Houston Texans 2014 Season Preview – Defense

Aug 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Robert Hughes (39) is tackled by Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger (36) during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Secondary:

In the base 3-4 D.J. Swearinger and Kendrick Lewis will patrol the open field. In dime and nickle formations Shilo Keo and if the word on the street is right Danieal Manning will have the duty of slowing the quarterback’s up enough to let Watt and Clowney get to the quarterback. The best thing that can be said about the secondary is Brandon Harris is no longer a Texans. That might seem harsh, but Arizona exposed what a weak link he is, and now that he’s gone fans are a little less worried about being beat down field. Swearinger is the primary guy to watch, he’s the man with the Swagger and he’s only gotten more confident and aggressive going into his second year of NFL play. If Brian Cushing played safety or corner back, he’d play like Swearinger.

More from Houston Texans News

• Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
• Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
• Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
• Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith
• There is just one way the Texans can lose the No. 1 pick

Crennel’s defenses are known for giving up yards in the open field and then tightening up the closer to the end zone opposing teams get. If everything is clicking the opportunities for interceptions should increase as teams are forced to air it out. Manning, Lewis, Swearinger. All three are more then capable of making a team pay for a bad pass. Their first test comes against a revamped Redskins offense, with RG III we’ll get good measure of just what the secondary is capable of.