Free Agent File: CB
Chris Carr, Baltimore Ravens
Drafted: 2005, Undrafted
Age: Will be 28 in April

One thing I want to make clear – I’m not doing this series as “guys I really want the Texans to sign.” Some of course fit that description, and others (this one especially) will be the less-gaudy names that I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans target, and not necessarily guys I’d be happy about.

For the first time I can recall, Gary Kubiak has finally admitted that moving Glover Quin from cornerback to safety is a real possibility. Some of us in the Texans Blogosphere have been screaming for this to happen since he was drafted, but it sounds like the brass is finally warming to the idea. Of course now, two years after he was drafted, I think it’s safe to say most of us would rather have a 2-3 round pick or a solid free agent at free safety over Quin, but we don’t exactly get what we want around here, do we?

Taking all that into account, whereas it was already a virtual certainty that the Texans are going to look at bringing in a veteran free agent corner to start in 2011, the talk that the team’s best corner may move to safety would only serve to reinforce that fact.

So far in this series, I have spotlighted guys who I would say the Texans would have little-to-no chance to sign because of money, interest from other teams, or RFA tenders that have since come down. Chris Carr, however, is a guy who good teams would target as a third corner – but the Texans? Well, he’d instantly be their best starter. I’m not big on Carr, but even though he doesn’t fit the typical “profile” of the type of corners the Texans like, he seems like the “type” of player the Texans would target in free agency, and consider it a big signing (cough-JacquesReeves-cough-cough).

Pressed into regular starting duty when Dominique Foxworth went down in camp with a torn ACL, Carr had by far his best season as a pro in 2010. He doesn’t rack up a lot of interceptions or make spectacular plays, but in 2010 – the guy could cover. Carr definitely benefits from the talent around him in Baltimore, but as I will say with every cornerback (or safety) entry in this series, he’d be far and away the best at his position on the Texans.

He doesn’t defend the run especially well, but Carr was a consistent cover corner in 2010. He’s quick to react and get back to the ball, and has shown decent ball skills in his career. He’s also been a decent return man, but I don’t know that he’d fill that role in Houston.

I mentioned earlier the Texans “profile” when it comes to corners. Typically, the Texans like bigger, “rangier” corners (and bad ones!). Carr is kind of on the small side at 5′ 10″, and despite his status as a return man, he doesn’t have top-end speed. That said, I saw a good amount of Baltimore games last year and to my eye he has good “football speed”.

My big issue with Carr is that I rate him as a high risk to be a bust as a free agent. He wasn’t very good with the Raiders and Titans before he came to Baltimore.

Oh, and then there’s this:
Baltimore’s NT in 2010 – Haloti Ngata. Houston’s projected NT in 2011 in – Shaun Cody (/punches wall).
Baltimore’s starting FS in 2010 – Ed Reed. Houston’s starting FS in 2011 – Not even close to Ed Reed.
Baltimore’s starting Rush OLB in 2010 – Terrell Suggs. Houston’s projected starting rush OLB in 2011 – A rookie? Connor Barwin?
You get my point.