HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- To say the Texans' defense did not get the job done in 2020 is putting it mildly.
That's part of why there are widespread changes, specifically on that side of the ball, with well over a dozen new defensive players.
Safety Justin Reid, one of the Texans' few remaining recognizable faces, spoke to reporters Friday for the first time since last season ended.
Reid said he's excited about playing in Lovie Smith's 4-3 defense, which will emphasize playmaking linebackers like Zach Cunningham, Christian Kirksey and Kevin Pierre-Louis; and defensive end Shaq Lawson.
It's the disruption up front which Reid anticipates will open up opportunities on the backend of the defense.
The Texans are trying to improve from being one of the worst defensive units in football last year.
Houston ranked last in takeaways with nine (Detroit had the next fewest with 12) and ranked 30th in defensive DVOA, which measures efficiency.
"With the pressure that we're putting up front, with the linebackers creating pressure, it's going to create opportunities, too," Reid said. "If we can speed up the quarterback and get the ball out quickly, that's going to allow the backend DBs to be aggressive and make some plays, too."
Reid said he specifically likes the coverages being tighter this season. He said last year it felt like they played too much zone and there were too many gaps in coverage.
"It just wasn't tight enough," Reid said. "Too many holes, too many pitch-and-catches. We tried to put some emphasis on the ball, but we didn't do a good enough job last year. It's plain and simple."
The emphasis since Smith arrived is getting to the ball. Reid said they now have target goals for how often they want to attempt to punch out the ball.
While excited, Reid still recognizes of the uncertainty facing the Texans with so many new players and personnel turnover.
"There's just a lot of questions in the air because nobody really knows," Reid said. "This is the first time that we've had this many new guys. I think like half the roster is new guys on the team. So we'll just have to see."
