Texans’ Reid is ‘really hungry’ for first pick
Justin Reid understands quarterbacks’ intentions and how to anticipate receivers’ routes as he patrols the secondary.
Although the Texans safety has provided a ball-hawking presence in the past, that hasn’t been the story this season.
After establishing ambitious goals before the season, aiming for a championship and All-Pro honors, Reid has endured a lot of frustration and losing. While Reid isn’t discouraged, he’s realistic about where the 1-6 Texans stand and how he’s performed individually.
Reid has yet to intercept a pass after totaling five interceptions in his first two NFL seasons. He has 44 tackles but has also missed six tackles. Hehas allowed17 completions for 120 yards on 21 targets in pass coverage and has a 62.4 overall Pro Football Focus grade.
Between the dismal record and a decline in production, Reid is seeking amuch better second half of the season.
“We all want to do more,” Reid said. “We all want to win games. Specifically, looking at myself, I think I could do a better job tackling. There’s a couple plays that are out there that I wish I could have back. But I can’t take them back, can only move forward and make sure that I make those plays the next time around.”
Despite a painful torn labrum last year that required offseason surgery, Reid still recorded 78 tackles, including 1½ for losses, two interceptions and a fumble recovery while playing in all but one game. He did so despite having his shoulder examined repeatedly by trainers after trudging off the field and then popping back into the game.
Playing under a four-year, $4.063 million rookie contract that includes an $849,957 base salary this year, Reid will be eligible to sign an extension after his third NFL season.
His focus is on intercepting passes. His last interception was in December of last season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he picked off Jameis Winston in a road victory.
Bradley Roby has the Texans’ only interception of the season.
“Really hungry,” Reid said when asked about the lack of interceptions. “I think that’s going to start with stopping the run, though. Teams aren’t going to feel the need to throw the ball if they feel like they can take the safe option of running all day. So things kind of take care of themselves.
“You stop the run, you force them in third-and-long situations. Now they have to throw less highpotential passes. Higher probabilities for picks, interceptions and make plays like that, so it all feeds into itself.”
Reid picked off three passes as a rookie after being drafted in the third round out of Stanford, so he’s proven capable of disrupting passing lanes.
“I think that everybody wants to get interceptions and make plays and things like that, but they don’t come to everybody at the same time, so make the plays that you’re supposed to make,” Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “Do your job first, and then you can help out. If that leads to more interceptions, great. If it leads to more tackles, great.
“Maybe doesn’t lead to anything on a particular game because maybe they’re not throwing yourway, and you’ve got to accept that. Rather than trying to make a play and give up yardage, do your job and then help out. I’m not saying that he’s not doing his job, because he’s a good player and he does a good job, but you have to control that mentality.”
There could be increased opportunities Sunday against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Jake Luton, a rookie sixth-round draft pick from Oregon State who’s starting his first NFL game.
“It’s a little bit tough because there’s no active film on him,” Reid said. “You can look at a little bit of college tape, but he’s going to be a little bit different than he was in college. There’s a couple of things that you can rely on about any player getting ready to play their first game. You know on their side they’re going to be coaching him to stick to the fundamentals.
“It’s going to be interesting. We’re going to play the first quarter straight, really kind of see whatever quarterback they’re putting in the game, see if we can catch on any tendencies, see if he’s doing what typically firstgame quarterbacks do, like stare down their targets or anything like that.”
Reid emphasized that he and his teammates aren’t giving up on the season. Losing can become a habit, and the Texans don’t want to give into that kind of discouraged mentality.
“We still feel like there’s a chance to turn the season around,” Reid said. “But regardless, we have a warrior spirit. Especially myself personally, I’m extremely prideful. I’m extremely competitive. I want to go out and play well each and every game.
“If anything, this is still building the core and the mentality of this team and setting the new standard of what we want the culture for this team to be like for the next decade. That’s what we’re still playing for: to get this thing right for the long-term goals as well.”