Look farther than two inches in front of your nose.

[BeerFan]

Free Agency hasnt even been going on for a week. In that short amount of time, we have filled a DE hole, and signed a backup quarterback, whom Kubiak feels strongly about, and signed an FB that may start or contribute on special teams. Not too impressive, as most of you have not hesitated to share your opinions.

i still read complaints about addressing the lines, the big guys in the trenches.

the players above are just the players we signed immediately. we have been talking with Putzier, Flanagan, Hallen, and Givens. These are players at positions we need to upgrade. Why is anyody still crying? No matter what, this team is going to be better than last year. We are signing people that can boost that improvement even more.

Weaver - DE
Cook - FB
Rosenfels - QB
Flanagan - OC
Hallen - OG
Givens - WR
Putzier - TE

except for fullback and backup quarterback, these are all needs we have discussed in reference to the draft.

Mangold/Eslinger - OC
Gilles - OG
Moss/Stovall - WR
Williams - DE
Davis/Pope/Byrd/Klop/etc. - TE

the team is looking to fill the needs we all publicly acknowledge. sure, these players havent necessarily come at discount prices, but we arent paying these guys an arm and a leg either.

we ARE being fiscally responsible, and we are patching up our holes.

What else do you expect?

[Texas]

Amen!...Very well put. I beleive we have already upgraded from what we have. **** we had already upgraded without even pulling these players. Just by switching our coachin staff and moving to a 4-3. Now with the addition of a Mean FB and a backup QB to give Carr a threat, plus a DE who regardless of what anyone says is one of the best in the league, pfft we are really upgraded alot if you ask me!

[thunderkyss]

I'd like to know if we've verified Weaver's Contract yet. So far, that's the one that worries me.


I also think moving McKinney to Guard, is a good move. So is keeping weary.

[el toro]

Absolutely. Playoff teams are not built overnight. The heavy lifting has been done and that was canning Capers and landing Kubiak and friends. Do you guys not recall how proficient Denver's O has been for the last few seasons? What I've seen so far is that the team is working on building an offense that can block for its QB, move down the field, and score. The key thing is to see the big picture. Quality blockers are being added at multiple positions. Adding Flanagan and Putzier will be a significant step forward.

Beyond that, you have the team's efforts to improve their WRs. If you're gonna give Carr more time in the pocket you better give him someone good to throw to.

Then, of course, there is the top 5 talent the team should be bringing in via the draft.

As for Rosenfels, is Banks what you want as a backup QB?

The Texans are going to have a significantly improved offense next season.

Stop ripping the architect until you see the final plans.

Patience.

[Hardcore Texan]

Originally Posted by BeerFan

Free Agency hasnt even been going on for a week. In that short amount of time, we have filled a DE hole, and signed a backup quarterback, whom Kubiak feels strongly about, and signed an FB that may start or contribute on special teams. Not too impressive, as most of you have not hesitated to share your opinions.

i still read complaints about addressing the lines, the big guys in the trenches.

the players above are just the players we signed immediately. we have been talking with Putzier, Flanagan, Hallen, and Givens. These are players at positions we need to upgrade. Why is anyody still crying? No matter what, this team is going to be better than last year. We are signing people that can boost that improvement even more.

Weaver - DE
Cook - FB
Rosenfels - QB
Flanagan - OC
Hallen - OG
Givens - WR
Putzier - TE

except for fullback and backup quarterback, these are all needs we have discussed in reference to the draft.

Mangold/Eslinger - OC
Gilles - OG
Moss/Stovall - WR
Williams - DE
Davis/Pope/Byrd/Klop/etc. - TE

the team is looking to fill the needs we all publicly acknowledge. sure, these players havent necessarily come at discount prices, but we arent paying these guys an arm and a leg either.

we ARE being fiscally responsible, and we are patching up our holes.

What else do you expect?

Good Point, I have said it before, we need to be patient and not so quick to judge. It is what I refer to as Instant Gratification Syndrome.

But I do think we are all anxious to see improvement, but it will take the entire offseason to see the results.

[AlexVanderpool]

The problem is not that we have not done anything yet in free agency. The problem is that year after year we throw lump sums of money at unproven guys that have not done anything to show that they will fit our needs.

Instead of going after a proven pass rushing DE like howard (who got a litte more than weaver) we go after a "run stuffing" DE who has had the most success in a 3-4 and little to no success in a 4-3. If we had gotten him for a bargain, that would be one thing, but we made him an offer that reportedly no one else would come close to. In the past i have reserved my judgement, but this signing seems to be along the lines of guys like morlon greenwood, todd wade, robaire smith (though he has played adequately, it is not close to his paid amount), charlie clemons, and kalie wong to name a few.

I hope that we can sign the two offensive linemen and david givens, but i read in the chronicle that we cant offer givens what other teams probably will because we threw so much money at weaver.

[Meloy]

All I've heard for months is we need a DE that can get to the QB. SO we sign a run stopper! WHooeee!

[BeerFan]

we are all anxious to see improvement, yes. personally, i think we are seeing it right now. and its still early in the day, so to speak.

think of it as waking up and finding a 10 dollar bill just lying in your driveway.

[Kaiser Toro]

Very good points. But those of us out there that make up the critic chorus are seeing more of the same or in business parlance a trend that is unsettling these last four years. I think the value prop that the leadership is promoting is not that strong. I am not sure who is leading it, but it needs to be fixed immediatley to mirror what this organization is about, who is running it, where does it want to go and when does it expect to get there. "If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it," seems like an appropriate business quote at this fork in the road for the Texans.

As a stakeholder in this entity since 2002 I honestly do not have an answer to those questions and not sure who can answer them. Right now all I want is a better product to justify my time and expense.

[HardKnockTexan]

Originally Posted by Meloy

All I've heard for months is we need a DE that can get to the QB. SO we sign a run stopper! WHooeee!

The problem is... most likley you've been hearing our team needs from fans. As knowlagable as some of the people on this board are, most dont have direct insight into what our owner, gm and coaches think we do and do not need. Maybe Kubiak thinks that with Babin and possibly Peek going to the line, aquiring a pass rushing end would be pointless. Or possibly they already know that they're trading the top pick and taking Mario Williams. Putting two pass rushing DE's on the field at the same time is a huge liability when stoping the run. We still have a lot of offseason to go so, might as well try and enjoy watching our team get rebuilt instead of critisizing every move.

[Runner]

Last season made it clear to me we needed some run stuffing too.

[BeerFan]

i was part of the critic chorus in the past. i had a front row seat. but im seeing this ship go in a different direction. I think Kubiak has more of a vision that Capers. Kubiak understands the possibilities and strengths of players, all Capers understood was 3-4 defense. The players being signed are obviously players Kubiak sees something in, and i trust that he will implement them properly. This is the biggest difference between Denver and us. I remember them taking a lot of heat for their acquisition of the cleveland D-line, and they made it all the way to the AFC Championship. There is NO way Casserly would sign anyone without consulting Kubiak.

i think the current administration deserves the benefit of the doubt, since they haven't shown us failure yet.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by BeerFan

i was part of the critic chorus in the past. i had a front row seat. but im seeing this ship go in a different direction. I think Kubiak has more of a vision that Capers. Kubiak understands the possibilities and strengths of players, all Capers understood was 3-4 defense. The players being signed are obviously players Kubiak sees something in, and i trust that he will implement them properly. This is the biggest difference between Denver and us. I remember them taking a lot of heat for their acquisition of the cleveland D-line, and they made it all the way to the AFC Championship. There is NO way Casserly would sign anyone without consulting Kubiak.

i think the current administration deserves the benefit of the doubt, since they haven't shown us failure yet.

I cannot disagree with your take. I can only hope your optimism abounds while my pessimism wanes once we see these guys get in pads.

[Blu]

We signed a few good role players.
Come on guys!Keep your faith in Koobs... he'll get us to the Superbowl in due time.

[Bobo]

I seriously have to wonder about a head coach who actually "feels strongly about" Rosenfelds when Ragone is probably just as good, if not better. And I have to wonder even further when he goes ga-ga over a FB when that position is hardly a big need. Weaver isn't exactly a stud. And since when are the TE and WR "positions we need to upgrade?" The TE position was productive when Billy Miller was around and became unproductive only because they made it a blocking position and threw more to Davis. And I don't see much improvement in the OL yet, either. To coin a phrase you used, I am not impressed. I say eschew the skill positions (QB, RB, WR) and use the entire draft to deal with the OL as well as the defense. That way you can "cook spaghetti" and kieep throwing noodles at the wall until some start to stick.

[thunderkyss]

Well, I've been thinking. Weaver played in the 3-4........ that makes him more of a DT, than a DE... if we signed him for $13mill total, isn't it more likely that he will play Tackle in our 4-3..... to stop the run?? Mario is still a target??



Maybe??

[HoustonFrog]

Good points but as I said in this other thread..below.. I think the money and direction of the people targeted could have gone another way. Responsible but spending that money to match what was available in the draft. Just my opinion.

http://www.houstontexans.com/fan_zon...ad.php?t=19686

[outofhnd]

Weaver... Hes not playing the pass rush DE in our system, Looking at his stats he will be the strong side end that disrupts the the play and pushes the pile back. That then frees up our weakside pass rush specialist to go one on one with a tackle. Its a good signing in my opinion after all we have no real DE's to speak of We need a rock aat the strong side till we can find our pass rusher/disruptor on the weak side. (you people assume DE means Pass Rush Specialist)

Sage Rosenfels Gives Carr a message that just because we like you doesnt mean we wont bench you. I think its a subtle message that the problem isnt going to be just blaming the line anymore. Not exactly a pickup I would like but maybe it will motivate ragone.

Jameel Cook we need another FB in case Norris goes down, Wells Doesnt cut and though i love his mean streak and desire to tee off on someone his block isnt sustained so its just a pop on the defender but its not forcing him out of the hole.

[tulexan]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Well, I've been thinking. Weaver played in the 3-4........ that makes him more of a DT, than a DE... if we signed him for $13mill total, isn't it more likely that he will play Tackle in our 4-3..... to stop the run?? Mario is still a target??



Maybe??

Weaver is a DE not a DT. Mario is most likely not a target anymore.

Better get used to the idea of Reggie Bush in our back field

[TexanFan881]

I don't see how we're going to be able to trade down, because I don't see any teams that have picks that would trade with us. Disappointing, really. I'm not that big a fan of Bush, or Young, but I really like players in the later part of the top 10 such as Vernon Davis, A.J. Hawk, and D'Brickshaw Ferguson.