HOUSTON \u2013 The Texans and Logan Hall share a vision for how he\u2019ll fit into their top-ranked defense.<\/p>\n
A versatile role awaits the former University of Houston standout and Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round draft pick.<\/p>\n
Beyond operating primarily as a three-technique defensive tackle, the 6-foot-6, 283-pound Belton, Texas native is capable of shifting over to defensive end. It\u2019s a similar role to how the Texans deployed former defensive lineman Denico Autry, a veteran free agent who is expected to retire.<\/p>\n
\u201cLogan Hall, some three-tech, things like that, and I think a different body type, but even bigger than Autry,\u201d Texans assistant defensive line coach Frank Okam told KPRC 2. \u201cBut he can swing out and go out and tackle.He\u2019s a guy that you look at as a versatile piece that you can move inside and outside and you can kind of create matchups based on what each offensive line we have for that week, where he can be best used.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, a guy with his kind of experience, his skill set, excited to get a chance to work with him in a training camp, I think the sky\u2019s the limit for him. I think he has a chance to have some of the best years of his career.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Texans can\u2019t wait to get Hall going. He was sidelined during spring practices with a groin injury and knee tendinitis, per a league source. He is expected to make a full recovery by training camp, though.<\/p>\n
By adding Hall, the front seven should be bolstered by his imposing, athletic presence. And Hall likes how he\u2019ll fit into an aggressive 4-3 scheme.<\/p>\n
His versatility and positional flexibility should provide a boost to work in tandem with star defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter along with defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I can do whatever is asked of me,\u201d Hall said. \u201cI have that versatility, that size. I\u2019m big enough to play inside. I think I\u2019m explosive enough and long enough to play outside. Ideally, for me, I think three-technique is home. I love that position. But, ultimately, whatever is asked of me to do, I think I can do it at a high level.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Obviously, playing with two All-Pro types in Anderson and Hunter makes Hall\u2019s job simpler.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited,\u201d he said. \u201cThey got some fire rushers in that pair. It\u2019s going to make my life a lot easier, certainly. It\u2019s really exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Texans have invested heavily in Hall, a former 33rd overall selection of the Buccaneers.<\/p>\n
Hall signed a two-year, $13.75 million deal with $9 million guaranteed, including a $5.75 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.4 million (fully guaranteed) and $5.9 million ($1.85 million guaranteed) and $14,706 per game active roster bonuses annually and $100,000 workout bonuses each year.<\/p>\n
Hall recorded 101 career tackles and 10 sacks with 15 tackles for losses for the Buccaneers, including three sacks and six tackles for losses last season.<\/p>\n
Hall operated in more of a stay-home defense in Tampa Bay. With the Texans, he\u2019s looking forward to more of an opportunity to be a playmaker in coach DeMeco Ryans\u2019 scheme.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not going to be boring, you\u2019re not going to get stuck into the monotony,\u201d Hall said. \u201cThe blitzes and stunts and just being dialed in that way is really rewarding and really fun to play for. So, I think DeMeco is going to have a lot of good stuff like he has shown in the past. I\u2019m just really excited to be a part of that. What I was asked to do in Tampa, I think was kind of stand and bang, fight the good fight. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think here I\u2019d have more of an opportunity to pin my ears back and go, which is outstanding. I think cultivating that and continuing to soak up and absorb everything I\u2019m learning from coach Wright and everybody else around me. I think that\u2019s going to definitely add to my game.\u201d<\/p>\n
A conversation with Texans defensive line coach and run game coordinator Rod Wright gave Hall a comfort level with his decision to return to Houston.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a good talk,\u201d Hall said. \u201cWe shared some of our ideals and how like-minded we are. He talked about wanting to develop me more as a player and that he didn\u2019t think that I peaked yet, and I agree. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey just got me really excited for the future and my time here with the Texans because I\u2019m always looking to improve my game and my craft. So, as much as he can pour into me, I\u2019m going to be like a sponge and absorb everything that I can to help this team and contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n
A former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Texans, Ryans is the architect of three top-ranked defenses as he previously led the San Francisco 49ers defense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think him constantly being dialed in with the defense, being the defensive mind, it\u2019s not going to be boring,\u201d Hall said. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to get stuck into the monotony. I\u2019m really grateful, coming from the scheme I was in. <\/p>\n
\u201cSimilarly, you get to do a lot of things that you might not be allowed to do on other teams. The blitzes and stunts and just being dialed in that way is really rewarding and really fun to play for. So, I think DeMeco is going to have a lot of good stuff like he has shown in the past. I\u2019m just really excited to be a part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simply being back in the city of Houston has Hall energized.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s eager to reacquaint himself with the rich Houston food scene, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly meaningful, it\u2019s a blessing,\u201d Hall said. \u201cIt can\u2019t be overstated how much it means to me and my family. .. \u201cFrench Fry House? That was my spot back in college. I miss it. There\u2019s so many spots, Pinkerton\u2019s, French Fry House. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cBelieve it or not, some people might hate this, In-and-Out Burger. You can\u2019t get that in Florida. Timmy Chan\u2019s, American Deli, the list goes on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hall excelled in the Senior Bowl all-star game, cementing his NFL draft stock.<\/p>\n
Hall couldn\u2019t wait to join the Texans the night he agreed to terms.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, I\u2019m so excited,\u201d Hall told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview. \u201cI\u2019m coming home. I just like their style of defense. They pin their ears back and go. DeMeco Ryans does a great job getting them dialed in. I\u2019m happy to be a part of it and do what I can to help the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a senior for the Coogs, he recorded 13 tackles for losses and six sacks.<\/p>\n
Hall is an athletic defensive lineman who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times.<\/p>\n
He had his first NFL sack against the Green Bay Packers on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.<\/p>\n
Being back in the city of Houston resonated strongly with Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a surreal feeling coming home and playing back in the city,\u201d Hall said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited. They\u2019ll have my back and support me and do my best not to let them down. I want to be a part of a Super Bowl winning team. Let\u2019s get after it.\u201d<\/p>\n