Facing Rodgers early could help in passing difficult test
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Going against Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers in two practices this week was a terrific test for the Texans’ defensive backs, and the experience should help them prepare for the exceptional quarterbacks they will play in the first seven games of regular season.
When the regular season begins, the defense will try to contain Drew Brees (New Orleans), Nick Foles ( Jacksonville), Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), Cam Newton (Carolina), Matt Ryan (Atlanta), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) and Andrew Luck (Indianapolis).
Rodgers, one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks who’s earned a Super Bowl ring and an NFL Most Valuable Player award, spent three hours over two days throwing against a Texans secondary that has undergone a transformation.
Returning starters are cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Justin Reid. New starters are cornerback Bradley Roby and safety Tashaun Gipson, both of whom signed as free agents.
“(With) Aaron running the show, that’s a really good test for us early in camp,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “(Receiver Davante) Adams is a great player, good tight ends. A lot of good
tape there — scheme (and) route running.”
In the offseason, the Texans added depth in the secondary by drafting cornerbacks Lonnie Johnson Jr. (second round) and Xavier Crawford (sixth) and signing veteran safeties Jahleel Addae and Briean Boddy-Cal
houn.
O’Brien thought the defensive backs benefited from competing against Rodgers, Adams and the Packers’ offense under first-year coach Matt LaFleur.
The defense worked against Rodgers in red-zone, two-minute and goal-line situations. At times, he had trouble locating receivers because of the pass rush or tight coverage and was forced to throw it away.
Veterans like Joseph, Gipson, Roby and Addae, who have a combined 31 years of experience in the NFL, have played against elite quarterbacks. They know how to play defense against them, but containing them is a different story.
The young guys haven’t played against quarterbacks like Rodgers. They need all the experience they can get, even if it
includes just watching him work.
“It definitely helps going against a guy like Rodgers,” Gipson said. “He’s a top-three quarterback in this league, and that was good work for us. I think the secondary needed this test against a guy like that.”
Last season, the Texans finished 28th in pass defense, allowing 260.4 yards a game. They were effective over the first 12 games but cratered over the last four and in the playoff loss to Indianapolis.
Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel knows the pass defense has to improve, and it better improve in a hurry.
It’s too bad the Texans can’t play pass defense like they play run defense. In 2018, they were third against the run (82.7 yards), including first in average per carry (3.4).
They didn’t offer cornerback Kareem Jackson a new contract, and he signed with Denver. They offered safety Tyrann Mathieu $11 million a year, and he signed with Kansas City for $14 million a year. Roby and Gipson were signed to replace them.
Playing situational pass defense against Rodgers was a good way to start.
“With Rodgers, you’re going against the best of the best, and that’s just what we needed considering the quarterbacks we’re going against,” Gipson said. “It’s good work, something we can learn from.”
Nobody benefited more than the younger defensive backs, and not just rookies like Johnson and Crawford. Cornerbacks Jermaine Kelly Jr., and Deante Burton and safety A.J. Moore also gained some valuable experience watching Rodgers in practice and going over the tape with position coach Anthony Midget.
“These joint practices were good for us,” Gipson said. “Our young guys did a great job. It wasn’t like they were star struck. They certainly didn’t play like it. This was something that was important for them and positive for our secondary.”