Latest news with #CalenBullock
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL analyst says this Texans defender could be a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025
After a breakout season in the secondary, the Houston Texans have a pair of players with Pro Bowl potential heading into the 2025 season. Calen Bullock, who led the Texans in interceptions with five, has a chance to once again hit the total after an impressive start to training camp. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter, the Texans' No. 2 defensive back, is poised to be one of the rising stars after holding the lowest completion percentage among rookie cornerbacks. Which of the two has a better chance of heading down to Orlando? Kevin Patra believes Lassiter will end up being the name who ends up putting up numbers that prove he's the next big-time defensive back entering 2026. "I know I glowed about Nate Wiggins' rookie season above -- but Lassiter was even better, snagging three interceptions while generating 10 passes defended. Generally, when a rookie is playing opposite an All-Pro like Derek Stingley Jr., we'd expect him to be targeted significantly more, even with help coverage going his way," Prata wrote. "In 2024, Lassiter's target-per-coverage-snap rate sat at 15.0%. Stingley's: 15.1%. That underscores just how suffocating Lassiter was. His -11.5% completion percentage over expected was by far the best among all corners, with no one else at the position cracking double digits (the Cardinals' Garrett Williams was No. 2 at -8.6%). Lassiter's -7.8 receptions over expected also ranked No. 1 among all corners (minimum of 300 coverage snaps). The knock on Lassiter was the four TDs allowed (which cut into his EPA numbers), but the rookie consistently forced tough throws from QBs and made plays on the ball when given the chance. In a fierce DeMeco Ryans defense, the corner can grow even more in 2025." The Texans take on the Carolina Panthers this Saturday in preseason game No. 2. It's unclear if fans making their way to NRG Stadium will see Lassiter in action, along with the rest of the Texans' starters. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL analyst says this Texans defender should be a Pro Bowler in 2025
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst says this Texans defender could be a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025
After a breakout season in the secondary, the Houston Texans have a pair of players with Pro Bowl potential heading into the 2025 season. Calen Bullock, who led the Texans in interceptions with five, has a chance to once again hit the total after an impressive start to training camp. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter, the Texans' No. 2 defensive back, is poised to be one of the rising stars after holding the lowest completion percentage among rookie cornerbacks. Which of the two has a better chance of heading down to Orlando? Kevin Patra believes Lassiter will end up being the name who ends up putting up numbers that prove he's the next big-time defensive back entering 2026. "I know I glowed about Nate Wiggins' rookie season above -- but Lassiter was even better, snagging three interceptions while generating 10 passes defended. Generally, when a rookie is playing opposite an All-Pro like Derek Stingley Jr., we'd expect him to be targeted significantly more, even with help coverage going his way," Prata wrote. "In 2024, Lassiter's target-per-coverage-snap rate sat at 15.0%. Stingley's: 15.1%. That underscores just how suffocating Lassiter was. His -11.5% completion percentage over expected was by far the best among all corners, with no one else at the position cracking double digits (the Cardinals' Garrett Williams was No. 2 at -8.6%). Lassiter's -7.8 receptions over expected also ranked No. 1 among all corners (minimum of 300 coverage snaps). The knock on Lassiter was the four TDs allowed (which cut into his EPA numbers), but the rookie consistently forced tough throws from QBs and made plays on the ball when given the chance. In a fierce DeMeco Ryans defense, the corner can grow even more in 2025." The Texans take on the Carolina Panthers this Saturday in preseason game No. 2. It's unclear if fans making their way to NRG Stadium will see Lassiter in action, along with the rest of the Texans' starters.
USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Calen Bullock is having a phenomenal training camp with Texans
If you thought the Houston Texans' defense couldn't get any more dangerous for opposing offenses, you might be mistaken. Second year safety and former USC football star Calen Bullock is coming off an impressive rookie campaign. He has been intercepting multiple passes from one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, CJ Stroud. Cole Thompson broke down the biggest winners and losers of camp so far for the Texans. Two Trojans cracked his rankings, one of them being Calen Bullock. Here are Thompson's thoughts on Calen Bullock's strong camp: "Pick a practice. Literally, any day since camp broke last week. You got it? Bullock has been the most impressive player that morning. Yes, every morning, Bullock is the one standing out the most. He's already recorded four interceptions against Stroud in drills and has been more physical when asked to play against tight ends in man coverage. On Wednesday, the second-year defensive back went stride-for-stride with Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins to break up a deep post pattern. Last season, Bullock totaled five interceptions and helped Houston stabilize the back end of its secondary after Jalen Pitre moved into the nickel role. He's a true ball-hawk that's only getting back as a tackler and run-stopper." The Texans last year were second in the NFL in interceptions with 19. Calen Bullock did his part, tallying 5 interceptions. That was one of the Texans' specialities last season; if opposing offenses put the ball in harm's way, the Texans were more than likely to come down with it. Creating turnovers and making game-changing plays helped the Texans get a playoff upset versus the Los Angeles Chargers. They forced Justin Herbert to throw 4 interceptions. If Calen Bulluck can continue being the driving force for this defense to create turnovers, this Texans team can be really scary come January. With the camp Calen Bullock is having and the success he is creating against CJ Stroud, it is safe to assume this season could be an even bigger year for the second-year ballhawk safety out of USC.
Fox Sports
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Eagles, Titans headline NFL teams that surrendered fewest total yards in 2024
The NFL may be littered with countless high-octane offenses, but there are still plenty of shutdown defenses — one of them won Super Bowl LIX. Here are the top five defenses in the league last season in terms of total yards surrendered. 5. Houston Texans — 5,355 total yards Team defense stats: 201.0 passing yards (sixth in the NFL), 114.0 rushing yards (11th), 315.0 total yards (fifth) and 21.9 points (14th) per game, 49.0 sacks (tied for fourth) Best performances: Beat Chicago Bears 19-13 in Week 2 Beat Dallas Cowboys 34-10 in Week 11 Beat Miami Dolphins 20-12 in Week 15 Individual standouts: CB Derek Stingley Jr. (five interceptions, 18 passes defended) S Calen Bullock (five interceptions, 11 passes defended) DE Danielle Hunter (12.0 sacks) DE Will Anderson Jr. (11.0 sacks) LB Henry To'oTo'o (105 combined tackles) 4. Miami Dolphins — 5,343 total yards Team defense stats: 210.6 passing yards (ninth), 103.7 rushing yards (ninth), 314.3 total yards (fourth) and 21.4 points (10th) per game, 35.0 sacks (27th) Best performances: Beat Los Angeles Rams 23-15 in Week 10 Beat San Francisco 49ers 29-17 in Week 16 Beat Cleveland Browns 20-3 in Week 17 Individual standouts: DT Zach Sieler (10.0 sacks, 55 combined tackles) LB Jordyn Brooks (143 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries) LB Tyrel Dodson (three interceptions in eight games) CB Jalen Ramsey (two interceptions, 11 passes defended) CB Kader Kohou (two interceptions, eight passes defended) 3. New York Jets — 5,334 total yards Team defense stats: 192.6 passing yards (fourth), 121.1 rushing yards (17th), 313.8 total yards (third) and 23.8 points (20th) per game, 43.0 sacks (tied for 11th) Best performances: Beat New England Patriots 24-3 in Week 3 Held Denver Broncos to 10 points in Week 4 Beat Houston Texans 21-13 in Week 9 Individual standouts: LB Quincy Williams (116 combined tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries) LB Jamien Sherwood (158 combined tackles, NFL-high 98 solo tackles, 2.0 sacks) DE Will McDonald IV (10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles) S Tony Adams (one interception, six passes defended, 84 combined tackles) DL Quinnen Williams (6.0 sacks, 37 combined tackles) 2. Tennessee Titans — 5,291 total yards Team defense stats: 177.3 passing yards (second), 133.9 rushing yards (26th), 311.2 total yards (second) and 27.1 points (30th) per game, 32.0 sacks (30th) Best performances: Beat Miami Dolphins 31-12 in Week 4 Beat New England Patriots 20-17 (OT) in Week 9 Held Jacksonville Jaguars to 10 points in Week 14 Individual standouts: S Amani Hooker (five interceptions, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles) DT Jeffery Simmons (5.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 76 combined tackles) LB Harold Landry III (9.0 sacks, 71 combined tackles) LB Arden Key (6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 42 combined tackles) LB Kenneth Murray (3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 95 combined tackles) Team defense stats: 174.2 passing yards (first), 104.2 rushing yards (10th), 278.4 total yards (first) and 17.8 points (second) per game, 41.0 sacks (tied for 13th) Best performances: Beat New York Giants 28-3 in Week 7 Beat Dallas Cowboys 34-6 in Week 10 Beat Dallas Cowboys 41-7 in Week 17 Individual standouts: LB Zack Baun (five forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks, 151 combined tackles) S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (six interceptions, 12 passes defended, one forced fumble) LB Nakobe Dean (3.0 sacks, one forced fumble, 128 combined tackles) S Reed Blankenship (four interceptions, one fumble recovery, 78 combined tackles) DT Jalen Carter (4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 42 combined tackles) Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Philadelphia Eagles Tennessee Titans recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans DB Calen Bullock named breakout candidate for 2025 season
One season into his career and Houston Texans defensive back Calen Bullock is already meeting expectations. When drafted out of USC last April, the Texans were banking on the 6-foot-3 defensive back's coverage skills and ability to create turnovers. By the season's end, he was tied with All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. with a team-leading five interceptions while posting 11 pass breakups. Calen Bullock had a sensational rookie season 🤘 Where he ranked among all rookies in: 🔴 INTs: 1st 🔴 Takeaways: 1st 🔴 Passer Rating Allowed: 1st 🔴 Catch Rate Over Expected: 2nd 🔴 Coverage EPA: 3rd h/t @NextGenStats — The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 9, 2025 Bullock blossomed into a solid run defender and open-field tackler, which was viewed as a weak point in his game coming from Alex Grinch's system. Surprisingly, his man coverage skills took somewhat of a when asked to cover explosive plays downfield. Pro Football Focus recently released its breakout player for every team next season. For the Texans' Bullock's consistency in coverage earned him the accolade. 'Even as a rookie, Bullock played the second-most snaps on Houston's defense and stood out as a run defender, with a 75.2 PFF grade during the regular season. While his PFF coverage grade (43.9) is underwhelming, he permitted only 135 yards in coverage while procuring five interceptions and a 45.0 passer rating when targeted — the fourth-lowest mark of any qualified cornerback or safety,' PFF wrote. 'Knowing Houston's defensive prowess, Bullock could easily join Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter as a top-tier defensive back come 2025. Bullock recorded 54 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also saw the most snaps by a Texans' rookie defensive back since Daunta Robinson in 2004. ANOTHER INT! This time it's Calen Bullock's turn to get the ball back for the @HoustonTexans. 📺: #DETvsHOU on NBC/Peacock 📱: Stream on #NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2024 With Eric Murray potentially heading for free agency, Bullock likely pairs with Jimmie Ward as the duo on the backend for 2025. If he can improve in man coverage, perhaps the Texans have found their own Marcus Williams or Kevin Byard at NRG Stadium for the long haul.
