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Texans New 2024 Defense

Dejaview said:
You truly lack reading comprehension skills. Truly. Where do I indicate I am talking about JJ Watt rather than just making a generic commentary? Good fricken god.
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I mean when someone posts a photo of JJ and someone else literally quotes it and comments, "As you get a little older, however, I think that look seems a little desperate." It would actually be even more bizarre to think you're not talking about the subject of the post you quoted and replied to.
 
Sweech said:
I mean when someone posts a photo of JJ and someone else literally quotes it and comments, "As you get a little older, however, I think that look seems a little desperate." It would actually be even more bizarre to think you're not talking about the subject of the post you quoted and replied to.
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See, even Jesus himself knows the intention!
 
steelbtexan said:
If the offense gets a lead, lookout with WA,Hunter/Autry/Barnett and company. They even brought back Hughes. Makes me think Horton spends the yr on IR.
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thunderkyss said:
The edge rotation is going to be insane.
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I agree with all of this. I would normally be concerned with so many “older” vets in a position group. But with how DeMeco rotates his DL it’s the optimal pairing.

He wants players who can come in and play with their hair on fire every snap while also playing assignment sound technical football. A quality vet like the ones the Texans have acquired will do that job much better than a younger player where they might not have the technique down yet.

I just wonder where Hughes fits at this point. I assumed that Horton is an IR stash this season but how many DL will they carry? It’s already a heavy rotation and someone is getting cut that will be added to another team as soon as they’re available.

Maybe they see Mario Edwards getting more time at DT and he’s competing with a guy like Hinish for a roster spot instead of a pure edge like Hughes and Barnett.

At any rate, Hughes is a quality depth addition that will play with his hair on fire for the snaps he gives you and is technically sound. What’s most impressive about him imo is he’s only missed two games in his career!
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
I agree with all of this. I would normally be concerned with so many “older” vets in a position group. But with how DeMeco rotates his DL it’s the optimal pairing.

He wants players who can come in and play with their hair on fire every snap while also playing assignment sound technical football. A quality vet like the ones the Texans have acquired will do that job much better than a younger player where they might not have the technique down yet.

I just wonder where Hughes fits at this point. I assumed that Horton is an IR stash this season but how many DL will they carry? It’s already a heavy rotation and someone is getting cut that will be added to another team as soon as they’re available.

Maybe they see Mario Edwards getting more time at DT and he’s competing with a guy like Hinish for a roster spot instead of a pure edge like Hughes and Barnett.

At any rate, Hughes is a quality depth addition that will play with his hair on fire for the snaps he gives you and is technically sound. What’s most impressive about him imo is he’s only missed two games in his career!
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Also what's most impressive about Hughes is his career longevity. Guy has been in the league for YEARS now. He is veteran depth and potentially a coach on the field for Demeco.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
A quality vet like the ones the Texans have acquired will do that job much better than a younger player where they might not have the technique down yet.
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I was listening to someone the other day, YouTube/radio, they said DeMeco would repeatedly get on to Greenard about freelancing, going for the sack or getting pressure, even when it worked out in the Texans favor.

He would give him kudos for the sack or whatever, but would stress the goal on that play was more about controlling the pocket, setting the edge. If you get a sack in the course of doing your job, great. That's what we want. But if you abandon your role you compromise the defense & end up helping the other team.

I don't know how true that was, but it was an interesting conversation.
 
thunderkyss said:
I was listening to someone the other day, YouTube/radio, they said DeMeco would repeatedly get on to Greenard about freelancing, going for the sack or getting pressure, even when it worked out in the Texans favor.

He would give him kudos for the sack or whatever, but would stress the goal on that play was more about controlling the pocket, setting the edge. If you get a sack in the course of doing your job, great. That's what we want. But if you abandon your role you compromise the defense & end up helping the other team.

I don't know how true that was, but it was an interesting conversation.
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Fun fact: JJ Watt was accused of doing just that by a few sources.

Edit: I almost deleted this because I can't find those sources now, but they could be out there somewhere. I LOVED JJ and hope he comes back if they make a Super Bowl run but I'm just bringing it up because I saw it several years back
 
Deadpool said:
Fun fact: JJ Watt was accused of doing just that by a few sources.

Edit: I almost deleted this because I can't find those sources now, but they could be out there somewhere. I LOVED JJ and hope he comes back if they make a Super Bowl run but I'm just bringing it up because I saw it several years back
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After Watt hurt his back he started freelancing.
 
thunderkyss said:
I was listening to someone the other day, YouTube/radio, they said DeMeco would repeatedly get on to Greenard about freelancing, going for the sack or getting pressure, even when it worked out in the Texans favor.

He would give him kudos for the sack or whatever, but would stress the goal on that play was more about controlling the pocket, setting the edge. If you get a sack in the course of doing your job, great. That's what we want. But if you abandon your role you compromise the defense & end up helping the other team.

I don't know how true that was, but it was an interesting conversation.
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Greenard was working for a contract that year and he got it.
 
Deadpool said:
Fun fact: JJ Watt was accused of doing just that by a few sources.

Edit: I almost deleted this because I can't find those sources now, but they could be out there somewhere. I LOVED JJ and hope he comes back if they make a Super Bowl run but I'm just bringing it up because I saw it several years back
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Those accusations were made.
 
I'm just happy and blessed to be mixing it up with y'all here on the best NFL forum on the planet. You guys have been very welcoming and I feel like this has become my team 1A. Looking forward to us kicking arse this year and beyond! The Superbowl window is wide open
 
thunderkyss said:
I was listening to someone the other day, YouTube/radio, they said DeMeco would repeatedly get on to Greenard about freelancing, going for the sack or getting pressure, even when it worked out in the Texans favor.

He would give him kudos for the sack or whatever, but would stress the goal on that play was more about controlling the pocket, setting the edge. If you get a sack in the course of doing your job, great. That's what we want. But if you abandon your role you compromise the defense & end up helping the other team.

I don't know how true that was, but it was an interesting conversation.
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If that was the case, imo that’s darn good coaching.
 
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Deadpool said:
Fun fact: JJ Watt was accused of doing just that by a few sources.

Edit: I almost deleted this because I can't find those sources now, but they could be out there somewhere. I LOVED JJ and hope he comes back if they make a Super Bowl run but I'm just bringing it up because I saw it several years back
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Conner Barwin is on record saying JJ did a lot of freelancing that they had to cover up. We all seen that during his Hall of Fame career here in Houston.
 
Wouldn't doubt it if TJ is the same way in Pitt. In fact I wouldn't doubt it if a lot of the GOATs were that way. If you're great at what you do, then it doesn't really matter
 
Deadpool said:
Fun fact: JJ Watt was accused of doing just that by a few sources.
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It all depends on what you're trying to do. Wade was OK with JJ freelancing & accounted for it. Then the issue was when too many people would go off script.

For instance, the guy behind Jj often had to play a two gap technique based on what Jj did. If the guy decided to do his own thing regardless what Jj did, it would end up very bad for the Texans.

That was Wade & a lot of DCs do the same with many differ players depending on what they want to do. For instance if you've got Ed Reed in his prime your other DBs need to understand their role & take care of business.

Other DCs teach teamwork & SWARM... unless you're Jj Watt you're better off "doing your job." & Greenard ain't no Jj Watt.
 
Deadpool said:
Just because he said that doesn't mean they weren't friends lol
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That's why I would like to see the quote in context.
Deadpool said:
This is the source I saw it from though (as non-reputable a former unnamed coach may be): https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog...jj-watt-as-selfish-only-cared-about-his-stats
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Looks like that was John Butler, former Texans secondary coach who was also on on O'Brien's staff at Penn State. Watt was handpicked by Wade Phillips. When Wade left after 2013, it was assumed JJ would not be a good fit in Romeo's defense. But Romeo saw Watt's potential, and JJ was the NFL Defensive player of the year in 2014 and 2015. Watt's "selfish" stats from those seasons:

38 sacks
58 TFL
101 QB hits

Butler's comments came on the heels of the Texans firing Butler's coaching buddy, O'Brien. And we all remember it was the argument between O'Brien and Watt during a 2020 practice that led to O'Brien's dismissal. Looks like an example of one coach standing up for another coach. Anonymously, of course.
 
Lucky said:
I'd like to see that quote in context. I remember that Watt and Barwin were buddys. Link?
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Freelancing is not a derogatory term. Playmaker make plays & if you've got that kind of player you let them hunt. If you're a good coach you work it into your scheme. (That's not to say all playmaker are freelancing).

Problem is when you have a player who thinks he's that kind of player & he's not (Honey Badger & Swearinger both).
 
Lucky said:
That's why I would like to see the quote in context.

Looks like that was John Butler, former Texans secondary coach who was also on on O'Brien's staff at Penn State. Watt was handpicked by Wade Phillips. When Wade left after 2013, it was assumed JJ would not be a good fit in Romeo's defense. But Romeo saw Watt's potential, and JJ was the NFL Defensive player of the year in 2014 and 2015. Watt's "selfish" stats from those seasons:

38 sacks
58 TFL
101 QB hits

Butler's comments came on the heels of the Texans firing Butler's coaching buddy, O'Brien. And we all remember it was the argument between O'Brien and Watt during a 2020 practice that led to O'Brien's dismissal. Looks like an example of one coach standing up for another coach. Anonymously, of course.
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Thank you for breaking all that down.
 
thunderkyss said:
Freelancing is not a derogatory term. Playmaker make plays & if you've got that kind of player you let them hunt. If you're a good coach you work it into your scheme. (That's not to say all playmaker are freelancing).

Problem is when you have a player who thinks he's that kind of player & he's not (Honey Badger & Swearinger both).
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Eh, Mathieu was a very good player
 
Deadpool said:
- 3x first team all pro
- 1x second team all pro
- 2010s decade team
- 3 popularity contest aka pro bowl appearances

All say differently
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He took a year off when he was on the Texans. Even after he went to KC you saw him give up many big plays because he was out of position
 
Lucky said:
That's why I would like to see the quote in context.

Looks like that was John Butler, former Texans secondary coach who was also on on O'Brien's staff at Penn State. Watt was handpicked by Wade Phillips. When Wade left after 2013, it was assumed JJ would not be a good fit in Romeo's defense. But Romeo saw Watt's potential, and JJ was the NFL Defensive player of the year in 2014 and 2015. Watt's "selfish" stats from those seasons:

38 sacks
58 TFL
101 QB hits

Butler's comments came on the heels of the Texans firing Butler's coaching buddy, O'Brien. And we all remember it was the argument between O'Brien and Watt during a 2020 practice that led to O'Brien's dismissal. Looks like an example of one coach standing up for another coach. Anonymously, of course.
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Like I said before Watt didn't start to freelance until after he hurt his back. BOB was HC and Romeo was DC.
 
thunderkyss said:
I was listening to someone the other day, YouTube/radio, they said DeMeco would repeatedly get on to Greenard about freelancing, going for the sack or getting pressure, even when it worked out in the Texans favor.
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I actually posted about Greenard playing the position as a "situational pass-rusher" and criticized his run defense (when I was talking about what an upgrade Danielle Hunter would be) based on re-watching games, but I didn't realize that this wasn't DeMeco's intention. That is a big piece of the puzzle, in terms of letting him go to another team.
 
Deadpool said:
I'm just happy and blessed to be mixing it up with y'all here on the best NFL forum on the planet. You guys have been very welcoming and I feel like this has become my team 1A. Looking forward to us kicking arse this year and beyond! The Superbowl window is wide open
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I know I probably should not, but I want to give you a warning; sort of a heads up. You will probably ignore it, but here it goes:

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Ignore this warning at your own risk! The owner, moderators, Admin, and regular users bear no responsibility for what may or may not happen to you.
You have been warned.
😉
 
badboy said:
I know I probably should not, but I want to give you a warning; sort of a heads up. You will probably ignore it, but here it goes:

Texanstalk.com is addictive and can be a danger to your health, your eyesight and your mental well-being.

Ignore this warning at your own risk! The owner, moderators, Admin, and regular users bear no responsibility for what may or may not happen to you.
You have been warned.
😉
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Bring it on!!
 
Okay, kudos to the top post! Nice prediction so far!
Now, the biggest kudos goes to our actual defense!
They absolutely kept us in that game last night.
Sure KF and his automatic boot likely won the game on the scoreboard, but the Texans D won the game on the field for mine and we need to be applauding and congratulating them on their fine efforts so far this season!
We see you D!
 
It's only been 2 weeks but I feel like Mario Edwards Jr. deserves his flowers. This guy looks better than Rankins or Collins did last season, although those two had the odd game here or there.

I don't even think he was the projected starter I think he's playing exactly where the team thought Denico Autry would be.

He's finishing and playing consistently incredibly physical. I'm hoping it keeps up and almost worrying about being able to keep him beyond this season.
 
Excited to see this defense when Harris and Autry join in on the fun. I think it will highlight the positives of the unit even more. Harris will provide added range at LB with his 4.4 speed and Autry will give the team another threatening pass rusher to add to a deep rotation of QB hunters. Just imagine if they were available last night how much more pressure Williams would have faced!

Harris is eligible to return from IR week 5 vs the Bills. Autry due back from suspension week 7 at Green Bay.

Some takeaways from the first two games:

To’o To’o looks much improved over last season. The weight loss has benefited his speed, he’s gained that extra step needed to finish plays thus far.

Pitre is much better in the nickel role. His greatest strength is his knack for always being around the ball. He will miss some tackles but he causes chaos which is a catalyst for this swarming defense.

Hunter and Anderson arrived last night! We needed them to step up and they dominated the Bears OL.

Edwards is earning his million. Might end up being the best value free agent signing any team has this season. Career year for the vet if he keeps it up!

Secondary appeared to clean up some miscommunication issues from week 1. Pass rush certainly helped. Williams did not have time to take many deep shots. But we’ll see if they can make Darnold see ghosts and revert back to his Jets days.

Perhaps most surprising is the run defense first two weeks. They have shut down two good RBs now. Taylor bounced back with a 100 yard performance yesterday which tells me this run defense is for real. It takes a village. Every player on defense is physical and will not hesitate to swarm to the ball carrier. The less heralded DTs have held their own at the point of attack. And the marquee edge guys have lived up to their reputations thus far.

This defense is the bully. They are the hammer, not the nail!
 
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