Tag: Romeo Crennel

Texans’ Romeo Crennel tries to project stability to his players

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel tries to project stability to his players when new issues crop up, such as the positive COVID-19 tests.

The Houston Texans have had a turbulent season. It seems that most of the surprises haven’t been good ones.

Over the team’s bye in Week 8, the club had its first positive COVID-19 test of the season as guard Max Scharping tested positive. On Nov. 5, the team announced that outside linebacker Jacob Martin had also tested positive.

What Crennel, the interim coach since Oct. 5 when Bill O’Brien was fired, had to project to his players was confidence and stability in the face of a new challenge.

“I think that if you have a plan and have planned then you can follow your plan, all right,” Crennel said. “Sometimes things just come up out of the blue and then how you handle those things I think impacts your team. So, if I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off then my players will notice that, but if I show them some stability then they feel better about that.”

From a personnel standpoint, the Texans will be in a bind as the positive test for Martin also took out outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and inside linebacker Dylan Cole through a contact tracing investigation. Houston will not have to turn to third-round rookie Jonathan Greenard and veteran Brennan Scarlett on the edge to compensate for the loss of Mercilus.

“Even though that we’ve lost some players, we know that we’re going to go play the game,” said Crennel. “We know that guys who are going to go put into the game have been here. They’ve been practicing, they know the system. Now, it’s an opportunity for them to go in and show what they can do.”

The Texans face the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars are similarly 1-6 and coming off a bye, but have had a worse season and an even worse prognosis for the year. The Texans need to stay calm and pick up the series sweep.

Texans have a rough plan of succession if Romeo Crennel tested positive for COVID-19

The Houston Texans don’t have a plan on the table in case interim coach Romeo Crennel somehow tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be quarantined.

When Bill O’Brien was the coach, the Houston Texans knew immediately what they would do if he had to isolate himself from the team due to a positive COVID-19 test: turn to Romeo Crennel.

Crennel was the associate head coach, and his experience as a head coach in the past made him a great candidate.

With the 73-year-old now the interim coach of the team following O’Brien’s firing on Oct. 5, Crennel admitted they don’t have the same set plan in place should he have to isolate from the team.

“I think we have several guys on the staff who are capable with NFL experience who will be able to step in,” Crennel said. “I have not sat down with [interim general manager] Jack (Easterby) and talked to Jack about who might replace me, but I’m sure that there is a succession plan on the desk.”

Though Crennel couldn’t point to anyone specifically, he expressed confidence in the staff to present an interim interim if the situation called for it.

“We’ve got several guys with NFL experience who have been around and who would be experienced enough to step in and do the job through the end of the season,” said Crennel.

The Texans don’t have anyone remaining on the roster who has NFL head coaching experience. In 2015, running backs coach Danny Barrett was the interim head coach for the UCF Knights.

When can Texans G Max Scharping and OLB Jacob Martin return?

The Houston Texans have two players who tested COVID-19 positive. Interim coach Romeo Crennel provided an update on their statuses.

The Houston Texans have two players who tested positive for COVID-19 in guard Max Scharping and outside linebacker Jacob Martin.

Scharping tested positive on Oct. 28 during the team’s bye week, and it had no material impact as the team was off. However, Martin’s positive test, which was reported to the team on the evening of Nov. 4, forced the cancellation of practice and also closure of team facilities.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel provided an update Thursday as to where Scharping is at after having tested positive for COVID-19 a week ago.

“Max is feeling well,” Crennel said. “He has no major symptoms or anything like that. Jacob, he was just discovered, and he has no major symptoms. Max is into his 10-day isolation that’s mandatory. Jacob will start his. I think that they both will be okay and will be able to be back with us.”

According to Crennel, the only factor that could affect their timetable is if their symptoms worsen.

“A lot of times, these guys, and I don’t know what it is — their age because they’re athletes and they work out regularly — their systems can handle things a little bit better,” Crennel said. “They seem to be able to come back from a positive test. So, hopefully these guys will be back and I’m planning on them being back. We can’t do anything about them getting back until after they go through the protocol.”

The Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT from TIAA Bank Field. The game is still on schedule, according to Crennel.

Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Week 9 game is still on for Sunday

The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars game for Week 9 is still set, according to interim coach Romeo Crennel.

The Houston Texans haven’t had a great bye week as far as COVID-19 is concerned.

The Texans had guard Max Scharping test positive for the novel coronavirus on Oct. 28. On Nov. 5, the club announced that outside linebacker Jacob Martin also tested positive for COVID-19.

With the Texans set to play the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at TIAA Bank Field, there is some concern about the game being postponed. So far, the game is still on track to be played as scheduled.

“The league wants to play the game if possible,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “They will wait until tomorrow before making a decision — at the latest, Saturday, when we travel.”

The Texans are 1-6, same as the Jaguars, who are also coming off a bye week. A win would keep the Texans’ slim playoff hopes alive.

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Texans’ Romeo Crennel will play rookies who show a consistent level of production

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel says that he will play rookies more if they can show they are consistent with their production.

The Houston Texans have a five-man draft class, but some rookies who can contribute. However, interim coach Romeo Crennel says their playing time is fully in their own hands.

With the Texans at 1-6 and possibly out of the playoff race, the general belief is teams out of the hunt will play younger players to get them reps and experience. For Crennel, that philosophy is only activated insofar as the rookies can handle their playing time with consistent production.

“When you put a rookie in, if he plays well then you give him more reps,” Crennel said. “If he inconsistent, then maybe you don’t give him as many reps. But that’s all up to the rookie. That’s not really up to me. That’s up to the rookie because he’s got to go out there and he’s got to perform.”

Defensive tackle Ross Blacklock has played six games for the Texans and collected four combined tackles with one tackle for loss. Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard has played in four games with just 11 snaps on defense and 59 snaps on defense.

Some of the problem with rookies is they aren’t aware of what they are ignorant of, according to Crennel.

Said Crennel of rookies: “In [their] defense, [they’re] still a rookie and [don’t] know what [they don’t] know. So, when he goes out there and the speed of the game picks up and now you’ve got blockers coming at you from different ways, and you think you can make this play and you get off the block to make the play but the runner is no longer where you thought he was going to be.

“Now there’s a seam in the defense and we’re giving up rushing yardage. Do you want to keep playing that guy until he can get some experience? We think that our rookies have talent. They’ve demonstrated some of that talent at times, but the consistency of playing the scheme is not quite there yet.”

Offensive tackle Charlie Heck has been inactive through the team’s first six games and arguably won’t see any action as long as Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard are healthy and available. Similarly, cornerback John Reid and receiver Isaiah Coulter are at the bottom of the depth chart with quality veterans ahead of them.

Texans’ Romeo Crennel not worried about S Justin Reid’s lack of interceptions

Houston Texans safety Justin Reid has not recorded an interception thus far in 2020, but interim coach Romeo Crennel is not worried.

Houston Texans safety Justin Reid hasn’t picked off a pass through his first seven games of the season, but interim coach Romeo Crennel is not concerned.

What Crennel wants most from his third-year safety is his ability to do his job well first and foremost, and then worried about the takeaways.

“I think that everybody wants to get interceptions and make plays and things like that,” Crennel said. “But they don’t come to everybody at the same time, so make the plays that you’re supposed to make. Do your job first and then you can help out. If that leads to more interceptions, great. If it leads to more tackles, great.”

Reid has provided the defense with 44 tackles and two pass breakups as the Texans have posted a 1-6 record.

“I mean, maybe it doesn’t lead to anything on a particular game because maybe they’re not throwing your way and you’ve got to accept that,” Crennel said. “Rather than trying to make a play and give up yardage, do your job and then help out.

“Now, by saying that, I’m not saying that he’s not doing his job because he’s a good player and he does a good job. But that mentality, you have to control that mentality.”

In 2019, Reid did not get his first interception of the year until Week 9 when the Texans played the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. In 2020, the Texans play the Jaguars again in Week 9, this Sunday at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, and perhaps history will rhyme with Reid getting his first takeaway of the season.

Texans slip to No. 28 in Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings

The Houston Texans dropped to No. 28 over their bye week in the latest Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings.

The Houston Texans got worse over their bye week.

So says Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire in the latest NFL power rankings. The Texans slipped from No. 25 to No. 28 in the power rankings, and a large part of it has to do with their inactivity at the trade deadline.

As the trade deadline approaches this Tuesday, the question facing the Houston Texans is this:

Will the last one to leave please turn out the lights?

We walked through the case for the Texans being sellers at the trade deadline a week ago, but all of the factors in place remain given that Houston was on a bye week this week. They are in the basement of the AFC South and looking around both the division and the conference, there is not a serious case to be made that this roster can contend for a playoff spot given their current record. If you are still trying to remain positive, consider this:

Not once in the last decade has a team that started 1-6 being in position to make the playoffs, even given the expansion of postseason teams.

Now couple that with what faces Houston this offseason, namely a severe lack of draft capital, and it is time to make some moves. We’ll have to watch and see who is left in Houston come Wednesday morning.

The Jacksonville Jaguars did not budge any as they stayed put at No. 31. The Indianapolis Colts improved from No. 10 to No. 9. The Tennessee Titans fell from No. 7 to No. 5.

Romeo Crennel hopes Texans can focus on winning with trade deadline over

Houston Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel hopes that the team can get back to focusing on themselves and winning now that the trade deadline is over.

The 2020 NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday, and the Houston Texans did not execute any deals.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel was famous for saying earlier this week he would not take “peanuts” just for the Texans to be sellers at the trade deadline.

“When you’re talking about trading, I’m not taking peanuts, right,” Crennel said Wednesday via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “Nobody really came through with a deluxe nut package. If there had been some deluxe nuts laid out on the table, it could have been a different deal.”

There were reportedly deals in place for the Texans to trade receiver Will Fuller and outside linebacker Jacob Martin, who have been key contributors for the team, despite their 1-6 record. Fuller has caught 31 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns as the new No. 1 receiver. Martin has produced 2.0 sacks, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Now that the deadline has passed, Crennel hopes the team can get back to focusing on themselves and recovering their 1-6 record and finishing respectably in 2020, if not backdooring into the postseason as a wildcard.

“That’s what should happen,” Crennel said. “Guys aren’t worried about being traded and stuff like that. Now, let’s focus on football and trying to win some games.”

The Texans’ first crack to win games comes against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at TIAA Bank Field. Houston’s lone win of the season game against Jacksonville 30-14 at NRG Stadium, and the chances for a sweep appear to be high as the Jaguars will roll out sixth-round rookie quarterback Jake Luton while two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson will make his eighth start for Houston.

Fuller caught four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in the Week 5 win while Martin provided the defense with three combined tackles, 1.0 sack, a quarterback hit, and a forced fumble.

 

Texans’ Romeo Crennel outlines challenges of getting DT Ross Blacklock, OLB Jonathan Greenard up to speed

The Houston Texans have two rookies in DT Ross Blacklock and OLB Jonathan Greenard who could contribute if they could only get quality snaps.

The Houston Texans have two rookies on defense in defensive tackle Ross Blacklock and outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard who could really help the defense in the future.

In 2020, a year where neither rookie was able to be a part of a conventional offseason program or get their feet wet with preseason snaps, both rookies are going to have to learn on the fly throughout the season. Of course, getting in-game reps against the best talent in the world has its challenges.

“They have to try to catch up the best they can in practice and then take advantage of the reps they get in the game because we have been playing them some in the games,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “Now, the number’s not a great number, but you can get better the fastest or the best when you play in the games. Practice is not quite like the game. So, when they have their opportunity in the games, then they have to try to produce.

“The biggest thing about the games is that’s where they learn the most because what they think they can do in practice and they try to do it in the game, it doesn’t work because the competition is at a different level in the game. So, they have to try to take advantage of those opportunities they get in the game.”

Blacklock has collected four combined tackles and a tackle for loss in his six games with the Texans. Greenard has yet to register a tackle on defense among his 11 snaps played over the course of four games.

“Because they don’t know what they don’t know, they’re going to make mistakes in the game,” said Crennel. “So, now then as the coach you’ve got to try to determine how long do I play this guy? How many reps do I give him in the game and then what does he do with those reps that he gets? If he does good with those rep, he can make plays and he can take care of his gap, then maybe you say, ‘I’ll give him more reps.’ If he doesn’t do as well, if he jumps off blocks and gives up runs and things like that, then you know that he’s not quite ready yet. So, then you don’t put him in as many times.”

If Blacklock and Greenard can acclimate to the game as the Texans are rescuing their 1-6 record, then the two defensive rookies could be key contributors in December when Houston is making a playoff push.

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