DEREK RIVERS: Just getting off the ball, trying to show my hands and then run around, just go. Wasn't a lot of thinking once we got to the top. Kind of blacked out and just went.
Q. You look a little lighter. Did you get lighter this year?
DEREK RIVERS: Honestly, I think my dad weight is sticking on me. I'm actually the same weight but it just feels a little better, yeah, absolutely.
Q. When you look at last season, having Lovie come in and (indiscernible) defensive coordinator, does that give you comfortability about what the defense is trying to do this year?
DEREK RIVERS: I think it helps for sure, for sure, because obviously we had to start over. But kind of bring a lot of the same guys back, praise God, it was a blessing. So it was kind of like picking up where we left off but still you have to restart and learn it all over again. I think guys are moving a little faster now for sure, for sure.
Q. You're a veteran. You've been here a couple of years, to get guys like Jerry and (indiscernible), who have been in the playoffs, have been in the Super Bowl, what does it do for the competition on the defensive line?
DEREK RIVERS: Man, praise God, it's been awesome because we've got a good roll. A lot of brothers in there so everybody been learning from each other, like young dudes learning from Maliek. Maliek's been learning from some of the younger dudes, like I learned a crap ton from Beezy (phonetic), Jerry, Rio (phonetic), Demone, just watching each other.
We have a real close-knit group. When you've got that and guys kind of like holding themselves and learn, take things from one another because we continue to learn every single day. So that's been a real good -- and that's what Jacques teaches in there. It's been a blessing, it's been helpful for everybody's game.
Q. How would you describe some of those battles between the offensive and defensive line in practice and in camp?
DEREK RIVERS: Battles? It's competitive. It's always like that though. The O line, they've got a great group, the closest knit group on the team. They've got to be, you know what I'm saying?
When we go out there if you're out there kind of BS'ing they lock you up. You've got to go out there, that's how you make each other better. It's like iron sharpens iron.
Q. Tempers flared a little bit, there was some trash talking, pushing and shoving. Is that the competitive aspect kicking up especially knowing that you're all getting into game mold?
DEREK RIVERS: Absolutely. It's that. You know you're tired. The mind is first thing that goes (laughs). You're just kind of sometimes the tempers flare and that happens. It's like if you've got a brother, you fight your brother but you love him, you know what I'm saying? And as soon as you get in the locker room everything else is cool.
Q. Thomas Booker comes from Stanford. (Indiscernible) was talking about how smart he is. For him to pick up the defense as quickly as possible and (indiscernible) really good game, especially the pass rush, what does it say about his involvement?
DEREK RIVERS: Book is a good dude. He is constantly asking questions. That's huge, because sometimes it's never wrong to ask a question; no such thing as a dumb question. Book is very smart, fast, physical freak. So he's picked it up fast, and he just continues to learn every day and keep his head down and grind.
Q. Talk about how you persevered through this week (indiscernible)?
DEREK RIVERS: Man, honestly it's God be the glory. It's all Jesus for real. To be real with you that's all it is. Ain't nothing but the grace of God. Been a blessing to come from obviously like Kinston and then from New England to here to here I didn't -- shoot, I really didn't think I would be here today to be real with you. It's been a blessing to get here. And Houston has been a special place for me and my family. We just love it.
Q. (Inaudible)?
DEREK RIVERS: Shoot. Everybody go through stuff, brother. Just like everybody in this room. Life ain't a walk in the park, but God is good. So with that you can go through those difficulties and you've got good family around, good people here. It helps.
Q. You had a really good preseason game. What did you go back and observe on tape what you need to do better?
DEREK RIVERS: Short memory. Little things I have to clean up before I get to see week one, so kind of like learn from it enjoy it but move on to the next game and grab those little details work on your game.
Q. How much does your faith allow you to be able to do the things that you're able to do on the field?
DEREK RIVERS: It's everything. I couldn't breathe without Jesus for real. Couldn't walk, couldn't talk, couldn't do nothing. Honestly if it weren't for him, like I said, I wouldn't be here today. When things get hard it's like all right even if I mess up we still love, forgiven. That's the blessing.
Q. (Question off microphone).
DEREK RIVERS: Take it. And like I said, just keep going. You know what I'm saying? Because you can't get comfortable. Because every team, as soon as you do it one week, the next team will see it. It's like, man, we've got a really good team, so take it. But continue to build. Humble yourself, celebrate it, but short-term memory, try to keep building off it.
Q. You mentioned (inaudible). Does the rotation of the defensive line, how deep you all go, remind you of your time with the Patriots?
DEREK RIVERS: So-so, honestly. Like I said, Jacques likes to keep guys fresh, because really it's like we're going, you know what I'm saying? You want fresh guys out there. The freshest team out there a lot of times wins. That's been really good.
Q. I asked you about the offensive line and the battles earlier, but just the offense as a whole and going up against much of them as you have now in practice. What stands out to you about them as a group?
DEREK RIVERS: Man, I know we're really excited about it. Them guys just, they compete. And like I said, just how close they are and kind of like the culture they built over there, completely different than last year.
And they had it last year. We have a lot of the same leaders. Those boys, it's just a growth period. I'm excited to see them. Them jokers, they're explosive, man. We're excited to see them keep working, and they just keep their head down, grinding, take it one step at a time.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports