Alex Anzalone in the 3rd/4th rd would make a great replacement.
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2017 Texans Free Agents/Salary Cap Situation: Where do we stand?
- Thread starter TheRealJoker
- Start date
Cunningham in the 2nd would be good as well. If they are going to cut Cushing I'd like to see them get a good cover ILB.
Anzalone can cover, staying healthy has been his problem. Things like a broken arm, not ACL/Achillies etc...
I really want the Texans to draft one of the top 3 OT's if one falls, then trade back into the 1st for Lamp. I'm going to post a mock after the combine with my thoughts on this.
Being somewhat of a draftnik I'm really looking forward to the combine.
jradMIT
Veteran
Although I'm not so high an all 3 OTs, I'm hoping they acquire a starter at RT in FA so if all three are gone they won't be stuck, I think this draft has some very good options @25. There might be a very talented player that falls.
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Which OT do you like?
Whitworth appears to be the best FA OT, but he's 35 yrs old.
Personally, I would rather take a flier on Volmer on the cheap and draft a couple of OL. If and it's a big if Vollmer can stay healthy he would solve the RT issue in a big way.
Maybe we can get CND to weigh in on Vollmer's injury history.
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
Bullough acquitted himself well in Cushing's place early last season. He's a 2 down thumper.
Number19
Hall of Fame
This has been my thinking. You don't decimate your LB'er corp with the expectation that a mid-round draft pick will step right in. You can cut Bullough or Cushing, but not both. Our team's available $$$ will go to shoring up other needs. I don't think the FA route is a likely solution.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Mailbag: How Will the Houston Texans Handle The Offensive Tackle Position?
Patrick Starr
Yesterday at 10:34 PM
Opening the mailbag to answer reader's questions on the Houston Texans
Let’s start from the top. We know that the Texans could possibly be without Derek Newton for all of next season due to the severity of his injury. Chris Clark is still under contract but the Texans have enough film to realize they need to upgrade the position group behind Duane Brown. Kendall Lamm is part of the equation but he is going to have to make a big jump heading into 2017.
Newton still has three years remaining on his current contract and if there is a chance he can not play in 2017, the Texans still have to pay his contract. The Texans will be facing a tough decision on Newton's future but there are some options on how to address the situation.
Derek Newton
RT
Total Value: $26,500,000 (13th highest of 49 RT contracts)
$5,300,000 APY, $10,000,000 fully guaranteed
Visit Over The Cap for more Derek Newton contract information.
One positive for the Texans is the who have been released early from their contract, making them unrestricted free agents. All are veterans who have been plus players at some point of their careers but who now have seen some more recent struggles. When factoring in the potential injury/age risks of soon-to-be free agents Andrew Whitworth (Cincinnati) and Matt Kalil (Minnesota) who could help, there may be too much risk involved.
Which leads probably to Ricky Wagner (Baltimore) and Riley Reiff (Detroit), who are more than likely the best options on the market.
The Texans know that their right side of the line needs to be addressed but, lucky for them, there will be plenty of options for the team to scour to make the right choice.
*******************************
"Could possibly be without Derek Newton for all of next season due to the severity of his injury.
Patrick Starr
Yesterday at 10:34 PM
Opening the mailbag to answer reader's questions on the Houston Texans
Let’s start from the top. We know that the Texans could possibly be without Derek Newton for all of next season due to the severity of his injury. Chris Clark is still under contract but the Texans have enough film to realize they need to upgrade the position group behind Duane Brown. Kendall Lamm is part of the equation but he is going to have to make a big jump heading into 2017.
Newton still has three years remaining on his current contract and if there is a chance he can not play in 2017, the Texans still have to pay his contract. The Texans will be facing a tough decision on Newton's future but there are some options on how to address the situation.
Derek Newton
RT
Total Value: $26,500,000 (13th highest of 49 RT contracts)
$5,300,000 APY, $10,000,000 fully guaranteed
Visit Over The Cap for more Derek Newton contract information.
One positive for the Texans is the who have been released early from their contract, making them unrestricted free agents. All are veterans who have been plus players at some point of their careers but who now have seen some more recent struggles. When factoring in the potential injury/age risks of soon-to-be free agents Andrew Whitworth (Cincinnati) and Matt Kalil (Minnesota) who could help, there may be too much risk involved.
Which leads probably to Ricky Wagner (Baltimore) and Riley Reiff (Detroit), who are more than likely the best options on the market.
The Texans know that their right side of the line needs to be addressed but, lucky for them, there will be plenty of options for the team to scour to make the right choice.
*******************************
"Could possibly be without Derek Newton for all of next season due to the severity of his injury.
Patrick Starr
Yesterday at 10:34 PM
Newton still has three years remaining on his current contract and if there is a chance he can not play in 2017, the Texans still have to pay his contract.
Not exactly.
There is no more guaranteed money owed Derrick Newton. If the Texans cut him, they don't owe him a dime.
There is $2.25M (or so) dead money (money he already received, we just have not accounted for it yet). Since he would count over $5M on 2017's cap if he plays, we would still realize a $3M cap savings to cut him.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Good catch!.......................funny how, the link in Starr's own article reads
The Texans, though , may not escape additional salary cap adds. If Newton is placed on IR, he will be paid............if they try to waive injured him, they will need to pay an injury settlement which is based on how long it will take him to heal and return play...........which could be never..........and nevertheless potentially very expensive.
The potential for injury settlement negotiations could very well explain why the team is putting out so much regarding him doing "great".......with the unrealistic possibility of returning later this year
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
(Ol)
The texans will sign 1 or 2 linemen predraft. People more then Bergstrom and less then jeff allen. We'll do it because we'll want that flexibility at RT going into the draft. We wont want circumstances to force our hand in the first and then miss out. We'll do it because the texans almost always attack positions of need the same way:
1. Incumbent
Vs
2. Mid teir free agent
Vs
3. Draft pick
The Incumbent, fa, and pick will have the versatility to play inside at guard as well giving us more flexibility.
Before we get to the draft the texans will find a way to muddy the water on ol. It will look less urgent then it is now but will there really be a solution? It's what they do.
(Cb)
Bouye will be expected to take a hometown discount or go. We arent really going to pay 12 mil a year for him ,but he will get that kinda offer. We'll do just enough to say we made a reasonable attempt - and lose him. On a team 3 deep with jjo, kjx, and kjo, it'll be ok. In a draft with solid db talent, it'll be ok. (Right?) Upper management will argue drafting kjo allowed them that flexibility- why else did we use a 1st on kjo? Upper management will overestimate our ability to find and groom cb talent based on our history. Bouye walks. We'll draft someone in the 3-5th round.
(Te)
Ryan Griffin at te is gone. The draft is deep with te talent and we wont match what he'll be offered. Management will say cj emerged and is expected to be even better. Management will note anderson was just an undrafted fa and showed glimpses of promise. If te happens to be the bpa in rounds 4-7 we'll jump on it. We're not going to bog down our cap with a 2nd string te who cant beat out cj and isnt explosive.
(Ilb)
B Mckinney is already the 3 down lb'er. Pre draft the texans will gauge cushings interest in restructuring his contract. If he shows a willingness he'll be here. If not, we'll draft someone beyond rd 5 as a replacement. I think he'll be cut late in the preseason personally. Im not going to pay someone that much who plays 2 downs, Is oft injured, and is a coverage liability. He'll restructure or he'll go.
(S)
The loss of bouye may be compensated with a safety acquisition. It's rumored the texans were targeting karl joseph last year and just missed. Demps is older and played better then expected but he has a shelf life expiring soon. I had high expectations for hal and was underwhelmed. Kj Dillion is a wild card. This is a deep draft for safeties. As mentioned elsewhere on the board, we could probably sign eric berry for the cost of bouye. The thought of adding him and a healthy watt to last years defense sounds downright ph*cking nasty and i'd love it. One can hope.
(Dl)
Wilfork is leaving. Reader looked good but is he good enough and whats behind him? Covington had a few moments but is he just a jag? What's behind him on the bench? We'll likely add bpa's in the draft round 6 or 7 and/or high in the undrafted market.
(Qb)
What i think they should do and what i think they will do are not the same. I think they should draft trubisky or mahomes @ 25. Instead i think they'll draft someone rd 5 or later and stand pat. Oz should get better right? (Someone hit me for saying that but that's what they'll argue.) Savage is still an unknown and after 3-4 years in the system he knows it better then any other qb. (He's still raw from pond jumping in college and a cocky coach will continue to believe he can mold him. Besides, he's not injury prone, he just hasnt had a chance to show himself because of injury. ; ) ) weeden will make it into camp. He'll get some preseason game chances. If he cant win the #2 spot he'll be gone.
Essentially, the texans will draft a late qb or make a strong effort in the undrafted prospect market to get a diamond in the rough. They'll want someone capable of beating out weeden or hiding on the practice squad. You dont hide rookie 4th rd picks on the practice squad. Not at qb. Not in this league. To summarize, i expect this offseason to be the polar opposite of last offseason. Last year we made a splash with oz at qb. This year we wont do squat. I'll have to stop myself from throwing shoes at the tv because of it. This year at the qb position, money is a restriction, the unknown is a restriction, the sheer mass of other teams needing qb's is a restriction. Prepare to be disappointed. I think it's more of the same in '17.
If you read this far i appreciate it. I hate long posts to. Rather than spreading these opinions out among 4-5 threads they just ended up here. Long story short, there's a lot to consider and as usual we need to hit on picks and free agents more then we miss. Im anticipating another 9-7 season with no lock to make the playoffs. I think ob's gone after this year. Im a cup half empty kinda guy i guess.
Last edited:
You know your Texans.
I do think BOB's gone after next yr. There's not a Greyhound that Ricky wouldn't throw him under.
I think you're wrong on the QB. Although what you posted is the exact blue print for the last decade and a half. Romo seems like a McNair move. (Gotta keep cashin those checks and the fanbase has turned against Os worse than they did Hoyer)
Romo will raise hope and will last all of 5 games at most before he gets hurt. (Again)
BTW, Great Post
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
If we go romo i think it's purely a mcnair move. Romo 5 years ago would've been cool. Romo now is a pr move followed by 4 games of national intrigue before he's injured and more cap restrictions.
I understand the argument this d wont last forever and if we want to be a contender we need to to take a shot. Trouble is, ive been wailing on romo to cowboy's fans for years. And mostly they agree. Romo is a good regular season qb. He fails from january on. His season ENDS in january.
Romo is one of the few guys you can watch in a single series who follows a HOF play with a bone headed varsity qb mistake.
He played very well against the Packers in the playoffs a couple of yrs ago. Too bad he suffers from brittle bone syndrome and may not even last thru preseason again this yr.
BTW, Dez caught that pass, I don't care what God'ell's crooked NFL.
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
Honestly, i despise the cowboys and i want every reason to root against them, but that was a catch.
I THINK it was a catch. Ive been watching football seriously for roughly 35 years now. I no longer understand what is or isnt a catch.
I want to say it would have been a catch 20 years ago... But then Mike Renfro made a catch 30 years ago that wasn't
jradMIT
Veteran
Not a catch, Arian Foster had a similar play on a would be td against the chargers in reliant many years back, Calvin Johnson too, they made the change because there was far too much room for interpretation on what control was, you could have a wide array calls in the same play, now it's cut and dry, and although you get some of the above mentioned plays which seem like "catches", by the rules they are clearly not. It takes a lot of the power of the referee out of the game which usually is a good thing.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Compensatory picks are a reward for smart teams
February 24, 2017, 5:24 PM EST
When the NFL implemented compensatory draft picks in 1994, the idea was that the extra picks would lend a hand to the teams that got out-spent in free agency, which was then new in the league: Compensatory picks go to teams that lose more in free agency than they gain, and so the picks were envisioned as a safeguard against the rich raiding the rosters of the poor.
It hasn’t worked out that way, however. In a league with revenue sharing and a salary cap, there’s not much of a distinction between the rich and the poor.
Instead, compensatory picks have turned out to reward smart teams. The teams that have been wise about not over-spending in free agency and keeping themselves in good salary cap shape are the ones that keep getting lots of compensatory picks, while the teams that overspend in free agency are the ones that don’t receive compensatory picks.
As a result, the consistently good teams tend to be the teams that consistently get a lot of compensatory picks. And the teams that consistently try to spend themselves out of last place are the ones that don’t get a lot of compensatory picks.
The list of teams that have received the most compensatory picks since 1994 is pretty similar to the list of the best teams in football since 1994: The Ravens have received the most compensatory picks, and they’ve won two Super Bowls. The Packers have received the second-most, and they’ve also won two Super Bowls. The Patriots are fourth, and they’ve won five Super Bowls. The 10 teams that have had the most compensatory picks have won most of the Super Bowls since 1994, with a total of 14 titles for those 10 teams.
At the other end of the spectrum, the teams that don’t receive a lot of compensatory picks tend to be bad teams: There are 14 teams that have received fewer than 20 compensatory picks since the system started in 1994, and those 14 teams have won a combined two Super Bowls.
Compensatory picks help teams stock their roster with low-cost depth, which is helpful, but the real reason teams with a lot of compensatory picks do well is that teams with a lot of compensatory picks are good at managing their salary caps. A system that was supposed to reward the poor at
the expense of the dumb.
**************************************************************************************************
Does then getting "0" compensatory pics make us poor AND dumb?????
February 24, 2017, 5:24 PM EST
When the NFL implemented compensatory draft picks in 1994, the idea was that the extra picks would lend a hand to the teams that got out-spent in free agency, which was then new in the league: Compensatory picks go to teams that lose more in free agency than they gain, and so the picks were envisioned as a safeguard against the rich raiding the rosters of the poor.
It hasn’t worked out that way, however. In a league with revenue sharing and a salary cap, there’s not much of a distinction between the rich and the poor.
Instead, compensatory picks have turned out to reward smart teams. The teams that have been wise about not over-spending in free agency and keeping themselves in good salary cap shape are the ones that keep getting lots of compensatory picks, while the teams that overspend in free agency are the ones that don’t receive compensatory picks.
As a result, the consistently good teams tend to be the teams that consistently get a lot of compensatory picks. And the teams that consistently try to spend themselves out of last place are the ones that don’t get a lot of compensatory picks.
The list of teams that have received the most compensatory picks since 1994 is pretty similar to the list of the best teams in football since 1994: The Ravens have received the most compensatory picks, and they’ve won two Super Bowls. The Packers have received the second-most, and they’ve also won two Super Bowls. The Patriots are fourth, and they’ve won five Super Bowls. The 10 teams that have had the most compensatory picks have won most of the Super Bowls since 1994, with a total of 14 titles for those 10 teams.
At the other end of the spectrum, the teams that don’t receive a lot of compensatory picks tend to be bad teams: There are 14 teams that have received fewer than 20 compensatory picks since the system started in 1994, and those 14 teams have won a combined two Super Bowls.
Compensatory picks help teams stock their roster with low-cost depth, which is helpful, but the real reason teams with a lot of compensatory picks do well is that teams with a lot of compensatory picks are good at managing their salary caps. A system that was supposed to reward the poor at
the expense of the dumb.
**************************************************************************************************
Does then getting "0" compensatory pics make us poor AND dumb?????
jradMIT
Veteran
It makes sense if you think about it on a second level which makes it a poorly designed system, compensatory picks are rewarded based on a balance of signing vs losing free agents. Without a doubt successful teams especially those who win Super Bowls, their free agents are the most highly sought after, when a FA is on a team that wins the SB he more likely then not gonna receive over market value for his production because he comes from a "winning culture" and has a ring so he will bring that "championship culture" . Those guys often receive higher than worth offers. Good teams therefore are wise to not sign or can't afford to sign anyway. Case in point, Malik Jackson got a huge deal nearly equal to JJW. Broncos are getting a pick because of that amongst others, NE will lose some players this offseason and be rewarded picks next year and so on.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
I read the article on pft. I wondered how they could jump to such conclusions when the comp formula is a mystery.
I gathered teams with great qb's have a bigger margin for error letting talent go.
Teams with less talent have a bigger need to retain their talent.
The piece focuses wholy on smart teams getting comp picks rather than teams resigning players worth more then a 3rd - 7th rd comp pick. At the rate we miss picks, im ok with resigning guys with proven talent.
So to answer your question and that of the article, yes. We're dumb.
I gathered teams with great qb's have a bigger margin for error letting talent go.
Teams with less talent have a bigger need to retain their talent.
The piece focuses wholy on smart teams getting comp picks rather than teams resigning players worth more then a 3rd - 7th rd comp pick. At the rate we miss picks, im ok with resigning guys with proven talent.
So to answer your question and that of the article, yes. We're dumb.
jradMIT
Veteran
Compensatory picks are a reward for smart teams
February 24, 2017, 5:24 PM EST
When the NFL implemented compensatory draft picks in 1994, the idea was that the extra picks would lend a hand to the teams that got out-spent in free agency, which was then new in the league: Compensatory picks go to teams that lose more in free agency than they gain, and so the picks were envisioned as a safeguard against the rich raiding the rosters of the poor.
It hasn’t worked out that way, however. In a league with revenue sharing and a salary cap, there’s not much of a distinction between the rich and the poor.
Instead, compensatory picks have turned out to reward smart teams. The teams that have been wise about not over-spending in free agency and keeping themselves in good salary cap shape are the ones that keep getting lots of compensatory picks, while the teams that overspend in free agency are the ones that don’t receive compensatory picks.
As a result, the consistently good teams tend to be the teams that consistently get a lot of compensatory picks. And the teams that consistently try to spend themselves out of last place are the ones that don’t get a lot of compensatory picks.
The list of teams that have received the most compensatory picks since 1994 is pretty similar to the list of the best teams in football since 1994: The Ravens have received the most compensatory picks, and they’ve won two Super Bowls. The Packers have received the second-most, and they’ve also won two Super Bowls. The Patriots are fourth, and they’ve won five Super Bowls. The 10 teams that have had the most compensatory picks have won most of the Super Bowls since 1994, with a total of 14 titles for those 10 teams.
At the other end of the spectrum, the teams that don’t receive a lot of compensatory picks tend to be bad teams: There are 14 teams that have received fewer than 20 compensatory picks since the system started in 1994, and those 14 teams have won a combined two Super Bowls.
Compensatory picks help teams stock their roster with low-cost depth, which is helpful, but the real reason teams with a lot of compensatory picks do well is that teams with a lot of compensatory picks are good at managing their salary caps. A system that was supposed to reward the poor at
the expense of the dumb.
**************************************************************************************************
Does then getting "0" compensatory pics make us poor AND dumb?????
Not really signing OS and Miller looked good last year. Even if they didn't sign OS they probably weren't getting a pick, brooks cancels out Allen.
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Does then getting "0" compensatory pics make us poor AND dumb?????
I doubt it. Even the best teams will have years they are up against the cap, invest heavily in FA, or receive 0 compensatory picks.
This kind of thing would have to be looked at over a period of time.
This is the first time in a while I can remember we did not receive a single person compensatory pick. Last season was also only the second time we landed multiple tier 1 FA targets.
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
We have a great opportunity this season for compensatory picks with Bouye and Simon due for FA. Griffin as well.
If you're into the possibility of comp picks and all...
If you're into the possibility of comp picks and all...
TexansSeminole
Hall of Fame
Not really. We have maybe 4 guys who will be sought after, only one on a big deal. That means that once we sign just a few guys in FA, we already lose our chances at a comp pick next year. I think we will re-sign Aboushi and one of either Simon or Bouye, so that leaves us with only 2 real losses, if you include Griffin.
Compensatory picks are a reward for smart teams
February 24, 2017, 5:24 PM EST
When the NFL implemented compensatory draft picks in 1994, the idea was that the extra picks would lend a hand to the teams that got out-spent in free agency, which was then new in the league: Compensatory picks go to teams that lose more in free agency than they gain, and so the picks were envisioned as a safeguard against the rich raiding the rosters of the poor.
It hasn’t worked out that way, however. In a league with revenue sharing and a salary cap, there’s not much of a distinction between the rich and the poor.
Instead, compensatory picks have turned out to reward smart teams. The teams that have been wise about not over-spending in free agency and keeping themselves in good salary cap shape are the ones that keep getting lots of compensatory picks, while the teams that overspend in free agency are the ones that don’t receive compensatory picks.
As a result, the consistently good teams tend to be the teams that consistently get a lot of compensatory picks. And the teams that consistently try to spend themselves out of last place are the ones that don’t get a lot of compensatory picks.
The list of teams that have received the most compensatory picks since 1994 is pretty similar to the list of the best teams in football since 1994: The Ravens have received the most compensatory picks, and they’ve won two Super Bowls. The Packers have received the second-most, and they’ve also won two Super Bowls. The Patriots are fourth, and they’ve won five Super Bowls. The 10 teams that have had the most compensatory picks have won most of the Super Bowls since 1994, with a total of 14 titles for those 10 teams.
At the other end of the spectrum, the teams that don’t receive a lot of compensatory picks tend to be bad teams: There are 14 teams that have received fewer than 20 compensatory picks since the system started in 1994, and those 14 teams have won a combined two Super Bowls.
Compensatory picks help teams stock their roster with low-cost depth, which is helpful, but the real reason teams with a lot of compensatory picks do well is that teams with a lot of compensatory picks are good at managing their salary caps. A system that was supposed to reward the poor at
the expense of the dumb.
**************************************************************************************************
Does then getting "0" compensatory pics make us poor AND dumb?????
It is what it is, this article proves what I've been saying about the way the Texans org goes about their business. Thanks Ricky McNair, 6% and anther season of Os, oh the joy, can you feel the excitement?
Texian
Hall of Fame
Judy BattistaVerified account@judybattista 12m12 minutes ago
Salary cap set at $167 million, according to a league official.
Salary cap set at $167 million, according to a league official.
Texian
Hall of Fame
Marc SesslerVerified account@MarcSesslerNFL 6m6 minutes ago
Salary cap room for all 32 teams, via http://Overthecap.com. Browns currently have $99M more than the Cowboys.
Salary cap room for all 32 teams, via http://Overthecap.com. Browns currently have $99M more than the Cowboys.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
We seem to be starting off relatively close to cap Hell when compared to the Colts, Jags and Titans..............
DX-TEX
#TomSavageDontCare
Perspective:
Colts have almost nothing on their roster other than QB who has been beat to hell the last couple seasons
Jags are cutting/trading former free agent signings because they havent really drafted well at all last few years and tried to build through FA, never works
Titans have a lot of younger guys on their roster on rookie salaries but still quite a few holes and they are still the Tacks
Lots of cap space is usually a sign of a badly managed team. The Browns have 100 million in cap space this year.
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
When was the last time that wasn't the case?
I agree that there may be some reason to believe the division is improving around us, but with the exception of the Titans (for one season to this point), absolutely none of it has happened yet. Remember how much better the Jags were supposed to be in 2016? Yeah, me too!
jradMIT
Veteran
Yea I wasn't a believer, at some point fantasy football analysis pervaded conventional analysis and those gaudy TD numbers Bortles and the Allen brothers put up meant their offense was elite, which it was far from. Titans will be the sexy pick this year of course.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Texian
Hall of Fame
Colts have a new GM.
Jags now have Coughlin running the show. He has shown he knows how to win more than most.
Titans were 9-7 too, conventional wisdom says 2nd year of new head coach is when teams show most improvement. Titans are loaded with early draft picks and salary cap room.
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
Which is all why I acknowledged that the rest of the division may be getting better, but like so many here would say about changes with the Texans - Show me you're better, don't talk about why you should be!
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
On the other hand, the Patriots with their almost $60 million cap don't tend to get into questionable long-term contracts paying gazillions of dollars leaving them always worried about scrambling in future years for dollar store bargains that play like dollar store bargains.
Texian
Hall of Fame
Texian
Hall of Fame
And Belichick signed FOUR (4) former first Rd picks in 2016. Amazing.
DX-TEX
#TomSavageDontCare
They also have Tom Freaking Brady who plays for basically peanuts compared to other NFL QB's
I'd love to be in the position the Titans are in right now. Lot's of good young talent. Most of the key positions filled. Multiple first round draft picks, lots of cap space.
That said, it doesn't mean we're in cap hell. We've got enough cap space to address our needs. We have a good number of draft picks. We've got a solid roster (my only disappointments are at QB, RT, & RG). To me we'd have to be in a position where we're likely to lose players we want because we can't afford to keep them. & that's not where we are now.
Does that make them a better run team? We just mentioned the Browns are leading the league with available cap space. Take Brady away from the Patriots & we'll see them... actually, we've seen their bad contracts, bad draft picks (though they've gotten a lot better in the last four or five years), & questionable roster moves. It just don't hurt them so bad because of Brady & Belichick. If any other team paid Gronk what they've paid Gronk, it would be insane.
Texian
Hall of Fame
When they take Brady away they still play rather well.
Looked pretty good with Jimmy G running the show last yr.
What gives me pause is 1. the Tacks hired Robinson as GM who will implement the full Pats philosophy and the Tacks already have many pieces in place including Mariota.
2. The Colts hired Ballard ( Texan from Texas City) He's going to be really good at rebuilding the defense and the offense should become better as the OL drafted last yr start to improve.
3. The Jags hiring Coughlin was a great hire. He's proven that he knows how to build a team. The Jags defense is already pretty good and young. The offense has playmakers. This will come down to Bortles improving and building the OL. (Something Coughlin is really good at.)
In short the division is gaining on the Texans in team building/Ricky McNair. Will they catch up this yr who knows, a lot of this depends on this draft for Ricky and if Os is forced on BOB.
Hard to say. They haven't had to play without Brady when it really mattered... & that's the big difference between Brady & everyone else. When it matters, he's at his best.
jradMIT
Veteran
The Titans and Jags were so bad for so long and getting high draft picks all the time eventually has an effect. Case in point the Titans have multiple picks from trading away the #1 pick because they already had their QB when they had the #2 pick the year before. The Titans basically sucked their way into their good position right now and have the picks because they were in the right place at the right time. Just saying it pays to suck for multiple seasons.
Texian
Hall of Fame
See Pats 2008 11-5 season.
TxnsJuggernaut
Veteran
I am all for drafting a Mahomes and picking up Jay Cutler but I don't think amy kind of depth chart should automatically be set. Even in regards to Os. Whatever we do I feel that aside from getting Romo or the likes of him, it is in the teams best interest to have a fair and open battle for settling the depth chart at QB.
11-5 means nothing. No playoffs. & that's exactly what I mean. There were 5 games they didn't win. At least one of them was in December & the stakes clearly defined. Win & get in. They didn't win, didn't get in.
Take Brady away the following two years & who knows what kind of moves they make to try to get in.
Bringing Fitzpatrick in to be our starter after being releases from his contract with the Titans already smells of the Texans thinking they're the smartest guys in the room.
Signing Hoyer to more money than Fitz after the QB needy Browns figured they were better without him... & subsequently releasing Fitzpatrick, carries a stronger "smartest guy in the room" stench.
Going all in on Osweiler after 7 games reeks of "smartest guy in the room"
Now is the time for the Texans to lie in the bed they've made. Make the best of the QBs they have, move forward accumulating draft picks until a true #1 overall prospect shows up, then trade those assets to get the next Phillip Rivers, Peyton Manning, Matt Stafford, Andrew Luck.
If they feel good about a Tj Yates, Tom Savage, Case Keenum... fine. But we need to take a shot at the top of the draft in the next two or three years. That includes this year. If they feel good about Watson & want to go get him, I'm fine with that. Trubisky, Mahomes whatever.
But bringing in Cutler is the same mistake we've made with Fitz & Hoyer.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
This is how it's going to work.......................
1]Smith picks the bananas
2]O'Brien evaluates the bananas
3]McNair in his infinite football wisdom decides on the top banana
4]And O'Brien again gets stuck working with and taking responsibility for another
up his tailpipe...........................
It's just as likely that OB is View attachment 1371 his own tailpipe as anyone else. Smith and OB supposedly pick the bananas together and OB "coaches" them up. Do you have a link showing McNair deciding on which bananas are ripe for the picking? The whole process with the Texans is so convoluted that it's hard to pin the tail on the donkey. All facets of the decision making chain of command give plausible deniability. I pin that tail on McNair (either one) because it's his/their decision to operate this way. The obfuscation of responsibilities is maddening for a fan. See also SBT and Texian.
