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SOTT Top 20 for 2015

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John Simon a Key Piece for the Texans in 2015
P.D. StarrOwner/Editor

State of the Texans complied a Top 20 list for the most important pieces for the Houston Texans' success in 2015.

#20

The Houston Texans will need outside linebacker John Simon to make a solid jump in year two on the defense. Appearing to be the penciled in starter, Simon has come a long way in less than a year with the Texans.

Claimed off the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens in 2014, Simon arrived to the Texans and was granted only three days of preparation prior to his first appearance with his new team in a big game last year against the Indianapolis Colts. Reunited with his former college linebacker coach, Mike Vrabel, Simon was one of the top claims by the Texans last season.

Appearing in 11 games, Simon totaled 12 tackles with 1.5 sacks on 238 defensive snaps. Adding in 13.5 total pressures on the quarterback (9 hurries, 4 hits, 1.5 sacks), Simon was at the quarterback an average of 18.3 snaps.

Texans 2014 Outside Linebackers
Code: 
PLAYERS DEFENSIVE SNAPS SACKS QB HURRY QB HITS TOTAL PRESSURE/SNAP
Whitney Mercilus    822   5     25       10     40      20.6
Brooks Reed         799   3     26        6     35      22.8
John Simon          238   1.5    9        4     13      18.3


Simon showed in 2014 that he is a cost-effective upgrade over the departed Brooks Reed when it comes to production. Now he has to prove that he can do this at a consistent level with his playing time set to increase.

As Head Coach Bill O’Brien stated, Simon is what the Texans look for in players.​
 
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Texans' Mike Devlin Has a Large Task at Hand

#19

If there is one thing that Head Coach Bill O’Brien stands for it is accountability. That is exactly what O’Brien did coming out of the 2014 season, holding himself and his coaching staff accountable and adding a new offensive line coach in less than a year. It was one of two changes for the Texans coaching staff over the offseason, bringing in new offensive line coach Mike Devlin.

The Texans struggled all of the 2014 season with pass protection and run blocking and did not get it straightened out until they came out of the bye week. Derek Newton was the only lineman who took a solid jump in play while there were up and down performances from the other starters. The lack of consistency is what led to the change and had Devlin leaving the New York Jets for the Texans.

“I think he’s a hell of a coach. I think he’s added a lot to this staff. I don’t think this is an easy job to come into and learn all the things that we do right off the bat, especially from a protection standpoint, a run game standpoint, and how we allow the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to direct us to the right play," said O’Brien of his new offensive line coach.

Devlin’s impact on the offensive lineman haa been seen early during spring football practices.

O’Brien continued, “I think he’s come in here and done a really, really good job. He’s been very impressive.”

Devlin played for the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals, which made for a good bridge to his position group. Starting offensive guard Brandon Brooks has even taken notice of his new offensive line coach.

“It’s also always great to have a former player that understands the nuances that go on on the field,” Said Brooks. “Xs and Os on the paper is one thing, but to have somebody who has played and knows that it doesn’t always necessarily go that way, is great to have.”

The real test will fall on Devlin to develop Xavier Su’a-Filo and make Ben Jones’ transition to the starting center as seamless as possible. The offensive line members have a better grasp of what is expected on offense, but Devlin plays a key part in maintaining and developing players as the season progresses. Keeping linemen like Duane Brown, Brandon Brooks, and Derek Newton playing at a high level will be key and, most importantly, finding young backup talent to help with depth into the future.

As the only new coach of the offensive staff, Devlin has his work cut out for him in year one as the offensive line coach, and it starts with helping Su’a-Filo and Jones succeed.​
 
Good stuff PO ! I',m as guilty as anybody who does not show enough appreciation for Simons presense on the team and graditude to LB coach Vrabel for being aware of this guys talent and upside when he became available at a dirt cheap price. Hey that was a steal for us
and makes up for the loss of the Dlineman we drafted out of Miami and the Pats ending up getting after we left him exposed, but Simon was not a late-round pick, he was a mid-rounder. I agree that Simon on our team will be big for 2015.
 
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Texans' C.J. Fiedorowicz Building for 2015

#18

Expectations were high when the Houston Texans selected tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz at the top of the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The 6'5", 265 lb. tight end was instantly dubbed the Texans’ version of Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, the first season in Houston for the athletic tight end was anything but Gronk-like.

With only seven targets in the passing game and four receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown, his lack of production was a direct reflection on very limited tight end play for the offense.

“There was so much learning last year. You come up the huddle and there’s three or four things. You got to know the protection, you got to know where to line up, read the safeties, see what kind of coverage it is. There was just so much going through my head where I wasn’t able to play fast," said Fiedorowicz on his rookie season.

Adding in some rough days in run blocking and it was clear Fiedorowicz was receiving a crash course on the NFL life.

Now entering his second season, Fiedorowicz can already feel the difference in himself, especially on the field. His arrival at OTAs saw him looking more comfortable with his role offensively. His confidence is apparent, especially with quarterbacks now understanding how important the tight end position is to the success of the team.

“I noticed already this OTA session, I’m going out there and when I see it, I’m going fast,” Fiedorowicz said of himself during OTAs. “The quarterbacks are really seeing us right now, so we’re all excited.”

With his rookie season out of the way, Fiedorowicz will more than likely be the starting Y-tight end week one and the expectations have risen from him in year two. His frame depicts that of a better-than-average inline blocker and that, combined with his size and speed, allow him to be a more than capable passing option.

The excuses are over, according to Fiedorowicz, and this year he has to prove his worth.

“As far as the offense is going, last year was, every rookie will say, it’s a grind. It’s not an excuse, but I kind of started feeling it last year. I came back ready to work.”​
 
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The 6'3", 243 lb. tight end? Fiedorowicz was likely bigger than that in high school.
 
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Texans Need Cecil Shorts To Be a Playmaker

#17

One thing that the Houston Texans wanted to do for the upcoming season is to give the wide receiver position an overhaul. That is exactly what they did by adding four new wide receivers via free agency and the draft. One of those players who will be looked at to help the offense this year is Cecil Shorts III.

Spending his past four seasons in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shorts comes to the Texans looking to be the new slot wide receiver. Receiving a two-year deal, Shorts will be depended on to provide a playmaking ability he showed with the Jaguars.

Shorts has been slowed during his career with injuries and drops, which is not a ringing endorsement heading into the season.

During OTAs and mini-camp, Shorts looked comfortable in the offense and his former teammate Maurice Jones-Drew noted how dynamic Shorts looked during the spring.

Head Coach Bill O’Brien has taken notice of his veteran addition:
“Cecil has done a good job,” O’Brien said of Shorts. “They’ve (also mentioning Nate Washington) both come in here and put a lot of studying in. They’ve done a good job of understanding where to line up, what the route call is, how the route adjusts versus different looks, and then catching the ball.”

O’Brien continued, “Cecil is a very bright guy. I remember Cecil when he was coming out of Mount Union when I was in New England taking a looking at him. He’s a professional and he’s done a good job coming in here.”

Shorts feels his skill set is well-suited for the Texans, with his ability to play both inside and outside wide receiver.

“I think it fits in pretty well,” mentioned Shorts of how his abilities align with the Texans. “I love the scheme they have here and the system they have on the offensive side of the ball. It’s a lot more complex than what I’m used to, but just a little studying to get it down. I’m excited just to move around in the offense and get things going.”

Shorts had game-breaking ability and his involvement in the offense will be key to take pressure off of Arian Foster and DeAndre Hopkins. The offense needs a viable option at the slot wide receiver position, which is the staple of the scheme for O’Brien.​
 
Shorts comes to the Texans looking to be the new slot wide receiver.
Click to expand...

I hope this is a non-quote quote or observation and not just reporter speculation (which much of in the early offseason had him outside).
 
infantrycak said:
I hope this is a non-quote quote or observation and not just reporter speculation (which much of in the early offseason had him outside).
Click to expand...

If he does end up filling the slot position instead of Damaris Johnson, it will be a dramatic change from his past roles. According to PFF, of Shorts' 332 career targets, only 10 percent have come from the slot.
 
I'm getting the feeling that Strong will play a bit-part this season with Shorts and Washington in the mix for the bulk of looks on the outside at WR2.

Both have their warts but have also flashed ability during their time in the league, heres hoping one or the other puts it all together this season.

The chatter seems positive about the TE group after it went M.I.A. last season, hopefully production from that group coupled with the 2 vets at wideout can come together to replace AJ's numbers and take enough attention off DHop for him to take over at WR1.

I'm still hopeful that Strong will eventually prove a great pick, but we've seen guys like Posey and Keyshawn (both came in with bags of potential) fail to make the jump before so im not holding my breath.

I'm loving the format of this series, just getting frustrated that the next one isn't up yet, possibly the best journalism I've seen at this hideous point in the offseason to give a real insight into how some key personnel have progressed through the winter and OTAs.
 
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The Texans' Jared Crick Is Under the Radar

#16

All it took was an opportunity and that is all Houston Texans defensive end Jared Crick needed to become a solid piece for the defense. Starting fifteen games of the sixteen he appeared in, Crick had the best season out of the years in his career.

Showing he can be a two-gap run stopper from the end position, Crick showed, after an injury to Tim Jamison, that he could be a complete three-down player for the Texans.

With all the attention on his counterpart at the other end position in J.J. Watt, Crick is everything you want in a defensive lineman. Totaling 59 tackles with 3.5 sacks in 2014, which were both career highs, Crick also had 26.5 total pressures on the season, which was fourth on the team behind only J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Brooks Reed.

Crick’s workload increased in 2014 up to 726 defensive snaps, compared to only 277 in 2013 and 231 in 2012. How Crick responds this season will be interesting to watch, especially after the impressive jump he made being a full-time starter. His football I.Q. and awareness on the field is underrated and were evident with some of the plays he made during games. With barely missed interceptions and getting his hands on passes, Crick evolved as the season progressed.

It has been about opportunity for Crick and sitting behind Antonio Smith for two seasons, he finally received his chance to be a starter. He only responded with a solid season for the Texans and now the bar is raised for his final year of his rookie deal.

His value will continue to rise with the increased need for 3-4 defensive ends who can play both run and pass situations. Romeo Crennel builds his defense around the defensive line and if Crick can continue to grow as a player the group will be stronger than last year. That is what Crick brings to the defense and having him build on a solid season from last year will only help the defensive line continue to be the strength of this team.​
 
I am very curious to see what the addition of Planet Vince does for our D-line effectiveness.
...in fact I am hopeful for improvement from the whole front seven.
 
Crick is one I'm really high on right now. I expect him to pick up right where he left off last year and continue to follow that upward arrow this season, and turn a lot of heads doing so.
 
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Nate Washington Brings Veteran Way to the Texans

#15

Ten year veteran wide receiver Nate Washington is coming to the Houston Texans to help revamp a position that the organization wanted to give a new identity. The vertical threat has averaged over 15.5 yards a reception in all but two seasons of his career. In his final season with the Tennessee Titans, Washington averaged 16.2 yards a reception, despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks.

The Titans drafted six wide receivers in Washington’s tenure with the organization, trying to find youth, but that did not stop the veteran from appearing in all 96 games in his Titans career.

In Houston, he could possibly be the vertical threat the offense needed last year. Washington likes his role with the Texans. The free agent addition feels comfortable with what the offense wants from him.

"It meant a lot to hear their words and see their reaction toward me when I got into the building," Washington said. "It was big. It was exciting for them to treat me like an asset. They feel like I'm a piece of the puzzle that's much needed. Hopefully, I can fit in where needed and help guide the young guys in the right direction."

Washington is not arriving to Houston for a training camp body. He is in position to be a week one starter if everything continues to go as planned, as the wide receiving group is looking to be more versatile in the upcoming season.

“We will be filling in everywhere. I think we have a pretty flexible offense, (George) Godsey does a good job of putting us all in different places,” explained Washington. “We really won’t have any locked guys in locked positions. I think it will really be just creating match-ups that we see fit and getting the ball into hands of the guys of do what they do.”

Washington will join DeAndre Hopkins and Cecil Shorts III to help round out the receiving group, which needs more than two real options on the outside in the passing game. Washington compliments Hopkins' ability to be the primary target in the passing game, while Shorts can work with his speed and quickness from the slot.

With three capable options as their first three wide receivers, Washington will be depended on to stretch defenses and be a reliable target for the Texans offense. The bargain basement price of Washington’s contract could be one of the smartest moves of the free agency period.​
 
infantrycak said:
Yeah we had no veteran presence before him.

Geez writers think just a little.
Click to expand...

What are you responding to? The Nate Washington article says nothing about adding a veteran presence... Man, you are touchy about AJ, who was a holdout last year and has admitted his attitude sucked the past two seasons.
 
dalemurphy said:
What are you responding to? The Nate Washington article says nothing about adding a veteran presence... Man, you are touchy about AJ, who was a holdout last year and has admitted his attitude sucked the past two seasons.
Click to expand...

Try reading the article title numb...

Not going to get into it with you on the fact our QB situation has sucked donkey dick the last two years and we wasted two years of two hall of fame careers.
 
HOU-TEX said:
I didn't see the no veteran presence comment either.
Click to expand...
dalemurphy said:
What are you responding to? The Nate Washington article says nothing about adding a veteran presence... Man, you are touchy about AJ, who was a holdout last year and has admitted his attitude sucked the past two seasons.
Click to expand...
Did you guys not read the title of the article?
Nate Washington Brings Veteran Way to the Texans
Click to expand...

You are right, the only time veteran is mentioned is in the title. So why titled it as such? And if that wasn't sufficient, this is the "related article" posted below this mistitled mess.
"Andre Johnson continues to vent on the Texans"

At least I know when I see a link that leads to his site not to waste my time again.
 
Ha, I see now. My bad.

Titles are nothing but Twitter click bait. The PFT morons are the worst.
 
Must be the off season with nothing better to comment on. Andre was not a member of the Texans when Washington was signed. At that point in time the team did lack veteran experience among the wide receivers, which Washington and Shorts provided.
 
infantrycak said:
The title of the article is "brings veteran way" as if they lacked that.
Click to expand...

A headline is written with the following priorities: brevity, garner interest, offer some insight into the subject-matter... There is nothing in the headline or the article that makes any argument that Washington's addition improves the veteran presence at WR compared to the 2014 Texans. You fabricated that in your own head. The article and headline are only addressing Washington's skill set and resume.
 
dalemurphy said:
A headline is written with the following priorities: brevity, garner interest, offer some insight into the subject-matter... There is nothing in the headline or the article that makes any argument that Washington's addition improves the veteran presence at WR compared to the 2014 Texans. You fabricated that in your own head. The article and headline are only addressing Washington's skill set and resume.
Click to expand...

Sell it to someone else.


I really want to see you and steelb in a creamed corn death match - irrational knob slobbing against irrational hatred. Loser is the first one to complain about kernels in their whoohaa.

Gotta say I think steelb will "tuck" it up longer than you.
 
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Texans' Johnathan Joseph the Model of Consistency

#14

One of only four defenders for the Houston Texans to start all 16 games in 2014, Johnathan Joseph continues to be the driving force for the secondary going into the upcoming season. Brought in via free agency in 2011, Joseph changed the identity of a defense that was looking to turn the corner.

Now five seasons into his Texans career, Joseph has helped guide the career of Kareem Jackson and continues to be part of the veterans who assist rookie Kevin Johnson in his development. Joseph's leadership and above-average play are a combination which Head Coach Bill O’Brien values when it comes to players on his roster.

Joseph is set to start opposite of Jackson for the fifth consecutive season, which is rare in this day and age of the NFL. When adding the two veterans to a defense that is filled with talent, Joseph understands the uniqueness of his position.

“Without a doubt. I played in Cincinnati with a room full of first-rounders and guys like that. In this room we have our first-rounders and guys that were drafted in the second round,” said Joseph of the Texans’ defense. “We have a lot of guys that are capable of making plays and a lot of guys that played extensive time last year and the year before. We have a solid group overall with guys that have some playing experience.”

With experience comes knowledge and Joseph is seeing his teammates on defense coming to terms with Romeo Crennel's system going into its second season.

“I think right now as a defense, myself included, you understand where your help is on each and every call,” explained Joseph. “You know when you can take a chance here and there. You just understand when he’s going to make certain calls in certain situations.”

Joseph has been more durable than what some are led to believe and has played over 86% of the defensive snaps since arriving in 2011.

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As long as Joseph is on the field, the Texans defense will have a solid player who can compete both in coverage and tackling. Joseph continues to be one of the best free agent signings in franchise history and it appears he will be set to possibly end his career with the team with his most recent contract extension. He does not possess the speed he once did, but his technique and veteran ways of understanding the game keep him better than most at his position.

On the field and in the locker room, Joseph continues to be a leader on whom the team depends from year to year. Consistency is the key and Joseph has proven to be a strong component of that in the Texans secondary.​
 
infantrycak said:
Really? Are we this facile?

Hey let's cut JJ and then we can talk about needing a presence on the DL.

Moronic. Actually not even -ic.

You're better.
Click to expand...

You're just looking for an argument. The point being is the Texans decided to part ways with AJ. Agree or disagree with the decision, if it was the right one, who was to blame, did AJ really want to be here... none of that matters. The Texans-AJ relationship was terminated in February. Cold hard fact. There was not a veteran WR on this roster after AJ was cut. Cold hard fact. In April Washington was brought in to be something AJ was not willing to do: be a cheaper role-playing veteran. Cold hard fact.

To say that bringing Washington in to provide veteran leadership in no way/shape/form is stating that AJ didn't provide leadership. But he doesn't wear a Texans jersey anymore, so what he is or isn't doesn't mean **** for the Texans' 2015 season.
 
The SOTT of the Texans this yr is maybe a one and done playoff team, unless Mallettt comes up big. Even if he does the team still needs to add speed and OL depth. Let Brown get hurt and this is a 6-10 team. imho
 
sandman said:
You're just looking for an argument.
Click to expand...

Wrong guy. I've got nothing but arguments all day long. Don't need any extras.

It's a stupid f'king headline. You don't create a hole and then say "hey we've got a hole" which is exactly what the author did. Doesn't matter who the player is, pick one. It's doubly stupid to spin it as a positive. It could be cutting JJ, signing Antonio Smith and having a headline "Smith brings veteran presence and pass rush to the Texans." It's dumb.

steelbtexan said:
The SOTT of the Texans this yr is maybe a one and done playoff team, unless Mallettt comes up big. Even if he does the team still needs to add speed and OL depth. Let Brown get hurt and this is a 6-10 team. imho
Click to expand...

Your boy just gave you the middle finger on your speed obsession.
 
infantrycak said:
Wrong guy. I've got nothing but arguments all day long. Don't need any extras.

It's a stupid f'king headline. You don't create a hole and then say "hey we've got a hole" which is exactly what the author did. Doesn't matter who the player is, pick one. It's doubly stupid to spin it as a positive. It could be cutting JJ, signing Antonio Smith and having a headline "Smith brings veteran presence and pass rush to the Texans." It's dumb.
Click to expand...

Semantics. Would you be as put out had the author said, "with the loss of future Hall of Famer, holder of all Texans WR records and the greatest Texan in team history Andre Johnson in the off-season due to long-term inept salary cap management by Rick Smith and an unrealistic expectation of his role on the team by head coach Bill O'Brien, the Texans felt like they needed to add a cap-friendly, role-playing but-in-no-way-ever-be-able-to-replace-AJ veteran presence to the WR corps."?
 
sandman said:
Semantics. Would you be as put out had the author said, "with the loss of future Hall of Famer, holder of all Texans WR records and the greatest Texan in team history Andre Johnson in the off-season due to long-term inept salary cap management by Rick Smith and an unrealistic expectation of his role on the team by head coach Bill O'Brien, the Texans felt like they needed to add a cap-friendly, role-playing but-in-no-way-ever-be-able-to-replace-AJ veteran presence to the WR corps."?
Click to expand...

What part of "I think it's a stupid headline" do you not get?

This happens to involve AJ but isn't about AJ. It's a dumbass headline IMO. If you disagree, fine. If they cut Foster and bring in Cadillac Williams and run a "veteran presence" headline I'll say the same thing. It's stupid.

Geez, maybe the author had a bad morning and didn't think about it. You've had time to contemplate and keep on defending this stupidity.
 
steelbtexan said:
The SOTT of the Texans this yr is maybe a one and done playoff team, unless Mallettt comes up big. Even if he does the team still needs to add speed and OL depth. Let Brown get hurt and this is a 6-10 team. imho
Click to expand...

Washington did a good job at getting downfield last year, and Shorts had an AJ type season where something like 80% of his receptions were within 10 yards of scrimmage with several behind the line of scrimmage. In his best season in 2012, almost half of his receptions were thrown in the 11-20 yard range, averaging 27 yards per reception. I don't think that the two draft picks have any speed, but Nuk/Washinton/Shorts all have the ability to get up field without necessarily being burners. I think as a collective group the position is better/faster than last year.
 
infantrycak said:
What part of "I think it's a stupid headline" do you not get?

This happens to involve AJ but isn't about AJ. It's a dumbass headline IMO. If you disagree, fine. If they cut Foster and bring in Cadillac Williams and run a "veteran presence" headline I'll say the same thing. It's stupid.

Geez, maybe the author had a bad morning and didn't think about it. You've had time to contemplate and keep on defending this stupidity.
Click to expand...

I do disagree. Stupidity is your opinion. Good thing we are both allowed to have one. You will notice that I did not drop into ad hominem attacks because I disagreed with yours. But hey, what do I know. I'm just a moron, in your opinion.
 
sandman said:
I do disagree. Stupidity is your opinion. Good thing we are both allowed to have one. You will notice that I did not drop into ad hominem attacks because I disagreed with yours. But hey, what do I know. I'm just a moron, in your opinion.
Click to expand...

Being from Texas, I don't know Greek. But I don't think I called you a moron.
 
infantrycak said:
Really? Are we this facile?

Hey let's cut JJ and then we can talk about needing a presence on the DL.

Moronic. Actually not even -ic.

You're better.
Click to expand...


If they did cut JJ, nobody would freak out three months later because an article mentions that one of the off-season moves intended to replace the roster spot and some of his production was a "veteran". Here's why: we all know that there isn't anyone that could come close to replacing him... However, Andre Johnson was the one cut and that is a different scenario, because deep in the recesses of your mind you know how much AJ has declined as a player, but you are in denial. So, you freak out at anything that might hint at that reality and cause you to deal with that ugly truth. I get it. The mind won't let anything in until it is ready/able to deal with it. You just need some time.
 
This offseason seems a tad more vitriolic than normal... but then again, my memory sucks
 
infantrycak said:
Sell it to someone else.


I really want to see you and steelb in a creamed corn death match - irrational knob slobbing against irrational hatred. Loser is the first one to complain about kernels in their whoohaa.

Gotta say I think steelb will "tuck" it up longer than you.
Click to expand...


Brilliant

Care for more of your very insightful thoughts.

My observations are that since you've moved to Austin you've turned into a real arrogant a**hole. I see your fitting in well.

BTW, I'm enjoying a joyus day at the beach noway you can steal that regardless of how much vitriol (That word again) you spew. I know we see the Texans differently you just have a special way of pointing this out. Maybe someday the Texans will put a winner on the field your way because McNair is certainly going to build his team more your way than mine. But I wouldn't be ordering SB tickets for the next couple of yrs.

It's sad to see Watt being used the same way AJ was and I'm going to end this conversation on this because I think we can agree on this.
 
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dalemurphy said:
If they did cut JJ, nobody would freak out three months later because an article mentions that one of the off-season moves intended to replace the roster spot and some of his production was a "veteran". Here's why: we all know that there isn't anyone that could come close to replacing him... However, Andre Johnson was the one cut and that is a different scenario, because deep in the recesses of your mind you know how much AJ has declined as a player, but you are in denial. So, you freak out at anything that might hint at that reality and cause you to deal with that ugly truth. I get it. The mind won't let anything in until it is ready/able to deal with it. You just need some time.
Click to expand...

You've been declaring AJ dead since before he put up 1598. Eventually you will be correct. It won't be scouting talent.

Steelb - have fun at the beach. If I remember I'll try to post for you, of course attempting to match your whimsical wit:

McNair sucks.
Cal McNair sucks.
Smith sucks.
Goodell sucks.

I think I've got it.
 
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Well, one thing I think we can all agree on is that it's only 18 days and a few odd hours and the rookies will be reporting. I'm not sure if we all can agree on anything beyond this simple statement of fact, but I for one am counting the days down.
 
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Whitney Mercilus Needs to Take Another Step

#13

Another piece of the Houston Texans future, Whitney Mercilus, took positive steps in his third season for the defense. Mercilus showed he was capable of rounding out his game, playing both the run and pass efficiently.

Code: 
YEAR  G/GS  SNAPS SACKS TACKLES TOT.PRESS. FF TFLS QB HITS
2014  15-13  822    5     50        35      2   9    11
2013  16-16  970    7     47        43      0   6    18
2012  16-4   534    6     25        16      2   6     7

Mercilus will be depended upon to be the leader of the outside linebackers, especially with the uncertainty across from him in John Simon and the health of Jadeveon Clowney. Expect him to be one of the primary defenders for all defensive packages but there will have to be improvement from the pass-rushing department.

The jump was solid last year under the coaching of Mike Vrable, with Mercilus becoming more of a technician of the position. His footwork, hand game, and football I.Q. for the game took a considerable jump under the new defense.

Now in year two under this regime and a contract situation behind him, Mercilus knows what is ahead for him, being part of the foundation for the Texans moving forward. The teams needs him more than ever to make a bigger impact from the outside linebacker position.​
 
Last two seasons were good and consistent but I do agree he really needs to elevate his game. I see no reason he cannot.
 
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