Tag: Romeo Crennel

Texans’ Romeo Crennel says Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has Cleveland ‘in the hunt’

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel likes what he has seen thus far from Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.

Romeo Crennel knows a thing or two about the Cleveland Browns. After all, he was the franchise’s coach from 2005-08 and was the last coach to lead the team to a winning record (10-6 in 2007).

What Crennel has seen thus far from rookie coach Kevin Stefanski has been impressive.

“It looks like they’ve made a lot of progress to be 5-3,” Crennel said. “They started out pretty good. This league is a tough league for everybody, but they’re in the hunt. They’ve put themselves in the hunt. We’ve got the last half of the season to play and we’ll see how they come out at the last half.”

The last time the Browns were 5-3 was 2014 under coach Mike Pettine, also a rookie coach. Cleveland got as far as 6-3 before faltering to a 7-9 finish.

“Everybody wants to start strong, but a lot of times in the NFL, it’s how you finish,” said Crennel. “I’ve seen it occur both ways. I’ve seen guys win the first half of the season and then all of a sudden, the bottom drops out. I’ve seen guys lose the first half of the season and then get on a roll on the second half.”

From what Crennel has been able to observe, the Browns have taken things one game at a time, similar to the approach the Texans are having to take with a 2-6 record yet still hopeful they can stay in the playoff hunt.

“They’ve got a quarterback,” said Crennel. “They’ve got a good supporting cast around the quarterback. They’ve got some defense, so I think they’re headed in the right direction.”

Houston hopes to knock Cleveland off course in Week 10 as they square off at FirstEnergy Field Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Texans QB Deshaun Watson, coach Romeo Crennel are huge Myles Garrett fans

Crennel and Watson both gushed about Garrett in their weekly press conferences

Myles Garrett leads the NFL with 9 sacks and is a leading contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with his seven forced turnovers. This week’s Cleveland Browns opponent, the Houston Texans, know what Garrett can do all too well.

Interim head coach Romeo Crennel and quarterback Deshaun Watson are both clearly fans of the Browns defensive end. They gushed about Garrett and his ability to impact the game in their press conferences this week.

“He’s got great length, first of all,” Crennel said of Garrett. “He’s good off the ball. He has body flexibility so he can run under blocks. He can get around blocks. He’s got that drive that some of the great pass rushers have. He’s got that drive to get to the quarterback.”

Based on what Crennel said, it seems like the Texans offensive gameplan is to help out the offensive tackles to keep Garrett from ruining the Houston offense.

“You’ve got to know where [Garrett] is,” said Crennel. “That’s the big thing. Then, you’ve got to determine what you need to do on your protection to try to slow him down. Can one guy do it or does that guy need help? You can do that by sliding the line to him. You can do that by chipping him. You can do that by keeping a tight end in. There’s several ways to try to slow him down. As we go into the week, we’ll figure out what the best way for us to do it.”

That was Watson’s big worry, too.

“He’s a guy that we got to make sure that we can try to contain as much as possible and not let him take over the ball game,” said Watson.

Watson expressed a similar awestruck sentiment about Garrett’s physical presence and outstanding production.

“He’s a beast,” Watson said. “He got paid what he deserved. He’s a guy that’s going to come every play. He’s a guy that you have to worry about each and every time. He’s a special talent; very athletic, can run, very powerful, very strong, can bend around the edge.”

They will see Garrett and the Browns up close and personal on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Thanks to Mark Lane from Texans Wire for the quotes!

Texans’ Romeo Crennel says Browns DE Myles Garrett has the drive of a great pass rusher

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel says that Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett has the same drive he has seen from great pass rushers.

The Houston Texans have a challenge on their hands when they take on the Cleveland Browns Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Browns have one of the premier young pass rushers in the league with former 2017 No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett. The defensive end has generated 9.0 sacks on the season and seeks to live in the Texans’ backfield Sunday afternoon.

Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel has been coaching in the NFL since 1981 and has seen his fair share of great pass rushers from Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor to Pro Bowler Willie McGinest to three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. When Crennel looks at the tape of Garrett, he recognizes some of the same traits in the 6-4, 272-pound defensive end.

“He’s got great length, first of all,” Crennel said. “He’s good off the ball. He has body flexibility so he can run under blocks. He can get around blocks. He’s got that drive that some of the great pass rushers have. He’s got that drive to get to the quarterback.”

The Texans will have to find a way to keep Garrett away from Deshaun Watson, who has taken 24 sacks throughout the season, the fourth-most in the NFL.

“You’ve got to know where [Garrett] is,” said Crennel. “That’s the big thing. Then, you’ve got to determine what you need to do on your protection to try to slow him down. Can one guy do it or does that guy need help? You can do that by sliding the line to him. You can do that by chipping him. You can do that by keeping a tight end in. There’s several ways to try to slow him down. As we go into the week, we’ll figure out what the best way for us to do it.”

If the Texans can find a way to keep Garrett’s impact on the game minimal, it should bode well for Houston’s chances to improve their 2-6 record.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing the Texans’ Week 10 matchup with Browns Wire

The Houston Texans take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 10. Jeff Risdon, managing editor of the Browns Wire, helps preview the matchup.

The Houston Texans take on the Cleveland Browns for a Week 10 showdown at FirstEnergy Stadium at 12:00 p.m. CT Sunday.

Jeff Risdon from the Browns Wire, a familiar byline around these parts, took time to answer some questions and provide a broad preview of Houston’s upcoming opponent.

 

Texans Wire: Where is Baker Mayfield with COVID?

Jeff Risdon: Mayfield was in contact with a Browns staffer who tested positive. That happened Sunday, which is when Baker went on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Mayfield himself did not test positive and will be eligible to get back to practice after passing five straight days of COVID-19 tests. He should be good to go for Sunday, though he can’t practice until at least Thursday.

 

TW: How much are Browns fans just loving being above .500 at the midway point for the first time since 2014?

JR: Most fans are happy about the progress and about being relevant. Having said that, the blowout losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore are definitely sandbags keeping the hype and excitement balloons from fully launching.

 

TW: Nick Chubb comes off the IR. Is he going to be available for the Texans game?

JR: All expectations are that Chubb will play. He’ll split the backfield with Kareem Hunt. Getting Chubb back is huge. He still leads the NFL in runs over 20 yards even though he’s missed the last four games. Right guard Wyatt Teller could also return and he’s the top-graded run blocker at guard per PFF across the entire league.

 

TW: Does Romeo Crennel have a special place in the hearts of Browns fans?

JR: It’s impossible to hate on Romeo Crennel. He was a popular figure when he coached the Browns (2005-2008) and was the last coach to produce a winning season, in 2007. Absence and time have made the heart grow fonder, for sure.

 

TW: Who are some unheralded Browns players that Texans fans need to keep an eye on?

JR: Cornerback Terrance Mitchell has played very well opposite Denzel Ward on the outside. He’s made Browns fans forget about Greedy Williams, the 2019 second-round pick who remains out. Rookie TE Harrison Bryant has emerged as a quality red zone threat. This is the kind of matchup where reserve DE Porter Gustin can post an impact play or two; he’s outplayed starter Olivier Vernon most of the season. Punter Jamie “The Scottish Hammer” Gillan is a good one, too.

 

TW: What is your prediction?

JR: Two bad defenses should mean high scoring. I like the Browns coming off a bye week and being rested and refocused. Getting Chubb back and pairing him with Hunt, as well as Mayfield’s solid work off play-action and bootlegs, will be too much for the Houston defense. Browns, 36-33

Texans head coach Romeo Crennel impressed by the Browns improvement

The ex-Browns coach sees a lot of improvement from the last meeting in 2018

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When the Houston Texans visit FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, their head coach will be a familiar and welcome presence. Romeo Crennel is running the Texans as the team’s interim coach since taking over for the fired Bill O’Brien earlier this season.

Crennel, of course, coached the Browns from 2005-2008. His 10-6 record in 2007 was the team’s last winning season. The grandfatherly Crennel has always been popular with players and fans in all his various stops covering decades in the NFL.

His ample experience afforded Crennel the ability to artfully dodge any sentimentality for returning to Cleveland for the matchup. Crennel was asked in his press conference on Monday what it would mean to beat the Browns.

“I tell you what, I think it would mean that we are making strides as a team,” focusing solely on his 2-6 team.” I think in this reign, we’re 2-2. If we can go 3-2 and get our heads above water and see where we can go from there because we’ve still got eight games left in the season.”

Crennel was respectful of his old team.

“We’re going to have to play at our best, no doubt, to go on the road and try to win that game,” Crennel said.

When asked about Baker Mayfield, the longtime Texans defensive coach talked up the improvement he’s seen in both the Browns quarterback and his supporting cast since the last time the two teams squared off in 2018.

“I really don’t remember much about it, other than (Mayfield) was a young quarterback,” Crennel said. “Young quarterbacks, sometimes they make young mistakes. Now he’s got much more experience. It looks like he’s got a better surrounding cast, and so as a result of it, their record is better.”

The Texans won the last meeting, 29-13, with Mayfield throwing three interceptions to sully a 397-yard performance.

Texans’ Romeo Crennel is not taking the Browns lightly

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel is not taking his old team, the Cleveland Browns, lightly, even though they are having some setbacks.

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel is not taking his old team, the Cleveland Browns, for granted as the defending AFC South champions look for their second straight win.

The Browns are 5-3 and are coming off of a bye and are having one of their most optimistic seasons under rookie coach Kevin Stefanski.

“We’re going to have to play at our best, no doubt, to go on the road and try to win that game,” Crennel told reporters Monday.

There is some uncertainty as to the status of quarterback Baker Mayfield. The former 2018 first-round pick is currently on the COVID-19 reserve after having tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The former Oklahoma Sooner has provided the Browns with necessary stability under center.

If Mayfield is able to play, it will be his second encounter with the Texans. The former Austin Lake Travis product completed 29 of 43 passes for 397 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions against the Texans on Dec. 2, 2018. Houston still prevailed 29-13.

Crennel was the defensive coordinator for the Texans that day, and the defense was unable to take down the rookie as he avoided a sack for the third straight game that season.

“I really don’t remember much about it, other than he was a young quarterback,” Crennel said. “Young quarterbacks, sometimes they make young mistakes. Now he’s got much more experience. It looks like he’s got a better surrounding cast, and so as a result of it, their record is better.”

The Browns have found ways to surprise more veteran teams and clubs with an advantage in coaching, at least in the experience department, as Cleveland has started 5-3. With the back half of the season before both clubs, the Texans will have to pull ahead and get a tough road win, which begins by not taking the perennial AFC North doormats lightly.

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Texans’ Romeo Crennel likens Deshaun Watson to Dan Marino

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel compared Deshaun Watson to Dan Marino in his ability to play winning football but still ends up losing.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is playing at a stellar level with six straight games of 100.0-plus passer rating games. The two-time Pro Bowler also has not thrown an interception in the past three games.

Even though Watson has cut down his turnovers and has a 17-5 touchdown to interception ratio, the Texans are 2-6 and scrapping to stay off the bottom of the AFC South.

In Monday’s presser, interim coach Romeo Crennel, who has been in the NFL since 1981, was asked if he had ever seen a quarterback play as well as Watson has and the results not manifest in wins.

“There’s a guy named Dan Marino who was a pretty quarterback and they say that he didn’t win the way he wanted to win, but it takes more than one guy,” Crennel said. “That’s what I tell these guys all the time. One guy cannot be the team.

“Deshaun, as good as he is for us, he cannot be the team. It takes all the guys on the team and on the other side of the ball, as well. When everybody does well, then the team can do well.”

The Texans defense was able to generate an interception off of rookie sixth-round quarterback Jake Luton in the 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at TIAA Bank Field. The Texans defense also managed to sack Luton twice and hold sensational undrafted rookie running back James Robinson to less than 100 yards.

It will take similar efforts from the rest of the team, complemented by Watson’s high level of play, for Houston to have a shot to make the playoffs, even with how substandard their record is after the first nine weeks of the 2020 season. Like Marino, Watson gives his team every shot to win the ballgame. It takes an entire team to complete the win.

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WATCH: Texans DE J.J. Watt gets game ball for 100th sack after beating Jaguars 27-25

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt got a game ball after the win over the Jacksonville Jaguars for obtaining his 100th career sack.

Defensive end J.J. Watt recorded his 100th sack of his NFL career Sunday afternoon during the Houston Texans’ 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field.

With 6:29 to go in the fourth quarter, Watt came around and strip-sacked rookie quarterback Jake Luton. Th Jaguars recovered the loose ball and were forced to punt from their own 13-yard line.

The forced fumble was also Watt’s 25th of his career.

In the locker room after the win, interim coach Romeo Crennel presented Watt with a game ball. Watt took the ball but also took the opportunity to thank his teammates and sundry team support staff.

Crennel, who has been with the Texans since 2014, told reporters that Watt is “a tremendous athlete and a tremendous pro.”

“In my time here with J.J., he has done a little bit of everything,” Crennel said. “He intercepts balls. He causes fumbles. He tackles in the backfield. He invades the run and rushes the passer. He does it all. I feel really good about him getting his 100th sack.  As he said, he appreciates getting his 100th sack with a team victory.”

Watt was thankful that the career milestone came during a win.

Said Watt: “Talked about it before, it’s not a fun feeling when you’re not winning, so to get a win today feels good. Made it closer than we should have, but you’ve got your top two corners out, top three outside linebackers out, starting middle linebacker out, to get a win today is good for our guys. Everybody rallied, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we got a win and got it done.”

Watt will go for his 101st sack and possibly more as the Texans stay on the road to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 10 at FirstEnergy Stadium next Sunday.

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Texans DE Charles Omenihu injured his hamstring in 27-25 win over the Jaguars

According to interim coach Romeo Crennel, Houston Texans DE Charles Omenihu injured his hamstring in the 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu injured his hamstring in the 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon at TIAA Bank Field.

In the second quarter with 8:20 until halftime, Omenihu was injured on a first-and-10 run from running back James Robinson that gained eight yards. The blow was significant as the Texans were already lacking in their edge defense due to outside linebackers Jacob Martin and Whitney Mercilus being on the COVID-19 reserve.

According to interim coach Romeo Crennel, the injury happened because Omenihu is “a really fast guy.”

Said Crennel: “On the leg injury to Charles, Charles is a really fast guy and sometimes fast guys strain their hamstrings so he has a hamstring. We will work through that. Hopefully, we will get as many of those guys who got banged up back soon.”

The Texans also lost outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett with an arm injury. On offense, the Texans had running back David Johnson and guard Senio Kelemete both sustain concussions.