Texans Intend to Hire Romeo Crennel as Defensive Coordinator

[Warren]

O'Brien may also not have considered Wade to be a good fit from a philosophical standpoint. The Patriots have a reputation for being no-nonsense, riding their players hard and casting them aside when they've outlived their usefulness, putting a premium on smarts and versatility, etc. Wade, on the other hand, likes a looser atmosphere and strives to keep it simple for the players.

I do think Wade's age worked against him on the job market, especially since he had to miss time in 2012 for gall bladder surgery. There's definitely worse out there and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him brought in again by some head coach on the hot seat who needs his defense turned around.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Warren

O'Brien may also not have considered Wade to be a good fit from a philosophical standpoint.

I certainly get it about coachs wanting to hire assistant coachs they know or have had a relationship with, or atleast come recommended by others they know or have worked with. And there's a certain amount of the old "to the victor belong the spoils" thing present here.
Now practically speaking I don't think RC will do any better with the defense this year than Wade would have done, except perhaps if there's better communications between BOB and his DC because of familiarity, which certainly is important. As far as coaching styles go, I think we are gonna find that Crennel is basically pretty easygoing, a laid-back type much like Wade, and not the intense type at all. But with 2-14, it's certainly understandable that a totally clean slate would be one result of such a season.

[barrett]

Vic Fangio and Dom Capers were both playoff DCs this year. It is more about talent and players fitting the scheme than anything else. Wade did a great job here overall. When we were healthy and talented he looked great. When we were hurt and lacked talent he looked bad. I would bet the same is true of most guys.

Crenell may be a read and react guy, but he is also from the Patriots tree, and nobody is more multiple and flexible in their defensive fronts than the Patriots. My guess is there are 32 DCs in the NFL smart enough to turn loose JJ Watt, and none stupid enough to ask him to watch 2 gaps and eat blocks. Hopefully I am not proven wrong on that.

I am far more interested/concerned with what Romeo does to give us an edge rush. I have had enough of Brooks Reed running into the tackle 60 snaps every Sunday to set up the two snaps where he uses the league's worst spin move.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

Vic Fangio and Dom Capers were both playoff DCs this year. It is more about talent and players fitting the scheme than anything else. Wade did a great job here overall. When we were healthy and talented he looked great. When we were hurt and lacked talent he looked bad. I would bet the same is true of most guys.

Crenell may be a read and react guy, but he is also from the Patriots tree, and nobody is more multiple and flexible in their defensive fronts than the Patriots. My guess is there are 32 DCs in the NFL smart enough to turn loose JJ Watt, and none stupid enough to ask him to watch 2 gaps and eat blocks. Hopefully I am not proven wrong on that.

I am far more interested/concerned with what Romeo does to give us an edge rush. I have had enough of Brooks Reed running into the tackle 60 snaps every Sunday to set up the two snaps where he uses the league's worst spin move.

I would expect Vrable to be very helpful in that area.

[Warren]

Pepper Johnson has left the Patriots and the speculation is that he may be joining the Texans as ILB coach. If true, the team may have more quality LB depth on its coaching staff than on its roster.

[painekiller]

that would be a good hire.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Warren

Pepper Johnson has left the Patriots and the speculation is that he may be joining the Texans as ILB coach. If true, the team may have more quality LB depth on its coaching staff than on its roster.

We've already got Vrable which seems like a great hire to me, so why do we need multiple LB coachs ? Too many chiefs maybe ?

[Warren]

Some 3-4 teams have an OLB coach and an ILB coach.