Joel Dreessen

[BigBull17]

I think it is very important to retain Dreesen. He is such a natural fit in our offense.

[Dutchrudder]

I think he's important to keep at the right price. For comparison, here's a list of TE base salaries for 2011:

1
Kellen Winslow at Tight End $8,290,000
2
Owen Daniels at Tight End $6,500,000
3
Tony Gonzalez at Tight End $5,750,000
4
Antonio Gates at Tight End $5,200,000
5
Vernon Davis at Tight End $4,708,000
6
Dallas Clark at Tight End $4,200,000
7
Chris Cooley at Tight End $3,700,000
8
Jason Witten at Tight End $3,391,000
9
Heath Miller at Tight End $3,386,000
10
Visanthe Shiancoe at Tight End $3,100,000
12
Jeremy Shockey at Tight End $3,000,000
11
Jim Kleinsasser at Tight End $3,000,000
13
Benjamin Watson at Tight End $2,420,000
14
Anthony Fasano at Tight End $1,900,000
15
Tony Scheffler at Tight End $1,550,000
16
Daniel Fells at Tight End $1,500,000
17
Brent Celek at Tight End $1,215,000
18
Jermichael Finley at Tight End $1,200,000
18
Scott Chandler at Tight End $1,200,000
20
Will Heller at Tight End $1,100,000
21
Bo Scaife at Tight End $1,000,000
22
Matt Spaeth at Tight End $1,000,000
23
Billy Bajema at Tight End $985,000
24
Mike Leach at Tight End $975,000
25
Dustin Keller at Tight End $927,500

http://www.spotrac.com/top-salaries/nfl/tight-end/

Signing bonuses aside, there is a general progression of talent to money in this list. It's not exact, but you can see that the better TE's are paid well with a few notable exceptions. Jimmy Graham and Ron Gronkowski are still on rookie contracts, but will likely get nice deals in the next couple years.

The question is, which of the higher paid TEs would you say are better than Dreessen, and where would you slot Dreessen given those salaries? I don't think Joel cracks the top 10 (at least not with OD still around), but I could definitely see him fitting in the 11-15 area. He's better than Shockey IMO, but I don't think he's worth 3 million as a #2 TE. I think fair value for what he brings to this team would be somewhere around 2 million a year over 3-4 years. He's 29 and will be 30 by next year's training camp, but I don't think he has had any major injuries that would bring his health into the equation.

To me, the real value of Dreessen is that he can step in for OD if he gets injured again. I don't think Joel is as explosive as OD, but he has reliable hands and makes some big catches when needed. He's not a go-to guy that you throw to 8-12 times a game, but he makes the most of the 4 targets he gets. I like that about him and I think he could be another team's #1 TE if given the chance, but I don't think he will get it. If I was Rick Smith, I would offer him something in the neighborhood of 8 million over 4 years with 4 million guaranteed + 1 mill signing bonus (assuming we are pinching pennies to sign other guys). Average of 2.25 million a year seems about right to me.

[gary]

Would you keep him or pay Foster/Williams with the extra money?

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

I think we'll make an offer to Dreesen but I think someone else will make a bigger offer and we'll allow him to walk in FA, I wish him the best. I think we'll move on with Graham and finally get to see what he's got.

I hope not...

Not that I don't like Grahm, but Dreesen is a good role player...

[welsh texan]

I think some good players will walk over the next few years. With Kubes coaching the O and Wade coaching the D those guys who are role players will rise in percieved value.

Texans need to value Dreessen based on his own use to the team and trust in Graham/perhaps move Casey back to TE if that value doesn't match what the market offers him.

We've got waay too many big names coming up for renewal over the next year or 2 to be overpaying role players no matter how well they fit the system.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Rey

Dreesen....Leading TD grabber for us this year.

What do you guys think his future is with the team?

This is the last year of his contract I believe. UFA next year...

Do we bring him back? If so, what is a fair contract for him?


I fear that some team is going to give him a nice contract that we can't realistically afford to match....But he is super valuable as the second TE...

What say you on this topic?


********Mods can one of you fix the Title?????

Dreesen is GONE, I tell you GONE! and it is all your fault Rey. This off season you are gonna look back to this thread and realize you drove Joe away by leaving the L off. How could you? I know I should just leave you the "L" alone but I just cannot. Aren't you a true Texans fan? Can you not just slow the fingers down a bit? Can you not remember the song "I want a man with slow hands?"

Shame on you and BTW we are no longer friends. .well maybe that is just a bit too far. We can be friends but you have to watch out for the language Nazi. They are every where. LOL or just O to you.

[TejasTom]

My first experience with Dreessen wasn't that great. I took my grandson to one the morning practices and lots of players came around and signed autographs. Joel signed about three and told everyone else "come back tonight"

None of the other players brushed off the kids.

But have to say he won me back last year. He would talk to the media after a loss and was genuinely upset. Some players talk about a loss like I would talk about a Kansas City loss. No emotion at all.

So I hope we keep him.

[Kimmy]

He did Football 101 with the Battle Red Ladies last year, had just had a little boy, was showing everyone pictures and could not have been more friendly.

Having kids changes your perspective, I bet he wouldn't do that again.

Originally Posted by TejasTom

My first experience with Dreessen wasn't that great. I took my grandson to one the morning practices and lots of players came around and signed autographs. Joel signed about three and told everyone else "come back tonight"

None of the other players brushed off the kids.

But have to say he won me back last year. He would talk to the media after a loss and was genuinely upset. Some players talk about a loss like I would talk about a Kansas City loss. No emotion at all.

So I hope we keep him.

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by badboy

Dreesen is GONE, I tell you GONE! and it is all your fault Rey...

Dreesen never was a Texan ..... Dreessen, on the other hand, is da man.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Rey

********Mods can one of you fix the Title?????

Done. Joel deserves his name spelled correctly. Just another of the many unsung heroes on this team.

[Rey]

Thanks for the name fix.

And bb..... I apologize in advance!!!!

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by asleep

Dreesen never was a Texan ..... Dresseen, on the other hand, is da man.

But, how about Dreessen?

[edo783]

IMO, he will be back. too good to let go.

[beerlover]

If Texans can manage to apropriate around 13mil over next four years to retain his services then Joel would probably accept a home town discount. If not the outcome will turn out just like Leach. Therefore I would draft another TE & lets see what Graham can do? It did scare me when he drove his knee into the turf, that looked painful, bet his knee is swollen, black & blue. I can't blame a professional for making his market value given associated risks.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

I think he's important to keep at the right price. For comparison, here's a list of TE base salaries for 2011:



http://www.spotrac.com/top-salaries/nfl/tight-end/

Signing bonuses aside, there is a general progression of talent to money in this list. It's not exact, but you can see that the better TE's are paid well with a few notable exceptions. Jimmy Graham and Ron Gronkowski are still on rookie contracts, but will likely get nice deals in the next couple years.

The question is, which of the higher paid TEs would you say are better than Dreessen, and where would you slot Dreessen given those salaries? I don't think Joel cracks the top 10 (at least not with OD still around), but I could definitely see him fitting in the 11-15 area. He's better than Shockey IMO, but I don't think he's worth 3 million as a #2 TE. I think fair value for what he brings to this team would be somewhere around 2 million a year over 3-4 years. He's 29 and will be 30 by next year's training camp, but I don't think he has had any major injuries that would bring his health into the equation.

To me, the real value of Dreessen is that he can step in for OD if he gets injured again. I don't think Joel is as explosive as OD, but he has reliable hands and makes some big catches when needed. He's not a go-to guy that you throw to 8-12 times a game, but he makes the most of the 4 targets he gets. I like that about him and I think he could be another team's #1 TE if given the chance, but I don't think he will get it. If I was Rick Smith, I would offer him something in the neighborhood of 8 million over 4 years with 4 million guaranteed + 1 mill signing bonus (assuming we are pinching pennies to sign other guys). Average of 2.25 million a year seems about right to me.

Good post.

Seems like we should be able to keep him no problem. He has been big for us in the redone this year and he's made some big plays.

I think we have to find a way to bring him back.

Pay the man Rick!

[Rey]

Originally Posted by beerlover

If Texans can manage to apropriate around 13mil over next four years to retain his services then Joel would probably accept a home town discount. If not the outcome will turn out just like Leach. Therefore I would draft another TE & lets see what Graham can do? It did scare me when he drove his knee into the turf, that looked painful, bet his knee is swollen, black & blue. I can't blame a professional for making his market value given associated risks.

I think dreessen sees the field a little more than leach did though. I dunno, you bring up a good point too.

[PHAROAH]

Bring him back at a nice price.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by Rey

Good post.

Seems like we should be able to keep him no problem. He has been big for us in the redone this year and he's made some big plays.

I think we have to find a way to bring him back.

Pay the man Rick!

Keeping him will likely depend on what they do with Mario and Arian. We aren't getting much room to work with next year unless the cap increases, so signing both of those guys will preclude us from keeping Dreessen and possibly Myers too. I think we're going to see Mario walk, Jacoby cut, re-sign Dreessen Myers & Rackers and a new contract for Foster. Then use draft picks to fill-in the gaps.

[El Tejano]

Yall know he has a Chris Berman nickname right? Joel "Salad" Dreessen!

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

Keeping him will likely depend on what they do with Mario and Arian. We aren't getting much room to work with next year unless the cap increases, so signing both of those guys will preclude us from keeping Dreessen and possibly Myers too. I think we're going to see Mario walk, Jacoby cut, re-sign Dreessen Myers & Rackers and a new contract for Foster. Then use draft picks to fill-in the gaps.

If it comes down to Mario or Dreessen (which I don't think it will) I think we re-sign Mario (which I think we will do anyways).