Panthers DL DeShawn Williams eager to see Justin Houston work: 'We gon’ get home'
The talk of the Carolina Panthers in recent days has been Justin Houston, the 34-year-old outside linebacker who the Panthers brought in on Sunday. The deal, which amounts to a one-year, $7 million contract with around $6 million guaranteed, adds depth and a pass rusher opposite Brian Burns, who is awaiting a contract extension himself. On […]
The talk of the Carolina Panthers in recent days has been Justin Houston, the 34-year-old outside linebacker who the Panthers brought in on Sunday.
The deal, which amounts to a one-year, $7 million contract with around $6 million guaranteed, adds depth and a pass rusher opposite Brian Burns, who is awaiting a contract extension himself.
On Tuesday, Panthers defensive lineman DeSahwn Williams gave insight as to what Houston brings specifically to a defense that wants to be better in 2023, a season built on the aroma of expectation floating through the air.
“Man had 9.5 sacks at 33,” the fifth-year veteran said. “Just to have a guy that has that experience of playin’ . . . a high-caliber player and the knowledge of the game—it’s huge. He can groom guys like a Yetur [Gross-Matos], even myself. Everybody’s learnin’. A DB [Derrick Brown], a Shy [Tuttle], Henry [Anderson]. Just the whole line. Just havin’ that x-factor, that extra threat.
“Everybody know what [Brian] Burns can do. They gon’ slide him, damn near triple-team, double-team him. But now you got another guy on the edge. Now it’s like, pick your poison. Now us, rushin’ together good on the inside, [Todd] Wash givin’ us things—damned if you do, damned if you don’t. You gotta pick somebody you gonna double-team. We gon’ get home.”
Houston holds 111.5 career sacks—the fifth-most amongst all active players.
However, it should be noted that when the Panthers head coach was asked what he foresees Houston's role on the team being, he equated it to a role player. This suggests that the Panthers may be in the market for more pass rushing down the line in the preseason.
“He’ll be a rotational player,” Reich said. “I have no doubt—knowing him the way I do—that if we wanted to play him 60 plays a game, he’d be up to the task. But that won’t be likely. It’s a long season.”
But if Houston is producing with the same tenacity as he was in his age 33 season, keeping him off the field, even for Reich, will be a difficult task.
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Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
