If the staff continues to be frustrated by Houston and the “One Trick” magic pass rush is gone in practice Holmes would definitely trade him rather than cut him.
Could possibly even get a 6th.
But if he gets in preseason games and everyone sees the pass rush magic is gone the value will decrease.
Houston was such a gifted player but AG just didn’t appreciate it. A guy who explodes and bends as well as he does, even the side of the field he plays on is important. He doesn’t bend equally left to right. Not only did AG have him dropping into coverage last pre-season but he was playing on the wrong side of the field even when he was pass rushing.
My biggest issue with the coverage drop was that he ended up in Man on a RB. That was a HUGE gamble by AG and requires DL pressure to end the play quickly, which we couldn’t.
It is a little bit semantics. The Lions do refer to it as Rush, but Rush End.
Campbell indicated that Houston could get some reps in sub packages at DE. That role is a Pass Rush Specialist with no run containment responsibility. He just needs to continue to have a high level of success when he comes in.
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I’m concerned that after the ankle injury, Houston no longer has the bend he used to have.
Therein lies the bigger problem for the team. Knowing where each player is going to be because of the name or number on their jersey works against their greater emphasis on disguise. I mean, there’s going to be some downs where of course he’s the rusher, period, but they really need the player to not be limited, unless he’s just wicked good at pass-rushing, in which case you keep him out there and move him all around. But, then you can’t be a liability against the run, so we’re back to feeling the pain that Dan and AG are.
You want:
Houston’s rush ability
Campbell’s contain ability
Barnes’s drop ability (on-ball/off-ball ability)
All in one player
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Everything I gathered is that Houston flashed as a pass rusher but had a 20 PFF score meaning he has no idea what he is doing if he has to read, react, drop into coverage, etc.
I heard Betts looks like the Canadian BobbBoucher Waterboy
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Houston backup RDE to Davenport.
Derrick Barnes SAM
You’re welcome.
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Paschal & Levi should get a lot of run as backup rotational edge on run downs.
Man we need them both to make that leap this year like Barnes & Iffy did last year
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That “juice” you speak of is over a year and a half old. He showed NOTHING at the end of last season. I saw NOTHING in the 1st preseason game against back up OT’s.
Ukwu looked better against the same level of competition. Houston is fighting for a roster spot in 2024.
If nothing changes, we may look to trade him for a late round pick. I’m sure someone would give up something for him.
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It’s not his age but instead his return from a severe injury that brings into question whether he can regain his prior form. I’m pretty sure everybody has been qualifying their Houston hopium with “IF he regains …” so you’re preaching to the choir here.
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