Lamarr Houston - Serious Thoughts

[EaCoBear]

Lamarr Houston was a "gem" of one of Emery's offseasons. He was to be a BIG time player for our defense. So, I think it is easy to become quite upset that he hasn't performed as expect, but lets take a step back. What were realistic expectations for him? I mean before reading down, what do you think his sack total was before his BIG payday to become a "tremendous" playmaker for us? His best season included 6 sacks. Thus, he is already half way to his best season ever. I think our expectations for Lamarr were and are simply too high, it may be just another poor Emery signing.

Hell, I hope Lamarr finishes with 6 sacks in the 8 games and we finally get some pass rush and return on investment. But realistically, he is playing like he has always played. He was a good run player in Oakland, not a good pass rusher.

 

[gilder121]

On his two sacks yesterday, didn't he do the exact same celebration that tore his acl on last year? Seems like a stupid thing to do.

 

[BearsFan51]

Lamarr Houston was a "gem" of one of Emery's offseasons. He was to be a BIG time player for our defense. So, I think it is easy to become quite upset that he hasn't performed as expect, but lets take a step back. What were realistic expectations for him? I mean before reading down, what do you think his sack total was before his BIG payday to become a "tremendous" playmaker for us? His best season included 6 sacks. Thus, he is already half way to his best season ever. I think our expectations for Lamarr were and are simply too high, it may be just another poor Emery signing.

Hell, I hope Lamarr finishes with 6 sacks in the 8 games and we finally get some pass rush and return on investment. But realistically, he is playing like he has always played. He was a good run player in Oakland, not a good pass rusher.

Houston was leading the league in QB pressures by 4-3 DEs before he went down with his ACL. He was rushing the passer, but wasn't finishing. Now he's coming back from his ACL and like ACL guy in the trenches is struggling to get back to top shape.

Houston is also playing out of position so expectations that he'd be a great DE etc. were wrong headed. Has he lived up to expectations? Hell no and he may never. However the pure almost unadulterated hate towards this guy by some people is more than a little misplaced. I had higher expectations but I also never saw him as a DE or OLB especially since he played DT in college and was an interior guy with the Raiders. Not many DTs turn into successful DTs in the NFL.

 

[truthbedamned]

I live in the Bay area and watch the Raiders every week. Houston never was a big pass rusher. He was outstanding with the Raiders against the run. He was easily their best defensive lineman. So to expect him to be some sack machine was never going to happen. I really do not understand the hate either. In Oakland he played a combination of DE and OLB so he is familiar with what Fangio is doing. He was not an interior guy as another poster said. He moved all over the line depending on the defensive call made. I believe he will displace Acho as a starter before the end of the season.

 

[Space Invader]

Desbro's already covered this. Get with the program.

http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/showthread.php/72967-Will-Lamarr-Houston-start-going-forward

 

[WindyCity]

He has been a disappointment.

But if he could start and provide a little pass rush like we saw last night it would be huge for the defense. McPhee is being double teamed a lot, which leaves oppurtunties for others.

The Bears could really use Houston to seize some reps.

He is going to be cut in 2016, so this is his audition tape.

 

[NCChiFan]

He has been a disappointment.

But if he could start and provide a little pass rush like we saw last night it would be huge for the defense. McPhee is being double teamed a lot, which leaves oppurtunties for others.

The Bears could really use Houston to seize some reps.

He is going to be cut in 2016, so this is his audition tape.

The Bears could really use Houston if he can continue to rush the passer like he did in the 4th Qtr in SD. The other Houston, you know, the one that disappears during a game... Useless.

 

[Bears1985defense]

U can say that again.

 

[Matt Suhey]

Why the new thread on the same subject. Where are the mod police when you need them? OH I get it this thread is for the serious posters not like the other thread. That thread is just for taking ideas posted by others.

 

[NCChiFan]

U can say that again.

Stupid inter web.

 

[The Hawk]

I live in the Bay area and watch the Raiders every week. Houston never was a big pass rusher. He was outstanding with the Raiders against the run. He was easily their best defensive lineman. So to expect him to be some sack machine was never going to happen. I really do not understand the hate either. In Oakland he played a combination of DE and OLB so he is familiar with what Fangio is doing. He was not an interior guy as another poster said. He moved all over the line depending on the defensive call made. I believe he will displace Acho as a starter before the end of the season.

Good point. Sacks are not the measure of a defensive player but rather a partial bit of the resume. You are correct about Houston playing the run very well as well as pressuring the QB. His injury set him back and it was a stupid thing that he did but that is now behind him. We'll see how it goes going forward.