Texans' Jalen Pitre Grants Jimmie Ward New Nickname
The Houston Texans added a few members of the San Francisco 49ers organization this offseason, as defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans became the head coach, Bobby Slowik remained the offensive coordinator, and later on, safety Jimmie Ward signed a deal.
Since arriving, Ward has impressed with his leadership towards the talented secondary. He's done well on the field too, as he's expected to be a starting safety alongside rising star Jalen Pitre.
Pitre recently gave Ward a new nickname that resembles his early impact with the Texans.
"Apex Predator," Pitre said on Wednesday. "A lot of people are saying 'dog' and 'animal', but he's the top of the top, on and off the field."
Pitre explained that Ward "doesn't shy away from contact" and is "real smart."
"(Ward) is asking the right questions in the meeting room and he's not shying away from telling everybody else in the room what he's seeing in order to have us all on the same page," Pitre said.
Ward is aiming to bring his "aggressive" energy to Houston this season, and his fellow safety noticed back in late July.
“We're a great tandem,” Pitre said of him and Ward. “When I can go out there and play with somebody that’s that good and plays with his hair on fire – a guy that wants to hit."
Ward was a crucial member of the 49ers organization throughout his nine seasons donning the scarlet and gold. That said, he suffered multiple injuries last season and San Francisco went 11-1 with him in the lineup (including Week 5) and 2-3 without him.
As Ward enters his 10th NFL season, he is one of many Texans who hold the task of leading them out of their three-year skid.
As previously stated, Houston's secondary has a lot of young talent, but they aren't really recognized. Ward has the opportunity to change that, and it starts with the "Apex predator" mentality.
