Cutting Weigart

[bdiddy]

How much would it cost/save us to cut Zach Wiegart?

I like him and think he is a good lineman, but he is getting old and has a long history of injuries.

If I remember correctly I think it would save the Texans around $3 million next year. I believe we could (1) pick up a OG in the draft; (2) pick up a center in the draft and move McKinney (who MUST restructure his deal) to guard, or (3) have Seth Wand play a little guard.

[cadahnic]

You are thinking of McKinney. It would save us that much to cut McKinney, Weigert would not save us that much. You can go to the nfl discussion part of the board and see the exact figures.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by bdiddy

How much would it cost/save us to cut Zach Wiegart?

Wiegert has a base salary this season of $3.5 million. His signing bonus is prorated at about $700K per season. Zach is signed through 2007.

If Wiegert is cut, the Texans would carry around $1.4 million in "dead money" in '06 from Wiegert's signing bonus coming due. But the net cap savings in '06 would be $3.5 million, and Zach's contract would be off the books for '07.

So do you think the Texans would be better served by keeping Wiegert, or using that cap space somewhere else? Who's available that the Texans could reel in? And would Wiegert re-structure the contract and reduce the cap hit? I'm certain the Texans are asking themselves the same questions.

[bdiddy]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Wiegert has a base salary this season of $3.5 million. His signing bonus is prorated at about $700K per season. Zach is signed through 2007.

If Wiegert is cut, the Texans would carry around $1.4 million in "dead money" in '06 from Wiegert's signing bonus coming due. But the net cap savings in '06 would be $3.5 million, and Zach's contract would be off the books for '07.

So do you think the Texans would be better served by keeping Wiegert, or using that cap space somewhere else? Who's available that the Texans could reel in? And would Wiegert re-structure the contract and reduce the cap hit? I'm certain the Texans are asking themselves the same questions.

It depends on a number of things.

(1) Is Pitts going to be our LT next season?

-If yes, then you might consider having McKinney restructure his deal, have him move to left guard and draft Greg Esligner to play center. I would move Seth Wand to guard (as well as draft a guard in the middle rounds) and keep Todd Wade at RT. Or, we could put Weary at LG, keep McKinney at center, and have Wand play RG.

-If no, then I would move Pitts into LG and move McKinney to RG. I would be Wade at RT, draft a center, and draft our LT (IMO Colledge).

(2) Will McKinney restructure his deal?
-My guess is yes.

(3) How has the new staff evaluated Todd Wade and Seth Wand?

-Todd Wade: Has been average-to-above average every year prior to last season. Assuming a full recovery from injury, I think with proper coaching he could be an effective RT. He has been and will continue to be a force in the running game and can improve w/ technique and a superior scheme in passing situations.

The biggest issue with Wiegart is age. He has shown a propensity to get injured (even in his younger days) and has lost some of his quickness. Kubiak system puts an emphasis on quickness and think this might be an area were it is time to let the player go. Wiegart is still a good player, but with the current cap situation and the Texans needs I would think this is seriously in consideration.

-Seth Wand: This guy was severely disrespected last season. Please, I do not know how in the hell Pendry convinced Capers that Victor Riley was a better option at LT than Seth Wand. I think Wand's best position would be RT, however, as I have already mentioned Wade above (not to mention his huge cap figure), my guess is that he would be well suited for the RG position. I would envision he and Weary battling it out over this position.

[Ibar_Harry]

Originally Posted by bdiddy

It depends on a number of things.

(1) Is Pitts going to be our LT next season?

-If yes, then you might consider having McKinney restructure his deal, have him move to left guard and draft Greg Esligner to play center. I would move Seth Wand to guard (as well as draft a guard in the middle rounds) and keep Todd Wade at RT. Or, we could put Weary at LG, keep McKinney at center, and have Wand play RG.

-If no, then I would move Pitts into LG and move McKinney to RG. I would be Wade at RT, draft a center, and draft our LT (IMO Colledge).

(2) Will McKinney restructure his deal?
-My guess is yes.

(3) How has the new staff evaluated Todd Wade and Seth Wand?

-Todd Wade: Has been average-to-above average every year prior to last season. Assuming a full recovery from injury, I think with proper coaching he could be an effective RT. He has been and will continue to be a force in the running game and can improve w/ technique and a superior scheme in passing situations.

The biggest issue with Wiegart is age. He has shown a propensity to get injured (even in his younger days) and has lost some of his quickness. Kubiak system puts an emphasis on quickness and think this might be an area were it is time to let the player go. Wiegart is still a good player, but with the current cap situation and the Texans needs I would think this is seriously in consideration.

-Seth Wand: This guy was severely disrespected last season. Please, I do not know how in the hell Pendry convinced Capers that Victor Riley was a better option at LT than Seth Wand. I think Wand's best position would be RT, however, as I have already mentioned Wade above (not to mention his huge cap figure), my guess is that he would be well suited for the RG position. I would envision he and Weary battling it out over this position.

I still think that this went back to how Wand learns and he did not fit Pendry's personality and style of teaching. Absolutely nothing else makes sense, but then not much did last year when you were talking about our coaching staff. Mr. B said Wand was a talent, but then he tuitored Wand 1 on 1 for awhile if I recollect correctly. I think I would trust Mr. B over Pendry when it comes to the O-line and what you are suppose to do at LT. I still cringe at the damage done to this team by last year's coaching staff. I really do wonder if any of them will ever completely recover from that debacle. I really don't believe people have a true idea of what they did to the Texans. It looks to me like the current staff has been told not to say anything based on the what we are hearing in the interviews. However, if you listen and read between the lines, I think they can't believe what they are seeing on the tapes.

[Hervoyel]

I am of the opinion that Wand could possibly be our starting LT next season. I know that not a lot of people necessarily see that as a positive development but I think that if it happens it will be.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

I am of the opinion that Wand could possibly be our starting LT next season. I know that not a lot of people necessarily see that as a positive development but I think that if it happens it will be.

I'm sure you're not at all surprised that I disagree, but I still have to say it. I don't see how Wand could beat out Pitts at LT, unless it's at least another year from now, minimum.

[texman8]

Unless Texans get D'Brick, Pitts is fine at LT. Wand will have to win RT job ;otherwise, he could be a career backup. Texans need to seriously upgrade their interior OL.

[TexanBacker93]

I'm under the impression that McKinney has agreed to restructure and extend his contract over the next 3 years, but they wanted to wait until the CBA issues were resolved. This will help out because if he won't do that they have no choice but to cut him. His cut cost is only $800,000 against an almost $5 million salary. I think they could restructure Weigert as well.

I think Wand will be looked at for the RT position. A lot will depend on the draft, though. If they grab Ferguson that will have a definite positive chage to the line.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

I am of the opinion that Wand could possibly be our starting LT next season. I know that not a lot of people necessarily see that as a positive development but I think that if it happens it will be.

I'm with you Herv. Wand will be out LT.

If he is tried at guard again as others have suggested and as the staff did last year, I'm going to seriously revise my evaluation of the current coaching staff. Downward. I'm counting on them to put players in the positions that they are suited to.

[bdiddy]

Here is what I think might be coming:

1. Cut Wiegart
2. Restructure McKinney's deal to have it hit more next year (especially if uncapped) or later
3. Sign Mahon, guard from Bucs (give up 5th or 6th rounder b/c he is a restricted free agent, should the Bucs match the offer). I really think this might happen.
4. Draft Greg Eslinger in 3rd round

New/Remade Line

Pitts - McKinney - Eslinger - Mahon - Wade/Wand

If Wade does not perform more like he did in Miami and his first year with the Texans he will be cut in 2007 and Wand will be the starting RT. It is possible Wand will out perform Wade in training camp, thus, making Mr. Wade a very expensive backup for a year.

There is another scenario in which you take out the drafting of Eslinger (whom is one of my favorites)

Wand - Pitts - McKinney - Mahon - Wade

[cuppacoffee]

Originally Posted by bdiddy

Here is what I think might be coming:

1. Cut Wiegart
2. Restructure McKinney's deal to have it hit more next year (especially if uncapped) or later
3. Sign Mahon, guard from Bucs (give up 5th or 6th rounder b/c he is a restricted free agent, should the Bucs match the offer). I really think this might happen.
4. Draft Greg Eslinger in 3rd round

New/Remade Line

Pitts - McKinney - Eslinger - Mahon - Wade/Wand

If Wade does not perform more like he did in Miami and his first year with the Texans he will be cut in 2007 and Wand will be the starting RT. It is possible Wand will out perform Wade in training camp, thus, making Mr. Wade a very expensive backup for a year.

There is another scenario in which you take out the drafting of Eslinger (whom is one of my favorites)

Wand - Pitts - McKinney - Mahon - Wade

Hogdon might see a little playing time at C also.

[JohnGalt]

Wand beat out Pitts two years ago for LT.

Wand's biggest weakness is technique and that can be coached. Pendry gave up on him. I expect to see him at LT in 2006 and would be completely shocked if we didn't see him starting at one of the rwo tackles by the end of the season.

Also, Wand is almost too big to be a guard in the zone blocking system.

[big homey]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

Wand beat out Pitts two years ago for LT.

Wand didn't beat Pitts; they had Pitts at LG.

[Bubbajwp]

Originally Posted by big homey

Wand didn't beat Pitts; they had Pitts at LG.

Theye were trying to put the best 5 lineman on the field I would say that Wand beat whoever the backup LG was.

[Eyeguy]

We are talking about one of the worse O-Lines in NFL history,are we not?

D'Brickshaw (LT)
Pitts (LG)
Hodgen (C)
FA/ Draft Choice (RG)
Wade (RT)

Then get new LG and RT next year.

[cap1]

Originally Posted by Eyeguy

We are talking about one of the worse O-Lines in NFL history,are we not?

D'Brickshaw (LT)
Pitts (LG)
Hodgen (C)
FA/ Draft Choice (RG)
Wade (RT)

Then get new LG and RT next year.

Don't see that happening. Pitts is better suited to play tackle. And Wand or Pitts could play the Right Tackle Position. We need more help on the interior line.