Tag: Texans cornerback

CB Shaquill Griffin passing down ‘Legion of Boom’ values to young Texans

Houston Texans cornerback Shaquill Griffin is passing along what he learned from the “Legion of Boom” to the young secondary.

HOUSTON — There have been elite defenses throughout NFL history known simply by their nicknames.

The 1985 Chicago Bears were the “Monsters of the Midway,” the 1972-79 Pittsburgh Steelers had the “Steel Curtain,” and the 1987-92 New Orleans Saints had a “Dome Patrol” inside the Superdome.

Then there was the Seattle Seahawks, whose menacing defense dominated opponents throughout the mid-2010s on their way to five NFC West titles and two Super Bowl appearances. Safety Kam Chancellor tagged them with the “Legion of Boom,” and it stuck.

Houston Texans cornerback Shaquill Griffin was not around when those legendary defenses from the ’70s through the ’90s were punishing offensive players. Still, he was able to witness what Seattle did throughout their run. The Seahawks’ 2017 third-round pick benefitted by playing and learning from the core of that defensive unit.

“I got a chance to play with some guys that kind of helped shape my game a lot,” Griffin said during his media availability on Wednesday after mandatory minicamp. “You know, you’re talking about the Richard Sherman’s, the Earl Thomas’, the Kam Chancellor’s, the guys who actually took the time to take me under their wing and teach me some things that I use now today.”

Griffin signed a one-year contract with the Texans in May after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.

Outside of being a valuable asset for the defensive unit on the field, one of his main objectives is to help guide the younger defensive backs and give them the same advice and knowledge he was given in Seattle.

“If you have knowledge, give it,” Griffin said. “I’m not the type of person to hold all that stuff to myself. It started off day one, and whatever I know, I’m going to continue to preach it.”

Yet, the former 2019 Pro Bowl player also knows that he has to earn the players’ respect in the locker room before anyone begins to listen to him, but that is something he is used to, and he has always let his actions speak louder than his words.

“I feel like right now, my main thing is, I don’t want to come in and feel like I need to step on anybody’s toes because I want to earn my voice,” said Griffin. “I know what type of caliber of player I am, and I know what I’ve been through. I know how last year was, and I feel like I’m here now to earn my name, earn this voice, to be able to be that voice for this team, for these guys, I have to earn it first, and that’s the part where I’m at right now.”

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Texans CB Steven Nelson attends mandatory minicamp

Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson is attending mandatory minicamp after not being present for the team’s voluntary workouts.

The Houston Texans don’t have to worry about the attendance in the secondary.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, cornerback Steven Nelson will participate in mandatory minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center Tuesday.

While Nelson was away from the team, he also retooled his representation. The 30-year-old hired David Mulugheta from Athletes First — C.J. Stroud’s representation — as his new agent.

The 5-10, 194-pound cornerback started 15 games for Houston last season, collecting 52 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, a forced fumble, an interception, and seven pass breakups.

Nelson is tied for 40th in terms of annual average compensation among cornerbacks at $4.5 million a year.

The former Kansas City Chiefs 2015 third-round pick signed a two-year deal in March 2022 with a maximum value of $10 million that includes $4.5 million guaranteed. Nelson gets a $3.5 million base salary in 2023 along with $750,000 of the salary guaranteed. There is also an additional $1 million per-game active roster bonus with $500,000 in play-time incentives.

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Antonio Cromartie posits Texans CB Derek Stingley would get praise in bigger market

Former All-Pro cornerback Antonio Cromartie believes the Houston Texans’ Derek Stingley would get more attention if he were in a bigger market.

Though situated in a football state, Houston has had trouble developing as a big market in the NFL.

Whether it was the lack of having a franchise from 1997-2001 or the lack of wins beyond the wild-card round for the Houston Texans since 2002, Space City can’t stay relevant to the rest of the league unless they are winning, which has been difficult to come by since 2019.

As a result, there are some players on the Texans’ roster that get slept on, and one of them is cornerback Derek Stingley, according to former All-Pro cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Cromartie took time after working out college defensive backs at Ollin Athletics and Sports Medicine to opine about the Texans’ former 2022 No. 3 overall pick.

“Love him, I don’t think he gets enough credit because he’s not in a bigger market,” Cromartie said via Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. “I think if Sting was in New York, it would be a whole different spiel. I think Stingley had a great rookie season and I think it’s going to be even better as he goes on. The kid is phenomenal.”

The former LSU product had a limited rookie season with nine games, but was nonetheless productive with 43 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, five pass breakups, and an interception.

Part of Stingley’s production is a result of his understanding and application of the game.

“Football IQ is high, and athletic ability can’t take that away from him,” Cromartie said. “I think he’s a game-changer who can do the things he needs to do on the back end and he’s going to have another good season this year.”

The Texans’ defensive scheme under new coach DeMeco Ryans is predicated upon an attacking front four that forces opposing quarterbacks into mistakes. If Stingley is racking up interceptions amid a Texans turnaround, it should help the former Bayou Bengal — no matter Houston’s market size.

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Report: Texans sign CB Shaquill Griffin to 1-year contract

The Houston Texans have signed former Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin to a one-year contract.

Talent evaluation and personnel acquisition never stops for the Houston Texans.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans signed former Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin to a one-year contract. The maximum value of the contract is worth $4.5 million with $3 million guaranteed.

Griffin, 27, played 19 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons. The former Seahawks third-round pick collected 59 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and 11 pass breakups for Jacksonville.

The 6-0, 198-pound cornerback’s best season was in 2019 when he amassed 65 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and 13 pass breakups through 14 games, all of which he started en route to his only Pro Bowl selection.

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Texans S Jimmie Ward says CB Derek Stingley is a ‘stud’

Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward says that cornerback Derek Stingley is a “stud” and has confidence his potential will manifest on the field.

Jimmie Ward has spent a little over a month in the Houston Texans’ offseason workouts, but he has seen enough from Derek Stingley.

The former San Francisco 49ers safety has finally had a chance to be on the practice field with the former 2022 No. 3 overall cornerback from LSU out at Houston Methodist Training Center.

“I seen how he moves around,” Ward told reporters May 4. “He’s like 6-1, 6-0, but he moves like he’s 5-9, 5-8. Dude’s a stud. He’s going to be a stud.”

What Ward notices the most about Stingley is the 21-year-old’s confidence level, which may come from playing his college ball in the toughest division in the Power 5, the SEC West.

“When you’re playing in the SEC, the level doesn’t just jump up too much because a lot of guys that he locked down at LSU are in the league,” said Ward. “Didn’t they just break a record of SEC guys drafted this year? Okay, this guy Stingley, covered majority of the top wide receivers coming out or tight ends. Like, he did this already. That’s the reason his confidence is so high.”

Stingley played in just nine games for Houston last season, tallying 43 combined tackles, five pass breakups, 1.0 sack, and an interception.

The way Ward sees it, the added experience in the pros is only going to create more opportunities for Stingley to blossom.

Said Ward: “It’s going to keep clicking for him. The game is going to slow down and slow down and sooner or later I’m not looking at his side. I’m going to go steal some on the other side. You aren’t going to catch the ball on Stingley.”

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Texans take Iowa CB Cooper DeJean in Touchdown Wire way too early 2024 mock draft

The Houston Texans take Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean in the Touchdown Wire’s way too early 2024 NFL mock draft.

Now that the 2023 NFL draft is over, it is time for the 2024 NFL draft.

The Houston Texans won’t have twin first-round picks next year as the Arizona Cardinals possess Houston’s proprietary selections thanks to the Will Anderson trade. As long as Anderson is elevating his game in the pros, Texans fans won’t mind too much about not having that extra first-rounder.

According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, who released his way too early mock draft for 2024, the Cleveland Browns manage to have a decent year, which means the Texans aren’t picking until No. 19 overall. Houston uses that selection to take Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean.

Taking DeJean would give the Texans a pair of first-round cornerbacks as Derek Stingley would be embarking upon his third season. If Stingley was continuing to struggle with injuries, Cooper could easily transition to being the defense’s dominant cornerback and Houston wouldn’t have to pick up Stingley’s fifth-year option.

If Stingley were starting to blossom and live up to his potential, then adding DeJean would be a significant upgrade if they allowed Steven Nelson to walk in free agency. Along with safety Jalen Pitre, who would also be entering his third season, the Texans would have their own version of a no-fly zone with the addition of DeJean.

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Report: Texans re-sign CB Tavierre Thomas to 1-year contract

The Houston Texans are brining back cornerback Tavierre Thomas on a one-year deal.

The Houston Texans are giving Tavierre Thomas another shot — for the third straight year.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans have re-signed the 5-10, 205-pound cornerback to a one-year contract.

If Thomas completes the 2023 season with the Texans, he will have spent just as many years with Houston as he did with the Cleveland Browns, where he caught on as an undrafted free agent in 2018 from Ferris State.

Thomas provided the Texans with depth at cornerback last year, contributing with 41 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, two forced fumbles, and a pass breakup through 10 games, six of which he started.

The 27-year-old was the Texans’ Ed Block Courage Award winner last season. Thomas told reporters on Dec. 20 that he is also trying to get into real estate in addition to his pro football career.

“I’m trying to get into a lot of real estate because I’ve never even thought about anything else outside of football,” said Thomas. “I’m trying AirBnBs [rental properties] and that sort of stuff, so, I’m going pretty good now.”

No need for Thomas’ plan B as his football career continues at least for another season with the Texans.

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Texans sign CB Ka’dar Hollman to reserve/future contract

The Houston Texans are bringing back former cornerback Ka’dar Hollman on a reserve/future contract.

The Houston Texans want to make sure they didn’t miss something with a former defensive back.

The Texans signed Ka’dar Hollman to a reserve/future contract on Thursday, making the second time that the former Toledo product will be with Houston.

The first time was in 2021 when the Texans traded a 2022 seventh-rounder to the Green Bay Packers for Hollman. Houston waived Hollman at the end of preseason as part of the mandatory cuts to a 53-man roster.

Since the Texans waived Hollman, he has had a stint each with the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and two stints with the San Francisco 49ers. The Dolphins were the most recent team to have Hollman under contract as he was a member of their practice squad starting Dec. 14 through the end of the season.

Hollman has played 18 games in his career, all for the Packers, logging one start, 10 tackles, and three pass breakups.

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Texans coach Lovie Smith says CB Derek Stingley is still in all the meetings

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith says cornerback Derek Stingley is still in all the team meetings despite being on injured reserve.

Derek Stingley is done. The rookie will not see the field for the rest of the 2022 season after being placed on injured reserve in Week 15 with a hamstring injury.

Stingley has not played a down for the Houston Texans since Week 10 when he left the 24-16 loss to the New York Giants. The hamstring injury was so bad Stingley was sitting in the press box the week after.

Nevertheless Stingley showed enough for coach Lovie Smith to like over his nine games played, all of which he started.

“We’ve liked everything about Derek Stingley when he has played,” Smith said. “Another one of our guys who came in behind a little bit with his injury. But now, those guys have a chance to really develop their bodies and get healthy.”

Stingley can still display his passion for the game and dedication to the team, which is what is taking place inside NRG Stadium, according to Smith.

Said Smith: “I know they’re into ball. Derek is all meetings, all the guys are getting as many mental reps as they can, which will only help them to see what it takes to win, and it takes an awful lot. How hard it is to win in this league. All these things to help them as they go forward.”

Stingley collected 43 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, five pass breakups, and an interception in his rookie campaign.

Texans’ Tavierre Thomas reminds Tremon Smith of a former Disney Channel original series

Houston Texans CB Tremon Smith says that Tavierre Thomas is similar to the title character from “That’s So Raven,” a Disney Channel original series.

NFL cornerbacks are regarded for their anticipation skills, not necessarily their clairvoyance.

Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas had a funny feeling about Tremon Smith, one of his closest friends on the team and a groomsman from his wedding.

It’s crazy, on Saturday [Dec. 10], I was in the sauna, that week he got two interceptions,” Thomas said. “I’m in the sauna, I got out of the sauna, and I called him. I was like, ‘Bro, I don’t know why, but I feel like you’re going to play.’”

Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley had been sidelined since Week 11 with a hamstring injury. The Texans were going with Desmond King in his place opposite of cornerback Steven Nelson. The plan was going to be the same against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.

“I called him, and I said, ‘I think you’re going to play this weekend,’” Thomas recalled. “And he was like, ‘I’m not going to play, bro.’ I said, ‘Yes you are, bro. Just stay locked in.’ And he said, ‘I’m always going to be ready.’ I was like, ‘I’m telling you Tre, you’re going to get in.’”

Nelson left the game in the first half with a foot injury, which meant the Texans had to delve into their reserve, and Smith, who normally returns punts and kickoffs, was playing in Nelson’s spot opposite of King.

“The first play, he made a tackle,” said Thomas. “The second play, he had a pick.”

With 3:21 to go in the second quarter, Smith caught a tipped pass and recorded his first interception of his career.

Said Thomas: “He came up to me and said, ‘Bro, you’re like “That’s So Raven.”’ I was happy about that.”

The premise of “That’s So Raven,” a Disney Channel sitcom from 2003-07, was that Raven Baxter, played by Raven-Symoné, would use her psychic abilities throughout her life as a teenager.

“I’m happy for him,” Thomas said. “I’m happy he’s balling out, and I’m happy he’s got his opportunity. Hopefully, he just keeps it up and keeps making plays.

“He’s going to have a big payday coming soon.”