Anthony Weaver enters year one as the Texans defensive coordinator, and he's making some changes.
The team's defensive line coach since 2016, Weaver was named the defensive coordinator this offseason. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing all NFL squads to conduct a virtual offseason in place of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamps, Weaver said he and the assistants have made the most of the situation.
"Early on all of us, the position coaches, had individual meetings with our players, and then right away we decided to teach some of the changes we made from a terminology standpoint and then get right into the install," Weaver said. "The one thing about this format is we can get into some graduate level details where we're not under the gun, we're not in a rush. Obviously the Commissioner extended the virtual program today, which I kind of guessed that was probably going to happen. So, we're being able to teach some graduate level stuff that probably you would skim over otherwise."
Weaver and the Texans began their virtual offseason program April 27, and he's excited about the season ahead. He also believes the Texans can improve in a few areas, including on third down. With "all the pieces" player-wise to improve, Weaver said the defense will be called a bit differently on third down this season.
"I think schematically we'll probably be a little bit more exotic, which potentially will allow our guys to have more success so that offenses can't pinpoint exactly where players are going to be," Weaver said. "So, we're just, again, through scheme, just trying to create more opportunities for our guys."
Weaver will continue to coach the defensive line as well, with help from assistants Matt O'Donnell, Akeem Dent, linebackers coach Chris Rumph, and associate head coach Romeo Crennel.
Weaver's happy Crennel, who was the defensive coordinator last season, will be there to help when needed.
"Romeo has no problem jumping in," Weaver said. "He made hay in the league early on coaching the defensive line."
Weaver and the Texans are slated to open the regular season on Thursday Night Football in Week 1 at Kansas City.
Check out the best shots of the Texans defensive line from the 2019 season.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Nov. 21, 2019 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans won 20-17.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Dec. 1, 2019 regular season home game against the New England Patriots. The Texans won 28-22.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Dec. 29, 2019 regular season home game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans lost 35-14.
An image from the Dec. 29, 2019 regular season home game agains the Tennessee Titans. The Texans lost 14-35.
An image from the Dec. 29, 2019 regular season home game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans lost 35-14.
An image from the Dec. 15, 2019 regular season away game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans won 24-21.
An image from the Dec. 21, 2019 regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the Dec. 21, 2019 regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the Dec. 8, 2019 regular season home game against the Denver Broncos. The Texans lost 24-38
An image from the Dec. 15, 2019 regular season away game against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans won 24-21.
An image from the Dec. 1, 2019 regular season home game against the New England Patriots. The Texans won 28-22.
An image from the Dec. 1, 2019 regular season home game against the New England Patriots. The Texans won 28-22.
An image from the Dec. 1, 2019 regular season home game against the New England Patriots. The Texans won 28-22.
An image from the Dec. 1, 2019 regular season home game against the New England Patriots. The Texans won 28-22.
An image from the Nov. 21, 2019 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans won 20-17.
An image from the Nov. 17, 2019 regular season away game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans lost 7-41.
An image from the Nov. 17, 2019 regular season away game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans lost 7-41.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Nov. 3, 2019 regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 26-3.
An image from the Nov. 3, 2019 regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 26-3.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Oct. 27, 2019 regular season home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans won 27-24.
An image from the Oct. 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 23-30.
An image from the Oct. 20, 2019 regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 23-30.
An image from the Oct. 6, 2019 regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Texans won 53-32.
An image from the Oct. 13, 2019 regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans won 31-24.
An image from the Sept. 29, 2019 regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers. The Texans lost 10-16.
An image from the Oct. 6, 2019 regular season home game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Texans won 53-32.
An image from the Sept. 29, 2019 regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers. The Texans lost 10-16.
An image from the Sept. 22, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans won 27-20.
An image from the Sept. 22, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans won 27-20.
An image from the Sept. 29, 2019 regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers. The Texans lost 10-16.
An image from the Sept. 22, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans won 27-20.
An image from the Sept. 22, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans won 27-20.
An image from the Sept. 22, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans won 27-20.
An image from the Sept. 22, 2019 regular season away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans won 27-20.
An image from the Sept. 15, 2019 regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 13-12.
An image from the Sept. 9, 2019 regular season away game against the New Orleans Saints. The Texans lost 28-30.
An image from the Sept. 9, 2019 regular season away game against the New Orleans Saints. The Texans lost 28-30.
An image from the Sept. 15, 2019 regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 13-12.
An image from the Aug. 29, 2019 preseason home game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Texans lost 22-10.
An image from the Aug. 25, 2019 preseason away game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans lost 0-34.
An image from the Sept. 9, 2019 regular season away game against the New Orleans Saints. The Texans lost 28-30.
An image from the Aug. 25, 2019 preseason away game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans lost 0-34.
An image from the Aug. 8, 2019 preseason away game against the Green Bay Packers. The Texans lost 26-28.
An image from the Aug. 8, 2019 preseason away game against the Green Bay Packers. The Texans lost 26-28.
An image from the Aug. 8, 2019 preseason away game against the Green Bay Packers. The Texans lost 26-28.
An image from the Aug. 8, 2019 preseason away game against the Green Bay Packers. The Texans lost 26-28.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
An image from the Dec. 1, 2019 regular season home game against the New England Patriots. The Texans won 28-22.
An image from the Jan. 4, 2020 Wildcard Playoff Game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 22-19.
