Cap? Is that you? 
I don’t think the coaches have any kind of vendetta against him. That would be really strange. I think he’s just more of a square peg in a round hole for them.
He’s clearly a pass rusher, but the coaches probably don’t envision a (edit) 245 LB sized player playing the edge, full time. Evidence supports this as they spent the majority of the preseason working him in as a linebacker and a special teamer. They are trying to turn him into a LB rather than just letting him be a pass rusher.
Makes sense in some ways. Roster spots are limited and it’s hard to have a DE on your team that can only play in pass rushing situations.
James was 241 at the combine, he’s not 225. But I agree that the Lions clearly don’t want him playing the edge. To the point that they moved him out of position where he wasn’t effective and it seemed like he was a bubble player toward the end of training camp. There aren’t a lot of guys who can beat a tackle clean like Houston can. His first step is explosive, he changes speed, he’ll go into a dive and dip, even saw a hop in there or two, he does this all in the blink of an eye before the tackle can really react to it. The farther you move him away, the less effective he is. Why put a guy in a wide 9 when he can beat the tackle right in front of him. They put Hutch in the wide 9 because Hutch can’t beat a tackle like that, Hutch has to hand fight, he’s not smoking any tackle he’s lined right up on like Houston does. Anyways, I think the Lions are sadly wrong on Houston and he’s a player.
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Fixed - Thanks.
Houston is done for the year, I’ve accepted that already.
The positive is that the Rams were likely the most dangerous pass offense that they’ll face in the playoffs and they won so maybe they can get by without that dynamic pass rusher opposite of Hutch.
You make a lot of valid points. But Maybe two things can be true at the same time.
- He has a special if one-trick pony talent that might help the Lions right now.
- Though he is healthy, his one-trick pony is broken or not up to what it used to be at this point in time.
I’m not sure why it has to be either one or the other.
These coaches are absolutely dying for some up front DL pass rushers. I can’t think they’d be holding this guy back if he was going to help them win a SB. These opportunities don’t come often.
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I agree with this. If he was actually ready to come and light up some QBs? No brainer. Clearly, something’s up. Perhaps it’s health. Maybe it’s something with the scheme (perhaps he is a liability against the run, and we are banking on being a strong run defense). Maybe it’s something else.
But if the staff thinks he can help us win (more than the other guy), he’ll be activated. We get about 4% of the available information here.
I’m disappointed he hasn’t really contributed this year, but that happens sometimes. I think we’ll be competitive either way!
AG said something last week like, “If you practice well enough, you’ll play” with regard to Hosuton and that to me was the answer we’ve needed. The answer? He isn’t practicing well enough. Which could mean he isn’t the same player.
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I feel it’s a bit nit-picky at this point to criticize Brad and Dan after getting a historical Lions second home playoff game…but I’m still not over how/why this team has refused to give Adan NFL caliber help opposite of him on the line. And is Houston REALLY worse than anyone one else we have simply as a pure 3rd down pass rush specialist? Idk man, it just doesnt make sense if he’s healthy, yet they cant find 12-15 snaps for him to just go kill a QB…of course the coaches know more than us, but as some here have pointed out, Harris and the Okwaras were apparently deemed to be good enough by this team, when clearly those guys are actually ass 
Per the Free Press, Houston said he plans on playing this weekend.
I’m not sure if that means The Lions also plan for him to play.
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seems to be a lot of that with hime these days
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Full practice for Houston today…not sure if that is news…I think he practiced all last week right?
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I think it’s a very good sign.
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but…is that what she said?
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He has 3 screws and a plate in his rebuilt ankle, he might need more time to get his bend back.
In Dan/Brad I will trust.
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If the explosion isn’t there, Houston is a one trick pony without the trick. Better to have Romeo who can at least collapse the pocket.
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It isnt one or the other tho just saying
Latest from Dave …
https://x.com/davebirkett/status/1747742105374470198?s=46&t=XNaCYqjbnQMZs3PB8Kzlfg
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Houston has been elevated from the IR, to the active roster.
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