Tag: Romeo Crennel

Texans’ Romeo Crennel says the 2020 debut of CB Gareon Conley is ‘doubtful’

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel is not confident that cornerback Gareon Conley will make his 2020 debut.

The Houston Texans had one of the best cornerback tandems on paper going into the 2020 season with Gareon Conley on one side and Bradley Roby on the other.

Quarterbacks would have to choose their own adventure in throwing against Conley’s lockdown skills or Roby’s playmaking ability.

On the gridiron in 2020, Conley has yet to play a game due to a lingering ankle injury, and Roby has been suspended for the final five games of the season due to a violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel did not sound confident that Conley will play in the last month of the season.

“Well, he will not be back this game,” Crennel said. “Chances are if the injury hasn’t made the kind of progress that it needs to make for him to be back now, it might be doubtful that he’ll come back. So, that’s what it is.”

The Texans will have to platoon it at cornerback with Vernon Hargreaves, Phillip Gaines, Keion Crossen, and rookie John Reid. They may also get help at cornerback with safeties Eric Murray and Lonnie Johnson, who was originally drafted as a corner in the second round in 2020.

Texans’ Romeo Crennel says DE J.J. Watt is playing like he did in 2014

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel says defensive end J.J. Watt is playing as well as he did when he first got to the team in 2014.

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has been a one-man wrecking crew over the past two weeks.

The 31-year-old has provided the Texans with six tackles, a tackle for loss, four pass breakups, and an interception returned for a 19-yard touchdown. Watt’s play has been the catalyst for Houston’s two-game winning streak and recovered their record to a more manageable 4-7 as the defending AFC South champions enter the final month of the regular season.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel says that Watt’s play over the past two weeks has been reminiscent of his 2014 season, when Watt won his second of three NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“It was like it was when I first got here,” Crennel said. “He was making those plays when I first got here. He was helping us win, he was uplifting the team, and, so, it’s back to that on Thanksgiving. Hopefully, he’ll continue that and let him keep making plays.”

The Texans host the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium to commence their two-game season series. If Houston is to return to the playoffs, let alone repeat as division champions for the third straight season, it will take, not only Watt playing at a high level, but the defense being opportunistic with the attention Watt takes from opposing blockers.

“It’s a tremendous value because the opponent has to account for him, and usually they have more than one to account for him,” said Crennel. “So, what that means while he’s dealing with two or three, that someone else is dealing with one. And then we talk to our guys all the time about winning the one-on-one battles.

So, J.J. is fighting three. Those guys that are fighting one have to win, and when they do win, that impacts the game also.”

Texans’ Romeo Crennel expects QB Deshaun Watson to play great without WR Will Fuller

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel expects quarterback Deshaun Watson to still play at a high level without receiver Will Fuller.

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Deshaun Watson is about to experience a first in his career with the Houston Texans Sunday.

When the Texans host the Indianapolis Colts at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium, it will be the first time the two-time Pro Bowler will have neither DeAndre Hopkins or Will Fuller lined up outside.

For the second time in the year 2020, Watson will have to identify his new No. 1 receiver.

According to interim coach Romeo Crennel, Watson will be able to meet the challenge because he is already a great quarterback.

“I think that he’ll play well because he’s a great quarterback, and great quarterbacks play well, even though they may not have that favorite target, all of a sudden another target becomes their favorite: guys who can get open and catch the ball,” Crennel said. “And we have guys on the team that can do that. So, I think that he’ll continue to be great.”

Fuller caught 53 passes for 879 yards and six touchdowns in his 11 games before taking on a six-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy. Houston’s next productive receiver has been Brandin Cooks with 52 catches for 719 yards and three touchdowns.

Romeo Crennel says Texans should be commended for their fighting spirit

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel says the team should be commended for still fighting even though the odds have been against them.

The Houston Texans have five games to go, and currently are on a two-game winning streak, their first of the 2020 campaign.

Going on a winning streak is not uncommon in the Deshaun Watson era. In 2018, the Texans posted a nine-game winning streak after starting 0-3.

If the Texans tack on another five games to their current winning streak, they will finish 9-7 and at least be in the hunt for postseason qualification.

“It’s a tremendous positive,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said of the team’s 4-7 record and possible playoff hopes. “If we can win in that last month, and then come back from the start of the season, because it’s hard to come back in this league — just in a game, it’s hard to come back in a game. But then it’s difficult to come back in the season as well.”

The Texans began the year 0-4 and took it on the chin to key AFC contenders in the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Before the Texans could get their first win, they were already 0-3 with their conference record.

If there is any element that should keep the Texans buoyed, it is that they have sustained just one loss inside the AFC South schedule. If Houston can finish with a 5-1 division record, and the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans similarly falter and finish 9-7, then it could be enough for the Texans to steal the South.

Even if Houston can’t pull off that miracle, Crennel believes the Texans should be commended for sticking to the fight.

Said Crennel “When you start 0-4, and playoff implications, season implications, attitude implications, all of those things are factored in. For these guys to hang in there and keep fighting, they should be complimented for doing that.”

The Texans get back in action on Dec. 6 against the Colts at NRG Stadium for a 12:00 p.m. CT kickoff.

Texans must generate a pass rush to stop Lions QB Matthew Stafford

The Houston Texans are facing a talented QB in Matthew Stafford, and if they fail to pressure him, Thanksgiving with the Detroit Lions could be long.

The Houston Texans pass rush is middle of the pack when it comes to sacks, tied with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers for the 16th-most in the NFL with 21.

If the Texans are looking to have a 4-7 record to be thankful for after Thursday’s 11:30 a.m. CT encounter with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, they will need to find ways to pressure quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“He can make all the throws and he’s not afraid to throw it vertically down the field,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “A lot of their routes are vertical routes and so we’re going to have to do a good job of trying to pressure him, first of all. I think that’s where it starts.”

Vertical routes take time to develop. If protection is good, then Stafford can sit back in the pocket and find targets who have gotten behind the Texans’ secondary.

“Particularly if they’re going to throw vertical, they have to have time to give those wide receivers a chance to get enough depth in the route,” said Crennel.

The Texans are tied with the Bears for the eighth-fewest pressures in the league, which are a combination of hurries, knockdowns, and sacks. Houston must play better than that against Detroit, and Crennel knows it.

Said Crennel: “Now, the pass rush becomes a factor for us. If we can get a pass rush so that he’s not able to stand back and cock that arm and deliver the ball deep down the field, then that’s going to help us. That’s the big thing. Coverage wise, we’re going to have to keep those guys in front of us and not let them run past us.”

Stafford is susceptible to the pass rush with 27 sacks taken on the season, tied with the Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan for the fifth-most in the NFL.

Texans’ Romeo Crennel says DE Charles Omenihu has figured how to play consistently

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel says that second-year defensive end Charles Omenihu is starting to play more consistently.

Charles Omenihu’s snap counts have fluctuated throughout the season, but the Houston Texans defensive end is starting to find more stability in the defensive line rotation.

According to interim coach Romeo Crennel, part of why Omenihu has seen more playing time is because his production has started to be more consistent.

“The thing about Charles, he hasn’t played quite as much because we rotated him in a little bit and some of that depends on what the defensive group we have in the game,” Crennel said. “Then some of it depends on how he plays, how he’s been playing. Early on, I talked to you guys about not doing the things we need to do on a consistent basis. Well, sometimes if you don’t do things consistently the way we need them done, then we don’t give you as many opportunities.”

On the season, Omenihu has collected 2.0 sacks, three combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits through nine games, one of which he started. The lone game Omenihu missed was Week 10’s 10-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and it was due to a hamstring strain the week prior that limited him to 10 snaps. The fewest snaps he has played in a complete game was 20 against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4’s 31-23 loss.

“I think Charles has kind of figured out what we need done, how we need it done,” said Crennel. “So, I think that we’re going to see him more and he will continue to have that impact on a quarterback whether it’s hits or hopefully I know for him, he wants to get the guy on the ground. So, he’s going to be working to do that.”

Houston could use consistent production from the former 2019 fifth-round pick as they take on Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions Thursday at 11:30 a.m. CT at Ford Field.

Texans have benefited from TE Jordan Akins’ run after the catch ability

Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins has provided the offense with the added element of having another target with run after the catch ability.

Jordan Akins has played in seven of the Houston Texans’ 10 games this season, but has still bolstered a key element the offense already boasts.

The 2018 third-round tight end from Central Florida has run after the catch ability that are tremendous at the tight end position and complement what receivers Will Fuller, Randall Cobb, and Brandin Cooks already bring to the passing game.

“Akins has done a very nice job for us,” Crennel said. “He’s a hard worker, conscientious, and he’s able to catch the ball in that intermediate area a lot of times and if he has the step, he’s able to turn it up and gain the extra yards.”

On the season, Akins has provided the Texans with 22 catches for 275 yards and a touchdown. 128 of his receiving yards have been after the catch

“He’s athletic enough that he can break an arm tackle or he can step over a low tackle which then adds to the run after the catch,” Crennel said. “We’re very pleased with what he’s been able to do and how he’s been able to help us.”

The Texans can use Akin’s skills as they take on the Detroit Lions Thursday at 11:30 a.m. CT at Ford Field.

Texans ILB Tyrell Adams: Romeo Crennel believed in us

Houston Texans inside linebacker Tyrell Adams says that interim coach Romeo Crennel believed in the team as soon as he took over on Oct. 5.

The Houston Texans had a shakeup in their coaching staff when they fired Bill O’Brien on Oct. 5.

After an 0-4 start, the Texans promoted associated head coach Romeo Crennel to the interim role. It would have been easy for the 73-year-old to just get upfield to the end of the season, but inside linebacker Tyrell Adams says Crennel legitimately invested in the players.

“Considering the circumstances, he’s came straight in and believed in us,” Adams said. “That’s the biggest thing. He’s a positive guy, always been a positive guy since I’ve been around him. I just love his attitude, his belief in all the players, no matter who you are.”

One of Crennel’s biggest tasks when taking over for O’Brien was giving the team time to understand the changes to the systems on offense and defense. The glitch in comprehension needed time to work out.

“Well, I think the big difference is that they are understanding the system on defense and on offense, and how they fit in the system and what needs to be done to make the system work,” Crennel said. “As a result of it, we’ve gotten better. We are a competitive team. We always play hard and fight, but we haven’t been doing enough of the little things to put us over the hump.”

The Texans may have gotten over that hump with a 27-20 win over the New England Patriots Sunday at NRG Stadium. It was the first time all season Houston beat someone else other than the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Now the focus is on this Thanksgiving Day game on a short week is to not rest on any laurels because we don’t have any,” said Crennel. “We need to get ready to play a game and win the next game.”

During the short week, Crennel will be doing what he has done since October in keeping the spirits of every player high throughout the locker room.

Said Adams: “He’s just positivity. He’s always trying to make a joke. Always trying to make us smile. Keep us uplifted. Keep us into the game. Keep us with everything that’s going on, despite the circumstances, he still keeps a positive attitude. We really appreciate him for that.”

If Crennel can get the Texans to beat the Lions, it will be their first winning streak of the season and the team’s first since Weeks 15-16 of 2019.

Texans’ Romeo Crennel says Keke Coutee knew he was going to get another chance to step up

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel says that receiver Keke Coutee has always been ready for his chance to shine, and has been a pro about it.

Houston Texans receiver Keke Coutee has had to endure many battles to finding playing time for the club that drafted him in the fourth round in 2018.

One of Coutee’s biggest challengers was receiver DeAndre Carter, who took the returner job and also cut into Coutee’s snaps as a receiver. 2020 wasn’t going well for Coutee either, and it looked like he would not see any significant playing time after Week 2 when his fumble led to a touchown for the Baltimore Ravens.

When slot receiver Randall Cobb left Sunday’s 27-20 win over the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium, interim coach Romeo Crennel knew Coutee was going to make the most of his opportunity spelling the former 2014 Pro Bowler.

“I told him on the sideline, I said, ‘this is one of the reasons that you’re here is to take advantage of this opportunity,'” Crennel said. “He went into the game and he did that. That’s what pros do.”

Coutee responded with a 6-yard touchdown catch, his first since Week 5 of his rookie year, to put the Texans ahead 21-10 late in the second quarter.

“Now, sometimes extremely young players, they don’t understand that,” Crennel said. “But with Keke, he knew that he was going to get an opportunity at some point, and he got it and he took advantage of it. I think that now he’ll try to hold on to it.”

Coutee will possibly fill in for Cobb again against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. Cobb was listed as a non-participant in Monday’s practice, although the injury report was based on an estimation of participation as the event was a walkthrough only.

Texans’ Romeo Crennel more pleased with winning at home than beating Bill Belichick

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel is pleased to have a home win more so than getting a specific victory against Bill Belichick.

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel became the latest member of the Bill Belichick coaching tree to get a win against their former boss.

Crennel was the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots under Belichick from 2001-04, and now the New York Giants’ Joe Judge is the only remaining former Patriots assistant yet to vanquish Belichick.

“Any time you go against a guy that you’ve worked with and that you’ve coached against before, a win is a good feeling,” Crennel said. “So, I feel good about that.”

As satisfying as the win against Belichick was, Crennel is happier to get the home win at NRG Stadium.

“I really feel good about the fact that we were able to win a home game,” said Crennel. “We hadn’t done that, so winning a home game was a big plus, and so I know all those guys in the locker room, they feel good about the win and the way that they fought for the whole game. And I think that that will help us going forward into this short week that we’ve got coming.”

The Texans go on the road to face the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. The last time the Texans played on Thanksgiving was 2012 when they beat the Lions 34-31 in overtime. Incidentally, the Texans that year would go on to win the AFC South, beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round, and lose to the Patriots in the divisional.