Houston Texans 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 16
Q. If you could take us through the return and what you got as far as blocking. And I think at one point, you almost lost your footing and then looked like you got it back. Once you had it, that was all she wrote.
TREMON SMITH: : So this week, me and Frank -- well, Frank was putting in the returns. And I knew it was this one certain return. And if we got the right kick and I made a couple guys miss that it could go the distance.
So, of course, I asked him to start off the game with it. And the first kick we got, they tried to kick it away, went far right. And then the second one, it was just -- it was the perfect -- just like practice. We practiced all week.
I told the guys you're just getting in front of your guys, wall them off, do what you need to do. We'll get to the end zone. They did a great job of that.
So I definitely owe them all something. I haven't came up with it yet, but I'm going to get them something nice for just setting it up for me. I couldn't do it without my blockers.
I don't know, it's just a good feeling. In 2018, I had something like that happen. And I got tackled on like the 3 yard line. So I can't wait to get rid of that video.
Q. David Culley was talking about how you were close before but getting to it this year. I mean, you've had -- you had a couple other long ones today. Just overall as you've been stepping into this role, what has it been like to kind of have this success so far?
TREMON SMITH: My guys have been doing a good job of practicing the details at practice, you know, getting the right side leverage when it comes to blocking. I just do the best to set my guys up so to make their blocks way easier. So once I set them up and I just hit it full speed, I trust my guys 100 percent. And the rest was me just running.
Q. I got a question and a follow up. What is on your mind as far as taking care of your guys who got you that touchdown? You said you're going to give them something. What's on your mind?
TREMON SMITH: So when I was in Kansas City, Tyreek Hill got us all like birds or something, birds for when he scored his punt return touchdown. It's going to be something real nice. You know, the holiday's coming up too. It will be a surprise. They're not going to know when they're going to get it or anything. It's just going to be up in their locker one day.
Q. The announcers during the day brought up the fact that a couple years ago you got caught from behind. Was that on your mind as you were -- did it flash into your mind as you were scoring?
TREMON SMITH: Of course they brought it up. Everybody still brings it up. I think it's done for right now though. I think they can leave it in the past.
But, yes, that's exactly -- when I broke through them last few tackles, I'm like I can't get caught, so I keep looking back, keep looking back. And I've got to stop doing that too. I've got to start looking at the Jumbotron. If I stop looking back, I'll stop slowing down and won't have to worry about anybody catching me.
Q. Tremon, I think it was Chris Moore and Tavierre Thomas that were leading the interference for you. Is that right?
TREMON SMITH: Yes.
Q. What did you think about the blocks they threw?
TREMON SMITH: They threw some great blocks. You know, all the guys -- it started up front with VZ. He just elevated from practice squad. We had another guy, Driskel back there from quarterback to off returner. We got 53. And we just did a good job. I trusted those guys 100 percent. I seen them make their blocks in practice every day. And even if they did miss a couple in practice, I still believed in them. I knew they'd come ready on game day.
Q. In terms of the whole special teams, the kicking game, you downing punts from Cameron Johnston and Ka'imi making big kicks. What did you think what you guys did on special teams overall?
TREMON SMITH: Besides that one flag of 59 Eric Wilson playing hard -- I know that happens. You know, it happens. He's playing hard. We didn't fault him for that.
But besides that, I felt like we played the perfect team. And we won the special teams battle. And of course we won the offensive and defensive battle. And that's why we came out victorious.
Q. You came in on defense as well. With the secondary and defense needing help today, what was it like going in there? And how did you feel like you guys did with the depth that stepped up today?
TREMON SMITH: You know, that's always fun. Lonnie got his first start of the year at corner this year too. I just -- I don't know. I stay ready throughout the week even if I'm the top reserve coming off or the 4th or the 5th corner coming off the bench. I just stay ready during the week. I practice like I'm starting. And I feel like that helps me a lot.
Q. Tremon, you've kind of seen in the past Garret Wallow step up on special teams. What did it mean for him to have the game that he did today?
TREMON SMITH: Garret Wallow, he's playing lights out right now. Definitely coming in as a rookie -- you know, he had his first start today too with Kirksey and Kamoo out. He's learning his blocks each and every day. He's staying after practice. He's at practice early. And it's going to pay off and he's going to be a great player for us on down the line.
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