Here's what the Texans had to say to the media after practice on Thursday.
Head coach Gary Kubiak LB Brian Cushing
Head coach Gary Kubiak
(on the health of the team) "(DE) Mario (Williams) didn't practice. (LB) Brian (Cushing) is back. He took everything that he normally does, so he's fine. (CB Antwaun) Molden practiced yesterday. Other than that, we're OK."
(on how DE Mario Williams is progressing) "He's getting better. Obviously, if you don't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, there's a concern there. But we'll see tomorrow. I feel good about it, but I would've liked to see him take a little bit today. So we'll see. We'll see where he's at tomorrow. Like I said, he can play without the practice reps, so that doesn't concern me. I just want to make sure he's ready to go."
(on if LB Brian Cushing is OK) "Cush? Yeah, he was fine. He took all of his reps. He seemed to be fine to me. He actually came over here yesterday evening and met with the coaches, so he caught up on yesterday. So other than missing just the time on the field yesterday, he's fine."
(on what that tells him about LB Brian Cushing) "Oh, I wouldn't expect anything different from him. He's all ball. It gets to be an art in this league, to be honest with you, because guys are wore down and play so many games, and there're going to be times where you need to give a guy a day here or there. Of course, he had to, not feeling well, but you've got to stay in it mentally so that you can be the same player you are on Sunday that you normally are throughout the week. It's something that's a challenge for him this week. It's a challenge for (DE) Mario (Williams), too."
(on if anybody else has popped up with the flu) "No, we're good. Everybody's fine. All the guys have been back, and of course Cush (LB Brian Cushing) was the guy yesterday but he's back today, so we're fine."
(on if it's more difficult to prepare for an NFC opponent that you never see) "I don't know. Preparation is preparation. You go through the same stuff. We follow each other around this league. Being just 32 teams, you're always studying teams in the offseason and what's going on. Sometimes, you may hit them by scheduling, sometimes more often than not. That's just the way it goes. But we played them in preseason a few years ago, of course they've had a change in coordinator, defensive coordinator, but a lot of things are still the same."
(on if there is any perceptible difference between AFC and NFC teams) "I think every team's different. I think in this league right now, there's probably more different brands of football going on than there had been in the past. There's a lot more wide-open teams, there's a lot more hybrid defensive teams. So from that standpoint, it's changed quite a bit in the last couple of years."
(on if you can't say there's a different style of football in the two conferences any more) "Yeah, there was a time they thought it (NFC) was more physical and that type of stuff. But this team (Cardinals) is throwing the ball all over the place, so I think that's widespread around the league."
(on RB Chris Henry) "He's done good. The good news is I know some of the language we're speaking is the same stuff he had with 'Dinger (offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger) in Tennessee, so that helps him. He's obviously got some talent and they're a team that had a lot of backs, so it's an opportunity for him here. We'll see how it goes."
(on how to improve their offense in the second half) "We obviously need to get more balanced. Two weeks ago against Jacksonville, we weren't on the field very much. We had a good drive, and I hope I'm right on this, had a real good drive to start the third quarter and ended up kicking a field goal. Had six plays between there and six minutes left in the fourth quarter and then had the drive that should have tied the football game. Last week, a different style of game; you're ahead, you're trying to run the football. But it's going to take a complete game. It's going to take the same effort we had in Tennessee for us to go out there and find a way to get it done. Our team knows this."
(on if the Texans have the ability to stretch the field like the Cardinals) "We've obviously got some very good receivers and stuff. I think to be consistent in this league, you've got to run the football, so that's something I'm committed to and what our team's committed to. But yeah, we've got the ability to put a lot of wideouts on the field, if that's what you're asking me."
(on how he would describe the Cardinals' defense) "Very active. Like I said yesterday, the best player I've seen on film this year is the defensive player in (Cardinals DE Darnell) Dockett. But they give you some problems. A lot of speed, a lot of pressures. They come get you. When they're at home, they're even better because they get off the ball so well and you've got noise problems. So we'll see them at their best."
(on why they've been so good against the NFC) "I wouldn't even have known. John (McClain ) asked me that the other day, I think. John said the same thing to me. I don't know. I hope it continues."
LB Brian Cushing
(on how he feels) "Yeah, I missed one day. I'm back, though. I'm good."
(on how ill he was) "I wasn't. It was just precautionary. All tests came back negative and I'm fine."
(on head coach Gary Kubiak saying he wasn't surprised he was back up at the stadium yesterday) "I could've been here yesterday. It was just more precautionary for everyone just to stay back, especially with everything that's been going around."
(on if he is limited or weak or anything) "No, I'm fine. I was full-go today. No problem."
(on the Arizona Cardinals and their skill positions) "I'm just going to prepare like I do every week. We don't have to do anything really differently. We have to play aggressive defense and we'll be fine."
(on how aggravating all the hoopla is surrounding him being sick) "Yeah, I mean, I had a little cold, but I guess it's a big deal. I don't know. I'm here today and that's all that matters."
(on if he was worried about being sick) "No one ever really wants to be sick, but everyone does every once in a while. But I'm here today."
