeen, fourteen kind of games.
00:09:11
Speaker 2: But we'll see.
00:09:12
Speaker 1: Yeah, we've we've seen a lot of those over the years between the Texans and the Jags.
00:09:16
Speaker 4: Maybe another one coming up.
00:09:17
Speaker 1: Mark always a pleasure man, great to visit and.
00:09:20
Speaker 4: Have a great game.
00:09:21
Speaker 2: Thanks JP you two.
00:09:23
Speaker 1: Each week, Mike Dempse catches up with CBS Sports senior writer Pete Frisco.
00:09:28
Speaker 5: Well, I think it's a good one for him. You look at a true veteran doesn't drop the football, which is different than some of the guys that they've had around for the past, you know, eight games, and so that's a step in the right direction. But he's a pros pro from everything you hear from people around the league. He gets it, he understands how to play, and he's a physical guy going in the middle of the field. So I think it's a really good move by them to get a guy. Look, Deammy Brown's been you know, one of those guys that's probably on a one year deal, not going to come back, so you might as well get a guy who can plug and play as a veteran player, and I think it makes sense. It's a good for this football team.
00:10:01
Speaker 6: Everything you hear about Jacobe Myers is that he is a pros pro. He will fit in well in any locker room, goes about his business the right way. Pete, is this a guy that if he clicks with Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars will prioritize trying to keep him around.
00:10:15
Speaker 5: I think they will. You never know how it's going to work until you get out on the field, but judging by past history and they know him and so I do think it's something that you'd like to keep him around for the long run. So yeah, to answer your question, yes, I think that the next eight games in nine games are going to be big for him. He's got to prove to people that he can be a productive player in their offense, which, again, if you can get that going, that's a big step in the right director. We know they need receiver help, so it makes sense, all right.
00:10:45
Speaker 6: Well, the running game was a big aspect of the offense that helped them get that win last week against the Raiders Pete. They had about a three week period where the numbers weren't great, but Travis etn had one of his most impressive performances. Even though it was only eighty four yards. I thought he ran very physically last week. Is this what the offense needs to lean into now going forward?
00:11:04
Speaker 5: No question. And if you go back to the second half of the Texans game, the last time they ran the ball on them, and I think that's something you want to be able to do, and I think it's something you can do. You don't want to get in situations where they turn their pass rushers loose. You want to be able to run the football and I think this is one of those games where you try and do that. And I'm glad you mentioned ETM because look, there were a lot of us, myself included, who kind of counted him out this year, not counted him out, but didn't think he'd be the factor he's been. And he's been a guy that's been great in the locker room, and he shows up the weekend and week out and he runs tough. I mean, you saw that last week. So kudos to him. I don't know if it's enough to keep him around for the next year, but he's done a nice job and I think the ideally they like to continue to do that against the Texans.
00:11:47
Speaker 6: Yeah, well, and like you said, if you can run the ball against those pass rushers slow him down, that would be great. The Jags offensive won did a pretty good job because it was a close game the first time and they only allowed two sacks in the game.
00:11:59
Speaker 1: In that game.
00:12:00
Speaker 6: On the other side, for the Jacks pass rush, Josh heinz Allen had a half sack and three quarterback hits. Now he'll be going up against Davis Mills as we know that CJ. Strout has been ruled out. Pete, I feel like the pass rush could have a big effect in this game. With hinz Allen and even though Trayvon's not one hundred percent that this is one where you've got to rattle Mills.
00:12:19
Speaker 5: No question about it. And the Texans offensive line has improved in the last couple of weeks. It's been better. It's still not good, but it's been better, and it was one of the worst. So yeah, I think it's you got to get after that quarterback and they got to get him on the ground, and you know, not just Josh heinz Allen. I think other guys have to get him on the ground. And you know, Trayvon Walker needs to play better. I know he's got the club on his hands, but you know, he hasn't been a factor and he needs to be better. So I get it. I think ideally you'd like to be able to pressure the quarterback, and it's a lot easier to pressure a guy like Mills, I think than it is a guy like c J. Strout, even though CJ. Strout isn't a guy who runs, but he can move around and he makes throws while moving around. I think this is a big advantage playing Davis Mills.
00:13:03
Speaker 6: Yeah, and look, any quarterback in the national football should be able to complete passes when given time so let's not let have Davis Mills have all day sitting back there, Pete, because you know Geno Smith did go out and throw four touchdowns. And I understand brock Bowers is an exceptional talent, but Nico Collins is not. Chopped Liver and Jaguars have a lot of injuries in the secondary as a whether it's this week or just moving forward, How concerning is that group of safeties and corners because they have thinned out a little bit with injury.
00:13:32
Speaker 5: Yeah, and they show up. I mean the injuries show up. You saw Antonio Johnson playing last week and it made some blunders and didn't play very well. And if it wasn't for the batted down ball by Devon Hamilton, it would have been a blunder by Antonio Johnson that cost him the game on.
00:13:47
Speaker 4: The last play.
00:13:47
Speaker 5: So I think the injuries have added up in the secondary, and I think you're seeing guys getting caught in situations they necessarily don't need to be in. And Andrew Wingert is another one. You get him in a one on one situation. He's had problems the last month of the season. So they're limited athletically on the back end at times, and I think teams have started to take advantage of that. So it'll be interesting to see what they do to kind of compensate for that. You know, Campinelli's a good defensive coordinator, but sometimes when you call him plays and you're dealing with limited guys in terms of talent and their athletic ability, you got to be a little bit more conservative than maybe you'd like to be.
00:14:26
Speaker 6: All Right, all that being said, Pete, how do you see it going down today?
00:14:29
Speaker 5: You know, when I thought Stroud was going to play, I thought the Texans would win the game. But Stroud isn't play, and I think Jacksonville could run the ball and limit what Davisville's does. I think Jacksonville go in there.
00:14:38
Speaker 7: And win the game.
00:14:39
Speaker 1: Moving on to the Jaguars now, of course, and wide receivers. Coach Edgar Bennett has been busy the last few weeks with injury issues, but he's coaching back in his hometown. Something he told Brian Sexton this week is still hard to believe.
00:14:52
Speaker 8: It really is a dream come true. And the only thing I wish was my mom and dad was here to see it, because my dad would just be going head over heels, right now and how excited he was supporting this team and me being home and being a part of this team, this organization. Oh my gosh, words can't even I can't even express it.
00:15:12
Speaker 9: You're not just home in your city. I heard that, you're you're in your parents' home. You're remodeling it. That what a great feeling that must be.
00:15:18
Speaker 8: Yeah, because it's still it's still a big part of us, and I can still their presence as far as being in there. But yeah, we renovated it and and and you know, my brothers have been there, my sister, they've all helped out, and so it's been great.
00:15:33
Speaker 9: All Right. Professional football is about adjusting week to week. Last week, Travis goes down for a couple of weeks, Brian gets hurt in the game, and now you've got Jacoby Myers who you had in Vegas. Just give me an overview of the week before we talk about Jacoby and what it's been like for you.
00:15:48
Speaker 8: Well, just you know, having guys that come in with the right mindset and prepared the way they prepare. And even last week going into that game, because we had a couple of guys with all Sun and Tim jumping there and played critical roles for us at the end. Their preparation can't say enough positive about him and how they approach to the game. And so when you're working with guys like that, it makes it fun. It makes it fun because that's what it's about. That's what it's about, you know, getting in those type situations, certain adverse situations, and just coming out on top based on what we did in practice and what we talked about when we get in those situations, how we'll handle ourselves.
00:16:25
Speaker 9: So people who are listening to this don't know a lot about Jacoby Myers. You had him eighty seven catches a thousand yard season last year. Give us scouting report on Jacoby.
00:16:32
Speaker 8: I'll just say this, when it comes to Kobes, you're going to get a guy that loves football, loves football, loves competing. He's an extremely competitor. I'm not going to get into all of the details as far as some of the things that make him stand out as a wide receiver, but obviously his hands, his ability to create separation, all those things, run after the catch, everything that you would look for in a Jag is Jacoby Myers.
00:16:59
Speaker 9: Here's what I've heard is that he's a pro he's a top competitor, and that he showed up here ready to go. I mean, talk about a challenge. Take me back to your playing days that you didn't you were never traded mid season.
00:17:09
Speaker 2: But but you have to understand how hard that must be.
00:17:12
Speaker 8: It is because you get you get so caught up into a routine, and then when something throws your routine off, like being traded and flying into the next team at ten thirty at night and going over the playbook until maybe twelve o'clock at night till midnight, and then you come in take your physical the next morning at six thirty in the morning. Then you got to dive right back into meetings and just get right back into the preparation part of things. So you just you have to be meintly strong. And that's again you you're talking about Jakobe Meyers, a god that's mainly strong. He's going to be well prepared and he's going to make the most of his opportunities. But definitely the work week, you know, when you're when you're kind of throwing out of your routine a little bit, you know, it takes a lot to get back into it.
00:17:57
Speaker 9: And since we can't really talk about Brian or Drivis because they're not going right now. Tell me about Parker Washington. He's been here for a couple of years. I've always been impressed with his intensity, with the way he plays the game. What have you learned from him in the time you've had him?
00:18:09
Speaker 8: What really stands out the most and what I really really love about him is just some of the things that you just said, his intensity and just his work ethic. This guy he puts in the work and when you when you work like that, good things abound to happen. I mean you see it on the field, off the field, I mean, he goes that that extra mile in his preparation to be at the best that he could possibly be.
00:18:32
Speaker 4: And I love that about him.
00:18:33
Speaker 9: Let's wrap it with this. You want it, Lee, not Riverside High. You wanted Florida State. But whatd it mean to you to win here? To bring a championship to your hometown.
00:18:44
Speaker 4: Wow, that's what it's about.
00:18:47
Speaker 8: That's what it's about, you know, getting this opportunity Coach Kryn bringing me here with Tony La Sally and James being a part of this, That's what it's about. That's what it's about. Coming home and being a part of something special so this city can celebrate. Oh my god, I mean that's that's that's the mission.
00:19:07
Speaker 2: Best of luck today against the Houston Texans.
00:19:09
Speaker 4: Appreciate you.
00:19:10
Speaker 1: Cornerback Greg Newsom is getting settled into his position after the trade from Cleveland a few weeks back.
00:19:16
Speaker 10: Yeah, nah, it takes it takes a minute, But I think a lot of it is is the mental part. Like, mentally, you have to put yourself into a new system, into a new group of guys, and you got to kind of learn guys, you know quick. I feel like obviously leaving mid season of a team that you're comfortable with is definitely hard. But I think that BI week was at the right time for me. I'm just being able to go back see my family, regroup, recenter, and refocus.
00:19:42
Speaker 9: Coming to a team that has playoff expectations. How much does that energize you considering that the Browns are still kind of bouncing around trying to get their season started, and what does it mean for a guy like Jacobe who's coming in here from a similar situation.
00:19:56
Speaker 10: Yeah, not's huge for me. It's just like you got to take your play up another level.
00:20:01
Speaker 11: This is a playoff team.
00:20:03
Speaker 10: Obviously, getting traded to a playoff team that means they want you here, they think that you can help, you know, raise them to that next level. So there's definitely some pressure put on you. But you know, for me, I live for pressure. So it's definitely like a guy like him, I know he'll be ready to go. I know he's going to be super excited and he's going to do great things.
00:20:21
Speaker 2: You seem very comfortable last week.
00:20:22
Speaker 9: Now you go into a divisional matchup against the Texans team that this team has had a nice little rub with. How do you acclimate yourself to a new rivalry.
00:20:33
Speaker 11: Yeah, see, it's crazy.
00:20:35
Speaker 10: I played the Texans and the playoffs in twenty twenty three and they got the better the better of us.
00:20:40
Speaker 11: So I'm super excited for this matchup.
00:20:42
Speaker 10: But as I said, in division games like they're always the most important games those normally the division winners are obviously the guys.
00:20:49
Speaker 11: That go to the playoffs.
00:20:50
Speaker 10: So you got to really set the foundation and I think this game is going.
00:20:54
Speaker 11: To be huge for us and we'll do a great job.
00:20:56
Speaker 9: I heard you talking earlier. This is that moment of the season where everything changes and the contenders emerge and the pretenders kind of fall back. What's the mindset of this locker room, best as you can tell, and what's it take to be successful?
00:21:07
Speaker 10: Yeah, the mindset of us is just taking day by day, keep stacking wins. Like I said, no game is going to finish the same. You're gonna need different parts of the team, whether a special teams, offense, defensive, step up in certain moments. So really it's just capture the moment when it's your time to shine, when it's your time to make a stop or score a touchdown, do that for the team. And like you said, this is where contenders come. And I think, like I said, getting a guy like Jacobe shows where we're headed.
00:21:32
Speaker 9: You're an excellent communicator and you're obviously a fan of the game. Where does it come from? Are you a coach's son? Where did this innate understanding of how it all fits together come from?
00:21:41
Speaker 11: Yeah?
00:21:41
Speaker 10: I just think it's just from just being a kid. I love the game of football from a young age. One of my best friends in high school his uncle was Kelvin Hayden, so I was always around, you know, great football players and just even going to IMG Academy as a senior just shows the level of football that I wanted to play going to Northwestern. You got to be very smart to get into a school like that. So it's just fun really knowing the ends and outs of the game. It makes it a lot easier. It makes it a lot more fun too, So that's just something as a young kid, I just prided myself on being, you know, being very cerebral out there.
00:22:19
Speaker 1: And finally, of course, as always, Pride of the Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. Time for our weekly conversation with Pride of the Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. Week ten Divisional play Jaguars at Detexans. The Jags trying to sweep Detectionans for the first time since twenty seventeen. Since then, the Texans are twelve and three against the Jags. It's all in the rear view, Fred, it's all about this week.
00:22:44
Speaker 7: Yeah, it's a great time. It's a great time to erase all of that JP. You know, I hated two teams throughout my career. Obviously everyone knows the number one team will be the Tennessee Titans. Two team is the Houston Texans because when they came into existence, I.
00:23:03
Speaker 4: Believe it was around like five or something like that.
00:23:07
Speaker 7: What was it, you know the history, Yeah, yeah, that's about right, yep, something like that as an expansion team. And then I thought we would just beat them all the time. Right, They're supposed to be your back, the person that you're taking your two shit and just bully. I thought they were supposed to be that team, but they weren't. They found a way to eventually beat us. And I've said it, as you just mentioned twelve and three since twenty seventeen. We gotta find a way to change all of that, and I think it happens here today.
00:23:37
Speaker 1: Bread the last game Week three, just a physical battle in the trenches. Jaguars won the game seventeen to ten, but I mean this was slugfest. Jacks couldn't run in the first half, but then found a way to run enough of the second half. Defense had three takeaways in that game. So is it a similar feel. I mean, it's always going to be a physical matchup of the trenches when the Texans are.
00:23:59
Speaker 7: Here, right, Yeah, It's always that's what they want to play, you know. Obviously it comes down from their head coach, Tamiko Rians, a guy who I played against a guy who's physical, competitive, fiery, like, he's energetic, he's everything, and that's the way he's coaching his defense. Especially coming over from San fran they had defenses that wanted to be physical, they wanted to be fast, and they played lights out each and every snap. So you're gonna get that from their defense each and every time you match up with them on the flip side. Offensively, they're gonna be without CJ. Stroud, Davis Mills, someone who's come in the game who's actually played pretty well as a backup, so you can't sleep or blink on him because he'll put up plays. So the key is JP gonna have to get pressure. We're gonna have to simply dominate the line of scrimmage from a defensive standpoint and from the Jaguars offensive standpoint, based on you know, the guys that are up. They're gonna have to play well and we're gonna have to be able to establish the run and also protect Trevor Lawrence against a pretty good Texans pass rush.
00:25:13
Speaker 1: Fred Taylor with US Earlier this season, the Jaguars made an end season trade to get Greg Newsoman here at cornerback. Now they've executed another in season trade. Which of Kobe Meyers coming in from Vegas is the wide receiver, So you know which one's more difficult, corner getting ready to play or this wide receiver tree and all the possibilities for Liam Cohen.
00:25:37
Speaker 4: JP, I would probably say.
00:25:41
Speaker 7: The receiver coming in to get ready to play, because if you think about it, for the most part, defenses, cornerback, it's all universal. How many times can you say, all right, Mandy Man cover one, cover three, cover two. I mean, it's all pretty much the same stuff. You know, each coordinator they might have different variations of it or a different technique that they want their corners or you know, guys to play, but it's it's pretty much the same, uh, And I think it's easier to learn defensively than it is offensively. Now on the other side, as a as a receiver, you have to move and play very variable, varying positions. So you have X, you have Y, you have the F, you know, you have Z. So it all depends on where you're going to be, the route you have to run, versus you know, alternations in those routes, versus different coverages. So the big receiver is a lot harder to learn than cornerback.
00:26:50
Speaker 1: But the guy's been at it for a long time. Apparently very reliable, clearly can catch the football and from all accounts, is a pretty sharp guy. He was impressive of the media conference the other day.
00:27:01
Speaker 4: Fred, Yeah, he's hungry, JP.
00:27:03
Speaker 7: I can tell you this undrafted out of North Carolina State, played in New England for a few years, got some really good coaching on the coach Belichick there. So he understands what it takes to be a pro and that's how he moves with the sense of urgency, understanding that, you know, this is my job. So being undrafted, understanding that this is my job, learning from one of the best coaches ever, being able to go with the Vegas to play with the Raiders, and then to be able to see the differences and organizations coming from New England going to the Raiders.
00:27:36
Speaker 4: Hey, that's night and day right.
00:27:38
Speaker 7: So, and now he's down in Jacksonville with the opportunity to help these younger receivers from what he's seen and also hopefully helped the team with his playmaking ability because he has shown that he has extremely great run after the catch. He can go get it the deep ball I think he's all around talent, So hopefully that'll win and go in the Jaguars favor.
00:28:06
Speaker 1: Pret Taylor With US Jaguars defensively, some injuries in the back end, Jordan Lewis unavailable, Eric Murray's and I are, so you're gonna see some different faces out there in the back end. One face that's back on the field though, it is Devin Lloyd Jaguars linebackers set to play after a couple of weeks down. What will his impact be for this defense coming back? And what do you do in the back end with all these.
00:28:31
Speaker 7: Changes, I mean, just one with Devin, I'm sure the guys will appreciate him out there.
00:28:37
Speaker 4: He's one of them.
00:28:38
Speaker 7: He's an original starter, he's a guy who's made plays. You're talking about awareness, energy, and just really the confident like confidence. You know, me, if I had Tony Boselli out there, I feel better because I know what Tony brings to the table. I know Tony's not gonna let me down. He's gonna play hard every snap, and this is what you're gonna get out of Devin Lower and the guys know that, so they're gonna be excited to have him back when the back end, you cross your fingers and pray because the Texans they have a guy in Nico Collins who can make plays from anywhere on the field, and I'm pretty sure they're gonna have some shot opportunities lined.
00:29:18
Speaker 4: Up and they're gonna attempt them.
00:29:20
Speaker 7: So hopefully the guys were able to get the playbook down throughout the week, and you know, whatever they run, they just gotta be ready to play.
00:29:32
Speaker 4: That's what you get paid for.
00:29:34
Speaker 7: You get paid the big bucks to show up and show out, all.
00:29:38
Speaker 1: Right, fred An opportunity, Yes, to move to six and three, but to pretty much knock the Texans out.
00:29:46
Speaker 4: That's a double dip. That'd be a nice win.
00:29:49
Speaker 7: I'd be a double dip dipper, very nice win. When the last time we say six and three maybe, but two years ago.
00:29:56
Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been a minute.
00:29:58
Speaker 1: Yeah, there's the twenty two twenty three season.
00:30:01
Speaker 4: I think before it collapsed was the last time. Yeah, so that would be two years ago. Yeah.
00:30:07
Speaker 1: I mean there's a winning record through eight games for the third time in the last ten years for the Jacks.
00:30:14
Speaker 4: Well, yeah, I gotta keep it going regardless, No, got gotta keep it going.
00:30:18
Speaker 7: And it starts with a divisional opponent, you know, one who's been a thrown on your side for quite some time, so you know, if this is a down year for him, keep them down.
00:30:29
Speaker 4: Got to step on their necks. Can I say that you just did? Yeah? I did, and I agree. Right, I have a good one.
00:30:39
Speaker 1: We'll talk to you in the post.
00:30:40
Speaker 4: Game, Ahi, JP, I'll see you.
00:30:42
Speaker 1: The Jaguars visit the Texans Sunday at one o'clock. Enjoy the game.
Speaker 1: Time for the Countdown to kickoff interviews ahead of the week ten AFC South Showdown between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans. JP Shadwick with you, and let's start with the Voice of the Texans, Mark Vandermere, with an inside look at a team up against the wall. Now at three and five, Mark Vandermere, the voice of the Houston Texans. The Jags and the Texans for the second time, the Jaguars trying to sweep the season series for the first time since twenty seventeen. Both teams banged up, right now, Mark, I mean, let's let's dig into this Houston team and what is the Davis Mills experience going to be like?
00:00:35
Speaker 2: Well, this is a Class of twenty one reunion. JP.
00:00:38
Speaker 3: You know you got Trevor Lawrence and Davis Mills going at it now. Mills was a third round pick, of course, not the fanfare of Trevor Lawrence. But Mills is four five and one versus the AFC South in his career, so there's something. I mean, it's not a great record, it's not a winning record, but it's a record and Mills has twenty five starts in his career. This will be starting number twenty, so he's played a lot of football.
00:01:02
Speaker 2: When he came into the game last Sunday, it had been a while.
00:01:05
Speaker 4: You know.
00:01:05
Speaker 3: He played well in the finale against Tennessee last year. Didn't play the first drive of the game. They just want to get CJ going in that game, and then Mills played well the rest of the way pretty well, And I think that Mills has got a lot going for him when he's got the full cup of soup, you know, a full week of practice prep all of it. He talked about, Yeah, he's mentally ready every week, but the speed of the game is just something that he's got to get used to. So he wasn't able to be at his best against the Broncos. So maybe it's a lot better against the Jaguars. But he's not the only guy who's backed up, So we'll see how it goes.
00:01:37
Speaker 1: Can they run the football to help him? How's the offensive line play been and all that?
00:01:42
Speaker 2: Yeah, and Chubbs started the week hurt, so you don't know about him.
00:01:45
Speaker 3: Woody Marx has been really good for them, and I like Woody marks getting more touches. Actually after that there's a drop off, but Damian Pierce.
00:01:53
Speaker 2: You know, we've seen some good things.
00:01:54
Speaker 3: The best run of his career is against the Jags, as you know, in twenty twenty two, So it wasn't long run, but it was an angry run. It one angry run of the year on NFL Network. So you never know how this is going to go with the running game. I think that they'll be committed to try it. It's tough against the Jaguars, but they have to try it because if it's just Mills throwing all the time, and I thought they might have thrown it a little too much down the stretch against Denver because it was just a slim margin you were dealing with. They were never down more than three points in that one in the second half. So I think that they'll attempt to run the ball well JP and you know, maybe Damien's got something left, but what he has a whole lot to offer. They just have to find a way to pave some holes for him, to make some holes for him with the guys up front, and they've got injuries there too, so we'll see how it goes.
00:02:44
Speaker 1: Dag Wrz couldn't cover bruck Bowers last week, tied end for the Raiders had three touchdowns. So how's Dalton Schultz feeling going into the game.
00:02:52
Speaker 3: You know, he's been playing with all sorts of ailments, but he's been out there and he's been good for them and leading them and receiving many of the weeks. And I think that he's probably, you know, outside of Nico Collins, he's their best receiving weapon for sure, so they'll look to lean on him.
00:03:08
Speaker 2: You know, he's a good target.
00:03:11
Speaker 3: He's not Brock Bowers, but he's definitely useful out there. They got Nico back last week after he missed the forty nine ers game the week before, And it was interesting in that forty nine Ers game JP because no Nico Collins, no Christian Kirk yet they were dealing CJ threw for over three hundred yards against a good defense. Now they had some guys out too, but the Texans were without Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, so and this was a Texans team that had been challenged to throw the football against good teams and they did it well. So I think if all the guys can work well together, they can get some things done. It was interesting with Kirk coming back in because Kirk's been good, and you know Kirk is a good player, But this Jael and Knowle who they have the rookie from Iowa State. I know they drafted Jayden Higgins higher, but I think Nol is really good. You have to get him the ball somehow. And I believe they'll look at that game tape against Denver and say, we got to find a way to get jalen O some touches.
00:04:04
Speaker 2: I don't care who's on the team.
00:04:05
Speaker 3: We got to find a way to get this guy in the ball at least four or five times as a receiver. He had a big punt return in the Denver game to give him great field position in plus territory.
00:04:15
Speaker 2: They only got a field goal out of that.
00:04:17
Speaker 3: But I think you're with me that in this upcoming game, field goals are going to be worth plenty. This is a low scoring affair shaping up to be in all likelihood.
00:04:25
Speaker 1: Mark Vandermer, voice of the Houston Texans with us and a big reason why it could be a low scoring affair as it was last time. Is this Texans defense ranked number one in the National Football League. How different are they from Week three?
00:04:39
Speaker 3: They've really found their stride and they played good defense against the Jags. I really feel that way. I know the final drive it wasn't there. But this Texans offense has been really challenged and the defense is on the field a lot. The Texans offense against the Jags the first meeting, you know, it was turnover city in the fourth quarter of me my gosh. You know, if you just hang out out of the ball and kick a field goal or two, you might win that game as opposed to just coughing it up and donating it back to the Jaguars.
00:05:06
Speaker 2: And they know that.
00:05:07
Speaker 3: But this defense last week against Denver got off the field again and again and again and again, and with the Davis Mills led offense, they look pretty good. When CJ first went out in the first half, Mills was moving the team a little bit, but it was field goals, not touchdowns. And then in the second half you had zero for seven and third down a lot of three and outs. It just didn't work, and it just felt like a monumental task to get first downs. So I believe that this is definitely one of the best defenses in the league. You're right number one points in yards and this is the deepest end of the season of Texans offense has ever been this good at scoring, defense at holding the opponent down, And I believe they'll be able to do that against virtually anybody, including the Chiefs when they get there in December. But the question is can you match them on the offensive side of the football. And this week with no CJ. Stroud and possibly no Chubb and Titus Howard and the concussion protocol, you got a lot of challenges there. But they'll have to do their best and try to get it going because if they don't get this one JP, it's three and six and it's gonna be really tough.
00:06:12
Speaker 1: Yeah, up against the wall for the Texans. Last game, first half, Texans defense showed a look and stop the Jags running attack in the first half. Jags adjusted at halftime and got the job done with the ground game. How's the run defense been as of late, especially in the front seven.
00:06:30
Speaker 3: Well, they played Derek Henry and they shut him down completely. They played Christian McCaffrey and they basically shut him down. And last week, you know they're going up against JK. Dobbins, who's third in the league coming in and they did a good job on him. So I believe that they're better. They'll swarm on the running back. They'll figure out a way to slow the running back down at the very least. Now it becomes can you get to the quarterback on third down? Can you force in completions? They're so good in coverage on the edges with Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Junior. Now he's in the concussion protocol. He'd a pick against the Jags last time. That's a big deal for them because Petrie, I think Sean Payton went over to talk to him directly after the game and talk about how well he played. And this is a team that has Derek Stingley Junior All Pro and Lasseter, who I think people are finally starting to notice. So the secondary, when everybody's healthy, is one of the best, if not the best, in the league, and that enables I think it really helps the pass rushers get to the quarterback. They're not great in sacks as a whole as a team, but Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.
00:07:32
Speaker 2: I mean, this is one of the best tandems in the.
00:07:34
Speaker 3: NFL, and the guys who rotate at defensive tackle, that mix is really good.
00:07:39
Speaker 2: Sheldon Rankins and friends.
00:07:40
Speaker 3: They get after it as well, so they find a way to slow down the run. There's no question I'm fine with this defense. There's no question there are a good defense. When you look at the numbers, when you look at where they are in turnover margin and points per game allowed and all that, you cannot believe they're three and five.
00:07:55
Speaker 2: Yet here they are.
00:07:57
Speaker 1: It could be the Matthew Wright revenge game this week.
00:08:00
Speaker 4: To the Texans.
00:08:02
Speaker 3: Yeah, you know it's these kickers, man, I mean, how about your kicker? This is unbelievable. You get to the fifty, you're like, we're good. You know, it's crazy. It's crazy, and I don't know how you see it, but I'm sure you guys talk about this all the time. Field position in this league. I was talking with Andre Davis who played for the Texans and the O's and he had two kickoff returns for a touchdown in one game against the Jaguars in the seven finale, and he was amazing in that era. But back then, a touchback was at the twenty and it just felt normal. Now, if you're at the twenty, it feels like what a punishment. We didn't get to the thirty thirty five or forty if they don't hit the landing zone and then you're at field goal range just crossing to fifty these days, it feels like with so many of these kickers, So it becomes more important than ever to be great on third and fourth down because now you feel like we better be aggressive because of field goal. What does it really do for us, because they're going to be in range in a moment anyway, so you need the touch downs more than ever. Now, this game could play out differently because you have two. You have the Texans defense, you know, the Jags defense against the depleted Texans offense. So it could be one of those thirteen, ten, seventeen, fourteen kind of games.
00:09:11
Speaker 2: But we'll see.
00:09:12
Speaker 1: Yeah, we've we've seen a lot of those over the years between the Texans and the Jags.
00:09:16
Speaker 4: Maybe another one coming up.
00:09:17
Speaker 1: Mark always a pleasure man, great to visit and.
00:09:20
Speaker 4: Have a great game.
00:09:21
Speaker 2: Thanks JP you two.
00:09:23
Speaker 1: Each week, Mike Dempse catches up with CBS Sports senior writer Pete Frisco.
00:09:28
Speaker 5: Well, I think it's a good one for him. You look at a true veteran doesn't drop the football, which is different than some of the guys that they've had around for the past, you know, eight games, and so that's a step in the right direction. But he's a pros pro from everything you hear from people around the league. He gets it, he understands how to play, and he's a physical guy going in the middle of the field. So I think it's a really good move by them to get a guy. Look, Deammy Brown's been you know, one of those guys that's probably on a one year deal, not going to come back, so you might as well get a guy who can plug and play as a veteran player, and I think it makes sense. It's a good for this football team.
00:10:01
Speaker 6: Everything you hear about Jacobe Myers is that he is a pros pro. He will fit in well in any locker room, goes about his business the right way. Pete, is this a guy that if he clicks with Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars will prioritize trying to keep him around.
00:10:15
Speaker 5: I think they will. You never know how it's going to work until you get out on the field, but judging by past history and they know him and so I do think it's something that you'd like to keep him around for the long run. So yeah, to answer your question, yes, I think that the next eight games in nine games are going to be big for him. He's got to prove to people that he can be a productive player in their offense, which, again, if you can get that going, that's a big step in the right director. We know they need receiver help, so it makes sense, all right.
00:10:45
Speaker 6: Well, the running game was a big aspect of the offense that helped them get that win last week against the Raiders Pete. They had about a three week period where the numbers weren't great, but Travis etn had one of his most impressive performances. Even though it was only eighty four yards. I thought he ran very physically last week. Is this what the offense needs to lean into now going forward?
00:11:04
Speaker 5: No question. And if you go back to the second half of the Texans game, the last time they ran the ball on them, and I think that's something you want to be able to do, and I think it's something you can do. You don't want to get in situations where they turn their pass rushers loose. You want to be able to run the football and I think this is one of those games where you try and do that. And I'm glad you mentioned ETM because look, there were a lot of us, myself included, who kind of counted him out this year, not counted him out, but didn't think he'd be the factor he's been. And he's been a guy that's been great in the locker room, and he shows up the weekend and week out and he runs tough. I mean, you saw that last week. So kudos to him. I don't know if it's enough to keep him around for the next year, but he's done a nice job and I think the ideally they like to continue to do that against the Texans.
00:11:47
Speaker 6: Yeah, well, and like you said, if you can run the ball against those pass rushers slow him down, that would be great. The Jags offensive won did a pretty good job because it was a close game the first time and they only allowed two sacks in the game.
00:11:59
Speaker 1: In that game.
00:12:00
Speaker 6: On the other side, for the Jacks pass rush, Josh heinz Allen had a half sack and three quarterback hits. Now he'll be going up against Davis Mills as we know that CJ. Strout has been ruled out. Pete, I feel like the pass rush could have a big effect in this game. With hinz Allen and even though Trayvon's not one hundred percent that this is one where you've got to rattle Mills.
00:12:19
Speaker 5: No question about it. And the Texans offensive line has improved in the last couple of weeks. It's been better. It's still not good, but it's been better, and it was one of the worst. So yeah, I think it's you got to get after that quarterback and they got to get him on the ground, and you know, not just Josh heinz Allen. I think other guys have to get him on the ground. And you know, Trayvon Walker needs to play better. I know he's got the club on his hands, but you know, he hasn't been a factor and he needs to be better. So I get it. I think ideally you'd like to be able to pressure the quarterback, and it's a lot easier to pressure a guy like Mills, I think than it is a guy like c J. Strout, even though CJ. Strout isn't a guy who runs, but he can move around and he makes throws while moving around. I think this is a big advantage playing Davis Mills.
00:13:03
Speaker 6: Yeah, and look, any quarterback in the national football should be able to complete passes when given time so let's not let have Davis Mills have all day sitting back there, Pete, because you know Geno Smith did go out and throw four touchdowns. And I understand brock Bowers is an exceptional talent, but Nico Collins is not. Chopped Liver and Jaguars have a lot of injuries in the secondary as a whether it's this week or just moving forward, How concerning is that group of safeties and corners because they have thinned out a little bit with injury.
00:13:32
Speaker 5: Yeah, and they show up. I mean the injuries show up. You saw Antonio Johnson playing last week and it made some blunders and didn't play very well. And if it wasn't for the batted down ball by Devon Hamilton, it would have been a blunder by Antonio Johnson that cost him the game on.
00:13:47
Speaker 4: The last play.
00:13:47
Speaker 5: So I think the injuries have added up in the secondary, and I think you're seeing guys getting caught in situations they necessarily don't need to be in. And Andrew Wingert is another one. You get him in a one on one situation. He's had problems the last month of the season. So they're limited athletically on the back end at times, and I think teams have started to take advantage of that. So it'll be interesting to see what they do to kind of compensate for that. You know, Campinelli's a good defensive coordinator, but sometimes when you call him plays and you're dealing with limited guys in terms of talent and their athletic ability, you got to be a little bit more conservative than maybe you'd like to be.
00:14:26
Speaker 6: All Right, all that being said, Pete, how do you see it going down today?
00:14:29
Speaker 5: You know, when I thought Stroud was going to play, I thought the Texans would win the game. But Stroud isn't play, and I think Jacksonville could run the ball and limit what Davisville's does. I think Jacksonville go in there.
00:14:38
Speaker 7: And win the game.
00:14:39
Speaker 1: Moving on to the Jaguars now, of course, and wide receivers. Coach Edgar Bennett has been busy the last few weeks with injury issues, but he's coaching back in his hometown. Something he told Brian Sexton this week is still hard to believe.
00:14:52
Speaker 8: It really is a dream come true. And the only thing I wish was my mom and dad was here to see it, because my dad would just be going head over heels, right now and how excited he was supporting this team and me being home and being a part of this team, this organization. Oh my gosh, words can't even I can't even express it.
00:15:12
Speaker 9: You're not just home in your city. I heard that, you're you're in your parents' home. You're remodeling it. That what a great feeling that must be.
00:15:18
Speaker 8: Yeah, because it's still it's still a big part of us, and I can still their presence as far as being in there. But yeah, we renovated it and and and you know, my brothers have been there, my sister, they've all helped out, and so it's been great.
00:15:33
Speaker 9: All Right. Professional football is about adjusting week to week. Last week, Travis goes down for a couple of weeks, Brian gets hurt in the game, and now you've got Jacoby Myers who you had in Vegas. Just give me an overview of the week before we talk about Jacoby and what it's been like for you.
00:15:48
Speaker 8: Well, just you know, having guys that come in with the right mindset and prepared the way they prepare. And even last week going into that game, because we had a couple of guys with all Sun and Tim jumping there and played critical roles for us at the end. Their preparation can't say enough positive about him and how they approach to the game. And so when you're working with guys like that, it makes it fun. It makes it fun because that's what it's about. That's what it's about, you know, getting in those type situations, certain adverse situations, and just coming out on top based on what we did in practice and what we talked about when we get in those situations, how we'll handle ourselves.
00:16:25
Speaker 9: So people who are listening to this don't know a lot about Jacoby Myers. You had him eighty seven catches a thousand yard season last year. Give us scouting report on Jacoby.
00:16:32
Speaker 8: I'll just say this, when it comes to Kobes, you're going to get a guy that loves football, loves football, loves competing. He's an extremely competitor. I'm not going to get into all of the details as far as some of the things that make him stand out as a wide receiver, but obviously his hands, his ability to create separation, all those things, run after the catch, everything that you would look for in a Jag is Jacoby Myers.
00:16:59
Speaker 9: Here's what I've heard is that he's a pro he's a top competitor, and that he showed up here ready to go. I mean, talk about a challenge. Take me back to your playing days that you didn't you were never traded mid season.
00:17:09
Speaker 2: But but you have to understand how hard that must be.
00:17:12
Speaker 8: It is because you get you get so caught up into a routine, and then when something throws your routine off, like being traded and flying into the next team at ten thirty at night and going over the playbook until maybe twelve o'clock at night till midnight, and then you come in take your physical the next morning at six thirty in the morning. Then you got to dive right back into meetings and just get right back into the preparation part of things. So you just you have to be meintly strong. And that's again you you're talking about Jakobe Meyers, a god that's mainly strong. He's going to be well prepared and he's going to make the most of his opportunities. But definitely the work week, you know, when you're when you're kind of throwing out of your routine a little bit, you know, it takes a lot to get back into it.
00:17:57
Speaker 9: And since we can't really talk about Brian or Drivis because they're not going right now. Tell me about Parker Washington. He's been here for a couple of years. I've always been impressed with his intensity, with the way he plays the game. What have you learned from him in the time you've had him?
00:18:09
Speaker 8: What really stands out the most and what I really really love about him is just some of the things that you just said, his intensity and just his work ethic. This guy he puts in the work and when you when you work like that, good things abound to happen. I mean you see it on the field, off the field, I mean, he goes that that extra mile in his preparation to be at the best that he could possibly be.
00:18:32
Speaker 4: And I love that about him.
00:18:33
Speaker 9: Let's wrap it with this. You want it, Lee, not Riverside High. You wanted Florida State. But whatd it mean to you to win here? To bring a championship to your hometown.
00:18:44
Speaker 4: Wow, that's what it's about.
00:18:47
Speaker 8: That's what it's about, you know, getting this opportunity Coach Kryn bringing me here with Tony La Sally and James being a part of this, That's what it's about. That's what it's about. Coming home and being a part of something special so this city can celebrate. Oh my god, I mean that's that's that's the mission.
00:19:07
Speaker 2: Best of luck today against the Houston Texans.
00:19:09
Speaker 4: Appreciate you.
00:19:10
Speaker 1: Cornerback Greg Newsom is getting settled into his position after the trade from Cleveland a few weeks back.
00:19:16
Speaker 10: Yeah, nah, it takes it takes a minute, But I think a lot of it is is the mental part. Like, mentally, you have to put yourself into a new system, into a new group of guys, and you got to kind of learn guys, you know quick. I feel like obviously leaving mid season of a team that you're comfortable with is definitely hard. But I think that BI week was at the right time for me. I'm just being able to go back see my family, regroup, recenter, and refocus.
00:19:42
Speaker 9: Coming to a team that has playoff expectations. How much does that energize you considering that the Browns are still kind of bouncing around trying to get their season started, and what does it mean for a guy like Jacobe who's coming in here from a similar situation.
00:19:56
Speaker 10: Yeah, not's huge for me. It's just like you got to take your play up another level.
00:20:01
Speaker 11: This is a playoff team.
00:20:03
Speaker 10: Obviously, getting traded to a playoff team that means they want you here, they think that you can help, you know, raise them to that next level. So there's definitely some pressure put on you. But you know, for me, I live for pressure. So it's definitely like a guy like him, I know he'll be ready to go. I know he's going to be super excited and he's going to do great things.
00:20:21
Speaker 2: You seem very comfortable last week.
00:20:22
Speaker 9: Now you go into a divisional matchup against the Texans team that this team has had a nice little rub with. How do you acclimate yourself to a new rivalry.
00:20:33
Speaker 11: Yeah, see, it's crazy.
00:20:35
Speaker 10: I played the Texans and the playoffs in twenty twenty three and they got the better the better of us.
00:20:40
Speaker 11: So I'm super excited for this matchup.
00:20:42
Speaker 10: But as I said, in division games like they're always the most important games those normally the division winners are obviously the guys.
00:20:49
Speaker 11: That go to the playoffs.
00:20:50
Speaker 10: So you got to really set the foundation and I think this game is going.
00:20:54
Speaker 11: To be huge for us and we'll do a great job.
00:20:56
Speaker 9: I heard you talking earlier. This is that moment of the season where everything changes and the contenders emerge and the pretenders kind of fall back. What's the mindset of this locker room, best as you can tell, and what's it take to be successful?
00:21:07
Speaker 10: Yeah, the mindset of us is just taking day by day, keep stacking wins. Like I said, no game is going to finish the same. You're gonna need different parts of the team, whether a special teams, offense, defensive, step up in certain moments. So really it's just capture the moment when it's your time to shine, when it's your time to make a stop or score a touchdown, do that for the team. And like you said, this is where contenders come. And I think, like I said, getting a guy like Jacobe shows where we're headed.
00:21:32
Speaker 9: You're an excellent communicator and you're obviously a fan of the game. Where does it come from? Are you a coach's son? Where did this innate understanding of how it all fits together come from?
00:21:41
Speaker 11: Yeah?
00:21:41
Speaker 10: I just think it's just from just being a kid. I love the game of football from a young age. One of my best friends in high school his uncle was Kelvin Hayden, so I was always around, you know, great football players and just even going to IMG Academy as a senior just shows the level of football that I wanted to play going to Northwestern. You got to be very smart to get into a school like that. So it's just fun really knowing the ends and outs of the game. It makes it a lot easier. It makes it a lot more fun too, So that's just something as a young kid, I just prided myself on being, you know, being very cerebral out there.
00:22:19
Speaker 1: And finally, of course, as always, Pride of the Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. Time for our weekly conversation with Pride of the Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. Week ten Divisional play Jaguars at Detexans. The Jags trying to sweep Detectionans for the first time since twenty seventeen. Since then, the Texans are twelve and three against the Jags. It's all in the rear view, Fred, it's all about this week.
00:22:44
Speaker 7: Yeah, it's a great time. It's a great time to erase all of that JP. You know, I hated two teams throughout my career. Obviously everyone knows the number one team will be the Tennessee Titans. Two team is the Houston Texans because when they came into existence, I.
00:23:03
Speaker 4: Believe it was around like five or something like that.
00:23:07
Speaker 7: What was it, you know the history, Yeah, yeah, that's about right, yep, something like that as an expansion team. And then I thought we would just beat them all the time. Right, They're supposed to be your back, the person that you're taking your two shit and just bully. I thought they were supposed to be that team, but they weren't. They found a way to eventually beat us. And I've said it, as you just mentioned twelve and three since twenty seventeen. We gotta find a way to change all of that, and I think it happens here today.
00:23:37
Speaker 1: Bread the last game Week three, just a physical battle in the trenches. Jaguars won the game seventeen to ten, but I mean this was slugfest. Jacks couldn't run in the first half, but then found a way to run enough of the second half. Defense had three takeaways in that game. So is it a similar feel. I mean, it's always going to be a physical matchup of the trenches when the Texans are.
00:23:59
Speaker 7: Here, right, Yeah, It's always that's what they want to play, you know. Obviously it comes down from their head coach, Tamiko Rians, a guy who I played against a guy who's physical, competitive, fiery, like, he's energetic, he's everything, and that's the way he's coaching his defense. Especially coming over from San fran they had defenses that wanted to be physical, they wanted to be fast, and they played lights out each and every snap. So you're gonna get that from their defense each and every time you match up with them on the flip side. Offensively, they're gonna be without CJ. Stroud, Davis Mills, someone who's come in the game who's actually played pretty well as a backup, so you can't sleep or blink on him because he'll put up plays. So the key is JP gonna have to get pressure. We're gonna have to simply dominate the line of scrimmage from a defensive standpoint and from the Jaguars offensive standpoint, based on you know, the guys that are up. They're gonna have to play well and we're gonna have to be able to establish the run and also protect Trevor Lawrence against a pretty good Texans pass rush.
00:25:13
Speaker 1: Fred Taylor with US Earlier this season, the Jaguars made an end season trade to get Greg Newsoman here at cornerback. Now they've executed another in season trade. Which of Kobe Meyers coming in from Vegas is the wide receiver, So you know which one's more difficult, corner getting ready to play or this wide receiver tree and all the possibilities for Liam Cohen.
00:25:37
Speaker 4: JP, I would probably say.
00:25:41
Speaker 7: The receiver coming in to get ready to play, because if you think about it, for the most part, defenses, cornerback, it's all universal. How many times can you say, all right, Mandy Man cover one, cover three, cover two. I mean, it's all pretty much the same stuff. You know, each coordinator they might have different variations of it or a different technique that they want their corners or you know, guys to play, but it's it's pretty much the same, uh, And I think it's easier to learn defensively than it is offensively. Now on the other side, as a as a receiver, you have to move and play very variable, varying positions. So you have X, you have Y, you have the F, you know, you have Z. So it all depends on where you're going to be, the route you have to run, versus you know, alternations in those routes, versus different coverages. So the big receiver is a lot harder to learn than cornerback.
00:26:50
Speaker 1: But the guy's been at it for a long time. Apparently very reliable, clearly can catch the football and from all accounts, is a pretty sharp guy. He was impressive of the media conference the other day.
00:27:01
Speaker 4: Fred, Yeah, he's hungry, JP.
00:27:03
Speaker 7: I can tell you this undrafted out of North Carolina State, played in New England for a few years, got some really good coaching on the coach Belichick there. So he understands what it takes to be a pro and that's how he moves with the sense of urgency, understanding that, you know, this is my job. So being undrafted, understanding that this is my job, learning from one of the best coaches ever, being able to go with the Vegas to play with the Raiders, and then to be able to see the differences and organizations coming from New England going to the Raiders.
00:27:36
Speaker 4: Hey, that's night and day right.
00:27:38
Speaker 7: So, and now he's down in Jacksonville with the opportunity to help these younger receivers from what he's seen and also hopefully helped the team with his playmaking ability because he has shown that he has extremely great run after the catch. He can go get it the deep ball I think he's all around talent, So hopefully that'll win and go in the Jaguars favor.
00:28:06
Speaker 1: Pret Taylor With US Jaguars defensively, some injuries in the back end, Jordan Lewis unavailable, Eric Murray's and I are, so you're gonna see some different faces out there in the back end. One face that's back on the field though, it is Devin Lloyd Jaguars linebackers set to play after a couple of weeks down. What will his impact be for this defense coming back? And what do you do in the back end with all these.
00:28:31
Speaker 7: Changes, I mean, just one with Devin, I'm sure the guys will appreciate him out there.
00:28:37
Speaker 4: He's one of them.
00:28:38
Speaker 7: He's an original starter, he's a guy who's made plays. You're talking about awareness, energy, and just really the confident like confidence. You know, me, if I had Tony Boselli out there, I feel better because I know what Tony brings to the table. I know Tony's not gonna let me down. He's gonna play hard every snap, and this is what you're gonna get out of Devin Lower and the guys know that, so they're gonna be excited to have him back when the back end, you cross your fingers and pray because the Texans they have a guy in Nico Collins who can make plays from anywhere on the field, and I'm pretty sure they're gonna have some shot opportunities lined.
00:29:18
Speaker 4: Up and they're gonna attempt them.
00:29:20
Speaker 7: So hopefully the guys were able to get the playbook down throughout the week, and you know, whatever they run, they just gotta be ready to play.
00:29:32
Speaker 4: That's what you get paid for.
00:29:34
Speaker 7: You get paid the big bucks to show up and show out, all.
00:29:38
Speaker 1: Right, fred An opportunity, Yes, to move to six and three, but to pretty much knock the Texans out.
00:29:46
Speaker 4: That's a double dip. That'd be a nice win.
00:29:49
Speaker 7: I'd be a double dip dipper, very nice win. When the last time we say six and three maybe, but two years ago.
00:29:56
Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been a minute.
00:29:58
Speaker 1: Yeah, there's the twenty two twenty three season.
00:30:01
Speaker 4: I think before it collapsed was the last time. Yeah, so that would be two years ago. Yeah.
00:30:07
Speaker 1: I mean there's a winning record through eight games for the third time in the last ten years for the Jacks.
00:30:14
Speaker 4: Well, yeah, I gotta keep it going regardless, No, got gotta keep it going.
00:30:18
Speaker 7: And it starts with a divisional opponent, you know, one who's been a thrown on your side for quite some time, so you know, if this is a down year for him, keep them down.
00:30:29
Speaker 4: Got to step on their necks. Can I say that you just did? Yeah? I did, and I agree. Right, I have a good one.
00:30:39
Speaker 1: We'll talk to you in the post.
00:30:40
Speaker 4: Game, Ahi, JP, I'll see you.
00:30:42
Speaker 1: The Jaguars visit the Texans Sunday at one o'clock. Enjoy the game.
