The BBH/Big Hitter's Scouting Report: Houston Texans Defense

[bighitterdalama]

Houston Texans Defense

Lovie Smith is a proponent of the Tampa 2 defense, a defense he helped develop in the late '90s under Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffen. The Tampa 2 was designed to counteract the West Coast Offense, a system designed by the Bill Walsh for the 1980s Forty Niners which by the 1990s had spread throughout the NFL. Given that most (if not all) modern offenses are variations of the West Coast, the Tampa 2 remains pertinent in today's NFL. In its base, the Tampa 2 is a 4-3 read-run-first zone concept tweaked from the historical 4-3. It plays a four-man "under" front consisting of a 1/2i tech nose tackle, a 3-tech defensive tackle, and two five-tech defensive ends. The middle linebacker sets up about five yards deep, aligned with the A gap opposite the nose tackle (usually the strong side). The outside linebackers sit 1-2 yards closer to the line of scrimmage, aligned with the B gaps shaded to the strong side. The OLBs have run responsibilities for the B and C gaps. The corners play tight to the wideouts, usually shaded to the outside shoulder of the receiver in an "outside technique." The corners' run game responsibility is to turn any wide run back inside towards the middle of the field, preventing the runner from a "clean get" to the sideline. Safeties are responsible to clean up run plays all along the front, but with a specific responsibility for the D gap area between the tackle/tight end and the wideout.

As stated, the Tampa 2 is a "read-run-first" zone-style defense. Pre-snap, eleven sets of eyes look are looking into the offensive backfield. If the defense reads run, the players execute their run assignments as described above. If it reads pass, the four defensive linemen rush the passer in a predetermined pattern while the back seven drop off into a Cover 3 zone. The corners look to chuck the receivers towards the middle of the field, then drop back into a middle outside zone. The outside linebackers move outside and are expected to cover the under zones from tackle to the sidelines. The middle linebacker sprints backwards 15 yards deep, setting up in a middle zone. The safeties, already fifteen yards deep, split wider towards the outside. Together, the safeties and MLB create a Cover 3 shell. It should be noted that, given its basic simplicity, the Tampa 2 requires constant twerking in order to confuse offensive adjustments. Wrinkles in the zone coverage, particularly by the middle linebacker, are a necessity and blitz packages from every angle are a must.

With partial adjustments, Lovie Smith adheres faithfully to the principles of the Tampa 2. He averages almost exactly four (3.96) true defensive linemen/snap, divided almost equally between defensive tackles (1.85/snap) and defensive ends (2.11/snap). His defense has a middle linebacker every play and a WILL on most every down. Given the modern defensive needs to play sub packages, the SAM backer spot is filled less than 40% of the snaps. The Texans average 2.64 defensive backs/snap; the extra back is almost exclusively a slot corner. Depending on the offensive formation, this 3rd DB will often align in the WILL position, with the true WILL moving to over to the strong side. The Texans rarely play more than two safeties/snap, averaging just 2.01 safeties per play. Lovie does like to blitz: on 267 pass plays, the Texans have sent an extra player 74 times, an average of 27.7% blitzes/pass play. These blitzes come from every angle. Cornerbacks have blitzed 12 times (4.5%), with Desmond King leading with 10; safeties 7 times (2.6%), all by Jalen Pitre; inside linebackers 33 times (12.4%), almost exclusively by Christian Kirksey (31); and OLBs 22 times, led by Blake Cashman with 13. And the Texans blitzes are true blitzes of five or more players: defensive linemen have dropped back into coverage only seven times total.

An overall lack of talent has cost the Texan defense all year. To date, they rank 30th in yardage (398.1 Y/G) and 19th in points (22.9 PPG). The Texans run defense has been brutal: they have allowed 180.6 rushing yards/game, dead last in the NFL. They have the 5th most carries against (265) while allowing 5.5 yards/carry, 30th overall. The Texans allow 217.5 passing yards/game, 19th overall. This middling rank likely has less to do with good pass defense than it does with the opponents' preference to run on the Texans' porous run defense. To date, the opposition has completed just 154 passes on 248 attempts, both third least in the NFL. The completion percentage against, 62.1%, is 10th best overall. The Texans have given up 7 touchdown passes and have 7 interceptions. The Texans have 19 sacks (T17) for minus 102 yards (T24). Overall, the Texans' defense has allowed 179 first downs (23rd), with a third down conversion rate of 41.2% (19) and a fourth down conversion rate 55% (23). The Texans' have committed 53 defensive penalties (17) for 440 penalty yards (T22).

Defensive Line

Former Cowboys third-round pick Maliek Collins is, at least depth chart-wise, the Texans' starting nose tackle. The 27-year-old Collins suffered a chest injury in the Week 7 loss to the Raiders and has not played since. On the year, in 229 snaps, Collins has 12 tackles (6 solo), 1 pass defended, and 3 QB hits. His PFF grades are 52.3 against the run and 75.4 in pass rush, yielding an overall score of 62.3 , ranking him 46 out of 116 qualifying defensive tackles. Collins has been listed as "limited" in practice this week and is questionable for Sunday. Following Collins injury, the Texans signed NT Jaleel Johnson off the Falcons' practice squad. In two games/69 snaps, Johnson has 4 tackles (3 solo), 1.0 sacks, 1 QB hit, and one fumble recovery. He grades an awful 28.5 in run defense, 62.9 for pass rush, and 30.2 overall. DT Roy Lopez, a second year former sixth round pick from Arizona, has played 267 snaps. To-date he has 13 tackles (7 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 3 QB hits. His PFF grades are 59.0 (run)/54.3 (pass rush)/60.0 (coverage)/56.5 (overall), ranking #69 out of 116. DT Kurt Hinish is a rookie UDFA from Notre Dame. In 218 snaps, he has 10 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 1 QB hit. Hinish ranks #88/116. Backup nose tackle Thomas Booker is a fifth-round rookie from Stanford. In 127 snaps, Booker has 9 tackles (6 solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1 QB hit. He grades 35.1 (run)/53.0 (pass rush)/64.2 (coverage)/37.0 (overall). Second-year DT Michael Dwumfour, a 2021 UDFA from Rutgers, was placed on the IR back in October for reasons undisclosed. In four games/112 snaps, Dwumfour had 2 solo tackles and 1 QB hit. His PFF scores were a terrible 28.5 run defense, 55.6 pass rush, and 31.0 overall.

Veteran defensive end Jerry Hughs remains a terrific player. Now 34-years-of-age, the 2010 first-round pick from TCU has played 337 out of a possible 551 defensive snaps. To date he has 19 tackles (13 solo), 7 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 1 PD, 1 interception, 7 QB hits, and 1 forced fumble. He grades 63.9 in run defense, 70.2 for pass rush, 68.2 coverage, and 76.3 overall, ranking him #27 out of 110 qualifying defensive ends. Rasheem Green, a 2018 third-round pick from USC, starts opposite Hughs. With 277 snaps, Green has 22 tackles (16 solo), 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 PDs, and 6 QB hits. His PFF grades are 56.2 (run)/59.1 (pass rush)/60.0 (coverage)/59.5 (overall), ranking him 78/110. The #1 backup DE, Ogbonna Okoronkwo, is an all-around solid player. A 2018 fifth-round pick from Oklahoma, Okoronkwo, in 190 defensive snaps, has 12 tackles (8 solo) and 3 QB hits. He grades a very good 73.6 in run defense, 65.4 in pass rush, 60.0 coverage, and 72.7 overall, ranking 36/110. Backup DE Jonathan Greenard was placed on the IR back on October 22 due to a calf injury. Prior to that, Greenard, who was also hobbled by an ankle injury, had played in four games with 178 snaps. Greenard's season totals are 9 tackles (6 solo), 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 3 QB hits. He graded 64.9 (run)/57.7 (pass rush)/60.0 (coverage)/60.9 (overall), ranking 70/110. 35-year-old DE Mario Addison, who began the season on the IR, was cleared and reinstated to the active roster on October 08. In 119 snaps, he has three tackles (2 solo), posting PFF grades of 53.1/53.9/64.1/55.8. Backup DE Demone Harris, a 2018 UDFA from the U of Buffalo, was recently released, then re-signed to the practice squad. In 62 snaps over three games, Harris has 4 solo tackles, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit, grading 52.0/56.4/60.0/49.5.

Linebackers

30-year-old Christian Kirksey is Texans' middle linebacker. A 2014 third-round pick of the Browns, the undersized Kirksey, never better than average, has lost a step the past few years. In fact, on three separate occasions this season, Lovie Smith has pulled Kirksey for a series or two in favor of a younger player. That said, Kirksey is an experienced and savvy veteran who knows how to quarterback the defense. Kirksey has played a total of 521 out of a possible 551 snaps. Kirskey blitzes quite a bit; to date, he has 31 pass rushes. Look for him to come on several A gap blitzes against the Giants. To date, he has 57 tackles (36 solo), 3 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 2 PDs, 1 interception, 3 QB hits, and 1 fumble recovery. Kirksey's PFF grades are 54.7 (run)/58.8 (coverage)/65.3 (pass rush)/57.8 (overall), ranking 52/80.

Neither of the Week 1 starting outside linebackers remain on the active roster. Former Patriot Kamu Grugier-Hill started the first six games at WILL. Over 363 snaps, Grugier-Hill recorded 40 tackles (30 solo), with 1 TFL and 1 PD. Overall, Grugier-Hill's play was terrible, receiving PFF grades of 28.2 in run defense, 42.1 coverage, 61.6 pass rush, and 30.0 overall, grading #79 out of 80 qualifying outside linebackers. Following the Week 7 loss to the Raiders, the Texans, having witnessed enough, released Grugier-Hill. He has since been signed by Arizona. Lovie replaced Grugier-Hill as starter with Christian Harris, a rookie third-round pick from Alabama. If anything, Harris has been worse. In 153 defensive snaps, Harris has 13 tackles (11 solo), with 1 TFL and 1 PD. He grades 26.2 in run defense, 30.1 in coverage, 54.2 in pass rush, and 26.2 overall. Kevin Pierre-Louis was the opening day SAM backer. Pierre-Louis was injured in the Week 2 loss to Denver and was subsequently placed on the IR. In 42 snaps, Pierre Lewis had 4 tackles (1 solo) and 1 PD, grading 29.5 (run)/68.5 (coverage)/68.0 (pass rush)/45.8 (overall). His replacement as starter is second-year player Garret Wallow, a 2021 fifth-round pick from TCU. In 118 snaps, Wallow has 13 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PD. He grades 31.8 (run)/64.1 (coverage)/56.4 (pass rush)/43.2 (overall).

Several other players have had defensive snaps at linebacker. Blake Cashman, a 2019 fifth-round pick from Minnesota, is a bit of a third-down specialist. Although he has played in seven games, Cashman has taken only 51 total snaps. To date, he has 8 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. Cashman grades 56.8 (run)/75.9 (coverage)/60.8 (pass rush)/68.0 (overall). Cashman leads all outside linebackers with 13 blitz rushes. 2015 UDFA Neville Hewitt has 22 total snaps, all of which were subbing at MAC for Christian Kirksey. Hewitt, who has 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 QB hit, has a a run-stuffing grade of 78.5 and an overall of 67,2. He is listed as OUT for Sunday with a hamstring injury. Jaylen Reeves-Maybin, a 2017 fourth-round pick from Tennessee, has 36 snaps. Normally an outside linebacker, Reeves-Maybin did sub in at MAC last week against the Eagles. In fact, Lovie pulled both Christian Kirksey and Christian Harris for eight plays in favor of Reeves-Maybin and Jake Hansen. On the year, Reeves Maybin has 6 tackles (2 solo) and 1 fumble recovery. He grades 36.1/57.1/56.5/42.3. Hansen, a rookie UDFA from Illinois, has played only 11 defensive snaps. He has three solo tackles and an overall grade of 48.8.

Cornerbacks

29-year-old left corner Steve Nelson is having a fine season. The 2015 third-round pick from Oregon State has played 547 out of 551 possible snaps. To date, Nelson has 36 tackles (28 solo), 1 TFL, 5 PD, 1 interception, 1 QB hit, and 1 forced fumble. Nelson grades 79.4 in coverage, 29.8 in run support, 91.1 in limited pass rush, and 70.1 overall, ranking #32 out of 114 qualifying corners. Rookie right corner Derek Stingley has been, to date, a disappointment. Much was expected of Stingley, the LSU alum who was the #3 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Critics have complained that Lovie Smith's "dated" Tampa 2 defense does not take full advantage of Stingley's attributes. No matter, Stingley should be playing better. Stingley, who had injury concerns going back to his college days, has been very durable, playing 538 out a possible 551 defensive snaps. He currently has 41 tackles (33 solo), 1.0 sacks, 5 PD, and 1 interception. His grades are not good: 49.1 coverage, 46.1 run defense, 63.6 pass rush, and 49.0 overall, ranking him 99th out of 114 corners. As much as Stingley has been underwhelming, slot corner Desmond King has been excellent. The 2017 fifth-round pick from Iowa has played 355 snaps (64%). King has 37 tackles (30 solo), 5 TFL, 7 PD, 1 interception, and 1 QB hit. He grades 75.4 coverage, 73.8 run support, 73.1 pass rush, 77.6 overall, ranking 13th of 114. Isaac Yiadom, the former Giant, is the only other corner to get any playing time, with just 2 total defensive snaps.

Safeties

Strong safety Jonathan Owens is a solid, durable, if middling, talent. The 27-year-old Owens, a 2018 UDFA from West Missouri State, has played 496 out a possible 551 defensive snaps. To date, Owens has 68 tackles (48 solo) and has 2 PD. Owens grades 58.7 coverage, 57.9 run support, and 59.0 overall, ranking 61 out of 84 qualifying safeties. Rookie safety Jalen Pitre, a second-round pick from Baylor, has played 524 defensive snaps. Thrown directly into the fire at free safety, he has shown flashes, but overall his play has been a struggle. To date, he has 57 tackles (36 solo), 5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 2 PD, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Pitre grades 43.9 in coverage, 40.0 in run support, 71.2 in pass rush, and 39.9 overall, ranking him 82nd out of a possible 84 safeties. Two other players have taken snaps at safety. Strong Safety MJ Stewart, a 2018 second-round pick from North Carolina, has played 33 snaps. He has 16 tackles (10 solo) and 1 forced fumble. He grades 55.7 coverage, 76.0 run support, and 69.8 overall. Free Safety Eric Murray, a 2016 fourth-round pick from Minnesota, has played 53 snaps. Murray has 14 tackles (10 solo), with PFF grades of 65.0 coverage, 61.8 run support, 65.9 pass rush, and 67.3 overall.

Specialty Teams

The kickoff return man is Tremon Smith. A special teams ace, the 2018 sixth-round pick from Central Arkansas has 9 kickoff returns for 187 yards, 20.8 yards/return, with a long of 25 yards. Starting slot corner Desmond King serves duty as the punt returner. Year-to-date, he has returned 9 punts for 73 yards, 7.3 yards/return, with a long of 31 yards, and 11 fair catches. 28-year-old Ka'imi Fairburn is in his sixth year as the Texans' place kicker. To date, he has made 14/16 field goals, including 3/3 on kicks of 50+ yards, and 13/13 extra points. 30-year-old Cameron Johnson is the punter. Year-to-date he has 39 punts, with a gross average of 49.1 yards, a net average of 42.7, with 19 punts inside the 20, 10 fair catches, and an average return of 8.9 yards.

[Ed Vette]

Set up the play action with a strong run attack and utilize Hudson in the passing game. One of those Cover 2 Safeties or the Mike will need to cover him when they pull the Sam in nickel. Should open up opportunities for one of the three Receivers.

Good intel, Brian!

[Ed Vette]

I don't expect today to be the day for seeing deeper completions, do you Brian?

[DaveBrown74]

Set up the play action with a strong run attack and utilize Hudson in the passing game. One of those Cover 2 Safeties or the Mike will need to cover him when they pull the Sam in nickel. Should open up opportunities for one of the three Receivers.

Good intel, Brian!

This.

Everyone is expecting the Giants to run, but against this D they should be able to even when they successfully read run. This is where play action and QB keeper type plays can come in. I felt like in the Seattle game, everyone was expecting the Giants to run heavily, so they tried to go with the pass early, and it didn't work out. I doubt they'll do that again (though anything is possible). Maybe start with a play fake on the first play of the game?

[bighitterdalama]

I don't expect today to be the day for seeing deeper completions, do you Brian?

Hi Ed! Nah, I wouldn't expect many deep balls. The Giants simply don't have the receivers available to install a vertical pass game. Slayton perhaps, but his hands are always in question. You did mention involving TE Tanner Hudson in the passing game. Perhaps, but I would be more confident if it were Daniel Bellinger. The bubble in the Tampa 2 zone is the short middle, the area abandoned when the MAC drops into a deep middle zone. The OLB has short zone responsibility from the tackle to the sideline. He does have inside leverage on the TE, but he must also watch for the back coming out of the backfield on either a flair pattern or wheel route. If the back runs such a route, the OLB will have to release the TE into the vacated under zone, forcing the MAC into a "roll up" coverage of the TE slant route.

Keep in mind also that, of the Texans 19 sacks, 12 have come from the defensive ends, led by the still terrific Phil Hughs with 7.0 sacks. Pass pro to the right side will likely often require the TE to stay into block or at least chip the LDE. Such a chip can slow down the TE on the quick slant, although this pattern should nonetheless remain a viable option.

Dave, I found the early play calling against Seattle more than a bit confusing. On the Giants first three possessions, all three-and-outs, the Giants passed eight times and ran only once. The Giants entered the game #2 in the league in rushing; Seattle's run defense was #30. This game, just run the ball right at the Texans. No need for deception. Houston's run defense is appalling, giving up 190 yards/game. The starting linebackers, Kirksey, Harris and Wallow, have PFF run grades of 54.7, 26.2, and 31.8, with the primary backup, Reeves-Maybin, at 36.1. That translates into letter grades of C minus, F double minus, F minus, and F. Plus their best defensive tackle, Maliek Collins, has missed the past two games with a chest injury and is likely out for Sunday. Run the ball successfully and holes will open up in the secondary for the Giants underwhelming receiving corps.