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Sign Vonta Leach now

Joe Texan

Joe Texan

Inducted 04
He wants Moose Money and he deserves it Pro Bowler first team and the front part of the Foster train
 
Brandon420tx

Brandon420tx

Flounder
Even though there is an extension, no "football business" can be done, only meetings between the union and the NFL.
 
mattieuk

mattieuk

All Pro
I can't really think of a quieter and more consistent performer on the team than Vonta.

He has played above his salary for the past few years and the guy is a freaking beast at FB.
 
CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Malloy said:
Anything left on his contract ?
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Leach is now an UFA. READ THIS SEPT 2010 ARTICLE:http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7201305.html

Vonta is a "winner".........Vonto wants to stay........and Kubiak has repeatedly emphasized his value to the team........in attitude and performance.

"What matters to me is winning," he said. "If you win, everything takes care of itself."

According to his head coach, Leach is essentially a win-loss barometer.

"Vonta is a catalyst for our team," Gary Kubiak said Sunday. "Where he goes, we tend to go."
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He is a "DIAMOND".......but not in the rough. If when all is said and done, they let him get away..........I will know that the FO has not changed its spots one bit.
 
Norg

Norg

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mehh we can't sign everybody back and he's not on the top to resign IMO

If we can't get a good price cool if not then cut I'm if we really want a fb we can get a younger fb in fa that's much cheaper and just has good imo
 
Dutchrudder

Dutchrudder

Hall of Fame
Norg said:
Mehh we can't sign everybody back and he's not on the top to resign IMO

If we can't get a good price cool if not then cut I'm if we really want a fb we can get a younger fb in fa that's much cheaper and just has good imo
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Since when did you get Spellcheck?
 
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JB

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
Norg said:
Mehh we can't sign everybody back and he's not on the top to resign IMO

If we can't get a good price cool if not then cut I'm if we really want a fb we can get a younger fb in fa that's much cheaper and just has good imo
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And what fa FB is out there that will be cheaper and "just as good" as all-pro Vonte Leach?

You really out do yourself sometimes.
 
infantrycak

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
Dutchrudder said:
Since when did you get Spellcheck?
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Dude that was pathetic with spell check.

Norg said:
Mehh we can't sign everybody back and he's not on the top to resign IMO

If we can't get a good price cool if not then cut I'm if we really want a fb we can get a younger fb in fa that's much cheaper and just has good imo
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Guy just gets All Pro and 1st team Pro Bowl and you act like he is dime a dozen. Leach is one of the top three FB's in the league - I'd say the top but to not be a homer. Several times this year I watched LB's punch drunk walking away from him after his blocks (twice they walked off the field and had to be replaced). He is not a plug and play player.
 
Texas T

Texas T

Veteran
infantrycak said:
Dude that was pathetic with spell check.



Guy just gets All Pro and 1st team Pro Bowl and you act like he is dime a dozen. Leach is one of the top three FB's in the league - I'd say the top but to not be a homer. Several times this year I watched LB's punch drunk walking away from him after his blocks (twice they walked off the field and had to be replaced). He is not a plug and play player.
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That has to be one of the silliest posts from norg yet.
I'm not sure where he was last year but we need Leach back-he is an important part of our offense.
I loved watching him hit LBs-I can't remember which game but towards the end of one last year all the LBs would actually get out of his way and try and hit Foster after he passed. He's not replaceable in my book.
 
Hardcore Texan

Hardcore Texan

Magnet Man
mattieuk

mattieuk

All Pro
Norg said:
Mehh we can't sign everybody back and he's not on the top to resign IMO

If we can't get a good price cool if not then cut I'm if we really want a fb we can get a younger fb in fa that's much cheaper and just has good imo
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Oh man. Firstly we can sign everyone back - no one is going to be commanding that high of a contract, and the resignings so far have been at a good price for the Texans.

Secondly have you seen Vonta play before? For the league wide respect that Von-train has gotten playing for a rarely relevised, less publicized football team - well that just shows you how damn good he has been.

Leach was, and is the top of my 'resign this dude' list.
 
JB

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
mattieuk said:
Oh man. Firstly we can sign everyone back - no one is going to be commanding that high of a contract, and the resignings so far have been at a good price for the Texans.

Secondly have you seen Vonta play before? For the league wide respect that Von-train has gotten playing for a rarely relevised, less publicized football team - well that just shows you how damn good he has been.

Leach was, and is the top of my 'resign this dude' list.
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I think I totally agree with this message, but maybe I'm too drunk. Or maybe not drunk enough. But WTH is relevised?
 
CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Norg said:
Mehh we can't sign everybody back and he's not on the top to resign IMO

If we can't get a good price cool if not then cut I'm if we really want a fb we can get a younger fb in fa that's much cheaper and just has good imo
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.:toropalm:
 
ChampionTexan

ChampionTexan

Hall of Fame
JB said:
And what fa FB is out there that will be cheaper and "just as good" as all-pro Vonte Leach?

You really out do yourself sometimes.
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Has anybody ever seen Norg actually respond to a question posed to him on these boards? Ever? Even one time?
 
R

Rey

Guest
I really think it depends on how much Vonta is asking for...

There is a such thing as over paying and then there is stupidity.

Hopefully Vonta is wanting a stupid big contract, relatively speaking.
 
CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Vonta Leach's Comments On Twitter Are Not Cause For Optimismby Chris Watkins • Mar 5, 2011 12:13 PM CST

With the flurry of Texans signings on Thursday, one name that never came across the wire was Vonta Leach. He of course had a lot to do with Arian Foster's NFL-leading rushing performance in 2010, but a new deal could not be reached in time for this bizarre "CBA Purgatory" we're now mired in.

With the secrecy present in most NFL contract negotiations, we are kind of on our own as far as how things are going with Leach's chances of remaining in Houston. This is where we turn to the maddening yet whimsical world of Twitter. A place where NFL players can interact with their fans, and with each other.

Of course, these Twitter updates by Leach are nothing more than that. It seems as if he's letting his agent do all the work, and accepting whatever outcome pops out the other end. That's a typical way for players to handle contract negotiations, of course - I just wish he seemed a bit more demonstrative in his desire to stay in Houston.

Here are some sample Tweets from Leach's timeline over the past few weeks:



"I love the fans Its the front office who has to make that decision"

"@ArianFoster thanks man I want to be in Houston but they have to want mr Herr"

"@tcwyrick it going great ready to get this CBa done and see where will I be playing this year"
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Then there is this one, right after the end of the season:

"Thank u texan fans for a great 5 years I may have played my last game in Houston and it was a hell of a ride"
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That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

I want Leach to come back, and no doubt his teammates want him back too. Does he want to come back? I guess we won't know until he signs a deal here, or if he signs elsewhere we'll have to see if the money would have been a reasonable amount to retain him.

Fullbacks are not pieces that can't be replaced, but the one thing the Texans have going for them is their running game. Leach should be (and probably is) their biggest offensive priority. To keep Leach, the Texans are going to have no choice but to overpay a bit. Leach will want to be the highest-paid FB in the league, and he should be. He is 29, and in the prime of his career.

Maybe it's because I'm a cynic at heart, but I feel like there's a much better chance that he leaves the Texans now that they weren't able to reach a deal before (eventual) free agency. Leach said himself [in the Chronicle]that he would test the free agent waters if they weren't able to make a deal prior to Thursday.

"I'm hoping we can get something done because I want to return, but if we can't, I'll test the market when (free agency) begins,"
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Unless Vonta is insane, whatever number his people have in mind can't possibly be too much to pay for the Texans to lose their running game mojo. Let's not forget, he is a fullback. It's not a glamour position. But how much is too much?
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LINK
 
CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Dutchrudder said:
Wasn't Vonta already the highest paid FB in the league this past year?
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The Eagles have agreed to terms with FB Leonard Weaver on a three-year deal worth $11 million (and could be valued at $12 million with incentives) and includes $6.5 million guaranteed, according to league sources.

Weaver is coming off a Pro Bowl season and becomes the highest-paid fullback in NFL history. He became a key cog in the Eagles’ offense, catching and running with the ball, as well as blocking. He had 70 carries for 323 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to go along with two receiving scores in 2009.
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LINK



Fullbacks are, for the most part, being phased out in modern NFL offenses, but if they're good enough they can still make big money. The Jacksonville Jaguars announced today that they have signed fullback Greg Jones to a contract extension, and Pro Football Talk reports that he'll be the highest-paid fullback in NFL history.

Per PFT, the contract is a five-year, $17.4 million deal, which breaks down like this:
2008: $2.5 million signing bonus, $1.5 million roster bonus, $525,000 salary
2009: $500,000 roster bonus, $2.48 million base salary
2010: $3 million base salary
2011: $3.1 million base salary
2012: $3.4 million base salary

In each year of the deal, Jones gets a per-game roster bonus worth a total of $50,000, and a workout bonus of $50,000. Overall, Jones will average $3.4 million over five years, which is the biggest average value for a fullback's contract in history. The previous record was $3 million a year in the six-year, $18 million deal signed by Ovie Mughelli with the Falcons.

So is Jones worth that kind of money? In the Jaguars' offense, he probably is. He lines up as an I-formation fullback and blocks for Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, and he can contribute as a runner in short-yardage situations. That doesn't necessarily mean Jones would have been able to command that kind of money from another team -- many teams just aren't interested in spending money on a fullback -- but the Jaguars decided that they didn't want to run the risk of losing him.
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LINK


Vonta's salary last year was $1,450,000


http://www.sportscity.com/NFL/Houston-Texans-Salaries
 
Malloy

Malloy

Hall of Fame
So we're looking at something around 3.5mil$ a year, at the least?

Nice chunk of cash, but... considering the work he's putting in I'm inclined to believe that he's worth it.

We'll see... :)
 
C

Carr Bombed

Hall of Fame
Malloy said:
So we're looking at something around 3.5mil$ a year, at the least?

Nice chunk of cash, but... considering the work he's putting in I'm inclined to believe that he's worth it.

We'll see... :)
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He's worth 4.5 mill a year if that's what it's going to cost to bring him back. Arian Foster is not Arian Foster without Vonta Leach. They make the same reads which is why this running game is so successful. Foster and Leach work in unison. When Slaton struggled in 2009 it was because he couldn't find the holes or lanes to run through. Foster and Leach make the same reads and are already thinking two steps ahead by the time they even turn the corner or make their first cut.

Plus Leach is a devastating run blocker, late in the 2nd half of games LBers shy away, because they're beat up from taking hits from Vonta. (watch the Colts and Jags game) He's also the enforcer on the team (something that doesn't even get reported on by the local media). If you watch him, he's always deflecting and stepping in the middle of scuffles for Schaub and Andre. He's always getting in someone's face and when he does, the opposing player almost always back down. He's the muscle on the offense, I'm pretty sure we're going to bring him back, but if by some slim chance they don't....that will prove the brain trust is completely incompetent of ever bringing a winning team to this city. There is no way in hell they are going to be able to just plug some guy into that role and have anywhere near the same success. Vonta Leach is a MUST sign, our postseason hopes for next season depend on it.
 
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The Pencil Neck

The Pencil Neck

Hall of Fame
Carr Bombed said:
He's also the enforcer on the team (something that doesn't even get reported on by the local media). If you watch him, he's always deflecting and stepping in the middle of scuffles for Schaub and Andre.
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A couple of years ago when Andre had that BEASTLY TD where he plowed through all those guys, I was really worried that Vonta was going to get flagged because he was in the grill talking smack to one of the guys on the ground.

I really love me some Vonta and I can't imagine that they let him go.
 
Malloy

Malloy

Hall of Fame
Carr Bombed said:
He's worth 4.5 mill a year if that's what it's going to cost to bring him back. Arian Foster is not Arian Foster without Vonta Leach. They make the same reads which is why this running game is so successful. Foster and Leach work in unison. When Slaton struggled in 2009 it was because he couldn't find the holes or lanes to run through. Foster and Leach make the same reads and are already thinking two steps ahead by the time they even turn the corner or make their first cut.

Plus Leach is a devastating run blocker, late in the 2nd half of games LBers shy away, because they're beat up from taking hits from Vonta. (watch the Colts and Jags game) He's also the enforcer on the team (something that doesn't even get reported on by the local media). If you watch him, he's always deflecting and stepping in the middle of scuffles for Schaub and Andre. He's always getting in someone's face and when he does, the opposing player almost always back down. He's the muscle on the offense, I'm pretty sure we're going to bring him back, but if by some slim chance they don't....that will prove the brain trust is completely incompetent of ever bringing a winning team to this city. There is no way in hell they are going to be able to just plug some guy into that role and have anywhere near the same success. Vonta Leach is a MUST sign, our postseason hopes for next season depend on it.
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Make no mistake, I'm a huge Vonta fan and I am very much aware of the enormous job he does. I would love to see him back, but I'm unsure if it's worth overpaying him by several milions. He's worth the money, but is he worth the hit on the cap?
 
HOU-TEX

HOU-TEX

Ah, Football!
Carr Bombed said:
He's worth 4.5 mill a year if that's what it's going to cost to bring him back. Arian Foster is not Arian Foster without Vonta Leach. They make the same reads which is why this running game is so successful. Foster and Leach work in unison. When Slaton struggled in 2009 it was because he couldn't find the holes or lanes to run through. Foster and Leach make the same reads and are already thinking two steps ahead by the time they even turn the corner or make their first cut.

Plus Leach is a devastating run blocker, late in the 2nd half of games LBers shy away, because they're beat up from taking hits from Vonta. (watch the Colts and Jags game) He's also the enforcer on the team (something that doesn't even get reported on by the local media). If you watch him, he's always deflecting and stepping in the middle of scuffles for Schaub and Andre. He's always getting in someone's face and when he does, the opposing player almost always back down. He's the muscle on the offense, I'm pretty sure we're going to bring him back, but if by some slim chance they don't....that will prove the brain trust is completely incompetent of ever bringing a winning team to this city. There is no way in hell they are going to be able to just plug some guy into that role and have anywhere near the same success. Vonta Leach is a MUST sign, our postseason hopes for next season depend on it.
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I agree with everything said here!
 
dalemurphy

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
Malloy said:
Make no mistake, I'm a huge Vonta fan and I am very much aware of the enormous job he does. I would love to see him back, but I'm unsure if it's worth overpaying him by several milions. He's worth the money, but is he worth the hit on the cap?
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I tend to agree. Particularly given the zone system the Texans run, as good as Leach is, the Texans can replace him with talent elsewhere. Because Leach is such a poor pass catcher and route runner (simply due to lack of speed and quickness), it limits his usefulness on offense... even in the run game.

here's why:

If the Texans have a package of AJ, KW, OD, Vonta, Foster... the defense will play its base defense without any concern of mismatches in the passing game resulting from that package. Essentially, if it is a pass play and the opposing defense is playing man coverage principles, they will be comfortable covering Leach with its poorest coverage LB or even a defensive lineman if it is a zone blitz. Furthermore, the defense is fully aware of Leach's limitations in the pass game and knows he only runs one of two routes. This gives them an advantage.

What if the Texans have a package of AJ, KW, OD, James Casey at H-back, and Foster? Assume for a second that Casey has turned into an average blocker that can hold his own against a box safety... A defense is going to have to strongly consider playing nickel defense or risk having LBs chasing Casey and Foster downfield if they stay in base. That poses a problem. If they go to nickel, suddenly the defensive front has only 2 LBs. Also, because KW is a very good blocker at WR, there are serious matchup advantages in the run game.

That's a sloppy explaination why Leach isn't invaluable. I like him a lot and he has a lot of value as a role player, particularly in short yardage or in certain matchups. But, given that his job in the run game is usually to neutralize a LB, simply changing the offensive package can have a similar effect.

All that being said, I hope he is re-signed but I have to agree that I don't want his signing to affect the Texans' ability to upgrade at WR, S, CB, NT, and LB.
 
C

Carr Bombed

Hall of Fame
I'll pass, Casey isn't going to be blowing holes through people's front 7 and it's not like Vonta is out there dropping everything that's thrown at him. We already have enough receivers on the field and Vonta catches everything tossed his way. Plus while you would be getting slightly better in the receiving game, you'd be getting substantially worse in the running game, it's not worth it.
 
CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Just saw this. Could this be just another "collectible" TE..............or a Vonta replacement??? I hope not an anticipated replacement for our FB.

April 12, 2011 4:59 p.m. - UNC TE Ryan Taylor visited privately with the Texans on Monday, according to National Football Post.com. Taylor served as the Tar Heels' captain on special teams and can also play FB or H-Back, the website reported. Pro Bowl FB Vonta Leach is a free agent. Texans RapidReports
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AcresHomesTexan

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
Hagar

Hagar

Drink up yall, its the Texans!
Sometimes you bring in guys and interview them just to pick thier brain about another person. Maybe they picked his brain about Quinn?? Just a thought.
 
Norg

Norg

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
i cant give yall another name for da FB because im not a Football Scout and they dont pay me 2 Scout Things ???? esp UNder the radar Guyz

all im saying is i know how our Front offfice thinks Obvs FB take alot of abuse and Leech is getting kinda up there

it would be wise to go younger and cheaper in there eyes

and besides u can look at tape there were time last year were are run game was shut DOWN .... thats all im saying
 
El Tejano

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
Has Leach ever been hurt before? I don't know why I get this memory of him being hurt and it having to change our offense quite a bit due to the fact we had to run James Casey as the FB. It may've been in the preseason but I recall it showing us how important a full time full back was to our offense.

Or it could be that we are looking at a young FB with the hopes of signing one as a UDFA to make for camp space.
 
HOU-TEX

HOU-TEX

Ah, Football!
Norg said:
i cant give yall another name for da FB because im not a Football Scout and they dont pay me 2 Scout Things ???? esp UNder the radar Guyz

all im saying is i know how our Front offfice thinks Obvs FB take alot of abuse and Leech is getting kinda up there

it would be wise to go younger and cheaper in there eyes

and besides u can look at tape there were time last year were are run game was shut DOWN .... thats all im saying
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Leach is only 29. Lorenzo Neal played until he was 38. Tony Richardson's 39 and still in the league.

Ugh, nevermind, just noticed who I quoted. Carry on....:vincepalm:
 
CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
El Tejano said:
Has Leach ever been hurt before? I don't know why I get this memory of him being hurt and it having to change our offense quite a bit due to the fact we had to run James Casey as the FB. It may've been in the preseason but I recall it showing us how important a full time full back was to our offense.

Or it could be that we are looking at a young FB with the hopes of signing one as a UDFA to make for camp space.
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Texans Chick had a blog recently that revealed that last year, Foster's conversion success was essentially the same with and without Vonta. However, this is as much a testament of how good Foster was, not that Vonta was not a significant factor in our running game........not to mention his value in pass protection. The FB does not lend itself to accurate evaluation by statistical means. Anyone that would try to minimize Vonta's value in our system has at very least not been very observant, if not entirely delusional. Clinging to stats in this case could be encouraging one to "Don't believe your lying eyes."
 
Dutchrudder

Dutchrudder

Hall of Fame
FB Lawrence Vickers from the Browns will be a free agent, whenever FA starts. He was paving the way for Peyton Hillis this past year, so he may be worth grabbing in free agency if we can't keep Vonta for some reason.
 
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