Texans LBs respond well to player-turned-coach Vrabel

By Simone Eli
July 29, 2014


It's said that those who know the game best, used to play it.

That's definitely the case for new Texans linebacker coach Mike Vrabel - a former Patriot, now trying to amp up the Texans defense.

The ex-Pats defender knew he would make the transition from professional player to professional coach when his playing days were over.

"As soon as they fired me from the NFL, as soon as I couldn't play football anymore," Vrabel said. “I've been lucky and blessed enough to play for a lot of great coaches going all the way back to high school, so I try to just take what I've learned from them and blend it into our style.”

Texans players have found themselves trying to keep up with Vrabel’s enthusiasm.

"I feel like he's running out here, he's beating us to the drills each and every day, each and every drill - so we're out here just trying to keep up with him really, he brings the excitement we're just trying to lean on that and take what we can from him and preform when they call our name," said Texans linebacker Justin Tuggle.

Vrabel has also made a huge impression on No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.

"I think I have one of the best coaches in the game and this business, listening to him and talking to him. So I'm going to listen to him more than anybody," Clowney said.

A rookie shall teach them? Wilhoite hails Borland’s smarts

July 25, 2014

By Eric Branch

Michael Wilhoite has found his young competition doubles an excellent teacher.

Today, Wilhoite, 28, a three-year NFL veteran, said he’s often sought out third-round pick Chris Borland, 23, for advice this season. Input from a rookie? Borland, Wilhoite said, isn’t your typical kid.

“He has a lot of knowledge of the game,” Wilhoite said. “You can tell that he’s taken a lot of snaps at the linebacker spot, so he reads things very fast.

“I’ll even ask questions of why he did this, or why he did that. Just out of curiosity because he puts himself in very good position to make plays, whereas I might not have thought of it, or I might not have seen something.”

Borland’s instincts have been hailed by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and help explain how he had a decorated college career despite average size (5-11, 248), speed (4.83-second 40-yard dash) and alligator arms (29 ¼ inches). He was a first-team All-American and Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year at Wisconsin, where he had the second-most forced fumbles (15) in FBS history.

“You can tell he’s bred to play the linebacker position,” Wilhoite said. “He understands what he’s seeing. A lot of times as a linebacker you’ll see things, but you can’t quite correlate it to you to what you should be doing at your job. And he’s very good with that. He sees it, he understands it, he knows how to find the ball.”

Borland and Wilhoite are vying to replace All-Pro inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (knee) for a significant part of the regular season. Given his experience, Wilhoite, who played well in his first two career starts last year, is the front-runner. The competition also includes Nick Moody, a 2013 sixth-round pick, and undrafted rookie Shayne Skov.

Today, Fangio suggested Bowman’s role could be shared by a tandem, noting how outside linebackers Dan Skuta (base downs) and Corey Lemonier (nickel) split up Aldon Smith’s duties for five games in 2013.

Whatever the case, Wilhoite said the replacement(s) must strive to reach Bowman’s level.

“You have to embrace the challenge, you have to embrace the competition, you have to embrace the fact that we’re not replacing Joe Shmoe,” he said. “We’re replacing the best. So you have to the best. You can’t be Joe Shmoe, or just another guy. Good will get you beat. To me, that’s the beauty of it.”

Mark Stoops understands how important Avery Williamson is

July 18, 2014

By LARRY VAUGHT

HOOVER, Ala. — Kentucky’s biggest question on defense is replacing middle linebacker Avery Williamson, the team’s leading tackler the last two season who is now with the Tennessee Titans.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, a former defensive coordinator, certainly knows how important finding a replacement is.

“Me being a defensive guy my whole life, I think it’s always important as a defensive coach to be good through the middle. We know that you’ve got to be good everywhere,” he said during the SEC Media Days here Thursday. “You’ve got to have very talented guys everywhere, but from a leadership point of view, the guy in the middle of your defense, it’s real important.

“Maybe Bud (Dupree) can be our leader.We’re doing a lot of good things with Bud, getting very creative. Bud’s versatile, so we’re using him in a lot of different positions. He is a guy that can take command of the defense until somebody comes along in the middle that is a playmaker.”

Stoops also wants to see Kentucky dramatically improve on last year’s total of just three interceptions.

“Everybody fails to mention that we had more fumbles than anybody. Do we need to improve? Of course. We need to intercept some more balls. But you never know what might happen. Maybe we won’t get any fumbles and get more interceptions,” Stoops said.