One of the more interesting dynamics to watch this offseason will be what the Texans do with superlative defensive end J.J. Watt, and it could go a long way toward determining whether they will take Jadeveon Clowney with the first pick of the draft.
Watt became the leagues most dominating defensive lineman because he was given so much freedom by former coordinator Wade Phillips, who ran a one-gap, 3-4 defense. Romeo Crennel, the Texans new coordinator under new head coach Bill OBrien, has always run a two-gap, 3-4 defense going back to his days with the Patriots. Its all hes ever run, but Crennel has said in his limited media appearances that he will install a multiple defense.
The big difference between Phillips and Crennel is that the latter has always played with a nosetackle and two big ends who played both gaps, to their left and right. Those duties arent glamorous; theres a lot of grunt work involved in holding the man in front of them and then moving toward the direction of the ball.
Theres no question that Watt, at 6-5 and 290 pounds, can play as a two-gap end. He has tremendous length and strength. But it would seem wasteful to force Watt to become a two-gap player. It would limit the every-down impact that he enjoys right now. Of course, this is only regarding base defense. In sub packages, which can account for nearly 60% of a defenses snaps over a season, Watt could still play as he always has.
There are three options for what the Texans can do with Watt:
1) Nothing. Leave him as the five technique (over a tackle) in the new 3-4: Thats what former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham thinks his former defensive coordinator will do with Watt. [Crennel] isnt beholden to any particular scheme, although hell probably come in with 3-4 as his starting point, Chatham said. Doing so would mean the Texans might draft Clowney to play the elephant position at outside linebacker (more on this below). In an earlier story I wrote on Clowney, two personnel executives told me that Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, whom Crennel learned under, would love Clowney as a player. Still, playing Watt at five technique would seem to waste some of his every-down explosiveness.
2) Go to a 4-3. That would allow Watt to do many of the things he excels at and still allow the Texans to draft Clowney and put him at end, which is probably his best position. Chatham said the Patriots always had tilttheir 4-3 packageas part of every game plan, and ran it quite often.
3) Put him at outside linebacker. Crennel has never had an end-type with Watts athleticism. Richard Seymour was the best, but he was elite because of his strength and power; he didnt have anywhere near Watts agility. When the Patriots defense was at its best and winning Super Bowls, Willie McGinest played their elephant position (an end/linebacker hybrid) at 6-5 and 270 pounds. Chandler Jones (6-5, 265) plays the same position now for New England when that scheme is employed. As opposed to some 3-4 schemes, the elephant outside linebacker drops into coverage only occasionally. They are mostly on the line. Watt definitely has the skills to play elephant, especially if he loses about 10 pounds.
Elephant could also be Clowneys position in the Texans scheme. Though not impossible, it would be difficult to see the Texans playing both Watt and Clowney in that role at the same time (outside of sub packages). You can have one elephant at outside linebacker, but the other outside linebacker must possess the ability to drop into pass coverage at a higher rate (think Mike Vrabel, who happens to be the Texans new outside linebackers coach). That doesnt seem to fit Clowney.
Chatham doesnt see Crennel using this option. Youd take away his pocket-busting and ball disruption by putting him as an end on the line, Chatham said.
There are a lot of possibilities for the Texans to consider. But one thing seems likely: dont expect them to divulge any hint of their plans before the draft. If they declare Watt to be an outside linebacker, that would indicate that Clowney isnt in play for the first overall pick.
I missed it already being posted. That Playoffs is quick on the keyboard I tell ya!
