Texans defense needs to stop the run first

March 17, 7:10 AMHouston Texans ExaminerAlan Burge

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Will Amobi Okoye arrive in '09?

As I read another feel good article about how the Texans defense will be more aggressive this year, I couldn't help but think back to similar comments made by former defensive coordinator Richard Smith when he came on board.

You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men.

And if you don't, just Google it.

What troubles me a bit about some of the words I've been reading - beyond talk being cheap - is that it's all focused on getting to the quarterback.

I'm sure Joseph Addai, LenDale White, Chris Johnson, and Maurice Jones-Drew are happy to hear that.

Yes, the Texans were awful in the quarterback sack department last year -  6th worst in the league.

But while quarterback sacks and pressures need to be improved, the Texans were equally bad against the run allowing 4.5 yards per carry - 8th worst in the league.

So what good is getting after the quarterback when you routinely allow your opponents 3rd and 1, or 3rd and 2 and you're a three step drop away from another set of downs?

What sets up those sacks and hurries is favorable down and distance situations, like 2nd and longs, and 3rd and longs.

And what enables those situations are guys in the middle that can hold the point, penetrate and disrupt, and keep the guards off DeMeco.

Ever heard of the Williams Wall?  There's basically three guys that make that entire defense tick, and two of them are defensive tackles.  The other one is a knee seeking missile coming off the edge.

Here's the mantra I'd like to hear:  "Stop the run on the way to the quarterback."   (I know, it's been used before)

I'm sure that stopping the run is a priority of Frank Bush and Bill Kollar but I wonder if Travis, Amobi, and Okam really are just a scheme away from being all they can be - or if we've already seen their best?

Most of the talk over the past few months has been about securing a 'pass rusher' opposite Mario. 

I don't know if that's going to be Antonio Smith or not but at this point, if I'm buying, I'm picking up the defensive tackle menu and ordering one immovable object  with a side of Tasmanian devil. 

Either that or a couple more Deljuan Robinsons.

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