WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

December 20, 2018 at 1:01 pm.

–Texans wide receiver DeAndre Carter was the Eagles’ feel-good story of training camp and early in the season, a 25-year-old rookie who had been cut six times before finally making an NFL roster, fulfilling a promise he made to his dying brother that he would do. Carter was released on Nov. 6, a week after the Eagles acquired Golden Tate, hoping to add him to the practice squad. Instead, the Texans grabbed him. Carter has made 10 catches on 11 targets in five games for 101 yards while returning nine punts for 82 yards.

“He’s been good,” said Houston head coach Bill O’Brien. “He was a good pickup for us. He’s a tough guy, he’s got good playing strength, he’s really smart, so he’s been able to pick up a lot of things for us offensively. He’s gotten us some decent yardage in the punt return game. Very tough guy, good pro really. Really glad he’s a part of our team.”

–After going four straight games without an interception, the Eagles have now had a run of four straight games with an interception, as the team’s rebuilt secondary, necessitated by so many injuries to the starting defensive backs, has become more comfortable.

“Cre’Von (LeBlanc) has sort of solidified that nickel spot for us,” said defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. “Rasul (Douglas) has solidified an outside spot for us and have a little bit more of a role for (safety) Tre Sullivan. Malcolm (Jenkins) is doing his thing. It’s a matter of those guys being on the practice field and having a good feel for each other. Anything that you can do sort of helps that.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 31 and 1 — That is the Texans’ record when leading at halftime in their last 32 games when they have had a lead after two quarters. “I think that’s a good stat and I think that’s good that that’s our record, but I think everybody in the NFL tries to do the best they can to make the right adjustments at halftime,” said Houston head coach Bill O’Brien. “So, I don’t know how much of it – I think it’s more about maybe giving a lot of credit to our players, go out there and play good second halves and get off to good starts in the second half. I give credit to the players on that.”

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