Peyton Manning and the Broncos host the Texans last season. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
The Houston Texans, stars of this year’s “Hard Knocks,” will host the Broncos on Saturday, in their second preseason matchup. After their practice Wednesday, a number of Texans players, including former Broncos safety Rahim Moore, were asked about their upcoming meeting with the Broncos, what they’re anticipating from Peyton Manning and Gary Kubiak’s return to Houston:
Rahim Moore, S
On what he wants to show the Broncos:
“I mean, that I am who they thought I was, you know? That I’m still Rahim Moore, that I love the game of football and my love now is for the Texans. My love was once for the Broncos. I have no hard feelings. I had a great experience there. I had some great players that I played with and now I have the same type of talent on this team as well, so big ups for the Broncos, but now I’m a Texan and I’m excited about it.”
On facing Manning and the Broncos’ offense:
“I mean, it’s preseason. You always want to be looking forward to facing anybody. It’s going to be a tough task because I know how Peyton operates. I know how the offense operates. It’s the reason why they’ve been the top three in offense for the past three or four years, so we got a big head on our shoulder right now.”
On if it’s easier knowing Manning’s tactics:
“It’s harder. One thing about Peyton is that in his offense that whatever you’ve seen the week before, they’re not that same team. They’re going to constantly get better and that’s scary. So, I believe it’s his first time playing in preseason, so he’s going to be ready, the whole teams going to be ready. So, so are we.”
Duane Brown, OT
On if it will be weird facing his former coach, Kubiak:
“Well it wouldn’t be the first time. He came out here when he was in Baltimore last year. Kubes is my guy, but we are trying to win a game so I am not thinking about it too much.”
On facing Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware:
“It is great competition. We went out there last year and practiced against them — great competition. Both (are) very elite players that can really put some pressure on you. It will be a test for our offensive line, for me and Derek (Newton). We have been working hard this week in preparation for that.”
Brian Cushing, LB
On if facing Manning is good for him:
“Yeah, it is. We had that experience last year too, of three days of practice and a preseason game, so, if anything, you got to practice against the best and it’ll make you better. So we’re excited for the opportunity to go against them, compete and see what both of us have.”
On Manning’s style of play:
“It will keep you on your toes the whole game. It’ll get all of your communication down. You know, you’ve got to be ready mentally and it’s always a challenge.”
On facing Kubiak:
“It’ll be exciting. It’ll be good to see him, but at the same time, he’s a good coach, so he’s going to have a lot out there and get us running around the field and get us in some tough situations. He’s a very good offensive mind, so you know, it’ll be a good game plan for us to go against.”
Kareem Jackson, CB
On if it’s good to face Manning and the Broncos in the preseason:
“Definitely. Anytime you get a chance like that in preseason. We know we are going to get a lot of looks from him. They will probably run some hurry-ups and tempo. Like I said, it just give us a chance for us to see where we are as a defense, see some things we need to work on and see if we can go out and execute against one of the best.”
Johnathan Joseph, CB
On if the Broncos coming into town elevates the interest this week:
“Yeah I think in this league during preseason, from week to week you always want to try to get better. The guys go out and play a little longer than they did the week before. Obviously going up against Manning is always a challenge. Anytime you have that task ahead you kind of get yourself a little more focused.”
On facing Kubiak:
“At the end of the day it’s all business, it’s nothing more than the game and we can’t look at it like nothing other than that. Obviously it’d be good seeing them again and some of the familiar faces over there on that side of the ball and that coaching staff and things like that, but it’ll be all business.”
