In an effort to upgrade the pass rush this offseason, the Indianapolis Colts went to the marketplace and brought home veteran defensive end Justin Houston.
After eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston will be leading the defensive front for the Colts working in a new alignment. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus feels the change in scheme will benefit Houston as he enters his age-30 season.
“I think just what he has done in the past and then that much more. I think being in our scheme will certainly help him in terms of getting his hand in the dirt and getting off and attacking that way,” Eberflus told reporters last week. “I think that will lend to his natural abilities.”
As a salary cap casualty, Houston was released by the only team he’s ever played for since being selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. With the Colts, there’s only one objective expected of him: get after the quarterback.
With Indy featuring an attacking gap-shooting front in addition to the natural abilities Houston already has, Eberflus believes it’s a perfect match.
“You don’t just fall into 78.5 sacks or 79, wherever he is,” Eberflus said. “But he knows how to rush the passer so it is important that we teach him the base fundamentals of the game and enhance his abilities with what he naturally does.”
The Colts have been impressed with Houston’s game through the spring workouts. Of course, there is no contact in OTAs or minicamp, but they have liked what they’ve seen thus far in the veteran.
The Colts pass rush is an aspect of the defense that will likely make or break the unit in 2019. It’s not all on Houston’s shoulders, but he does carry the potential to make a huge impact from the edge.
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