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calling out brooks reed and whitney mercilus

VTexan

Rookie
while everyone is talking about our secondary, these guys seem to be flying out under the radar. and not in the good way. wade's D needs these guys to perform and in a hurry. brooks reed is highly worrying to me as he has not progressed since being drafted. same could said about mercilus but i'll allow the end of this year before i judge him.

what do yall think
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
what do yall think
I still don't think Brooks is best utilized on the outside. He's a solid player & I believe he's athletic enough to play LB. I think he could be really similar to Cushing on the inside.

Mercilus.... I honestly didn't see anything special last year. I'm thinking I'm seeing a little somet'n somet'n... I don't think he's much stronger than last year, but he seems to use his leverage better. I'm willing to give him more time... but I want to see WillieJ in the rotation.
 

DX-TEX

#TomSavageDontCare
I still don't think Brooks is best utilized on the outside. He's a solid player & I believe he's athletic enough to play LB. I think he could be really similar to Cushing on the inside.

Mercilus.... I honestly didn't see anything special last year. I'm thinking I'm seeing a little somet'n somet'n... I don't think he's much stronger than last year, but he seems to use his leverage better. I'm willing to give him more time... but I want to see WillieJ in the rotation.
PDS ‏@PatDStat 1h
Just noticed Braman and Willie Jefferson were in at the ends on the TD to Delaine Walker.
:kubepalm:
 

Scooter

Funky
we need so much more production from the outside if we want to go further in the playoffs. what gets me is that we're getting pressure from everywhere else BUT our edge rushers. watt has 2 sacks, cushing has 2, and manning has 1. the last sack was the one that mercilus got tackled into week 1 - merci's also the sole owner of QB hits for an OLB (2 out of our 12). shouldnt all that interior pressure make it EASIER on the edge guys to get to the quarterback?

and it's not as if we've been lights out in the run game, the chargers ran for 80 and the titans 119 - neither a great running team last year.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
PDS ‏@PatDStat 1h
Just noticed Braman and Willie Jefferson were in at the ends on the TD to Delaine Walker.
:kubepalm:

We were also playing a 4 deep zone.

:wadepalm:

On that same drive, Kendall Wright extended a drive again, with us playing zone & Jjo whiffing on a tackle.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Once again, my stand is that Reed and Mercilus are playing the containment role so that the interior guys and Cushing can make plays.

Locker was not able to slide out of the pocket on any play without being harassed.

The only two plays inside the LT that CJ can muster decent gains were due to Mays being cleared totally out of the picture.

Those two guys are playing well if you ask me.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Once again, my stand is that Reed and Mercilus are playing the containment role so that the interior guys and Cushing can make plays.

Locker was not able to slide out of the pocket on any play without being harassed.

The only two plays inside the LT that CJ can muster decent gains were due to Mays being cleared totally out of the picture.

Those two guys are playing well if you ask me.
I somewhat agree - Seems Wade has schemed to apply pressure up the gut rather than from the outside .... & when you think about it , it makes sense.

It takes less time to get from point A to point B when you run a straight line as most often is the case from the DT/DE spot than it does to run an arc from the OLB/DE spot.

Mercilus was very solid in containing the run against the Tinbreds .... Reed was pretty good as well despite the overall #' of rushing yards allowed.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Once again, my stand is that Reed and Mercilus are playing the containment role so that the interior guys and Cushing can make plays.

Locker was not able to slide out of the pocket on any play without being harassed.

The only two plays inside the LT that CJ can muster decent gains were due to Mays being cleared totally out of the picture.

Those two guys are playing well if you ask me.
Both San Diago & Tennessee OL played better than the Texans OL. Also thought there is a lot of holding going on that's not being called. Never the less Brooks & Mercilus need technique work on hand work point blank. They can't allow the Tackles to lock them up. Flash speed, strike & punch, knock their hands off from holding, use a variety of moves besides bull like swim or rip. Stand up, drop back, move around. Overall scheme for them is too predictable to game plan against.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
I somewhat agree - Seems Wade has schemed to apply pressure up the gut rather than from the outside .... & when you think about it , it makes sense.

It takes less time to get from point A to point B when you run a straight line as most often is the case from the DT/DE spot than it does to run an arc from the OLB/DE spot.

Mercilus was very solid in containing the run against the Tinbreds .... Reed was pretty good as well despite the overall #' of rushing yards allowed.
Containing was a weak point in Mercilus' game last year; that was why he didn't see the field much.

In this league with the mobile QBs and the explosive RBs like Peterson and CJ et al, I think Wade's scheme is solid.

Of course, he's going to mix it up some, but that's the principal.

That is what I saw when I re-rewatched all the games from last year in the off-season. I make it a point to look for it this year.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Both San Diago & Tennessee OL played better than the Texans OL. Also thought there is a lot of holding going on that's not being called. Never the less Brooks & Mercilus need technique work on hand work point blank. They can't allow the Tackles to lock them up. Flash speed, strike & punch, knock their hands off from holding, use a variety of moves besides bull like swim or rip. Stand up, drop back, move around. Overall scheme for them is too predictable to game plan against.
I must disagree, BL.
Except for D Brown (who may be playing hurt) in the Chargers' game, the Texans O-line outplayed the opponents in both game.

Wade Smith is the slight weak link, but we know that he's far from 100%.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Look at how successful Tate and Foster were on the edges, either outside or inside tackle.

Look at the "immobile" Schaub completing passes on the roll out.

You don't see that from the Chargers nor the Titans.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
I must disagree, BL.
Except for D Brown (who may be playing hurt) in the Chargers' game, the Texans O-line outplayed the opponents in both game.

Wade Smith is the slight weak link, but we know that he's far from 100%.
Stat wise you are correct but then stats in football can be misleading, not sure why but they just don't tell the story like they do in baseball. Maybe its specific circumstances like being stuffed @ the line of scrimmage 18% or power ranking 25th in run blocking. Overall numbers are very good like 2nd/3rd overall but you see it on film or during games when for some inexcusable reason they sputter.

Back to DL Texans still rank a solid 8th in the league but give up a lot of yards 2nd level 23rd. 6 sacks though 2 games is nothing to write home about but respectable. 1 sack between Brooks & Mercilus is disappointing, I myself predicted Whitney would get two sacks alone against Tennesse but they did a good job holding him & not drawing the call.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Stat wise you are correct but then stats in football can be misleading, not sure why but they just don't tell the story like they do in baseball. Maybe its specific circumstances like being stuffed @ the line of scrimmage 18% or power ranking 25th in run blocking. Overall numbers are very good like 2nd/3rd overall but you see it on film or during games when for some inexcusable reason they sputter.

Back to DL Texans still rank a solid 8th in the league but give up a lot of yards 2nd level 23rd. 6 sacks though 2 games is nothing to write home about but respectable. 1 sack between Brooks & Mercilus is disappointing, I myself predicted Whitney would get two sacks alone against Tennesse but they did a good job holding him & not drawing the call.
You know I always stress that only team stats are relevant.

When the Texans D can produce that many 3 and out, you know they are doing something right.
 

sandman

Brexit Advisor
You know I always stress that only team stats are relevant.

When the Texans D can produce that many 3 and out, you know they are doing something right.
In two games, the defense has created 13 3-and-out situations in what I count as 25 possessions. Add in another punt, missed field goal, INT, downs and safety, and the opposing offenses have scored on 7 drives, which is a 28% success rate.

On the other hand, six of those seven scoring drives were TD's, of which four were for 80+ yards. It's almost a feast or famine defense. They either get off the field quick or suffer long drives.

These games are only close because of mistakes on the offensive side of the ball. Interceptions, missed field goals, and somewhere around 15 possessions in two games where they couldn't move the ball more than 30 yards.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
In this list of Podcasts, if you listen to the Reed & Mercilus interview from 9/17/13, you'll hear them comment on the idea of "containing" the QB. The gist of the conversation is that they're goal is to get the QB. Containing him doesn't sound like a "big" part of their plan, though it does come into play.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
In this list of Podcasts, if you listen to the Reed & Mercilus interview from 9/17/13, you'll hear them comment on the idea of "containing" the QB. The gist of the conversation is that they're goal is to get the QB. Containing him doesn't sound like a "big" part of their plan, though it does come into play.
What a waste of time, LOL!

They said practically nothing, haha.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
In two games, the defense has created 13 3-and-out situations in what I count as 25 possessions. Add in another punt, missed field goal, INT, downs and safety, and the opposing offenses have scored on 7 drives, which is a 28% success rate.

On the other hand, six of those seven scoring drives were TD's, of which four were for 80+ yards. It's almost a feast or famine defense. They either get off the field quick or suffer long drives.

These games are only close because of mistakes on the offensive side of the ball. Interceptions, missed field goals, and somewhere around 15 possessions in two games where they couldn't move the ball more than 30 yards.
I think 3 missed long FGs also gave the opponents a short field.
Two INTs gave them the ball in great field positions as well.
The D played well under the cirscumstances.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
Once again, my stand is that Reed and Mercilus are playing the containment role so that the interior guys and Cushing can make plays.

Locker was not able to slide out of the pocket on any play without being harassed.

The only two plays inside the LT that CJ can muster decent gains were due to Mays being cleared totally out of the picture.

Those two guys are playing well if you ask me.
On XM's Fantasy Sports station this morning, some "expert" said the same exact thing. In order to contain CJ from bouncing outside, and keeping Locker in the pocket, the OLBs were simply playing containment. I have no idea who this "expert" was, but interesting to note that someone on the radio had a similar opinion.
 

Coolhand_Luke

Practice Squad
I'm not sure what else to say about B. Reed. But no one had much expectation from him other than being a solid player with a great motor.

Mercilus on the other hand, I hope he will be great player. But most of people tend to forget that we have to give him extra time to develope, because he was very raw coming out of college. I though am a little concerned that he hasn't bulked up much since rookie year, and he needs to. He seems a lil' small.
 

ubecool454

Veteran
I still don't think Brooks is best utilized on the outside. He's a solid player & I believe he's athletic enough to play LB. I think he could be really similar to Cushing on the inside.

Mercilus.... I honestly didn't see anything special last year. I'm thinking I'm seeing a little somet'n somet'n... I don't think he's much stronger than last year, but he seems to use his leverage better. I'm willing to give him more time... but I want to see WillieJ in the rotation.
you saw nothing special? Mercilus had 6 sacks as a part time player. He was not a starter...I think he started a few games but its only the second game. Everyone can't be JJ Watt.
 

HJam72

Hall of Fame
There is some truth to this idea of containment, & the Texans D generally sucks at it.

By contrast, the year the Giants won the SB, they were OUTSTANDING at it with their version of the 4-3. All 4 D-Linemen would surround and just simultaneously shrink the protection until they all converged on the QB. While they were shrinking the pocket, there was NO WHERE TO ESCAPE for the QB. The Texans D just haphazardly and randomly (well, to the viewer's eye, anyway) throws defenders at the QB, leaving lanes open to run through. It is effective, & I wouldn't trade it for anything right now, but there is a weakness in that regard.

This has it's effect on the running game as well.
 

Wolf6151

All Pro
I think Brooks Reed should be moved inside to ILB next to Cushing. He's got enough speed/quickness to handle some zone coverage, coverage of TE and RB, provide an interior pass rush, and the size to play the run on the inside. Mercilus needs to bulk up a little, hopefully gain a little speed, and then just pin his ears back and go after the QB. Mercilus needs to step up and justify that 1st round pick that we spent on him.
 
ill be honest i havnt read every post in this thread but am i the only one who thinks mercilus is actually having a decent start to the season. his getting into the backfield a bit
 

Bulls on Parade

2017 Astros: Earn It!
ill be honest i havnt read every post in this thread but am i the only one who thinks mercilus is actually having a decent start to the season. his getting into the backfield a bit
Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus are young and talented. I think they'll be fine as the season progresses. A lot of players, on both sides of the ball, seem to be off to a very slow start for the Texans.

At the moment I'm more concerned with Arian Foster's lack of production considering as many carries as he's been getting. He should be top three in the league in rushing yards but a 3.7 yards per carry average (37 carries for 136 yards) is highly disappointing to see.

Especially when Ben Tate is doing more, 8.2 yards per carry with less carries (18 carries for 148 yards). This Sunday at Baltimore, I would expect a heavy dose of Ben Tate and Arian Foster, perhaps close to 15-20 carries apiece, especially if Duane Brown or Andre Johnson are out.

We have to ride that strong running game all year long. Hopefully Arian Foster starts to break off some bigger runs, as in 20, 30, 60-yard runs to the house. We need the real Arian Foster to show up soon. He is called a superstar and the second best RB in the NFL after Adrian Peterson for a reason.

Trust me guys, if our offense was kicking ass like they should be, scoring 40 points a game, which they are very capable of doing with seven pro bowlers on offense and possibly eight with the emergence of DeAndre Hopkins, our defense could afford some mistakes here and there.
 

sandman

Brexit Advisor
Trust me guys, if our offense was kicking ass like they should be, scoring 40 points a game, which they are very capable of doing with seven pro bowlers on offense and possibly eight with the emergence of DeAndre Hopkins, our defense could afford some mistakes here and there.
At 30.5 points a game, I don't think the offensive scoring is as big an issue as time of possession. Through two games this year, this offense looks like a quick strike or 3 & Out type of unit. They have been woeful with sustaining multiple long, time eating drives. On Sunday they had one drive that was 8 plays or longer, and no drives that lasted longer than 3:16, except the final drive in OT. They need to get back to being clock eaters and limiting possessions. That more than anything else would help the defense.

Well, Schaub spotting the opponents a TD every game obviously, but I digress. :kitten:
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
Reed is just an effort guy. The guy I wanted out of that draft was justin houston who has natural pass rush ability. That's why the texans drafted montegomery and williams and kept jefferson. When those guys get right,they have the ability to bend,explode and beat lts with skill,not just effort. Whitney has special qualities,reed don't. Its not that hard to see when they rush the qb.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Stat wise you are correct but then stats in football can be misleading, not sure why but they just don't tell the story like they do in baseball. Maybe its specific circumstances like being stuffed @ the line of scrimmage 18% or power ranking 25th in run blocking. Overall numbers are very good like 2nd/3rd overall but you see it on film or during games when for some inexcusable reason they sputter.

Back to DL Texans still rank a solid 8th in the league but give up a lot of yards 2nd level 23rd. 6 sacks though 2 games is nothing to write home about but respectable. 1 sack between Brooks & Mercilus is disappointing, I myself predicted Whitney would get two sacks alone against Tennesse but they did a good job holding him & not drawing the call.
I wish the Texans would've taken a chance on Justin Houston.

I mocked him to the Texans in the 2nd rd a couple of yrs ago. But I guess he didn't pass the Texans chior boy test.

BTW, did you notice the Colts activated Da'Rick Rodgers from the PS? They're going all in this yr. I like the Grigson risk taking regime. I will be very interesting to see how the AFC South plays out this yr. Earlier I would'vesaid the Texans would've won the division fairly easily, now not so much.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Reed is just an effort guy. The guy I wanted out of that draft was justin houston who has natural pass rush ability. That's why the texans drafted montegomery and williams and kept jefferson. When those guys get right,they have the ability to bend,explode and beat lts with skill,not just effort. Whitney has special qualities,reed don't. Its not that hard to see when they rush the qb.
I am/was a big J.Houston guy.

With that said, Reed would look great playing ILB next to Cushing. Too bad Montgomery didn't work out at OLB this yr. (Montgomery still has potential, as well as Jefferson.)
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I am/was a big J.Houston guy.

With that said, Reed would look great playing ILB next to Cushing. Too bad Montgomery didn't work out at OLB this yr. (Montgomery still has potential, as well as Jefferson.)
After he got 4.5 sacks in Philly last night - yea, I guess you do wish we'd taken him, huh ?
But I remember that Draft and Houston dropping all the way to the third round and you can bet lots of people in that long line saying the same thing this morning that you are.
 

VTexan

Rookie
believe it's time to give some of brooks reed's time to somebody else.

clay matthews-lite became claw matthews homeless lookalike for me
 

stingray

Hall of Fame
Brooks Reed got 7 tackles today and a number of hurries.
The only hurries he got is because the inside pressure moved the Qb to his side. He doesn't beat the tackle whatsoever. I paid attention to him throughout the game. Once the tackle got his hands on him on a passing situation, reed was done.
 

Lambert

Waterboy
The only hurries he got is because the inside pressure moved the Qb to his side. He doesn't beat the tackle whatsoever. I paid attention to him throughout the game. Once the tackle got his hands on him on a passing situation, reed was done.
Actually a couple of the hurries Reed got today was when they stunted him up the middle. But as you watched him throughout the game, you already know that........
 

stingray

Hall of Fame
Actually a couple of the hurries Reed got today was when they stunted him up the middle. But as you watched him throughout the game, you already know that........
Dude, please, if you are insuating that he had a decent game, then i think you have low expectations. The guy hasn't sniffed a sack in three games, he's decent against the run, thats' it. But he's an OLB, his priority is to put pressure on the qb which up to now, he's been nonexistent.. :wadepalm:
 

Lambert

Waterboy
Dude, please, if you are insuating that he had a decent game, then i think you have low expectations. The guy hasn't sniffed a sack in three games, he's decent against the run, thats' it. But he's an OLB, his priority is to put pressure on the qb which up to now, he's been nonexistent.. :wadepalm:
Dude, if you are insuating (sic) that 7 tackles and a bunch of hurries is a bad day for an OLB, then I think you don't know what you're talking about.
 

Wolf6151

All Pro
Why can't we give Willie Jefferson a chance at Brooks Reed's OLB spot, I mean really what's it going to hurt to try. What we're doing now isn't working and maybe he'll succeed where Reed is failing.
 

Lambert

Waterboy
Why can't we give Willie Jefferson a chance at Brooks Reed's OLB spot, I mean really what's it going to hurt to try. What we're doing now isn't working and maybe he'll succeed where Reed is failing.
Do you not think that the coaches have not considered this change? Do you think that the coaches have not broken down game and practice film and think that Brooks is better at the position than Jefferson?
 

PHILLYTEXANFAN

Saddle Up Partner
Do you not think that the coaches have not considered this change? Do you think that the coaches have not broken down game and practice film and think that Brooks is better at the position than Jefferson?
But is Brooks better than Mays/Sharpton at their posistion???
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
But is Brooks better than Mays/Sharpton at their posistion???
I've been trying to defend Sharpton for the longest, but yesterday he really upset me on one play, the play where Pierce walked into the end zone. Sharpton was looking at a big hole that he could have shot & got Pierce in the backfield.

He didn't shoot it, he watched it stay open for a long time & damn near celebrated Pierce's touch down, knowing he was as responsible for it as any Raven.
 

Wolf6151

All Pro
Do you not think that the coaches have not considered this change? Do you think that the coaches have not broken down game and practice film and think that Brooks is better at the position than Jefferson?
Thinking about it and doing are 2 different things. Like I said, give it a try, what's it going to hurt because what your doing now isn't working.
 
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