Free Agents?

With all this draft talk....Let's discuss the free agency. I think what we do here will help fill some of our needs. I'm hoping someone like David Givens at WR and either Bentley / Hutchinson on OL will consider us. Not sure how much money it will take. We definitely need to improve our interior OL.

Hutchinson is not likely coming here seeing that Seattle is well under the cap and have two major signings being Hutch and Alexander so he will likely not go free. Bentley is a solid option, but Givens is not really needed. Resign Gaffney and cut Bradford and we are just fine. Sam Brandon or Will Demps to play FS would be a quality signing and give us that solid tackling ball-hawking guy. A guy like Will Witherspoon would also be quality, but I think we can get Rocky McIntosh who had a great game in the Shrine Game.

to help the OL through free agency, i think Bentley is a must.I would also pursue Hutchinson,if Seattle does not sign him,Schaffer from Atlanta OT,is a solid player that doesn't command a large contract.On D I would look at Archuleta at SS,depending on our new defensive scheme.

dont get too attached to getting Bentley.. alot of teams want him and after 4 years in New Orleans... I imagine his first choice wont be a struggling franchise. We would have to overpay for him.

I like
Schaffer from ATL (tackle)
Demps from Baltimpore (FS)
Archuletta *sp (Rams SS)
Nate Clements (CB) from the Bills

This team really needs help in the secondary bad.

Grid said:

dont get too attached to getting Bentley.. alot of teams want him and after 4 years in New Orleans... I imagine his first choice wont be a struggling franchise. We would have to overpay for him.

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Probably. But then again, I think F-agents will find out that this team could be on the verge of a quick turnaround. And the fact that what O-lineman wouldnt want to play under Kubiak? Not to mention the world best facilities, etc,etc...

justtxyank said:

I like
Schaffer from ATL (tackle)
Demps from Baltimpore (FS)
Archuletta *sp (Rams SS)
Nate Clements (CB) from the Bills

This team really needs help in the secondary bad.

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I like everyone of these guys but i would want Tank Williams over Will Demps from Baltimore

I would also like to get Will Witherspoon Carolina OLB.
My Dream FA would be Witherspoon, Bentley, Shaffer, Clements, and John Abraham or Darren Howard

Grid said:

dont get too attached to getting Bentley.. alot of teams want him and after 4 years in New Orleans... I imagine his first choice wont be a struggling franchise. We would have to overpay for him.

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It wouldnt be the first time, but wouldnt you feel better about him under a new coach who has previous sucess with his o-line?


Also, I would like to persue John Abraham and Charles Rogers, along with Bently.

Don't get your hopes up guys. Casserly said they wouldn't be active in the big name FA market, but they would look at some lower priced guys. So, you might as well get used to the same ole sh......:brickwall

Porky said:

Don't get your hopes up guys. Casserly said they wouldn't be active in the big name FA market,..

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By sos, I assume you mean the 'big money for mediocre FA' market?

We need a pass rushing defensive end (so does about half of the NFL), we need a MLB, we need a second corner.

Offense is another story, and we need at least 3 new guys on the oline and a 2nd wideout.

ComstockLode said:

We need a pass rushing defensive end (so does about half of the NFL), we need a MLB, we need a second corner.

Offense is another story, and we need at least 3 new guys on the oline and a 2nd wideout.

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not quite, but we have similar thinking.

You are right on with the DE, and MLB thinking. A second corner is not a proirity, although I would like to see a Youghboty (sp?) or a Cromethemie (sp?) in the thrid round or so. I would take a chance on them.

We man not get 3 new Linemen, but a C, G, and LT would be perfect. I still think Pitts would be best suited as a RT. Wade as a RG. Bently as C. Weigert as LG, and Fergueson as LT....assuming we were to draft d'brick.

I do not agree with your assesment of the #2 WR spot. Mathis works for me. I might consider guys like Skyler Green, Steve Smith (is he in this year?), Hass, and Jason Avant in the middle rounds if they are BPA.

jayj0225 said:

I would also like to get Will Witherspoon Carolina OLB.
My Dream FA would be Witherspoon, Bentley, Shaffer, Clements, and John Abraham or Darren Howard

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I have mentioned Witherspoon on here before and agree. I'd love to have him. He can fill in at MLB at times too and has for Morgan this year.

1. LeCharles Bentley (overpay if we must, he is a must have).
-We will not get Hutchison if we get Bentley because the Texans already have an outrageous amount of money tied up in the o-line and cannot afford two top line FAs. I don't think Hutch is going to leave anyways.

2. Witherspoon (or guy from Jacksonville whose name I have no hope of spelling). We need a good quality veteran Mike LB if we are switching schemes.

3. Serviceable DE, or if the money is possible John Abraham (this is HIGHLY unlikely).

bdiddy said:

2. Witherspoon (or guy from Jacksonville whose name I have no hope of spelling). We need a good quality veteran Mike LB if we are switching schemes.

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Akin Ayodele. A little bigger than Witherspoon. Stud I believe also.

texman8 said:

With all this draft talk....Let's discuss the free agency. I think what we do here will help fill some of our needs. I'm hoping someone like David Givens at WR and either Bentley / Hutchinson on OL will consider us. Not sure how much money it will take. We definitely need to improve our interior OL.

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It won't take money. The teams that land the sought-after FAs will have chances at making the SB. Good FAs aren't concerned that much regarding money since they will get a boatload of money wherever they sign. The big decider for them will be which team has the best chance of getting them a ring. After all, look at what kind of FAs the Texans ended up signing. None of them were any big shakes and that's because the Texans didn't, and still don't, have a shot at the SB. The best the Texans can hope for out of FA is guys like Shane Mack.

The Texans need more than a MLB if they switch to a 4-3. They have only one player on the roster (Babin) that I think could play DE in a 4-3. That's a major overhaul.

I don't think they need 3 new OL. I still think a line is only as good as it's worst guy. They play guys in new positions and move them around so much it's hard to know what they have. Pitts is a good LT and might need to stay there this season unless they trade down and get Ferguson. Who knows, if they stink again next year the OT from Wisconsin comes out. He's pretty good too. Put McKinney at LG. He played there for the Colts and for the Aggies. He's not a great C, but he did well as a guard for his previous stops. Either play Hodgdon or draft a guy like Mangold or Eslinger at Center. Move Weigert to RT permanently. He played better there than Wade and he's much more athletic. Go out and sign LeCharles Bentley for the RG spot. The line played much better down the stretch with Weigert and Pitts at the tackles. I don't think that line is out of the realm of possibility and it would be vastly improved.

You Know who we need if he gets released.

Lavar Arrington

Bobo said:

It won't take money. The teams that land the sought-after FAs will have chances at making the SB. Good FAs aren't concerned that much regarding money since they will get a boatload of money wherever they sign. The big decider for them will be which team has the best chance of getting them a ring. After all, look at what kind of FAs the Texans ended up signing. None of them were any big shakes and that's because the Texans didn't, and still don't, have a shot at the SB. The best the Texans can hope for out of FA is guys like Shane Mack.

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So that's why Joe Andruzzi, who started on the Patriots line for 3 Super Bowls went to Cleveland? Muhsin Muhammed went to a Chicago team coming off a horrendous season. Marcus Pollard left the Colts and went to Detroit.

I realize those aren't All-Pro players, but many players go to a team that gives them a chance to play. As you said, the money spends well no matter who gives it to you. Why wouldn't a younger player go to a team that is looking to make the moves to turn the franchise around. I can understand not wanting to go work for an owner that has a history of being frugal or constantly changing coaches, but the Texans aren't in that boat. They have the best facilities in the league. I think the Texans have a lot to offer free agents. It's just a question of if the Texans even target top caliber guys.

Ricky Manning might be a good pick-up. I think he's gonna be a free agent. I know he doesn't start, but we saw what he did in the playoffs a few years ago. He might come fairly cheap.

who are new orleans other free agents? What are the chances they slap a franchise or transition tag on Bently thats what i'm afraid of.

With Hutchinson i think there is a maximum they will pay for him, i think money could motivate him.

first of all...all of ya'll who think wade is moving to guard need to take a deep breath and calm down...there is no way a 6'8'' guy plays guard...if wade cannot make it as a tackle then he won't make it period...second keep in mind that kubiak is gonna want smaller more mobile lineman...only foster on denver's starting o-line is bigger than 300lbs...next we've never been real big in free agency...expect us to go after one or two guys and that's it...hopefully kubiak keeps casserly from over paying overrated guys who looked good because of the guys around them...i'll agree with the middle linebacker bit along with a corner...unfortunetly i don't see us addressing those needs in FA...i believe we'll look to the draft for those positions...DE is the position i think we'll look for in FA...probably a solid number 2 reciever as well

The biggest problem the Texans have is Casserly is still the GM. He somehow convince McNair that the problem was the coaching and not the talent selection.
He did OK on our 1st round picks and some later round picks ( ex. DD,G. Earl,C.C. Brown) Look at our first draft with all those extra picks...Carr , Pitts,Gaffney....R.Walker,Faggins,later (marginal,at best) Joppru was at least bad luck. Trades for Babin and P-Buc probably hurt us worst than any other moves Texans have done.
Why did the Texans go from 7-9 record to 2-14 ? The coaching staff's decision on the OL's lineup....Riley at LT,Pitts at LG, Wade at RT....the additions or changes of Greenwood,Wong,and P-Buc on defense that did not work out. Carr goes from 3200 yards passer to less than 2000 yards in one season. Capers is gone; Kubiak is in. Our offensive scheme should be much better..A better Defensive system installed by our new DC (Bates or Gray) will give us a chance to stay in games.
As for free agency, I'm hoping we do something to fill some of our needs and that they work out.

IMO, we only need to make two FA aquisitions:

Nate Clements - CB
LeCharles Bently - C/OG

One really good player on each side of the ball at key points, and fill the rest with the draft or what's on hand. Anymore FAs than that and you will need to step down in talent because the price tags will be so high that it gets to be cap prohibitive.

DEFENSE:

If we move to a 4-3 i think we only need one serviceable d-lineman. Babin is the right size for the position and Peak could be a good 3rd down pass rusher. At DT we are loaded, maybe overstocked even. Linebacker is tricky to me because im not that big of an expert on what size players you need at lb in the 4-3 as opposed to the 3-4. I know olb's in the 3-4 are alot bigger than in the 4-3 but thats about it. I think we need some more speed for our mlb position (You guys chime in to let me know the real differences if you don't mind). Our db position needs some help but i don't know if it is from play calling or lack of talent. We all know D-Rob is a lock on his side of the field. Our no. 2 db position is the problem. Call me crazy but i say we can stand pat here if we can't find a steal. I think a new defensive scheme and a def. coor. that will actually line D-Rob up against the other teams top corner every down could make our no. 2 db (Faggins/Buch./rookie) a lot better player.

OFFENSE:

I think our o-line is not as bad as it looks. The success of the o-line is largely dependent on the coaching and blocking schemes. I think we would be fine if we just filled the guard positions. At the end of the year when the o-line started to gel, the only sacks i saw were coming up the middle which is the guard/center responsibility as well as the rb responsibility. Pitts is very underrated and could be a solid LT. I like the progress Hogdon showed last year and i think he could be a good fit at C. I like drafting Bentley but i would use him at guard instead of center. I believe our best option is to pick up a solid guard in the 2nd round (assuming we don't go ol in the first). At the skills position i think we will be fine if Bush is taken. I don't want to get into the whole drafting war but that gives us a 2nd solid back and a solid slot wr all in one. We do need help at TE but im sure once we finally find some help Joppuru (sp?) well have an all pro/injury free season. However, we can't wait on Bennie and we need to take action. I think the draft is a perfect spot for this but i don't see us taking a te in the 2nd if we don't go ol in the first. Maybe we could trade back up into the 2nd but i hate to speculate about trades because they are too difficult. I think Carr will be fine at qb and i will leave it at that.

Holden135 said:

DEFENSE:

Linebacker is tricky to me because im not that big of an expert on what size players you need at lb in the 4-3 as opposed to the 3-4. ...

I think a new defensive scheme and a def. coor. that will actually line D-Rob up against the other teams top corner every down could make our no. 2 db (Faggins/Buch./rookie) a lot better player.

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It varies widely depending on the style sought by the DC. Contrast Jeremiah Trotter at 6' 1" 262 lbs and Brian Urlacher 6' 4" 258 lbs with Al Wilson 6' 240 lbs, Gary Brackett 5' 11" 235 lbs and Zach Thomas 5' 11" 228 lbs, all playing MLB in a 4-3.

Lining up DB's by side has become more the norm than the rarity in the NFL of late.

The best the Texans can hope for out of FA is guys like Shane Mack.

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Yeah and maybe he can bring MARSHALL Applewhite with him to be our QB's coach.... Shane must be Stacey's brother, and Marshall must be Major's dad...

Free agents I think we could persue and would help the O-line I think would be Schaffer and Stokes both ufa tackles from Atlanta. The reason I say this is because they are familiar with the Zone block scheme and can serve as backups or starting tackles on our team and I don't think they are too expensive. Any opinions I think they might have some FA linemen coming out of Denver, but I haven't checked yet.

TexanBacker93 said:

So that's why Joe Andruzzi, who started on the Patriots line for 3 Super Bowls went to Cleveland? Muhsin Muhammed went to a Chicago team coming off a horrendous season. Marcus Pollard left the Colts and went to Detroit.

I realize those aren't All-Pro players, but many players go to a team that gives them a chance to play. As you said, the money spends well no matter who gives it to you. Why wouldn't a younger player go to a team that is looking to make the moves to turn the franchise around. I can understand not wanting to go work for an owner that has a history of being frugal or constantly changing coaches, but the Texans aren't in that boat. They have the best facilities in the league. I think the Texans have a lot to offer free agents. It's just a question of if the Texans even target top caliber guys.

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I keep hearing this "best facilities in the league" stuff. Do you really think that matters to a guy who has a choice to go "with the facilities" or go with a SB contender? I mean, this is the NFL! You're going to have quality facilities wherever you go -- with the possible exception of NO, of course. As for the FAs, just look who the Texans picked up in the past four years using that method. And their facilities were even better and newer back a couple of years ago. Don't count on FAs helping this team until it becomes a contender, and that will happen only when the younger players you get from the draft mature -- assuming the Texans get quality people from the draft.

I give a quick vote for Arrington. You can settle the LB'ing corps with this guy. I'm currently out here on the east coast and have followed the Arrington - Gibbs problem very close. Bottom line is, Gibbs doesn't want this guy but Arrington's teammates have been behind him all the way. If Gibbs wants him out, let's get him a jersey.

TEXANFAN23435 said:

I give a quick vote for Arrington. You can settle the LB'ing corps with this guy. I'm currently out here on the east coast and have followed the Arrington - Gibbs problem very close. Bottom line is, Gibbs doesn't want this guy but Arrington's teammates have been behind him all the way. If Gibbs wants him out, let's get him a jersey.

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He would ask WAY too much, but o man would I do it. He is the top MLB in the league, even if he is overrated.

He's an OLB, not a MLB. But I'd love to have him on the team if possible.

I think if we can only get one good defensive player during free agency, it should be someone like Nate Clements.

scourge said:

I think if we can only get one good defensive player during free agency, it should be someone like Nate Clements.

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I agree. One on defense (Clements) one on offense (Bently). That's probably about all we can afford, and they would be quality aquisitions that would have a real positive and immediate impact on the team IMO.

What TE will be available in FA they come cheap Rivers seemed to be get on page with carr late in the season.. but who is out there?

historically players follow the money. older players chase rings, and younger players chase dollars.


generally, older players who don't care as much about rings might chase dollars.

As much as I would like Bentley to sign a contract to be a Texan, I am not seeing it happen.

From what I understand, if the Saints want to re-sign Bentley, they have enough money to do so.

That being in the case, why would he want to go from a losing team that is paying him a lot of money to a team with even more losses that is paying him a lot of money? As it is likely that a good team may want to pay him a lot of money.

I know that Houston has a lot of ways to sell the team to him, but he is not originally a Suthren guy, and I am guessing their are better football situations for him.

And what happened to the rumors that the owners might permit New Orleans to have extra salary cap money to make up for the fact that they were nomads? To kinda make it more attractive for players to go with the Saints. That wouldn't help things for us.

outofhnd said:

What TE will be available in FA they come cheap Rivers seemed to be get on page with carr late in the season.. but who is out there?

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Nobody worth are time is out there. The draft is our best bet to draft a TE, the position is deep and talented this year so we need to shell out a 3rd or 4th and draft one. My personal suggestion would have to be Tim Day, from Oregon. He's go the ability to catch AND block rather than be either or like our TEs in the past.

What if Bruener becomes another Dwane carswell and adds some weight and becomes a lineman?

then he will be a back up like carswell was before his car accident.