Q. How did DeMeco approach day one of training camp as a head coach?
JIMMIE WARD: Just like DeMeco. I don't know. I guess I can go into a little detail. Just a natural born leader. He approached just like he approached being a defensive coach, position coach, back in San Fran. I don't feel like it's too much different. Only difference is he has a head coaching job.
Q. How would you describe the emphasis you have on the offensive side with the receivers?
JIMMIE WARD: They got a lot of play-makers from some of the older players and younger players. I see them getting better each day.
Q. Part of the work that you were doing today was off to the side catching balls. What is your thought process behind training that way?
JIMMIE WARD: Just trying to get some interceptions (smiling).
Last year I got three, so I know I'm going to have a lot of opportunities this year. That's what we emphasize on defense, is taking the ball away.
Q. How did you spend your summer?
JIMMIE WARD: How did I spend my summer? Training, Pensacola. I got to spend time with family, birthdays and unfortunately had a few funerals.
Q. Did you get to reach out to any of the players?
JIMMIE WARD: We text. Got to hang out with a few players, former ex-teammates, down in Pensacola.
Q. (Off mic) what kind of tandem can you be together? What do you think of him as a player and person?
JIMMIE WARD: Pretty sure we're going to be a great duo. But just all the DBs. Really impressed me when I got here. Des King in the nickel. Like, dude so athletic. I think he wears like a three X glove. I knew he was good. Just seeing him move, seeing. Finally get to see Nelson and Stingley. It's the DBs that are very impressive.
Q. C.J. Stroud?
JIMMIE WARD: He's doing the same thing I see him doing in OTAs. He's getting better each day. Made some great throws today.
Q. How connected do you feel to Houston right now? Feel settled in?
JIMMIE WARD: Yeah, I'm getting there. Once I get in control of this heat... But other than that, no, I love it right now. Hopefully I love it forever. I live here. I had a home here before I even got signed here.
Q. You mentioned the DBs. Where did y'all leave off? Over the summer, where do you feel you picked up in the scheme today?
JIMMIE WARD: We didn't have to cover too much yesterday. I feel like we picked off where we left off. I feel like we did good today. We executed pretty well and we made some plays on the ball.
Q. What are some of your thoughts seeing John out there?
JIMMIE WARD: Oh, man, I'm happy for him. I'm happy to see him out there. He's a stud. I seen him at 'Bama. I was waiting to see him. Now since I see how he moves, I see why he was so highly drafted and highly talked upon.
Q. (Question regarding rookies.)
JIMMIE WARD: We can just lead by example, demonstrate kind of like what DeMeco wants, what his vision is.
Q. What do you think you will get done in joint practices? What do you get out of that?
JIMMIE WARD: I'm not going to say what I was thinking (smiling). Competition (laughter), right? I know how them joint practices get. Hopefully we have some nice practices, competition, be competitive out there, and come out of that injury-free.
Q. The value of the competition, without saying whatever it is you didn't want to say, what is the value of that competition going against specifically somebody else?
JIMMIE WARD: I just feel like it extends training camp for you. After a while, you get tired of going against your brother, your teammate, beating each other up. It kind of rejuvenates you when you finally get to go against a different jersey.
Really it challenges you. You kind of learn the opposing offense for your teammates. You learn how to run routes. You know the scheme. When you see this different scheme, these different route runners, different ball carriers, it just sharpen your axe even more.
Q. How good can the DBs in 2023?
JIMMIE WARD: I think we can be really good.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
JIMMIE WARD: That was simple (smiling).
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