Year 1 with Anthony Weaver as the defensive coordinator has gotten off to a weird start because of COVID-19, but that hasn't dampened any enthusiasm and optimism for what might be.
Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who spoke with the media on a Tuesday morning Zoom, likes what's ahead with the new coordinator.
"I couldn't be more happy to have Weaver as our DC," Mercilus said. "He's done a great job. He's taken everybody's talents into account as far as putting it in place for this defense and bringing up some really cool, interesting concepts as well, some new formations and stuff like that for us to go out there and go have fun."
Weaver's spent the last four years as the Texans' defensive line coach, and he's entering his ninth NFL season as an assistant. He and the Texans began training camp last week, and will practice in pads on August 14. Defensive end J.J. Watt's been in the position meeting room with his DC over those last four seasons, and is upbeat about what's to come on the defensive side of the ball.
"I think Coach Weaver has done a great job so far in our virtual meetings and in the first day we've had," Watt said on Saturday. "We're looking forward to keeping working with him in the future."
Weaver and the Texans open the 2020 regular season on Thursday Night Football at Kansas City on September 10.
