Texans want to lock up OT Brown

[Playoffs]

AFC Whispers
Texans want to lock up OT Brown

Posted Feb. 25, 2012 @ 11:32 p.m. ET
By PFW staff

Following are some whispers we've been hearing from around the AFC:

• The Texans' salary-cap issues have been well-documented. Finding a way to bring back both OLB Mario Williams and RB Arian Foster is likely going to be too difficult. In addition to dealing with guys whose contracts have expired, the club has several key starters who are set to hit the open market in 2013 and whom they would like to lock up long term this spring. Leading the list, we hear, is OLT Duane Brown, who developed into one of the game's better players at his position last season. Next on the list is OLB Connor Barwin, a pass-rushing force who the Texans think will only get better.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...ck-up-ot-brown

[Hardcore Texan]

One thing at a time.

[Ryan]

Yeah we should focus on trying to get our guys this year first but i have no fault in them wanting to lock up Brown.

[El Tejano]

Any chance that locking the above mentioned up players this year could free up money this year for Mario and Arian?

[Vinny]

no way you let Brown hit the open market next year...you have to lock him up if possible. It took way too long to find a credible LT to just let one walk.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by Vinny

no way you let Brown hit the open market next year...you have to lock him up if possible. It took way too long to find a credible LT to just let one walk.

This sums up my thoughts perfectly.

Time to bust out with the big boy check book and pay the man.

[Dutchrudder]

If we lock up Mario for a few years, I'll feel much better about letting Barwin walk next season in lieu of resigning Brown, Schaub and whomever. If we can't keep Mario, then we will have to re-sign Barwin.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by Vinny

no way you let Brown hit the open market next year...you have to lock him up if possible. It took way too long to find a credible LT to just let one walk.

Exactamundo.

[Brandon420tx]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

Any chance that locking the above mentioned up players this year could free up money this year for Mario and Arian?

Depends on the difference between his final year of his rookie contract and the first year of his new contract. So its possible. He was a late 1st Rounder, so we'd likely only save about a Million at the most

[welsh texan]

I think this may point towards Mario being a gonner. Which I'm ok with, I'd prefer to be able to keep him but if its going to be best for the long run then I can deal with it.

If Mario does walk, I think the Texans try and pay some of next years guys this year in order to save them cap space down the road.

Say you give them 2012 roster bonus instead of signing bonus, and take a hit this year which frees you up later on. Could be the best way around our problems.

[Hardcore Texan]

Originally Posted by Vinny

no way you let Brown hit the open market next year...you have to lock him up if possible. It took way too long to find a credible LT to just let one walk.

Well, yeah....I wasn't implying letting him walk. There is a reason Brown is one of my favorite Texans! I just meant, figure out the Mario thing soon, get Arian locked down, lock down Myers and Briesel and then get Brown's deal done.

If Mario walks, we can afford all those guys, and as much as I love Mario, we need all those other guys just as much if not more!

[False Start]

Get it done, but lets focus on this offseason first. The dude is a beast. I really hope they can avoid any drama with him like there is going to be with Mario.

[dc_txtech]

Brown is the meat and potatoes of this Oline. After Schuab, AJ, and Foster, Brown is by far the most important part of our offense imo. I agree with the others in this thread that this needs to get done this off season.

I hate to even entertain the thought of Mario leaving but it's looking more and more like that's going to be the best move for the Texans.

[amazing80]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

If we lock up Mario for a few years, I'll feel much better about letting Barwin walk next season in lieu of resigning Brown, Schaub and whomever. If we can't keep Mario, then we will have to re-sign Barwin.

You would seriously pick Mario over Barwin?

[barrett]

You could make the argument that Meyers is more important than Brown simply because he calls out the protections except for a the fact that Kubiak rarely gives his tackles any help in their scheme because the TE's are so critical to the passing game. Frequently, they line up tight and release off the line right into passing routes. The benefit is that pre-snap, it looks, like a run, smells like a run... but isn't. Having an athletic T like Brown is critical to be able to do all the things needed in this scheme. Not to mention, he's improved dramatically every year. The sky is the limit with #76.

I'd like to see Brown, Meyers, Barwin and Schaub locked up before Foster and Biscuit. Mario is a no go. No way. Not a good value.

Foster is special and has great value due to his diversity, youth and honestly, attitude, but with out a fluid, Oline in front of him, it's wasted. Plus, he's an RFA.

[krocket]

It is really a shame to see all this happening to the Texans now. Most of us watched the same thing happen to the Oilers just after they moved to Tennessee and became the Titans. For years they spent time on the bottom gathering talent and finally looked to be in line for the big time. Then they moved to Nashville and everything came to within a yard of the top dog. But then the Cap caught them and they started losing talent to other teams and then had to cut older players that they could not afford anymore. Then they collapsed into themselves and became a not-so-powerhouse team. They are still recovering.

After the 28 million dollar bath that P. Manning is likely to take shortly, I feel players will not be so eager to accept balloon payments down the line. Those so-called 'Roster' bonuses. IMO the Texans are unlikely to keep all the people that got us to where we are and to where we want to go. Unless some big-time trades can be orchestrated where we give older players for high draft choices I don't see how we can accommodate them all. By that I mean get a high draft choice or two for Mario rather than just let him walk out the door.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by amazing80

You would seriously pick Mario over Barwin?

At this point, yeah. Barwin so far is a one year wonder. If he keeps it up next year with 10+ sacks, I'll gladly put him up there with other good pass rushers. I think Mario will do well in our system next year if we can keep him, and then make Barwin more expendable. Ideally I would like to keep both, but capspace isn't easy to come by.

[beerlover]

Bob McNair & Texans have enough money to pay & keep everybody just a matter of fitting them under the cap

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by amazing80

You would seriously pick Mario over Barwin?

From a value standpoint? Yes. I said it the moment Barwin was drafted this dude was more tailored for a 3-4 OLB spot and it showed last year. His skill set and his high motor are what you look for at the spot.

Don't get me wrong I like Mario and would love to see what he could do with full health at a full season, but far as the cap and what kind of contract he's likely in line for. It's better to let him walk.

Originally Posted by barrett

You could make the argument that Meyers is more important than Brown simply because he calls out the protections except for a the fact that Kubiak rarely gives his tackles any help in their scheme because the TE's are so critical to the passing game. Frequently, they line up tight and release off the line right into passing routes. The benefit is that pre-snap, it looks, like a run, smells like a run... but isn't. Having an athletic T like Brown is critical to be able to do all the things needed in this scheme. Not to mention, he's improved dramatically every year. The sky is the limit with #76.

I'd like to see Brown, Meyers, Barwin and Schaub locked up before Foster and Biscuit. Mario is a no go. No way. Not a good value.

Foster is special and has great value due to his diversity, youth and honestly, attitude, but with out a fluid, Oline in front of him, it's wasted. Plus, he's an RFA.

Foster IMO is one of the best backs in the league because of his patience, vision, and having some of the best hands out of the backfield. To me there's no question about it he's been the best back in the league two years now. He's that special, pay him.

Far as Brown vs Myers. Look, honestly we're what a season or two removed from talking about him being one of the weakest links on the interior. I'm not saying Wade Smith is all pro, but the moment we got better guard play Myers' game took off. He's a bit undersized from the other top tier Center's in the league and in the past couldn't hold the point of attack at the LOS. If he goes to a non ZBS team he's going to struggle IMO.

Brisiel has had an up and down time here. I don't think anyone is going to mistake him as being in the Mankins or Nicks category by any means. But, I think a lot of teams are looking at him from a value standpoint. He's not going to go in and turn around your line Hutch style, but he'll be solid. I think of the two, he's the more expendable one. I'd love to see him stay for continuity purposes.

Back to Brown, draft day I think it was Vinny who called him Brad Hopkins 2.0. Seems a very apt comparison. I think we need to think in terms of long term with him for many reasons. I'd rather see him get an extension now than risk him hitting the market.

I think re-upping Schaub is going to be the hardest call and will obviously really depend on how he recovers from this injury. In terms of what you want between the ears Schaub is what you want in a QB for the most part, physically a guy like Yates has the tools you want to see with a QB in this system.

[imatexan]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

At this point, yeah. Barwin so far is a one year wonder. If he keeps it up next year with 10+ sacks, I'll gladly put him up there with other good pass rushers. I think Mario will do well in our system next year if we can keep him, and then make Barwin more expendable. Ideally I would like to keep both, but capspace isn't easy to come by.

Exactly.