Pitts - Long Term Answer at Left Tackle

[Marcus]

There's a Houston Chronicle article that indicates that Chester Pitts is the long term answer at Left Tackle.

I agree with it completely. Not only has he played the position very well, and IMO, proved it last week against Freeney, but his penalties have dropped off.

And something that is very much overlooked. He's durable. The only player to start every single game for the Texans, and the only offensive lineman in the NFL who hasn't missed a snap since the 2002 season.

I think this fixation or obsession with getting an LT in next year's draft should be reconsidered.

[Scribe]

There's an article in today's Houston Chronicle suggesting that the Texans may have found their permanent left tackle - Chester Pitts - and that this may change what they're planning to do with the top pick in the draft.

The article quotes Pitts talking about the difference in playing tackle and guard, but it didn't seem to address how he feels about the idea of being the permanent solution at LT. Thoughts?

[bckey]

I think it will be a HUGE mistake if the Texans decide Pitts is the LT of their future. They will blow another draft thinking their problems are solved at LT and draft a guard in the 5th round or so and pass up one of the best drafts for T in years. That is if Capers/Casserly are still around. Hopefully a new regime will see differently.

Take D'Brick and be done with it. Put Pitts at RT, Wiegert at LG, McKinney at RG, and D Hog at C. Bench Herman Munster and cut Riley and Wand. Any other OL that we take later in the draft would be a bonus. We could get lucky for a change.

I'm not saying Pitts is bad at LT. He is good. I am saying we have a chance to get an elite LT and we should do it. Pitts and D'Brick could be our book ends for years.

[aj.]

Originally Posted by bckey

Pitts and D'Brick could be our book ends for years.
Herman Munster

I like this thinking but take a look at Herman's contract - if you dare. I'm not going any further because all this will do is lead me right into my soap box about why we need a new GM.


Okay, I'm weak and can't help it....six-years $30 million....like Walker, signed through '09 which means his $10 million signing bonus will count $1.7 million in dead money on the cap for every freaking year prior to and including '09 that he doesn't play for the Texans. Walker and Robaire have basically the same deals.

[Ibar_Harry]

Originally Posted by Scribe

There's an article in today's Houston Chronicle suggesting that the Texans may have found their permanent left tackle - Chester Pitts - and that this may change what they're planning to do with the top pick in the draft.

The article quotes Pitts talking about the difference in playing tackle and guard, but it didn't seem to address how he feels about the idea of being the permanent solution at LT. Thoughts?

Are you kidding? He's always wanted that spot for the money. In fact I have felt he hurt Wand while playing LG. That's just one man's opinion though.

[nunusguy]

Below is the link to the Chronicle story refered to at the top of this thread.
*****
"If Pitts can continue his strong play in the next seven games, the Texans' plans in the upcoming NFL draft will likely change. Instead of using one of their top picks on a left tackle, the Texans could fill another area of need."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3471218.html

[Kaiser Toro]

I like Pitts and am glad we have signed to a long term deal. This article seems to be more about positioning in next year's draft. The more teams think we will go with Lienart or Bush the more likely trade offers will be coming our way. Our need is on Offensive line and overall depth.

[uhcougar08]

Pitts was on 610 last week and he said something about he liked playing there. Its good that he will be the future, it means we can focus more on other positions in the draft and F/A's.

[ArlingtonTexan]

I hope that the people who are making that decision are not currently employeed by the texans.

My biggest issue is if Pitts were the best LT on the team why was he not there for a year and half while your larger investment is getting killed.

[nunusguy]

But if Chester continues to perform effectively at LT the rest of this year,
then that leaves us in the enviable position of truly being able to draft the BPA in the first round of Aprils draft. If the big Virginia tackle is on the Board, take him if he's the best. But maybe Bush or Hawk is rated higher and is also available to us - then we might want to go in that direction. It would also
give us more ability to trade down for multiple picks if we don't have to target one individual.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Instead of using one of their top picks on a left tackle, the Texans could fill another area of need."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3471218.html

Oh, yay. They'll take another DE to play OLB.

I do think Pitts should stay at LT though. AND USE THAT PICK FOR SOMETHING ELSE ON THE O-LINE....OK, replacing P-Burnt would be alright.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Combined the Pitts threads.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by bigTEXan8

One team that might be interested in that spot is Oakland. If they don't pick up Kollins option next year, they have $11.9 million extra cap space. I think we're getting a lineman irregardless this upcoming draft.

How about Gallery, Porter and their #1 for our #1 and Wade? I can dream can't I, since I have put zero research into this.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

My biggest issue is if Pitts were the best LT on the team why was he not there for a year and half while your larger investment is getting killed.

That's what I'm saying, but I think Cass & Capers are starting to rationalize this snafu by saying that Chester wouldn't have been this good at LT had they not played him a year at guard. I don't think they will go so far as to say this was by design, but don't put it past them.

[aj.]

A part of this kind of worked out in the Texans favor financially. When they extended Chester, he was playing guard. He didn't get anywhere near premium left tackle money. Then they shift him back to tackle. I like Chester. He's our best o-lineman and may have finally found his niche at tackle - R or L.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

That's what I'm saying, but I think Cass & Capers are starting to rationalize this snafu by saying that Chester wouldn't have been this good at LT had they not played him a year at guard. I don't think they will go so far as to say this was by design, but don't put it past them.

It makes good sense for the Texans to look at "what if" options, so it is not unreasonable for them to consider Pitts long-term at LT. IMO, it is 50/50 that the texans will win themselves out of the top three or four spots. If Ferguson is gone and the next guy is a noticable step down, trading doen is not as easy or automatic as some fans think.

My fear becomes justifying keeping too many pieces of the current OL.

[Reddevil63]

Hey if he works out there then lets get some good guards. I dont care who plays where, when whatever, just get this thing fixed.

[keyfro]

if he continues to play well at LT why move him again...keep him there trade down in the draft and pick up mario williams and additional picks...grab davin joseph to play next to him and call the left side of the line done...davin joseph is a monster of a lineman at OU...mario williams is the best DE to come into the draft since julius peppers

[blockhead83]

I'm torn on what to do with our 1st pick if Pitts continues his level of play at LT. He's playing like a good NFL starter at LT, IMO. Why fix it if it's broken? No doubt, if Ferguson has the potential to become an Orlando Pace type, he would still improve our team greatly in the long term at the most important position on the OLine. We need to address the offensive line early and often in the draft, regardless of whether we keep Pitts at LT. I wouldn't mind seeng us pick up a dominant guard on the first day of the draft. If we decide not to draft a premier tackle in the 1st round, we could address cornerback, or even finally pick up a #2 receiver to go with AJ. If we end up with a top 3 pick and don't have anyone in particular targetted, it would be beneficial to trade down and address as many areas as possible.

[sensei]

I haven't even bothered to watch my tapes of the last two games. My question is: How much help is Pitts getting? If we have to assign someone to help on every play then he is not the answer to our problems.

sensei