Jackie Chiles
Veteran
I was reading over John McClain's chat and something I came across has made me curious.
"It's the same system and he played well early last season. I've had a couple of pro scouts tell me he's more suited to a defense that relies on quickness and not a read-and-react scheme. They told me he's better suited for Tampa Bay and Indy."
Compare this with what Mario said in another Chron piece when asked about his play against Jamal Lewis and coming out in the 2nd half.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6130543.html
"Williams said when the third quarter began, he told defensive line coach Jethro Franklin that rather than read and go he wanted to go and read. And thats what he did to get to Lewis.
Richard Smiths react-and-react defense was much more aggressive against the Browns than at any point this season. Smith called for blitzes from every angle, which helped the Texans force five turnovers, compared to nine in the first 10 games."
I've recorded every game so far this year but I have not really gone back and re-watched them because, frankly, they have been ugly. What I want to know is those of you that watch that keep a keen eye on the defensive line in particular, would you agree that this is pretty much how we have been playing on the line? Without much evidence this makes sense to me. My theory is that we have guys on the D-line that have some good quickness to them that are being asked to tie up blockers more than to be disruptive. Off the snap we are not trying to get penetration, our guys lock up with an offensive linemen and get pushed back as they try to locate the ball.
I am not naive enough to know that if we change styles and go much more aggressive with a lot less reads that it won't open up some things for the offense but it really seems like we are trying to fit square pieces into round holes. I mean we give up enough big plays in the running game as it is, I would love to see the D-line get some legitimate penetration and make some plays on the other side of the line.
Anyway, like I said, what do those of you that keep a closer eye on the line think?
"It's the same system and he played well early last season. I've had a couple of pro scouts tell me he's more suited to a defense that relies on quickness and not a read-and-react scheme. They told me he's better suited for Tampa Bay and Indy."
Compare this with what Mario said in another Chron piece when asked about his play against Jamal Lewis and coming out in the 2nd half.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6130543.html
"Williams said when the third quarter began, he told defensive line coach Jethro Franklin that rather than read and go he wanted to go and read. And thats what he did to get to Lewis.
Richard Smiths react-and-react defense was much more aggressive against the Browns than at any point this season. Smith called for blitzes from every angle, which helped the Texans force five turnovers, compared to nine in the first 10 games."
I've recorded every game so far this year but I have not really gone back and re-watched them because, frankly, they have been ugly. What I want to know is those of you that watch that keep a keen eye on the defensive line in particular, would you agree that this is pretty much how we have been playing on the line? Without much evidence this makes sense to me. My theory is that we have guys on the D-line that have some good quickness to them that are being asked to tie up blockers more than to be disruptive. Off the snap we are not trying to get penetration, our guys lock up with an offensive linemen and get pushed back as they try to locate the ball.
I am not naive enough to know that if we change styles and go much more aggressive with a lot less reads that it won't open up some things for the offense but it really seems like we are trying to fit square pieces into round holes. I mean we give up enough big plays in the running game as it is, I would love to see the D-line get some legitimate penetration and make some plays on the other side of the line.
Anyway, like I said, what do those of you that keep a closer eye on the line think?