HOUSTON — A day after the end of a tumultuous season, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson offered a blunt assessment of where the organization needs improvement.
When asked what he is looking for in a new head coach, Watson said, “We just need a whole culture shift.
“We just need new energy. We just need discipline. We need structure. We need a leader so we can follow that leader as players. That’s what we need.”
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- Covered Rams for two years for Los Angeles Times
- Previously covered the Falcons
- Has covered the NBA and college football and basketball
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill has officially established himself as a scoring threat.
Hill intercepted a deep pass from Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Chris Streveler, then turned on the jets, taking it 84 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams a 12-7 lead at halftime. The pick-six is the third touchdown scored by Hill this season and comes at a much-needed time with the Rams’ offense struggling to score and a playoff berth at stake.
Hill’s touchdown was the Rams’ fourth defensive touchdown of the season, tying them with the Indianapolis Colts for the NFL lead, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. It was needed, as the Rams had two costly turnovers themselves in the first half — the first setting up Arizona’s touchdown and the second coming at the Cardinals’ 1-yard line to deny the Rams a go-ahead score.
Déjà vu ?@thrilll_32 with the pick-6! pic.twitter.com/1C3c75Z0an
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 3, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz intends to take the year off from coaching in 2021 as he contemplates retirement, sources told ESPN.
Philadelphia will be in the market for a new defensive coordinator as it embarks on what promises to be an offseason full of significant change for the 4-10-1 team.
Schwartz, 54, intends to let his contract expire. He has had a couple of minor procedures over the past year-plus, including hip and eye surgeries, and believes stepping back from the daily grind of coaching would be in his best interest, a source said.
He also took a year sabbatical in 2015 after being let go as Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator and worked with the NFL’s officiating department in a consulting position.
Schwartz joined Doug Pederson’s staff in 2016 and helped deliver the city its first Super Bowl title a year later. The Eagles’ defense finished No. 1 against the run and fourth in points allowed (18.4) during the championship run in 2017. Schwartz’s unit gave up 17 total points in playoff wins against the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings prior to the 41-33 Super Bowl shootout against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
The Eagles ranked among the top 10 in rushing defense (1st, 93.4 YPG), red zone defense (2nd, 49.5%), third-down defense (3rd, 35.4%), scoring defense (7th, 20.8 PPG) and takeaways (9th, 94) over his first four seasons.
Known best for allowing his defensive linemen to pin their ears back and attack, the Eagles are in the top five in sacks in 2020.
Issues have crept in over the past two seasons in particular, however. An Achilles’ heel last season was the defense’s propensity to give up the big play, yielding 15 plays of 40-plus yards through the air, second worst in the NFL. In 2020, the group struggled to generate turnovers and entered Week 17 with the second-fewest interceptions (six).
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- Covered Rams for two years for Los Angeles Times
- Previously covered the Falcons
- Has covered the NBA and college football and basketball
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was taken to the hospital Friday for precautionary measures after complaining about abdominal pain to a team trainer before practice, a Rams spokesperson said.
Floyd will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals (8-7). The Rams (9-6) can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Chicago Bears (8-7) loss at home to the Green Bay Packers (12-3).
Playing on a one-year, $10 million contract, Floyd has 9½ sacks this season and has played a critical role on a defense that ranks second in efficiency.
“He has been so steady, so consistent, so versatile,” Rams coach Sean McVay said Friday before practice. “He is really affecting and influencing the game in a variety of ways.”
If Floyd is unable to play Sunday, expect rookie Terrell Lewis and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to step in.
The uncertainty around Floyd’s health and availability Sunday adds to what has already been a tumultuous week for the Rams, who will be relying on several backups against the Cardinals for various reasons.
Undrafted free agent John Wolford will make his first NFL start in place of quarterback Jared Goff, who underwent surgery on his throwing-hand thumb last Monday and will be sidelined at least a week.
Malcolm Brown could be the only experienced running back available in a three-player committee after leading rusher Darrell Henderson was placed on injured reserve because of a high ankle sprain. McVay said Friday that Cam Akers will be a game-time decision because of a high ankle sprain that kept him out of Week 16. Rookies Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais have played only on special teams this season, but will be asked to step up if Akers can’t play.
And leading wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Michael Brockers, who has 5 sacks, will remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not be available Sunday, according to McVay. This is the first game this season that a Rams starter will miss because of being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.