FanHouse FrankBush

HOUSTON -- To say that the Texans defense of the last three years was vanilla is an insult to ice cream. Last year, a Football Outsiders game charter marked down "4" before just about every defensive snap, knowing it was very likely the Texans were only rushing four defensive linemen, and that he would have to erase only a couple of marks every quarter.

This year the theme of the defense is "aggressive." Texan fans have heard that before, but maybe this is the year it may actually happen. Watching in training camp, the line as a group looks to be penetrating upfield faster, and when they do blitz, the blitzes look less predictable. How games will be called remains to be seen, though first-time defensive coordinator Frank Bush said Tuesday that Gary Kubiak is going to give him a lot of freedom on that side of the ball.

Summer is heating up and so is NFL football, so FanHouse is at Texans training camp to get you the rundown on Texas' other team, as it gets ready for the '09 season.

HOUSTON -- The biggest question mark in the offseason for the Houston Texans is whether they can fix their abysmal defense.

Texans defensive end Tim Bulman has played for new defensive coordinator Frank Bush longer than any other player on the team, as they were together on the Cardinals. Bulman's a good interview, and not just because of his Massachusetts accent, which for some reason entertains me. In this video, he explains his view of the new defensive philosophy and how in particular it effects the play of the defensive tackles.

This afternoon, the Texans announced that Frank Bush would be promoted into the position of defensive coordinator. (interview above) This is not really a surprise, but for many it is a pretty curious decision.

Why promote a guy from within for a defense that has been one of the worst in the league for years? What in his performance justified him being the only guy interviewed for the job?