N/S Lions release pass rusher James Houston, who had 8 sacks as a rookie [Update: Browns claimed James Houston off waivers] (1 Viewer)

[soggymoss84]

We should put in a waiver claim, has more upside than Turner I believe

 

[SaintsMan209]

The lions are desperate for pass rush help so if they are releasing him then it's not a good fit.

 

[GeneHansen]

We should put in a waiver claim, has more upside than Turner I believe

He needs to go play for a 3-4 defense.

 

[soggymoss84]

The lions are desperate for pass rush help so if they are releasing him then it's not a good fit.

Depends on why they’re releasing him. 8 sacks last season as a rookie shows he has talent. May have some locker room issues

 

[meily]

Depends on why they’re releasing him. 8 sacks last season as a rookie shows he has talent. May have some locker room issues

He is not a good fit. they tried to convert him to linebacker because of his size (6'1 240lbs) but he is a rush end and just cant be on the field consistently because of size limitations, he is a pass rush specialist but a one trick pony in terms of NFL potential.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Depends on why they’re releasing him. 8 sacks last season as a rookie shows he has talent. May have some locker room issues

He's only 6'1 241 - I'd bet despite the production they were likely seeing a lot of the negatives below.

Weaknesses​

• Play can become undisciplined.
• Undercuts blocks and will lose pursuit positioning.
• Loses track of his fit and the football.
• Doesn't attack and control blocker with his hands.
• Lacks ideal size and length as an NFL edge rusher.

 

[GeneHansen]

He is not a good fit. they tried to convert him to linebacker because of his size (6'1 240lbs) but he is a rush end and just cant be on the field consistently because of size limitations, he is a pass rush specialist but a one trick pony in terms of NFL potential.

Right.
He looks like AK rushing the passer in the Pro Bowl.

 

[Joodas Avila]

We should put in a waiver claim, has more upside than Turner I believe

Putting in a claim for a pass rusher is a good idea, but not this particular pass rusher. Houston has always been a 10-20 snap a game passing down pressure specialist. He’s pretty much a speed rusher only who doesnt win w/anything other than speed. He’s literally Josh Uche.

 

[BelowZero]

Isn't Parsons around the same size? I'm obviously not saying Houston is Parsons, but to say he's undersized when there's a similarly built guy already having success in the NFL doesn't make a lot of sense. It comes down to natural talent at that point, and while not as talented as Parsons, 8 sacks says there's something there.

 

[Taker597]

Eagles will probably pick him up and find ways to maximize him unfortunately

 

[El Caliente]

If anyone can fix him, it’s us.

 

[SirLoinSaint64]

Eight sacks is contributing. Why try and turn a very solid pass rush specialist into a linebacker? Let him be who he is and contribute. Rotational guy. Special teams guy. A lot of guys don't hit the norm in regard to measurables but are just good football players.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

Isn't Parsons around the same size? I'm obviously not saying Houston is Parsons, but to say he's undersized when there's a similarly built guy already having success in the NFL doesn't make a lot of sense. It comes down to natural talent at that point, and while not as talented as Parsons, 8 sacks says there's something there.

Parsons has a couple of more inches on him, plus Parsons has longer arms for his size. It doesn't sound like much but it's a much bigger advantage when disengaging blocks. No one thinks about arm length, but its part of the reason the Lions moved him to linebacker, hoping he wouldn't get locked into a direct block.

 

[SWJJ]

He doesn't play at the same speed after he broke his leg. He's lost the explosiveness that helped him succeed his rookie year. He's also not very disciplined and losses outside contain too frequently.

IDK that he's an upgrade over what we have, but I also don't think he will clear waivers.

 

[St. Geezy]

8 sacks, but not all sacks are made the same. Could have been a bunch of coverage sacks and/or sacks where he happened to have no resistance on blitzes, stunts, etc.

Detroit, as craziest is it sounds, is an organization that knows what it is doing, and they aren't in the business of letting good young pass rushers walk out the door just as their final playoff/home field advantage push begins.