Texans Intend to Hire Romeo Crennel as Defensive Coordinator

[Keith]

Crennel has favored a 2-gap 3-4 system, which is somewhat different from the more aggressive 1-gap 3-4 style Wade Phillips used. With a 2-gap 3-4, there is more read-and-react which is more like the Capers front than the Phillips one.

Hiring Crennel would cast the discussion of drafting Jadaveon Clowney in a bit different light... Clowney, like Mario Williams, can play and probably excel in any defensive scheme (as Bill O'Brien stated, the game is mostly played in nickel and dime now anyway), but I think Clowney is best suited for a 4-3.

[barrett]

I hope I never see Watt with 2 gap responsibility.

[HPF Bob]

I like this hire. Romeo has the HC experience to help O'Brien though the rough spots and, like Wade, I think he's a more capable DC than a HC.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Keith

Crennel has favored a 2-gap 3-4 system, which is somewhat different from the more aggressive 1-gap 3-4 style Wade Phillips used. With a 2-gap 3-4, there is more read-and-react which is more like the Capers front than the Phillips one.

Hiring Crennel would cast the discussion of drafting Jadaveon Clowney in a bit different light... Clowney, like Mario Williams, can play and probably excel in any defensive scheme (as Bill O'Brien stated, the game is mostly played in nickel and dime now anyway), but I think Clowney is best suited for a 4-3.

Going with the more traditional 2-gap 3-4 puts your best defensive player (JJ Watt) at a disadvantage and fails to exploit the opportunity of using him at his natural postion as strong-side 4-3 DE and also drafting the best DE coming out of colleg since atleast Julius Peppers as the weakside 4-3 DE. If this is true, then O'Briens first significant decision does not represent an auspicious start to his regime.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Going with the more traditional 2-gap 3-4 puts your best defensive player (JJ Watt) at a disadvantage and fails to exploit the opportunity of using him at his natural postion as strong-side 4-3 DE and also drafting the best DE coming out of colleg since atleast Julius Peppers as the weakside 4-3 DE. If this is true, then O'Briens first significant decision does not represent an auspicious start to his regime.

How do you figure Watt's natural position is a position he has never played in the NFL rather than the position he has been DPOY playing?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

How do you figure Watt's natural position is a position he has never played in the NFL rather than the position he has been DPOY playing?

C'mon Barrett, you know as well as I do that whatever Wade's alignment was called, Watt was operating as a 1-gapper in the Phillip's defense which was probably much more like a 4-3 as we know it than what he would be doing in an old clunker 2-gap 3-4 that Crennel reportedly uses.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

C'mon Barrett, you know as well as I do that whatever Wade's alignment was called, Watt was operating as a 1-gapper in the Phillip's defense which was probably much more like a 4-3 as we know it than what he would be doing in an old clunker 2-gap 3-4 that Crennel reportedly uses.

I know he was in a 1 gap system, that is why I posted above that I hope I never watch him with 2 gap responsibility. However, lining up at 34 DE in a 1 gap system is a long way off from playing 43 DE. Watt is way more dangerous inside and does most of his damage abusing guards. Very few of his sacks came from beating a Tackle to the outside. I think it is far more likely that he would be an upfield DT in the 43 (think Henry Melton) than a DE holding the edge against the run and trying to beat Tackles outside.

But the truth is I am guessing about his likely 43 position as much as you are. Any proclamation that a 43 position is his natural position is total make believe.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

But the truth is I am guessing about his likely 43 position as much as you are. Any proclamation that a 43 position is his natural position is total make believe.

Not so, it's perceptive, perhaps even visionary.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Not so, it's perceptive, perhaps even visionary.

Do you think Watt makes more plays inside or outside?

You don't want a 43 DE who is constantly jumping/crashing inside. It ruins contain against both pass and run. 43 DEs don't shoot gaps. JJ Watt does shoot gaps. I am sure he could be very effective as a 43 DE (he could probably play any postion, he's a freak), but he is at his best inside against the guard. You don't need to be a visionary to see that, just watch him play.