HOUSTON – Embracing the whirlwind nature of the NFL, quickly understanding coverage schemes and reading quarterbacks’ eyes to anticipate throws, Jalen Pitre emerged as one of the most instinctive and productive rookie safeties in NFL history two years ago.
It was a watershed moment for Pitre playing for his hometown team as the Stafford graduate excelled at picking off passes and providing an aggressive presence in run support. As a ball-hawking safety, the second-round draft pick from Baylor and former Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year was incredibly impressive in almost every facet of the game as he led the Texans with 147 tackles and five interceptions.
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Pitre recorded the most tackles among all NFL rookies and became the first player to record more than 125 tackles and intercept five passes since the tackle statistic began being tracked in 2000, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He played 93 percent of the Texans’ total defensive snaps, rarely leaving the field.
A year later, though, Pitre experienced some tough adjustments as he didn’t appear to be reacting as fast and confidently during his first season in coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense as he did as a rookie. Despite an encouraging preseason, Pitre was still adjusting throughout the season and appeared to be thinking rather than simply acting on his instincts.
While Pitre had his moments, including improving as a cleaner tackler with 84 tackles to finish third on the defense for the AFC South champions, he didn’t intercept any passes. He also dealt with a painful injury as a bruised and collapsed lung in the opening game against the Baltimore Ravens forced him to miss the next two games. He was benched in a regular-season game against the Cleveland Browns before regaining his starting job for the remainder of the season.
Pitre yielded three touchdown passes on 26 of 38 passing for 68.4 percent accuracy and 456 yards and opposing quarterbacks compiled a cumulative 135.4 passer rating when throwing in his director, according to Pro Football Reference analytics. As a rookie, Pitre allowed just 41 completions on 63 targets for 662 yards, four touchdowns and an opposing quarterback rating of 88.2.
It wasn’t as if Pitre had declined somehow or forgotten how to play football. He just looked unsure of himself and his role in a new defense.
Now, Pitre is feeling more confident and comfortable within the defense. and appears poised for a resurgent third NFL season.
“I feel great, man,” Pitre told KPRC 2. “I’m trusting everything that the coaches are telling me and I’m coming to work each day eager to learn. I feel like I’ve improved in a lot of things and just looking to continue to do that moving forward and try to make this team as better as I can.
“It’s definitely slowing down for me. I’m seeing things a lot better and I’m able to make checks. A lot of things are slowing down and I’m enjoying it, but you learn different things every day. The game evolves. It’s fun. I love the game of football.”
In two NFL seasons, Pitre has been prolific as he has recorded 231 career tackles, 11 for losses, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery with 13 passes defensed.
The Texans have faith in Pitre that he’s on his way to playing the kind of football they expect from him.
“We’re scrambling last year, obviously, and things are flying, but, banking those hours that Jalen did, it’s showing up now,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said “His levels of communication, his comfort in some of those things, but I think the consistency comes from that. The awareness, knowledge of the system and being comfortable in everything we’re asking him to do.
“The overriding philosophy of the defense is just to keep it simple, do what we do and let’s be really good at it, and then it lets those guys be playmakers. And he’s obviously shown the ability to do that to make plays. So, we’re hoping he gets there.”
The former all-rookie selection hasn’t been dwelling on last season. He has emphasized turning the page and being detail oriented. Under former coach Lovie Smith and a Cover 2 primary defensive scheme, Pitre had significant freedom to roam the field and operate on an individual basis. Ryans teaches a team-first strategy to everything.
“I wouldn’t say no chip on the shoulder,” Pitre said. “The only thing I’m worried about is just executing at a high level. That’s what everybody is trying to do, to make sure they’re doing their assignment first and then making plays on the ball. That’s what coach DeMeco is preaching, so that’s what we’re all pushing towards. I’m just trying to do that as well.”
What’s next for Pitre?
Hopefully, a strong season for a winning football team that has become a trendy Super Bowl contender.
“Calmness, I think that’s the next step for me,” Pitre said. “Just being calm and understanding what the coaches want from me. After that, just making plays on the ball. That is the biggest thing I am looking forward to and more wins for the Texans. That is the biggest goal.
“The most important thing is just making sure I show up for the people who believe in me. I think that starts with my teammates, my coaches, my parents, and making sure I’m delivering for them. So, that’s really all I’m focused on. Keeping the main thing the main thing and sticking to my process.”
Voted a team captain last season in balloting from his teammates, Pitre is taking a measured approach to football and staying in the moment.
“It is definitely controlled aggression,” Pitre said. “You can go off the rails a little bit sometimes, being eager to make plays. I am trying to be calm, cool, and collected out there and be able to do my job and make plays when my number is called.
“Going through a lot of ups and downs last year and understanding my role, I am trying to build on that. I am in a great spot. I understand what the coaches want from me and I am looking forward to year three.”
Signed to an $8.95 million contract that includes a $3.692 million signing bonus, Pitre models his game after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, a former All-Pro selection and Texans defensive captain, along with Arizona Cardinals standout safety Budda Baker.
A former consensus All-American, Pitre led Baylor with 18 tackles for losses in his final college season. He finished with 76 tackles total, had three sacks, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.
He was off to a fast start in the NFL, and now it’s time to ramp things up again.
As well as Pitre has performed in the past, he has maintained a humble, low-key approach. That falls in line with his unassuming, friendly personality. Pitre doesn’t think he has everything figured out yet.
“I would say I want to be a servant to others,” said Pitre, who’s heavily involved in the community with his partnership with Kids Meals Inc. to benefit children in the Houston area who are food insecure. “I try to do everything I can to lead. The biggest thing I do is try to be that light on the field be an encouraging teammate and help guys know I have their back in whatever they’re going through on and off the field. That’s what I’m trying to preach and hopefully those guys feel that.”
It’s a similar approach to his work with Kids Meals Inc.. For Pitre, it’s about helping others.
“I’m just striving to be a servant and to help as many people as I can,” Pitre said. “God has blessed mw with a wonderful platform and with the following I have as an NFL player. I’m just trying to spread the message and the word through these different avenues and help out as much as I can. I understand I have this platform and I can help out a lot of people.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
