Will Anderson bullies running back on his way to sack
This was classic Will Anderson, except it was the first time the newest Houston Texans defensive end did it on a pro stage.
Anderson, the former Alabama star and No. 3 pick of April’s NFL Draft, rocked Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson in the first half of Houston’s game against Miami. Thompson really stood no chance since Anderson smashed through blocker Salvon Ahmed to get to Thompson.
Take a look and the perfect rush. You’ll also notice that Anderson forced a fumble, but Thompson got the ball back.
The sack was Anderson’s first in his NFL career. We’re predicting there will be many more, especially when the season starts next month.
The rookie defensive end played in the Texans preseason opener against the Patriots. He made one solo tackle in Houston’s 20-9 victory. The Texans returned to Houston, then earlier this week, the team started joint practices with the Dolphins. Anderson made a comment for reporters as he appeared to predict he’d create havoc for the Miami offensive line. He said he could tell the Dolphins thought his entire move was one big speed rush.
“They sleep on my power,” Anderson said. “So, they see me and my front and they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s probably just a speed guy,’ and then boom — I hit them with power as a counter, anything like that. So, it’s just good having that speed to power — a lot of people wouldn’t think that my body type would have that.”
The defensive end talked more of his rushing methods.
“The first step is the most important step — getting off the ball,” he said. “And your hand placement, Coach [DeMeco Ryans] always harps on that, having great hands, having great feet. Those two things tie together really well. So, just making sure that your hands are right on the breastplate of the tackle, not getting up too high so that he can get underneath you. Those are things that you watch on film and come back and get better at.”
We should note that Ryans is a former Alabama star linebacker. So these two ex-Crimson Tide defenders probably speak a special language to each other.
Anderson also took advantage of the Dolphins change at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa (coincidentally, another Bama guy) started at quarterback. But coach Mike McDaniel pulled him after a quarter. He sent in Thompson, who immediately received the most brutal hello from Anderson.