Tag: tremon smith

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says Texans’ Lovie Smith is running tons of quarters defense

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says the Houston Texans are running lots of quarters looks on defense under Lovie Smith.

Mike McCarthy faced no one more in the NFL than Lovie Smith.

McCarthy was the coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18, and Smith manned the sideline for the Chicago Bears from 2004-12. The two former NFC champion coaches encountered one another 15 times during their stint together in the NFC North.

Smith is known for his Tampa 2 scheme, but McCarthy told reporters after the Cowboys’ 27-23 win over the Texans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington that Smith was running something else on Sunday afternoon.

“As far as the type of coverages, it’s more quarters than I’ve ever seen a lot of people play,” McCarthy said. “Lot of combinations to that.”

McCarthy explained that Smith excels as a “vision defensive coordinator.”

Said McCarthy: “I thought they played with good vision, and they were on our hip every time the ball was thrown and caught.”

The Texans entered Week 14 as one of the better teams in the NFL at limited yards after the catch with opponents compiling 1,182 over the first 12 games. Similarly the Cowboys’ big-play receivers such as CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup were limited to seven catches for 73 yards combined.

Cornerback Tremon Smith was a beneficiary of the Texans’ scheme against the Cowboys as he collected two interceptions of quarterback Dak Prescott.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross praises Tremon Smith’s return abilities

Ross has been familiar with Smith’s game for years and thinks he may have found the cornerback a niche on the #Texans’ special teams unit

The Houston Texans need all the help they can get to secure their second win of the season, and given the turmoil on their offense, it could come down to their special teams unit to put up points against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross spoke to reporters on Thursday about punt returner Tremon Smith, and the role his speed could play in the Texans’ pursuit of success.

“I’ve been with Tremon [Smith] for multiple years,” Ross said. “The guy can run. The most impressive thing, specifically to the Miami game, he had a nice little return there, even when we were getting into a little bit of traffic, the ball was tight and [he] showed good ball security. If you do that, that’s goal number one, that’s rule number one. Impressed with that because sometimes in traffic there’s a tendency to let that thing flair away from your body. We’re always coaching that. Been good, has good speed, so hopefully we’ll get another chance with him this weekend.”

No team wants to rely on punt or kickoff returns for touchdowns to win games, but for Houston, the abilities of their talented returner could be a deciding factor that inches them closer to respectability before the season concludes. Smith showed blazing speed in college at the University of Central Arkansas and could put it to use against Cleveland if given the opportunity.

He will continue to compete against fellow defensive back Desmond King for reps in the return game and has a chance to cement himself in the role if he can prove that he is the better option on a week-to-week basis. In a year where the Texans will take any positive momentum they can find, Smith’s contributions may end up being one of the more pivotal developments in the franchise’s failed 2022 campaign.

Texans coach Lovie Smith wants CB Tremon Smith to use returner skills on interceptions

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith says he would like to see CB Tremon Smith tap more into his returner skills after he comes up with interceptions.

The first takeaway of the Lovie Smith era — at least in the preseason — came when Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith picked off New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book.

Smith came up with the deflected pass with 3:03 to go in the first quarter and returned the free possession 12 yards to the Saints’ 34-yard line in Houston’s 17-13 win Saturday night at NRG Stadium.

The pick was another example of what Smith can provide for the defense. The 26-year-old from Central Arkansas is already an exceptional returner having posted a 25.6 yards per kickoff return last year along with a touchdown.

‘The more things you do, the better your chances, and Tremon is our returner,” Smith told reporters. “He’s gotten the ball in the end zone. We’ve seen him. We know what he can do in that role.”

What Smith would like to see from the fifth-year veteran cornerback is the activation of his returner skills after he has come up with a takeaway.

“When you say the more things you can do — to be able to do that and also play good ball at the cornerback position in a backup role is big for us,” said Smith. “And it’s always good when a cornerback will get his hands on the ball. What I expect when he got his hands on the ball, since he’s our returner, I was hoping he could maneuver and use some of those moves to get it into the end zone.”

In terms of a return, Smith’s interception return was three yards shorter than his lone punt return of the night. Smith also had a 25-yard kickoff return against the Saints.

If Smith were able to get at least 25 yards per takeaway recovery, it would help the Texans’ offense with favorable field position.

“We’ll work on that next week,” Smith said.

WATCH: Texans DB Tremon Smith intercepts Saints QB Ian Book in preseason

Houston Texans defensive back Tremon Smith intercepted New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book in the first quarter of their preseason tilt.

The Houston Texans have been preaching takeaways under new coach Lovie Smith, and they were able to find their first blessing, even if it was in a preseason game.

With 3:03 to go in the first quarter, defensive back Tremon Smith picked off second-year quarterback Ian Book on a deflection. Smith returned the pick for 12 yards up to the Saints’ 34-yard line.

The Texans were able to cash in on the extra possession with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn drilling a 49-yard field goal.

In 2021, Smith had 21 combined tackles and a fumble recovery through 17 games, two of which he started.

 

Texans CB Tremon Smith named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Houston Texans CB Tremon Smith won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in large part for his kickoff TD return against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his big performance to help beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-16 in Week 15 at TIAA Bank Field.

Smith had a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown that put Houston ahead 14-3 in the first quarter. On the game, Smith had 121 kickoff return yards, a touchdown, a special teams tackle, and even a tackle on defense.

The touchdown return was the first of Smith’s career and the first for a Texans player since Jacoby Jones on Oct. 4, 2009 against the Oakland Raiders.

Smith is the 16th Texans player to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, and it marks the 50th time a Texans player has been named player of the week.

The last player of the week was Deshaun Watson in Week 11 of 2020. The last special teams player of the week was Angelo Blackson in Week 15 of 2019.

Texans CB Tremon Smith says he asked for specific return that led to TD against the Jaguars

Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith says he asked for the specific return that led to the KO touchdown to be put into the playbook in Week 15.

When Tremon Smith was working with Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross on the return playbook for the Week 15 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, there was one return that he wanted to try against their AFC South foes.

“If we got the right kick and I made a couple guys miss that it could go the distance,” Smith said of the return. “So, of course, I asked him to start off the game with it.”

The first return was a touchback, but the Texans’ offense mounted a 15 play, 75-yard drive that resulted in rookie quarterback Davis Mills connecting with receiver Brandin Cooks for a 22-yard touchdown to give Houston a 7-0 lead.

When the Jaguars kicked a 22-yard field goal and kicked off, Smith had his second chance.

“The second one, it was just — it was the perfect — just like practice,” Smith said. “We practiced all week. I told the guys you’re just getting in front of your guys, wall them off, do what you need to do. We’ll get to the end zone. They did a great job of that.”

Coach David Culley said after the 30-16 win that Smith getting to the end zone was a culmination of his potential throughout the season.

“He is so explosive back there and he’s been close before,” said Culley. “Our special teams this week did a nice job of preparation from the standpoint of understanding that if we took care of our business and we block well and gave our returners, punt returner and kickoff returner, an opportunity to get through the hole there that there’s a chance to score, and they did a really nice job of that.”

Smith joked that he has to buy his blockers on the kickoff return something for Christmas because their efforts led to the Texans getting their first kickoff return touchdown since 2009.

“I haven’t came up with it yet, but I’m going to get them something nice for just setting it up for me,” said Smith. “I couldn’t do it without my blockers. I don’t know, it’s just a good feeling. In 2018, I had something like that happen. And I got tackled on like the 3-yard line. So I can’t wait to get rid of that video.”

The Texans improve to 3-11 on the season while the Jaguars fall to 2-12.

Texans vs. Jaguars first quarter recap: Davis Mills, special teams build 14-3 lead

The Houston Texans took a 14-3 lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15 at TIAA Bank Field.

Texans 1st drive (15 plays, 75 yards, 8:21) — On a second-and-8 from the Houston 27, Mills actually had room to run, but he went for the checkdown and threw it incomplete. Then, Houston had a delay of game on third-and-8 to make it third-and-13. The Texans weren’t able to overcome the yardage and committed their first three-and-out. However, the Jaguars are still a very bad football team and committed illegal use of hands to the face to keep Houston’s drive alive. The Texans picked up two third-down conversions in their own right to keep the chains moving. QB Davis Mills connects with WR Brandin Cooks for a 22-yard touchdown on third-and-1. Texans, 7-0

Jaguars 1st drive (9 plays, 79 yards, 4:57) — Jacksonville never faced a third down until third-and-10 from Houston’s 11-yard line, and they didn’t pick it up as RB James Robinson picked up seven yards. Interim coach Darrell Bevell feigned that he was going to go for it, but after a timeout, K Matthew Wright hit a 22-yard field goal. Texans, 7-3

KICKOFF, 1:47 — CB Tremon Smith goes right up the middle on the kickoff return and takes it all the way to the house for a 98-yard touchdown. Texans, 14-3

Jaguars 2nd drive () — The Jaguars managed 12 yards in three plays before the end of the quarter.

Texans’ Tremon Smith with 98-yard kickoff return

Tremon Smith with the kickoff return for Houston against Jacksonville

The Houston Texans aren’t showing any compassion for the Jacksonville Jaguars and their troubles.

Looking for a sweep of their AFC South counterparts, the Texans are off to a running start on Sunday.

They were leading 7-3 when the Jags made the mistake of kicking off to Tremon Smith.

Ninety-eight yards later, Smith and the football were in the end zone and the Texans were looking good as they aimed for their third win of 2021.

Sunday Night Football social media team poking fun at both teams.

WATCH: Texans CB Tremon Smith returns kickoff for 98-yard touchdown

Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith returned a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

The Houston Texans had a boon occur on special teams against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15 at TIAA Bank Field.

Cornerback Tremon Smith returned a 98-yard touchdown to give the Texans a 14-3 lead over the Jaguars.

General manager Nick Caserio told Sports Radio 610 on Dec. 7 that Smith’s improvement throughout the season is why they wanted to extend his contract through the 2022 season.

“He has come in and he has improved relative to what he’s done in previous places,” Caserio said. He’s had different opportunities, whether it’s defensively or in the kicking games. So, we’ve been pretty open-minded. I talked about this in terms of signing different players at different points or extending players at different points. So, the thing about Tremon here in the opportunity. He’s improved.”

Smith’s return for a touchdown was the first time since Oct. 4, 2009, when Jacoby Jones did it that the Texans returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Journeyman Tremon Smith finds stability with the Texans

Tremon Smith has been a journeyman in the NFL, but he found some stability with the Houston Texans in 2021.

HOUSTON — Tremon Smith was one of many journeymen who signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans prior to the start of the 2021 campaign. The Texans were Smith’s fifth team in four years, which included stops with the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.

With the stiff competition within the secondary, it appeared that Houston would be another pitstop amidst Smith’s quest for stability in the NFL. But the Texans saw fit to extend Smith beyond the 2021 season by awarding their cornerback with a one-year extension worth $1.6 million.

“It [felt] good — it’s been something I have been working on my whole career, just to get an extension,” Smith said while talking to reporters on Monday. “You know these past three years, I’ve been on three different teams, so to be somewhere back-to-back in two years is a good feeling and brought out confidence in me.”

Smith was the first player to receive an in-season extension under first-year general manager Nick Caserio. Smith said while he continued to focus on Houston’s next opponent, his agent had multiple extension talks with Caserio.

In addition to his on-field production, where Smith’s most significant contributions come by the way of special teams, the 25-year-old defensive back believes the energy and the hard work he brings to the organization daily is what led to him receiving his first career extension. In 12 games played, Smith has averaged 25.5 yards per kick return.

“I know we got a group of 10 people out there, me being 11, willing to block and go all out that way to give me a crease,” he said. “I was telling them the other night, ‘I trust in y’all a lot and if you give me a crease, I am going to hit it full speed. I am back here going full speed for y’all guys.”

With the team sitting at a lousy 2-10 ahead of their Week 14 match against the 4-8 Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Smith’s goal is to continue assisting the Texans both on and off the field in hopes of helping the team win more games.

Smith knows it will take some time before his dedication and devotion to the Texans will start showing results in the win column. But for now, Smith is content knowing that his hard work and dedication brought a sense of stability to a career full of uncertainty.

“I don’t have to adapt next year,” Smith said. “I am coming in with the same group of guys, whether it is a new group of guys I am coming in with the same coaching staff.”

“That feels good. As I said, it’s a confidence builder to be going into the same scheme next year. I’m just really looking forward to going into the same scheme and realizing that I was here last year too.”