Our defense is loaded with 1st round talent. The team, the media, the fans, and they themselves as individuals all put a lot of pressure on them to succeed. Most of that 1st round talent is on the DL, and most of that 1st round talent was chosen to get sacks. I honestly think that the Texans defense is obsessed with sacks. I think the key to the Texans skid over the last 4 weeks (1-3 in that time frame) has been the continued self-destruction of the defense. Yes, self destruction. Over the first two weeks of the season, the Texans defense was rolling. They shut down the chiefs. They sacked Damon Huard. They gave up a few points early to the Panthers, buckled down, and finished the game strong. They got to Delhomme. We had 6 sacks over the first two games of the year. 6! Each of our past 1st rounders had already had a 2 sack game. All this was accomplished without blitzing. Now fast forward 4 weeks. The Texans have recorded only 5 sacks in the last 4 games. And they've been blitzing to get some of those. The Texans defense, especially those 1st rounders, are frustrated. You can see it in their play. On obvious running downs you can literally watch our DL run right by the blockers and into the backfield, allowing huge running holes for opposing RBs. On screen plays you can watch as our DL run helplessly by and end up giving up 20+ yards. They are trying to hard and not getting results. And then they end up on the field. All. Game. Long. Until we get some semblence of a normal pass rush, or until those guys learn to play something other than the pass rush, they are going to get burned. We are going to continue to see huge runs on draws. Huge runs by backs with speed. Huge runs after screens.
I agree 100% with your post & have been saying the same thing today. we need to develop a legitimate pass rush using other options besides linemen where they overshoot the gap, get controlled by the OL & out of position to stop the run
Go back and watch the interview on Texans TV with Demeco Ryans last week. He said something to the effect of, "The first few games we were generating a good pass rush with our front four. Since then teams have figured out what we were doing and are doing a good job of doubling guys and containing the front four so we've had to start blitzing more guys." I agree with what we've invested in that line they need to be a huge force, but I think the drop off in their production has as much to do with how opposing teams are playing them now as anything else.
