Texans Intend to Hire Romeo Crennel as Defensive Coordinator

[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.

[HPF Bob]

Today's defenses are harder to lump into 3-4 or 4-3. They become situational based on down and distance. I'm not sure Watt is as explosive off the edge as he is in the line but I wouldn't be surprised if he excelled. Texans might even become more 5-2 on early downs.

One of my all-time favorites was Karl Mecklenberg who just lined up all over the field and created mismatches - too quick for interior linemen, too strong for TEs and RBs to block, fast enough to stay with backs down the field or to play a zone coverage.

If we drafted Clowney, you could set up a defense where he and Watt just roam all over the defensive line and create mismatches then unleash some really good edge rushers and you'd overwhelm a lot of opposing offenses.

[Warren]

Crennel has never had a DL with more than eight sacks in a season. Of course, he's never had one like JJ. It's hard to believe he'd try to make JJ a read-and-react block eater, but who knows. To date the most dynamic DL he's worked with is Richard Seymour, who was an All-Pro under Romeo.

[popanot]

Not a big fan of Crennel. Seems like Wade II retread territory to me. I saw a tweet the other day that Crennel is still getting a hefty payout from his HC stint in KC and that there is no Offset, which means he'd lose the payout if he takes a job with another team regardless if it's HC, DC, or whatever.