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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mark Lane

Texans DE Will Anderson says he prefers playing with his hand in the dirt

One of the perceptions surrounding Will Anderson during the pre-draft process was his usage as a standup pass rusher.

The two-time Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year accumulated 34.5 sacks in his three seasons at Alabama. While a portion of these sacks were generated as an outside linebacker, Anderson clarified he played as a down lineman, and much prefers it.

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“Yeah, in high school, and even at Alabama, I always played with my hand in the dirt,” Anderson told reporters Monday after training camp practice. “In high school, I was predominantly a defensive end. I didn’t play outside linebacker until I got to Alabama. My last couple of years at Alabama, I played true defensive end really. So, putting my hand in the dirt wasn’t hard at all.”

The Texans’ new defensive scheme under coach DeMeco Ryans requires a 4-3 front, which means the edge defenders will have their hands in the dirt as part of a three-point stance.

Anderson feels much at home in the three-point.

Said Anderson: “I wanted to get back to that anyway. I feel like that’s my baby, and I can have more fun doing that part, so it’s really been a big blessing just to be here and be a part of this system.”

The Texans ran a 4-3 front the past two seasons under coaches David Culley and Lovie Smith. From 2011-20, the Texans ran a 3-4 scheme between coaches Gary Kubiak and Bill O’Brien. From 2006-10, Kubiak turned Houston over to a 4-3 scheme after Dom Capers started out the franchise running a 3-4 from 2002-05.

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