Murray’s move to safety paying off
Decision one reason for improvement in the secondary
Since the Texans returned Eric Murray to safety in place of Lonnie Johnson three games ago, opposing quarterbacks have watched their rating for the season plunge from 102.9 to 88.6.
During the last three games with Murray in the lineup, the Texans have limited quarterbacks to a 60.6 rating.
That impressive improvement over the last three games can be traced to several factors, including the quarterbacks — Miami’s Jacoby Brissett, Tennessee’s Ryan Tannehill and New York Jets rookie Zach Wilson — the Texans have gone against.
On Sunday, they play Indianapolis quarterback Carson Wentz for the second time. He threw two touchdown passes in the Colts’ 31-3 victory over the Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. He should be competing against an improved secondary.
Numbers can be misleading, but they don’t lie. The Texans’ 88.6 rating by opposing quarterbacks is 10th in the NFL. That’s a substantial improvement over the 109.6 the defense surrendered in 2020 that was 31st, ahead of only Detroit’s 112.4.
The Texans have surrendered 17 touchdown passes, 10th fewest in the league, and a 65.8 completion percentage that’s ninth.
Two things have contributed significantly to the defense’s improvement over the last three games.
Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith seems to have settled on a secondary of safeties Murray and Justin Reid and cornerbacks Terrance Mitchell and Desmond King II on the outside and Tavierre Thomas in the slot.
Johnson, now back at cornerback, and safety Terrence Brooks also are getting a lot of playing time off the bench.
Until the last three games, big plays tormented the defense, and that October loss to Indianapolis is a good example.
The Colts took a 7-0 lead on their second series when Wentz connected with receiver Parris Campbell for a 51-yard touchdown.
On Indianapolis’ third series, Wentz completed a 52-yard pass to T.Y. Hilton to set up a field goal that made it 10-3 at halftime.
The Colts blew open the game in the second half, including an 83-yard run by Jonathan Taylor that set up the first of his two touchdowns.
“It’s easy to say when someone beats you up the way they did us the first time that you want another shot,” Smith said. “We get our shot at home, so we’re excited about it.
“We’re not the same team we were back then. We’ve grown a lot — the discipline of the defense — (and) we’ve seen a lot more. Hopefully, a lot more prepared and ready.”
After Indianapolis, the Texans lost 31-5 to Arizona and 38-22 to the Los Angeles Rams. In those defeats, they gave up completions of 47, 41, 68 and 52 yards.
At that point, Smith inserted Murray back into the lineup. He had started the first three games before taking on a reserve role. The Texans haven’t been allowing big plays in the passing or running game.
“He handled a tough situation the right way,” Smith said about Murray. “We asked him to move to a different role. He did it. When we moved him to the nickel position, he was in the room with me quite a bit and just took notes. Just a student of the game.”
Murray started making his presence felt when he returned to the lineup for the Miami game. Even though the Texans are only 1-2 in the last three games, the defense hasn’t allowed more than two touchdowns in any of them. It’s the offense that’s been the problem.
“We expect our secondary to keep the ball in front of them,” Smith said. “To win games, you have to not lose them, and you can lose them by just letting the ball get over your head.”
Smith was asked if it’s a coincidence that eliminating big plays coincided with Murray’s return to the lineup.
“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not,” he said. “It’s just what Eric brings to the table. He’s smart, extremely bright, knows his positions. He also plays the run well. (We’re) expecting great things from him.”
Smith also likes what Johnson has contributed since moving back to cornerback.
“Lonnie has accepted his role to try to make up time to be the best cornerback he can be,” Smith said. “We expect our corners to tackle — that goes without saying. And, of course, to cover — zone (and) man. We feel like he can do that.
“Against a running team like we’re getting ready to play, he has the size to play the run well. If guys do well in practice and we feel like they deserve time, we give it to them. You do a decent job (then), we’ll give you more time.”
It’ll take a lot more than a decent job to contain the Colts’ Taylor, who rushed for 145 yards in the first game and leads the league in rushing. Smith is familiar with the second-year running back. When Smith was head coach at Illinois, Taylor played for Wisconsin.
“He has everything you’re looking for in a great running back when you have a commitment to the run like they do,” Smith said. “He has size (226 pounds), great vision in the hole. He can run between the tackles, (and) he’s as fast as anybody on the field.
“He’s an every-down back that can do it all. You’ve heard a lot about being gap sound, (but) it’s also about pursuing and getting as many guys to the ball as possible when you play a guy like him.”
If the Texans keep Taylor from stampeding them again and don’t allow receivers like Hilton to get behind the secondary, perhaps they can at least put a scare into the Colts at NRG Stadium.