Chiefs vs. Texans: Todd Haley On Mario Williams, Brian Cushing And Houston's Defense

by Joel Thorman on Oct 13, 2010 8:31 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley spent a few minutes looking at the Houston Texans defense on Wednesday.

The Texans defense looks sort of like the Chiefs. They're ranked low on pass defense (32nd) and very high against the run (fifth -- slightly better than the Chiefs). The difference is that the Chiefs are third in points allowed. The Texans? 29th.

Here are a few thing Haley said about the Texans defense. Chime in with any thoughts on the Texans defense.

Defensive line: "Defensively, they’ve got a bunch more big-time players that if you’re not careful can change the game in a hurry, starting with number 90, (Mario) Williams, up front."

I think Todd Haley is the type of guy who loves going against the grain. That's what happened when the Texans took Mario Williams No. 1 instead of Reggie Bush in 2006. Haley said of that highly scrutinized decision, "They were in the middle of a big thing when they drafted who they drafted and they stuck by their guy and I think that you see that, no disrespect to anybody, but this defensive end now is a big-time player."

Linebacker: "They have a real good group of linebackers that run and hit. They can fill and can run sideline to sideline. They’re tough, physical, they kind of set the tempo of this defense."

Yeah, these guys are legit, too. DeMeco Ryans was the rookie of the year in 2006 and has 519 tackles over four full seasons. Brian Cushing was also rookie of the year. Todd Haley told Houston reporters on a conference call that he wishes Cushing's suspension had been a little longer (he was suspended the first four games) because he's a complete player. That's not bad for your linebacking crew alone.

Secondary: "They’ve got a secondary that is made up of some veterans and some younger guys that also like to run and hit and make plays."

Eugene Wilson? Played for Romeo Crennel and the boys in New England. That should be some familiarity. Bernard Pollard? Well, yeah, the Chiefs know him. That's some more familiarity. This unit is ranked 32nd in the NFL in passing yards.

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Joel, just FYI ...

very good read on Battle Red Blog if you haven’t read it yet, on a possible Texans Blueprint to Solve the Puzzle of the Kansas City Chiefs

seems the Chiefs have everyone confused as to our teams true identity … likely a good thing, but then too, we’re not even sure who or how good we are yet so I guess it all evens out

should be a damned good game, though!

and thanks for all you do for AP (whatever it is)

:-)

Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award (I'd like to thank my producer, my director, all of my wonderful fans ... )
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hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Oct 13, 2010 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

my chiming in ...

granted the Texans have given up a ton of air miles this year (I hear Peyton Manning is on their Frequent Flier program) but at least SOME of that can be attributable to the Texans scoring a lot of points with Foster and Johnson, and other teams having to play “catch up” ball so often

Haley’s right about Mario Williams, he’s a beast … I remember a quote a few years ago when the Texans were still new, their GM (I think) said they wanted to build their line(s) first … and they did

they have a very VERY good team … we’ll be fortunate to come out with a win Sunday, and a loss would NOT be surprising

by upamtn on Oct 13, 2010 8:47 PM CDT reply actions

I think they are quite good

But inconsistent, and it’s showing. They beat Indy and looked legit, but then squeaked by Oakland and probably should have lost to Washington, and then the wheels fell off against two NFC foes…they have declined each week since beating the Colts and let’s hope this isn’t the week they decide to turn it around.

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 13, 2010 9:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Was the Skins game

the game they won due to the missed (time out) field goal? If it was, I laughed my ass off at Shannahan (spelling) getting a taste of his own medicine.

by Chiefs_40 on Oct 13, 2010 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I think so

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 13, 2010 9:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think that both KC and Houston are ascending

(granted, we’re moving a little more quickly than I could’ve anticipated). I think there is a very good chance that the Jets, Texans, and Chiefs are about the replace the Patriots, Colts, and Chargers as the perennial AFC playoff teams

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 13, 2010 9:12 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I can see that

I think the Jets and Chiefs are headed in that direction. We’ll see on the Texans but I really like their young pieces.

Arrowhead Pride
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by Joel Thorman on Oct 13, 2010 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions

They've managed to win with a meh offensive line

but if they want to go anywhere each year in the postseason they need to shore that up. The AFC playoffs are full of big scary defensive linemen from Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 13, 2010 9:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

no kidding ...

those two teams always have The Big D

by upamtn on Oct 13, 2010 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Im not scared of them, But then again, Im not going to be hit by them either.

One of the founding members of The Super Duper Matt Cassel Fanclub
Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!
We all have the right to our own opinions, its just that mine are right.

by nateforchiefs on Oct 13, 2010 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions

As goes Manning, so go the Colts

He will start to decline, eventually…right? ;)

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Oct 13, 2010 9:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

No offense. But the Texans are MUCH better than the Chiefs.

You guys are finally having a good year….but who have you played? You lost to the only decent team you have played.

You wins have come against teams with a COMBINED record of 3-12 so far. Let’s not plan on the Lombardi trophy just yet.

The Texans are inconsistent, no doubt. But they are also much better than the Chiefs right now.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU

by TexansForever on Oct 14, 2010 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Dude...we play each other this week

There’s no need to talk about which team is better at this point. It’ll be proven one way or another on sunday

by Mayday07 on Oct 14, 2010 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

AGree we will finnd out. I'm just responding to the guy above who said the Chiefs and Jets are headed in right direction but he isn't sure on Texans.

Also the guy below who says he will be “shocked” if the Chiefs lose.

Outside of those comments, I agree with you.

Not trying to bash the Chiefs, they are improving. Just trying to say let’s look at the reality of their success.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU

by TexansForever on Oct 14, 2010 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I think that reality applies to both KC and Houston

Both are teams that are finally showing some real improvement, but neither should be reveling in recent success at this point.

There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.

by burntorangehorn on Oct 14, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yep.

The Chiefs have done one of the hardest things there is in football, tearing it down and starting over. If the Chiefs can some how manage a win, it’s going to be an “ugly” one. Should be a fun game, can’t wait.

by Chiefs_40 on Oct 13, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Draft

It was the right pick and reggie bush sucks and really hope we win this game if we do this team will make the playoffs and I would feel good about a deep post season run

by Supersexy on Oct 13, 2010 9:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I know i shouldnt bring it up...but...

The Chiefs have a playoff caliber D….so far they have locked teams down scoringwise….Im just not sure Cassel and the passing game can score the points needed to do any damage to other playoff teams.
We are set up with everything you need to make a deep playoff run….a great RB tandem, a D that looks great and is getting better every game.

This game with the Texans looks winable, just like last weeks game with Indy….But Cassel and the receivers have got to be able to do something if we are going to win…
The coaching staff has got to realize this….they cant continue to keep putting Cassel and co. on the field and watch their playoff chances dwindle from a lack of production….i think we will make the playoffs….just not go very deep into them without some offensive production at the QB and WR positions….if it does not improve within the next few games, I think Haley HAS to make a change.

Playoffs are a REAL possibility in 2010...just need few tweeks here and there.

by KCinAZ on Oct 13, 2010 9:49 PM CDT reply actions

Worried!

Going back 2 weeks, I was more worried about the Houston game than the Colts. Now I’m afraid it’ll be 2 in a row losses. Since I was sure of a win in Indy – and we lost, I hope we’ll win at Houston, since I figured it to be the loss.
GO CHIEFS!

by David Winton on Oct 13, 2010 9:53 PM CDT reply actions

I thought we had a good chance to win too

I was not impressed with our playcalling and the passing game failed us…We dominated that game in every other way IMO…

Playoffs are a REAL possibility in 2010...just need few tweeks here and there.

by KCinAZ on Oct 13, 2010 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions

"catching game"

Fixed that for ya

Anthrax, ham radio, and liquor.

by KeyboardGato on Oct 14, 2010 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Ridiculous four-game suspension

I can’t believe a positive steroids test results in a measly four-game suspension. It should mean an automatic full-season suspension, carrying over into the next season if handed down in mid-year. Lifetime suspension for a second failed test.

Oh well. Maybe he’ll be as lights-out as post-steroids Merriman has become.

by burntorangehorn on Oct 13, 2010 10:14 PM CDT reply actions