Hi all. It’s been a while. You’re going to be seeing a lot more of me now that the lockout appears to be drawing to a close. Real life has really been getting in the way lately, but rather than burn myself out by discussing ridiculous non-issues, I thought I’d take a nice long break and recharge. With that said, I’m ready to give you the coverage, opinions, and analysis you’re used to getting from this website (insert joke).
I’m finally allowing myself to get excited about the season. As I’m typing this, for some strange reason, I’m watching the Ravens at Texans Monday Night Football game, which is still sitting on my DVR like an open sore. Yeah, it’s time for some (new) football. Let’s catch up on some relevant Texans offseason issues. There will be some repetition here, but it’s been so long I feel like I should lay out thoughts one last time before things get underway:
The team’s free agents:
Unless there’s a stunning development, the three Texans free agents of consequence are fullback Vonta Leach, wide receiver Jacoby Jones, and swing tackle Rashad Butler. Butler is gone. He’s made it more than clear via Twitter that he wants out of Houston, and I can’t really blame him. He’ll get a chance to start somewhere, or at least make more money than he can in Houston.
I think Jacoby Jones will be back with the Texans. I really don’t feel strongly one way or the other about him, though. The Texans can get someone as good or better than him without spending much more (if more at all). That said, when Jacoby’s on, he’s a hell of a talent but if he’s not consistent by now, there’s no reason to think he suddenly will be.
Leach I’d obviously like to see return. No reason to mess with what worked so well in 2010, and “the highest paid fullback in the NFL” really isn’t that much, but I wouldn’t overpay. The offense isn’t going to fall apart without Vonta Leach, but I’m not especially confident that Houston will re-sign him. Then again, Rick Smith grossly overpaid for Andre Davis a few years back, but I’m sure he’s learned? a lot? since? then? *shrug*
Free agent cornerback speculation:
-Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders
Not happening. He’ll get as much or more money AND the chance to contend for a Super Bowl elsewhere.
-Johnathan Joseph, Bengals
You can make a serious case that Joseph should be the Texans’ top priority, even over Asomugha. Considering price and age, I don’t think that’s a ridiculous notion.
-Ike Taylor, Steelers
Not just no, but HELL no. Tremendous big free agent contract bust potential. Not even close to the best player on his own defense. Plays next to Troy Polamalu, and has a great front seven playing ahead of him. Only if the Texans lost out on a LOT of other names would I consider Taylor, and even then I’d probably avoid.
In the end, I feel like the Texans will end up with one of the 3rd tier corners, like Richard Marshall or Carlos Rogers. Obviously either would be an upgrade, but I’m hoping the stars align and they’re able to reel in Joseph.
Wade Phillips
I hear a lot of people say that just because Wade Phillips has joined the Texans, doesn’t mean the defense is going to be better. Well, if you feel that way – you’re simply insane. That’s not a case of drinking the Wade Kool-Aid, it’s a case of how historically atrocious the Texans’ defense was last season. OF COURSE they will be better because Wade is here. Much better? No, not without some significant personnel additions.
Glover Quin moves to safety
A great idea a couple of years ago. Now? Well, sure – as long as they sign an impact free agent corner. Quin certainly has the pop and mentality to play safety, but I’d sure feel better if he was the “other” safety, and not the one we are apparently going to count on to be the “at least mediocre” one. Troy Nolan or Shiloh Keo as the other safety seems like near certainty, but I’m allowing myself to believe they will look at getting a starting safety in free agency as well as the aforementioned corner.
DeMeco Ryans
There’s been a lot of talk about Mario Williams’ position change, and the Texans apparently rolling with some combination of Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell at nose tackle – but I have an immense amount of worry about DeMeco Ryans. As has been discussed, history says that guys coming off the type of injury Ryans suffered don’t often return to optimum performance, and even less (never?) do they return to form the very next year. It’s not so much that I’m worried about Ryans as I’m already prepared for him to take a step back in production, through no fault of his own. That, of course, means the Texans desperately need Brian Cushing to be 2009 Brian Cushing, and I mean desperately.
So we’re caught up a bit. Let’s see how the lockout plays out this week, because we’re going to go from talking about the same old subjects, to having an overwhelming amount of new topics to kick around.
Glad to be back. For the six of you who are still with me, I appreciate it.
Jul 17, 2011 at 23:32:44
Cush will be a beast. I disagree (I hope) Butler stays. The other two can go, although I´d like em to stay. Thor could surprise big time, the same with Scorin Dorin. DeMeco will probably not be as good…so there comes the nephew of a preacher man. That is the big loss. Hopefully it´s shored up enough. The ace in the hole is that Wade will play a defense suited to who he has available, so although we may not be dominant, we´re good enough to win. Mark it down, I expect Cush to dominate.
Jul 18, 2011 at 06:50:45
Great write up Chris. Just have a couple of questions. 1) With the salary cap being 120 mil. this year and the Texans already close to that number(around 118 mil. I think) how will that effect how they spend in FA to not go over? 2) Has anyone thought that we might not get a worthy CB at all? I mean, if the Texans can’t get a decent CB but we are able to get a SS & FS leaving GQ at CB, would that be better or worse in your opinion?
Jul 18, 2011 at 10:03:37
@DR DOOM,
As far as cap number, the 120 mil, plus this extra 3 mil makes it 123. Im guessing slaton and amobi are cap casulaties, and if we cant trade them they would be cut.
Quin is one of the starting safeties. period. Now if we cant get jospeh, Id be fine with richard marshall and maybe eric weddle.
I also disagree we should keep butler and not leach and jacoby.
Butler is a backup. a good backup, but a backup. leach and jacoby are pretty much starters, so id rather retain them.
this year hinges on three big things
1. kareem jackson playing a least average
2. Some form of an actual pass rush
3. Keeping Schaub healthy for the full season
good work chris.
Jul 18, 2011 at 11:18:28
I rarely comment but I do constantly check in…so I’m still with you as well.
Jul 18, 2011 at 13:03:43
I’m more of a “I’ll believe is when I see it” when it comes to Nnamdi. Joseph on down are realistic options but are they good enough?
Another thing. We still wont have a ball hawk at any safety position with Quin moving back there. IS it a upgrade? We will see but not anyone with alot of range if our other safety is currently on the roster.
Jul 18, 2011 at 13:06:42
OAN: J. Solomon is horrible for the Chronicle. Kaz Matsui was a better hire than his guy.
Jul 18, 2011 at 15:02:01
solomom is a pretentious prick, but he makes good points
Jul 19, 2011 at 14:12:39
I’m changing my recent attitudes concerning Nnamdi.
A: I would like us to sign him. I don’t see Eric Weddle leaving the Bolts, so the combo of Nnamdi/Sensabaugh/and Stephen Cooper (ILB with Wade experience; 32 but can still go; we need a 3-4 version of kevin bentley to help mentor ryans on the 5-2/3-4 and in case demeco is slow to get to fill form) is truly th best free agency we can expect as far as short-term improvement.
B: I think NNamdi would be interested. F the whole “he can get a ring elsewhere” bit. This is the game of parity, and that will only be heightned as the salary floor is all but eliminated. ANY team can win a superbowl, and if you dont believe me watch the Panthers make the playoffs this year. Trust me. (and while i’m at it, draft Jonathan Stewart in your fantasy league. TRUST ME)
Why would NNamdi be interested in earning his ring in Houston? Three words: Andre…motherf-ing…Johnson. If Nnamdi is not the kind of player that would RELISH being challenged by AJ five days a week, then he’s not the elite shutdown corner we take him for.
Literally, at this point, i am willing to say he either chooses us and our cash or he’s overrated (pending confirmation that the Texans actually offered him a realistic offer)
And, yes. Season predictions will occur in August. And, yes, what i said earlier is in there. I will gladly withstand your crack jokes for the sake of upholding the NFC South Rule. You wanna know what happens when you break the NFC South Rule? You get a 7-9 team winning a playoff game. THAT’S WHAT.
Rant over.
Jul 21, 2011 at 14:18:05
@kyle
panthers have cam newton. that is all