In his first season as Texans defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver has a lot to be excited for in 2020. With returning starting veterans in J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, Justin Reid and Bradley Roby, the Texans also added playmakers via the draft and free agency.
"I'm so excited about the guys that we do have on the roster on defense right now," Weaver said Wednesday via Zoom. "We have a bunch of guys who are – like I said earlier, they're dependable, they're tough, they're smart, they're passionate about ball. I think some of the schematic changes that we've made have brought on some excitement with them. They're excited about some of the new things that we're going to do and the places that we're going to put them. I can't wait to see it all come to fruition and see those guys on the field."
Weaver's success as defensive line coach, experience as a former NFL player as well as his knowledge of different schemes under head coaches like Rex Ryan, Brian Billick and Mike Pettine, were a major factor in Bill O’Brien’s decision to promote Weaver this offseason. For now, Weaver has been conducting the offseason program virtually, through online learning and team meetings. His creativity as a coach has come in handy, having played and coached in different defensive schemes.
"The creativity part of defensive scheming is maybe one of my favorite parts about the job," Weaver said. "You've got to love the chess match and trying to put the pieces in the right place, and get free runners, and hit the quarterback and do all of those things. That's part of the beauty and schematics."
In addition to his duties as coordinator, Weaver will remain defensive line coach, a position he has held since 2016 when he joined the Texans. He will have the help of former defensive coordinator and now associate head coach, Romeo Crennel, as well as defensive assistants Matt O'Donnell, Akeem Dent and newly-hired outside backers coach, Chris Rumph, all who have experience coaching the defensive line.
