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[NFL.com] NFL's best defense? Texans, Seahawks are in the conversation

Fili

Rookie
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000213469/article/nfls-best-defense-texans-seahawks-are-in-the-conversation

Texans will be best defense because of Watt, Cushing, Phillips
I could make a strong case for any of the teams in the NFC West, but I'm going to predict the Houston Texans will field the top defense this fall.

Houston has the NFL's most dominant defender (J.J. Watt), a creative defensive coordinator (Wade Phillips) and the unit will benefit from the healthy return of a top five inside linebacker (Brian Cushing). The secondary is the only concern but that group won't be exposed too much because of their ferocious pass rush.
Do you guys think the secondary is the only concern? I think the linebackers are the biggest concern. Secondary has Joseph recovered from groin and hernia issues, DJ who is pretty solid judging by the media, Kjax coming off of his best season as a pro, and Ed Reed who may be good or may be bad. The linebackers have Cushing in rehab, Brooks Reed just had surgery, Dobbins is the oldest linebacker as the rest of them are either rookies or vets with something to prove like Sharpton. I just feel the linebacking core is too banged up and young.
 

HJam72

Hall of Fame
I didn't look at who said it, but I still just bet they are STILL thinking of KJ as a rookie corner. Ed Reed will retire before they recognize him as a Texan DB.

This just in: The Giants might have a Superbowl winning formula some time in this decade...
 

ChampionTexan

Hall of Fame
Daniel Jeremiah is 12 years old.......
Okay - I don't really know what that means, but while I don't agree with everything he says, Jeremiah is IMO one of the more knowledgeable NFL writers/talking heads out there right now.

He at least brings a background as someone who's actually worked as a scout for NFL teams. That background seems to give him an advantage in player evaluation compared to most of those who hold down similar positions.

And while I don't have the concern about the secondary as a whole that he seems to, I think safety is the biggest question-mark on the defensive side. You've got Manning coming off a very sub-par year, Reed coming off surgery, Swearinger, who may be the next Polamalu or Reed, but until he shows it in real games, he's still just a rookie, and Keo. If everything goes right, it could be a strength, but if a couple of things go wrong, it could be a real problem.
 

deucetx

Rookie
Okay - I don't really know what that means, but while I don't agree with everything he says, Jeremiah is IMO one of the more knowledgeable NFL writers/talking heads out there right now.

He at least brings a background as someone who's actually worked as a scout for NFL teams. That background seems to give him an advantage in player evaluation compared to most of those who hold down similar positions.

And while I don't have the concern about the secondary as a whole that he seems to, I think safety is the biggest question-mark on the defensive side. You've got Manning coming off a very sub-par year, Reed coming off surgery, Swearinger, who may be the next Polamalu or Reed, but until he shows it in real games, he's still just a rookie, and Keo. If everything goes right, it could be a strength, but if a couple of things go wrong, it could be a real problem.
Have to agree with this. We had issues against the spread last season to say the least. Cush's return helps but he won't cover all those issues we had. And to add to the post above we also are shaky at nickle back. Before his injury Brice McCain was having a below average season (to say the least). So either he needs to bounce back this year or Brandon Harris will get the role who also had a below average season though I believe he improved toward the end. None the less it doesn't make it any less a question mark.

And we also have to be honest...Reed was not very good last season. We're hoping he has something more like maybe the guy that enjoyed catching passes from Yates a couple of years back. So like Champion said, this group could swing in way then shift to a whole other. Only two I feel solid about are our outside corners. Manning is strong in the box but have to worry about injuries when you put him there. Anything that gets Keo close to the field may not be a good thing...
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Do you guys think the secondary is the only concern?
3 seconds.

I think with Jjo, KJax, McCain/Harris, Manning, & Ed Reed/DJ...... we should be able to provide 3 seconds of coverage on most downs. Well, we need a smart guy in the middle who is smart enough to recognize & defend routes... i.e. Brian Cushing.

Watch our play off game vs NE (highlights). The pass that was thrown behind Andre(44 seconds), Matt was wanting to go to OD running a slant. OD beat his defender to the inside, The MLB was rushing the line, but he saw OD coming across the middle & occupied the space directly in front of him.

That's not an illegal pick, it's someone who understands routes. If the Y releases inside obstruct his route.

Cushing is smart enough to do it. We'll see if Sharpton or Brooks is as well.
 

eriadoc

Texan-American
Cushing is smart enough to do it. We'll see if Sharpton or Brooks is as well.
Sharpton ought to be a GD football genius, as much study time as he's gotten while NOT PLAYING.

Sorry, don't mind me. I've just about completely written off Sharpton as the next Antwaun Molden. I would have said Bennie Joppru, but at least he's been on the field a little.
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
Do you guys think the secondary is the only concern? I think the linebackers are the biggest concern.
I'm concerned about Reed's health. But how the Texans will sort out the LB situation is the biggest concern. I expect a healthy Joseph to be a Pro Bowl caliber CB, and Jackson is miles ahead of where he was as a rookie. Watt needs some guys to step up as pass rushers in order for the Texans pass rush to earn the "ferocious" label.
 

Brisco_County

Apples and roadmaps
I value Daniel Jeremiah's opinion more than probably any other national football analyst's. I also put Mike Mayok up there. Jeremiah has always followed the Texans closely, and he's one of the very few in national media who actually has informed opinions about the team.

That said, I can't agree or disagree with him on this, because I don't see Seattle or San Fran regressing any next season. But to state the obvious, Houston's defense will be much improved.
 

b0ng

Bad Hombre
I value Daniel Jeremiah's opinion more than probably any other national football analyst's. I also put Mike Mayok up there. Jeremiah has always followed the Texans closely, and he's one of the very few in national media who actually has informed opinions about the team.

That said, I can't agree or disagree with him on this, because I don't see Seattle or San Fran regressing any next season. But to state the obvious, Houston's defense will be much improved.
Seattle's defense will have a slight regression by virgue of a few players being suspended for a few of the games in the beginning.

I think the OLB's are the biggest concern for the Texans defense. If those guys can be threats, then the Texans are going to be a handful for even the best offensive teams.
 

Lambert

Waterboy
Someone who was hanging around Reliant weight room yesterday told me that B. Reed was in there all by himself and doing full squats, hit 100 reps with 315 (not all in one set, but all in less than 45 minutes). You think his legs are good?
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
The author is obviously misinformed because the Texans biggest issues on the defense concerns the success of the all-important edge rush they expect to get from the OLB/DE positions, both weak and strong sides.
Little is known about the ability of Mercilus to be a full-time starter for the year and the Texans don't even know who's going to be playing the other side ?
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
The author is obviously misinformed because the Texans biggest issues on the defense concerns the success of the all-important edge rush they expect to get from the OLB/DE positions, both weak and strong sides.
Little is known about the ability of Mercilus to be a full-time starter for the year and the Texans don't even know who's going to be playing the other side ?
I agree.
Plan A is for the outside pass rushers to pressure the QB.
I think the Texans did a good job addressing the need. Whitney is a first rounder. He'll get more snaps as he's been moved up in the rotation. SamMontgomery is "first round talent" if the scouts were wrong we could have a dynamic player there. Travardo looks like a specialist, low cost high reward​

Plan B will be to rush the Inside LBs
We're getting Cushing back. Plus if BrooksReed is moved inside, that pass rush can come from either of them. I believe in the past teams knew that Cushing was coming & were able to do just enough to get their play off. We would complain because we didn't "disguise" much of what we were doing. Wade's a smart guy. If it were possible to disguise I'm sure he would have. But when you've got a system where the WOLB is coming 99.87% of the time & Brian Cushing in the middle....... you ain't fooling anyone.

With Reed's ability to rush the passer & drop into coverage (zone, which should be easier than the man-assignments he had last year) that should add a little variety to the mix, hopefully enough.​

Plan C is to rush the safeties
Manning plays well against the line against the run & the pass. He's not exceptional at either, but he is productive. DJ Swearinger looks to be in that same mold​

Plan D rush the corner
I don't think we have the right kind of corners to blitz..... with the exception of Brandon Harris. I'd like to see more of him blitzing from the slot.​

So, we'll see. Hopefully we'll see enough mix of these options & continued inside dominance from Watt & Smith, that we'll get better production from the outside rushers.
 

TexansSeminole

Hall of Fame
The biggest concern with the defense is the outside linebackers and the pass rush. I think that is pretty obvious considering our offseason and the shuffling that may be required along the LB corps.
 
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