HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- It's been about a decade since Whitney Mercilus played with his hand in the dirt.
For the first nine seasons of his NFL career, Mercilus, 31, has played outside linebacker, with the ability to see what's in front of him.
And he's been successful.
The 2012 26th overall pick by the Texans had double-digit sacks (12) in 2015 and was second-team All-Pro in 2016.
But the last season and a half were underwhelming. In the first four weeks of the 2019 season, Mercilus had five sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. His production trailed off until a two-sack game late in the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2020, Mercilus was close to a non-factor, managing four sacks and forcing no fumbles.
There is a renewed focus and energy on taking the ball away under defensive coordinator Lovie Smith, whose 4-3 base scheme will also require Mercilus to switch from outside backer to end.
“Just putting my hand in the dirt honestly," Mercilus said at Texans training camp when asked about the biggest adjustment in the scheme change. "I can't see nothing. When I was standing up, I could see everything, the formations, understand what's coming my way. I see the down and distance. I understand what situation we're in, things like that.
"Now with my hand in the dirt, I'm kind of limited, so I'm depending on what the tackle is giving me, whether it's the screen, a pass, a run, zone, things like that. My keys are different honestly. So, I've got to get my presnap reads down, put my hand in the dirt, and just rely on instincts. That's it."
The veteran also echoed teammates like linebacker Christian Kirksey, defensive lineman Ross Blacklock and safety Justin Reid, who all spoke about thinking less in this system.
"Especially for the ends," Mercilus said. "Whether we've got to drop or anything like that, it's just see ball, go get ball, hit, react off the tackles, react off the tight ends and all that, and go make a play."
Mercilus, who said he's down to about 265 pounds, was able to get back to his routine of training in Arizona in the offseason. He trained for about six months there, in 100-plus degree heat, and said he feels stronger, leaner and faster.
"My mind and my spirit are all in one, intact," he said "I'm ready to go."