Tag: Garret Wallow

Texans LB Garret Wallow explains how to get through a 2-10 season

The Houston Texans have had a rough 2021 with a 2-10 record with five games to go. Rookie LB Garret Wallow explains how to get through it all.

The Houston Texans have had a horrendous season.

At 2-10, the Texans haven’t just lost games, but have had issues throughout the week. The defense has had four instances of players being disciplined and missing game time as punishment. The Texans have also parted ways with key veterans such as running back Mark Ingram, defensive end Whitney Mercilus, and linebacker Zach Cunningham.

For rookie linebacker Garret Wallow, 2-10 is all he knows as a professional. However, the fifth-round pick from TCU knows how to manage the mostly downs of an NFL season.

“Patience-wise, just coming every day and having that attitude and that grit to just keep going forward and keep getting better,” said Wallow. “I think for anybody coming in their first year, the main focus is they want to put their best foot forward each and every time they’re out there. But you also have to learn how to walk before you can run, that’s kind of that mindset.”

Wallow has been active for every game this season. Although he has only seen 33 snaps on defense, the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker from New Orleans has played 203 snaps on special teams.

The 22-year-old has taken the opportunity throughout the week to pick the brain of the older players.

Said Wallow: “Just being patient and learning from the older guys, learning from the coaches. Just finding ways to become better as a player and a student of the game, and it’s a process. It’s been nothing but, like I said, a blessing to just keep elevating, keep going forward and keep preparing the way that I’ve been.”

Wallow will get another chance to add to his experience and help the Texans get their elusive third win of the season against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.

Texans vs. Bills Thursday injury report: 2 more players added to non-participation list

The Houston Texans added two more players to their injury report ahead of their Week 4 encounter with the Buffalo Bills.

The Houston Texans had two more players who did not participate according to Thursday’s injury report.

As the Texans gear up to play the Buffalo Bills Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Highmark Stadium, Houston had to add defensive tackle Ross Blacklock (illness) and linebacker Garret Wallow (illness) to the list.

Houston already has quarterback Deshaun Watson (not injury related), receiver Danny Amendola (thigh), and running back Scottie Phillips (illness) among the non-participants.

Cornerback Terrance Mitchell (concussion/illness) was a limited participant in practice alongside safety Justin Reid (knee).

Center Justin Britt (thigh) and linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee) were upgraded to full participants.

For more information on Buffalo’s injury report, check out the Bills Wire.

See the best and worst Texans rookie of the preseason per Pro Football Focus

Pro Football Focus evaluated the Houston Texans’ rookie class throughout preseason. See who was the best and the worst according to their grades.

The three-game preseason gave the Houston Texans a chance to evaluate their rookie class and determine how they would perform when the games counted.

Pro Football Focus also evaluated the Texans’ rookies, and Michael Renner shared his grades for the best and the worst of Houston’s rookie class.

Third-round quarterback Davis Mills was the worst with a 45.5 grade.

Fifth-round linebacker Garrett Wallow was the best Texans rookie with a 71.4 grade.

There’s not too much to write home about for the Texans’ minuscule draft class. Wallow racked up three stops on 58 snaps but didn’t play a single snap in the first half of any preseason game. Mills was in quicksand against Tampa Bay and didn’t look close to ready to start, finishing the preseason with five turnover-worthy plays and no big-time throws.

On Aug. 11, before the Texans’ first preseason game with the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 14, Wallow told reporters that the mental aspect of the game is what he was adjusting to.

“It’s a challenge but you like that challenge,” Wallow said. “You start to really feed into that challenge and you see yourself growing day-to-day. Like I say, a bunch of the old guys have led me along the way and made that quite a bit easier for me.”

Wallow could see more time throughout the regular season while the Texans are hoping to let Mills sit before getting any substantial action.

Texans rookie LB Garret Wallow adjusting to the mental side of the NFL

Houston Texans rookie linebacker Garret Wallow says the mental side of the NFL is what he is getting used to.

Going from college football to the NFL, one would expect the physical side of the game to be the biggest adjustment.

However, for Houston Texans rookie fifth-round linebacker Garret Wallow, the biggest adjustment he has had to make through two weeks of training camp is to the mental side of the game.

“It’s a challenge but you like that challenge,” Wallow said. “You start to really feed into that challenge and you see yourself growing day-to-day. Like I say, a bunch of the old guys have led me along the way and made that quite a bit easier for me.”

Wallow has some “old guys” to lean on in Christian Kirksey, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Zach Cunningham, who led the NFL in tackles last season. The Texans’ linebackers figure to play a key part in the 2021 defense as Houston has gone to a Tampa 2 with new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith.

“Coach Lovie, he has a plan for us linebackers, definitely a real defensive guy,” said Wallow. “Coming in here with him, it’s been a bless and I’ve learned a lot from him. He has a lot of experience and there’s a reason why I’ve grown exponentially too, as well. I’ve got high praise for Coach Lovie.”

The former TCU Horned Frog will get his chance to make more progress with the mental aspect of pro football as Houston faces the Green Bay Packers Saturday night at Lambeau Field.

“I’m ready to come out here and put my best foot forward with the team and work as hard as I can with the team,” Wallow said.

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Texans LB coach Miles Smith praises Garret Wallow’s intelligence

Houston Texan linebackers coach Miles Smith has gotten to see Garret Wallow up close, and one of his biggest strengths is his intelligence.

The Houston Texans liked what they saw in linebacker Garret Wallow leading up to the 2021 NFL draft.

The Texans selected the former TCU Horned Frog with the 170th overall pick in Round 5. Houston linebackers coach Miles Smith interviewed Wallow ahead of the draft, and knew that he would be able to work with Wallow’s 6-2, 230-pound athleticism.

However, there was another aspect of Wallow’s game that impressed Smith.

“What stood out the most for him was just his intelligence,” Smith told reporters on a Zoom call on June 8. “Playing linebacker in our system, yeah, you’ve got to be a great athlete. I think everybody kind of knows that, but the second trait that we look for is just raw intelligence. Can somebody think on the fly? Can somebody, when they get a little rattled, are they still able to stay composed? He was able to do that.”

The Texans have a linebacker on the cusp of his first Pro Bowl in Zach Cunningham, who led the NFL with 164 combined tackles last season. With the Texans’ new Tampa 2 scheme emphasizing the playmaking ability of linebackers, Cunningham will get his chances.

So will Wallow, who has been learning all three of the linebacker positions in the new defense.

Said Smith: “Our linebackers are essentially interchangeable. Because of that, they need to be able to learn all three of the linebacking positions and you’ve got to be able to think to do that. I think he has grown exponentially since he’s been here so far because he has been able to rely on that great attribute that he has, his intelligence; very excited about his future.”

Wallow earned first-team All-Big 12 last season at TCU. If the River Ridge (La.) John Curtis High School product can find a way to build on that in his rookie season at a new level, the Texans’ defense may be in for a quick turnaround.

Houston Texans 2021 player profile: LB Garret Wallow

Houston Texans rookie linebacker Garret Wallow brings leadership and youth to the linebacking corps.

The Houston Texans drafted Garret Wallow in the fifth round (No. 170 overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Here is a player preview of the 22-year-old linebacker from Texas Christian University.

Position: Linebacker

Age: 22

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230 pounds

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

High School: John Curtis Christian (Ridge, LA)

College: TCU

Draft: 2021, Round 5, No. 170 overall

Acquired: 2021 NFL draft

College Stats:

Profile:

 

Breaking down Texans rookie LB Garret Wallow’s contract

The Houston Texans signed fifth-round pick Garret Wallow to a four-year contract. Here are the details of the contract.

The Houston Texans keep adding members of their draft class to their payroll.

The Texans signed fifth-round linebacker Garret Wallow from TCU on Saturday.

According to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790, Wallow’s four-year contract is worth $3.775 million with a $295,884 signing bonus.

Wallow, who played from 2017-20 for the Horned Frogs under coach Gary Patterson, collected 90 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles in his final season at TCU.

General manager Nick Caserio told reporters on May 1 after the conclusion of the 2021 NFL draft that they selected Wallow for his flexibility as a 6-2, 230-pound linebacker along with his attitude.

“Wallow played, I would say, for a good defensive coach in Coach Patterson,” said Caserio. “They’ve been known for defense for a long time, and the way they’re constructed defensively, specifically to Garret — now, he was in the box a little bit, he played detached from the formation. Instinctive player, runs well, can close space, is a decent tackler, A-plus football makeup and character, which that’s important to what we’re trying to do.”

Wallow intends to be coachable throughout his rookie season as he seeks as much playing time as he can get.

“Just be flexible,” Wallow said. “Be able to play whatever coach needs me to play. Trust that whatever he has in mind is best for the team. Like I said, just be flexible and be good in whatever area that is.”

Texans rookie LB Garret Wallow says he views DT Ross Blacklock as a mentor

Houston rookie linebacker Garret Wallow says that second-year defensive tackle Ross Blacklock is someone he looks up to on the team.

Houston Texans rookie linebacker Garret Wallow already has someone on the team that he looks up to.

The fifth-round pick from TCU follows the lead of second-year defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, who also played at TCU, and was selected by the Texans in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL draft.

“Me and Ross had actually been talking way before I got drafted,” Wallow told reporters on a Zoom call on May 15 during Texans rookie minicamp. “It wasn’t about the Texans, it was just about the mentality that you have to come into the NFL, how different it is. There are a lot of things that are different. More games, definitely different studying.”

Now that Wallow is no longer in classes at TCU, he says he can focus on football with Blacklock.

“Football is your school,” said Wallow. “Ross is like a mentor to me. I take in knowledge from him. I’ve always seen him like a bigger brother, but now we’re on the same level and we get the chance to play together now. Definitely just trying to pick his brain whenever I can, especially when he sees me.”

According to Wallow, Blacklock was one of the first people that he reached out to after the Texans picked him No. 170 overall.

“He was my first text to tell him I was coming here before they called my name,” said Wallow. “It’s definitely an excitement to be back with him and such a great and talented guy as well.”

Texans DT Ross Blacklock says rookie LB Garret Wallow will be ‘hardest working dude in the room’

Houston Texans DT Ross Blacklock played at TCU with rookie LB Garret Wallow, which is why he says Wallow is, “the hardest working dude in the room.”

The Houston Texans must like whatever it is Gary Patterson produces at TCU.

For the second straight draft, the Texans selected a former Horned Frog when they picked linebacker Garret Wallow in Round 5 (No. 170 overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. The year prior, the Texans selected defensive tackle Ross Blacklock with their 40th overall pick in the second round.

Given that Blacklock and Wallow were teammates at TCU, the former Fort Bend Elkins product knows what to expect of his former college teammate.

“I went crazy when they drafted Garret,” Blacklock told Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790 [KBME-AM]. “I was driving and I was trying to call him, but I knew he was busy. I was screaming in the car all the way back to Houston. Anybody that knows Garret, knows he deserves it. He’s the hardest working dude in the room. He’ll be a leader, for sure.”

General manager Nick Caserio told reporters on May 1 that they selected Wallow because of TCU’s reputation for defense, and also the versatility Wallow can bring to their linebacking corps.

“He was in the box a little bit, he played detached from the formation,” said Caserio. “Instinctive player, runs well, can close space, is a decent tackler, A-plus football makeup and character, which that’s important to what we’re trying to do.”

The 6-1, 227-pound linebacker provided the Horned Frogs with 287 career tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 40 career games with TCU from 2017-20, earning him two all-Big 12 selections. Given his size and speed, and his experience playing in 4-2-5 defensive fronts, Wallow would be a decent coverage linebacker to have as the Texans transition from a 3-4 scheme to a Tampa-2 under new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith.

LB Garret Wallow seeks to be best teammate, leader he can for Texans

Former TCU linebacker Garret Wallow seeks to be the best teammate and leader he can for the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans have more holes on defense than Whataburger has free spicy ketchup packets.

The Texans couldn’t stop the run in 2020, leading to their 4-12 record. Teams would pass the ball comfortably and control the pace of the game. Turnovers were nary with just nine to show for a full 16-game season.

However, new fifth-round linebacker Garret Wallow knows what his mission is as soon as he joins the team.

“The most important thing is just being the best teammate that I can,” Wallow told reporters May 1 during day three of the 2021 NFL draft. “That’s probably the most valuable thing I bring to the table.”

The Texans selected Wallow No. 170 overall in Round 5 from TCU. At 6-2, 230 pounds, he appears to more suited alongside Zach Cunningham and competing for fellow linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Christian Kirksey for playing time. Wallow seeks to be a leader, not so much by words, but by action as he strives to be the best version of himself.

“One thing about me is just leadership, so that’s one thing that I want to bring to the Texans, is just coming in and being the best leader that I can, being the best player for the team that I can,” said Wallow. “Definitely want to come in there and learn the playbook, be a smart player for the Texans and help out anyway that I can for us to win a Super Bowl.”

The Texans also would like to win a Super Bowl, which is why they hired Lovie Smith as their defensive coordinator. Smith was the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams in 2001, who appeared in Super Bowl XXXVI. Smith was also the coach of the Chicago Bears from 2004-12, leading the NFC North club to an appearance in the Big Game at the end of the 2006 season.

“It’s just a beautiful opportunity,” Wallow said of the chance to play for Smith. “Like I said, just to be so close to home and playing in Texas as well, it’s a beautiful thing, man. It’s just crazy. As you can tell, I’m still at a loss for words. I’m just excited to get down there and get started and get things rolling.”