Houston Texans: 15 Guys That Make the Defense Stellar

It is no secret that the Houston Texans have made drastic improvements on the defensive side of the ball from 2010 to 2011. 

It all started with the hiring of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips who installed a 3-4 defense.

There were definitely skeptics that questioned the move when Phillips asked Mario Williams, a Pro Bowl defensive end, to move to outside linebacker.

The move was a perfect fit but ended when Williams was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

When Williams went down, it was hard to believe that the Texans would have success on the defensive side of the ball, but they have not missed a beat.

And dare I say, they have made people somewhat forget about Williams.

The Texans have no superstars on defense, just talented guys with a passion for winning and determination to lead their team. 

But who are these guys?

Shaun Cody: Defensive Tackle

6’4” 300 lbs

Experience: 7 years

College: USC

Cody has flown under the radar a bit in 2011, but has still amassed 22 tackles and one sack from the defensive tackle position.  Cody is a perfect example of a guy that doesn’t care about stats, as long as the team is successful.  He has taken on double teams and drawn enough attention from opposing offenses to allow the guys around him to excel. 

Antonio Smith: Defensive End

6’4” 280lbs

Experience: 8 years

College: Oklahoma State

Smith has had an incredible year with 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.  Like Cody, he has sacrificed stats a bit as he has caused opposing offenses to use multiple guys to block him.  He has opened the door for J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed to succeed with single blocking.

J.J. Watt: Defensive End

6’5” 288 lbs

Experience: Rookie

College: Wisconsin

Drawing single blocking, Watt has made a bid for Defensive Rookie of the Year, compiling 50 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in his rookie campaign.  Watt is a high-motor guy that makes offensive linemen work their hardest on every single play.  He never takes a play off and has the instincts that keep him around the ball.  His numbers will only improve when Mario Williams is back on field.

Brooks Reed: Outside Linebacker

6’2” 250 lbs

Experience: Rookie

College: Arizona

Another rookie playing at a veteran level is outside linebacker Brooks Reed.  Reed has stepped in and played a huge role with the injury to Mario Williams.  He has 35 tackles, six sacks and a fumble recovery since becoming a starter in Week 6.  Reed is another high-motor guy that brings 100 percent to every play.

Connor Barwin: Outside Linebacker

6’4” 264 lbs

Experience: 3 years

College: Cincinnati

Barwin has definitely made an impact on this defense since the injury to Mario Williams.  After sitting all of 2010 due to a leg injury, Barwin has come back with a renewed fire and passion, racking up 43 tackles, 10.5 sacks and seven passes defensed in 2011.  A four-sack week against the Jacksonville Jaguars earned him Defensive Player of the Month honors for the month of November.

Demeco Ryans: Inside Linebacker

6’1” 247 lbs

Experience: 6 years

College: Alabama

A relatively quiet year by his standards, Ryans has 55 tackles and a forced fumble.  A consistent 100-tackle per year player, he has given up the dominant stats to fit into the new 3-4 defense in Houston.  Ryans is a key factor in the middle of the defense.

Brian Cushing: Inside Linebacker

6’3” 248 lbs

Experience: 3 years

College: USC

Cushing is just one of those guys that has a nose for the football and a motor that never stops.  Consistently around the ball, Cushing has racked up 98 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in 2011.  He has been the leader of the defense and plays with passion on every play.

Kareem Jackson: Cornerback

5’10” 188 lbs

Experience: 2 years

College: Alabama

Jackson is a Nick Saban defensive back, so there is no doubt that one day he will become a dominant NFL cornerback.  2011 has been a good year for Jackson compared to 2010, when he was targeted consistently by opposing quarterbacks.  He has 35 tackles and one interception in 2011 and is showing huge signs of improvement and development in large part because of the dominant pass rush that the Texans now have.

Jonathan Joseph: Cornerback

Experience: 6 years

College: South Carolina

Coming from the Cincinnati Bengals, Joseph has made an immediate impact with the Texans totaling 41 tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble.  More than the numbers, Joseph is helping the Texans by mentoring the younger corners like Kareem Jackson and Glover Quin.

Glover Quin: Strong Safety

6’0” 209lbs

Experience: 3

College: New Mexico

Coming from a small college where he didn’t face elite competition consistently, Quin had some learning to do in the NFL.  He was part of the laughable Texans secondary of 2010 but has shown flashes of greatness that has fans hoping he will develop into a solid safety.  The move from cornerback to safety has been a success as he has 68 tackles and a fumble recovery in 2011.

Danieal Manning: Free Safety

5’11” 209 lbs

Experience: 6 years

College: Abilene Christian

Manning has made a big impact on the Texans' defense as a veteran presence in the locker room and on the field.  He is the leader of the secondary and a mentor to the young, developing talent.  Manning missed three games due to injury, but in his 11 games he has 51 tackles and two interceptions.

Brice McCain: Cornerback

5’9” 181 lbs

Experience: 3 years

College: Utah

McCain, though not a starter, has made his mark on this 2011 Texans defense.  He has 19 tackles and two interceptions in his limited playing time.  McCain is an excellent nickel option at cornerback and has a bright future in the NFL.

Jason Allen: Cornerback

6’1” 205 lbs

Experience: 6 years

College: Tennessee

Allen, like McCain, has made an impact in limited playing time.  He has only started three games but still has 40 tackles and four interceptions.  Having depth in the secondary, especially of this caliber, has made the Texans defense the best in the NFL.

Tim Jamison: Defensive End

6’3” 285 lbs

Experience: 3 years

College: Michigan

A guy that has quietly come in and made an impact, Jamison has 15 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his reserve role.   He is a nightmare for offensive tackles as they have to face him while J.J. Watts or Antonio Smith takes a breather.  Fresh legs at the defensive end spot are a killer for opposing passing games.

Wade Phillips: Defensive Coordinator

Phillips has undoubtedly been the biggest pickup for the Texans in 2011.  His 3-4 defense has been fully embraced by the players and the organization and is the single biggest reason for the success of the Texans in 2011. 

Phillips has instilled an aggressive mentality into his players and they are playing like their hair is on fire.  Hopefully the Texans can hold onto him because he will definitely be at the top of many teams’ candidate list for head coaching vacancies.