Texans sign OT Marcus Spears

[BornOrange]

Weary played three halves at center for Tennessee in the 2000 season, his junior year. He was injured in the first half of his second game and missed the rest of the year.

[Vinny]

That doesn't change the fact that he was the Center that year. He played all over the line if you want the truth...but he can clearly play center and that is the point of my assertion that we have guys who can play Center.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...c/sfch11ra.htm

From our site...

Recruited as guard, then moved to defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman, only to move back to guard the following year…played center as a junior and guard again as a senior…started every game at left guard in 2001…earned All-America honors his final season and was an All-Southeastern Conference first-team pick…graded a team-high 84.1 percent for blocking consistency…registered 112 blocks for an offense that generated 4,829 total yards…moved from center to guard, starting the final two games junior season in 2000…suffered ankle sprain in first half of Florida game…forced to sit out remainder of contest and remainder of season…underwent ankle surgery during the fall…started all 12 games at right tackle in 1999 with 71 knockdowns for an offense that averaged 406.2 yards per game…played in 10 games in 1998 as a reserve left defensive tackle…recorded eight tackles on the year…redshirted in 1997…majored in economics

[BornOrange]

Don't get me wrong, I have thought for a while that Weary would be the center of the future, but I am just saying that at this time he hasn't had many snaps at center, especially in the NFL, and that Washington has a pretty good chance of making the roster because of his experience at center.

If Weary is primarily used as a center this preseason, we can start saying our goodbyes to Washington. If Weary doesn't get many snaps at center, Washington is going to be here and Garrick Jones will be fighting with Marcus Spears for the ninth lineman spot.

[Vinny]

Thats cool, but imo I do not think that Garrick Jones nor Todd Washington will be on the final roster.

[BornOrange]

Who do you think will be the ninth OL?

1. Wade
2. Wiegart
3. McKinney
4. Pitts
5. Wand
6. Brown
7. Weary
8. Spears
9. ?????

The Texans have carried nine offensive linemen both years as far as I can recall.

[Vinny]

Fair question but I'm not sure. I just don't think we were happy with Jones or we would not have gone after Spears. I am not sure if Jones is physical enough to play inside in a pinch and has been cut by the Jags and the Chiefs both over the last couple of years.

[TexasAggie]

I can't find the article now but I am sure that I read where the Texans were looking at carrying only 8 OLine this year.

That versatility at being able to play more than one spot was at a premium for the OLinemen.

[Texansbacker]

I think that Todd Washington definitely makes the team as he is a solid center/guard back-up who played surprisingly well at times last year and is definitely not dominant but is a good back-up.

Fred Weary provides youth/potential as another cener/guard back-up.

Milford Brown is probably the best back-up guard and also provides youth and potential.

At the back-up spots for the tackle position, we have the newly added Spears along with our two starting guards able to move outside. IMO, that is why the Texans will keep mostly guards as back-ups (also better special teamers) and the nice mixture of veterans and youth.

I also noticed in the bio of Spears that he received high marks in the character department, which is pleasing, and I also like the fact that he has blocked for Priest Holmes for the last few years and perhaps he can give DD some insight or extra confidence. DD is built just like Priest and will come out even stronger this year behind our improved o-line.

IMO, this is how our opening day roster will read in regards to o-line.

Wade
Weigert
McKinney
Pitts
Wand
Brown
Weary
Spears
Washington