Chiefs Kcchiefs article on Justin Houston extension - Page 2

**jjchieffan** · 07-17-2015, 08:01 AM

One thing that stood out to me was the stat that backs up what everyone here all ready knows, that Houston is a complete linebacker, not just a pass rusher. He ranked first in rushing the passer and 4th in run and pass defense as well. So glad we are keeping him around for a while.

One of the top storylines of the Kansas City Chiefs offseason culminated this week with the announcement of a long-term extension with linebacker Justin Houston.

One reason Houston said it was important for him to stay with the Chiefs was the relationship he has with his teammates, something that isn't found everywhere.

"It's more of a family here," Houston explained. "I sit back and talk to other guys from different teams and they talk about how it's not a family there. But it is here. You don't hear anything bad being said about each other in the locker room.

"It doesn't matter if we're winning or losing, it's all always positive vibes going on. We're not putting one another down, we're always uplifting everybody. We move as one."

From the end of last season up until the moment he signed his contract, Houston's goal all along was to stay in Kansas City.

"When the season ended, coach Reid pulled me into the office saying, 'It's going to get done, just be patient,'" Houston recalled. "So that's what I did."

Just because Houston filled his pockets a little bit and got the long-term deal NFL players work their entire careers to try and earn, don't expect him to sit back and rest on his past accolades.

That's just not the way he's built.

Less than an hour after putting pen to paper, Houston shared what he believes this team can achieve.

"I think we can go all the way this year," he said. "We're ready to go."

The belief of what this team can achieve together is one of the reasons Houston wanted to stay in Kansas City, and the commitment he made only reinforces that notion.

For as much credit is given to Houston for his pass-rushing prowess, the truth is of the 1,033 snaps he played for the Chiefs defense last season, which was second only to cornerback Sean Smith's 1,037, less than three percent of those snaps resulted in a sack.

That not only shows how truly difficult it is to earn a sack in the NFL, but in order to make the kind of impact that truly transforms a defense, players must be able to do everything well.

According to Pro Football Focus, Houston ranked in the top four among NFL outside linebackers in rushing the quarterback (No. 1), run defense (No. 4) and pass coverage (No. 4).

He's the only player who can claim to be ranked in the top five in each of those categories.

"I try to be the best at everything I do," Houston said. "I look at other athletes, like LeBron James is one of my favorite athletes. I see his size, his ability, but he doesn't just focus on scoring. He plays defense, he wants to do it all. That's what I've been wanting to do on the football field, I want to do it all.

"If I've got to cover somebody, I want to be one of the best covering outside linebackers I can be, the best run stopper I can be, the best pass rusher I can be. I want to be the best in all things."

One of the reasons Houston believes he's at the point in his career where he can legitimately make those claims is because of his mentor, veteran Tamba Hali, and the leadership he showed through the first four years of Houston's career.

"He's meant a lot to my career," Houston said. "When Tamba first came into the league, he didn't have a guy to take him under his wing. When I came in, it was the total opposite. He was willing to teach me everything he knows.

"When I started picking it up, he was like, 'OK, I'm going to slow down. You're learning too fast!' But he's like a brother on the field and being in this situation, he was like a big brother that helped teach me things on and off the field-like how to handle myself."

Hali ranks third all-time in Chiefs franchise history with 79.5 career sacks, and while Houston's 48.5 sacks has him currently ranked No. 6, the season he had a year ago has already put him in esteemed company.

Houston broke one of the most revered records in franchise history, Derrick Thomas' mark of 20 sacks set during the 1990 season, last year. Houston's 22-sack performance was just a half a sack shy of the all-time record set by Michael Strahan (22.5) back in 2001.

Houston's long-term commitment will only lead to further cementing his legacy with the Chiefs, an organization with a rich history of pass rushers from the days of Art Still to Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith to most-recently, with Hali.

"It means a lot," Houston explained of the pass-rushing history in Kansas City. "When I'm done, I want to be mentioned as one of those guys, as one of the best that came through here. Any time you can be mentioned in the same category as Derrick Thomas-that says enough itself."

It's this history that has developed Arrowhead Stadium and Chiefs Kingdom as having one of the premier home-field advantages in the NFL.

There's never a more exciting time at Arrowhead than an opponent's attempt on third down.

"It's a great feeling," Houston said of playing at Arrowhead. "On third-and-long when you hear the crowd and you see the opposing quarterback yelling, trying to change the play and struggling to communicate with the offensive linemen. That's a great feeling because you know your percentage of getting a sack just went up.

"I love playing in front of our fans."

While many people will count the dollars and cents of his contract as the focal point of what it means, the belief behind the money means something to Houston.

"It just made me feel like they really believed in me," Houston said. "For them to do this, just like your family back home, your mom, your parents, they believe in you. It gives you an extra edge on the field when you know you've got people really believing in you and what you can do."

After being away from his teammates, Houston can't wait to get up to training camp and get back to work. The Chiefs have high expectations.

"It's going to feel like your first time you went to college and came back home to your family," Houston said. "Everybody's around. The first day of camp is one of the most fun days-everybody's back together, you get to enjoy each other and it's full of energy.

"It's going to be a great time."

DJ's left nut · 07-17-2015, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

They play the same position. Denver's 4-3 over the past 4 years has really been a 5-2, with the 2 outside linemen (Von on one side, Dumervil/Phillips/Ware on the other) really being OLBs. Going down the line, the players had the same responsibilities, even though their position titles may have been different.

Ware : Hali
Williams : Howard
Knighton : Poe
Wolfe : Bailey
Miller : Houston

I have no idea how you guys ran your defense, but if Miller Ware was playing as a down lineman (especially if Miller was playing as a down lineman) as you seem to be suggesting by saying they were running a 5-2 front, then it's not even remotely similar.

I think you're reaching here.

MagicHef · 07-17-2015, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

The same position?

You guys ran a base 4-3 under Fox /Delrio, right? Not "essentially the same position" at all.

Not a base 4-3. It was typically called a 4-3 under, so the SAM (Von) would be on the line, standing up. Ware would also usually be standing up on the line on the other side. As far as responsibilities go, in general terms it's identical to a 3-4.

MagicHef · 07-17-2015, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I have no idea how you guys ran your defense, but if Miller Ware was playing as a down lineman (especially if Miller was playing as a down lineman) as you seem to be suggesting by saying they were running a 5-2 front, then it's not even remotely similar.

I think you're reaching here.

Yeah, I shouldn't have called it a 5-2, Miller wasn't in a 3 point stance. It's a 4-3 under, but the general player responsibilities are identical to a 3-4. Miller and Houston's roles in their defense are really the same.

**BossChief** · 07-17-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Yeah, I shouldn't have called it a 5-2, Miller wasn't in a 3 point stance. It's a 4-3 under, but the general player responsibilities are identical to a 3-4. Miller and Houston's roles in their defense are really the same.

The alignment has very little to do with player responsibilities...I agree with DJ that your reaching.

Post how many times Miller rushed the passer as opposed to Houston.

RunKC · 07-17-2015, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

If you're going to call him a "complete linebacker", why don't they ever compare him to all the linebackers? That 1st/4th/4th thing is only true if you compare him to only 3-4 OLBs. Seriously, he was beaten in the coverage rating by Hali and Peppers. Those aren't exactly good coverage guys.

If you actually compare him to all the LBs, he is 1st in rushing, 32nd in coverage, and 19th against the run.

Von, by the way, is 2nd/28th/2nd.

And this right here is where This poster uses misguided numbers to try and exaggerate a point that isn't there.

"Justin Houston is 32nd in pass coverage."

The facts are that Houston lined up in coverage 158 times last year and was only targeted 10 times all season.
He surrendered only 7 catches for 45 yards all year, 4 of those catches coming in one game vs the Bills."

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...ustin-houston/

Get this hyperbole bullshit outta here.

MTG#10 · 07-17-2015, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

"He's meant a lot to my career," Houston said. "When Tamba first came into the league, he didn't have a guy to take him under his wing. When I came in, it was the total opposite. He was willing to teach me everything he knows.

I guess Houston has never heard of Jared Allen.

ToxSocks · 07-17-2015, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

I guess Houston has never heard of Jared Allen.

Wasn't Jared only there for one year? And im kinda skeptical on what kind of "teacher" he was.

MTG#10 · 07-17-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Wasn't Jared only there for one year? And im kinda skeptical on what kind of "teacher" he was.

Not sure, but I do recall him teaching Tamba to knee guys in the nuts on Hard Knocks.

Chiefs=Champions · 07-17-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Not sure, but I do recall him teaching Tamba to knee guys in the nuts on Hard Knocks.

No that was him teaching Turk Mcbride. Ah the memories.

**The Franchise** · 07-17-2015, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Wasn't Jared only there for one year? And im kinda skeptical on what kind of "teacher" he was.

Two years. Tamba's rookie year and then Allen's last year where he was franchise tagged and then traded to the Vikings.

Still....that doesn't mean that Allen took Hali under his wing like Hali has done for Houston.

Strongside · 07-17-2015, 10:31 AM

This defense gon' be stupid good.

MagicHef · 07-17-2015, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

The alignment has very little to do with player responsibilities...I agree with DJ that your reaching.

Post how many times Miller rushed the passer as opposed to Houston.

Houston rushed 462 times, Von rushed 511 times.

pugsnotdrugs19 · 07-17-2015, 10:40 AM

We can sit here and argue all day who is better between Houston and Miller, it's no use. They are both elite players who are on path's to Canton. Both will wind up with likely identical contracts, too.

The argument that will matter is the guys around them. We know those two are gonna wreak havoc if healthy, the question becomes who wins the battle of Hali/Ford/Bailey/Poe vs. Ware/Ray/Wolfe/Williams.

**DaneMcCloud** · 07-17-2015, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahiMike

I hope I'm wrong but these guys never play the same after their guaranteed contracts kick in.

Yeah, JJ Watt sucked last year.

MagicHef · 07-17-2015, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

And this right here is where This poster uses misguided numbers to try and exaggerate a point that isn't there.

"Justin Houston is 32nd in pass coverage."

The facts are that Houston lined up in coverage 158 times last year and was only targeted 10 times all season.
He surrendered only 7 catches for 45 yards all year, 4 of those catches coming in one game vs the Bills."

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...ustin-houston/

Get this hyperbole bullshit outta here.

I was using the same ratings as were used to argue that Houston was a complete linebacker.

Also, Miller was in coverage 113 times, and gave up 11 catches for 76 yards. Attributing catches and yards to these guys is nearly meaningless, though, because they will almost always be dropping in zone, not man-to-man on a single receiver.

07-17-2015, 08:01 AM
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $22248	Kcchiefs article on Justin Houston extension One thing that stood out to me was the stat that backs up what everyone here all ready knows, that Houston is a complete linebacker, not just a pass rusher. He ranked first in rushing the passer and 4th in run and pass defense as well. So glad we are keeping him around for a while. One of the top storylines of the Kansas City Chiefs offseason culminated this week with the announcement of a long-term extension with linebacker Justin Houston. One reason Houston said it was important for him to stay with the Chiefs was the relationship he has with his teammates, something that isn't found everywhere. "It's more of a family here," Houston explained. "I sit back and talk to other guys from different teams and they talk about how it's not a family there. But it is here. You don't hear anything bad being said about each other in the locker room. "It doesn't matter if we're winning or losing, it's all always positive vibes going on. We're not putting one another down, we're always uplifting everybody. We move as one." From the end of last season up until the moment he signed his contract, Houston's goal all along was to stay in Kansas City. "When the season ended, coach Reid pulled me into the office saying, 'It's going to get done, just be patient,'" Houston recalled. "So that's what I did." Just because Houston filled his pockets a little bit and got the long-term deal NFL players work their entire careers to try and earn, don't expect him to sit back and rest on his past accolades. That's just not the way he's built. Less than an hour after putting pen to paper, Houston shared what he believes this team can achieve. "I think we can go all the way this year," he said. "We're ready to go." The belief of what this team can achieve together is one of the reasons Houston wanted to stay in Kansas City, and the commitment he made only reinforces that notion. For as much credit is given to Houston for his pass-rushing prowess, the truth is of the 1,033 snaps he played for the Chiefs defense last season, which was second only to cornerback Sean Smith's 1,037, less than three percent of those snaps resulted in a sack. That not only shows how truly difficult it is to earn a sack in the NFL, but in order to make the kind of impact that truly transforms a defense, players must be able to do everything well. According to Pro Football Focus, Houston ranked in the top four among NFL outside linebackers in rushing the quarterback (No. 1), run defense (No. 4) and pass coverage (No. 4). He's the only player who can claim to be ranked in the top five in each of those categories. "I try to be the best at everything I do," Houston said. "I look at other athletes, like LeBron James is one of my favorite athletes. I see his size, his ability, but he doesn't just focus on scoring. He plays defense, he wants to do it all. That's what I've been wanting to do on the football field, I want to do it all. "If I've got to cover somebody, I want to be one of the best covering outside linebackers I can be, the best run stopper I can be, the best pass rusher I can be. I want to be the best in all things." One of the reasons Houston believes he's at the point in his career where he can legitimately make those claims is because of his mentor, veteran Tamba Hali, and the leadership he showed through the first four years of Houston's career. "He's meant a lot to my career," Houston said. "When Tamba first came into the league, he didn't have a guy to take him under his wing. When I came in, it was the total opposite. He was willing to teach me everything he knows. "When I started picking it up, he was like, 'OK, I'm going to slow down. You're learning too fast!' But he's like a brother on the field and being in this situation, he was like a big brother that helped teach me things on and off the field-like how to handle myself." Hali ranks third all-time in Chiefs franchise history with 79.5 career sacks, and while Houston's 48.5 sacks has him currently ranked No. 6, the season he had a year ago has already put him in esteemed company. Houston broke one of the most revered records in franchise history, Derrick Thomas' mark of 20 sacks set during the 1990 season, last year. Houston's 22-sack performance was just a half a sack shy of the all-time record set by Michael Strahan (22.5) back in 2001. Houston's long-term commitment will only lead to further cementing his legacy with the Chiefs, an organization with a rich history of pass rushers from the days of Art Still to Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith to most-recently, with Hali. "It means a lot," Houston explained of the pass-rushing history in Kansas City. "When I'm done, I want to be mentioned as one of those guys, as one of the best that came through here. Any time you can be mentioned in the same category as Derrick Thomas-that says enough itself." It's this history that has developed Arrowhead Stadium and Chiefs Kingdom as having one of the premier home-field advantages in the NFL. There's never a more exciting time at Arrowhead than an opponent's attempt on third down. "It's a great feeling," Houston said of playing at Arrowhead. "On third-and-long when you hear the crowd and you see the opposing quarterback yelling, trying to change the play and struggling to communicate with the offensive linemen. That's a great feeling because you know your percentage of getting a sack just went up. "I love playing in front of our fans." While many people will count the dollars and cents of his contract as the focal point of what it means, the belief behind the money means something to Houston. "It just made me feel like they really believed in me," Houston said. "For them to do this, just like your family back home, your mom, your parents, they believe in you. It gives you an extra edge on the field when you know you've got people really believing in you and what you can do." After being away from his teammates, Houston can't wait to get up to training camp and get back to work. The Chiefs have high expectations. "It's going to feel like your first time you went to college and came back home to your family," Houston said. "Everybody's around. The first day of camp is one of the most fun days-everybody's back together, you get to enjoy each other and it's full of energy. "It's going to be a great time."
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07-17-2015, 10:31 AM	#26
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $4344282	This defense gon' be stupid good. __________________
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07-17-2015, 10:40 AM	#28
pugsnotdrugs19 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2013 Casino cash: $6629447	We can sit here and argue all day who is better between Houston and Miller, it's no use. They are both elite players who are on path's to Canton. Both will wind up with likely identical contracts, too. The argument that will matter is the guys around them. We know those two are gonna wreak havoc if healthy, the question becomes who wins the battle of Hali/Ford/Bailey/Poe vs. Ware/Ray/Wolfe/Williams.
Posts: 29,037