As a new season dawns, count on defense to point the way forward
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — If you are a Texans fan, you know what issues they have to deal with at their first training camp outside Houston.
Beginning with their first practice Wednesday at The Greenbrier, coach Bill O’Brien and his assistants have to find answers to questions at quarterback, the offensive line — including Duane Brown’s holdout — and the secondary.
The Texans have a lot going for them, too.
Just about everyone who analyzes the Texans and their chance to win a third consecutive AFC South title begins with the defense, which finished first in fewest yards allowed last season.
With end J.J. Watt and cornerback Kevin Johnson returning from injuries, the Texans have an opportunity to be great. But they have to be better than last season.
For a team to have a great defense, points allowed are more important than yards. Great defenses also force a lot of turnovers and score a few touchdowns.
Last season, when the Texans finished 9-7 for a third consecutive year under O’Brien, the defense surrendered 33 touchdowns or 20.6 points per game. The defense forced only 17 turnovers. Cornerback Kareem Jackson scored the only touchdown.
Great defense starts up front. Barring injury, the Texans could have the NFL’s best defensive line. Watt, end Jadeveon Clowney and nose tackle D.J.
Reader should be special together.
In his return from two back surgeries, Watt doesn’t have to be Superman. Batman, perhaps, but fans know that if he doesn’t suffer another season-ending injury, Watt is capable of restaking his claim as the NFL’s best defensive player.
Clowney is coming off a Pro Bowl — and All-Pro — season. New defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel has the confidence in Clowney to move him around in passing situations to try to create mismatches — the same strategy he will use with Watt.
Imagine what it is going to be like for offensive linemen preparing for Watt and Clowney and then trying to adjust to where they will be once they shift to different spots. Not just a bad dream but a nightmare.
And don’t forget second-year nose tackle Reader. He has made a strong impression on coaches and teammates as a run-stuffer, but the coaches also believe he has some pass-rush skills to utilize in some packages. Reader is quick and strong and has a good work ethic as he tries to replace Vince Wilfork.
With Watt and Clowney on the outside and Reader in the middle, the Texans should be dominant against the run, as they were over the last threequarters of last season.
Under Romeo Crennel, the defense used two linemen in a lot of passing situations. It will be interesting to see how the defense aligns now that Vrabel is in charge.
Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus gives the Texans a third legitimate pass rusher. He also excels against the run and can drop into coverage.
If inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney improves over his second season in which he recorded five sacks, the defense will have four players capable of putting consistent pressure on the quarterback.
The Texans play three linebackers a lot. When they use four in their base defense, Brennan Scarlett is going to be a project setting the edge in place of John Simon, who signed with Indianapolis.
Scarlett, an undrafted rookie last season, has ideal size (6-4, 260). He is smart, works hard and wants to be better in his new role as a starter — a job he intends to keep.
While watching Texans training camp at one of the nation’s most exclusive resorts, it should be obvious to all that they have a chance to have a front seven as good as any team’s.
We won’t know just how good the front seven can be until the Texans begin the regular season against Jacksonville on Sept. 10 at NRG Stadium, and Vrabel pulls back the curtain to unveil what he is capable of doing in his first season as coordinator.