My initial reaction was Who? It must have been 10 years ago when he signed my baseball cap, well not that long, but just saying. I had to go though the archives on that one.
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Texans Signing Bradie James
- Thread starter HOU-TEX
- Start date
Jackie Chiles
Veteran
If you feel that way it makes sense. I disagree, I think Brice McCain had a fantastic year for us. Thats coming from someone who thought he was horrendous two years ago and wouldn't make the team out of training camp.
Section516
Warrior
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4691679/looking-back-at-bradie-james-time-with-boys
sBradie James never complained about his reduced role with the Cowboys and leaves with over 1,000 tackles recorded.
By the time the Cowboys chose to part ways with Terence Newman and decline to re-sign Bradie James, the general consensus was good riddance.
Its a shame because Newman and James had solid tenures with the Cowboys even if the team success eluded them.
A day after Terence Newman decided to reunite with former Cowboys coordinator Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati, James decided to reunite with former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, according to a source, in hopes of returning to a form that made him one of the NFCs better inside linebackers.
While James started 13 games in 2011, he was not the focal point of the inside linebacker group. That went to Sean Lee. James playing time suffered and he was credited with 53 tackles after posting at least 109 in each of the previous six seasons.
Tackle numbers can be a funny thing. Individual coaches have different ways of grading film, which is why the NFL does not consider it an official stat. From 2005-10, James had 109, 132, 130, 202, 181 and 163 tackles. Were some of those tackles padded? Perhaps. But James was a fixture on that defense.
James was hoping 2011 would be a similar success and he could parlay that into another multi-year deal from the Cowboys or another team, but it quickly became apparent defensive coordinator Rob Ryan wanted Lee to be the guy taking over as signal caller.
The proud James never complained. He volunteered to play special teams. He remained a good teammate and captain even as the team moved on. Too often those who chirp about a lack of playing time get more attention rather than those who act as professionally as James did.
With nine years and credited with more than 1,000 tackles, the Cowboys got more than they could have expected from James when they took him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft.
sBradie James never complained about his reduced role with the Cowboys and leaves with over 1,000 tackles recorded.
By the time the Cowboys chose to part ways with Terence Newman and decline to re-sign Bradie James, the general consensus was good riddance.
Its a shame because Newman and James had solid tenures with the Cowboys even if the team success eluded them.
A day after Terence Newman decided to reunite with former Cowboys coordinator Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati, James decided to reunite with former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, according to a source, in hopes of returning to a form that made him one of the NFCs better inside linebackers.
While James started 13 games in 2011, he was not the focal point of the inside linebacker group. That went to Sean Lee. James playing time suffered and he was credited with 53 tackles after posting at least 109 in each of the previous six seasons.
Tackle numbers can be a funny thing. Individual coaches have different ways of grading film, which is why the NFL does not consider it an official stat. From 2005-10, James had 109, 132, 130, 202, 181 and 163 tackles. Were some of those tackles padded? Perhaps. But James was a fixture on that defense.
James was hoping 2011 would be a similar success and he could parlay that into another multi-year deal from the Cowboys or another team, but it quickly became apparent defensive coordinator Rob Ryan wanted Lee to be the guy taking over as signal caller.
The proud James never complained. He volunteered to play special teams. He remained a good teammate and captain even as the team moved on. Too often those who chirp about a lack of playing time get more attention rather than those who act as professionally as James did.
With nine years and credited with more than 1,000 tackles, the Cowboys got more than they could have expected from James when they took him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft.
I think it's a solid pickup. I trust in Wade's decision making regarding the defensive players he's brought in thus far. The fact that we pulled the trigger so soon after he was made available let's me know Wade believes he still has a lot to offer to a team.
It's not an overly sexy signing, but I can get behind it.
It's not an overly sexy signing, but I can get behind it.
Often , its those not so sexy signings that mean the difference between a LOmbardi Trophy and .... watching someone else play for it.
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
It's a good signing assuming they didn't pay him much. He's 31 and hasn't missed a game in 8 years. That's pretty dang good for a LB who was heavily used for at least 6 of those years. He doesn't get many sacks or turnovers, but he sure does get a lot of tackles. He ought to be a good 2-down LB for his run stopping abilities.
From 2010, here's a good 4th down stop by him against the Giants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM1BPgondVA
If you want to know more about him personally, here's a local news bit on him:
http://youtu.be/sco2QqGH6dE
From 2010, here's a good 4th down stop by him against the Giants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM1BPgondVA
If you want to know more about him personally, here's a local news bit on him:
http://youtu.be/sco2QqGH6dE
I cant believe some people are complaining about this. The guy will provide some leadership we lost when meco was traded and knows Wades system. He'll help the younger guys and obviously has no issues doing whatever is best for the team being that he volunteered to play special teams last year after putting up solid numbers the previous 4 years.
Demeco for a whole lot less than the Texans were going to have to pay him this season .... MSR.
The guy has plenty left in his tank and he'll come out of the game on passing downs like Demeco did.
I do worry though about what signing him will do to our compensatory picks next year.
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
According to Rotoworld, he signed for the veteran minimum. Assuming that's true, that should minimize any negative impact he has on the compensatory picks.
drunkcookie
2 drunk 2 cook
If this is true, I really like this pick-up...
drunkcookie
2 drunk 2 cook
"McClain_on_NFL: ILB Bradie James gets 1 yr, $825 base, $65 SB. $250 is guaranteed. $605 cap figure."
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
$825k annual salary (Minimum for a player with 9 years experience)
$ 65k signing bonus
$250k guaranteed (Including the signing bonus)
LINK
H.C.4100-Bloc
Practice Squad
Good pickup
kiwitexansfan
Hall of Fame
Not a good player but value for money given his knowledge of the system.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
lol.
On the other hand... :wadepalm:
Take these two signings together, and it means that we're good with Cushing and Sharpton starting. James, Dobbins, and Alexander become situational players giving us depth and special teams play.
I was kinda hoping that we'd draft an ILB but this removes that need.
TejasTom
All Pro
I believe playing time is a factor, but being a rotation or backup should make much impact on comp pick either.
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
Training camp competition for depth...
OTOH, if we sign Hooshamazilli, "Championship"
OTOH, if we sign Hooshamazilli, "Championship"
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Good. Now we can draft a QB or RB in the 1st round.
Well, I mean, they still might do it.
But now they don't NEED to do it. With the size of these guy's contracts ,they can easily be cut if a better option presents itself.
GP
Go Texans!
Yeah, uh, I goofed up. I got him and Keith Brooking mixed up. LOL.
I did the same thing last off-season, getting the Safety from the Jets confused with the safety from the Chargers. People were wanting the Safety from the Chargers, but I was thinking they were talking about the Safety from the Jets. I was all like, "Why in the world would we want HIM?!?!?" and the whole time I was thinking of the wrong white guy.
:GPpalm:
How do you figure that? Sharpton has like 6 career starts (none under Phillips) and is coming off IR. Bradie James started for Wade Phillips for 4 seasons. If anything, this is Bradie James' job to lose. And if he does lose it, I think it's Dobbins that takes it.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Well, my thinking was that Sharpton is younger and more athletic than James and Dobbins at this point in time. When Demeco was traded, the job fell to Sharpton. I don't think a guy getting a vet minimum contract automatically takes it away from him.
I think Sharpton will rise to the top after getting an offseason working in this defense. But I could be wrong.
James might take it away from him. But from what I saw of James last year, he didn't look all that great. Maybe it was the wrong defense, maybe he's lost it. But he's got to prove to me that he's got the job.
Sharpton spending half the year on IR doesn't worry me that much.
At least, not yet.
In goal line situations, I think Dobbins gets the call. I think he's better in restricted space but I think he's a liability (much like James) when he's got to work in space.
I don't think that Bradie/Sharpton is one over the other versus one has this skill set and other something different. My April guess is that under ideal situations neither guy approaches 50% of the total snaps and the re-signing of Dobbins confuses this more. If they actually battle it between three versus divide up the duties, right now I would place a same sum on dobbins to win the job, but I think it going to be situational football.
I am basing this notion on the fact that Ryans only played less than 60% of the snaps and before Sharpton's injury, Sharpton was coming in nickle situations and Ryans was probably playing right at 50% of the snaps. (Sure one of the nerd stat sites could correct these numbers). Could see something like Bradie on clear running situations and Sharpton in those nickle, but not quite dime situations. In dime situations, Demps played "LBer" quite a bit.
I am basing this notion on the fact that Ryans only played less than 60% of the snaps and before Sharpton's injury, Sharpton was coming in nickle situations and Ryans was probably playing right at 50% of the snaps. (Sure one of the nerd stat sites could correct these numbers). Could see something like Bradie on clear running situations and Sharpton in those nickle, but not quite dime situations. In dime situations, Demps played "LBer" quite a bit.
....makes me wonder if the DeMeco trade was Rick Smith's idea or was it Wade's from the very beginning..? The more I look at this follow-up move, it smells like a Wade move.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
No question Wade has full authority to sign off on defensive players, but, they must be value added (per Rick Smith). Tells me there is a new target: guys going into their 3rd contracts not their 2nd's. Cheaper, more experienced & team oriented. This is an excellent tool to keep costs down while resigning foundation players to big salary's they command (Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Matt Schaub, Jonathan Joseph etc...).
kiwitexansfan
Hall of Fame
Was over at bloggingtheboys.com and they only have supportive things to say about him. Sounds more positive than we were about Demeco.
Meaning that the Pies did good by letting him go
? Most were positive that the Texans were doomed in 2012 after trading Ryans.
SCOTTexans
Rookie
This is when its always good to be the glass half full kinda guy, what i have learned with the texans is you have to wait at least till the draft before i
At least i can never see the direction they are heading till the season starts
Señor Stan
El Guapo
See the pick of JJ Watt at DE last year...yeah, I know they moved Mario to OLB but still...
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Sounds like he just wasn't a fit with Ryan & his schemes.
Here's his twitter fwiw: https://twitter.com/#!/bradiejamesgang
Here's his twitter fwiw: https://twitter.com/#!/bradiejamesgang
By "most" do you mean less than half the board and "doomed" do you mean less talented than last year?
Just to make the record clear:
I for one never said the Texans were "doomed". I stated that the loss of four starters would make them less competitive this year. I think they will still win the weak division but will find the playoffs tougher. In summary:
1) the Texans lost starting talent. I don't subscribe to "next man up" as a cure-all, and I can't convince myself the coaches were starting these guys even though their backups were better. (Well, except for Mario. His impact never equalled his potential).
2) whoever ends up starting, the Texans depth has been compromised. The Texans are affected by injuries every year, and a couple of injuries in the wrong areas this season could hurt this thinner team. (The Bradie James signing should help with depth).
There is a wide gulf between Super Bowl and doomed. I admit I am a bit under the middle in that spectrum, but in addition to the above, I think that assuming Schaub and Dre both contribute at a high level all season is just whistling past the graveyard.
Doomed? No. Fielding a less talented roster from top to bottom this season? Likely.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
He's already got the Texans logo background on his Twitter page.
NastyNate
I go kerplunk
I don't see how anyone is complaining about this. He's a cheaper demeco with the same locker room qualities and has shown equal competence in recognizing run support. He'll have the same role, same production, and less of a price tag than Meco. I welcome him with open arms.
Nate
Nate
Blake
MMQB
You are making alot of assumptions there my friend.
NastyNate
I go kerplunk
What am I assuming? Does his body of work not speak for itself? Dude is a tackling machine, I've watched him ball, how is that assumptive?
HoustonFrog
Dallas Frog
From a Cowboy fan, I really enjoyed James. He was a leader, hard worker and a great team guy. The problem was is that he got a little long in the tooth and lost a step. I know you might read that alot but he really did. After years of being a tackling machine he got caught in the wash alot where he couldn't get to the ball like he was doing before. Gettign out of traffic at times seemed harder than the past. I don't see why the system would have changed so drastically to make that happen. But the guy is a great guy for a team.
Section516
Warrior
Hes a dang good MLB in Wade's system, as evidenced by his career stats. Hopefully, that's the guy we get.
Blake
MMQB
I just feel you are minimizing DeMeco's talent because he is no longer a Texan. We also dont know if he is a locker room leader like DeMeco. We just dont know since we arent in the locker room.
But bottom line I agree that he is a good signing.
Texaninlild
Veteran
What is old? He is 31. Being in DFW I am subjected to a lot of Cowboys stuff, whether I like it or not. James was one of their best defenders for a while under Wade.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
the bolded says it all. I've watched enough cowboys games over the years to have noticed a bit of a drop off in his game. Read H-frog's post just above ours; it pretty much sums up my thoughts on the guy.
GP
Go Texans!
I keep trying to understand how the words "compromised" and "less talented" and "not as competitive as last year" is somehow different than "doomed."
If you feel we're compromised (in terms of depth), and we're less talented, and we won't be as competitive as last year, how is your view NOT one of doom?
To me, if those things are true...we will not win and will not be the same team we were last year. I take that to mean we won't win the AFCS and probably won't be in the playoffs either.
Where I and others come in, IMO, is that although we lost some consistently good guys (DeMeco, Brisiel, etc.) we need to understand that we had guys stashed away who m-i-g-h-t be able to plug into the offense/defense and contribute in a way that shows negligible loss of value at the end of the day. Same can be said for players we get in the draft.
Do I know 100% that these guys will provide the same effort and results as the ones who departed? No. It would be foolish to declare so. But to deem us as being less talented, compromised on depth, and less competitive in 2012 as compared to 2011 is not jibing with me. The reasons have been documented at length, in terms of what each departure took with him to his new team and conversely what we're going to add in order to replace those guys.
You state that we have a just-win-next-year-baby! situation here. You can say you're not gloomy or doomy all you want, your own words and your thread topics seem to indicate you think the front office botched several moves and allowed quality depth, quality talent, and a competitive spirit to walk away this off-season. I don't think you're excited about 2012. By the contrary, your tea leaves suggest a pre-2011 level of Texans football.
I, on the other hand, think the defense system and its leader (Wade) and the offense which is always consistently productive year in and year out under Kubiak's leadership will each be at or even above 2012 levels. I have no proof, but the departures do not alarm me in the least. Dreessen and Brisiel are the only two guys who have departed that I wished we could have kept, but I see them as borderline tier 2 guys anyways.
Not slamming you here, just cannot wrap my comprehension skills around how you get fidgety when someone says you're concerned or you're a bit worried, etc., based on the things you say here, and then you attempt to say you're not.
From what I see, you're not happy.