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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. setting the tone early for a DPOY season
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. setting the tone early for a DPOY season Don't look now, but a Defensive Player of the Year season could be coming to NRG Stadium this fall if Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. keeps up his attentiveness through the summer and into Week 1. Anderson, who last season totaled 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, seemed to be in his element Friday during the team's OTA session, blowing past linemen and reaching the quarterback. During team drills, he used an inside move in team drills to get past offensive lineman Tytus Howard to sack Davis Mills. This has become a common theme in practice. The only thing stopping Anderson these days is the whistle and the fact that he doesn't want to hurt a teammate. Since OTAs began on Wednesday, he's been the backfield more than he's been on the sidelines, something that's even impressed third-year defensive coordinator Matt Burke. 'He's on a mission," Burke said Friday. "He dropped a move today in the pass rush setting that was a new move for him. He executed it really well. Really cool to see. He's just really trying to work on a lot of details to climb that ladder to be the best.' While attention is most focused on C.J. Stroud and the new-look offense under Nick Caley, the Texans' defense will once again be the backbone of the team. A top 10 unit in 2024, Houston could be even more improved after adding veterans like defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason. Stroud, who hopes to earn a massive contract extension this offseason, isn't the only player set up for a new deal. Anderson could cash in as a top-five paid defensive lineman with an impressive third year. He plans on notching at least 11 sacks and told the Houston Chronicle that one of his goals is to Win Defensive Player of the Year. The version on the field during drills Friday afternoon is a strong baseline to make the goal a reality by December.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. said following Day 1 of voluntary OTA workouts
Everything Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. said following Day 1 of voluntary OTA workouts Here's everything Houston Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson said following Day 1 of voluntary organized team activity workouts at the Methodist Training Center. Q: On how it feels going into his third NFL season Will Anderson Jr.: "It's crazy. I came out here all fired up and everything. DeMeco [Ryans] pulled me to the side and was like now it is about fine tuning those little things in your game. How precise can you be? How good can you be at taking the next step up? For me, it is just like when I am on the block using my hands better, getting off blocks, my escape when I am rushing the passer, am I reaching with position on the quarterback, can I get some strip sacks? Stuff like that, those are the things I want to work on this off season, this time during OTA's. Really just getting precise at those things and taking my game to the next level.' Q: On his goals this offseason Anderson: "Phase one, Phase two, Coach Rod [Wright] I think he has been doing an excellent job. We do these things called pro rolls, where we go back and look at all the tapes from last year. He has done a really good job of putting together a really good presentation for each one of us. For me, mine is just reaching for precision. After practice, or during practice when I am not in we are getting on the dummies, we are reaching, we are going through bags, bending the corner, reaching for precision, stuff like that. Just making sure it is muscle memory so that when you get out Sunday, you are just doing it.' Q: On if one of his goals is number of sacks for this season Anderson: 'Any double digits. My thing is, how much can I enjoy my process? When you fall in love with your process, how consistent can you be? I think that is something you can reach. Right now, I have to fall in love with the process, I have to keep doing my process the right way and be consistent.' Q: On how the attitude of OTA's has changed over the year since he has been here Anderson: "We are grateful for any guy that comes here. A lot of guys come, a lot of guys want to be a part of this. It just shows the type of comradery we have in the locker room. It gives everybody a chance to bond with each other and really just build good relationships by coming out here on the field, having fun, turn up, and make plays with each other. Throughout the years, more and more people start showing up, start having fun, and it has been awesome to see.' Q: On his growth since being drafted Anderson: "My coach has done a phenomenal job, Coach Rod. He has done great of just putting together a whole presentation for us of all the sacks we missed, the missed opportunities we could have done, hitting the ball the wrong way, hitting the elbow the wrong way, reaching too high, getting the penalty, stuff like that. We left a lot of sacks out on the table and that is why I am talking about going back and being precise. How good can you be at the process of attacking the throwing arm? How good can you be at taking the ball away? Getting good the strip sack? Picking it up, taking it to the crib? Those are the things we want to start putting into our bag. Finesse moves and things that can take our game to the next level.' Q: On how the defensive line can help prepare OT Aireontae Ersery Anderson: "He is a large human being. I think he is going to be really good for us. I am happy he is here. Just seeing him today going against our guys, very athletic, can move, can bend, and I am excited to see what he does and going against him. Just like Coach [DeMeco] always says, iron sharpens iron." Q: On what he thinks is the next step for the Texans era and how he can help them get there Anderson: "Just being more detailed, more focused, a sense of urgency. Now that we have been in some of these big games, we know what it takes to be there. It is about execution, it is about locking in, playing one game at a time, and everybody doing their job at the highest level possible.' Q: On what he has seen from CB Kamari Lassiter and S Calen Bullock with their energy Anderson: "It is fun watching them. They love football, they are passionate about it. You hear Kamari slapping his helmet. You hear Calen running to him. That is what you need on a defense like this. We play an attack-style defense, and we have two attackers in the backend that don't mind getting their hands dirty." Q: On what he learned from Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett this offseason after working with him Anderson: "We didn't really get into much of the passer rush stuff, it was more mentality and working out. It really all came down to mentality. I had a good mentality but working out with Myles and just seeing how he works and stuff like that it kind of changed my mindset a little bit. He doesn't worry about the outside noise, he is all about self-improvement, how much better can I get. It is really just me versus me. That is the attitude I am taking on, it is me versus me. You don't have to worry about anything anybody else says. How are you enjoying your process?' Q: On if he guarded when he works with players from other teams Anderson: "On no, it is very competitive. He is hilarious, he is a funny guy. It got very competitive, a lot of words were shared, and it just brings out the best in both of us. Myles is someone I look up to, obviously. I respect his game, he respects my game, and I can't wait to see him ball out this year.'
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF puts Texans' Will Anderson Jr. low on its list of the NFL's best edge rushers
PFF puts Texans' Will Anderson Jr. low on its list of the NFL's best edge rushers Two years into his NFL tenure, Will Anderson Jr. has become an instant impact for the Houston Texans' turnaround under DeMeco Ryans. Not only did the 2023 No. 3 overall immediately become a disruptive edge rusher, who also broke J.J. Watt's rookie sack record with seven and led all rookies in tackles for loss and pressure en route to a playoff bid and division title. The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year should take another step forward in his third season, staking his claim as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He's spent the offseason working out with former DPOY recipient Myles Garrett and has leaned up his muscle mass to make him more agile coming off the edge. After totaling 11 sacks in 2024, Anderson hopes to break the single-season record set by Watt in 2012 ahead of a payday next offseason. Regardless, most pundits view the former Alabama star as a can't-miss pass rusher who's yet to reach his full potential. Pro Football Focus is high on Anderson entering Year 3, ranking him as the ninth-best edge rusher in the league behind reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse. "Anderson, the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, elevated his game in Year 2, earning an 88.8 PFF overall grade — ninth among 119 qualifying edge defenders," PFF wrote. "He hit his stride late in the season, with four of his five highest-graded performances coming in Week 12 or later, including both playoff games. Perhaps PFF continues to bank on upside since this is the second time a former top-level rookie was set behind the current flavor at the position. C.J. Stroud recently appeared as the No. 14 quarterback on PFF's list after having a "setback" behind a mediocre offensive line in 2024, while current Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels appeared at No. 6. Injuries have hindered Anderson's full potential, which could have factored into why he's ranked below Verse. In both years, Anderson has missed multiple games due to lower-body issues. The good news for Houston is it features two of the league's better backups with Darrell Taylor and Derek Barnett. The Texans also have five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter lined up opposite of Anderson. He also appeared on the list at No. 12, grading out in the top 20 for both run blocking and pass rushing. "After eight productive seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Hunter signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent in March 2024," PFF wrote. "In his first year with the team, he ranked among the top 20 edge defenders in both pass-rush grade (81.1) and run-defense grade (73.2)." If the Texans duo can stay healthy, they could be the best pass-rushing team in 2025 without a close second in sight.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans DE Will Anderson wants to be with Houston 'for the rest of my career'
Last offseason, All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said he wanted to spend the entirety of his career with the Houston Texans after a dominant third season. The Texans helped make that goal a potential reality by picking up his fifth-year option and making him the highest-paid defensive back on a three-year, $90 million extension. Advertisement Entering his third season, Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. hopes the same path is in store for him with the AFC South franchise. "I want to be here the rest of my career," Anderson to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson. "As long as I can be here that's where I want to be." Anderson, who's eligible for a contract extension next offseason, might be the next to get paid by the franchise after back-to-back stellar seasons. He's lived up to the billing as the No. 3 overall pick since he arrived in Houston from Alabama, surpassing J.J. Watt's rookie sack record with 7.5 en route to winning the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. Last season, Anderson was on pace for a 17.5-sack season, but an ankle injury sidelined him for several games. He still managed to finish with 11 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits. His 11 sacks ranked among top 10 last fall and were second only behind All-Pro Danielle Hunter. Advertisement Hunter inked a new one-year extension this offseason, keeping him in Houston through 2026. Stingley's deal will have him on staff through 2029, while Jalen Pitre's new three-year extension will keep him in coverage through 2028. Anderson's breakthrough season could help him follow in their footsteps, something he considers to be "earned" with time. "They deserve it," Anderson said of his defensive teammates' extensions. "They work really hard, they put a lot of hard work into their craft and you see it on Sunday. I'm excited to be a part of that team building." The Texans return to practice this week for the start of veteran minicamp. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. ensures fans he's a 'for life' player
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Colts delete controversial schedule release video featuring Tyreek Hill arrest
Colts delete controversial schedule release video featuring Tyreek Hill arrest Show Caption Hide Caption Will Anderson Jr. talks about going into year three in the NFL Texans DB Will Anderson Jr. talks about his expectations for the 2025 season. Sports Seriously The NFL released the full 18-week schedule for the 2025 season on May 14. Each team had their own way of announcing their schedule via video. Two teams used the popular video game "Minecraft" (the inspiration for a 2025 movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa) to take fans through their 18-week season: the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers. The Colts' video included subtly jokes aimed at their opponents for 2025 but the team has since removed their video from X. Speculation is that it was removed due to the first opponent on the schedule: the Miami Dolphins. The original video featured a Tyreek Hill=styled dolphin seemingly being stopped by a Coast Guard boat. That may be in reference to his arrest last year for a traffic violation before the Dolphins' season opener. The video is no longer posted on the Colts' X account. Instead, the team has a thread of art made in Microsoft Paint for each matchup as made by the X user @nba_paint. There's also speculation that the team took the video down because the Chargers had a similar video. Colts officials have not provided a reason for the video being taken down.
