Free Agents we should look at

[pec0sb0b]

Sharpton will probably start next to Cushing. Karlos Dansby or Dan Connor could provide depth at ILB to replace Dobbins and/or Ruud in rotation with Sharpton. Brad Jones could start at ILB next to Cushing but they won't pay for him. I think they realize they need someone with better cover skills than Sharpton next to Cushing who also becomes a free-agent next year so they'll probably draft at ILB.

They'll probably pick up an outside pass-rusher in the draft. No, they won't pay for Elvis Dumervil.

With Rashad Butler presumably gone, they'll need a body at right tackle. I still find it hard to see Newton, a seventh round pick, as the answer. I wouldn't mind seeding Winston return. Andre Smith from Cincinnati could probably start but would probably cost too much. Perhaps a rookie could be platooned with Newton. They may well re-sign Ryan Harris and stand pat.

Ed Reed is over-rated. They should draft a strong-safety in the second or third round and move Manning to free-safety, his natural position, re-sign Demps and another body to help, like Corey Lynch, also a great special-teams player, or maybe Michael Huff as he can play both spots.

There aren't any free-agent receivers out there that I see as starters, perhaps Michael Spurlock from San Diego.

[srrono]

As of now HOU needs a starting
OLB-ILB-NT-S-Nickel Corner-FB-WR-P-K
Then back ups

How is this going to happen with no cap room?

[TexanBacker93]

Originally Posted by leebigeztx

They could offer Dumervill 5yrs 30m with 15g and cut antonio.

I think Dumervil would be an option only if he'd sign for 1 or 2 years. I don't see them giving big long term contracts to any FA out there. They need to $$ space for Watt.

[TexanBacker93]

Originally Posted by srrono

As of now HOU needs a starting
OLB-ILB-NT-S-Nickel Corner-FB-WR-P-K
Then back ups

How is this going to happen with no cap room?

Harris would be your nickel right now.
Bullock is your kicker.
Clutts is the FB
Mitchell will probably start at NT.
Reed and Mercilus will start at OLB.


I see them bringing in bargain vets at safety, WR, and ILB and draft those positions early.

I think we draft a NT to rotate with Mitchell.

I imagine them also picking up a bargain vet at OLB to rotate with Reed and Mercilus.

We will have probably 11 draft picks and it looks like just as many next year.

[srrono]

deleted

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by leebigeztx

They could offer Dumervill 5yrs 30m with 15g and cut antonio.

Why cut the better player to sign a lesser one?

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by Clamp

Just saw on NFL.com that the dolphins let Karlos Dansby go. He is 31, but he had 133 tackles last year, 101 solo, and didn't miss a game despite tearing a bicep muscle. Has he played ILB in a 3-4 system before? I always got the impression that he was a smart player. His age could bring his price down a little bit. He was released after the Dolphins got Ellerbe from the Ravens.

Also Kevin Burnett is rumored to be released soon as well. Any thoughts on either of these guys playing for the Texans?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...annell-ellerbe

Dansby would be a big upgrade over James. It really comes down to $$$$ and yrs if I would sign him. If Dansby wanted too much $$$$, bringing in Connor and drafting AJ Klien in the 3rd rd would be the way to go. IMHO

[panamamyers]

Originally Posted by srrono

As of now HOU needs a starting
OLB-ILB-NT-S-Nickel Corner-FB-WR-P-K
Then back ups

How is this going to happen with no cap room?

What are you talking about man?
We have Mercilus and Reed. We have a starting NT in Mitchell. We have Brandon Harris. We have a fullback. We have a kicker.
People are going a little overboard with all of the needs here.
We will have four of the top 100 picks. We need to find a safety, receiver and ilb that can possibly start. Other than those three positions, it would be unlikely that anyone we drafted was starting.

[leebigeztx]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

Why cut the better player to sign a lesser one?

I hope you're not implying that antonio is better than dummerville? When smith played opposite mario,he only had 5 sacks. When he plays on the same line as darnell dockett he only had 5 sacks. Dummervill had 8 as a rookie. He also led the league as a 3-4 olb with 17. He had 11 last yr on a down year. Smith played opposite the dmvp and got what 6 sacks. Getting the qb on the ground is what wins in this league,not almost getting there. Dummervill is far and away the better player and he's also younger. I don't see why this is even up for discussion.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by leebigeztx

I hope you're not implying that antonio is better than dummerville? If you are,you must not watch football.

Dummerville may be a better player but the net effect on the team might not be better.

[amazing80]

Im gonna be honest there is a lot of good talent out there and I cant seem to find anything about us contacting anyone other than Reed. I hope Rick didn't forget our other needs.

[rolyat93]

Brandon Lloyd just got cut. Depending on the price I'd like to bring him in.

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Dummerville may be a better player but the net effect on the team might not be better.

Honestly its apples & oranges. Dumervil is the better pass rusher then Anotonio ever was in a 4-3 as a DE, but this a 3-4 that we are worried about & Dumervil is 5'11" & 260lbs. Obviously he is not a DE in a 3-4, but a LB. Dumervil would be a nice addition, but it wouldn't be to replace the 280lb Antonio in Wade's defense.

[leebigeztx]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Honestly ipples & oranges. Dumervil is the better pass rusher then Anotonio ever was in a 4-3 as a DE, but this a 3-4 that we are worried about & Dumervil is 5'11" & 260lbs. Obviously he is not a DE in a 3-4, but a LB. Dumervil would be a nice addition, but it wouldn't be to replace the 280lb Antonio in Wade's defense.

U cut antonio and slide Mitchell or crick to play the 5 tech. They could draft a 0 tech in the 2nd or 3rd. Its not that difficult to get the best players and save money.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by aussie_texan

which OLB and ILB do you think we will look at or which do you want??

Delete

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Honestly its apples & oranges. Dumervil is the better pass rusher then Anotonio ever was in a 4-3 as a DE, but this a 3-4 that we are worried about & Dumervil is 5'11" & 260lbs. Obviously he is not a DE in a 3-4, but a LB. Dumervil would be a nice addition, but it wouldn't be to replace the 280lb Antonio in Wade's defense.

Dummervil would clearly be an OLB for us which he has played in a 3-4 previously. The point was net effect. Would the drop off from Smith to Crick be greater than the increase from Dummervil over Mercilos. It's arguable. Frankly I would rather restructure Smith to keep him and then sign Dummervil and have them both.

[amazing80]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Dummervil would clearly be an OLB for us which he has played in a 3-4 previously. The point was net effect. Would the drop off from Smith to Crick be greater than the increase from Dummervil over Mercilos. It's arguable. Frankly I would rather restructure Smith to keep him and then sign Dummervil and have them both.

ditto

[Uncle Rico]

LOL at all you guys making hypothetical salary assumptions, I mean they are all so blatantly obvious, but we're dealing with Rick Smith. Yup, that was reality slapping you in the face.

Bless your hearts.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by panamamyers

What are you talking about man?
We have Mercilus and Reed. We have a starting NT in Mitchell. We have Brandon Harris. We have a fullback. We have a kicker.
People are going a little overboard with all of the needs here.
We will have four of the top 100 picks. We need to find a safety, receiver and ilb that can possibly start. Other than those three positions, it would be unlikely that anyone we drafted was starting.

If Mitchell is starting we are in BIG DOO DOO! Teams are going to run it down our throats and wear out our ILB's. Mitchell should be backing up smith and Watt he has no business being the backup NT much less the starter.

[ASidd_1990]

Eric Winston and Sebastian Vollmer are still available.

Would love to pick up one of them and possibly still go after Ed Reed.