Rotoworld: Texans will indeed pursue Asomugha

[Texans34Life]

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/n...-headlines?r=1

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reports the Texans do indeed plan to pursue Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency.

LaCanfora backs up defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' promise that the Texans will aggressively target defensive needs this summer. The front office and coaching staff feel pressure to "finally break through" with the first playoff berth in franchise history, and the first step is fixing the league's worst secondary. LaConfora expects Johnathan Joseph to be a fallback option. Safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who played under Phillips in Dallas, could be targeted as well.

[ThaShark316]

Lets get it!

EDIT: In before pessimism.

[Texans34Life]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...e=HP_headlines

The NFL lockout hasn't done the Houston Texans any favors.

For all of the talk about how the labor strife has impacted rookie players and rookie head coaches, the Texans also are in bind as they look to switch to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips and, more to the point, change the entire culture on that side of the ball.

There is significant pressure on the franchise to finally break through and reach the playoffs, and that task is only compounded by all of the teaching, learning and bonding time lost because of the lockout. That's all the more reason for the Texans to be aggressive in free agency, and all the more reason for them to target specific areas of the defense.

The Texans indeed are prepared to be aggressive in free agency, according to league sources, and will be among the teams pursuing All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

While awaiting a collective bargaining agreement and new free-agency rules, it's very difficult to gauge the market and how high the price for a top cornerback will go. But look for the Texans to closely monitor that market and determine if the price point on Asomugha fits their budget.

The secondary is an area in need of upgrade, and the Texans routinely have been willing to spend under dedicated owner Bob McNair. So they will target that area in free agency.

A year ago, the Texans let cornerback Dunta Robinson go, a move that was understandable given concerns about his injury history and his salary spiraling on the open market (he signed a six-year, $57 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons). Houston made a concerted push to land free-agent cornerback Leigh Bodden but ultimately lost out as he remained in New England.

Asomugha is far and away the premier cornerback available this year, but the Bengals' Jonathan Joseph is another option.

Houston also is looking for safety help, and Gerald Sensabaugh is a logical free-agent candidate. I expect the Texans to make a bid for him as well.

Sensabaugh has strong ties to Phillips through their time together in Dallas and knows the coach's system well. Sensabaugh could help teach it to others, with time of the essence after the lockout ends.

Adding a shutdown corner and a dependable safety will be imperative for a Houston team that has fallen prey to critical breakdowns at crucial times and a defense that has yielded shocking amounts of yardage and points far too often. Change is needed, and Phillips will look to shake up the make-up and attitude of that unit whenever the market finally opens.

[barrett]

We first mentioned this back in January on TBB. It doesn't mean we'll sign him but it's clear that the front office is ready to make some moves.

[Dutchrudder]

Rick Smith: Hey Nnamdi's agent, how does 30 million over 5 years sound?
Aso's Agent: HAHAHAHA (hangs up phone)
Rick Smith: Hello? Are you there?
...silence...
Rick Smith: Well we tried. Guess I'll call Phillip Buchanon!

[HoustonFrog]

I just read last week that he won't play for a team that isn't a contender.. If you think the Texans are a contender, then this could be right. But I think this will end up as a half hearted, exploratory attempt that ends up with a lesser guy.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/779/nnamdi-asomugha

FOX Sports' Adam Caplan considers the Cowboys "doubtful" to land free agent Nnamdi Asomugha.Caplan confirms that Asomugha is "expected" to sign with a contender, but Dallas will apparently focus on more affordable options in free agency.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

Lets get it!

EDIT: In before pessimism.

That takes me out of the thread.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

Rick Smith: Hey Nnamdi's agent, how does 30 million over 5 years sound?
Aso's Agent: HAHAHAHA (hangs up phone)
Rick Smith: Hello? Are you there?
...silence...
Rick Smith: Well we tried. Guess I'll call Phillip Buchanon!

Exactly what will happen. Sure, anyone can say they'll go after this guy or that guy or a guy like Aso but realistically any GM with half a brain knows that it's going to cost like 70 plus Million dollars on a multi year deal to sign Aso. If the Texans aren't willing to spend that kind of money on him, then they have no chance at signing him. There are going to be a bunch of bidders for Aso and if you're not willing to play in the auction, then you're not serious about signing the guy.

[ThaShark316]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

Exactly what will happen. Sure, anyone can say they'll go after this guy or that guy or a guy like Aso but realistically any GM with half a brain knows that it's going to cost like 70 plus Million dollars on a multi year deal to sign Aso. If the Texans aren't willing to spend that kind of money on him, then they have no chance at signing him. There are going to be a bunch of bidders for Aso and if you're not willing to play in the auction, then you're not serious about signing the guy.

If the Texans that go after him, then I add them to the following:

Lions
Eagles
Cowboys
Redskins
Jets

Who else am I missing?

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

Exactly what will happen. Sure, anyone can say they'll go after this guy or that guy or a guy like Aso but realistically any GM with half a brain knows that it's going to cost like 70 plus Million dollars on a multi year deal to sign Aso. If the Texans aren't willing to spend that kind of money on him, then they have no chance at signing him. There are going to be a bunch of bidders for Aso and if you're not willing to play in the auction, then you're not serious about signing the guy.

I think 70 million (~45 mill guaranteed) is about the price it will cost teams like the Jets, Patriots, Saints or Packers. I think the Texans will need to shell out Haynesworth or Peppers money to get him.

Just for comparison, last year's big free agent, Julius Peppers (age 30 at the time), went to the seemingly lowly Bears for 6 years, 91.5 million with 42 million guaranteed over the first 3 years.

From Wiki: Haynesworth (age 29 at the time) signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins on the first day of free agency, February 27, 2009. The deal is expected to pay Haynesworth $32 million in the first 13 months, includes $41 million guaranteed and could reach $115 million if all incentives are met (LOL).

The Redskins overpaid for Haynesworth, but given the fact that the team wasn't doing well, they had to make the best offer to get him. I think that's where the Texans are, and they will need to give up a lot for Aso.

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

If the Texans that go after him, then I add them to the following:

Lions
Eagles
Cowboys
Redskins
Jets

Who else am I missing?

The rest of the NFL

[Corrosion]

Old news to me .....

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

If the Texans that go after him, then I add them to the following:

Lions
Eagles
Cowboys
Redskins
Jets

Who else am I missing?

Packers

and me, I want to sign ASO to a 3 yr 300,000 contract.

Aint gonna happen, just like it aint gonna happen for the Texans.

Oh well. dream on.

[gary]

I so wish free agency would start already so this debate would be over with already.

[m5kwatts]

Please stay away from Gerald "Eugene Wilson" Sensabough, Texans

I'd rather just die with Nolan and Keo than spend $ on him

[TexanSam]

Damnit, the lockout needs to end just so we can see if they actually try.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

If the Texans that go after him, then I add them to the following:

Lions
Eagles
Cowboys
Redskins
Jets

Who else am I missing?

The entire league wants to sign him. Saying a specific team is going to pursue him is akin to saying man is pursuing money.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Amid all the articles that have been written over the past 6 months about the Texans' "interest in" or "going after" him, I don't have a recollection of Aso ever stating that he would like to be a Texan...........until then............

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Amid all the articles that have been written over the past 6 months about the Texans' "interest in" or "going after" him, I don't have a recollection of Aso ever stating that he would like to be a Texan...........until then............

This is what I've been thinking. Aso will not come here if he doesn't want to. It doesn't matter how much $$ they throw at him or how much AJ begs, he holds all the cards in this.

[m5kwatts]

Originally Posted by Texas T

This is what I've been thinking. Aso will not come here if he doesn't want to. It doesn't matter how much $$ they throw at him or how much AJ begs, he holds all the cards in this.

I remember before the Raiders game this past year he said some good things about the Texans and mentioned he's very good friends with Andre and Walter. Whatever that's worth.