TexansSeminole
Hall of Fame
Assuming OB remains as the HC, Romeo remains DC, and Tim Kelly remains as OC, AND we go with a round table GM situation as has been described, my game plan would be:
1. Replace the OL coach. This coach has had 5 years to improve the position group. In that span, he coached Brandon Brooks and was part of the staff that allowed him to escape after his rookie deal. He's been part of the team that has overseen multiple FA OL signings and current player extensions, the vast majority of which have been poor decisions. Getting a new approach at OL would do wonders for this team. If we are going to keep this same offensive scheme, we are in much better shape if we can get some average to above average OL play.
I imagine we won't see any staff changes, if I understand OB like I think I do, so I will leave staff decisions to just this one, but I would love to see them take a open approach to upgrading any number of assistant coaching positions.
In addition, I am cutting Zach Fulton and freeing up money there. I would go very strongly at Scherff and hope to pry him from the Redskins. I would look hard at any potential upgrade at any of the positions along the line, except obviously LT. We still need alot of help here, so I would also draft a late round OL to add competition.
2. Re-sign Watson and Reader. Self-explanatory, both are no-brainer re-signs.
3. Upgrade CB. Let Joseph walk and give him alot of love. He should be looked at as a ex-player staff position type of guy ala Andre, Cushing, Weaver etc. I don't think any of the top CB FAs are going to slip away from their teams, so I would explore re-signing Roby to another short term contract. He was injured this year and didn't show enough to warrant alot of demand from other teams, so I think he would be open to this idea. It's no perfect solution, but unless we get lucky in FA, it's prudent. I'd also look at signing Ronald Darby to a similar style of contract, albeit for much less money. He's got alot of talent, but has struggled in Philadelphia with both his play and staying healthy. We could probably get him for cheap. We need to draft a corner that we expect can atleast see the field right away, which probably means it will need to be one of our higher picks.
4. Upgrade RB. Given how reliant we are on our run game working, as the commitment to it appears to be the intended identity of the offense, we need better and frankly more athletes at this position. I let Lamar Miller walk and look over the FAs available. Assuming both Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake are re-signed by their respective teams, Kareem Hunt would be my #1 target, but I am not sure the Texans will value him as highly as other teams given his past. Melvin Gordon is my #2 target, but I am not paying him crazy high money and he may not get offered all that high given the Le'veon Bell situation and result for the Jets. My #3 target is Jordan Howard as I think he is an upgrade over Hyde. I would explore Howard pretty strongly and consider if paying him more than we would probably pay Hyde in a re-signing is worth it. If not, I re-sign Hyde to a team-friendly deal given his age.
Regardless of the result of our FA endeavors here, I am drafting a RB with one of our higher picks, eyeing speed and pass catching ability particularly. Duke is a great pass catcher, so it is no surprise that having him on the field opens our offense up in alot of sets, but I also think it fits our QB. I think with Watson and the style of offense, having this type of player available on game day is vital. We need to protect ourselves if Duke goes down, and we just need more athleticism at the position.
5. Draft front 7 and pass rush. We should probably look at extending Cunningham, as he may get more expensive next year. Cole is likely gone after the significant injury. Dunn may also be gone, depending on his FA situation. We need to upgrade OLB opposite Mercilus and prepare for the replacement of JJ Watt. I would draft multiple players in the front 7, one being an OLB, and the remainder depending on what talent is available to us in each round.
1. Replace the OL coach. This coach has had 5 years to improve the position group. In that span, he coached Brandon Brooks and was part of the staff that allowed him to escape after his rookie deal. He's been part of the team that has overseen multiple FA OL signings and current player extensions, the vast majority of which have been poor decisions. Getting a new approach at OL would do wonders for this team. If we are going to keep this same offensive scheme, we are in much better shape if we can get some average to above average OL play.
I imagine we won't see any staff changes, if I understand OB like I think I do, so I will leave staff decisions to just this one, but I would love to see them take a open approach to upgrading any number of assistant coaching positions.
In addition, I am cutting Zach Fulton and freeing up money there. I would go very strongly at Scherff and hope to pry him from the Redskins. I would look hard at any potential upgrade at any of the positions along the line, except obviously LT. We still need alot of help here, so I would also draft a late round OL to add competition.
2. Re-sign Watson and Reader. Self-explanatory, both are no-brainer re-signs.
3. Upgrade CB. Let Joseph walk and give him alot of love. He should be looked at as a ex-player staff position type of guy ala Andre, Cushing, Weaver etc. I don't think any of the top CB FAs are going to slip away from their teams, so I would explore re-signing Roby to another short term contract. He was injured this year and didn't show enough to warrant alot of demand from other teams, so I think he would be open to this idea. It's no perfect solution, but unless we get lucky in FA, it's prudent. I'd also look at signing Ronald Darby to a similar style of contract, albeit for much less money. He's got alot of talent, but has struggled in Philadelphia with both his play and staying healthy. We could probably get him for cheap. We need to draft a corner that we expect can atleast see the field right away, which probably means it will need to be one of our higher picks.
4. Upgrade RB. Given how reliant we are on our run game working, as the commitment to it appears to be the intended identity of the offense, we need better and frankly more athletes at this position. I let Lamar Miller walk and look over the FAs available. Assuming both Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake are re-signed by their respective teams, Kareem Hunt would be my #1 target, but I am not sure the Texans will value him as highly as other teams given his past. Melvin Gordon is my #2 target, but I am not paying him crazy high money and he may not get offered all that high given the Le'veon Bell situation and result for the Jets. My #3 target is Jordan Howard as I think he is an upgrade over Hyde. I would explore Howard pretty strongly and consider if paying him more than we would probably pay Hyde in a re-signing is worth it. If not, I re-sign Hyde to a team-friendly deal given his age.
Regardless of the result of our FA endeavors here, I am drafting a RB with one of our higher picks, eyeing speed and pass catching ability particularly. Duke is a great pass catcher, so it is no surprise that having him on the field opens our offense up in alot of sets, but I also think it fits our QB. I think with Watson and the style of offense, having this type of player available on game day is vital. We need to protect ourselves if Duke goes down, and we just need more athleticism at the position.
5. Draft front 7 and pass rush. We should probably look at extending Cunningham, as he may get more expensive next year. Cole is likely gone after the significant injury. Dunn may also be gone, depending on his FA situation. We need to upgrade OLB opposite Mercilus and prepare for the replacement of JJ Watt. I would draft multiple players in the front 7, one being an OLB, and the remainder depending on what talent is available to us in each round.
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