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One of the big questions when Wade Phillips was hired as the Houston Texans defensive coordinator this offseason was: What happens to Mario Williams? Williams is one of the league's most fearsome pass-rushers from the 4-3 defensive end position, and there was concern about his being converted either to outside linebacker (with his hand off the ground) or a 3-4 DE, which is more about setting the edge than actually getting into the backfield.
During a chat session with readers this week, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle offered up a comparison to ease the collective mind of the Texans' concerned fanbase.
"Do you see DeMarcus Ware in coverage? No. I spoke with Wade about it yesterday at length. Talked to him about Mario, Amobi, Jackson, etc. He's pumped about what he can do with Mario standing up in a 3-4 and dropping down in a 4-3. When his defense is in a 3-4 and they expect a running play but the quarterback throws, the weak side OLB is almost always going to rush. It's the key position in a 3-4 as far as putting pressure on the QB."
While the team should see a dynamic pass rush from Williams, Connor Barwin and rookies Brooks Reed and J.J. Watt, there are some problems in the secondary, as Tom Gower of Football Outsiders writes in his installment of the "Plugging the Holes" series this week:
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Football Outsiders
More work required in the back end
"That added pass rush will be particularly important to Houston, as spending their first two picks on front seven players meant those picks couldn't be used on upgrading the secondary, where the Texans needed at least two new starters. The need was particularly acute at safety, where 2010 starters Bernard Pollard and Eugene Wilson both played poorly and aren't expected to return. Houston did add to its cornerback depth in the draft, trading up to select Brandon Harris in the second round. If they plan to start Harris immediately, as defensive backs coach Vance Joseph suggested, they could move cornerback Glover Quin to safety. Quin was the only starter in the secondary in 2010 who was not below average, and moving him to safety could weaken the cornerbacks without greatly improving the safety play. But with the current alternatives at safety including Troy Nolan, who was mediocre at best in limited work in 2010, and fifth-round selection Shiloh Keo, the Texans may have to run that risk." - Tom Gower
During a chat session with readers this week, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle offered up a comparison to ease the collective mind of the Texans' concerned fanbase.
"Do you see DeMarcus Ware in coverage? No. I spoke with Wade about it yesterday at length. Talked to him about Mario, Amobi, Jackson, etc. He's pumped about what he can do with Mario standing up in a 3-4 and dropping down in a 4-3. When his defense is in a 3-4 and they expect a running play but the quarterback throws, the weak side OLB is almost always going to rush. It's the key position in a 3-4 as far as putting pressure on the QB."
While the team should see a dynamic pass rush from Williams, Connor Barwin and rookies Brooks Reed and J.J. Watt, there are some problems in the secondary, as Tom Gower of Football Outsiders writes in his installment of the "Plugging the Holes" series this week:
-
Football Outsiders
More work required in the back end
"That added pass rush will be particularly important to Houston, as spending their first two picks on front seven players meant those picks couldn't be used on upgrading the secondary, where the Texans needed at least two new starters. The need was particularly acute at safety, where 2010 starters Bernard Pollard and Eugene Wilson both played poorly and aren't expected to return. Houston did add to its cornerback depth in the draft, trading up to select Brandon Harris in the second round. If they plan to start Harris immediately, as defensive backs coach Vance Joseph suggested, they could move cornerback Glover Quin to safety. Quin was the only starter in the secondary in 2010 who was not below average, and moving him to safety could weaken the cornerbacks without greatly improving the safety play. But with the current alternatives at safety including Troy Nolan, who was mediocre at best in limited work in 2010, and fifth-round selection Shiloh Keo, the Texans may have to run that risk." - Tom Gower
