If an offense can’t block a dominant edge rusher, they can always trick.
Screen passes are one way to counter an aggressive pass rusher or similar defensive scheme. As Houston Texans rookie defensive end Will Anderson acclimates to the NFL, the No. 3 overall pick will need to be wary of such in-game deception.
According to defensive coordinator Matt Burke, the Alabama product has shown a propensity to avoid the bait on screen passes.
“Yeah, the screens he has got a really good feel for, actually,” Burke told reporters Aug. 1. “He just kind of has a pretty quick feel on those, but we ask our whole [defensive] line to turn and run to the ball. Like, that’s sort of like a calling card of what we ask those guys to do, and so he’s embraced that along with most of the group.”
Being wary of screens is vital as the Texans are deploying a more aggressive four-man front than the previous two years, where the Tampa 2 asked the down linemen to read and react more.
“If we’re going to be an attack front like we’ve talked about and have guys coming off the rock and trying to rush, people are going to throw screens to slow us down,” said Burke. “So, those guys have to then turn and put their foot in the ground and come out and sort of make people pay for trying to throw screens on us. So, it’s kind of just part of the philosophy of how we play.”
Anderson was a proficient edge defender in college with 34.5 career sacks and two Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year awards. If Anderson can eliminate falling prey to screens from his vulnerabilities, it should help him be more productive in his rookie campaign.
