The Houston Texans have three Pro Bowl alternates in defensive tackle D.J. Reader, inside linebacker Zach Cunningham, and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus.
Considered a “snub” as they weren’t named initial starters or reserves on the AFC’s all-star roster, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has seen his fair share of snubs in his 39 years of coaching at the pro level. His message resonates.
“Like I told Whitney, because Whitney I think is an alternate also, sometimes Whitney doesn’t feel like that people notice what he does, and I told him, I said, ‘People notice what you do. That’s why you got the award. That’s why you’re where you are,'” Crennel told reporters Wednesday.
In the case of Mercilus, he is tied for the second-most forced fumbles among AFC linebackers with four and is tied for the fourth-most interceptions among linebackers in the conference with two. He isn’t leading any particular statistical category like Cunningham is, who has the most tackles in the AFC with 128.
“He shows up every game,” Crennel said. “Many games he’s been a double-digit tackler the last couple of games anyway. That tells you that he’s around the ball, he’s fitting where he’s supposed to fit. That’s a good accomplishment for him and it’s well deserved.”
However, the third-year linebacker is an alternate. The nearest Pro Bowler is the Indianapolis Colts’ Darius Leonard with 104, the fifth-most in the AFC.
Another overlooked defender is Reader, who has produced career highs with 2.5 sacks, 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits.
“In our system, they don’t get many accolades,” Crennel explained. “They take a pounding and all that, but I think they realize their importance to the defense and the linebackers definitely realize the job that they do.”
The one accolade all of the Texans’ alternates seek is to play on Super Bowl Sunday. That would be worth getting overlooked for the Pro Bowl.