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Rackers signs with Washington.
- Thread starter False Start
- Start date
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
I would much rather have Rackers re-signed for minimum money than go with a rookie. I really like Bullock (assuming we can draft him), and I think he will be in the league for many years, but in the playoffs I want a veteran kicker. If a playoff game comes down to a field goal, then I don't want a rookie making that kick if I can avoid it.
Rackers was really good last year and the year before. During his two years with the Texans, he has made 86.7% of his FGs. He's 22/22 from less than 30 yards, 21/22 from 30-39, 9/15 from 40-49, and 7 of 9 from 50+. He's 83/84 on XPs, and he registered 11 tackles on special teams. He's 35 and still has some tread left on the tires, and I think we could use him for a few more years.
GP
Go Texans!
I think we should re-sign Rackers (if we have the coin to do so) AND draft a guy to sit and watch for a season. I don't want our next playoff run to be determined by the leg of a rookie...Rackers is the guy who is built for that duty right now, and the rookie could benefit from being on the team for a year and watching/learning/practicing with Rackers.
We need to remember Hartmann, too. Although he is mainly a punter, he has also kicked FGs before (not for us, but still...you get the drift). I just don't know if his knee can withstand the torque on FG kicks though. And, what about his t rue accuracy as an every-game NFL kicker? He has kicked before, though, and I think he's an emergency option.
What if Hartmann became the punter AND kicker? Has that ever been done on an NFL team before? A guy being the punter AND FG kicker for a whole season, intentionally? Hmm.....
We signed a punter that has been pretty good, so I don't think it's automatic that Hartmann is on the team next year. It probably depends on how he comes back from his injury and if they have them compete in the pre-season.
I don't really like the idea of a rookie kicker sitting and learning for a year. If you are re-signing Rackers it's probably for a multi-year deal, and he's not coming back to play tutor for 1 year I don't think. Not to mention the extra roster spot that could be used.
If we go with a rookie kicker I think they'll be the man from day 1 and we'll have a trusty vet on speed dial.
I would have to imagine it's happened, especially back in the 50's and 60's. There have been some other interesting cross overs by QB's, I believe Randall Cunningham holds the record for longest punt, and didn't Flutie do a drop kick? (Maybe that was in college)
Maybe Schaub can kick, he definately has the speed of a punter or kicker!!! Wow, what a threat, we could have the Schaub Wildcat, and then he could punt and kick. Imagine 4th downs, is Schaub gonna punt, or throw, hell maybe he runs. Or Houston lines up for a FG, again is Schaub gonna kick, throw, or run for 18 inches. Quadruple Threat Guy!!!!!
As for Hartmann, I love him, but can he stay off the juice?
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
Hartman is suspended the first 3 games of the year, so that's not an option. The Texans signed Donnie Jones, punter from STL, to a minimum deal this offseason. He's expected to be our punter for at least the first 3 games.
Having a second PK on the roster is just not feasible in today's NFL. That roster spot has to be used elsewhere, so he either wins the job in camp, or he gets cut.
It has been done before, but it didn't catch on. If that guy goes down in a game, you have no natural backup. The punter and PK are natural backups for each other.
GP
Go Texans!
The rookie kicker would be on the PS, though. Called up only if needed. This stashes him away, and the likelihood of someone claiming him off our PS would be rare because the team claiming him would have to sign him to their active roster (which means they are using a rookie, a rookie they didn't have the guts to draft themselves, to be their starting FG kicker).
As to the situation with the punter, he can be cut after the 3rd game. Which I think is what ends up happening if Hartmann is 100% by then.
As to the situation with the punter, he can be cut after the 3rd game. Which I think is what ends up happening if Hartmann is 100% by then.
eriadoc
Texan-American
You should go check out field goal percentages for kickers in the NFL. 86.7% over the last 2 years (as pointed out by Dutchrudder) is definitely not middle of the pack.
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
Umm, if the Texans use a 6th on a guy like Randy Bullock, they will need to keep him on the roster. Subjecting him to waivers is risky as plenty of teams could have drafted him, but he wasn't there at X pick. Getting him for nothing on waivers would be a steal for another team. Keeping a kicker on the p-squad is a waste as well, and he is always available for another team to sign away. Kickers just aren't that valuable, which is why teams only carry one in the regular season. Either we draft one or re-sign Rackers, and then get an UDFA or two for camp.
Hartmann should be ready to kick in camp, so the team will evaluate him there. He will be competing for the job against Jones. One of them will win it, but I won't be surprised if Hartmann is cut during the 4th week of preseason. Punters are a dime a dozen.
GP
Go Texans!
My responses, above.
I think Rackers is done here. Or he would have re-signed and called it a day. He's going to get more from Redskins or some other team, and we're going to take our chances on either a drafted guy, a UDFA, a street vet, and/or Hartmann (I know, I know...he's suspended. But still, there's 13 more game after the first 3 games).
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
As far as the "Draft a kicker and stick him on p-squad" thing goes, here's a list of the 2011 kickers from last year: http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/kicking/sort/fieldGoalPct
Sort by FG% and look at the bottom half. Most of those guys are making near minimum money with nothing guaranteed on their contracts. It's easy to find at least one team that could sign a kicker that is put on waivers. Baltimore, STL, Pitt, NYJ, Arizona, etc. A few of those teams could be looking to draft a kicker as well. Bullock may be gone before our pick in the 5th, and then we will be back to the FA or UDFA scrapheap to find a kicker for our Super Bowl run. That's why I'm thinking it would be good for us to trade out of the 1st, and pick up a 2nd plus an extra 4th/5th to spend on a kicker.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Hartmann's got a ... what?... 4 (?) game suspension coming up, he's coming off an injury, and we signed an experienced guy already to take his spot. I don't expect Hartmann to be back.
I'm surprised Rackers wasn't already re-signed. He's a good kicker. I don't see him as a middle of the pack kicker at all. There are a lot worse options out there.
With Kubiak's fear of rookies, I find it hard to believe that we'll draft a rookie kicker and let the fate of games ride on his shoulders. I think Kubes prefers a vet in those situations and Rackers is a guy who's been in a lot of pressure filled situations in his career. Although maybe this whole running down the field and making the tackle thing has the coaching staff nervous about his sanity.
I'm surprised Rackers wasn't already re-signed. He's a good kicker. I don't see him as a middle of the pack kicker at all. There are a lot worse options out there.
With Kubiak's fear of rookies, I find it hard to believe that we'll draft a rookie kicker and let the fate of games ride on his shoulders. I think Kubes prefers a vet in those situations and Rackers is a guy who's been in a lot of pressure filled situations in his career. Although maybe this whole running down the field and making the tackle thing has the coaching staff nervous about his sanity.
GP
Go Texans!
I agree. This just might be the year of having to compromise or settle for less-than-ideal solutions.
This year's Texans have the expectations upon them of AT LEAST repeating 2011's outcome...but right now, they are experiencing some challenges:
1. Dreessen, an underrated and reliable TE option, is gone. In an ideal world, Dreessen stays and Kubiak doesn't sweat the details of what to do with our TE situation.
2. Winston and DeMeco cost too much for what they were providing: Winston was paid royally for being a great run blocker but a poor pass protector, and Meco was paid royally for being a 2-down LB at best. So cap problems dictated we jettison them and find replacements for RG and ILB.
3. The "face of the Texans D," Mario Williams, who was generally a great weapon to have on an already dangerous Wade Phillips defense, left town. Although it was anticipated, it doesn't help us in the sense that now we're trying to fill a LB spot once held by our franchise guy.
I could go on and on, and I know I'm preaching to the choir on this one (not saying you, nor others, don't know all this, I'm just re-hashing it for posterity's sake).
The point is that beggars cannot be choosers. We might be at a point where Rackers has to walk and Kubiak and Coach Joe are scanning the classified ads looking for filler material. That's where we all agree that a guy in the draft AND having to start him from day 1 is perhaps the best choice out of all choices right now.
And that's why I am hesitant to lean that way: I'd rather be able to re-sign Rackers and "at best" be able to draft a guy and transition him into the starting lineup for 2013. Kickers last a long time, but their first year is shaky which is why teams don't draft a kicker unless he's a Mason Crosby type of kicker. In fact, teams rarely draft a kicker at all. But, beggars can't be choosers...and so drafting a guy and making him K1 form Day 1 might be our only choice.
We'll probably have two or three FG K for camp anyways. A mix of vets and maybe that rookie we could take in late rounds of the draft.
GP
Go Texans!
Interesting.
I don't know that we let our need for a K dictate us trading out of the 1st though. It doesn't seem to be a Kubiak move, to trade down just so we land a K that other teams might want.
I think his historicity is that he'll find guys on the street rather than overpay or over-reach for them. He's a thrifty guy, which led to him trading down to get Duane Brown and later on Steve Slaton as a result of the thrifty handling in round 1 of that draft...but I think he was at the end of his rope regarding the failures at RB mining (Wali Lundy, Hollings, Gadko, Green, etc.). I don't think he's reached the end of his rope on the K or punter situations. I think he thinks he still has 1 or 2 lives left out of the proverbial "9 lives" bin at those two positions.
I bet we don't take a K in the draft. That's my guess. He'll find a vet, he'll add a UDFA perhaps, but he won't take a K in the draft. Too many other needs that Kubiak will be forced to address.
Hardcore Texan
Magnet Man
I hear Billy Cundiff is available.....
False Start
On # 69
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Choose your poison -- Rackers was 17th out of 31 kickers who "played" in at least 12 games in 2012 in FG%.
GP
Go Texans!
Goldensilence
hipster elite
I'm for resigning Rackers, but doesn't look like its going to happen. I'd really prefer an experienced kicker because the Texans will likely be vying for playoff positioning. It could be the difference between getting another home game and a bye.
Look, anyone thinking we're going to get more than a 3rd at highest for trading back just isn't being realistic. The only way I am would trade back at this point is if the player I've targetted that I think will make an impact regardless of when he's drafted will only drop a few spots. Otherwise take the guy there at 26, don't get cute.
GP
Go Texans!
Sums up my ideas, better than I could myself. Thank you.
Not sure what you're saying here.
I think picking up a third rounder for moving back would be the high side of compensation.
Moving back to the second round and picking up another third round pick would be sweet.
As far as getting cute thinking about trades, according to smith that's exactly what he'll be doing over the next couple days. He said this is the point in the process where he calls a bunch of gm's to inquire about trading picks.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Goldensilence
hipster elite
I guess we'll see what happens. I am just not a big fan of trading back too far at this point.
This team has some clear needs specially after having some big loses in FA and with salary cap issues. We might have the luxury of the division being mostly weak next year, but the that doesn't mean we don't have tough out of division opponents or face an uphill battle in the playoffs.
There's also the concern of Schaub's injury lingering in my head. I still think its most likely that Yates starts off the season for us. I would love to see another impact WR especially if that's the case.
I actually wouldn't be too opposed to seeing another trade up this year. Truth is we're up against the cap, it doesn't look like we're going to add any marque names in FA this year late, and IMO we're poised to make a run this year. I think to make that run we need to add an impact player on both sides of the ball this year. WR and maybe another OLB to rotate in with Reed and Barwin.
GP
Go Texans!
Kubiak will pick his right side version of Duane Brown and call it a successful 1st round.
It won't excite people. It might even be a guy nobody has heard much about. But Kubiak will shrug his shoulders, talk highly about the kid, and rest well knowing that we got younger (and hopefully better) at RT.
I predict we won't trade down in the 1st.
Of course, we might trade down in the 2nd round. THAT would be the place to trade down if you know your next set of targeted guys are projected to be sliding past your original spot in the 2nd. We also have the extra 4th rounder from Philly to play with. That pick can be coupled with other picks to actually move up in lots of different ways.
Could we slide down a few spots in the second round, then package our extra fourth and the compensation for having slid down in the 2nd...and send THOSE two picks to someone for an extra 3rd rounder...giving us two 3rd rounders and still having our original 4th round pick? Someone might have a late, late 3rd rounder (extra 3rd rounder) and desire to get a 4th and another pick. You just never know what teams might value most.
It won't excite people. It might even be a guy nobody has heard much about. But Kubiak will shrug his shoulders, talk highly about the kid, and rest well knowing that we got younger (and hopefully better) at RT.
I predict we won't trade down in the 1st.
Of course, we might trade down in the 2nd round. THAT would be the place to trade down if you know your next set of targeted guys are projected to be sliding past your original spot in the 2nd. We also have the extra 4th rounder from Philly to play with. That pick can be coupled with other picks to actually move up in lots of different ways.
Could we slide down a few spots in the second round, then package our extra fourth and the compensation for having slid down in the 2nd...and send THOSE two picks to someone for an extra 3rd rounder...giving us two 3rd rounders and still having our original 4th round pick? Someone might have a late, late 3rd rounder (extra 3rd rounder) and desire to get a 4th and another pick. You just never know what teams might value most.
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
Suppose Jonathan Martin, OT falls to 26 for whatever reason, I would definitely be in favor of trading back to 33 with STL to get their 4th round pick. The value adds up according to the chart, Texans 700 for STL 580 and 116. I would say that's a fair trade, and it would let the Texans fill a need earlier, which can free up our 5th for a kicker.
The Browns have 13 picks in this draft, and may be looking to move up from 37 to the end of the first to get a QB, RT, DE or WR. They could give us a decent deal for 26, like 37, 100 and 160. That would be a good deal for the Texans, as we could add a lot of depth with those picks.
GP
Go Texans!
For me, I'd want to be for that type of deal: A BIG haul for us, not just an extra 4th or 5th rounder.
Browns love to trade back into the 1st round, or they did at least one time in order to get Brady Quin. LOL. Maybe they would want a do-over and give us all those picks??? I'm down for that. But really, I don't think they would.
Dutchrudder
Hall of Fame
Depends on who falls. I'm sure Weeden will be there, and he could be worth a trade up to them. Whitney Mercilus is a local guy (northern OH), who played at Illinois, and he would fill a need as a pass rushing 4-3 DE. Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn or Mike Adams could fill the RT spot. Hill, Wright and Jeffery may be there, and they may covet one of those guys. There are plenty of options, but you only need one team to really want a player to make the trade. The Browns have a ton of picks, so they may accept a future 3rd in the deal to give up a 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Something like that would be cool.
GP
Go Texans!
Watch Kubiak select Weeden and blow the collective minds of everyone. LOL.
He won't, but just picture the pick in your head.
We would be like this:
Lurvinator11
Veteran
I know it's from Mclame but...
pissknocker
Waterboy
Damn no rack city this year. Oh well bullock in the 6th
House of Pain
Wild Speculator
I've always like Rackers for the way he played the game, however, I don't think he's the most clutch kicker, and we may have dodged a bullet (See Arizona). I don't know about y'all, but I never had the feeling he's got ice water running through his veins.
Lurvinator11
Veteran
I guess we are drafting that guy out of A&M.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nfl/120424-neil-rackers-signs-with-redskins
"We're headed to Washington," Rackers said. "I visited with Coach (Mike) Shanahan and (special teams coach) Danny Smith out there yesterday and really enjoyed what they had to say. I'll be competing for a job with Graham Gano, who is an established, good kicker.
"We're going to see what happens, but it seems like the best opportunity for me and my family at this point. There's more upside, more opportunity for advancement in Washington."
While Rackers had to make a business decision, he is not thrilled about leaving the Texans.
"I wasn't real excited to leave the Texans," Rackers said. "That's a decision they made not us.
"We've had promises for awhile now on a long-term deal and they came to us with a minimum offer. So we just felt like the opportunity for advancement was not in Houston. We came in and did the job like they asked us to. Didn't really feel like that was appreciated. I am really excited to go to Washington. Really excited to compete. Really excited to hopefully win a job and be the guy in Washington."
"We're headed to Washington," Rackers said. "I visited with Coach (Mike) Shanahan and (special teams coach) Danny Smith out there yesterday and really enjoyed what they had to say. I'll be competing for a job with Graham Gano, who is an established, good kicker.
"We're going to see what happens, but it seems like the best opportunity for me and my family at this point. There's more upside, more opportunity for advancement in Washington."
While Rackers had to make a business decision, he is not thrilled about leaving the Texans.
"I wasn't real excited to leave the Texans," Rackers said. "That's a decision they made not us.
"We've had promises for awhile now on a long-term deal and they came to us with a minimum offer. So we just felt like the opportunity for advancement was not in Houston. We came in and did the job like they asked us to. Didn't really feel like that was appreciated. I am really excited to go to Washington. Really excited to compete. Really excited to hopefully win a job and be the guy in Washington."
Lol, wow.
Either we are really poor or rackers was not really a guy we were 100% behind.
Maybe a combo of both.
Wolf
100% Texan
ouch, that seems to be a reoccurring theme
