Since Romeo Crennel came to the Houston Texans in 2014, his defense has dominated against rookie quarterbacks. Since his arrival, the Texans are 10-1 against rookie shot-callers. On Sunday, they’ll have the opportunity to make that 11-1.
The Texans will host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, led by rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew. The sixth-round pick, hailing from Washington State, filled in for Nick Foles in Week 1 after the starter sustained a broken collarbone.
Crennel was impressed by what he saw, saying on Thursday: “What I saw from him is one, his completions in this game. He wasn’t really expected to go into the game and play, but he had to, and he went into the game, and he had a good completion number, he threw some good, tight balls into some tight areas, he kind of took what the defense gave him.”
Minshew threw 22 for 25 for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception; far from bad numbers from somebody expecting to ride the pine for the game.
“I think you have to give him a lot of credit for being able to step in and perform the way that he did,” Crennel told reporters.
The Texans are attempting to make Minshew’s Week 1 performance the greatest of his short career.
“Hopefully he won’t be as good on Sunday,” said Crennel.
How might they do that? Ideally, a “good combination of coverage and rush,” according to Crennel. That “might be able to take some of those completions away from him.”
Though impressive Week 1, Houston must be excited to play a quarterback not named Drew Brees; who could pick up his gold jacket from Canton tomorrow if he pleases. Expect to see them throw some confusing looks at the rookie quarterback; such as zone blitzes, coverage disguises, stunts, and man/zone combinations.
“Within our system and what we feel like we’re able to do, you do that [throw different looks], because he is a rookie and he hasn’t seen as much as Drew Brees has seen,” said Crennel. “We’ll approach it Sunday and see how it comes out.”
