FUEL FOR THE FIRE
Watt says unit can learn, build from postseason embarrassment at Kansas City
J.J. Watt and the Texans’ defense endured a slow burn at Arrowhead Stadium in January as they were dismantled by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the eventual Super Bowl champions.
Squandering a 24-point lead and absorbing a 51-31 AFC divisional round blowout loss to the Chiefs reinforced the obvious takeaway: The Texans’ defense wasn’t good enough to make a long playoff run. The Texans finished 28th in total defense last season, ranking 25th against the run and 29th against the pass.
The Texans are determined to learn from that bad experience against Kansas City as they prepare for a Sept. 10 Arrowhead rematch that opens the NFL season.
“I think not learning from that situation would be naive of us,” said Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. “I think that you have to understand what happened in that situation. You have to let that situation fuel you and let that fire build within you, knowing how terrible that felt.
“So no, I don’t think that we’re necessarily ignoring it or moving on from it. We learn from it, and then we grow and build off of it. That’s our goal, and I do think that learning from a situation like that does get us closer to where we want to be in terms of our goals of winning a championship.”
Since that game, the defending AFC South champions have been intent on improving the weaker side of their roster.
They promoted Anthony Weaver to defensive coordinator as the replacement for Romeo Crennel, who is now associate head coach.
They retained their top cornerback, Bradley Roby, on a three-year, $36 million contract and extended outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus with a four-year, $54 million deal.
They cut starting safety Tashaun Gipson and replaced him with Eric Murray, a converted corner who has 4.49 speed in the 40-yard dash.
They drafted TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock in the second round and Florida outside linebacker Jon Greenard in the third round.
And the Texans are optimistic that experience along with the development of promising younger players like Charles Omenihu and Jacob Martin will create an improved pass rush.
The No. 1 thing that would bolster this defense would be to have Watt, 31, remain healthy after being placed on injured reserve three of the past four seasons.
Watt was off to a good start last season before tearing his pectoral midway through the year against the Raiders. He has made a full recovery, and the team is managing his workload carefully at training camp.
“He looks enormous,” said Weaver, who will still coach the defensive line. “He looks like he can go out there and play a game tomorrow. He’s one of the most disciplined human beings I have ever been around.”
There are a lot of expectations for the defense and Weaver, a former Texans and Ravens defensive end who will still be able to bounce ideas off Crennel.
“I know calling the plays will certainly be a new test for me, but it’s one I’ve been preparing for a long time,” Weaver said. “I can handle this. Knowing the roster is certainly an advantage.
“Having been around these guys, having relationships developed already, that’s been a huge advantage. And of course, having Romeo there to lean on to assist whenever I have any questions is huge. I’m blessed. As far as pressure goes, I don’t feel a ton of it right now. The only pressure I feel is getting our guys prepared to play.”