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Rumor: Texans interested in Matt Cassell Re-signs w/Vikings

2slik4u

Veteran
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000331165/article/texans-obrien-have-real-interest-in-qb-matt-cassel?campaign=Twitter_atl


When Matt Cassel opted out of his deal with #Vikings, it made him a FA. The interest from his Pats connection Bill O’Brien & #Texans is real
Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
I may be one of the few that puts some support behind this. There's no doubt the kid played well under Obie in NE as evidence by his inflated contract in KC after Brady came back. He can be a "stop gap" for us. Take Clowney 1.1, take Garrapolo (sp) 2.1 and pick up Cassel on the cheap for a 1-2 year deal until our rookie develops.

Can't miss plan right there! If Garrapolo isn't there, McCarron looks good too. Either way, a rookie to learn and develop until Obie sees that he is ready. I think with good coaching we could win 10-11 games with Cassel under center and a great supporting cast (which I would argue we already have).
 

Sigma

Veteran
I may be one of the few that puts some support behind this. There's no doubt the kid played well under Obie in NE as evidence by his inflated contract in KC after Brady came back. He can be a "stop gap" for us. Take Clowney 1.1, take Garrapolo (sp) 2.1 and pick up Cassel on the cheap for a 1-2 year deal until our rookie develops.

Can't miss plan right there! If Garrapolo isn't there, McCarron looks good too. Either way, a rookie to learn and develop until Obie sees that he is ready. I think with good coaching we could win 10-11 games with Cassel under center and a great supporting cast (which I would argue we already have).
I'm not really between those who want clowney here at all costs, I would be ok with them trading down to 1-4 and pick whichever is left between
clowny/menzel/bridgeh2o/bottles

:)
 

pirbroke

Veteran
I am all for this, I don't want to give up high draft picks with a trade or use a high pick on a QB. if we can get a ok QB in free agency and use the draft picks for Clowney, a OT, and a guard in that order, I will be a happy camper.
 

pirbroke

Veteran
he opted out of 3.7 million, I am not sure if he is chasing more money or a chance to start in a program more fitted for him, I hope the latter.
 
I may be one of the few that puts some support behind this. There's no doubt the kid played well under Obie in NE as evidence by his inflated contract in KC after Brady came back. He can be a "stop gap" for us. Take Clowney 1.1, take Garrapolo (sp) 2.1 and pick up Cassel on the cheap for a 1-2 year deal until our rookie develops.
Sounds like a plan to me.

Also an option that seems to have a lot of good things said about him is Brett Smith.

That would be a damn fine plan to me.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I'm cool with Cassell if this is who O'Brien wants for 2014. In O'Brien I trust. :texflag:

I do not see any of the QBs worth a 1.1 pick in this draft. And the problem is that O'Brien is married to the player if he goes with a QB. The pressure to make him an immediate starter will be immense, and O'Brien's head coaching career would be in a make or break situation based on the fortunes of one player. Minimum 2-3 year learning curve, and by then, if the Texans are not going to the playoffs, it could get ugly around H-town.

I'd rather see a dude like Clowney in this RC defense next to JJ. This gives O'Brien some room to maneuver in finding his QB.

I do not see much upside to drafting a QB this year, especially since none of them are obvious NFL material right now.
 

False Start

On # 69
I'm cool with Cassell if this is who O'Brien wants for 2014. In O'Brien I trust. :texflag:

I do not see any of the QBs worth a 1.1 pick in this draft. And the problem is that O'Brien is married to the player if he goes with a QB. The pressure to make him an immediate starter will be immense, and O'Brien's head coaching career would be in a make or break situation based on the fortunes of one player. Minimum 2-3 year learning curve, and by then, if the Texans are not going to the playoffs, it could get ugly around H-town.

I'd rather see a dude like Clowney in this RC defense next to JJ. This gives O'Brien some room to maneuver in finding his QB.

I do not see much upside to drafting a QB this year, especially since none of them are obvious NFL material right now.
Pretty much. I was sold on Manziel at first, but the more I think it over, I am starting to have my doubts.
 

Playoffs

Hall of Fame

Dan Kadar ‏@MockingTheDraft
Is Matt Cassel even better than Matt Schaub?

Mike Garafolo ‏@MikeGarafolo
Elsewhere on vet QB front, I'd expect Chad Henne to get some decent play. Wouldn't be shocked if Hou was in on him too. Oak, NYJ as well.

Agree with @RapSheet that Matt Cassel is on the Texans' radar. Connection to O'Brien makes sense. Vikes still in play, of course.
 
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TEXANRED

Texan-American
So wait, we are going to cut Schaub to save a few million to turn around and sign Cassell for a few million?

I would rather keep Schaub. Cassell is terrible.
 

Brisco_County

Apples and roadmaps
The purpose may be to sign Cassell as a stop gap and tutor while the draftee develops under him. It's worth it to avoid the risk of ruining a rookie.
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
The purpose may be to sign Cassell as a stop gap and tutor while the draftee develops under him. It's worth it to avoid the risk of ruining a rookie.
I'm having trouble finding the financial "rainbow" in that plan.
Cut Schaub that's 4 - 10 Mil against the 2014 cap
Sign Cassel - who just walked away from a 7-8 mil paycheck to be a F/A - will cost at least 9 mil.
We're getting about the same performance level and you're spending 13-19 mil on that position...
Someone help a brotha out here because that plan doesn't sound like a big win for the Texans from a financial or performance viewpoint.
 

Brisco_County

Apples and roadmaps
I'm having trouble finding the financial "rainbow" in that plan.
Cut Schaub that's 4 - 10 Mil against the 2014 cap
Sign Cassel - who just walked away from a 7-8 mil paycheck to be a F/A - will cost at least 9 mil.
We're getting about the same performance level and you're spending 13-19 mil on that position...
Someone help a brotha out here because that plan doesn't sound like a big win for the Texans from a financial or performance viewpoint.
Presumably, Cassell is familiar with the system that O'Brien will install. They save money and add relevant experience to the roster.
 

TEXANRED

Texan-American
Presumably, Cassell is familiar with the system that O'Brien will install. They save money and add relevant experience to the roster.
Sorry but pass. Cut Schaub and sign Cassel and still spend just as much or more at the QB position for a lesser talent doesn't make any sense.
 

kiwitexansfan

Hall of Fame
Makes sense they would kick the tyres on someone who might be scheme familiar.

If we are looking for a stop gap starter give me Henne.
 

Hervoyel

BUENO!
Sorry but pass. Cut Schaub and sign Cassel and still spend just as much or more at the QB position for a lesser talent doesn't make any sense.
At this point I'd have a hard time calling Cassel a lesser talent than Schaub. This isn't 2007-2012 Schaub. This is 2013-2014 Schaub and he's as big a hot mess as you can find under center in the league today.

In a battle of "Who cares about upside" Cassel seems to me to have more than Schaub in 2014. It's just for a year or two at the most and it lets OB prepare a young QB taken this year at his own pace. Worst case he's picks up a guy next year and again there is Cassel to hold it together until that rookie is ready.

I like this plan.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
At this point I'd have a hard time calling Cassel a lesser talent than Schaub. This isn't 2007-2012 Schaub. This is 2013-2014 Schaub and he's as big a hot mess as you can find under center in the league today.

In a battle of "Who cares about upside" Cassel seems to me to have more than Schaub in 2014. It's just for a year or two at the most and it lets OB prepare a young QB taken this year at his own pace. Worst case he's picks up a guy next year and again there is Cassel to hold it together until that rookie is ready.

I like this plan.
Yep, my thoughts, as well. Heck, I would not be surprised if O'Brien picks up a QB in a later round and lets him ride the bench in order to learn the system and mature. It is certainly not unheard of in the NFL.

I would not scream bloody murder if they keep Schaub. However, I don't think trotting him back out at Reliant in a Texans uniform will be good for his mental state or the general mood of fans. I'll support him as a fan, but I cannot speak, much less control, the thoughts/actions of Texans Nation. I think it would be a rather brutal reception.
 

Hervoyel

BUENO!
Yep, my thoughts, as well. Heck, I would not be surprised if O'Brien picks up a QB in a later round and lets him ride the bench in order to learn the system and mature. It is certainly not unheard of in the NFL.

I would not scream bloody murder if they keep Schaub. However, I don't think trotting him back out at Reliant in a Texans uniform will be good for his mental state or the general mood of fans. I'll support him as a fan, but I cannot speak, much less control, the thoughts/actions of Texans Nation. I think it would be a rather brutal reception.
If that happened then I'm thinking that nothing short of a miracle-transformation (that we all know isn't really going to happen) under OB's system would shut fans up. Literally Schaub would have to come out and look for all intents and purposes like a completely different (successful) QB to make that work.

That only happens in movies.

I think that everyone in the Texans brain trust must know that the only way to start a new regime is with that grace period that's given to a new QB (whether he's a rookie or a free agent).
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
If that happened then I'm thinking that nothing short of a miracle-transformation (that we all know isn't really going to happen) under OB's system would shut fans up. Literally Schaub would have to come out and look for all intents and purposes like a completely different (successful) QB to make that work.

That only happens in movies.

I think that everyone in the Texans brain trust must know that the only way to start a new regime is with that grace period that's given to a new QB (whether he's a rookie or a free agent).
I agree and Cassel does look to be the best FA option. Having said that, last year he was barely better than Schaub's crap year. Frankly his performing anything close to the old Schaub was a one year aberration in his career.

I will say this, if OB sticks with Schaub I am going to give him kudos for having huevos grande.
 

The Pencil Neck

Hall of Fame
If we sign Cassell, I'm not seeing him as the stop-gap starting QB. I'm seeing him as an extra coach in the QB room.

We draft Bortles or Bridgewater, cut Schaub and possibly Yates and Keenum. And then B/B will be surrounded by guys who already know the system and can bring him up to speed more quickly.

B/B will be starting day 1.

Unless he absolutely suxors.
 
Sorry but pass. Cut Schaub and sign Cassel and still spend just as much or more at the QB position for a lesser talent doesn't make any sense.
Schaub has a $10mil base with a $14mil cap hit this year. You can sign Cassel for much less for 2 or 3 years compared to what Schaub was going to cost us. BOB wants his own guys, not who he inherits. I am sure they approached Schaub to ask him about a reduction is base salary but he probably declined.
 

pirbroke

Veteran
I would think Cassell would be lucky to get half what Schaub is paid this year. Drop Schaub and pick up Cassel, even if it's not a upgrade. Because there is very little chance of this move being a downgrade, :)
 

EVOLVIST

Kid A
I'm cool with Cassell if this is who O'Brien wants for 2014. In O'Brien I trust. :texflag:

I do not see much upside to drafting a QB this year, especially since none of them are obvious NFL material right now.
I'm not calling you out, DB - in fact, you might be saying that tongue 'n cheek - regardless, I don't understand the mentality floating around the board where so many are putting their trust in Bill O'Brien, as if trust, like respect, doesn't have to be earned.

I get it to an extent. When Kubiak was hired I was all jackboots and armbands over the acquisition; nevertheless, especially after Kubes, I would expect a bit more hesitation before crowning O'Brien King Texan.

Again, I'm just trying to understand. I'm gun shy...and this whole Cassel bit is two steps back for me. But hey, it's early in his tenure. :)
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
So cassell is garbage every yr except 2 and because he knows a system, its all good? Why didn't reid sign kolb who knew "the system"? Because he can't play. If you want to temper playing a rookie? Ok, I guess,but you might as well restructure schaub and keep him vs a bum like cassel.
 
If we sign Cassell, I'm not seeing him as the stop-gap starting QB. I'm seeing him as an extra coach in the QB room.



We draft Bortles or Bridgewater, cut Schaub and possibly Yates and Keenum. And then B/B will be surrounded by guys who already know the system and can bring him up to speed more quickly.



B/B will be starting day 1.



Unless he absolutely suxors.

Thing is, I think McNair (and a lot of fans) are expecting a Kansas City-type turnaround, and may assume the best way to do that is with a more experienced QB.

I just can't see us starting a rookie QB next year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
I agree with most here, Cassell would be a good stop gap QB for a year or two while we get our next QB up to speed. I certainly don't have any illusions of Cassell coming in and leading us to glory though.
 

TexansSeminole

Hall of Fame
At this point I'd have a hard time calling Cassel a lesser talent than Schaub. This isn't 2007-2012 Schaub. This is 2013-2014 Schaub and he's as big a hot mess as you can find under center in the league today.

In a battle of "Who cares about upside" Cassel seems to me to have more than Schaub in 2014. It's just for a year or two at the most and it lets OB prepare a young QB taken this year at his own pace. Worst case he's picks up a guy next year and again there is Cassel to hold it together until that rookie is ready.

I like this plan.
I understand this thought process, but I don't necessarily agree. I don't think Cassell or Schaub are going to get us anywhere, so in my view they are basically equals. I don't want to eat dead money on Schaub and use what little money we have left on a QB who isn't a significant upgrade. I would rather keep Schaub and have him play the role of mentor/backup to whoever we decide to draft.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I'm not calling you out, DB - in fact, you might be saying that tongue 'n cheek - regardless, I don't understand the mentality floating around the board where so many are putting their trust in Bill O'Brien, as if trust, like respect, doesn't have to be earned.

I get it to an extent. When Kubiak was hired I was all jackboots and armbands over the acquisition; nevertheless, especially after Kubes, I would expect a bit more hesitation before crowning O'Brien King Texan.

Again, I'm just trying to understand. I'm gun shy...and this whole Cassel bit is two steps back for me. But hey, it's early in his tenure. :)
I hear ya', man. In no way do I feel disagreement or different perspectives are calling me out.

I can be an extremely skeptical person by nature. However, since I am only a mere spectator, I figure I'll give O'Brien the same benefit of the doubt that I gave Kubiak and Capers before him....at least in this off-season.

Mainly just because I figure optimism is the only way to keep my sanity at this point as a Texans fan.

TBH, Cassell does not excite me at all. Neither does Schaub, Bridgewater, Manziel, or Bortles. They are 'just another player' until proven otherwise.

Whoever they go with, I'll be rooting for regardless like everyone else. That said, once the games start being played and we can actually analyze something real, then the gloves come off.

The positives are having guys like JJ and Cushing as defensive leaders with a highly respected and proven DC coming in from the beginning of O'Brien's tenure. I'm all about defense, and this gives me a sense that maybe our D can hold the line until the offense gets it figured out.
 

EllisUnit

Vote RED!!!
If we can get Cassell and he can avoid throwing 5 pick 6s in 5 consecutive games then he has done a good job. Fact is the kid played well under O'brien, ever think maybe it is our system/coaching that was flawed. Hell look at Keenum before he was "coached" up haha.

I am all for Cassell coming in for a season or two. Hell i would be interested to see what O'Brien can do with Keenum, there i said it.
 

Texanmike02

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
After reading this I have a Schaub question but y'all are talking about OB and keeping Schaub vs signing cassel.

Brady doesn't move much in the NE film. He slides around the pocket, but he doesn't run a ton of bootlegs etc.

If we're not asking Schaub to be the bootleg/playfake QB that we were asking him to be, is there a chance he is significantly better than Cassell? Many people said last year that they knew what schaub was doing because the offense was the same all of the time. If people aren't able to read that... are you better off taking schaub through the end of this year, sitting a young QB and cutting schaub next year?

Your ceiling this year is probably 9 games if you do that (depending on what else you do in the draft) but at least you aren't signing cassell and adding on more dead money when the young kid is ready to start...

Just a thought.

Mike
 
I'm still hoping for the Texans to take Clowney in the first round and then either Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger later in the draft. The potential to have the best defensive line for the next decade is just too appealing for me to turn down.

So with that being said, I wouldn't be opposed to Cassell, it just really depends on how they're going to approach the draft. If they go QB first, I'd rather just cut Schaub and throw the rookie to the fire. If they go Clowney, then a year of Cassell would be cool too. It just sucks there's not a franchise QB that's a "must-take" when there's such a glaring hole for Houston. Just hope the Texans hit the jackpot on whoever they pick 1st.
 

Brisco_County

Apples and roadmaps
If we're not asking Schaub to be the bootleg/playfake QB that we were asking him to be, is there a chance he is significantly better than Cassell?
Simply put, Schaub is damaged goods. He's done. Physically and mentally. But I'm sure he'd make a fine coach.
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I'm not calling you out, DB - in fact, you might be saying that tongue 'n cheek - regardless, I don't understand the mentality floating around the board where so many are putting their trust in Bill O'Brien, as if trust, like respect, doesn't have to be earned.

I get it to an extent. When Kubiak was hired I was all jackboots and armbands over the acquisition; nevertheless, especially after Kubes, I would expect a bit more hesitation before crowning O'Brien King Texan.

Again, I'm just trying to understand. I'm gun shy...and this whole Cassel bit is two steps back for me. But hey, it's early in his tenure. :)
Valid observations and concerns.
The truth is that Kubiak, in spite of his miscalculations and poor judgement when it comes to Matt Schaub, is still in possession of a resume that's far superior to anything O'Brien has done when it comes to QBs.
 

drs23

Veteran
If we can get Cassell and he can avoid throwing 5 pick 6s in 5 consecutive games then he has done a good job. Fact is the kid played well under O'brien, ever think maybe it is our system/coaching that was flawed. Hell look at Keenum before he was "coached" up haha.

I am all for Cassell coming in for a season or two. Hell i would be interested to see what O'Brien can do with Keenum, there i said it.
You're not alone in that camp, I assure you.
 

TEXANRED

Texan-American
Or if you had Carr's athleticism with Schaub's dedication and smarts you'd have one hell of a QB.
Sure, but it's Matt Cassel. Matt Cassel, a 32 yo QB that had a good season under one of the greatest coach's ever 6, going on 7 years ago.
 
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