Vance Joseph DB Coach

[srrono]

Vance Joseph: CBs will challenge routes
By Paul Kuharsky

Good defensive backs should have short memories. Typically that cliched line is applied play-to-play or game-to-game. In the case of the Houston Texans, season-to-season would be good, too.

Houston had the worst pass defense in the NFL in 2010, yielding 267.5 yards a game. The Texans gave up single-game passing totals of 419, 403, 329, 305 and 301 yards.

Their plan to rely on young cornerbacks Kareem Jackson, Glover Quin and Brice McCain backfired.

“They are terrible,” Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said of Houston’s defensive backs. Veteran safeties Eugene Wilson and Bernard Pollard could both be replaced.

“In fact, they are right there with division-mate Jacksonville as the worst secondary in all of football. The Texans' safeties -- who are terrible in coverage -- deserve a lot of blame, as does a pass-rush that could use upgrading," Williamson said.

"But I blame the secondary much more than the pass-rush. As for the cornerbacks, it is way too early to write off Jackson. I did like him coming out of Alabama and he has to get better in Year 2. But wow, he was pretty terrible as a rookie.

“I would classify Brice McCain and Troy Nolan as ‘just a couple of guys’ and they need to be down-the-line contributors. Glover Quin is the best of the group right now, but in the end, I like him as a No. 3 corner with Jackson as one starter [possibly] and someone to be determined as the opposite starter. As for adding a veteran [Champ Bailey?], I am all for it. Not only does this secondary need veteran leadership, but so does the entire football team.”

Surely the Texans will be players in free agency -- if and when there is free agency. If they add a superstar corner like Nnamdi Asomugha or Bailey, shift each corner the Texans already have down a peg, find better safeties and get a better pass rush out of the 3-4 being installed by new coordinator Wade Phillips, things could be a lot better.

But Vance Joseph, who after five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers replaces David Gibbs as Texans secondary coach, can’t depend on that big addition. He’s got to focus on who he has right now.

Joseph has met and talked with his young guys about having clean slates and about how they can develop.

As is the nature of football in February, Joseph is relatively upbeat.

Joseph Dishes On His Young DBs

New Texans secondary coach Vance Joseph scouts four of his key, young defensive backs.

Kareem JacksonOn Kareem Jackson: "He hasn't played corner very long, he only played in college two years, so he's got a lot of room to grow. He's tough, he's not afraid. He's a blank page, he can work on everything from technique to football IQ."

Glover QuinOn Glover Quin: "He's a really good football player. He's a guy with some flexibility, he plays inside, he plays outside. Being around this kid, he shouldn't change a thing. Just continue to get better.

Brice McCainOn Brice McCain: "He's probably our best movement guy in terms of quickness and feet and all that stuff. I like Brice. Hopefully he can get stronger."

Troy Nolan On Troy Nolan: "He's very bright, he's a raw talent. He can continue to get stronger, continue to grow his football IQ and he'll be fine."
“I’m aware of what they did last year, I’ve watched the film and I’ll tell you, it’s not as bad as everyone thinks,” he said. “You’ve got to play better. And until those guys go out there and play better, that’s going to stick to them. We’ve got to do a good job of protecting those young corners.

“Obviously getting some pass rush helps, having some scheme things tweaked where they won’t be on their own a lot helps. But you regain confidence by playing well. So until they play better, that won’t be the case.”

When a new position coach joins a team to help fix a problem area, I want to know what he sees early on that he believes can be changed. Joseph said he often saw guys in position who couldn’t make the play.

Joseph said while secondary guys always need to be wary of getting beat for a big play over the top, fear of that can really cost a defense.

Expect the 2011 Texans to be closer to pass catchers on shorter stuff.

“That’s the part I’ve got to get right, finishing and making plays and giving them tools to make and finish plays,” Joseph said. “…On early downs, it’s back-pedaling, staying square and challenging routes. In the NFL, [receivers] are going to catch balls, but you want to make them bang-bang plays. When they catch the ball, I want them tackled.

“That’s something we can help them with, playing more square from the line of scrimmage and not bailing as much. When you’re bailing, you’re conceding most routes. You say, ‘Hey, I’m not going to get beat deep but I’m going to give you a 20-yard comeback.’ We’re going to play square and we’re going to challenge routes.”

While Joseph hopes his group will be able to play a wide variety of coverages, he also believes it’s important that in times of crisis they can fall back on something standard.

Last season, the defensive backs rarely seemed to have that reset mode. Going forward, Joseph’s hope is they always can return to something they know they are good at that can help them get through a tough day with a good result.

Phillips’ new defensive system won’t affect the secondary like it will the defensive line and linebackers. But there will be benefits out of a more unpredictable front for defensive backs.

“The beauty, I think, of playing defensive back in the 34 is the disguise mechanisms,” Joseph said. “You’re going to start in a basic two-shell, then move into your coverages. When you’re a 4-3 team, they know the four rushers, they’re down with their hands on the ground.

“Now, we can hold our coverage and the offense doesn’t know where that fourth rusher is coming from …. It kind of helps protect corners. Until a ball is snapped, that quarterback won’t know what we are in.”

Young guys, in disguise, able to fall back on something they know they are good at, eager to prove they are better than 32nd in the league. It’s like a lot of offseason recipes, filled with hope and promise.

Shooting for the stars is fine, but the Texans' secondary doesn’t have to be filled with stars to alter its reputation and play winning football.

“We don’t need guys who are going to Hawaii every year,” Joseph said. “We’ve got to stress here that we just need guys who fit what we do and are capable of doing the job within the system.”


http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/po...allenge-routes

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by srrono

“We don’t need guys who are going to Hawaii every year,” Joseph said. “We’ve got to stress here that we just need guys who fit what we do and are capable of doing the job within the system.”

Yeah. Our worst secondary of damn near all time needs anything BUT a probowler. What they need is more mid to late round rookies.

We can forget about Asomugha and probably Bailey too because they make probowls and making probowls isn't part of the system.

Barf. Way to make a first impression VeeJay.

[srrono]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Yeah. Our worst secondary of damn near all time needs anything BUT a probowler. What they need is more mid to late round rookies.

We can forget about Asomugha and probably Bailey too because they make probowls and making probowls isn't part of the system.

Barf. Way to make a first impression VeeJay.

I think this is more a coach coming in supporting the players here on the team telling them he expects more from them. Would it be better to come in and say all our dbs suck then not bring any one new in and have that statement out there.

You try to improve the dbs we have and hopefully add some more db talent to our team.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by srrono

I think this is more a coach coming in supporting the players here on the team telling them he expects more from them. Would it be better to come in and say all our dbs suck then not bring any one new in and have that statement out there.

You try to improve the dbs we have and hopefully add some more db talent to our team.

I don't see this statement being anything less than an extension of the entire last year's "HOPE and CHANGE" approach which worked out so beautifully.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if someone............ANYONE on the Texans would inequivocably put people on notice......."Hey, you sucked ALL last year..........now, at best, you get only 2 months to prove yourself until you get to SUCK ON SOMEONE ELSE'S TEAM.

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by srrono

I think this is more a coach coming in supporting the players here on the team telling them he expects more from them. Would it be better to come in and say all our dbs suck then not bring any one new in and have that statement out there.

Does anyone need to say they sucked? Pretty common knowledge right?

"I will not accept anything near last place, either these guys can step it up or we'll find someone who will. This secondary will drastically improve through any means necessary and help the defense, the offense, the team reach the expectations they've failed to meet in recent years."

Why? WHY would you settle for anything less? Because you play/coach for Kubiak and IT DOESN"T ****ING MATTER.

We don't need probowlers. We need guys who fit a system, which apparently excludes elite talent...so that elite talent can eat their lunch every weekend. Or you know....damn near anyone who feels like putting on a helmet and pads.

You try to improve the dbs we have and hopefully add some more db talent to our team.

That's so obvious I can't even believe you would bother typing it. What team is NOT trying to improve at any position? Colts at QB? Ok....

[JB]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

I don't see this statement being anything less than an extension of the entire last year's "HOPE and CHANGE" approach which worked out so beautifully.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if someone............ANYONE on the Texans would inequivocably put people on notice......."Hey, you sucked ALL last year..........now, at best, you get only 2 months to prove yourself until you get to SUCK ON SOMEONE ELSE'S TEAM.

Why on earth would you ever want anyone on the Texans to do that publicly? What would it accomplish other than causing bad blood in the locker room?

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by JB

Why on earth would you ever want anyone on the Texans to do that publicly? What would it accomplish other than causing bad blood in the locker room?

Nowhere did I say publicly. But even so, bad blood is not what I'd be worried about now........more like getting some good blood on this team. This team has always been worried more about not stepping on toes rather than cleaning out the rubbish. And there are ways to send subtle messages through the public waves to players to add some real pressures of seriousness.....something that hard-working and productive players will not in the least be affected by.

[devo-x]

Originally Posted by srrono

They are terrible,� Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said of Houston�s defensive backs. Veteran safeties Eugene Wilson and Bernard Pollard could both be replaced.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/po...allenge-routes

Who will replace our two starting safeties? It seems like the one position that's never been addressed by this franchise

[Lucky]

“That’s something we can help them with, playing more square from the line of scrimmage and not bailing as much. When you’re bailing, you’re conceding most routes. You say, ‘Hey, I’m not going to get beat deep but I’m going to give you a 20-yard comeback.’ We’re going to play square and we’re going to challenge routes.”

This is most important quote from Joseph. Gibbs' techniques didn't work with this group. Jackson, Quin, etc. will go back to what they've been taught since middle school. That alone should make them more instinctive. These guys are young and maybe their careers can be salvaged. An infusion of talent (preferably veteran) is still needed in the secondary. A #1 CB. A FS. Maybe a new SS. But maybe Quin and Jackson (and even McManis) can bounce back and turn this unit into a serviceable group.

Maybe.

[EllisUnit]

Did he really say the secondary wasnt as bad as it looked. I'd like to know what he was looking at when he made this comment. You can put butter on a turd, but its still a turd. . I'm not liking this guy already.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

It wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if someone............ANYONE on the Texans would inequivocably put people on notice......."Hey, you sucked ALL last year..........now, at best, you get only 2 months to prove yourself until you get to SUCK ON SOMEONE ELSE'S TEAM.

Because sitting McCain & taking snaps from Kareem just doesn't say enough right?

[GP]

Originally Posted by EllisUnit

Did he really say the secondary wasnt as bad as it looked. I'd like to know what he was looking at when he made this comment. You can put butter on a turd, but its still a turd. . I'm not liking this guy already.

Hey now...he's just echoing Wade Phillips. And Gary Kubiak.

Just another in a long line of people who say "Meh, I can work with this guy or that guy. No big deal, Bob."

I mean, you can't look at Bob McNair and tell him his guys are losers. They might cry.

[Wolf6151]

This guy talks a good story but so did Richard Smith and Frank Bush. I ain't buying none of it til I see it on the field. Lets see a good draft and then a good team on the field with improvement in existing players.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Because sitting McCain & taking snaps from Kareem just doesn't say enough right?

That was not as much a "message" as it was pure DESPERATION.

[bigbrewster2000]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

I don't see this statement being anything less than an extension of the entire last year's "HOPE and CHANGE" approach which worked out so beautifully.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if someone............ANYONE on the Texans would inequivocably put people on notice......."Hey, you sucked ALL last year..........now, at best, you get only 2 months to prove yourself until you get to SUCK ON SOMEONE ELSE'S TEAM.

Actually it says in the article that he specifically told his guys that they need to get better. That's putting them on notice without saying Hey Kareem "you suck", since saying that would really get the players to want to listen to the coach. Where have you ever heard a coach come out and single out a player in the way you are wanting? Cant think of one myself.

[TheRealJoker]

I would've liked to have heard what he thinks of Jason Allen.

[srrono]

Injury Prone Bob Sanders was released today
Is a halftime player in Sanders better than the fulltime safetys the Texans have? I think at the right price I would do it. Maybe a high incentive based contract.

[MistaRed]

Originally Posted by srrono

Injury Prone Bob Sanders was released today
Is a halftime player in Sanders better than the fulltime safetys the Texans have? I think at the right price I would do it. Maybe a high incentive based contract.

I agree. Wont hurt us if we take a chance on Sanders

[Double Barrel]

Talk about déjà vu. Replace Joseph with Kubiak and CBs for HWWNBN, and the words are almost identical in their delusions, circa 2006.

I understand that this is a public statement, so there should be no expectations of throwing players under a bus. But his brimming-with-optimism enthusiasm is so over-the-top that it strikes me that he actually believes what he is saying, and that's the part that makes me question his objectivity.

What if VJ is saying these same things to Kubiak/Smith/Wade? And they figure they don't need to get any new talent because coach VJ can fix them? This is apparently what happened with Frank Bush, as we learned when the team threw him under the bus.

There has to be mechanisms at the top that tempers expectations and keeps them real. So far, we are not seeing the attention to reality with the staff, starting from the beginning with Kubiak and HWWNBN. Their egos are getting in the way of clear thinking, because some players simply cannot be 'coached up' and just have to be relegated or jettisoned completely.

Hope is a horrible coaching technique.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by bigbrewster2000

Actually it says in the article that he specifically told his guys that they need to get better. That's putting them on notice without saying Hey Kareem "you suck", since saying that would really get the players to want to listen to the coach. Where have you ever heard a coach come out and single out a player in the way you are wanting? Cant think of one myself.

Rasheem Morris, for one, had no problem publicly confronting even some of the Buc's "no names" such as Bryant, Clayton and Winslow.