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Houston Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will be calling the plays for the first time Sept. 10 at Arrowhead Stadium versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
Weaver didn’t even have the benefit of the preseason to adjust to being a decision-maker on game days. The defensive line coach is being thrown into the fire, but likes the warmth
“I feel really good, to be honest with you,” Weaver said. “To me like, what is pressure? Pressure just means somebody cares about you. That’s a good thing. That’s a good thing. They actually care about what you do.”
Even though Weaver didn’t have the normal offseason workouts to install his defense and work with the newer personnel in the spring, the first-year defensive coordinator believes all of his experiences as a player and a position coach will guide him.
“I feel prepared,” said Weaver. “I understand I am the leader of this defense. I am the defensive coordinator. I get that, but I know I’ve got a bunch of tremendous people around me to help and I’m not doing this alone. I feel confident. I am so excited about the opportunity just to go there.
“You’re facing the defending champs, it’s the first game in a pandemic. Like, what an opportunity this is for our defense and our football team. I’m thrilled.”
The Texans will have more firepower for their pass rush as defensive end J.J. Watt returns from a full offseason’s worth of recovery after tearing his pectoral muscle in Week 8. Though Watt returned for the entire two-game playoff run, he wasn’t in game shape.
Houston’s secondary has familiar faces with cornerbacks Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, and safety Justin Reid. Weaver will employ multiple coverages and looks to generate a substantive pass rush to affect Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and disrupt Kansas City’s big-play offense.