It is not too often that Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith will let off a smile during a game. Smith is an old-school coach that believes that once the game starts, it is all business.
It will be time for smiling once the game is won.
That is why it was odd to see Smith smiling after he called the correct defensive play at the right time with the right defensive person to execute what he wanted in the Texans’ 24-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Third-year defensive back Grayland Arnold, who has made a solid case to be a part of the defensive back rotation for the Texans, lined up along the line of scrimmage as the Rams were looking to pick up a significant number of yards on third down to sustain their drive midway through the second quarter.
At the snap of the ball, Arnold released off the wide receiver and shot into the backfield to sack Los Angeles quarterback John Wolford to hold the Rams to a field goal.
The #Texans defense had 6 sacks vs the #Rams and I broke down a Cover 1 blitz by Grayland Arnold ⬇️
Great defensive call by Lovie Smith to get aggressive on 3rd and long and force a punt. Hope to see Friday night's creativity+versatility on display in the season 🙏
AUDIO UP 🔊 pic.twitter.com/QylR2hGkKS
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) August 21, 2022
“That was one of our coverages that we had put in for the nickel back,” said Arnold after practice Aug. 22. “I was at nickel back that play and the play was called, and I just made the play.”
Making plays has been what the former Baylor Bears standout has been doing all training camp. In the Aug. 19 win over the Rams at SoFi Stadium, he finished the game with four tackles, 1.0 sack, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery. Stat lines like that add to what the coaching staff has seen from Arnold every day since training camp has begun.
“He’s gotten our attention,” said Smith. “For young players that haven’t gotten a lot of time, it’s about taking advantage of the opportunities that you get. Grayland did some good things for us last year at the end of the year. He’s been productive.”
Texans DB Grayland Arnold on being able to play three positions in the defensive backfield:
“I got to be versatile and do whatever it takes to win.” #TexansCamp #Sarge @GRAYLAND_1 @TheTexansWire @BUFootball pic.twitter.com/oviZMgIKys— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 23, 2022
With a lot of competition for playing time in the defensive backfield, Arnold hopes that his ability to play cornerback and safety will be considered when it’s time for Smith and general manager Nick Caserio to make decisions for the final 53-man roster before the regular season begins.
“I got to be versatile and do whatever it takes to win,” said Arnold after hearing coach Smith’s remarks about his ability to play multiple positions. “I gotta do whatever it takes to get on the 53. It is really whatever it takes mindset. At the end of the day, I always tell myself, ‘Why not me?’ If the team needs me to play all the positions and special teams, then that’s what it is going to be. At the end of the day, it is whatever it takes.”
Arnold will have a chance to showcase his skillset one more time before the Texans make their final cuts when Houston plays its last preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. Central kickoff.
