Publix Tailgate Show: WR coach Keenan McCardell

and the Texans. Let's get into the wide receiver room here, and the big storyline last week was the return of DJ Chart to the lineup. Nine targets, eight catches, ninety five yards too, really strong touchdowns for him, And just hearing him talk going into the week and then coming out of the game, you really get a good idea of his mindset, being a competitor and going out there play after play and leading this football team no doubt.

I mean, he's a big time competitor. He wanted to get out he told me, he said, I really miss being out here. Uh last last Thursday, and I was like, or show me what you what you missed and he went out and play well. I mean I think you could tell his mentality was to be out front, be the leader, bring a spirit to the team, bring some life, bring some playmaking. And uh he did that numerous of times last week. How about the toe drag in the back of the end zone? Pretty strong? It was strong,

I mean perfect. You know, we we we work on the drill or dragging it up. He drug it up. It was our drill, and uh, it was great to see that he took our drill from the practice field to the game and it and it worked for us. Uh, it was a great catch. Look, let's catch. You know. I had to leave the game last week earlier with

a hamstring issue. But as we've we've talked about before with you, the ability for him to to line up in a bunch of different places on the field is something you don't see a lot, and not just a wide receiver obviously, what running back, running between the tackles, His size, his strength is something you just don't see a lot from a wide receiver, and that versatility is

huge for this offense. It is. He's a unique player, special talent, and we continue to explore his talent, you know, finding ways to get him the football, whether it's in the backfield, out on out on the perimeter. And he's involving as even more and more as you see him. I mean, it's just each week he's getting better and better and better. And I think he's a big part of our offense and he knows that. He feels comfortable

with it. You know, not a lot on his plate, but a lot on his plate for his playmaking wise, if you understand that, you know, I think, uh, he understands that when his when his opportunities come, he got to make the plays to help us, help us put the ball in the end zone. Is that one of those where maybe an off season would have helped him develop as receiver quicker or is it just hey, we're playing real football games now and and real games make

the difference for him. Real games, I think it would have helped. But I really think playing the real games is when you develop and you see things, uh, see the defense and see how they're trying to play you. Not to say he's he's lacking in in his receiver skills. He's coming along so fast as a rookie, you know, you don't see a lot of rookies come along that fast and been able to make an impact as he's as he's done as a rookie, So I applaud him. I tell him every day, you just gotta keep working,

keep working on your craft. If you keep working on your craft, you'll never lose your craft. Keenan mccardeal with US Jack Words Wide Receivers coach, Healing Cole has had a pretty solid start to this season. He's been around this thing for a few years now. He can go up and make some spectacular catches. Will all of a sudden surprise of boom, one handed catching here he is down the field. What kind of season has it been? From your perspective for Healing Cole, It's been a very

productive season for him. He's a lot more focused as you say, he's he's the veteran around here. Now he can help guys through their rookie years and and give him some uh some experiences of his growing pains. But now for us, his season wise, you know, he's moved from from being an outside guy to an inside guy. Is a great move for him to be able to move inside and helpless. You know, it gives us a dynamic ability inside also with his speed. I think, uh,

he's understanding his role. I mean, and he has to make those tough catches across the middle and pop up and come back and make it again and again, you know, and and then he'll surprise you and get outside and run by you. So I actually like what he's doing right now. It's a solid season for him. He's understanding more and more how to build slot receiver. Final thought with you here, and it's about another rookie in your room, Colin Johnson. We saw a little bit earlier in the season.

We haven't seen a lot of him in the last few weeks on the offensive side at least. How is he progressing? How does he work himself into this rotation a little bit? Uh? Man, He's progressing very well. I mean, you know, through the week, he works hard. He continues to work on his game. I always tell him it's gonna pay off. I mean, you when you get those fifteen twenty snaps, if you get two opportunities, you gotta make those two opportunities count like they're like you've been

in there all game. I mean, and uh, I know it's sometimes hard on some guys to do that, but he has that type of mindset that anytime he gets in he's gonna make that play. And I feel like Colin is right where he needs to be when when his numbers called, he's gonna show people exactly who Colin Johnson is. I mean, And it's the things that we saw in training camp. Is gonna show up, and it's

been showing up each and every week. It's just the fact that he got three guys in front of him that's playing pretty well right now and he's been spot played a little bit. But but he understands his role, which I love about my room. Everybody understands their role when they unders when it's that when it's their number call, when it's time for their number to be called, it's time for them to step up and they and they usually step up getting great stuff. Let's get a w

in Houston and get off to the slide, how about it? Oh? I would love to right now. We need one in the worst way. So I'm I'm looking forward to this one on Sunday,