OLB Justin Houston Georgia

[Hammock Parties]

Height: 6-2 7/8
Weight: 270
Speed: 4.64
Arm: 34 1/2
Hand: 9 5/8
Wingspan: 81 5/8
Birthdate: 01/21/1989
Hometown: Statesboro, GA
Grade: 5.90



Notes: Also lettered in basketball as a Georgia prep. Redshirted in 2007. Saw action in 13 games (one start) in ’08 and produced 19 tackles, 4½ tackles for loss and 2½ sacks with two pass breakups. Started 10 games at outside linebacker in ’09 and recorded 39-15-7½ with one pass breakup and one forced fumble. Missed the first two games of the season after being suspended for violating team rules. Did not play against Tennessee Tech because of a hyperextended elbow. Was a finalist for the Butkus and Nagurski awards in ’10 after starting all 13 games at rush linebacker in the Bulldogs’ 3-4 scheme and producing 67-18½-10 with two breakups, one interception and a forced fumble.

Positives: Big, strong and powerful — has an NFL build with a thick lower body and very long arms. Heavy hands to rip off blocks or walk tackles into the backfield. Good burst off the edge — displays bend, balance and leverage to run the arc. Excellent body control, lateral agility and change of direction. Strong wrap tackler. Has rushed from two- and three-point stances. Bulked up for the Combine and tested off the charts, including a 36½-inch vertical leap and broad jump of 10 feet, 5 inches.

Negatives: Tight-hipped and straight-linish. Needs more glass in his diet — inconsistent physicality against the run and is too easily washed. Needs to develop more counter moves — relies on tug-and-rip. Too easily outathleted to the corner against Georgia Tech’s option attack — does not show a second gear to recover from mistakes. Limited in man coverage. Average instincts and intensity. Motor runs hot and cold — does not consistently play hard. Too much finesse and not enough urgency. Has underachiever traits and character needs to be looked into.

Summary: Strong, explosive, tightly wound, power-leverage rusher with first-round talent and disruptive ability, but tests better than he plays and has bust potential given his inconsistent effort and character questions. At his best standing up with his ears pinned back and will draw the interest of 3-4 teams such as the Jets, Patriots, Packers and Steelers.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

[BossChief]

Guys, when we get a decent lead this defense is gonna rape opposing passers.

Dorsey
Hali
Gilberry
Houston
Johnson
Arenas
Berry

[xztop12]

If we land Matt Light we have an essentially revamped front 7 and starting O-line, for better or worse

[HotRoute]

Originally Posted by xztop12

If we land Matt Light we have an essentially revamped front 7 and starting O-line, for better or worse

I think Matt light is a done deal, like it or not.

[xztop12]

Originally Posted by HotRoute

I think Matt light is a done deal, like it or not.

How are you so sure? I thought it was speculation

[CoMoChief]

Houston is going to be a ****ing stud.

Our defense is going to be ****ing stacked in about a year. Still think we need some ILB and interior DL (NT) help

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Georgia's Defensive System Mirrors Chiefs

By Josh Looney

Posted 6 hours ago




Chiefs rookie OLB Justin Houston played under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham at Georgia. Grantham spent three seasons (2005-08) as Romeo Crennel's defensive coordinator in Cleveland.


During a normal league year, rookie orientation would have already come and gone.

Due to the league’s labor situation, rookie mini-camps have been pushed back in each NFL city. Four practices over a three-day period may not seem like much, but the league’s newest players can take a lot away from these annual welcome weekends.

In mini-camp, rookies are versed with weight room expectations, training room policies, locker room protocol and, of course, classroom and on-field work with coaches.

Mini-Camp is about defining expectations and not slowing down the pace of play when veterans return for organized team activities (OTAs). It’s the first weekend that college players truly become professional athletes.

Not this year; at least, not yet.

The Chiefs hosted 33 players during last year’s Rookie Mini-Camp. Each of the draft picks participated alongside a cast of undrafted free agents, tryout players and other first-year players already under contract.

Without that camp, each rookie begins his NFL career at a disadvantage. Right now, all rookies are playing from behind.

The longer this labor climate continues, the more important football aptitude becomes. When on-field work does eventually resume, cram sessions will immediately ensue. Nobody will have a bigger uphill climb than the rookies.

Half the battle that rookies face is developing trust. They must exude a sense of understanding with teammates and coaches before stepping on the field. Rookies must show that they’re comfortable with assignments and confident in making checks.

Understanding the playbook begins in the classroom and is proven on the practice field. Fortunately, the Chiefs have one rookie who has already begun to cross that bridge.

Third-round draft pick Justin Houston.

One of the assets that Houston brings to the Chiefs is the defensive coordinator he played for last season. Houston’s already undergone the transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker – a switch that most players don’t make until they reach the NFL level – and played a year in a pro-style defensive system.

In many ways, Houston has already played in the Chiefs defensive system.

Todd Grantham took over the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator job in 2010 and quickly switched to a pro-style 3-4 base. He’d spent the previous 11 seasons coaching defense in the NFL – much of it inside the 3-4 scheme.

Three of Grantham’s 11 professional seasons (2005-07) came in Cleveland as Romeo Crennel’s defensive coordinator. He was one of Crennel’s initial hires as the two shared a common vision about the 3-4 defense.

Grantham implemented many of those same ideas at Georgia last season.

Houston represented one of Grantham’s first projects. Any worthwhile 3-4 defense has a threat to the quarterback at outside linebacker. Grantham pegged Houston as that threat.

Operating under a 3-4 system that mirrors the basics of Kansas City’s approach, and even uses much of the same terminology, Houston delivered a career year. After producing 58 tackles with 10.0 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during his first two seasons as a Bulldog, Houston registered 67 tackles, 10.0 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss in his lone season playing for Grantham.

When off-field issues forced Houston’s slide down draft boards, the background with Grantham helped his risk/reward ratio become more tolerable to the Chiefs. Grantham has relationships with a handful of Chiefs staff members outside of Crennel, including General Manager Scot Pioli.

Had Houston remained at defensive end last season, and not played for Grantham, it’s fair to say that he probably wouldn’t have ended up in Kansas City.

From an X’s and O’s perspective, Houston owns an initial leg-up on many of the other rookies around the league.

“I didn’t have a preference (in playing for a 3-4 or 4-3 NFL team),” Houston said over draft weekend. “I just wanted to get a chance to play in the NFL and I have my opportunity and I’m going to make the best of it.”

Houston will probably get to play in both systems with the Chiefs – as an outside linebacker in base sets and as a rush end in sub-packages.

The Chiefs are a game-plan team and Crennel used a number of different fronts last season tailoring defensive schemes to specific opponents. Houston looks like a prime candidate to shift to defensive end when the Chiefs go with four defensive linemen.

Houston’s background gives him a legitimate opportunity to be an early contributor in both base and sub-packages next season.

It’s up to him to capitalize on that advantage.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

Georgia's Defensive System Mirrors Chiefs

By Josh Looney

Posted 6 hours ago




Chiefs rookie OLB Justin Houston played under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham at Georgia. Grantham spent three seasons (2005-08) as Romeo Crennel's defensive coordinator in Cleveland.


During a normal league year, rookie orientation would have already come and gone.

Due to the league’s labor situation, rookie mini-camps have been pushed back in each NFL city. Four practices over a three-day period may not seem like much, but the league’s newest players can take a lot away from these annual welcome weekends.

In mini-camp, rookies are versed with weight room expectations, training room policies, locker room protocol and, of course, classroom and on-field work with coaches.

Mini-Camp is about defining expectations and not slowing down the pace of play when veterans return for organized team activities (OTAs). It’s the first weekend that college players truly become professional athletes.

Not this year; at least, not yet.

The Chiefs hosted 33 players during last year’s Rookie Mini-Camp. Each of the draft picks participated alongside a cast of undrafted free agents, tryout players and other first-year players already under contract.

Without that camp, each rookie begins his NFL career at a disadvantage. Right now, all rookies are playing from behind.

The longer this labor climate continues, the more important football aptitude becomes. When on-field work does eventually resume, cram sessions will immediately ensue. Nobody will have a bigger uphill climb than the rookies.

Half the battle that rookies face is developing trust. They must exude a sense of understanding with teammates and coaches before stepping on the field. Rookies must show that they’re comfortable with assignments and confident in making checks.

Understanding the playbook begins in the classroom and is proven on the practice field. Fortunately, the Chiefs have one rookie who has already begun to cross that bridge.

Third-round draft pick Justin Houston.

One of the assets that Houston brings to the Chiefs is the defensive coordinator he played for last season. Houston’s already undergone the transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker – a switch that most players don’t make until they reach the NFL level – and played a year in a pro-style defensive system.

In many ways, Houston has already played in the Chiefs defensive system.

Todd Grantham took over the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator job in 2010 and quickly switched to a pro-style 3-4 base. He’d spent the previous 11 seasons coaching defense in the NFL – much of it inside the 3-4 scheme.

Three of Grantham’s 11 professional seasons (2005-07) came in Cleveland as Romeo Crennel’s defensive coordinator. He was one of Crennel’s initial hires as the two shared a common vision about the 3-4 defense.

Grantham implemented many of those same ideas at Georgia last season.

Houston represented one of Grantham’s first projects. Any worthwhile 3-4 defense has a threat to the quarterback at outside linebacker. Grantham pegged Houston as that threat.

Operating under a 3-4 system that mirrors the basics of Kansas City’s approach, and even uses much of the same terminology, Houston delivered a career year. After producing 58 tackles with 10.0 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during his first two seasons as a Bulldog, Houston registered 67 tackles, 10.0 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss in his lone season playing for Grantham.

When off-field issues forced Houston’s slide down draft boards, the background with Grantham helped his risk/reward ratio become more tolerable to the Chiefs. Grantham has relationships with a handful of Chiefs staff members outside of Crennel, including General Manager Scot Pioli.

Had Houston remained at defensive end last season, and not played for Grantham, it’s fair to say that he probably wouldn’t have ended up in Kansas City.

From an X’s and O’s perspective, Houston owns an initial leg-up on many of the other rookies around the league.

“I didn’t have a preference (in playing for a 3-4 or 4-3 NFL team),” Houston said over draft weekend. “I just wanted to get a chance to play in the NFL and I have my opportunity and I’m going to make the best of it.”

Houston will probably get to play in both systems with the Chiefs – as an outside linebacker in base sets and as a rush end in sub-packages.

The Chiefs are a game-plan team and Crennel used a number of different fronts last season tailoring defensive schemes to specific opponents. Houston looks like a prime candidate to shift to defensive end when the Chiefs go with four defensive linemen.

Houston’s background gives him a legitimate opportunity to be an early contributor in both base and sub-packages next season.

It’s up to him to capitalize on that advantage.

This is Awesome. This guy really has a chance to make a huge impact with Hali being on the other side.

[Easy 6]

A productive pass rusher that runs a 4.6 @ 270?

In all of my glorious Powe mania, i forgot to be excited about this guy.

[Tombstone RJ]

You guys definitely have the best defense in the AFCW, lots of speed. If your offense manages to get a lead, yah, your defense could lite opposing offenses up. But that's a big IF.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

You guys definitely have the best defense in the AFCW, lots of speed. If your offense manages to get a lead, yah, your defense could lite opposing offenses up. But that's a big IF.

Phag

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

You guys definitely have the best defense in the AFCW, lots of speed. If your offense manages to get a lead, yah, your defense could lite opposing offenses up. But that's a big IF.

Yep. Hopefully Charles, Bowe, Moeaki, Baldwin, and McCluster can find a way to scratch and claw for a couple of points here and there.