NFL Week 11: Texans 27, Patriots 20 — Four Winners, Four Losers
Aside from 2014, the Texans have played the Patriots in every regular season since 2012, and twice in the postseason. Then, the Texans broke through and won last season, and we all thought maybe our little baby — the Texans — were all grown up. Well, on Sunday, Reid finally had a vintage Reid game, leading the team in tackles (9), and getting his first career sack. Anthony WeaverWhen you talk about so many beleaguered players on the Texans' defense, well, numerous flummoxed players equals one wildly frustrated and emotional defensive coordinator. Somewhere, the oft-criticized (and currently on the injured reserve list with a concussion) David Johnson was watching this game, and the Texans' run blocking, saying "See?...
houstonpress.comTexans hope for strong defense in Cleveland
In Week 10, the Texans are in an odd spot. This past week, the Texans unexpectedly fired VP of Communications, Amy Palcic. That may not seem like it has to do anything with football, but it was another indication of the Texans being in bad shape behind the scenes. With how this season has gone, a win in Cleveland would be more than valuable. It’s going to be a challenge for our defense, but a challenge obviously that we’ll accept.”This Browns team can run the ball, and the Texans rank 32nd in rushing defense; a stat that is unsettling heading into Sunday.
Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other
Fans watch the Kansas City Chiefs during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.
3 points from new Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
In the offseason, the Texans promoted defensive line coach Anthony Weaver to defensive coordinator. So everything weve put in this far, theyve been able to handle, said Weaver. When it comes to focusing on their football-related tasks, Weaver is again confident his team can manage. Having been around these guys, having relationships developed already, thats been a huge advantage. The only pressure I feel is getting our guys prepared to play, Weaver said.
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans' 2020 Schedule
So, to that end, the 2020 NFL schedule was released on Thursday night to much pomp and circumstance. The Texans go from the 2018 MVP in Mahomes to the 2019 MVP in Lamar Jackson. Of the 13 starting quarterbacks on the schedule, the four best are part of the first seven games of the year. For the first time since 2011, the Texans don't have a single Monday night game on the schedule. (Hey, the 2011 team wound up being the best version of the Texans in team history, in my opinion, so there's that.)
houstonpress.comHouston Texans Housecleaning Continues, Numerous Staffers Fired
The corporate kill count for the Bill O'Brien Era regime over on Kirby Drive continues to pile up. * Chris Olsen, now former Senior VP of Football Administration was fired on the Sunday of the conference title games (excellent news dump time!). So now, onto the latest beheadings by Bill O'Brien and Executive VP of Football Development Jack Easterby, who are 100 percent co-running this show. He has been executive VP of team development. I repeat, it would be nice ifsomeone could explain just what the hell is going on over there.
houstonpress.comShakeup on Kirby: Crennel Out, Weaver In As Defensive Coordinator
John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 20, 2020Then, on Monday morning, while most of Houston was still sleeping, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that longtime assistant Romeo Crennel would be vacating the defensive coordinator spot:Shakeup in Houston: Longtime respected assistant Romeo Crennel is not expected to return as the #Texans' defensive coordinator, sources tell me and @RapSheet. DL coach Anthony Weaver a top candidate for DC. Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 20, 2020And two hours later, defensive line coach Anthony Weaver would get a big promotion:Texans promoted their defensive line coach Anthony Weaver to their defensive coordinator, per league sources. He's done solid work coaching defensive lines in Buffalo, Cleveland, and Houston, and is widely regarded as one of the bright young minds in the coaching business. That might necessitate looking at different styles of personnel, particularly along the defensive line, where maybe they skew away from the big 300 pounders Crennel liked, and go with more athletic types.
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