The Titans are poaching LB Garret Wallow off the Texans’ practice squad.
Just days after a former Tennessee Titan landed with the Houston Texans via waivers, the Titans are now adding a player from the practice squad of their division rival.
According to Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com, the Titans are signing linebacker Garret Wallow off the Texans’ practice squad. Wallow will be added to Tennessee’s 53-man roster.
This move comes on the heels of the Texans being awarded former Tennessee defensive lineman Teair Tart off waivers on Monday, just one day after Houston beat the Titans in Nashville, 19-16, in overtime.
The 25-year-old former fifth-round pick will provide much-needed depth at linebacker for the final three games of the season behind Jack Gibbens and Azeez Al-Shaair, while also lending a helping hand on special teams.
The TCU product has 36 tackles (three for loss), one sack and one pass defensed over 32 games (five starts) and 304 defensive snaps during his career.
He’s appeared in just two contests for Houston this season, playing only on special teams.
“Inside linebacker known for his work ethic, leadership and production for the Horned Frogs. He clearly has the mindset and athletic talent to go hunt for the football. That said, he’s not as strong as teams would like when taking on blocks and he’s not very instinctive as an open-field tackler. If Wallow can improve his fundamentals as a finisher, it could go a long way in determining his NFL future. He can run and has special teams potential, but his tape was a little disappointing as a third-down linebacker, which could hurt his stock. Wallow should find a home on Day 3 of the draft: Average back-up or special teamers”
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio took Wallow during his controversial first draft with the 170th overall pick. The fifth rounder, along with fellow Day 3 pick and sixth-rounder Roy Lopez, composed the part of Houston’s draft where fans were left to wonder exactly what kind of impact could be expected.
The Texans had traded three selections to move up for their chosen linebacker. What was it that Wallow had to offer in Houston? Entering a desperate 2021 campaign, hope was all most could muster.
Fast forward one year later and the change is staggering. Hope has truly turned into expectations. Lopez is projected as the starting 1-technique defensive tackle and Wallow appears to be one of the biggest stars in camp.
After starting just two games in 2021 and finishing his rookie year with 23 combined tackles per Pro Football Reference, Wallow has been the talk of the coaching staff. The team has praised him from essentially every corner imaginable. His teammates, especially the older veterans, are extremely complimentary of his work ethic and drive on the field, especially Christian Kirksey.
"He's very smart. He picks up the game fast. He plays fast. He can play any linebacker position on the field, whether it's Mike, Will or Sam. He can plug himself in and be of impact on this defense"
LB Christian Kirksey on second year LB Garrett Wallow #WeAreTexans
Coaches have been equally excited about his potential. Special team’s coordinator Frank Ross noted that Wallow has become a fixture of the special teams unit. Other coaches have noted he’s able to play the weak side, strong side, and middle linebacker position in head coach Lovie Smith’s base 4-3 defense.
“He’s done a great job. Guys like him have taken the reins as far as special teams, heavy core-four roles. He’s done a great job with that and excited to see where he comes into camp in shape, and gets ready to roll for his second full year.”
As if the train wasn’t moving full-steam ahead, Nick Caserio truly threw gas on the fire yesterday on Sports Radio 610 when he went out of the way to compliment his first linebacker selection. He called him the most improved player on the team. Even for a general manager that enjoys interacting with the press, the comment was poignant and offered some key insight to how Houston views their linebacker.
"Garrett Wallow has probably done better than anyone on the team as far as when he's first walked in the building until now-He's gotten better in every area. He's a great example of that 1 to 2 year player"
This leaves fans of the Texans to wonder what exactly fair expectations during year two are for Wallow. The answer might be one that is stunningly simple.
Houston should just enjoy the process. Simply celebrate the success of a young man who is clearly becoming a big part of the team’s culture.
Draft picks made on Day 3 are often ones that you are hoping still make the team during their second year. The idea that the Texans may have found a full time starting linebacker, especially with a clear need this year at the strong side linebacker spot, would be incredible. Even if Houston only has someone who’s going to help lead and captain their special teams unit would be a massive win from where Wallow was once projected.
It appears that Caserio has hit another draft homerun from a 2021 class that is majorly outperforming expectations. Wallow’s presence and preached improvement from everyone around him have the potential to serve as the proverbial cherry on top.
Winning teams in the NFL have strong special teams units, it appears Wallow is ready to elevate the Texans in that level. Strong supporting linebacker play is massively important for rookies and it appears Wallow could be in a position to help the onboarding of 2022 third-round pick Christian Harris. The strong side linebacker has huge responsibilities against the run and it’s possible Wallow helps Houston improve from their league-worst run stopping unit.
Whatever it is, fans should be very excited to see what comes to fruition in camp. It just wasn’t something that ever could have been expected after his selection in the fifth-round last year. Everyone will have to wait a few more weeks but all of Houston will know soon enough just how fair the high praises are for the second year linebacker.
Linebackers have a variety of roles in the Tampa 2. Find out how the Houston Texans LB corps works and also where the team may go in the draft.
The Texans Wire started a series on the hallmark of Lovie Smith defenses: The Tampa 2 scheme. The goal of this series is to provide clarity for the Houston Texans fan base as to what the team is trying to do on defense at their base schematically. Hopefully this creates a good foundation to understand why general manager Nick Caserio may make the decisions he does on draft night.
Once again, the Texans Wire’s John Crumpler was joined by Jordan Pun from Sports’ Illustrated for the discussion. Below is the full interview on YouTube.
The Tampa 2 defense stems from the 4-3 base scheme. This means that after the down four defensive linemen, there are three linebackers stacked behind them. These roles are classically divided into the middle linebacker, the weak side linebacker and the strong side linebacker. Colloquially, you may also hear the terms ‘Mike’ (middle), ‘Will’ (weak side), and ‘Sam’ (strong side) used.
To begin, the Tampa 2 is very unique because, debatably more than any other set, it asks the world from the middle linebacker. The Mike is expected to essentially captain the defense. The position requires a strong run stopper but also someone who can play a wide zone that is nearly backed up towards the safeties but also responsible for the tight ends and running backs that can creep up later in plays. The dual expectation means that your middle linebacker must be fast enough to account for arguably the largest zone on the field, but also make plays on running backs that advance to the second level.
It’s a tall task.
For the Texans, Christian Kirksey plays this role, and it should come as no surprise the team was quick to resign him in free agency. Although far from elite at this point in his career, Kirksey gives Smith a veteran player he can trust to execute as the linchpin of his scheme. The former Cleveland Brown and Green Bay Packer performed sufficiently with 93 tackles in his 12 starts last year.
If any spot linebacker spot may be worth an investment on a first-round rookie, it’s the middle linebacker for Lovie Smith. Within the 2022 class, the No. 1 linebacker by many is University of Georgia’s Nakobe Dean. Dean has the range to play well against the run and the pass and was a huge component of the Georgia defense performing as well as it did in 2021.
Next, the weak side linebacker — the Will — Houston fans should immediately think of Kamu Grugier-Hill when envisioning this role. Once again, this linebacker is asked to clean up against the run but is not responsible for the same zone responsibilities as the middle linebacker. Instead, the weak side linebacker will generally be the most fluent in defending the pass. He may be tasked with covering the tight end, a running back directly out of the backfield, or even an occasional slot receiver
This is one of the stronger spots on Houston’s defense. After Grugier-Hill, the team has strong depth in newly signed Jaylen Reeves-Maybin and Neville Hewitt. Although they may look to add linebackers in the draft, the weak side may be the one spot they are content to let rest in the 2022 campaign. If they were to pursue a rookie, the 2022 draft’s best linebacker in Devin Lloyd from Utah projects well to this spot. Lloyd is one of the quickest linebackers in the draft and possesses the agility on the field that’s ideal for the weak side role.
Finally, the strong side linebacker. Compared to the Will, the Sam is ideally a stronger tackler and truly your “run-thumping” linebacker of the group. This can be the biggest player of the position group and the, relatively, biggest liability in the passing game. On those passing downs, the strong side linebacker may come off the field in favor of an additional corner.
This role is occupied likely by second-year player Garrett Wallow from TCU if the season were to start today in Houston. Wallow showed some upward trajectory towards the end of the season, but it may be prudent for Houston to look to upgrade. Wyoming’s Chad Muma and Georgia’s Quay Walker come to mind here. Walker made a living cleaning up against the run for the Bulldogs and has the versatility to play the Mike as well in Smith’s scheme.
Ultimately, the linebackers have similar tasks in every defense. They need to stop the run at the second level, blitz when required, and make plays against the pass in their respective zones. The Tampa 2 specifically differentiates in terms of the expanded responsibility of the middle linebacker and less responsibilities with blitzing across the three spots. Houston has a ton of guys at this position on the roster, but nobody that could truly be called elite.
The draft will reveal if Caserio wants to change that.
Big 12 Preview: Prospects to watch and team predictions for the 2020 college football season
The Big 12 doesn’t get enough respect for how much NFL talent it places in the NFL every year. I don’t mean just based on draft selections either, but lasting power and effectiveness. The Big 12 has a ton of quality talent to watch for in the 2020 season. The conference may even have the best overall college football team.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor Bears: Vegas Win Total- 7.5
Everyone is expecting Baylor to be terrible this season, but with the fantastic Charlie Brewer returning and some explosive weapons surrounding him this may be a more interesting bet than people think. This may only be Dave Aranda’s first season as the head guy, but the former LSU defensive coordinator is primed to hit the ground running. Prediction: Over 7.5
Top Prospects:
Terrel Bernard, ILB, 6-1, 222 pounds, Jr.: A top-flight All-Big 12 linebacker, Bernard had an extremely productive 2019 season leading the Bears with 112 tackles while also recording 9.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
Charlie Brewer, QB, 6-1, 206 pounds, Sr.: Brewer gets very little respect in regard to draft hype, but he is likely going to own every Baylor career passing record and surpass former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round selection, Robert Griffin III.
Connor Galvin, OT, 6-7, 302 pounds, Jr.: The All-Big 12 tackle enters his third season as the starter on the left side and looks to have big time potential with elite size to go with some solid tools.
