Phillips Believes Texans Have Talent Needed For His "D"
New coordinator Wade Phillips believes the Texans' roster has the necessary talent to make a smooth transition to his defense

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Houston, TX, Friday, January 7, 2011. When told that a lot of fans don’t think the Texans have the right players for a 3-4 defense, Wade Phillips chuckled.

“They’ve said the same thing just about everywhere I’ve gone,” he said. “I just don’t believe that based on what I’ve seen on film.

“What we do with our front seven depends on what players we have.”

Phillips, who has coached some of the greatest 3-4 players in NFL history, has watched tape of 15 Texans games and says he’s excited to get to work with his new players.

The Phillips version of the defense is closer to a 4-3 than the traditional 3-4, said the Texans’ new defensive coordinator.

The Texans have only one way to go on defense. They will add players in the draft and free agency to help improve a defense that ranked 30th in the NFL, including 32nd against the pass.

Phillips was fired by the Dallas Cowboys after a 1-7 start to the 2010 season. His one victory was a 27-13 conquest of the Texans at Reliant Stadium.

Hired to replace Frank Bush, Phillips is eager to get started on changing the Texans’ defense — a switch he says isn’t as difficult or complicated as many expect.

In a traditional three-man front, the ends are directly across from the offensive tackles. The ends are responsible for covering two gaps — one inside the tackle and the other outside the tackle.

When the ball is snapped, the ends are supposed to grab, hold, locate the ball and try to disengage from the block to make the play.

Ends Mario Williams and Antonio Smith will be excited to know that in the Phillips 3-4, they will line up farther outside and have responsibility for only one gap.

“Mario’s powerful,” Phillips said. “He can be a dominant player. I want him to get up the field. He gets good leverage. He’s strong against the run. It’s a matter of helping him, technique-wise, and putting him in position to take advantage of his talent.”

Smith played in Arizona’s 3-4 when the Cardinals lost to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

“I like Antonio,” Phillips said. “He’s been in a 3-4. He’s got quickness off the ball. He’s tough and plays hard.”

In passing situations, the 3-4 becomes a 4-3.

Williams would stay on the field and play end, probably on the opposite side from outside linebacker Connor Barwin, who would drop down and rush. Smith would move inside, as he has done with the Texans. The other tackle in a four-man front could be Amobi Okoye, someone else on the roster, or another player the team acquires.

Cody, Mitchell net praise

A 3-4 gives a defensive coordinator more opportunities to create pressure packages and mismatches and encourages the front seven to be versatile.

The nose tackle is the key player up front.

In a traditional 3-4, the nose lines up directly across from the center and is responsible for the gaps on each side of the center. For a 3-4 to work, the nose tackle must be so strong, quick and athletic that he ties up two blockers on every play.

In the Phillips 3-4, the nose tackle lines up on the center, but he’s responsible for only one gap. Which gap depends on what call is made.

From watching film, Phillips has seen two Texans linemen who can play nose in his system — Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell.

“Anybody who says the Texans don’t have the players to play on the nose is wrong,” Phillips said. “I’ve only seen them on film, but I think Cody and Mitchell can play on the nose. From what I saw, both of them had good years.

“It helps to have a good player on the nose. Everywhere I’ve gone except Buffalo — where I took Ted Washington with me — they’ve had a player on the roster we turned into a pretty good nose.”

Mike and Mo; no Meg

In a 3-4, the inside linebackers — Mike (strong side) and Mo (weak side) — make most of the tackles.

“When I was coaching with the Oilers (defensive line in 1976-80), we were going to call the weak side inside linebacker Meg, but (Gregg) Bingham didn’t like it, so we changed it to Mo,” Phillips said.

The outside linebackers can drop down and rush as ends. Those two linebackers, especially the one on the weak side, are the best pass rushers.

The Texans are loaded with linebackers. DeMeco Ryans will play inside and Barwin outside. From watching film, Phillips isn’t sure if Brian Cushing will be more effective inside or outside. Darryl Sharpton, Zac Diles, Xavier Adibi and Kevin Bentley are the other linebackers in the mix.

Staff hires come first

Phillips also wants to try some of the lighter defensive ends such as Mark Anderson and Tim Jamison at outside linebacker.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak and Phillips still have to hire coaches for the linebackers and defensive backs, which could be done as early as next week. Once the defensive staff is solidified, Phillips will turn his attention to the players.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to get going on this job,” he said. “There’s talent to work with, and I’m ready to get started.”

PHILLIPS' BEST

Wade Phillips has coached excellent players – and Hall of Famers – on several defenses where he served as an assistant or head coach. Here are some of the best:

Defensive ends: Bruce Smith (Bills), Reggie White (Eagles), Elvin Bethea (Oilers), Patrick Kerney (Falcons) and Rulon Jones (Broncos).

Nose tackles: Curley Culp (Oilers), Jay Ratliff (Cowboys), Ted Washington (Bills), Pat Williams (Bills), Jamal Williams (Chargers) and Greg Kragen (Broncos).

Outside linebackers: Robert Brazile (Oilers), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Rickey Jackson (Saints), Shawne Merriman (Chargers), Shaun Phillips (Chargers) and Simon Fletcher (Broncos).

Inside linebackers: Gregg Bingham (Oilers), Keith Brooking (Falcons, Cowboys), Chris Spielman (Bills) and Karl Mecklenburg (Broncos).

 

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