Houston Texans Media Conference

Monday, August 15, 2022

Houston, Texas, USA

Jalen Camp

Press Conference


Q. Jalen, take us through your touchdown and what went through your mind as you were celebrating afterwards.

JALEN CAMP: Yeah, so I think that was definitely my first play in the game, so I was anxious, waiting to get in the game the whole time. They called my number, I went in the game, and the first play call was actually bo fade, so I knew the opportunity was there. Quarterback threw a great ball, and I just tried to make a play for him.

Then afterwards -- I think all the guys in the receiving room decided that the very first touchdown that we had was going to be the crane celebration for Metchie for everything that he's going through and just pay homage.

Q. Did he give you any feedback on the celebration?

JALEN CAMP: Yes, sir, it was all good feedback. We talked after the game, and he was just appreciative, and we're obviously appreciative of him and everything he's done these past couple months and the fight that he has going on right now.

Q. Was it kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing?

JALEN CAMP: The celebration? It was actually -- all the receivers actually planned it this past week, that the very first receiver to score a touchdown was going to do that celebration to pay respects.

Q. What did John say? Did you do it right? Was it up to his standards?

JALEN CAMP: He didn't critique it. I think that -- I don't think I did it as well as he does it, but I think he was definitely appreciative of it. I think we exchanged words on Instagram and text message, as well.

Q. (Indiscernible) honor Metchie?

JALEN CAMP: I believe so. I believe so, yes, sir.

Q. What were some of the things that you worked on in the off-season coming into training camp?

JALEN CAMP: I would say probably just getting more in depth in the playbook, of course. Once you know the playbook in and out, you'll be able to play faster, so that was one of the things I wanted to do. I don't think you can ever get fast enough, so speed was another thing that I wanted to work on, route running, and just the basic ball skills.

Q. How would you evaluate your first game?

JALEN CAMP: How would I evaluate it? I think it was pretty good. I think it was a pretty good game. I think that they always say it's never as good as you think it is, and it's never as bad as you think it is. So just after watching the film yesterday on the off day, I think there were some things that definitely need to be cleaned up. I think I did some good things and I think there was also some things that I need to clean up for sure.

Q. What's that like with different skill sets -- how do you guys work together?

JALEN CAMP: I think the room is awesome with our leader B-Cooks and Conley. I think our veteran leadership that we have in there is awesome, definitely for young guys like me, just looking up to them. Those guys are always doing the right thing, so you have great guys to look up to and how to maneuver throughout this training camp, OTAs, all this kind of thing.

I think they're all kind of different in a certain aspect of it, so looking at each person and picking little things off and trying to turn them into your thing.

Q. What are the things that you take most from journey on the practice squad up to this point? What do you reflect on?

JALEN CAMP: Reflect on? Probably just taking it day by day, honestly. Not getting too far in the future and definitely not looking in the past. Just focusing on each day and each opportunity that you have in front of you and trying to make the most of it.

It's definitely a tough business to be in, but you can't look at those things because those things get you sidetracked, so just taking every day as an opportunity to get better.

Q. You were targeted three times with the ball. Would you say that your versatility is one of your biggest assets?

JALEN CAMP: Yes, I try to be as versatile as possible. I think speed is definitely one of my assets, but whether that be blocking, running routes, deep threat, whatever it is, for a guy like me, I'm just trying to showcase everything that I have to showcase.

Q. Does having familiarity (indiscernible) what you saw last season?

JALEN CAMP: Yes, I would say so. Just having familiar faces in the room, knowing how every guy works, knowing how Ben works and knowing what he expects of you I think helps a lot. So you kind of know what's required of you every day once you step out there on that field.

Q. Jalen, going back to the celebration. Why do you think it was important (indiscernible)?

JALEN CAMP: I think just the obvious. It's just about everything that he's going through right now, coming off the injury last season and finally working his way to be able to play with us and then getting diagnosed with the cancer. I think that we all realized that what he's going through and what he's dealing with is kind of bigger than everything that we're doing. We're out here playing football and he's dealing with something way bigger than this, so for us to just do that little celebration was big for us to do.

Q. How do you day-to-day try to keep involved with a teammate that's going through something like that?

JALEN CAMP: We just keep him in our prayers every day and just reach out periodically and just check in on him, make sure he still feels as a part of this team, that he is still a part of this team. So just little things like that, and then of course the celebration helped, as well, and we'll definitely try to continue to do that just to pay homage for him because he's definitely still on our team and still with us.

Q. Did he get a chance to watch the game, do you know?

JALEN CAMP: I believe so. I believe so. I think he enjoyed it. To be able to have that win, definitely huge for us, as well, and for him, as well.

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123782-1-1002 2022-08-15 16:37:00 GMT

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