Len Pasquarelli - ESPN Insider

[JAXwithanX]

Here is just a couple of excerpts I thought were interesting in -

• Here's a name to watch for, albeit a few years down the road, as a potential head coach candidate in the league: Texans offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Troy Calhoun. Although he is entering just his fourth NFL season, Calhoun, 39, has gotten excellent reviews so far from Texans players to whom we have spoken. And word is that Calhoun has struck a quick rapport with Texans quarterback David Carr, who remains the key to the team's chances for improvement in both the short- and long-term. Calhoun accompanied Gary Kubiak from Denver, where he served as the assistant to the head coach. Since the perception will be that Kubiak is calling all the shots with the Houston offense this year, it might take a while for Calhoun to get some credit, but that will come in time, the players insist. Ironically, Kubiak suffered the same fate in Denver where, no matter what he did, most outsiders presumed that all the offensive strings were being pulled by Mike Shanahan.

• Perhaps the biggest surprise of the week is that, as of early Friday morning, Houston Texans officials had not yet commenced contract negotiations with Joel Segal, the agent for Southern California tailback Reggie Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner and presumptive top pick in the draft. Segal, Bush and marketing expert Mike Ornstein met with Texans officials last Thursday in Houston, and came away anticipating that discussions would begin this week. But after a couple casual discussions with Texans chief negotiator Dan Ferens early in the week, Segal was still waiting on Friday to begin substantive negotiations.

"It's their call when we get started, and we understand that, but we're ready when they are," Segal said. "But to this point, there have been no substantive talks. We really haven't even laid out rough parameters. The best thing, though, the ultimate for everyone, is to get this done before the draft." There have been some reports that the Texans are into negotiations with Ben Dogra, the agent for North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, a monster player in his own right. Not true. There has been dialogue between the Texans and Dogra, but not negotiations, and the difference in those two terms is more than just semantics. Houston did have quarterback David Carr signed before the start of the '02 draft, when he was the top overall pick.

[Mike Kerns]

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the week is that, as of early Friday morning, Houston Texans officials had not yet commenced contract negotiations with Joel Segal, the agent for Southern California tailback Reggie Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner and presumptive top pick in the draft. Segal, Bush and marketing expert Mike Ornstein met with Texans officials last Thursday in Houston, and came away anticipating that discussions would begin this week. But after a couple casual discussions with Texans chief negotiator Dan Ferens early in the week, Segal was still waiting on Friday to begin substantive negotiations.

This has "Trading Down" written all over it...

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Frak The Jags

This has "Trading Down" written all over it...

[Zac]

Trading Down isn't the worst thing in the World. We may not get the best player in the draft, but ending up with the best team with a super bowl wins out in my book.

There were a couple of games the Texans absolutley lost on what seemed purpose! The Texans lucked out that they have the 1st pick in the Draft.

This team has a lot of needs in the trenches. Currently it has bodies there that have credentials (some faulty) but this team needs players each and every down on both sides of the lines (offenive line and defensive line).



A defensive end can absoultley define a defense. There is no identity on the defense other than Daute Robinson (It's a sad day when a corner is the toughest guy on your team :brickwall ). Reggie White, Lawrance Taylor, etc. are guys who's peers on the defense just elevated their play.

I personally would like Williams if the Texans trade down.

[LoneStarState]

All this says is that the Texans haven't started negotiations yet. Still think Reggie's the pick.

[Hottoddie]

If this is true, it just convinces me more that the Texans want to trade down & have another player in their sights. I wonder if they're trying to get Green Bay to trade up from the #5 pick for Mario Williams?

That being said, then who are they really targeting? D'Brick,Hawk, Davis, Huff?

[NederlandTexan]

Originally Posted by Frak The Jags

This has "Trading Down" written all over it...

Who's our trading partner?

[dalemurphy]

What if we've already decided to trade down and we've been posturing this whole time to drive up the price and continue to receive options. Maybe we already have a couple of viable options and we're just waiting to see if it gets any better. Wow! that would be awesome.

for all the Casserly bashing, much of it deserved, he's pulled off some great deals in the draft.

[kiwitexansfan]

I find that quote about Troy Calhoun much more interesting than yet more draft speculation.

It is great to hear the players talking up the coaching staff and to see that Carr finally has someone he seems to connect with and will be able to grow with.

[tulexan]

Bringing in Mario does 2 things

1) Gives the Texans a better look at the guy they are most likely targetting in the event of a trade down
2) Puts a little pressure on Reggie Bush to possibly lower his price a little

I would say that we haven't started to negotiate with Reggie because we are getting all of our ducks in a row first. Ferens probably wants to be on the offensive side rather than on his heels, and having Mario come in before negotiation starts helps him do that.

My guess is that Reggie wants a contract that is a 10-12% increase of what Alex Smith got and Ferens wants to give him a 5-10% decrease of what Alex Smith got. They will probably settle at a 4-6% increase, if Ferens is a good negotiator a 2-3% increase.

[LoneStarState]

Originally Posted by tulexan

Bringing in Mario does 2 things

I would say that we haven't started to negotiate with Reggie because we are getting all of our ducks in a row first. Ferens probably wants to be on the offensive side rather than on his heels, and having Mario come in before negotiation starts helps him do that.

My guess is that Reggie wants a contract that is a 10-12% increase of what Alex Smith got and Ferens wants to give him a 5-10% decrease of what Alex Smith got. They will probably settle at a 4-6% increase, if Ferens is a good negotiator a 2-3% increase.

So when do you think the Texans will begin discussions? I remember they had a deal with Carr before the draft, but can't remember how long it took. Hopefully they can get it done before two weeks from now...

[el toro]

I certainly hope the Texans trade down their pick for a run of the mill DE and little else for Bush. Maybe the Texans can cement themselves in NFL lore as the team stupid enough to pass on Reggie Bush at #1.

[Hottoddie]

Originally Posted by el toro

I certainly hope the Texans trade down their pick for a run of the mill DE and little else for Bush. Maybe the Texans can cement themselves in NFL lore as the team stupid enough to pass on Reggie Bush at #1.

Stupid enough?!? And you're a professional scout for what NFL team? I'll trust the people that make a living doing this, & not just buy into the media hype.

[tulexan]

Originally Posted by LoneStarState

So when do you think the Texans will begin discussions? I remember they had a deal with Carr before the draft, but can't remember how long it took. Hopefully they can get it done before two weeks from now...

Maybe next week. Negotiations take time. To think that Reggie's team would accept the first deal offered by the Texans or that the Texans would accept the first deal that Reggie's team offered is ludicrous. It is like buying a car. There is a lot of talk and a lot of going back to the manager to discuss the deal, but eventually it will get done. This is a big decision for both parties. Ideally they would like to get it done by draft day, but I don't see them drafting Mario Williams at #1 just because they haven't agreed to a deal in principle with Reggie Bush by the morning of April 29.

[bckey]

Am I the only one that will be happy no matter who we take? Bush, Young, Leinart, Williams, Huff, D'Brick, Hawk, or Davis. This team looks way better already just from free agency. Draft day will be awesome this year. We have a lot of first day picks in one of the deepest drafts in years. You can bet Kubiak will get the players he wants in this draft. The proof is Kubiak got what he wanted in free agency. Sit back and enjoy. Things are looking up for the Texans.

[cap1]

Originally Posted by bckey

Am I the only one that will be happy no matter who we take? Bush, Young, Leinart, Williams, Huff, D'Brick, or Davis. This team looks way better already just from free agency. Draft day will be awesome this year. We have a lot of first day picks in one of the deepest drafts in years. You can bet Kubiak will get the players he wants in this draft. The proof is Kubiak got what he wanted in free agency. Sit back and enjoy. Things are looking up for the Texans.

I will be happy with who ever they pick. I will also be the first in line when that person's new Texan Jersey is on sale at Academy. Look at my Avatar. I just want this team to win.

[JAXwithanX]

Get this scenario....we move down pick up the QB we've really been wanting this whole time.....Cutler.

Lol...no seriously though, while it may just be a ploy to bring Reggie's price down (which should call for some concern already) the fact is that apparently, from everything i've read including what Bush's agent is saying....we haven't even heard his price yet. Which even then may be a smooth tactic to get inside Bush's team's heads that we aren't completely opposed to trading down. But I'm personally taking it as the Texans really trying to think this over, who knows, maybe like the way everyone has said Kubiak believes he can win with Carr, well maybe he has seen Dominick in all those games and realized "Wow, teams have won Super Bowls with much less talented RB's" I mean when he was watching tape of Carr, he didn't just fast forward through the running all game. Not to mention Kubiak was a RB coach before he was anything, so he probably has a pretty good idea on what sort of RB he believes we need, and don't need.

Oh and before someone picks apart my post and says "OH REALLY YOU THINK KUBIAK THINKS BUSH IS THE SORT OF RB WE DON'T NEED." I'm not syaing we couldn't use him....i'm saying could we use and most importantly NEED him enough to warrant the first pick in the draft.

[MorKnolle]

Originally Posted by tulexan

Bringing in Mario does 2 things

1) Gives the Texans a better look at the guy they are most likely targetting in the event of a trade down
2) Puts a little pressure on Reggie Bush to possibly lower his price a little

I would say that we haven't started to negotiate with Reggie because we are getting all of our ducks in a row first. Ferens probably wants to be on the offensive side rather than on his heels, and having Mario come in before negotiation starts helps him do that.

My guess is that Reggie wants a contract that is a 10-12% increase of what Alex Smith got and Ferens wants to give him a 5-10% decrease of what Alex Smith got. They will probably settle at a 4-6% increase, if Ferens is a good negotiator a 2-3% increase.

Judging from recent history on Ferens and going by your theory, Bush will get a 25% increase over Alex Smith.

Originally Posted by bckey

Am I the only one that will be happy no matter who we take? Bush, Young, Leinart, Williams, Huff, D'Brick, Hawk, or Davis. This team looks way better already just from free agency. Draft day will be awesome this year. We have a lot of first day picks in one of the deepest drafts in years. You can bet Kubiak will get the players he wants in this draft. The proof is Kubiak got what he wanted in free agency. Sit back and enjoy. Things are looking up for the Texans.

I would be thrilled with Mario Williams or Reggie Bush, would be happy with D'Brick, Hawk, Davis, whoever else if we get a good enough deal out of it.

[tulexan]

Originally Posted by MorKnolle

Judging from recent history on Ferens and going by your theory, Bush will get a 25% increase over Alex Smith.

Ferens did a pretty good job with Moulds.

[bckey]

I like Reggie Bush and wouldn't mind seeing him play for the Texans but not if it means putting us in salary cap hell in future years. Below is last years #1 pick Alex Smiths contract details.



The top pick of the NFL draft and several at the bottom of the first round are headed for training camps after reaching deals with their teams. Utah quarterback Alex Smith, the first overall choice, officially signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday. His monster six-year deal, worth $49.25 million but with potential to increase to $57 million with incentives, includes $24 million in guaranteed money.


If Reggie gets a 10% increase over last years #1 then it will look something like 6 years $54 million with potential to increase to 62 million with incentives, including $26.5 million in guaranteed money.

Can the Texans afford to tie up that much money in the rb position? DD just resigned last year for 5 years $21.1 million. I just can't see paying a rb that kind of money especially before he has ever played a down in the nfl. To his credit though Bush looks like about as can't miss as you can get.