Come Monday night, the Houston Texans defense will have a big task ahead of them. Facing the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Romeo Crennel’s defense will be challenged with keeping track of the NFL’s highest-paid receiver, Michael Thomas.
The two-time Pro Bowler and 2018 first-team All-Pro wideout has only been in the league for three years and yet, already has 3,787 regular-season receiving yards to his name.
“He’s a great player,” admitted coach Bill O’Brien on Tuesday. “He’s got good size, good speed, very, very good route runner.”
Not only will the Texans secondary have to keep Thomas in their sights from the get-go, but the front seven will be tasked containing one of the best quarterbacks of all time in Drew Brees who has formed a deadly partnership with Thomas, something O’Brien is well aware of.
“He’s got great chemistry with the quarterback – on the same page,” said O’Brien. “The ball is in the air many times before he comes out of his break. He understands coverage, he understands leverage, he’s got excellent hands, he’s got it all. He’s a great player and it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
If the Texans have any chance of leaving Louisiana with a win, the likes of Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby will have to be on top of their game. This will come as a rude awakening off of what was a quiet offseason for most of their starters, who saw limited game time.
