The Sports Xchange
NFL Team Report – Houston Texans – INSIDE SLANT
The Houston Texans have agreed to hire Romeo Crennel as their new defensive coordinator, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Crennel, who was out of the NFL this past season after being fired as the Kansas City Chiefs head coach following the 2012 season, met with new Texans head coach Bill O’Brien about the position a week ago.
Crennel will officially replace Wade Phillips as Texans defensive coordinator next week, according to the report.
Crennel has been an NFL defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Chiefs. He was also the Browns head coach from 2005 to 2008, and became the Chiefs’ interim head coach during the 2011 season before being named Kansas City’s regular head coach for the 2012 season.
The Texans have yet to hire an offensive coordinator, but O’Brien has said he will call the plays.
–Nobody has to remind O’Brien that a new coach seldom inherits a warm bed.
O’Brien and his new Houston Texans staff have a lot of work to do in the offseason. They will be under a lot of pressure because owner Bob McNair wants the Texans to do what Indianapolis and Kansas City did the last two seasons.
The Colts and Chiefs finished with the league’s worst record, hired new coaches, acquired new quarterbacks and made the playoffs.
O’Brien has his work cut out. His new team tied the 1994 Houston Oilers for the biggest one-season plunge in NFL history, dropping from 12-4 to 2-14.
The Texans became the first team in league history to start 2-0 and finish with a 14-game losing streak.
Injuries to Pro Bowl players like running back Arian Foster, tight end Owen Daniels and inside Brian Cushing contributed to their incompetence.
The biggest problem on offense was poor play at quarterback and a defense that couldn’t force turnovers and couldn’t stop anybody in the red zone.
Matt Schaub came off a division title, a playoff victory and a Pro Bowl appearance. He was healthy and preparing for his best season. But after leading the Texans to last-play victories in their first two games, he lost his confidence and starting job. And he’ll be looking for a new zip code after he’s waived in March.
The Texans had a 32-turnover swing this season. In 2012, when they won the AFC South for the second consecutive season, they forced 29 turnovers and finished plus-12.
This season, the Texans forced only 11 turnovers, fewest since the merger in 1970. They finished minus-20 in turnover ratio.
Another good example of their ineptness on defense: They ranked last in red zone touchdowns.
And their coverage and return teams were so inconistent that special teams coordinator Joe Marciano was fired after 13 games when coach Gary Kubiak also got his pink slip.
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NFL Team Report – Houston Texans – NOTES, QUOTES
–Romeo Crennel is expected to take the Texans’ defensive coordinator job, ESPN reported Saturday.
Crennel met with new Texans coach Bill O’Brien on Wednesday and was reportedly offered the job. However, he told O’Brien after the interview that he needed more time because he is committed to coaching the East-West Shrine college all-star game Jan. 18, according to ESPN, citing sources.
Crennel was believed to be the favorite for the job because he and O’Brien have ties to the New England Patriots as assistant coaches.
The Texans and Crennel did not comment on the report. Sources told ESPN that an announcement would come after the East-West game.
The Texans hired former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel as linebackers coach Thursday. Vrabel played under Crennel. Vrabel coached Ohio State’s defensive line while O’Brien was Penn State’s coach the past two seasons. Both schools are in the Big Ten.
–Texans tackle Duane Brown was added to the Pro Bowl list as an injury replacement for Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jason Peters.
Brown will be going to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year. Two Texans teammates — wide receiver Andre Johnson and defensive lineman J.J. Watt — also are headed to Hawaii for the annual all-star game on Jan. 26 in Honolulu.
The 28-year-old Brown was named first-team All-Pro in 2012 and to the second team in 2011 by the Associated Press.
–Little did coach Bill O’Brien know a year ago that when he came to Houston to accept the Bear Bryant Award as national coach of the year at Penn State that it would be as the Texans’ head coach.
After coaching five seasons at New England, O’Brien was 8-4 and 7-5 at Penn State, despite debilitating NCAA sanctions because of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
“I want to thank Penn State for the opportunity they gave me to be their head football coach,” O’Brien said. “I love the players at Penn State, and I respect their toughness and their resiliency and everything they demonstrated on a day-to-day basis.
“From the day we walked in the door at Penn State, the players did everything we asked them to do, and I respect them for that. I do regret not being able to continue with the great kids on that team.
“Again, while I tried to never mislead anyone, I understand if some people feel let down. I understand that. Again, it was a decision that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and it was a great opportunity for my family.”
–Significant players not expected to return next season because of the salary cap or their contract expires are quarterback Matt Schaub, running back Ben Tate, left guard Wade Smith, defensive end Antonio Smith and inside linebackers Darryl Sharpton and Joe Mays.
Players on the roster who might move into the starting lineup as replacements are Ben Jones or David Quessenberry at left guard and Jared Crick at defensive end.
Brian Cushing, who spent most of the season on injured reserve, returns at inside linebacker, again.
–Those who followed Bill O’Brien at New England and Penn State say he loves coaching quarterbacks. He will have at least two new ones with the Texans, including a first-round draft choice.
“I think that’s a fantastic position to coach because of all the things that go into it,” he said. “Let’s start with off the field. The quarterback has to be a great teammate, a leader, a hard worker, a really good practice player, a guy that’s always striving for perfection knowing that he’s probably not going to get perfection, but he’s going to reach some level of excellence.
“On the field, it’s a position that has to really have great knowledge not only of your own offense and your own teammates’ talents on offense, but also he has to have a great knowledge of defensive football and the talents of the defensive players that you’re going against.
“It’s a job that’s never-ending. It’s a job that you can always improve at doing, coaching quarterbacks, and it’s a lot of fun to do.”
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NFL Team Report – Houston Texans – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FREE-AGENT UPDATE
Scheduled to be unrestricted in March:
–RB Ben Tate: They can’t afford to re-sign him.
–TE Garrett Graham: They must re-sign him because new coach Bill O’Brien likes to use multiple tight ends, and he had 49 catches and five touchdowns.
–LG Wade Smith: He won’t be re-signed.
–DE Antonio Smith: They’ll re-sign him if he takes close to the minimum, but he’s looking for more.
–NT Earl Mitchell: They want to re-sign him.
–ILB Darryl Sharpton: Played his best season but won’t be back unless he takes the minimum.
–ILB Joe Mays: He’s not expected to return.
–OT Ryan Harris: He’s not expected to return.
–FB Greg Jones: He’s not expected to return.
–OT Andrew Gardner: He might be re-signed for the minimum.
–RB Deji Karim: He won’t be re-signed.
–CB Elbert Mack: He won’t be re-signed.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Case Keenum. Backups — Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates.
This was the most disappointing position on the team. Schaub had his worst season. He threw a pick-six in four consecutive games and lost his confidence. Then he lost his job, finishing with 10 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 73.0 rating. Keenum, undrafted a year ago, flashed early but crashed and burned as defensive coaches adjusted to his style. He lost nine consecutive starts and was overmatched. He finished with nine touchdowns, six interceptions and a 78.2 rating. He got worse rather than better and took a beating from the pass rush. Yates made two appearances in mop-up duty and never got a chance to start. Schaub will be designated as a June 1 salary cap casualty. When next season starts, the new staff may have three new quarterbacks.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Dennis Johnson, FB Greg Jones. Backups — Jonathan Grimes, Ray Graham, FB Brad Smelley. Injured reserve: Arian Foster, Ben Tate, Deji Karim.
Foster suffered a season-ending back injury that cost him 10 games. He finished with two touchdowns — 15 fewer than 2012. His injury was devastating to the offense.
Foster will be healthy for camp, but they have to get a replacement for Tate, somebody who can play a lot if Foster continues to get injured. Tate played seven consecutive games with four cracked ribs before going on injured reserve with two left. He’ll sign with another team because the Texans can’t afford to pay him as much as he’s going to get in free agency. They’ll have another fullback for the fifth consecutive year. Johnson did a decent job replacing Foster and Tate but should have a difficult time making the team under the new regime. Grimes, Graham, Karim and Smelley were signed off the street because of injuries and won’t be back.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Garrett Graham. Backups — Ryan Griffin. Injured reserve — Owen Daniels.
Daniels, who has been to two Pro Bowls, was off to a splendid start but suffered a fractured tibia that cost him his season. He’s got a $6.5 million cap figure, and he’s going into his ninth season, but new coach Bill O’Brien likes a lot of tight ends, and Daniels is experienced and productive. Graham blossomed with 49 catches for 545 yards and five touchdowns before a severe hamstring injury ended his season prematurely. He must be re-signed.
Griffin, a sixth-round pick, did a terrific job near the end of the season and finished with 19 catches for 244 yards. The previous staff loved him. He’s 6-6, can run and has good hands. If the Texans re-sign Graham and Daniels doesn’t need to be a cap casualty, this position will be in good hands for a new coach who utilizes multiple tight ends.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins. Backups — Keshawn Martin, DeVier Posey, Lestar Jean. Injured reserve — Alan Bonner, Alex Lemon.
At 32, Johnson had another excellent season with 109 catches for 1,407 yards and five touchdowns. The new staff must find a way to get him the ball in the red zone. Johnson has been healthy the last two seasons and turns 33 in July. He’s still an elite receiver. Hopkins, the first-round pick, flashed a lot of ability but would disappear at times, like most rookie receivers. He had 52 catches for 802 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s ridiculous that the two starters combined for only seven touchdowns. That’s a problem resulting from poor play at quarterback and inadequate play calls. Posey should be more productive next season because he was coming off surgery to repair an Achilles tendon. Martin improved, but he’s nothing special. Jean will be lucky to make the team because he hasn’t made progress the last two seasons. Bonner and Lemon were rookies who showed some talent in camp and preseason but spent the season on injured reserve. Both are healthy.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Duane Brown, LG Wade Smith, C Chris Myers, RG Brandon Brooks, RT Derek Newton. Backups — OT Ryan Harris, LG Ben Jones, LG Alex Kupper, RG/C Cody White, RT Andrew Gardner. Injured reserve — LG David Quessenberry, RT Brennan Williams.
As a group, they didn’t play nearly as well as 2012 when Brown, Smith and Myers were voted to the Pro Bowl. Their run blocking and pass protection were mediocre. Brown suffered a turf toe injury early in the season and wasn’t the same player. Smith’s contract is up, and he’s not expected back.
Jones or Quessenberry should compete for his job at left guard. Jones started at right guard as a rookie and got playing time behind Smith this season. Myers was the most consistent linemen. He excelled in the zone scheme and now will have to adjust to more man blocking. Brooks was surprisingly consistent in his first season as the starter. He’s a wide body who looks like a tackle but plays like a guard. He should fit the next scheme that’ll require more firing off the ball and trying to maul his man.
Newton was the weak link on the line in his second season as a starter. They need to replace him and have him play the role of swing tackle. He was beaten too many times off the ball, and he committed too many penalties. Williams, a third-round pick who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, should give Newton a lot of competition. If he’s better than mediocre, he can win the starting job.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE J.J. Watt, NT Earl Mitchell, DRE Antonio Smith. Backups — NT Terrell McClain, DLE Jared Crick, DRE Tim Jamison.
Watt had another exceptional season but not like his 2012 season when he was magnificent. He played the run well because he gets off the ball quick, loves to penetrate and has a lot of moves. He drew consistent double teams. He led the team with 10.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and 46 hits on the quarterback. Mitchell led all NFL nose tackles in tackles and sacks. They want to re-sign him. Smith played the run well but didn’t rush the passer as well as 2012. His contract expires. Crick is the best backup. He’s a poor man’s Watt — plays hard all the time and has some skills but none stand out.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — WOLB Whitney Mercilus, WILB Darryl Sharpton, SILB Joe Mays, SOLB Brooks Reed. Backups — WOLB Bryan Braman, SOLB Ricky Sapp, SILB Jeff Tarpinian, WILB Mike Mohamed, WILB Justin Tuggle. Injured reserve: SILB Brian Cushing, WOLB Trevardo Williams, WILB Ever Frierson.
Losing Cushing to a torn knee ligament for a second consecutive season was devastating to the defense. He’s recovering nicely from surgery to repair a posterior cruciate ligament and will be 100 percent for the offseason program. Mercilus was second with seven sacks, one more than his rookie season, but he was too inconsistent as a rusher and run stopper. He plays hard, though. Reed, a starter on the outside for three years, is more suited to playing inside. He’s relentless, never lets up and excels against the run. He’s also competent in coverage.
Sharpton stayed healthy for the first time and played the run well but may not return because his contract expires. Mays filled well against the run but isn’t expected back. Tarpinian was a huge find when he was signed during the season. He plays hard, drops into coverage well and did a nice job in the dime package.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCBP Kareem Jackson, RCB Brice McCain. SS D.J. Swearinger, FS Shiloh Keo. Backups — LCB Brice McCain, LCB Josh Victorian, RCB Brandon Harris, RCB Elbert Mack, SS Eddie Pleasant, FS Jawanza Starling. Injured reserve — RCB Johnathan Joseph, SS Danieal Manning, LCB A.J. Bouye.
The Texans allowed 29 touchdown passes and intercepted only seven passes. Joseph was the only defensive back with more than one. The decision to sign FS Ed Reed was a disaster. He was waived during the season. Jackson played the ball well but committed too many penalties. He needs to exercise more common sense when he’s fighting for the ball and making tackles. Joseph covers the best receiver all over the field and struggled at times. He was injured at the end of the season and will have a clean bill of health soon. When he’s injured, he can’t keep up with fast receivers anymore. Swearinger was a hard-hitting, exciting rookie who needs to reduce penalties and improve in coverage. Keo replaced Reed and made a lot of plays in his first season as the starter.
McCain struggled in man coverage as the nickel back. Harris and Pleasant made steady improvement off the bench. The coaches like Bouye, who excelled in man coverage before going down for the season with a severe hamstring injury. He should get more playing time next season. Manning is recovering from a fractured tibia and could become a salary cap casualty.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Randy Bullock, P Shane Lechler, LS Jon Weeks, PR/KOR Keshawn Martin.
In his first season, Bullock overcame a midseason slump and finished with 12 consecutive field goals. He gets good distance on his kickoffs and is solidly entrenched at his position. In his first season with the Texans, Lechler was outstanding with a 47.6-yard gross and a 40-yard net with 34 inside the 20 and only seven touchbacks.
Weeks is a terrific snapper, not a bad one all season. Martin averaged 26.3 on kickoffs and 8.8 on punts and scored one touchdown. They need to improve the blocking on returns and commit fewer penalties.
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