Week 14 Texan Mock

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Insideop

Which is precisely the reason I think the Texans need to draft a WR in the 1st or trade back in to the later 1st or early 2nd round. I don't think they just need to find a replacement for Walter or Jacoby, I think they need to start grooming AJ's successor! Somebody like Jones or McNutt could be groomed for AJ's position while playing in Walter's or Jacoby's position now. Fuller would probably not even replace Jacoby on the depth chart. Walter and AJ will both be 31 next year with 10 years in the NFL. How long can they hold up? They may need to get 2 WR's in this draft!

Been there done that. The key piece of puzzle will be free agency. If texans can address WR early in FA it would take pressure off forcing a high pick or multiple picks. I fully expect Rick Smith to come through & address this need setting the table for another soild draft like this one

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Been there done that. The key piece of puzzle will be free agency. If texans can address WR early in FA it would take pressure off forcing a high pick or multiple picks. I fully expect Rick Smith to come through & address this need setting the table for another soild draft like this one

I know there are some good WR's coming out in FA, but the question is, are we going to have enough $$ to sign one of them and resign Mario, Arian, and Myers? Or, do you think we let Mario go?

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by Insideop

I know there are some good WR's coming out in FA, but the question is, are we going to have enough $$ to sign one of them and resign Mario, Arian, and Myers? Or, do you think we let Mario go?

If you let MW walk you have plenty of room to sign a FA WR2 or CB2

I would let MW walk and spend the $$$$ on other needs.

What would you do?

[beerlover]

I don't expect the Texans to let Mario Williams walk. Expect them coming to terms & if not Texans will franchise him. Franchise values actually went down for 2012 from 2011. The price tag for a DE is 10.6 mil down from 13 mil in 2011. LB is 8.8 mil.

Free agency wise would love Texans to go after Steve Johnson Buffalo. But there are many quality WR's who are gonna be free agents this off-season like Mario Manningham, Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn (we need a returner too) Robert Meachem, Greg Camarillo, Dwayne Bowe, Pierre Garcon, Maurice Stovall, Andre Caldwell, Earl Bennett, Harry Douglas & Early Doucet to name but a few......

[badboy]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

If you let MW walk you have plenty of room to sign a FA WR2 or CB2

I would let MW walk and spend the $$$$ on other needs.

What would you do?

I think Mario will sign a long term deal that reduces his salary cap hit and that money can be used. I'm thinking Mario will be looking for a huge upfront bonus & guaranteed salary money to make up for no bonus in his first deal. McNair likes the guy and wants him to retire a Texan. Bob wants AJ, Demeco and Mario's jerseys in the rafters. Cushing will get there a bit later.

If tagged, he will get 120 % of 2011 salary and his position does not enter into it.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by badboy

I think Mario will sign a long term deal that reduces his salary cap hit and that money can be used. I'm thinking Mario will be looking for a huge upfront bonus & guaranteed salary money to make up for no bonus in his first deal. McNair likes the guy and wants him to retire a Texan. Bob wants AJ, Demeco and Mario's jerseys in the rafters. Cushing will get there a bit later.

If tagged, he will get 120 % of 2011 salary and his position does not enter into it.

You're probably right.

I wouldn't sign him long term though.

I question MW's passion for the game. Not his athletic ability. This goes back to his college day for me.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

You're probably right.

I wouldn't sign him long term though.

I question MW's passion for the game. Not his athletic ability. This goes back to his college day for me.

The longer the better imo as you guarantee only first 2-3 depending on the amount of the base. A 6 year $72m with $25m upfront; $47m over 6 is $8 + $4 for bonus = $12m cap and apprx $4m lower than 2011 cap.

Even if dispassionate he has done pretty well.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by badboy

The longer the better imo as you guarantee only first 2-3 depending on the amount of the base. A 6 year $72m with $25m upfront; $47m over 6 is $8 + $4 for bonus = $12m cap and apprx $4m lower than 2011 cap.

Even if dispassionate he has done pretty well.

and of course you back end the money.

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by badboy

The longer the better imo as you guarantee only first 2-3 depending on the amount of the base. A 6 year $72m with $25m upfront; $47m over 6 is $8 + $4 for bonus = $12m cap and apprx $4m lower than 2011 cap.

Even if dispassionate he has done pretty well.

BB for Texans GM From our discussions I know that you know more about football talent than Smithiak does and you seem to have grasped the contract side of the business as well. Now as soon as you get into office though we'll start bashing you also.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

BB for Texans GM From our discussions I know that you know more about football talent than Smithiak does and you seem to have grasped the contract side of the business as well. Now as soon as you get into office though we'll start bashing you also.

6151 you crack me up. Thanks for compliments. Part of the problem is we can't figure some things like exact salary of Mario. Then you have to think about how much Mario means personally to McNair. He values human relationships with his players and coaches/management. He wants to be on cutting edge with Smith and Kubiak & like a benevolent father he wants them to succeed. He will make sacrifices of himself to make his people look good. He is the anti- Jerry Jones. He froze out John MClain when he attacked judgement of drafting Mario WIlliams as if McClain was attacking his family.

Never can tell what he will do in free agency, draft or his current players. He allows his coaches to run the team & we know Kubiak's loyalty to former coaches can be detrimental.
Again thanks for the laugh.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by beerlover

First Round: Josh Chapman, Alabama, NT/NG 6007 316

Dominant, seasoned, another Sabin influenced defensive prospect who adds more talent to front line already playing @ a high level. This is what Championship teams do, they retool & get stronger in the trenches. Have him graded as early second but by time the draft rolls around his stock could rise as 3-4 teams look to enforce middle with smaller, high motor, smart, well coached athletes.

Just curious, is Worthy (Mich st) not liked around here or do people just think he wont be available? I love the fire he plays with and his ability to penetrate seems like a perfect fit for this defense. Would love to see him between Smith and Watt.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by mussop

Just curious, is Worthy (Mich st) not liked around here or do people just think he wont be available? I love the fire he plays with and his ability to penetrate seems like a perfect fit for this defense. Would love to see him between Smith and Watt.

I like his game too, reminds me of Nick Fairley, last year @ Auburn drafted by Detroit. Very disurptive, explosive first step just not your typical 3-4 nose run stuffer like Poe of Chapman. Depends on Wade his draft grade would seem to support a first round grade.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I like his game too, reminds me of Nick Fairley, last year @ Auburn drafted by Detroit. Very disurptive, explosive first step just not your typical 3-4 nose run stuffer like Poe of Chapman. Depends on Wade his draft grade would seem to support a first round grade.

At 310 with his explosiveness and nasty demeanor I think he could handle DT or NT (whatever) in our scheme with no problems. Playing him along side of Smith and Watt would be fun to watch. I seriously doubt he will be around when we pick but if he slid just a little I would trade up for him without hesitation. A perfect fit IMO.

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by mussop

Just curious, is Worthy (Mich st) not liked around here or do people just think he wont be available? I love the fire he plays with and his ability to penetrate seems like a perfect fit for this defense. Would love to see him between Smith and Watt.

I didn't see him play during the year but just watch a bunch of video on him and I like what I see alot. He reminds me of Brandon Thompson from Clemson, similar size and athleticism. For his size he's got great athleticism, quickness, and speed, he also seems to hold up to the double teams well so he must have good strength. I noticed that he's inconsistent with his pad level, when he keeps them low he's very explosive and gets into the backfield quickly when he gets to high the O-line stands him up and neutralizes him. That should be easy to fix. He seems to have the frame to handle a few extra pounds which I think would be a benefit to him, I'd want him to play around 320 lbs. without losing his athleticism but that should be pretty easy to do and honestly it's nitpicking. If we want him I think we'd have to take him in the 1st round though since I don't think he'd be available at our pick in the 2nd.

[beerlover]

@bigpoe74, "Big decision know I chose right.... NFL here I come."

http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/...82485/34008877

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by beerlover

@bigpoe74, "Big decision know I chose right.... NFL here I come."

http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/...82485/34008877

Unless he blows everybody away at the Combine with superior speed and strength, I think Wade passes on him. JMO.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Insideop

Unless he blows everybody away at the Combine with superior speed and strength, I think Wade passes on him. JMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXMku4m3twI

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Insideop

Unless he blows everybody away at the Combine with superior speed and strength, I think Wade passes on him. JMO.

As much as I have praised and pushed Poe, I'm thinking Wade will not select a NT in first. He should understand we desperately need WR help. I started researching another option at the Nose about 3 weeks ago and really am warming up to the guy. Not sure if he will end up on my end of season mock but looking good now. I'll share info when I've had a bit more time to evaluate as film is very scarce.

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by beerlover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXMku4m3twI

OK, he's got the strength . Now where's the speed and game footage ?

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Insideop

OK, he's got the strength . Now where's the speed and game footage ?

How fast do you require a 6ft 4in 330 pound man to run? He will be timed @ combine & his pro-day. The main number to look for would be his splits, primarily first 10 yards to measure explosiveness. I also expect a decent short shuttle. Other than that, lifting, broad jump & vertical they always have one on one's which will have to do until someone comes up with actual game film.