Justin Houston: “I want to attack the weakest link”
 

The reincarnation of "The Falcon"?
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/67675/340x.jpg http://www.kansascitykc.com/chiefs/d...mas-chiefs.jpg

We’ve become accustomed to watching Justin Houston at the left outside linebacker position since the Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the No. 70 overall pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Over that time period from then to now, Houston has recorded 69.5 sacks, a total good for No. 4 in Chiefs franchise history.

But just because that is what we’re used to seeing doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see it in 2018.

“I want to be able to attack the weakest link,” Houston said when I asked him about playing on the other side. “Every team is different. Everybody’s left tackle isn’t All-Pro and everybody’s right tackle isn’t All-Pro. Wherever the weakest link, whether it is the guard, center or even tackles, I want to be on the weakest link.”

That makes a lot of sense, given the fact that Houston is undoubtedly the Chiefs’ best outside linebacker.

A mixup may also be worth considering since the best stretch of Dee Ford’s career came in 2016, when he replaced Houston on the left side for the first nine games of the season.

During that stretch, Ford recorded 10.0 sacks. Once Ford switched back to the right side upon Houston’s return, he didn’t record a sack for the rest of the year.

There is an argument to be made that if Houston could prove to be just as effective wherever he is on the field, maybe it makes sense to put Ford in a position in which he has been far more successful.

The contract year for Ford adds even more incentive for him to rebound.

No matter the alignment, both players stand to benefit thanks to a small tweak to the Chiefs coaching staff this offseason.

As part of their yearly promotions, the Chiefs split the linebacker coaching positions after the departure of Gary Gibbs. Mark DeLeone was promoted to inside linebackers coach, while Mike Smith was promoted to outside linebackers coach.

“I think it is great just to have an outside linebackers coach,” Houston added. “There’s so much we get to do now just focusing on ourselves and the little things we need to work on. I think last year, we had a lot going on. You have to coach a lot of guys inside and out. It is hard to do that in the little bit of time you have. Now you have a separate coach, we can just focus on one thing, that’s us.”

All things to ponder as the Chiefs strive to finally have two effective outside linebackers on the field at the same time.

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2018/5/25/17393800/justin-houston-i-want-to-attack-the-weakest-link

If Justin Houston plays like Justin Houston scheme and how he is deployed will take care of itself.

Holy shit. Letting Houston off the goddamn leash and allowing him to roam a little bit, ala DT, would be incredibly fun to watch. I'm betting that there were conversations (hard conversations) in the offseason surrounding the lack of aggression from the defense when it comes to the pass rush. Asking this guy to drop into coverage 70% of the time should have been a fireable offense.

I love this.

He should rushing the passer AT LEAST 85% of the time and probably more like 90%. I hope they finally make the adjustment.

:clap: The less he's in pass coverage, the better the defense will play. He's stout vs. the run and can be stellar in the pass rush.

Isn’t it amazing how Houston almost single handedly had our defense playing good in 2014? That team lacked star power big time. It was basically just Houston, Poe, Sean Smith and a little Hali.

But he was so good rushing the passer that year that it changed everything.

Just as long as he isn't attacking the tight end or wide receiver in some zone coverage any more. If I have to watch him chase down Antonio Brown 50 yards downfield one more time, bricks will be shat.

He's not the first player to regress after getting a huge contract. :hmmm: Hope both he and Berry stay healthy and have Pro Bowl stats this year.

http://www.whats-thesayinganswers.co...ck-on-wood.jpg

Sadly, Houston is the weakest link.

Well, I hope this is something that actually happens. Houston can want it, but Sutton has to approve it, and he isn't known for changing his approach.

In the next Broncos game, look for Justin Houston to be stationed up in the GM box across from John Elway.

Here is the entire interview:

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...3-f146161c56f3

Mahomes is first, then Berry, Houston third, and Hunt finishes it up.

It's like your goal on this forum is to have the stupidest takes. Now that Tigeruppercut is gone, i suppose someone has to take the reigns.

Didn’t know you appreciated shitty Houston play that much. **** off leftist scum.

Let's get real here, just because he didn't throw up 20 sacks doesn't mean he sucks. He got nearly 10 while dropping into coverage a ton and having nothing on the other side, that's a solid year and he's actually not bad in coverage and defends the run well.

Anyone who thinks Houston sucks or is the weakest link is just going off his sack numbers.

That was easy. Thank you CP functions.

His paycheck suggests he should put up 30 sacks and have 10 picks per season.
We can do better.

Von Miller makes more and he finished with 1 more sack....he sucks too I guess.

This has been debunked. Houston was ranked top 5 in coverage and run support- and also finished at an elite level in sacks / QB pressures, per pass rushing attempt.

Teams also sent an extra blocker to his side since we were only rushing 4 a lot of the time. You could tell Houston looked frustrated being held and double-teamed for 5 straight minutes while the QB waited for someone to get open.

Not earning his money. Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said Houston sucks.

Link to these stats? TIA

Don’t know how long you have endured the Chiefs. For me, it is approaching 50 years. Forgive me if I am a little jaded.

Oh damn bitch, you just got served.
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I said Thank you. In Advance.

It's cool, brah.

CP always needs an imbecile to pick on. Thanks for stepping up to the plate and filling the void.

Thank you again CP. Bless you.

It’s cool bundle of sticks. Even CP needs assholes who suck dick to call others names. Lowest of the Low.

Glad you can be our dick sucking asshole, guy.

So that dude isn't Rompered yet because....?

This thread went downhill fast.

I think all the talk about the defense being terrible is way off the mark. Obviously, they knew things had to change and have brought in a lot of talent. Veech had a specific role in mind for the guys they brought in. Veech and Andy are building a Powerhouse on both sides of the ball.

And the end of all this some of this may be that Houston knows this is basically contract year for him. He'll either he back with a newly done contract or released after this year. His desire to be moved around to better his numbers could easily be attached to that.

On 3rd downs primarily. Way too many coverage snaps for Houston on 3rd down.

If bettering his numbers means he's used correctly and effective for the sake of the Chiefs, that's all that matters.

Houston should retire a Chief.

Make it happen Veech!!

Well yea, if he goes out and throws up 17 sacks or something he'll be back no matter what.

With the projected Chief's secondary as underwhelming as it is, I expect opponents will line up with at least 3 WRs in a spread offense on every down. Pass rush will be critical until the Chief's secondary proves themselves and Houston will be critical to the Chief's pass rush. I hope to see Houston attacking the backfield every down and I don't care where it's from.

Thank you again CP.

EVERY team has guys who don't earn their money. Even the ****ing Patriots.

You need good players to win games. Good players cost money. Sometimes that amount is more than people think they're worth. Get over it.

I have been “ getting over it” since 1970. When is enough enough?

Yet again, Thank you CP.

We haven't had a real QB since 1970. We do now.

Maybe since we finally ****ing have one, you should see how that plan works out instead of bitching about something that EVERY goddamn Super Bowl-winning team has on their roster (an overpaid but not-yet washed up good player at a position of high value)

PMII will be a bust. Worse than Croyle.

If you truly believe that, then what does it ****ing matter if Justin Houston gets paid $20 million per year or $20 per year? We're not winning jack ****ing shit if we don't have a ****ing QB.

Really?

I understand staying cautiously optimistic in year one, but bust. :shake:

Maybe not dropping him into coverage on 50% of his plays might be a good idea too?

You are entitled to your own opinion. I respect that.

But, I think the wise thing to do in the case situation of young players is to reserve judgement. Draft picks are hit or miss.

You may be right in your claim? But you may be wrong also? And I hope you are wrong lol

But yeah give it a chance bro. Lets see how he rolls throughout the course of the season. The guy has only played 1 game. Very small sample size to make such a claim. Jmo.

Only time will tell us what kind of player he will turn out to be.

My problem with zhouston is that since he got paid, he hasn’t done dick. The rest of your statement is correct. We aren’t winning shit.

I’ve wanted to wrong for 48 years. Same as it ever was.

I want to win. 48 years................

You know someone is a really shitty poster when you put them on ignore and still can't avoid their ignorant horseshit. ****ing romper this guy.

Mahomes is already better than Croyle. Croyle never won a game he started... NEVER.

I'm sorry. But usually, when someone is called the weakest link, isn't that saying that they suck? I mean, who would interpret Houston is the weakest link as, he's not earning his money?

Never said he sucks. Throw a dart. Plenty who suck worse than him.

I agree. Romper him. He's just trolling this thread. Calling Houston the weakest link and PM II a bust worse than Croyle is nothing but inflammatory bullshit to start shit. That crap is EXACTLY why we have a romper room!

This little read was heavenly manna for a football starved soul

Never before has the anticipation been this intense...

I found it interesting we now have an inside lb coach and outside lb coach. How many other teams have that I wonder? Checking...

Houston and Berry having great years is the only way the Chiefs D is going to be respectable.

I still think CB and DL are going to be a major issues. I think the Chiefs are 2-3yrs away from the D being SB worthy.

Yeah, I don't trust Sutton at all in this situation. I bet we rarely see him anywhere near the QB 80% of the year.

Please for the love of God one of Ford, Tanoh or Speaks (or all 3) get some decent pressure on the opposite side.

Houston was limited last year with Frank mother****ing Zombo on the other side all year.

If one or more of those guys emerges this season the defense will be so much better.

1 year

Defensive problems are overrated here

Denver did for a long time but they recently fired their OLB coach. They're trying to bring in DeMarcus Ware to replace him, at least for TC.

Denver also has two DB coaches, two OL coaches (3 if you count Howard Mudd), and two QB coaches.

I hope Speaks come through. I value his passrush versatility in coming off the edge outside the tackle and on the inside between the guard and tackle. Thats
gonna help the defense a lot.

I know, what would derrick thomas have been without tracy rodgers, george Jamison, or chris martin on the other side of the formation. [emoji849]

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Ford is going to wreck shop this year - folks, put this in your signature. I'm that comfortable in typing it out.

I'm 1:35 into this video (and thanks for bringing it to my attention) & I can already tell you that Reid is definitely grooming Mahomes right along. Great strategy in practice.

Commenting on your video from chiefs.com again Coogs. Man, I love Eric Berry so much! He's the true leader out of the whole team.

I think people always forget salary inflation. If you wanted a guy to replace the production that Houston provided last year on a fresh contract in '18, you would pretty much have to pay them what Houston is earning now.

Besides sacks and production are not the same thing. As the article someone posted in this thread spells out on Houston, he had tons of pressures which affected games but were not sacks. PFF ranks on pressures and overall ranked him the 15th best OLB last year.

I knew there would be at least one stupid mother****er parroting these lines and you didn't disappoint.

I think that person is going off brain damage.

**** the Broncos, nobody gives a shit. Take it to the mega thread for that shit.

:thumb:

Bullshit. DT had Neil Smith on the other side for most of his career.

Also, I'm pretty sure this is an admission on Justin Houston's part that he's sexually attracted to Anne Robinson!

ROFL


So Houston sucks and Mahomes is a Bust- Awesome football analysis, Eyeore.

Houston was also limited by the fact that he’s EXCELLENT in coverage and nobody else was. People bitch about how much he was in coverage (it was only 25% of snaps, by the way) but there was no other option. People just don’t get it.

I think its more about the situations we were in when he dropped into coverage

Like at the end of the game running with Antonio Brown

The defense was objectively better with Houston in coverage.

Of course it is. People only remember the outliers. Objectively, the defense was better with Houston in coverage. Until they find better pass-defending linebackers, they can’t just throw Houston at the QB every down. That’s a recipe for giving up big chunks of yards, especially against good QBs.

So......if there are plenty that suck worse than him, how is Houston the weakest link? Like I said, you're just trolling. You can't even respond without contradicting yourself.