HOUSTON (AP) -Defensive end Mario Williams has steadily improved during his three seasons in the NFL, yet the Houston defense has remained one of the league’s worst. The Texans are hoping they’ve found a solution.
Antonio Smith, the Arizona Cardinals defensive end who cashed in on a trip to the Super Bowl by landing a new deal in Houston, is expected to give the Texans another weapon to pressure the quarterback – a weapon other than Williams.
“The biggest thing we have to do is get to the quarterback,” said Williams, who had 12 sacks last season – 10 more than the rest of the starting linemen combined. “A lot of the teams we play have very good quarterbacks, so we’ve really need to get to the quarterback.”
Houston’s offense finished last season ranked third, but the defense was 22nd, allowing more than 336 yards per game and only five teams allowed more points per game than the Texans’ 24.6. Williams made his first Pro Bowl last season, but there was a lack of production around him.
ayoffs alone and had 5 1/2 for the season. He also forced a fumble and had a safety in the postseason.
His presence should free up Williams for the first time. The 2006 top overall pick has fought through near-constant double teams with no legitimate rushing threat on the other side since his arrival. Anthony Weaver, who was released this offseason, managed only one sack in three seasons playing opposite Williams.
“We definitely should be able to get more single blocks, more one on one, so it will help everybody out,” Williams said. “It’s just all about getting that timing down and getting it, going after it.”
The Texans have also tweaked their defense in the first year under coordinator Frank Bush, who was promoted from senior defensive assistant after the team dumped Richard Smith following its second 8-8 season.
“The mentality’s different as far as our schemes, and we’re just trying to go forward and not wait and sit back,” Williams said Thursday. “We’re trying to go get it and attack. Just be way more aggressive.”
Williams also believes Smith’s postseason experience will be invaluable to a team still looking for its first playoff berth.
d how far he’s been and what he’s been through to get to where he’s at now, definitely helps out.”
Smith breaks into a huge smile when asked about playing opposite Williams.
“Can’t wait,” he said.
Still, he knows the entire line will have to work together to improve, including a pair of first-rounders, Amobi Okoye and Travis Johnson, at the tackle positions.
“I think it’s everybody in the trenches,” Smith said. “I think what they did is they went into the office and saw my best attributes and saw his and put us in the right positions.”
Coach Gary Kubiak raves when asked about Smith and what he brings to the team.
“I love his personality,” Kubiak said. “He brings a lot of personality to our group … has a lot of fun playing the game. He’s a physical player and one of the things we’ve got to do is continue to get more physical as a football team.”
Though the Texans have high expectations for Smith, Kubiak knows the development of Williams and middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans will continue to be most important to the defense.
“This defense will go the way he plays, the way DeMeco (Ryans) plays,” Kubiak said. “The sky’s the limit for him.”
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