Next to the draft (maybe more so than the draft?), there isn’t a better time during the NFL offseason than the start of free agency. Except that, this year – it’s free agency, undrafted free agency, re-signing of team free agents, ramping up training camps, and who knows whatever else.
Obvious early topics are going to be Vonta Leach (I think he’s gone), Rashad Butler (I said MONTHS ago he was gone, and he has since confirmed), and Jacoby Jones (I think he stays). Following that, I’m hoping CBs Asomugha and Joseph come off the board quickly so everyone will move on to actual realistic considerations. Not that Joseph’s not realistic, but I don’t think he’s going to be THAT much cheaper than Nnamdi, and the Texans need a lot more than a starting-level CB.
Gerald Sensabaugh, as I said a month or two ago, is a virtual lock to join the Texans… and while that disappoints people, I don’t think he’d be a bad addition. Uh, as long as the quality of the corner they sign is greater than the quality of… Sensabaugh. (That made more sense in my head.)
Names I’d like to see linked to the Texans in free agency, other than Joseph, no particular order:
S Eric Weddle (doubtful)
CB Josh Wilson
CB Carlos Rogers (if many other options fall through)
S Dawan Landry (doubtful)
S Daniel Manning (also a return man, would love him to join the Texans)
CB Antonio Cromartie (I think he’s soft, but I don’t care. The dude can cover)
DL Cullen Jenkins
NT Kelly Gregg (apparently going to be cut by the Ravens)
NT Aubrayo Franklin (wishful thinking)
Of course, those are the easy ones. We need to drill in to some of the mid-tier guys as well, soon. Tomorrow should be fun. This week should be fun. And crazy… and probably maddening.
Who are your top targets, other than the TOP guys?
Jul 25, 2011 at 23:02:00
Jacoby will not be back
Nnamdi might actually happen, Which blows my mind
Jul 26, 2011 at 02:10:40
Carlos Rogers is going to Philadelphia or Dallas. He has made it very clear he wants to beat Washington twice next year to punish them for putting him behind DeAngelo “INT or Burnt” Hall.
I predict the Bolts resign Weddle at the expense of one or more of their ILB’s (which I have been pushing a Stephen Cooper signing once he becomes released ever since I considered that an option; we need 3-4 ILBs, Chris, and we don’t have very many of them)
Antonio Cromartie is a curious case, because I can definitely call his number of children “a gray area” in the character debate. I’d feel a LOT better if he had gotten his 10-INT campaign while Wade was the DC (that was Wade’s first year in Dallas).
I’m against Josh Wilson, and likewise Richard Marshall. There has been too much good mixed with bad, and, given that the Ravens are letting Wilson go to re-sign Chris Carr, I am not a fan of taking the leftovers of a team that was considered to have a weak cornerback corps as recently as the beginning of last year.
And, yes, Kelly Gregg would be HUGE. I have no idea what the Ravens are thinking. Gregg played the nose tackle beautifully during his time, allowing Haloti “the best athlete in the NFL” Ngata to be able to move around and line up on the end. Actually, I know what the Ravens are thinking: they drafted Terrence Cody to be the nose tackle of the future, so they will save money by cutting Gregg.
Wade, do you hear me, KELLY GREGG IS BETTER THAN EARL MITCHELL. I PROMISE!
I expect the Texans to go balls-to-the-wall after Nnamdi: it’s been released that teams don’t have to be under the cap until training camp starts, so the Texans (and any other team) can spend money now and figure it all out later.
That said, I am preparing for us to settle for Antonio Cromartie. I believe that Andre Johnson has privately spoken to Nnamdi, who already knows where he’s going, he just can’t say, and after that candid discussion/recruitment attempt, Andre started the PR Campaign for Cromartie to get the Texans fans excited about who they will inevitably get.
That also said, I have no clue where Nnamdi goes. It is just plain STUPID to link him to Philly. Philly has a s— ton of money invested in Asante Samuel, and I think the Kolb-DRC rumors are legit. The other teams I have seen him linked to are Tampa Bay and Baltimore. Both have very solid young cornerbacks, and Baltimore is already hemorrhaging players to get under the cap. As for Tampa, they certainly have the money to spend, but Talib, Biggers, and Ronde are solid at the position. Their money is best spent on guys like Quentin Mikell, Ray Edwards, and other positions. (Sidney Rice, anyone?)
Jul 26, 2011 at 11:47:06
I know this is gonna sound crazy but i would prefer to spend the money on two good players (eric wendle or sensabaugh) and johnthan joesph than breaking the bank on NNamdi we have a bad track record with giving 30 plus atheletes alot of money not saying he is one just saying our history on free agency moves has SUCKED
Jul 26, 2011 at 13:47:37
Looks like Vonta is on his way out Chris! I nominate AJ to be the new face of the site. Seeing the ‘AJ spiking the ball in the endzone Vs. Washington’ pic on the site would be great!
Jul 26, 2011 at 15:29:23
how about AJ knocking the f out of Innegan?
Jul 26, 2011 at 17:56:26
Brilliant!
Jul 26, 2011 at 21:04:56
RE: The Don…
I agree wholeheartedly with going after other players instead of Nnamdi. But you are really looking at three to four players, not two if Nnamdee is thinking in the $15-20 million range. That’s stupid money.
I’d love to see a stronger effort put into Kelly Gregg, one of the second or third choice corners and then hit one a homerun with Plaxico and or T.O. Both of those guys should be in the $2-3 million range.
T.O. for one year would be incredible. Hear me out! He has been extremely productive everywhere he has gone in the first year. Lights out with Philly taking them to the Super Bowl on one leg. Great in Dallas and solid in Buffalo. He put up 72 catches and nearly 1,000 yards with 9 TDs opposite Ocho Cinco and a mediocre quarterback with no real run game. Those are impressive stats. Can get him on the cheap. Ultimately…T.O. with one leg is better than Kevin Walter’s two!
Jul 27, 2011 at 06:01:14
@steve dent
Now that we signed jacoby i dont think that is going to happen but i like the way you think they make a push for kelly greg and say johnathan joeseph and an above average safety that should be more than enough to get us in the playoffs.
Jul 27, 2011 at 08:25:35
@Steve and Don
Kelly Gregg + Sensabaugh + CB = that CB is not JoJo (who isn’t going anywhere anyway)
If we are going the discount route, the best we can hope for is Antonio “You ARE the Father!” Cromartie or one of the risky choices like Josh Wilson or Richard Marshall (risky because, yes, they are young, but they are not the top corners on their teams which are both not known for recent prowess at the CB position, and will be expected to step in as the #1 guy)
Now, I think a lot of people would be okay with Cromartie + Sensabaugh + Gregg.
Me? I’m still all in for Nnamdi. I think this whole Jets thing is a stupid stupid idea, and is mainly being hyped because (sigh) the Jets are more interesting than the Texans, and the idea of Scrabble shutting down Reggie Wayne is less interesting than the idea of the Archipelago of Revis Island and Scrabble Coast.
Jul 30, 2011 at 11:17:54
Sorry guys, but looks like you struck out entirely as far as free agency speculations go: Scrabble linked to eagles NOT so stupid; jacoby not going anywhere; and the cornerback that IS jo-jo did leave cincy and now dons a Texan jersey! So glad the vocal few get it wrong most of the time!
Jul 30, 2011 at 11:19:46
Chris, on the other hand, called it before it was cool! Good article, especially in hindsight.