NICK CASERIO: I'll have a few words, and then I'll leave, and then you guys get to ask all questions. I appreciate you being here this afternoon. It's an exciting opportunity, an exciting time for, I would say, the organization, players, coaches. It's an important time for the players, and most importantly, it's a tremendous time for their families.
And I think one of the things that you notice about Derek and Kenyon is that family is important. They come from great families. They were with their families last night. Kenyon is here right down the street with his family at home. Derek is in the hotel in Vegas with his family, but family is of the essence, and family is a priority, and we're trying to build a family here with the Houston Texans.
Obviously, these two players really embody everything that our program is about. Humble, hard-working, soft-spoken. Just want to show up and do work, which is how we're trying to build the program, and that is what these two players are about.
I'm sure you'll enjoy speaking with them. We're excited that they're here. I think they understand what's in front of them. There's a lot of work that's ahead. I think they realize that, and I think the one thing about these two players in particular, they're going to show up and work, and we're going to get the best version of themselves on a day-to-day basis, and that's all we're going to ask.
The floor is yours, so you guys have fun. Less is more, and we'll catch up with you guys later. (Laughing.)
Q. Derek, if you were to describe people that maybe didn't know you as a player or know a lot about you, what do you think is the best thing about your play?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: I would say I'm just calm. I don't let my emotions get too high, too low. I know in certain areas whenever I mess up, I know how to diagnose it and talk it through with my coaches and fix it real fast.
Q. You come from a family of athletes. Your father, your grandfather. How have they prepared you from a young age, and how have you yourself grown into this along the way?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Really just -- it's a mental battle with everything that you do. If you can tell yourself that you're able to do it, you will be able to go out there and do it.
Q. Your first meeting, what was that like, and what did you take away from what playing --
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: It was good. He showed a lot of interest. We had some small words about how it would be, but, no, that's between me and him. I'm excited to show it. Once we get to the season. I just can't wait to work.
Q. Derek, your injuries are well-documented. Sometimes injuries can camouflage or cover for guys' talent. What does it mean that the Texans saw beyond what you went through the last few years? What does that mean and the trust that it gives you with them?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: It means a lot because they saw my true talent beyond everything else. Whenever you are surrounded by people that know your true worth, it just makes you feel better as a person.
Q. For each of you, if you could take us through how you kind of managed last night, the excitement, obviously. Did you get any sleep? Did you spend the night? Just up with family talking? Could you eat? Just share what that experience was like.
KENYON GREEN: Well, I was at home, so I'm probably -- I say 30, 45 minutes away from the stadium. I was just sitting there, and I was talking to a family friend about the draft and how it unfolded and everything.
When I got the 832 area code, I already knew it was the Texans. I sat there. I was just shocked. I was just truly just thanking God for this opportunity being here, being able to stay home and play for my city. So I'm going to give it everything I've got. I'm going to be the best player, best person you can ever meet, talk to.
Q. How about afterwards? Just sit around and share --
KENYON GREEN: We rewatched the draft because after I got picked, we kind of turned it off and celebrated, but just going through that moment again, seeing it, seeing my family enjoying it, so that's all I cared about.
Q. Any sleep for you, Derek, after all this happened?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Man, it was a long flight, but we're here. I'm excited to be here. I'm excited to get to work.
Q. What kind of advice has your family and some of their experiences in football, what has that meant to you and specific things that kind of jump out that you kind of have taken with you and resonated with you?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: So something else that I've always been told is to just have fun with everything that you do. So if you can find the fun in anything, even the tough situations, you'll be good and you'll be able to make it through.
Q. Having been able to play football your entire life right in this area in College Station and now with the Texans, what does that feel like for you, and is it something besides, obviously, the familiarity that you think that can help you?
KENYON GREEN: I'm already -- my blood, sweat, and tears have been here 21 years almost. I mean, it's really nothing else to say. I'm here. I'm ready to go, so, you know, whatever that takes, whatever we need to do to do that, I'm willing and ready.
Q. This is for both Derek and Kenyan. Both of you were three-year starters in the SEC and have gone up against talent that's a semi-pro type to the NFL. Do you feel like having that experience going up against those type of players has prepared you for some of the time you're going to see very early on in camp?
KENYON GREEN: For sure. I feel like SEC you've got to be prepared and ready each and every week because you're going against somebody that's on your same level or even higher. So you have to match it and make sure that you focus right then, mentally and physically.
Q. Derek, same thing.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: I also think that even in practice every single day, with the schools that we went to, we had to be ready for that. Not just weekends. Every day. Yeah.
Q. This is a follow-up for Derek. Lovie, getting a chance to play for him, a defensive-minded coach, going to be a big part of his defense. What does that mean to you?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: It means a lot. I know that he will maximize our abilities out there on the field, put us in positions to win. I'm excited for that.
Q. Derek, I know you discussed some of this when you were at LSU, but does the impact that the situation your grandfather went through, which, obviously -- how did that impact -- how do you learn from that? How does that kind of just shape you? It, obviously, happened a long time ago, but I'm sure that something within your family and with you specifically that that can help guide you through your life.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Well, for me, whenever I'm out there playing, I don't -- you don't want to play thinking about injuries or playing scared, because then something might happen if are you out there like that. Really I just go out there and just play, have fun, like I said, and just do what I do.
Q. You grew up here. You talk about the blood, sweat, and tears here in H-Town. Can you share some of the memories? Do you remember some of the Texans' games? Do you remember riding the roller coaster with this franchise?
KENYON GREEN: I played here multiple times in high school for playoff games, and I got a good record in here, so, you know, I want to keep that going. (Laughing.) Whatever we have to do to do that, I'm ready to do that.
Q. When you did see the 832 on the phone, what were those immediate emotions?
KENYON GREEN: I'm staying home. I'm staying home.
Q. Is it Kenyon or Kenyon?
KENYON GREEN: Kenyon.
Q. I want to make sure. You won the 2018 touchdown club, Offensive Player of the Year, as an offensive line, going up against some of the people that even went to A&M. In that moment, did you know that your path was headed towards where you are right now?
KENYON GREEN: Well, no, I mean, I didn't look too far into it. I was making sure that I was ready for the next level. I wasn't trying to get my mind off track on things. I was worried about that first year, my freshman year coming in, contributing, being a team player and working as hard as I can to build on that, and eventually it got better. I'm here now. Blessed being able to talk to y'all and do those things like that.
Q. Derek, what did you feel about as soon as you stepped on campus, you were highly regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the nation, and then going up against the players that you went up against? What was that like every day?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Really I didn't think about the outside view on how -- I didn't think about the outside perception on me. I just knew that I would have to just go out there and practice every day and just do what they recruited me to do.
Q. One thing to come in with teams before the draft, and another thing is to walk up to the building knowing that they picked you. For each of you, what's going through your mind right now? You're here. This is reality. What's going through your mind right now?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: I'm just ready to get to work. That's it.
KENYON GREEN: Me and Derek was talking about it walking in, saying "we" after they pick you. You say whatever team you go to, but we're saying "we." What we need, what we need to do for this team to get better, so changing your mind frame on that. It's a blessing being able to do this and be a part of this. It's just the beginning. Oh, yeah, for sure.
Q. Do you say we now?
KENYON GREEN: Yeah, it is, but it humbles you too because you still have a lot of work to do. This is just the beginning. They gave you the opportunity, so now, you know, you got to put your head down and work.
Q. I've got two for you guys. First one is kind of silly. When you talked about seeing the 832, do players memorize area codes before the draft so when that phone rings they kind of have an idea who it is?
KENYON GREEN: I know it because I'm Houston, but certain places you know -- some places you know you have connections with, you probably will know the area code of it. I for sure knew that one.
Q. What about you, Derek?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Underneath the number it says the place, so that's what I was looking at. (Laughing.)
Q. On a serious note, Nick talked a lot about both of your competitiveness and the competitive nature of both of you. It's been some lean years here the last couple of years. How much do both of you as players relish the opportunity to try to turn things around here and why?
KENYON GREEN: Me going to A&M, a big school how it is now, so all we did was in that class we put our head down and worked. Then right now they're on the building stages of being a powerhouse in the SEC, so I'm coming with the same mentality. Put my head down and work and then bring people with me.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Can you repeat the question again?
Q. How much do you relish the opportunity to try to turn things around?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: That's something that -- changing things around here, that's something that takes the whole group, the whole team, coaching staff, everybody. So I'm looking forward to building up like a team chemistry, seeing how things flow, learning from all the vets and even the people who got here last year. They know more than what we know at this point.
KENYON GREEN: Right.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Any chance to learn from anybody to build that team chemistry. That's what I'm looking forward to.
Q. Hey, Kenyon. You talked about the (indiscernible)?
KENYON GREEN: Technique. You focus on the little detailed things in your game. Especially watching film as a lineman, you know, you can pick little things that defensive linemen, linebackers do to get an edge on them. And when you get that edge, you exploit it, and you do your job.
Q. When you are drafted, most people say this is a lifetime dream. This is for both of you guys. Do you remember the first moment you thought, I want to play in the NFL or that you told someone or wrote it down? Do either of you all remember that?
KENYON GREEN: I would say you have it when you are little, but when I realized I can actually play this game and make a living off of it, it was probably my high school -- my senior year in high school when I went to the opening and the (indiscernible) account and seeing that road that other players took to get there that played in those type of games. I'm there, so I just have to keep the right mindset, and I'm glad I did. I'm here right now.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: It's pretty much the same for me. So as a little kid, you have those big dreams, and then it was a certain point kind of like in high school that I was, like, okay, I can really do this. So then that's when it really set in and really started working for it.
Q. You mentioned walking in and the team rebuilding, and the last night you mentioned that Lovie Smith had talked to you and said y'all both are from Texas and so that hits you. In what ways does that contribute to you being a part of the team and helping that team get back to where it could be?
KENYON GREEN: Yeah, just seeing his pedigree, you know, what he wants in his players, what this organization wants in their players, and I feel like I met that, and we had conversations when I came on the visit here that the possibilities and things that we could do here. I'm ready to work and get there and get to that point because I can see in the future for sure.
Q. Do either of you know what number you're going to wear?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Well, I mean, I talked to Coach about it, so hopefully I can get it.
KENYON GREEN: Yeah, I'm trying to keep the same number if nobody have it, but --
Q. Like the necklace.
KENYON GREEN: You know what I'm saying. Probably upgrade it a little bit now. (Laughing).
Q. When you think about his family and your family, both of your parents being a college athlete, how much does that help and to instill what it takes to be a winning athlete?
KENYON GREEN: Yeah, for sure. My dad coached me since I was a kid so, just him installing the game into me and just taking that time and that care just being my coach throughout those years. Really grateful to have him and to be able to talk to him about the game.
My mom, she's more academics. She played volleyball, but she was more academics, so I had to make sure that them grades was right or it wouldn't be good at the house.
Q. Kenyon, Jimbo said last night you're one of the all-time greats he has ever coached and one of the best human beings he has ever coached. How does that hit you?
KENYON GREEN: That hits home right there. That's great to hear that from your head coach. He sees you when you are down, when you are up. So I appreciate that, and I'm grateful to have him as my coach.
Q. What was it like watching the emotions of your family last night?
KENYON GREEN: Exciting. Seeing all the hard work they put into me all those years, seeing the tears of joy, just the excitement, I was happy seeing that. It made me want to just get out there and work out really. I was sitting there just shaking ready to go.
Q. Kenyon, at your pro day Jimbo said he believes you could be an all-pro guard, tackle and back. You could be a part of the class that joins the four other first round offensive tackles who went (indiscernible). What does that mean to join that group of people and maybe start a new tradition of being the first first rounder in this new era?
KENYON GREEN: It was crazy because in my recruiting visits and everything, it was like -- we have a board, and it has the first round on there, and my dad made me take a picture in front of it when I was a recruit there, so can I finally say I'm on that board now.
Q. Derek, you talked about you worry about the outside perception when you were at LSU, but the words they used about you is a prodigy. The last two years when you weren't able to play for various reasons and others had doubts outside, what was it like for you emotionally, knowing what your dream was and what the track was, but --
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Me personally, I knew where I was at on the field and off the field. I still feel like I was still at that level, but that's out of my control, so there's no point in me trying to worry about that, worry about what other people think because people are going to always have something to say. If you look at any great ever, there's always two sides to it and people debating about it, so I don't worry about it.
Q. Tytus Howard who was the last first round draft pick here in 2019 put out on social media last night that (indiscernible) to join the team. What does that mean to you, and has anybody else reached out to you all?
KENYON GREEN: Yeah, for sure. Laremy Tunsil, he reached out to me, just congratulating me and telling me be ready to work. I texted him back. My phone was froze for like an hour or so, so I had to wait a little bit and text him back.
But, yeah, I can see the brotherhood here already embracing us in already. Haven't even met them yet, so I feel like this team is going to have good vibes, have the right mindset, the build and get this organization back to where it was and even better.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Just like he said, I can already feel like this is a good place to be in, but I haven't really checked my phone to see who all texted. When I'm going back and looking through it, I'm sure there will be some players in there.
Q. Derek, you talked a lot about -- joining the Houston Texans, is it a little special knowing that you're not too far away from your family?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Yeah, not too far, not too close. (Laughing.) It's good. It's good. I'm glad I'm here.
Q. You said your phone froze? Lots of stuff was coming in then.
KENYON GREEN: Yeah, my Instagram froze. I couldn't text nobody. I put my phone down and just enjoyed the moment after that. I couldn't even do anything on my phone.
Q. Question for you both. The last day, what are the moments that whatever has happened the past 24 hours that helped you realize the moment that's ahead, how you all are expected to contribute, and a little bit with some of the people that you were with last night, so what were some of the things that hit you?
KENYON GREEN: Just talking to the staff and everything on the phone. Just hearing it in their voice how excited, and they mean business. I'm coming here. This is business. This is a job. I'm going to take this with everything I have.
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Can you restate that in a different way?
Q. In the last day, what stuck out to you how much expectation there is for you coming here?
DEREK STINGLEY JR.: Well, yeah, just like he said. It's a business, so just got to come here and work.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports