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First year Houston Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver draws influence from former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan, who was known for his exotic schemes. Similarly, Weaver wants the Texans defense to be more exotic in 2020.
Is rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard the prototype for Weaver’s new exotic schemes? The Texans’ defensive line coach since 2016 spoke with reporters on a video conference on Wednesday and stated he liked the third-round pick’s versatility.
“Jon Greenard was a guy that you could see doing a bunch of things for us, and I think position flexibility, particularly in the defense we’re trying to institute, adds a tremendous amount of value,” Weaver said. “He’s a guy that can rush off the edge, can rush inside, can drop into coverage, and when you can wear that many hats, that poses a lot of potential problems for an offense.”
According to a 2005 Baltimore Ravens playbook Power Point obtained by FootballX&O’s, Ryan’s defense liked the 3-4 defense because of its ability to create pass rush mismatches and the fact the offense has to account for seven potential immediate pass rushers. Additionally, blitzing defensive backs can be replaced by a dropping linebacker. If Greenard has the ability to cover well, then it allows Weaver to employ more blitzes from the secondary.
Coach Bill O’Brien indicated in his presser at the end of day of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 24 that Greenard has the ability to roam about in pre-snap.
Said O’Brien: “If we are in an odd front, or an event front, where could he be? Could he be standing up? Could he be walking around? I think at his core he’s an outside linebacker, but I do think he can do a lot of different things.”
If Greenard can be successful at “a lot of different things” Weaver has in store for him, then the Texans defense could rebound in 2020.
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