A day after he played one of the finest games of his four-year career, not much was said about linebacker Brooks Reed.
But head coach Bill O'Brien changed all of that, six minutes into a Monday press conference.
"I've had four questions about Jadeveon Clowney and nobody's asked me about Brooks Reed at that position," O'Brien said. "Brooks Reed played one of the better games that I've seen an outside linebacker play."
Reed finished with five tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and three quarterback hits. It was a memorable effort for the outside linebacker, and O'Brien explained Reed's success.
"He went out there and played a very disciplined game," O'Brien said. "Got great pressure on the quarterback. Played good against the run game."
Reed played so well, that O'Brien awarded him a game ball. Defensive end J.J. Watt also got one on the defensive side.
Reed dropped Robert Griffin, III for a sack and loss of 12 yards at the start of the second quarter. He and the defense harrassed Griffin all game, and he explained why he was able to do what he did.
"They were booting a lot and coming to my side, so I knew that I had to be disciplined with my eyes and make sure RG3 didn't escape on any negative boots," Reed said. "I had to be disciplined in that regard."
After spending a chunk of the offseason in Madison, Wisconsin working out with Watt, Reed had a good training camp and preseason. His workout partner, and fellow 2011 rookie was happy for Reed on Sunday.
"He had a heck of a game," Watt said. "That is a lot of fun to see. He works really hard."
The Texans have Tuesday off, and will resume practice on Wednesday. They face the Raiders on Sunday afternoon in Oakland. (CBS-11/KHOU, 3 p.m. CT)
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