Justin Houston didn’t join the Carolina Panthers for kicks.
The 13th-year veteran spoke to reporters following Thursday’s practice. When asked about his defense, Houston said he believes the unit—and the rest of the team, for that matter—is primed to pounce.
Buy Panthers Tickets“I think we gon’ surprise a lot of people,” he said. “The league is sleepin’ on us as a whole. I think we got a lot of talent here. So the biggest thing is puttin’ this talent together. A lot of teams have talent, but it’s hard to get everybody on the same page. I think these guys are willing to work and do whatever it takes to be on the same page and I think we’re headin’ towards the right direction.”
Houston signed a one-year, $7 million pact with the Panthers in early August. So he’ll be bringing his experience and, most importantly, four Pro Bowls’ worth of heat to a group that very much needed it.
The 34-year-old is also bringing fellow edge defender Brian Burns the chance to prowl as part of a potent pass-rushing duo. And Houston believes he and Burns will end up being the league’s top sack tandem.
“By far, we will be,” he replied. “The power of the tongue speaks life or death and I’m speakin’ life over us.”
