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Houston Texans: Will Anderson

Will Anderson Jr. doesn’t really have a direct comp, but will compete and be compared to Aiden Hutchinson for their respective careers :logo:
 
DeMarcus Ware
I dunno but I believe that Ware was basically a 3-4 OLB whereas Will is basically a DE,
although it's a valid comp in other ways like in size & measurements and not least of all
in their desire and drive to compete (also known as an insane motor !).
 
Will Anderson Jr. doesn’t really have a direct comp, but will compete and be compared to Aiden Hutchinson for their respective careers :logo:
Will Anderson isn't an easy comp. Despite his size, he's physical. Plays with an urgent, high motor style. In that way, he plays like John Randle, former Vikings DT. If you go to the wayback machine, 70s Rams DE Jack Youngblood is similar. Not big, but physical. Always disruptive. An absolute handful for offenses to deal with.
 
I dunno but I believe that Ware was basically a 3-4 OLB whereas Will is basically a DE,
although it's a valid comp in other ways like in size & measurements and not least of all
in their desire and drive to compete (also known as an insane motor !).

Yes, Ware played the majority of his career as a 3-4 rushbacker. But his responsibilities weren't much different than Anderson's, ie kill the man with the ball plus set some edge.

More to the point is a combination of styles of play - bull rush with quick strong handplay, explosiveness and smart angles, and insane motor - and body size/type plus speed/strength metrics.
 
Yes, Ware played the majority of his career as a 3-4 rushbacker. But his responsibilities weren't much different than Anderson's, ie kill the man with the ball plus set some edge.

More to the point is a combination of styles of play - bull rush with quick strong handplay, explosiveness and smart angles, and insane motor - and body size/type plus speed/strength metrics.
Ware had them long ass arms too. He could strike from a distance
 
Will Anderson isn't an easy comp. Despite his size, he's physical. Plays with an urgent, high motor style. In that way, he plays like John Randle, former Vikings DT. If you go to the wayback machine, 70s Rams DE Jack Youngblood is similar. Not big, but physical. Always disruptive. An absolute handful for offenses to deal with.
He’s truly unique, his evolution continues with seemingly no ceiling. Mack wouldn’t be bad comp I suppose from tape alone but his leadership & ownership set him apart from his peers.
 
He’s truly unique, his evolution continues with seemingly no ceiling. Mack wouldn’t be bad comp I suppose from tape alone but his leadership & ownership set him apart from his peers.
What I like about Anderson is that he’s been the alpha amongst alphas since he’s been playing football.

University of Alabama freshmen year he’s the best player on defense.

Rookie year first day on the job he’s the leader of the defense.

But now i’m interested in seeing what he could become in year two with this the first time in his career where he is playing with veterans he can genuinely defer to and learn from (Hunter, Autry on the DL, Azeez at LB, keep Ward healthy at safety).

I would say right now Danielle Hunter is a better player than Anderson. And he has never been the #2 guy before. I am excited to see how this accelerates his growth.
 
I would say right now Danielle Hunter is a better player than Anderson. And he has never been the #2 guy before. I am excited to see how this accelerates his growth.
I don't think adding good, veteran players will change Anderson's mindset a bit. He will continue to carry himself as the best player on the field and try to live up to that standard. Now, having someone like Hunter will make his job easier. Hunter should also benefit from playing with Anderson. Hunter has played with some pretty good d-linemen in his career. But no one as talented as Anderson.
 
What I like about Anderson is that he’s been the alpha amongst alphas since he’s been playing football.

University of Alabama freshmen year he’s the best player on defense.

Rookie year first day on the job he’s the leader of the defense.

But now i’m interested in seeing what he could become in year two with this the first time in his career where he is playing with veterans he can genuinely defer to and learn from (Hunter, Autry on the DL, Azeez at LB, keep Ward healthy at safety).

I would say right now Danielle Hunter is a better player than Anderson. And he has never been the #2 guy before. I am excited to see how this accelerates his growth.
Seeing that Anderson sought advice from Hunter to help him improve his craft, I doubt he has a problem with it. If anything, OCs have to pick their poison on which one to double team giving both of them a better chance to get to the QB more often.
 
Seeing that Anderson sought advice from Hunter to help him improve his craft, I doubt he has a problem with it. If anything, OCs have to pick their poison on which one to double team giving both of them a better chance to get to the QB more often.
My left tackle and a TE or a Super Tackle blocks the outstanding vet Hunter. My right tackle blocks Anderson with my RB to protect QB long enough for QB to release pass.
Every defensive coordinator knows that one of these guys if not both are going to be successful at some point. You just have to mitigate as best you can. I would not be very concerned with the middle as Texans defensive tackles and linebackers are the weaker part of the front seven for Houston on passing snaps.

On run plays almost always to outside to avoid strength of DTs.
I would use delays and hope my back gets past the DE on the side play runs to. Also, I would frequently instruct my QB to lob passes over the DE to my TE or RB after drawing the DE in. You don't need a great QB for that.
 
My left tackle and a TE or a Super Tackle blocks the outstanding vet Hunter. My right tackle blocks Anderson with my RB to protect QB long enough for QB to release pass.
Every defensive coordinator knows that one of these guys if not both are going to be successful at some point. You just have to mitigate as best you can. I would not be very concerned with the middle as Texans defensive tackles and linebackers are the weaker part of the front seven for Houston on passing snaps.

On run plays almost always to outside to avoid strength of DTs.
I would use delays and hope my back gets past the DE on the side play runs to. Also, I would frequently instruct my QB to lob passes over the DE to my TE or RB after drawing the DE in. You don't need a great QB for that.

I think that looks likely, however committing your RB and TE to the outside of the line takes away two hot-route/dump-off pass targets, and it also leaves the middle of the offensive line wide open to blitzes without a RB to pick it up.
 
I think that looks likely, however committing your RB and TE to the outside of the line takes away two hot-route/dump-off pass targets, and it also leaves the middle of the offensive line wide open to blitzes without a RB to pick it up.
Against Hunter and Anderson, I am not worried about anything else but getting the ball off to a wide receiver and probably the one that is not covered by Stingley.

All this just to say our defense should be tough to handle.

I doubt any of our opponents are concerned about pass rushes up the middle. Most everyone believes that that area will be addressed in the 2025 draft. The best thing for me about our roster, it's only going to get better!
 
Against Hunter and Anderson, I am not worried about anything else but getting the ball off to a wide receiver and probably the one that is not covered by Stingley.

All this just to say our defense should be tough to handle.

I doubt any of our opponents are concerned about pass rushes up the middle. Most everyone believes that that area will be addressed in the 2025 draft. The best thing for me about our roster, it's only going to get better!
beast of a DT, RG, and start looking for a franchise RB and a backup qb that can actually push mills would be my draft concerns...maybe another stud like stingley and maybe another S....of course this is pre season and with no injuries thus far. Think all the skilled positions are set for the near future.
 
My left tackle and a TE or a Super Tackle blocks the outstanding vet Hunter. My right tackle blocks Anderson with my RB to protect QB long enough for QB to release pass.
Every defensive coordinator knows that one of these guys if not both are going to be successful at some point. You just have to mitigate as best you can. I would not be very concerned with the middle as Texans defensive tackles and linebackers are the weaker part of the front seven for Houston on passing snaps.

On run plays almost always to outside to avoid strength of DTs.
I would use delays and hope my back gets past the DE on the side play runs to. Also, I would frequently instruct my QB to lob passes over the DE to my TE or RB after drawing the DE in. You don't need a great QB for that.
That's ridiculously optimistic of you, but coach 'em the way you want to. We will see once the season starts.
 
beast of a DT, RG, and start looking for a franchise RB and a backup qb that can actually push mills would be my draft concerns...maybe another stud like stingley and maybe another S....of course this is pre season and with no injuries thus far. Think all the skilled positions are set for the near future.
Right Guard Shaq Mason isn't going anywhere as he just extended through 2026. He is probably our most consistent and steady offensive lineman. Shows up and never hear a squeak from him. I think his PFF will climb from 67 with a better right tackle and a locked in OC. I am more concerned with left guard but think Patterson will resolve that if necessary. Like you, I would love to have a Workhorse running back like Ollie Gordan from Oklahoma State 6'1" 225 4.45 and think he will give the number 0 a different definition.
 
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