"You can't always get what you want..."

As the immortal Rolling Stones song goes "You get what you need." Going after Pace made a statement to the Carr, Wand, the team and the fans. We want to protect you David. We went after one of the best, not Jonas Jennings or Mike Wahle (G, but projected as poss LT candidate), but we went after Orlando Pace. Seth Wand should see the challenge is his to improve, but he should also find comfort that if he were to be replaced it would have been by one of the best at his position. More importantly the attempt to sign Pace sends a very clearance message to David Carr--we care about you and we want you to succeed--enough that we would take a huge cap hit to get you a protector.

CC had nothing to lose with this move. Were we used? Maybe, but I think we used the Rams as much or more as Pace used us. We saved a ton on not doing this deal, both money, picks and talent. The Rams wouldn't give him up unless someone signed him to an offer sheet--2 #1s is very expensive. We gained credibility and trust, that our front office is willing to make big deals to keep this team growing and improving.

Moves like this bode well for exciting days ahead. While Pace would have lent a certain amount of comfort, I think that we'll see some dramatic moves this off-season to take us to the next level.

Think about it, Sharper was our defenses heart & soul, until suddenly a stud CB named Dunta came on the scene. Although losing Jamie is tough, it makes sense to jettison him now prior to losing him for nothing next year or seeing him fall off his game.

We're reshaping ourselves and bringing in younger talent to posture ourselves for the next 3-5 years. Great job by CC & Co. Keep up the good work.

haha yeah good post, i dont wanna lose sharper though, i paid a lot of money for that jersey

This sounds a little like my wife coming back from the mall with an armload of new clothes, telling me she "saved" me money because it was all on sale. The deal didn't happen, so I disagree that it "saved a ton."

Does Carr benefit from a "message" that they know Seth Wand is a subpar LT if there's no upgrade? I don't see how. And did Wand need a reminder that many fans think he's not very good? I bet he has a good idea of his current reputation, and it should be plenty to motivate him.

I do agree with your main point--that Houston gets credibility in the FA market for trying so hard in this deal. That WAS the biggest thing. Word will get around from this, so I think it was a worthwhile exercise.

TexanExile said:

This sounds a little like my wife coming back from the mall with an armload of new clothes, telling me she "saved" me money because it was all on sale. The deal didn't happen, so I disagree that it "saved a ton."

Does Carr benefit from a "message" that they know Seth Wand is a subpar LT if there's no upgrade? I don't see how. And did Wand need a reminder that many fans think he's not very good? I bet he has a good idea of his current reputation, and it should be plenty to motivate him.

I do agree with your main point--that Houston gets credibility in the FA market for trying so hard in this deal. That WAS the biggest thing. Word will get around from this, so I think it was a worthwhile exercise.

Click to expand...

In one of the Pace threads, someone used the comment, "That sometimes the best deal you make is the one you don't!" In the Pace Case, I believe that to be true, especially because the Rams were committed to the price of two #1 picks. In addition, the cap hit would have precluded us from addressing other areas to a greater extent. Look at it like this, the clothes your wife bought on sale made her happy, thus indirectly helping your family's happiness. Same principle here, we tried to make this big deal, but in the end it proved too costly, but there are residual benefits.

I disagree that Wand isn't very good. Last year he was starting at most difficult position on the line, learning a new blocking scheme. He did alright most of the year and he'll be better next, esp if Carr can step up in the pocket.

I think wand did a decent job last year and is taking too much of the blame for our oline's poor play. Yes freeney made him look like raw bacon but he did hold his own the majority of the season. the problem we have is that carr is backing straight back from pressure up the middle, allowing Deffensive ends to make sacks. I think if we upgrade in the center position rather than LT wand's play will improve as well as the rest of the offense.

I Personally think we should chuck the whole Zone Blocking concept this isnt Lombardi's run to daylight offense anymore. Many teams have tried the zone blocking scheme but here, we do not have the lineman that fit the Zone blocking need. Our Line is big and massive we need to assign them a body and just let them take their man. Zone blocking is for smaller guards and a mobile center who can pull out and lead. few teams have success with Zone blocking The Cowboys tried a Zone blocking scheme 3 years ago and it got a whole coaching staff fired. If they are gonna stick with this scheme we have to give it another year or 2 to see our OL gel and fully understand their blocking assignments. I think Wand is a very good tackle he would have to be for us to move Pitts to LG after Pitts spent 2 years at LT. In fact he is an upgrade on Pitts because I can barely remember him getting a holding call if any last season I think he will be better this year.