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    The Season Opener

    J.J. Watt reveals the surprising secret of the NFL's scariest defense: No bountysystem, a buddy system

    Chris Baldwin
    Sep 9, 2012 | 6:04 am
    • Brooks Reed knows the Texans are pointed in the right direction. Reed and J.J.Watt's partnership is a big part of that.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • J.J. Watt may have a life plan, but the Houston Texans defensive terror isn'tabove having a little fun.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • J.J. Watt's hands up play in the playoffs propelled him to stardom, but BrooksReed is the man Peter King predicted as the league's Defensive MVP.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Brooks Reed and J.J. Watt quickly formed a bond on the Houston Texans.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Brooks Reed credits Wade Phillips with letting him play free and improvise withWatt.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

    J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed found common ground before they ever became Houston Texans, long before they started working and scheming together on the same side of Wade Phillips' defensive front, eons before they turned in a dominant tandem playoff performance. At least it seems like eons to these two second-year players who believe in doing everything fast.

    "(Brooks) and I worked out together in Phoenix before the NFL Draft," J.J. Watt tells CultureMap. "He stood out."

    "I remember that," Reed says when asked about their pre-draft meeting. Reed sounds almost wistful about it. Like he's the same age as Clint Eastwood rather than Blake Lively.

    The Bulls On Parade were a good story in November. By January, they were frightening teams — and looking Super Bowl worthy.

    This is what happens when you're helping transform an entire franchise. When you're determined to dominate now.

    Reed and Watt had no inkling they'd both end up Texans during those Phoenix workouts. These two are linked much more than even most Texans fans realize though. While Watt — a freakish physical specimen (6-foot-6 with a 36-inch vertical leap and long arms just made for knocking down passes) — draws many more headlines, Reed — the grounded guy with the crazy long hair — plays a big part in the duo's success.

    And make no mistake, Watt and Reed are very much a defensive duo.

    They play off of each other on the strong side of the Texans' defense, often setting up offensive lineman with combination moves that they've spent hours and hours working on together. Which is what makes Reed's hip injury and his questionable status for Sunday's season opener against the Miami Dolphins all the more alarming.

    The brace Watt must wear to protect his dislocated elbow doesn't figure to be nearly as limiting as the absence of Reed could be.

    "We run a lot of games together," Watt says. "We mess with blockers and try to find ways to free each other up."

    Phillips gave Watt and Reed more and more license to play off their instincts — and combined film work — as last season went on. And the results were spectacular. Try a combined seven sacks (three and a half each) and 27 tackles in two playoff games. No defense played better in the postseason than the Texans unit.

    Some teams have a bounty system. The Texans have a buddy system.

    The Bulls On Parade were a good story in November. By January, they were frightening teams — and looking Super Bowl worthy. Reed and Watt had a lot to do with the transformation.

    "It just clicked," Reed says. "We found something going into the playoffs, things we could use. And Coach Phillips allowed it to happen. There aren't many coaches who'd give two rookies as much freedom as he gave us.

    "That's why we love playing for him."

    The Texans may have never found the power of a Watt and Reed tandem if Mario Williams had stayed healthy last season. Now, their defense could very well depend on Reed getting healthy to keep the good times rolling.

    No one is more aware of this than Watt. He's pumped that Reed is receiving more attention around the league. When Sports Illustrated NFL guru Peter King picked Reed as his surprise Defensive Player of the Year, writing that America will know his name "when he flirts with 20 sacks," Watt became more excited than Reed himself.

    "It's well deserved," Watt says. "He's a great football player."

    Some teams have a bounty system. The Texans have a buddy system.

    Reed and Watt's isn't necessarily built by spending a ton of time together away from Reliant Stadium. It centers around their shared obsession with getting better, getting more dominant. As quickly as possible.

    "I'm actually going to watch film with him right now," Watt says with an open locker room media session coming to a close.

    Just another workday afternoon for the strong side.

    Reed Still Questioned

    While Watt's already being compared to all-time defensive end greats like Howie Long and getting sized up for the Hall of Fame, Reed still has to shed some doubters at linebacker. King may love him, but the Las Vegas oddsmakers paid to know these things put his over-under sack number decidedly south of 20.

    Try six and a half.

    "We run a lot of games together," Watt says. "We mess with blockers and try to find ways to free each other up."

    "Isn't that what I got last year?" Reed asks when told the number. (He actually finished with six sacks in the 2011 regular season before tacking on those three and a half in the playoffs). "I think I'm going to do better than last year."

    Reed pauses, the guy who swears he hasn't even actually seen the Sports Illustrated in which he's declared a future star clearly is a little worked up about this opposite view.

    "What, do they think I'm going to get hurt or something?" he asks.

    This exchange happens on Wednesday. By Thursday, Reed is leaving practice holding his hip.

    It's an unfortunate turn for a player who's also had Texans general manager Rick Smith raving in training camp. If anyone's built to work his way back, it's probably Reed though.

    "You could see how hard he works from day one," Watt says.

    That day happened back in the desert. Before either Reed or Watt realized just how much their success would impact the other.

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    pucker up

    Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

    Jef Rouner
    Apr 29, 2025 | 5:30 pm
    Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.
    Photo courtesy of The Picklr
    A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

    Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

    “Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

    Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

    The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

    These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

    There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

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