WITH RATINGS IN, HE’S NOT PLEASED
Reader figures only way to improve Madden number is to get better
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Second-year nose tackle D.J. Reader takes issue with his Madden player rating this season. § Reader, who started half of his rookie season at end, has moved inside to nose tackle, his natural position. His teammates and coaches expect a lot from him — more than those who put together the ratings for the popular video game. § “Obviously, I’ve got to work on some things,” Reader said after Friday’s practice. “Madden moved my rating up only one point. I went from a 66 to a 67, so I have to do better.” § Reader has been playing Madden for years, so he keeps up with the ratings.
“I wanted this year to at least be a 73,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t get that done, but it’s not all about Madden. Hopefully, I can play well, help my team win and move up (my Madden rating).”
Reader, a fifth-round pick from Clemson last season, knows he’s fortunate to be playing on a front seven that has a chance to be the best in the NFL this season.
“It’s a blessing,” he said. “In college, I played Madden with our front seven. Now I’m part of one of the best front sevens in the game. To watch them and be a part of them is special.”
Reader has Watt on his left side. Sometimes he’ll have Jadeveon Clowney on his right side when Clowney isn’t playing outside linebacker.
“Those are great players I’ll have outside of me,” he said. “I just have to do my part.”
‘The sky’s the limit’
Reader (6-3, 325) earns a lot of praise from teammates and coaches. He works hard. He’s strong and quick. He can get off the ball, get leverage and shed blockers. He also has some pass-rush skills. He might be used inside in some sub packages.
Reader has come a long way, but he still has a lot to learn.
“Hopefully, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “I want to be a better teammate and a better player than I was last year.
“I want to be great. Put it on my shoulders. There’s a lot expected of great players, and I want to be one of them one day.
“Never be satisfied. Don’t get stagnant. I have to progress. Those guys around me will help me. I’ve just got to do my job within this scheme.”
Reader is proud when he hears that teammates like Watt and Clowney have praised him.
“You can’t ride your highs and lows too much,” he said. “It makes me want to keep working and to get better. I don’t want to let those guys down. They believe in me, and I believe in them. We’ve got trust. “I just want to hold up my end of the bargain.”
Former baseball star
Reader is an impressive athlete, especially for a player his size. When he was in high school in North Carolina, he played football and baseball and excelled in both sports.
Reader pitched and played first base. He hit .529 as a junior. His fastball reached into the 90s.
“I do miss baseball,” he said. “I definitely hit for power. I had about eight bombs (home runs) my last year. I threw pretty hard, too. It’s over now. My arm’s shot. I probably throw about 72. That’s all I got.”
Reader keeps up with some players he knew in high school and college, and there’s one team he follows the most.
“Yeah, I keep up with some of my friends that are playing,” he said. “I like watching. The Yankees are my favorite team. I’m riding high on this Aaron Judge thing.”
Sometimes Reader daydreams about what it would be like to pitch for the Yankees, but he snaps out of it.
“Hey, I’m glad I’m where I am,” he said about being a starter for the Texans. “Those baseball days are over. I’m having a lot of fun being right here, working as hard as I can to get better.”