Texans S Justin Reid says Lovie Smith is ‘constantly’ in his ear

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Lovie Smith knows a great player when he sees one.

The new defensive coordinator was once the coach for the Chicago Bears from 2004-12, even leading the NFC North club to a Super Bowl appearance at the end of the 2006 season. Smith coached All-Pro linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs along with defensive back Charles Tillman, whose patented “Peanut Punch” was key in helping the Bears collect takeaways.

According to Texans safety Justin Reid, Smith is persistently challenging him to be better.

“He’s just constantly in my ear,” Reid said on Aug. 26. “Yesterday he even told me before we went to practice, it’s like, ’20, have you been to practice the last couple days?’ As in saying like I haven’t made any big plays in practice. So I had to go and get three for him to make that up.”

Reid has made big plays for the Texans over the course of his three seasons with five interceptions, included one returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, 19 pass breakups, 2.0 sacks, and nine tackles for loss through 44 games, 40 of which he has started for Houston.

“He’s just a guy who constantly preaches the details,” said Reid. “He will coach you up. We’ll restart the play if you’re a foot off in your alignment at the start of the play. It’s like, ‘No, it’s not here, it’s here.’ So those details matter, and it shows up.”

If Reid can become even better at the details, he should be able to qualify for his first Pro Bowl appearance of his career. Better still, the Texans defense should be able to rebound from their disastrous 2020 campaign and become a formidable unit roaring out of the AFC South.