Texans in Talks with Bethel Johnson

[texanfan2002114]

Reported tonight on in Houston on Fox 26 and myfoxhouston.com

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pa...Y&pageId=6.1.1

HOUSTON -- The Texans are looking for veteran depth at receiver and NFL sources tell FOX 26 Sports they are talking with former Texas A&M star Bethel Johnson.

League sources tell FOX 26 Sports Johnson, who won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, met recently with Texans officials. He led the Vikings in kickoff returns last year averaging nearly 24 yards a return, so he would bring an added dimension.

Bethel signed a one year free agent contract with the Eagles but was cut earlier this month after he failed a physical. He is recovering from a stress fracture in his leg.

League sources tell FOX 26 Sports the Eagles are now trying to resign him, and the Titans are also involved.

The Texans tried to sign veteran free agent receiver Keenan McCardell, who is a native Houstonian. Although the two sides have not been able to get together, neither side has ruled out the possibility of doing a deal.

[Wolf]

good more competition , kickoff returns too..another option instead of mathis I see

[the wonger need food]

I'm surprised it's taken this long to talk with him given Mr. Glass' offseason. And he can definitely stretch the field.

[beerlover]

I applaud the sheer fact alot of these older tried & tested free agents want to come home to finish careers before retirement but I'm seriously good with not taking that route & giving the youngsters on board a chance to shine, develop & become long term components of the Texans future....now. Kevin Walter could prove to be a real pleasent surprise #2, our #1 Andre Johnson is locked up long term & between David Anderson & 3rd rd. pick Jacoby Jones that's a pretty tight group if all stay healthy. throw in the wild card Jerome Mathis & thats some firepower (without numbers but not lacking talent). Don't forget the increased use of the TE position (Owen Daniels & Jeb Putzier) & a fleet of backs including undrafted free agent from Notre Dame Darius Walker who is a great reciever in space.

[eriadoc]

If it's not already a foregone conclusion, this signing would cement Mathis' release, I believe. The good thing is, we wouldn't have such a huge dropoff at KR. Bethel Johnson is a competent KR, unlike anyone we had last season.

[Porky]

Doesn't Bethel Johnson have some kind of congential defect in his neck or spinal cord area? Or am I thinking of another Aggie?

[the wonger need food]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I applaud the sheer fact alot of these older tried & tested free agents want to come home to finish careers before retirement but I'm seriously good with not taking that route & giving the youngsters on board a chance to shine, develop & become long term components of the Texans future....now.

Johnson definitely wouldn't be classified as older or tested. His best season was his rookie year in 2003 and it's kind of been downhill since. He's probably being brought in to return kicks and punts more than anything.

[the wonger need food]

Originally Posted by Porky

Doesn't Bethel Johnson have some kind of congential defect in his neck or spinal cord area? Or am I thinking of another Aggie?

Terrence Murphy. I believe he brought in for a tryout last year also.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by the wonger need food

Terrence Murphy. I believe he brought in for a tryout last year also.

Ahhh right. So this Ag has a knee issue then? Anyone know if he still has the blazing speed he used to have?

Lastly, sounds to me like they are trying to throw Mathis overboard as fast as they can. If Mathis doesn't get the mesage, and get it soon, he is going to be looking for a job....which won't take long btw.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Porky

Ahhh right. So this Ag has a knee issue then? Anyone know if he still has the blazing speed he used to have?

Lastly, sounds to me like they are trying to throw Mathis overboard as fast as they can. If Mathis doesn't get the mesage, and get it soon, he is going to be looking for a job....which won't take long btw.

What exactly is Mathis supposed to do? Is he lying about the hamstrings or the severity? This sort of goes along with my thread about the Texans medical team. I sure hate to dismiss his 4.28 speed. I just don't see him getting cut until after TC to allow him as much time to heal as possible.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I applaud the sheer fact alot of these older tried & tested free agents want to come home to finish careers before retirement but I'm seriously good with not taking that route & giving the youngsters on board a chance to shine, develop & become long term components of the Texans future....now. Kevin Walter could prove to be a real pleasent surprise #2, our #1 Andre Johnson is locked up long term & between David Anderson & 3rd rd. pick Jacoby Jones that's a pretty tight group if all stay healthy. throw in the wild card Jerome Mathis & thats some firepower (without numbers but not lacking talent). Don't forget the increased use of the TE position (Owen Daniels & Jeb Putzier) & a fleet of backs including undrafted free agent from Notre Dame Darius Walker who is a great reciever in space.

Agreed. Didn't we try this last year in the Eric Mould signing. Sounds more like they want to give Walters and co. a chance to step up but are afraid that if it doesn't work out well we're left high and dry.

Considering a lot of things lead to our offensive implosion last year i don't think we could do much worse honestly. I didn't get to see much of Walters last year but from what i saw it was like this: come in on 3rd and 5 plus, catch ball on slant in traffic, first down. I'm not saying he's the total answer at #2 yet, but i'd at least give him a legit look during TC and a few Preseason games before going off the deep end.

Mathis needs to get healthy and fast. I'd prefer to hold on to him and see what he can do when healthy again as opposed to him getting released and agreed Porky it won't take long for him to find a new home.

I also feel comfortable about our TE's and RB's and what they can possibly accomplish this year. If Taylor can't hold onto the ball it wouldn't suprise me to see him on PS and Walker making the cut at third.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Agreed. Didn't we try this last year in the Eric Mould signing. Sounds more like they want to give Walters and co. a chance to step up but are afraid that if it doesn't work out well we're left high and dry.

Considering a lot of things lead to our offensive implosion last year i don't think we could do much worse honestly. I didn't get to see much of Walters last year but from what i saw it was like this: come in on 3rd and 5 plus, catch ball on slant in traffic, first down. I'm not saying he's the total answer at #2 yet, but i'd at least give him a legit look during TC and a few Preseason games before going off the deep end.

Mathis needs to get healthy and fast. I'd prefer to hold on to him and see what he can do when healthy again as opposed to him getting released and agreed Porky it won't take long for him to find a new home.

I also feel comfortable about our TE's and RB's and what they can possibly accomplish this year. If Taylor can't hold onto the ball it wouldn't suprise me to see him on PS and Walker making the cut at third.

Our #2 WR needs to do more than a five yard reception. I personally do not care how many receptions he has as long as he draws some attention from AJ to allow that cat to do what he do do best. If Walters or Mathis (4.28) can catch one long pass a game or even come close to catching one it should make the D play more conservative.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by badboy

Our #2 WR needs to do more than a five yard reception. I personally do not care how many receptions he has as long as he draws some attention from AJ to allow that cat to do what he do do best. If Walters or Mathis (4.28) can catch one long pass a game or even come close to catching one it should make the D play more conservative.

I'm not saying he can only catch five yard passes. Just from all indications i saw last year they guy has hands and moved the chains. I love the downfield game as much as anyone but there's nuts and bolts that allow you to make those 2-3 over the top throws a game. It's not just speed blazing past everyone. It's the QB and WR at times being able to make a double move that's been sold on the curl pattern in the game. Little things add up.

A guy like Marvin Harrison is a great example yeah he does get downfield and slip past defenders. But it's because he executes early in a game and has deceptive speed. Everyone loves the 38 over the shoulder catchesfrom him but what is just as impressive is when they need a key third down to keep a drive going. Marvin makes the 8 yard out route, taps his toes to keep in bounds, and the drive goes on. Any team can throw it downfield 9 times agame and you'll catch a few. This season i'm more interested in seeing sustained drives. So come fourth quater we, with defense tired.... can go for the jugular.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by badboy

What exactly is Mathis supposed to do? Is he lying about the hamstrings or the severity? This sort of goes along with my thread about the Texans medical team. I sure hate to dismiss his 4.28 speed. I just don't see him getting cut until after TC to allow him as much time to heal as possible.

I'm not saying he is lying, I'm saying you can't make the club from the tub. It's not about assigning blame, it's assessing the facts, and going from there -

Fact - as a WR, Mathis is a big fat Zero. He hasn't learned one thing, and how can he with his poor hammies?

Fact - His hamstrings have been a continual problem nearly from day one as a pro.

If he can't run at full speed 90% of the time, why would it matter that he can run 4.28? He can run 3.28 for all I care. If he is never healthy, what difference does it make?

It's apparent to me they are looking for more of a dual threat. Jacoby Jones and Bethel Johnson both fit that mold to a tee. I think Mathis shouldn't be looking to buy a home in Houston any time soon. I see a new city in his near future.

[the wonger need food]

Originally Posted by Porky

It's apparent to me they are looking for more of a dual threat. Jacoby Jones and Bethel Johnson both fit that mold to a tee.

Pork, I agree with everything you said minus this. Johnson hasn't had over 10 receptions in a season since his sophomore year and only has 39 for his entire career. He is a kick return specialist for the most part. Given our lack of productivity at the position last season I'm guessing that Kubiak is willing to make a sacrafice here.