Steelers grind out a defensive battle to secure victory over Packers

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via pixabay.com
Used with permission, free rights usage,

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (November 11,  2023) In a hard-fought matchup at Acrisure Stadium (shown left), the Pittsburgh Steelers showcased a different facet of their game, relying on a resilient defense to secure a 23-19 victory against the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers, now 6-3, demonstrated their ability to adapt, overcoming challenges on both sides of the ball to clinch a crucial win.

The Steelers' defense took center stage in this contest, holding firm against Jordan Love and the potent Packers offense for the majority of the game. Despite missing key defensive players like star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, inside linebacker Cole Holcomb, and losing Kwon Alexander early in the game, the Steelers limited Green Bay to 19 points.

The defensive heroics were on full display in the final moments of the game. Keanu Neal intercepted Love's first attempt at a game-winning touchdown, showcasing exceptional awareness as he corralled a ball tipped by Patrick Peterson. With just seconds remaining, Damontae Kazee sealed the victory with another interception as time expired, thwarting the Packers' last-ditch effort.

Neal and Kazee played pivotal roles in not only securing turnovers but also contributing significantly to the defensive effort with eight and five tackles, respectively. The Steelers' ability to weather the storm without key defensive personnel underscores the depth and resilience of their roster.

While the defense held the fort, the Steelers' offense came out firing with an uncharacteristic burst of energy, scoring on each of their first three possessions. Running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren spearheaded a ground attack that proved crucial for the Steelers.

Harris showcased his prowess with a 4-yard touchdown scamper, setting the tone for the game. Warren added to the offensive showcase with a 16-yard scoring run on the second Steelers possession. Harris finished the game with a season-high 82 yards on 16 carries, while Warren recorded a season-best 101 yards on 15 carries.

Despite the explosive start, the Steelers' offense hit a roadblock after taking a 17-7 lead, settling for two more Chris Boswell field goals for the remainder of the game. Quarterback Kenny Pickett and the passing game faced challenges, with Pickett completing 14 of 23 for 126 yards and a 75.6 passer rating. Wide receiver George Pickens led the receiving corps with three catches for 45 yards.

With this hard-fought victory, the Steelers conclude their mid-season homestand, winning two of three games. Currently standing at 6-3, they hold the second spot in the AFC North, trailing the Baltimore Ravens. The upcoming matchups against the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals present crucial opportunities for the Steelers to solidify their playoff positioning.

JJ Watt and the Houston Texans agree to part ways

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 13, 2021) The Houston Texans and DE J.J. Watt have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced today.

Watt is the franchise’s all-time sacks leader (101.0), a three-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner (2012, 2014-15) and the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

“Change is never easy, especially when it involves the ones you love. J.J.’s impact on not only our organization, but the entire Houston community, is unlike any player in our franchise’s history,” said Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair. “I told J.J. earlier this week that we will forever consider him a Texan. We take solace in knowing that this is not a goodbye but a ‘see you soon.’ For now, we will build upon the foundation that J.J. created here and forge ahead with our unwavering mission to bring a championship to our city, create memorable experiences for our fans and do great things for Houston.”

“Simply put, there has been no person in the past decade who has made a greater impact on the Texans organization than J.J. Watt,” said Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair. “J.J.’s dominance on the field was unprecedented and resulted in countless moments that will go down in Texans history. To me, what best represents J.J.’s connection to Houston is his tradition of playing catch with the fans before every home game. The number of people who wear #99 jerseys with smiles on their faces totally encapsulated J.J.’s passion for bonding with Texans fans at every possible opportunity. His commitment to the community is unlike any player in NFL history. We are forever grateful to J.J. and his family.”

“The connection I have with the people of Houston is special, and I will never take that for granted because I know how rare it is. I just want you to know that I love you and I appreciate you,” said Watt via a message to fans via social media. “I want to thank the McNair family for drafting me and giving me my first opportunity in the NFL. Thank you, Houston.”

The Texans selected Watt with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 128 games for the team across 10 seasons (2011-20). A five-time Pro Bowl selection and AP First-Team All-Pro (2012-15, 2018), Watt set franchise records in sacks (101.0), tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281) and forced fumbles (25) to go along with 531 total tackles, 61 passes defensed and 16 fumble recoveries. He owns the four highest single-season sack totals in team history (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018) and remains the only player in league history who has accumulated at least 15.0 percent of a single franchise’s sacks.

Watt is one of only three players in NFL history to win at least three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards, doing so in 2012 and 2014-15. Since entering the NFL in 2011, he leads the league in tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281), multi-sack games (26) and sack yards (713.5), while ranking second in sacks (101.0). In 2020, Watt, who led the NFL in sacks twice (2012 and 2015), became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to total 100.0 sacks, doing so in just his 120th career game.

From 2012-15, Watt logged four straight seasons with at least 10.0 sacks, including two seasons with 20.5 in 2012 and 2014. During that time, he earned six of his seven career AFC Defensive Player of the Week awards and five of his six career AFC Defensive Player of the Month awards. Watt is also the only player in NFL history with 20.0-or-more sacks and 10-or-more passes defensed in the same season (2012 and 2014), and he ranks tied for fifth among defensive linemen in league history with six regular season touchdowns, including three receiving touchdowns.

Off the field, Watt’s response to the disastrous Hurricane Harvey in 2017 helped him earn the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The hurricane made landfall in Houston as Watt and the Texans were away playing their third preseason game. While watching the events unfold from afar, Watt posted a video on social media announcing a fundraising campaign with a very attainable goal of $200,000, to which he intended to match the first $100,000. Little did he know that in just 19 days, he would help raise more than $37 million, a total that eventually grew to more than $41 million. Watt dedicated himself to finding organizations that applied the funds in the ways that he promised the donors and victims of the disaster. He also ensured that every dollar went directly to the people of Houston and its surrounding areas that were in need.

Watt started the Justin J. Watt Foundation while he was a junior at the University of Wisconsin in 2010 out of a desire to help underserved kids. His personal motto of “Dream Big, Work Hard” culminated into a mission that he has used to impact communities all over the country. The foundation has provided more than $6 million in funding to schools and organizations that either have insufficient funding for their youth after-school athletic programs or simply no after-school athletic programs at all.

Chiefs/Browns - More then just a Mahomes/Mayfield rematch

Photo courtesy of Eric Drost via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TXEAS (January 12, 2021) The Kansas City Chiefs will welcome the Cleveland Browns to Arrowhead Stadium for the premier game of the divisional round on Sunday afternoon. A game that will be more then just the rematch of Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. Of course, you remember that classic collegiate gridiron battle when they combined for 1700 plus yards of offense and 125 points. Although, they will be key to their team's success or lack thereof there are three more important points may create another improbable Browns win.

Cleveland Browns

1.Chip on their shoulder

Let's make one thing perfectly clear, this is not a Cinderella team. This is a team that went 11-5 in the regular season and came from a division that sent three teams to the playoffs, This is a team that came into Pittsburgh having not won there in forever and a day and no one really giving them much of a chance to break that streak except for maybe the guy that bet a half million on them to win. Instead everything broke in their favor early on and like a good team they took advantage of those moments. The mindset will undoubtedly be that no on takes us seriously just like against Pittsburgh, Even after Cleveland had put up 35 first half points, people were still on social media saying remember this is Cleveland referring more likely then not back to "The Drive" which was incidentally back in 1987 before many Cleveland fans today and their whole team were even born but such is the status o long memories of heartache and disappointment.  Regardless of the outcome this weekend, this is not the same Cleveland playoff teams of yesteryear. This team has playmakers on both sides of the ball and they come to play with a chip on their shoulder.

2. Health of the Cleveland "O" line

The Cleveland offensive line even banged up against the Pittsburgh Steelers was able to protect Baker Mayfield just enough. Now though they get a whole new challenge and they get back possibly the most important piece of the line ---2nd Team All Pro Joel Botinio. Along with Jack Conklin who left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, the duo has anchored a line that finished third in rushing yards, tied for fifth in rushing yards per carry, fifth in rushing touchdowns, second in runs of 20-plus yards, and allowing just 26 sacks. It was a banged up line coming into Pittsburgh that it had to pluck a New York Jets practice squad player in Blake Hance to plug the gap filled by injuries and COVID-19.

3. Browns coaching staff

Underrated is the best way to describe the Cleveland Browns coaching staff. Head coach Kevin Stefanski sidelined by COVID turned over the duties to his acting head coach Matt Priefer and play calling to Pittsburgh native Alex Van Pelt. Neither let him down. The mark of a good leader is what the rest will do without him around. The Cleveland coaching staff epitomized their leader. 

 "I trust my team. I trust my guys. I trust the players. I trust the coaches. The goal was to find a win any which way we had to. You saw guys stepping up and making plays and people in different roles, doing a great job. I'm so very, very proud of the effort," Stefanski said after the win. "I thought they played with a ton of physicality and enthusiasm, which was readily apparent to me.  

Steelers Nation readies for another Super Bowl run

Photo by Brook Ward, via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (January 9, 2021) The Pittsburgh Steelers are used to being in the NFL playoffs. Reaching the playoffs is like settling down to warm, cozy family dinner at the holidays. It's that time when "The Patriarch" stands up up to offer a toast. On Sunday, the Steeles Nation will do just that gathering around TV sets across the nation as they host the new kid on the block the Cleveland Browns.

Pittsburgh has been one of the most consistent NFL franchises. They have had just two head coaches since Chuck Noll stopped patrolling the sidelines in the Steel City, a pan of 50-plus years. Over their 67-year history, the team has been owned by one family; the Rooney's.

Art Rooney, the original patriarch of the Steeler faithful paid the NFL franchise fee of $2,500 and on July 8, 1933 the Pittsburgh Steelers were born. Robert Kelly, longtime Steelers fan and owner of TexSport Publications in Houston, reminisced about how he became a Steelers fan.

"I  was born in Pittsburgh. My mother was a Steelers fan. Her parents (my grandparents) were Steelers fans. Her brother, his wife and their children were all Steelers fans. I was born into "Steeler Nation."  In addition, my mother and grandparents lived in the same neighborhood in Pittsburgh as the Rooney family, who own the Steelers. They my mother and her parents, went to the same church as the Rooneys and my mother went to school with Dan Rooney (American executive and diplomat best known for his association with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and son of the Steelers' founder, Art Rooney. I guess you can say the Black and Gold is in my blood. 

For some, the Black and Gold is embodied by the last 16 years, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the helm of the Steelers offense. Big Ben stands 6'5" and 240 pounds, and is not easily taken down. Defenses know that the Steelers are going to throw the ball especially since 2010. He is the NFL leader in Empty Backfield Snaps and yet they seldom can stop him. Notwithstanding, a season ending injury in 2019, Big Ben is as durable they come, having missed just one game to injury in the previous three seasons, before 2019. Since 2013, he has missed just five games due to injury. That durability is what has led to much of the Steelers s playoff success. The Steelers with Roethlisberger under center have never missed the playoffs more then two consecutive years which, adheres to their franchise where they have appeared in the playoffs in 30 times in 60 years. Behind Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 13-8 headed into his  22nd postseason start with two Super Bowl titles in three tries.

"Ben Roethlisberger is a competitor," continued Kelly. "In all his years in football; high school, college, and professional; he has always found a way to win.  It is as if to say he "has to win." It is ingrained in his persona."

Without much of a run game, the Steelers will depend on Big Ben to be the quarterback of the Pittsburgh team that started 12-0 where he completed 67% of his passes for 25 touchdowns against five INT's. The Steelers are 25-3-1 with Roethlisberger against the Browns including 15-0 at home. The Steelers franchise quarterback owns the Browns having more wins against the team that passed on him in 2004 draft allowing him to travel the 133 miles from Cleveland to  Pittsburgh then any signal caller in NFL history. 

As the patriarch of this team, the Steelers will go as far as Big Ben's arm will take them. 

"If Ben is at his peak, and all of his teammate are "with him," concluded Kelly, "they will be unstoppable." 

Is this the Cleveland Browns moment?

Photo Credit: Erik Dorst

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 8, 2021) 

Cleveland Browns fans have probably heard it all. Mistake by the Lake. NFL version of the Chicago Cubs. Perennial cellar dwellers and the list goes on. For decades they have endured the good natured and not so good natured ribbing about their team and then came 2020 the year of the unexpected. In 2020, the Cleveland Browns found themselves a success on and off the field and now in 2021 they have an opportunity to erase all the heartache, pain and disappointments of decades gone by. The Cleveland fanbase is as ardent and loyal a following as any you will find on the American sports scene. For the Browns, the wait has been 18 years between playoff appearances and 57 years since Jim Brown led them to the promised land in 1964. For Renee Beck, it has been a lifetime.

Brought home from the hospital swaddled in a Browns shirt, Beck has been a Cleveland fan ever since. She knows the heartache, the pain, the disappointment firsthand having with her dad made the drive from Rochester, NY to Cleveland for games when the Browns weren't necessarily their best. All that is now forgotten as they have earned 2020 a season in which to relish victory rather then the agony of defeat for the first time in forever. And with the turning of the page to 2021, she believes this is the Browns moment. Standing in their way are the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing the oldest rivalry in the history of the AFC and the fifth oldest in NFL history.

On Sunday, the Browns will be battling not only their biggest rival but history as well. Not since October 5, 2003 has Cleveland downed the Steelers in a road gridiron battle. Fifteen consecutive losses at the confluence of the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers known better as Heinz Field where Tim Couch last led them to victory over the Steelers.

The Browns have tried a variety of formulas since that Sunday. Thirty different quarterbacks and eight different head coaches have all come and gone in failure. Now Baker Mayfield assumes the reins of history as he leads Cleveland into game of meaning for the first time in in 6,307 days but hey who's counting. The former number one draft pick has been at the helm of the Cleveland offense for the last 45 starts. Remarkable if for nothing else as the Browns had used nine different quarterbacks to start the previous 45 games dating back to Johnny Manziel. Even more stunning, it took the Browns nearly seven seasons from October 23, 2011 until Mayfield came on in relief of Tyrod Tayler on September 20, 2018 for Cleveland to win 23 games. The former Oklahoma Sooner has rushed onto the scene winning 23 games in two plus seasons of work. 

According to Beck, Mayfield is the difference. 

"Baker and his passion and intensity are contagious. This is family. The fans, the coaches, the players the organization. They play for their teammates, the fans and the city and not for themselves."

Mayfield came to Cleveland with a lot of hype. HIs brashness although refreshing to some didn't play well early on when the team was losing. Now the third year signal caller has taken control of this team and silenced many doubters. He has never been afraid of the spotlight. After all how can you be when you played in two big time college programs, won the prestigious Maxwell Player of the Year Trophy, the Davey O'Brien Award (best college quarterback) and of course the granddaddy of them all The Heisman. Now everything is coming together as expected.

Behind Mayfield's leadership, the Cleveland offense ranked just outside the NFL's top ten overall offenses but where it counts the most.....red-zone efficiency.....they are among the NFL best. The Browns over the course of 2020 found the end zone 74% of the time inside the 20. Mayfield threw 20 TD strikes inside the 20 without an interception. That is deadly accurate. Over the last four games of 2020, the Browns red zone efficiency jumped to 90%. Only the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saint could say they were better. 

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has done something that maybe no other coach since Paul Brown back in the 60's did. He instilled a sense of family into this team. It's why no one worries about whether they are a starter or a role player. It's why no one worries about who gets the credit or looks good on the stat sheet. It's why as Beck says they will win on Sunday against a Pittsburgh team that has created generations of "family."

"Let’s talk team. Stefanski. Baker. Landry. Garrett," continued Beck. "A team full of heart. A team determined never to be satisfied. This team plays for each other. They are a family. Each week we have faced adversity of injury, illness, etc. and the next man up mentality.  Each player has stepped up to do their part knowing they all need each other."

The Cleveland defense is nothing to sneeze about either. They find themselves in the top 10 in a category that many would say is the most important - turnover differential. Whoever wins the turnover battle usually wins the game and as the old cliche goes - defense wins championship. The Steelers may have TJ Watt but the Browns have Myles Garrett. 

Described by Mayfield using a Lil Wayne lyric "Real G's run in silence like lasagna" Big #95 has led the charge in 2020 recording 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries plus 12 tackles for losses letting his play and not his mouth do the talking. It is an opportunistic defense that claims a plus five turnover differential. On that October Sunday in 2003, the defense came to play winning the turnover battle and holding the Steelers to just a 9% conversion rate on third down.

So here they are the Cleveland Browns just shy of 18 years to the day marking their last win in Pittsburgh. Sunday night's prime time game will come down to one thing - execution. The Browns will come with their balanced attack not preferring running over throwing or throwing over running but simply doing what they do best. Baker Mayfield and company have every intention of rerouting "The Turnpike Rivalry" back in Cleveland's direction and that begins with a playoff win in 2021.

"Passion. Heart. Team. Family. We want more and to do it against Pittsburgh will make it only that much sweeter," concluded Beck. "This is our time.

Deshaun Watson should be the NFL's MVP

Photo credit: K A Sports Photos via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 4, 2021) Not to many things went right in 2020 for the Houston Texans but quarterback Deshaun Watson is not one of those things. In fact, he might be the only real bright spot for this team and the one certainty moving forward.

After a 4-12 season in which Watson singlehandedly kept the Houston Texans in the hunt for a win each week, there is little room doubt that he is the most important puzzle piece going forward. Had this team been 12-4 instead of what they are, the Texans field general would be in the conversation for MVP. Throw out the records. Deshaun Watson should be the NFL's 2020 MVP. What you say? It should be Patrick Mahomes. Did I hear you say it should be Aaron Rodgers? Well, you are right all three should be in the conversation. Let's compare the numbers.

In the the statistical categories of attempts. completions, passing percentage and yardage, Watson finishes second in the NFL. He is number one in yards per pass completed at 8.8. He has thrown the second fewest interceptions of the top five quarterbacks in the league in 2020 despite the fact he was sacked twice as many times as Mahomes and 2.5 times more then Rodgers in spite of having the best left tackle in football (tongue in cheek).

As a rushing quarterback, he had the most most attempts, yards, average and touchdowns when compared to Mahomes and Rodgers. Of the top five quarterbacks only Buffalo's  Josh Allen had more rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns then Watson.

Of the seven statistical categories rating NFL quarterbacks, Watson finished first or second in six of them. On the ground, he was first or second in all five categories. All this while playing for a losing no make that a dismally, horrendously losing team.

If the MVP trophy is really about the value of one player, the team could not have otherwise done this well without number four on the field . Simply put, were Watson to be on the Chiefs, Packers, Bills or Seahawks with what he posted for the Texans they would all basically be in the same spot but flip the table and none of the others would have elevated the Texans any differently. Watson will not be the NFL MVP in 2020, but he should. 

Houston Texans ready to show improvement

Story and photo by Lou Roesch
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 20, 2020) It may not take much for the Houston Texans to show improvement following last week's season opening loss at Kansas City. Improvement comes in many forms and after six plus years of hearing general manager/head coach Bill O'Brien say we need to do better, it's time to see better.

What exactly is better for the Houston Texans? After all this is a team that averages nine wins a season so would we feel better with a 10 win team in 2020? This is a team that has won its fair share of AFC South titles, would another one make us think they are any better in 2020? This is a team that has stars at multiple positions and potential stars at others. Would one more star make us better or did trading away our star receiver make us better?

Better is a relative term and is of course in the eye of the beholder it is all about perspective. Come Sunday, the Texans will host a Baltimore Ravens team that has gotten better ever since Lamar Jackson lined up under center. Getting better doesn't necessarily mean more wins although that would be nice. Getting better on Sunday means your personnel show up in front of a nationally televised audience again and this time they play like they belong on national TV. Getting better means not coming out flat. Getting better means not sitting back after scoring the opening touchdown and thinking man we sure showed them. Getting better means manhandling the Baltimore offensive line and containing Lamar Jackson.

One aspect that will help the Houston Texans get better fast is to hand David Johnson the rock 25 times and let him prove he is still a stud runner. When your main man carries the ball for a 7 yard gain each time he touches it, the only thing you have to do is get better at handing him the ball. If Johnson runs for 100 plus yards and two scores on Sunday, the Texans will win, fans will feel better and no one will have to hear O'Brien say "we got outplayed, out coached, out executed, gotta do better."

If the offensive line is the unmovable wall on Sunday instead of the wall of play dough they were last Thursday in Kansas City, things will be better. Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson had all of 2.59 seconds to throw on average. Even another full second would be better. A more stout performance by the line, a steady diet of David Johnson and Watson plays lights out and all will be better in Texans world.

As long as JJ Watt is a member of the Houston defense, they can always become better. What does better look like. Better sees more JJ Watt through the middle and Jacob Martin playing more then 16 snaps a game. Better includes more tackles and less misses as in 20 at Kansas City. What if that had only been 10 missed tackles.

Getting better and winning at the game of football is about executing the fundamentals correctly. It's about coming out and playing a full four quarters of football. Houston has the talent to match up with the Baltimore Ravens. The question is whether or not they will play better as a team. If they do, a win is a possibility. If not, we will have the same old excuses regurgitated for yet another week.

Rough start for the Houston Texans in 34-20 loss at Kansas City

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Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (September 11, 2020)  The Houston Texans opened the 2020 football season with a 34-20 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. It was a game that everyone from the top of the organization to the fanbase had waited  for for nearly nine months. It was the start that fans feared would happen but hoped they would not have to endure. After another flat showing on national television, Houston head coach Bill O'Brien has no one left to blame but himself.

The Texans came out strong scoring the opening touchdown salvo on their second drive and then much like last January the Chiefs took over scoring 31 unanswered points and just like that the game was over. Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson ran for his life nearly all night as the highly touted offensive line looked more like a sieve then a wall. Oh there were a few moments where the Texans showed some flash but never sustainable until the game was out of reach midway through the fourth quarter.

Texans game notes touted the fact that defense held the Chiefs scoreless in the first quarter for the first time since November of the 2019 season but what about the other three quarters of football. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for his third lowest yards per attempt yet still he was good enough to throw three scoring strikes. The Texans held the Chiefs offense to just 203 net total yards but where it mattered most, Kansas City still put up 34 points.

Houston's David Johnson ran for 77 yards on 11 carries but maybe we should talk about the play calling. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly's play calling after the initial scoring drive looked more like O'Brien was calling the plays. Probably a good thing BOB was wearing a mask on this night because we can only imagine the grimaces he wore. The Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-

Hellarie rushed for more yards then the entire Houston offense 138 to 118 on just three more carries. If Johnson is healthy and running hard like he was, let him be the stud running back they tell us he is and not only control the clock but maybe the tempo too. A vaunted running game relieves the pressure off Watson and the O-line even us armchair Friday afternoon quarterbacks know that. Instead the braintrust throws the ball under pressure (2.59 seconds per attempt)on 68% of the team's plays costing #4 seven QB hits and four sacks. SMH.

It doesn't get any easier for the Houston Texans. In 10 days, the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson come calling at NRG. Only time will tell if things get better.

JJ Watt is Houston's Michael Jordan

Photo by Darla Tamullitis,
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 28, 2020) Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt spoke to the Houston media on Tuesday via Zoom. It was an interesting conversation and reminds sports fans of Michael Jordan basketball's GOAT.

The biggest question and answer of the day came in the form of question two and the final one before the Zoom was concluded.

With two years left on your contract and no guaranteed money left, do you want to sign a contract extension this offseason? 

"No, I don't think that's necessary. I fully understand and respect the situation that I'm in at the moment and what's happened in the past few years, so I'm not going to sit here and demand anything because I'm going out there to prove what I'm worth, and I believe that's the right situation for everybody. I think if I went back and asked for an extension, more money, anything right now, I think that would be the wrong move. I'm just going out there and trying to prove my worth and to help this team win games and do everything that I can to earn and make sure that these people know that I'm worth it."

This is what you expect from your leader and quite reminiscent of Jordan always playing out his contract and proving his worth each and every season.

How important is it for you to end you career with the Houston Texans?

“That would be, obviously, a goal of mine. This city has been incredible to me since the day I got here. I'm very thankful and fortunate to have the opportunity to play for such great fans that have been supportive of not only myself, my foundation and everything that I've tried to accomplish. It's a great place. I certainly hope that's the case. I don't know what's going to happen. I can't say what's going to happen in the future but I certainly hope that that's the case.”

Jordan never wanted to leave Chicago but the organization misunderstood what his greatness on and off the court meant to Chicago. Only time will tell if Houston learns from Chicago's mistake.

In between Watt also answered questions about Bill O'Brien, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, DJ Reader's absence in the locker room, potential TV career and time with family but maybe the most telling about his worth to the team came when he was asked about helping the rookies of 2020.

Has there been any advice you've been able to give the rookies with you going through the lockout your rookie year?

"Having gone through this type of offseason in 2011 where there were no OTA's, no minicamps, stuff like that, I do have a little bit of experience to lean on there. The thing that I've said is as long as you're training and doing what you need to do from a training standpoint, a running standpoint, getting yourself into the physical shape necessary for training camp, you'll be able to hit the ground running once training camp starts. This situation we actually have a little bit more of an advantage in that we have the Zoom meetings, we can go over the defense with the coaching staff. They can implement it and we can all talk to each other through that. So that is an advantage, but on the flip side of that, the disadvantage is it's hard for guys – in 2011 we could kind of meet as position groups or as an offense or defense, you could learn the plays and go over them and practice them together. Right now we're still kind of working through if that's entirely safe to do, if we should be gathering on our own, if we shouldn't, because we obviously want to get together. We prefer to work out together, we prefer to go over plays together, but at the same time we have to be smart about the guidelines and making sure that we're doing everything safe as well. We're kind of balancing those things just like everybody else, I think there's a lot of uncertainty and we're just trying to wade through those waters and make sure we do it right."

JJ Watt posed a refreshing insight into how much he is worth to the Texans organization and to the Houston community. As much as it appears Houston wants to work out a deal with quarterback DeShaun Watson, the organization needs to bring that same concerted effort to Watt sooner rather then later or he will walk.

Texans OC Tim Kelly excited about the 2020 Houston offense

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By James Jacobs

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 21, 2020) Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly met with the media this past week and is excited about what the Texans offense can be this year provided of course the NFL has a season. Speaking about the elephant in the room or more notably on Zoom, Kelly addressed why the trade of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be an asset to the club and that despite losing a great receiver the team is better off.

 "I think any time you take the field with multiple weapons, multiple guys who can hurt a defense at a variety of different levels not just necessarily deep, short or intermediate but be able to threaten every aspect of the field is a good thing. So as far as being able to attack the defenses and really as each opponent presents its own issue, being able to take advantage of different matchups throughout the entire field and not necessarily one player, it's an encouraging thing." 

Kelly expounded on how the offensive line is fast becoming a strength of the team especially Laremy Tunsil.

"As far as Laremy, him being here for the offseason is going to be very beneficial. Again, more importantly, when we all get together, him being able to get those training camp reps, those reps with the offensive line, with Max (Scharping) and things like that are – I can't stress how important those are for an offensive line to be able to kind of come together and play as one unit. It's a good thing that we have all five of those guys coming back.” 

DeShaun Watson, as the field general, will be expected to shoulder an even bigger load and show even more improvement in 2020 says Kelly.

 “And yeah, there's things that Deshaun needs to get better at, as all of us need to improve on. We've talked about that with him, coming out and being consistent and playing at that – he’s set the bar so high, so it's really a challenge for him to be able to play at that level every time he steps on the field.” 

Houston has brought in new weapons in Randall Cobb, Brandin Cooks, David Johnson and Kahale Waring.

"You look at Brandin (Cooks), you look at Randall (Cobb), you look at Will (Fuller V) and Kenny (Stills) obviously with the production they had last year, Keke (Coutee) and DeAndre Carter, Steven Mitchell (Jr.) made some big plays. Obviously those are guys that have produced and that are coming in with a great mindset and with a chip on their shoulder and are working hard every day to make sure they're on the same page with the coaching staff and making sure they're on the same page with DeShaun." 

Houston's weapons coming out of the backfield gives Kelly more flexibility in playcalling.

“I think it opens up the play calling, obviously. You're not limited by a guy's ability to only run the ball or only catch the ball. When you have guys that are versatile and are both a vital running threat and a good receiving threat, it allows you to open up and be creative and find different ways to get guys the ball in space and do some good things. So, yeah, we're excited to have both of those guys back there." 

Houston Texans to trade J.J. Watt

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis,
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

May 3, 2020 (Houston, Texas) The Houston Texans have gone and done it it after long speculation. The trade will reunite J.J. Watt with his brothers in Pittsburgh (Steelers) and together they will become the first trio of brothers to win a Super Bowl. Could this become reality? Yes it can. Will it become reality? Probably. We will know in the next 24 months or less. Watt's current contract runs through 2021.

"Three Reasons" it happens:

1. The reason this becomes a reality can be spelled out in two words: Ross Blacklock. The 305-pound defensive end from TCU drafted at the 40th spot in the 2020 NFL draft will make J.J. Watt expendable. He has all the attributes of a number 99 and is eight years younger. At 23, Blacklock will have two years to play behind and learn all he can soak up from Watt before replacing him.

According to the draftnetwork.com's report if Blacklock can learn to process the run and reading blocks so that he can most effectively attack at the NFL level and master the technical transition from a four point stance, he will be an exciting player to watch grow. If they are right, Houston's newest player could make fans begin to say J.J. Who?

2. Closing in on 33 years of age as the next contract comes due, Watt will have to decide what's more important; playing with his brothers for a Super Bowl ring or finishing his career as a member of the Houston Texans. No doubt he will choose the ring and O'Brien will oblige.

3) The Houston Texans for some reason just made Laremy Tunsil the highest paid lineman in NFL history. They have exercised the fifth year option on quarterback DeShaun Watson and we know Bill O'Brien thinks he can throw a boatload of money at him and he will sign. The Texans will have no money left to nor the desire to offer J.J. another career defining contract. 

While Houston waits and wonders, the Texans will begin entertaining offers and preparing for life after J.J.