Iron sharpens iron.
The bible verse from Proverbs was an important catchphrase to the Houston Texans’ 2023 offseason during their first training camp under head coach DeMeco Ryans. It’s also a popular phrase to describe one’s plight to improve.
Entering his second season, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is taking that to heart.
Whether that’s with reigning NFL Defensive MVP Myles Garrett or his new teammate Danielle Hunter, Houston’s young franchise pass rusher is looking at every avenue to improve.
Genuinely cannot wait to see how destructive Will Anderson is in Year 2.
His personal growth as a player in conjunction with how much he serves to gain from the Front 7 upgrades feels somewhat underrated when discussing this defense. pic.twitter.com/SAFrFia7xP
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) May 23, 2024
“I’ve got to really just focus on myself,” Anderson told Texans Wire of his offseason. “It was a great break because, you know, in college, you just non-stop, you’re going spring football, do this. So this was a nice break to really just have a great balance between working out and having a great balance between resting and that.”
For the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, this version of spring is new. It’s one without the requirements of a student-athlete or the rigorous preparation that goes through the daily process leading up to the NFL draft.
Since being selected third overall last April, Anderson has lived up to the hype Houston fans envisioned. He finished his rookie season with 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks while anchoring the edge for one of the NFL’s better run defenses.
Months later, the Pro Bowler can finally rest but he acknowledges there was work to be done and major room to improve entering Year 2.
During last year’s exit interview, the coaching staff tasked Anderson to work on his separation. It’s pivotal for defensive ends to make sure they don’t become trapped by opposing offensive tackles and spacing ensures they can use their hands and their full arsenal of pass rush moves.
Anderson was honest when asked if there was one specific moment where he saw improvements. There wasn’t. Every game he was able to point out a flaw in need of refinement.
“I think I caught myself a lot at the top of the rush being too connected and tackles being too, like, chest to chest with them and not getting that extension,” Anderson said. “So, I really just see mostly all my games that I…
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