Rick Smith's poor job of managing the cap has closed our window for the time being.

[steelbtexan]

That's where the Texans made a poor assumption about the salary cap increasing in 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014. I say poor assumption, because it was wrong. We're not the only team struggling because of it, but all the contracts signed between 2007 & 2010 were affected by that assumption. That assumption & those contracts are the main reason we lost Casey, Barwin, Demeco, & even Jacoby who were thought to be part of the core.

Some teams "guessed" right & they're reaping the benefits. Personally I think there is a difference between mismanagement & poor assumptions. I think the Texans are managing the cap well, considering they made the poor assumption.

We've got one more year of this level cap & the Texans will be in the best position they've been in, in sometime, for the upcoming season.



Watt had nothing to do with Mario. He was drafted when Mario was here & they played completely different positions. Barwin's inability to produce in a contract year, along with Reed's ineffectiveness led to us drafting Mercilus to try to replace what we were getting from Mario with Watt.

That pick could have been Kevin Zeitler, Brian Quick, Coby Fleener..... or A.J. Jenkins.

Poor assumptions get managers fired everyday, poor assumptions are the reason most small businesses fail.

Poor assumptions are the reason MW was let go, atleast Rick had the foresight to see that he wasn't going to be able to re-sign Barwin, hence the Mercilus pick.

 

[steelbtexan]

#4 Playing the easiest schedule in the NFL in 2011 and 2012

If true this explains everything.

 

[Vance87]

If true this explains everything.

Actually we had the second hardest schedule in the AFC last year.

 

[infantrycak]

If true this explains everything.

According to ESPN the Texans were 29th SoS in 2012. New England was 32nd. The Texans were 10th in 2011 with New England at 15th.

Clearly the assertion was not true.

For a little more context over the two year span, wins v. losses of opponents:
Houston - .494

New England - .478
San Francisco - .482
Green Bay - .488

 

[Texian]

Actually we had the second hardest schedule in the AFC last year.

Actually there were 12 AFC teams who played a more difficult schedule than the Texans.

If true this explains everything.

According to ESPN the Texans were 29th SoS in 2012. New England was 32nd. The Texans were 10th in 2011 with New England at 15th.

Clearly the assertion was not true.

For a little more context over the two year span, wins v. losses of opponents:
Houston - .494

New England - .478
San Francisco - .482
Green Bay - .488

It is much closer to being accurate than Cak's assertion. Cak's numbers are pre-season SOS instead actual post season SOS. "A look at the most difficult schedules in 2012 (based on opponents' 2011 record)." Cak's numbers are actually for 2010 and 2011.

2011 SOS = http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/56896/
2012 SOS = http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000137115/article/teambyteam-strength-of-schedule-for-2013

The Texans SOS opponents played in 2011 was .473 , a TIE for Teams 29th & 30th

The Texans SOS opponents played in 2012 was .473, a TIE for Teams 26th, 27th, 28th

That is very close to playing the easiest schedule over a 2 year period.

 

[infantrycak]

It is much closer to being accurate than Cak's assertion. Cak's numbers are pre-season SOS instead actual post season SOS. "A look at the most difficult schedules in 2012 (based on opponents' 2011 record)." Cak's numbers are actually for 2010 and 2011.

2011 SOS = http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/56896/
2012 SOS = http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000137115/article/teambyteam-strength-of-schedule-for-2013

Not even close.

You can't take the 2012 page and use the %s as the 2011 SOS. That calculation is the 2011 results of the teams being played in 2012. It has no bearing on the results for the teams played by the Texans in 2011.

Now if you have a source (as you should have for your assertion) for 2011 SOS calculated after the season based on actual results then by all means provide it and we will test your assertion once again.

 

[badboy]

I don't think that's fair. With the CBA expiring they were in new territory. And I don't think it was unreasonable to expect the salary cap to increase every year. If you had told me it would be mostly stagnant for a while I would've laughed at the time.

Just curious, the NFL set the cap and all it's workings and forced it on the players; so how were the individual team owners surprised? McNair is one of the big dogs and is well respected so how come he didn't know cap would be flat in new CBA? Cannot believe the commish came up with it on his own and "surprised" the owners with a plan that saved them millions.

 

[Texian]

Not even close.

You can't take the 2012 page and use the %s as the 2011 SOS. That calculation is the 2011 results of the teams being played in 2012. It has no bearing on the results for the teams played by the Texans in 2011.

Now if you have a source (as you should have for your assertion) for 2011 SOS calculated after the season based on actual results then by all means provide it and we will test your assertion once again.

You made a mistake. It happens. A misinterpretation. The teams that Texans actually played in 2011 had a cumulative W-L record of .473. The teams that the Texans actually played in 2012 had a cumulative W-L of .473. A pre-season SOS is a projection. A post season SOS is reality. The 2012 pre-season SOS is the actual 2011 season real W-L record. The 2103 pre-season SOS is the actual 2012 real W-L record.

 

[infantrycak]

You made a mistake. It happens. A misinterpretation. The teams that Texans actually played in 2011 had a cumulative W-L record of .473. The teams that the Texans actually played in 2012 had a cumulative W-L of .473.

That is not the numbers in those tables. The 2012 table shows the 2011 record of the teams the Texans were to play in 2012. The 2011 table shows the 2010 record of the teams the Texans were to play in 2011. Yes it is a projection from one year old results. Your error is in trying to look at that 2011 number and say it has anything to do with the Texans in 2011. It does not. It is entirely about the performance of the 2012 opponents in 2011.

A post season SOS is reality.

One which you still have not demonstrated.

But I will spot you one. The actual 2012 results of the teams the Texans played in 2012 was 127-129 rather than the 121-135 projected from 2011 results, i.e. it was harder, and ended up at .496 instead of .473.

That was due primarily to the Colts' improvement. 2011 was easier than projected due primarily to the Colts cratering.

 

[Texian]

That is not the numbers in those tables. The 2012 table shows the 2011 record of the teams the Texans were to play in 2012. The 2011 table shows the 2010 record of the teams the Texans were to play in 2011. Yes it is a projection from one year old results. Your error is in trying to look at that 2011 number and say it has anything to do with the Texans in 2011. It does not. It is entirely about the performance of the 2012 opponents in 2011.



One which you still have not demonstrated.

But I will spot you one. The actual 2012 results of the teams the Texans played in 2012 was 127-129 rather than the 121-135 projected from 2011 results, i.e. it was harder, and ended up at .496 instead of .473.

That was due primarily to the Colts' improvement. 2011 was easier than projected due primarily to the Colts cratering.

After pointing out your error of "The Texans were 10th in 2011" I then go and repeat the same error for SOS in 2012. Shame on me. For the record the Texans actual SOS in 2011 was .473 and .496 in 2012. Thanks for spotting me one.

 

[Texian]

Drafting Bullock was another cap decision band aid that has backfired more than once. Draft a kicker pay him minimum and that way you don't have to pay $1+ million for a vet kicker like Rackers or Graham. Frees up $600K in cap room. OOPs!

 

[infantrycak]

Drafting Bullock was another cap decision band aid that has backfired more than once. Draft a kicker pay him minimum and that way you don't have to pay $1+ million for a vet kicker like Rackers or Graham. Frees up $600K in cap room. OOPs!

Rackers and Graham are eligible for a senior deal which halves their cap hit so that wasn't a factor.

 

[Texian]

Rackers and Graham are eligible for a senior deal which halves their cap hit so that wasn't a factor.

Rackers and Graham were each paid a million per year, more than half of what Bullock is making. Actually Rackers had a 2 year $4.1 million contract so drafting Bullock saved more that I first suggested.

 

[76Texan]

I think it was more of a case of mis-evaluation.

Greg Zuerlein and Blair Walsh were both drafted in the sixth round in the same draft, and they are doing better than Bullock.

Zuerlein is 37-47, with 7 of the 10 misses over 50 yards.
Walsh is simply killing it at 46-51.

 

[Texian]

I think it was more of a case of mis-evaluation.

Greg Zuerlein and Blair Walsh were both drafted in the sixth round in the same draft, and they are doing better than Bullock.

Zuerlein is 37-47, with 7 of the 10 misses over 50 yards.
Walsh is simply killing it at 46-51.

Baltimore signed Justin Tucker as a UDFA the same year. Ozzie doing it again.

 

[infantrycak]

Rackers and Graham were each paid over a million per year, more than half of what Bullock is making.

Neil Rackers wasn't in the league in 2012. He'd have taken vet min.

From spotrac it appears Shane Graham's contract with the Texans was a qualifying contract of 940k salary, 20k signing and 45 k other bonus for $1.005 mil. 50% of which is $502,500.

Bullock's cap hit this season is $449,527. The difference is inconsequential.

It was a bad pick but not one forced by the cap.

 

[76Texan]

Baltimore signed Justin Tucker as a UDFA the same year. Ozzie doing it again.

I guess Kubiak prefers Aggies over Longhorns.

 

[Texian]

Neil Rackers wasn't in the league in 2012. He'd have taken vet min.

From spotrac it appears Shane Graham's contract with the Texans was a qualifying contract of 940k salary, 20k signing and 45 k other bonus for $1.005 mil. 50% of which is $502,500.

Bullock's cap hit this season is $449,527. The difference is inconsequential.

It was a bad pick but not one forced by the cap.

Let me walk you through this, Rackers had signed a 2 yr $4.1 million contract in 2010. Saying he would sign for Vet min is an assumption. He was after all he was Top 5 in FGs. The Texans had restructured 3 contracts in 2011 and prior to the 2012 draft they had released Winston, Vickers, Lienart, traded Ryans just to get under the cap. So yes prior to the 2012 draft the Texans didn't have the money to sign Rackers at $2 million or another Vet at a $1 million. So yes drafting a place kicker in the 5th Rd was a salary cap decision. ABSOULTELY. NO DOUBT! Bullock disappoints in OTAs so they have to bring in Graham, but before they can do that they had to release Jacoby Jones, oops that's another Mil they weren't counting on. The Texans as accustomed restructure more contracts in Aug 2012 in order to get the 53 man roster & 8 player practice squad under the salary cap.

If $600K is inconsequential then with another measly inconsequential $600K the Texans could've signed a Top 5 PK. When you don't have enough money to buy a box of #2 pencils then $600K isn't inconsequential. It is this mindset and logic that when $600K is inconsequential, that is what causes and creates salary cap problems. When $600K stops becoming inconsequential is when you stop having salary cap problems. When you start managing the $600k as consequential the salary cap stops becoming a problem. Sometimes when you're forced to make decisions dictated by the salary cap it comes back to bite you in the butt and this time it did, again.

 

[infantrycak]

You must laugh at yourself while you type. Yeah I am sure Rackers would rather sit on the couch as he did than get paid a mil. Hey I'll bet when he kicks tomorrow he'll point out the last time he was in the NFL he made $2 mil.

As with the remainder of your post, the $600k is pulled out of your posterior orifice.

 

[76Texan]

The Texans had a little over $2.4M in carryover from 2012.

 

[Texian]

You must laugh at yourself while you type. Yeah I am sure Rackers would rather sit on the couch as he did than get paid a mil. Hey I'll bet when he kicks tomorrow he'll point out the last time he was in the NFL he made $2 mil.

As with the remainder of your post, the $600k is pulled out of your posterior orifice.

Is that you Ritchie Incognito? You're always so pleasant.

Still doesn't change the fact that the decision to draft Bullock was dictated by the salary cap. And no the only laughing I do is at some of your driveby trolling post.

 

[NCTexan]

Just curious, the NFL set the cap and all it's workings and forced it on the players; so how were the individual team owners surprised? McNair is one of the big dogs and is well respected so how come he didn't know cap would be flat in new CBA? Cannot believe the commish came up with it on his own and "surprised" the owners with a plan that saved them millions.

That's definitely a fair point and one I had not thought about. It seems to me that the Texans, and we're far from the only team, were signing contracts that seem to imply they saw an increase in these past two years larger than what they got. Does that not seem true to you?

 

[Norg]

I deff think Rick smith needs to be fired he made 2 many errors

depending on how the rest of the season goes I would def be fine if Kubes stays and Rick gets fired


I would also be fine if both Rick and Kubes get fired o would not mind that either

 

[thunderkyss]

I would also be fine if both Rick and Kubes get fired o would not mind that either

I'm not even going to worry about it. They're going to do whatever they're going to do. I'm still going to support the Texans. I'm going to go to the games & I'm going to act like they're no different than any other team & have a chance to win despite the issues.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

The team ( core + Kubiak & Smith ) peeked in 2011 . I think there was some mismanagement of the cap , holding on to and rewarding average talent , and missing badly on the next in line when you cut somebody .

What's this mean to me , you still have some good components for a team . You need a different view to the talent because K&S have been looking at the same guys to long .

 

[Tailgate]

Is that you Ritchie Incognito? You're always so pleasant.

Still doesn't change the fact that the decision to draft Bullock was dictated by the salary cap. And no the only laughing I do is at some of your driveby trolling post.

You simply cannot prove this. How do you know they were not thinking, hey this kid is legit... lets draft him now and have this position locked up for years to come??

Quit acting like you have it all figured out when you don't.

 

[Tailgate]

The team ( core + Kubiak & Smith ) peeked in 2011 . I think there was some mismanagement of the cap , holding on to and rewarding average talent , and missing badly on the next in line when you cut somebody .

What's this mean to me , you still have some good components for a team . You need a different view to the talent because K&S have been looking at the same guys to long .

Not to mention Alex Gibbs effect was still around in 2011. Not so much anymore. People seem to forget just how stout our running game became with the master around to architect it for a couple of years. The longer removed we are, the worse our O-line seems to get.

 

[jaayteetx]

I deff think Rick smith needs to be fired he made 2 many errors

depending on how the rest of the season goes I would def be fine if Kubes stays and Rick gets fired


I would also be fine if both Rick and Kubes get fired o would not mind that either

 

[Texian]

You simply cannot prove this. How do you know they were not thinking, hey this kid is legit... lets draft him now and have this position locked up for years to come??

Quit acting like you have it all figured out when you don't.

This much I do know, the Texans started that year by cutting Winston, Vickers and Lienart and trading Ryans in order to get under the salary cap. The Texans didn't have a PK because Rackers was a FA. The Texans drafted Bullock and he showed up at OTAs with a bum leg. In order to bring in an experienced kicker as backup the Texans first had to release Jacoby Jones in order to sign Graham.

Some people have a brain and they use it. Others choose to ignore the obvious. Which one are you? Just because you don't understand the why and what for doesn't mean that other people do understand what is going on.

 

[Tailgate]

This much I do know, the Texans started that year by cutting Winston, Vickers and Lienart and trading Ryans in order to get under the salary cap. The Texans didn't have a PK because Rackers was a FA. The Texans drafted Bullock and he showed up at OTAs with a bum leg. In order to bring in an experienced kicker as backup the Texans first had to release Jacoby Jones in order to sign Graham.

Some people have a brain and they use it. Others choose to ignore the obvious. Which one are you? Just because you don't understand the why and what for doesn't mean that other people do understand what is going on.

So, you are saying that when they drafted Bullock they knew he had a bum leg? HES A KICKER, and when you draft a kicker you expect him to be very good for a very long time. Rackers and Graham are both out of the league now, and Bullock could have easily been seen as an upgrade moving forward all things considered. It simply did not work out that way, it happens. Sometimes peoples brains make things more complicated than they really are.

 

[tedr]

I'm not even going to worry about it. They're going to do whatever they're going to do. I'm still going to support the Texans. I'm going to go to the games & I'm going to act like they're no different than any other team & have a chance to win despite the issues.

Great post.

As Texans fans, we have a tendency to think some problems are only ours. They're not.

 

[beerlover]

I understand fans frustration falling so short of their expectations but this also applies to management, Rick Smith & ownership as well. We're all crushed & disappointed with our best team to date (on paper) as Texans, implode like Bluto's zit on animal house http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZN4r8p6KbU

Rick Smith will have to make some cuts from the cafeteria menu, cut the fat & add more healthy, smart options he has a lot on his plate. It seems he has strayed from Texan worthy players/prospects & so quality depth has not lived up to high standards fans, coaches & players expect. Everybody deals with injury's & bad breaks but I would also throw the medical staff under the bus for mis-evaluation of significance of off season pickups & rookie development.

Will Rick be able to make the super tough decision along with his owner Bob McNair, for Kubiak health & welfare of team moving forward make him the best paid offensive coordinator in the NFL & bring in a new coach?

Stay tuned

 

[Texian]

So, you are saying that when they drafted Bullock they knew he had a bum leg? HES A KICKER, and when you draft a kicker you expect him to be very good for a very long time. Rackers and Graham are both out of the league now, and Bullock could have easily been seen as an upgrade moving forward all things considered. It simply did not work out that way, it happens. Sometimes peoples brains make things more complicated than they really are.

Rackers was a Top 5 PK in 2011 so this pretty much makes your argument of an upgrade null and void. Even if the Texans wanted to sign Rackers or Graham prior to the 2012 draft they didn't have the available salary cap to do so. They simply did not have the money. Therefore it doesn't take a genius to understand that they drafted a player they could afford. It doesn't take a genius to understand that the salary cap dictated the decision to draft Bullock. It wouldn't be the first time that the Texans drafted a player that had a conditioning or medical issue. When the Texans realized they needed another option to Bullock in 2012, the first thing they had to do was release Jacoby Jones so they could afford to sign Graham. It's not that complicated. It's basic deductive reasoning and general logic vs making more excuses for the Texans. If you have studied the Texans player personnel transactions over the years you would know this is a pattern of behavior. The salary cap controls the Texans, the Texans do not control the salary cap. It's the old adage, you want to know the answer? you want to know why? follow the money

 

[steelbtexan]

Not to mention Alex Gibbs effect was still around in 2011. Not so much anymore. People seem to forget just how stout our running game became with the master around to architect it for a couple of years. The longer removed we are, the worse our O-line seems to get.

Yep,

Gibbs knew how to find and mold later rd talent. (Myers 6th rd trade, Briesel UDFA, Winston 3rd rd) This is what the Texans have been missing since Gibbs left. Cheap OL talent performing as the best unit in the NFL.

In short, unlike other areas of the Texans, Alex Gibbs held his OL accountable and they performed at a high level despite not being the most talented group on the Texans. It's what great coaches do. Something the Texans are currently severely lacking.

 

[infantrycak]

This much I do know, the Texans started that year by cutting Winston, Vickers and Lienart and trading Ryans in order to get under the salary cap. The Texans didn't have a PK because Rackers was a FA. The Texans drafted Bullock and he showed up at OTAs with a bum leg. In order to bring in an experienced kicker as backup the Texans first had to release Jacoby Jones in order to sign Graham.

Some people have a brain and they use it. Others choose to ignore the obvious. Which one are you? Just because you don't understand the why and what for doesn't mean that other people do understand what is going on.

You are fabricating your own plot.

Winston - many people were complaining about his play for a couple seasons, said he was overpaid and wanted him cut. Was money a consideration? - sure as it should be for every player evaluating cost v. performance. They were proven correct by his getting cut again after 1 season at his new team.

Vickers - JAG whose roster spot was filled by someone making a similar salary. They don't just cut and leave the spot open. At his position there was a great deal of excitement in what Casey might provide.

Lienart - in many ways less than a JAG. Are you claiming this somehow hurt the team? TJ now had real game experience. Leinart was unnecessary.

DeMeco - again, wasn't performing to his contract. There are plenty of threads around here on how he had not come back well from injury and did not fit our 3-4 well.

Graham - signed May 7th for another leg in camp which is done every year. That's a week after the draft and had nothing to do with Bullock having a bum leg. Bullock tore his groin months later in the preseason.

Jacoby Jones - underachieving WR who people had been screaming to cut for a few years (in addition to the playoff gaff). Right now there is a thread wanting to cut Martin in his 2nd year and it has nothing to do with the cap. The Texans had just drafted 2 WRs to upgrade the position. When JJ was released the Texans did not need cap room for Graham.

You are trying to sell these as "forced to by the cap" moves. That ignores all the perfectly legitimate reasons to make them. The only one which arguably hurt them on the football field was Winston. The rest are ordinary churn, part of every team's analysis of what deadwood to get rid of and where upgrades can be made.

 

[Texian]

You are fabricating your own plot.

Winston - many people were complaining about his play for a couple seasons, said he was overpaid and wanted him cut. Was money a consideration? - sure as it should be for every player evaluating cost v. performance. They were proven correct by his getting cut again after 1 season at his new team.

Vickers - JAG whose roster spot was filled by someone making a similar salary. They don't just cut and leave the spot open. At his position there was a great deal of excitement in what Casey might provide.

Lienart - in many ways less than a JAG. Are you claiming this somehow hurt the team? TJ now had real game experience. Leinart was unnecessary.

DeMeco - again, wasn't performing to his contract. There are plenty of threads around here on how he had not come back well from injury and did not fit our 3-4 well.

Graham - signed May 7th for another leg in camp which is done every year. That's a week after the draft and had nothing to do with Bullock having a bum leg. Bullock tore his groin months later in the preseason.

Jacoby Jones - underachieving WR who people had been screaming to cut for a few years (in addition to the playoff gaff). Right now there is a thread wanting to cut Martin in his 2nd year and it has nothing to do with the cap. The Texans had just drafted 2 WRs to upgrade the position. When JJ was released the Texans did not need cap room for Graham. <----ERRONEOUS STATEMENT

You are trying to sell these as "forced to by the cap" moves. That ignores all the perfectly legitimate reasons to make them. The only one which arguably hurt them on the football field was Winston. The rest are ordinary churn, part of every team's analysis of what deadwood to get rid of and where upgrades can be made.

Lot's of excuses there Ritchie...Let's review

Winston was a cap casualty simply because he offered the most cap relief without any penalty. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it. None of your excuses, precognition or clairvoyance apply.

Lienart, Vickers and Ryans were cap casualties regardless of how you try and spin it. They were high end salary cap relief and that's why they were released. No way the Texans could have re-signed Foster without some major cap relief. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it.

Even with all the cap casualties the Texans still had to restructure contracts (Johnson & Joseph $10 mil) in order to get the season under way. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it.

Graham - signed May 7th for another leg in camp which is done every year. - If that were the case they would have done that in 2013. They didn't and that makes your argument null & void. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it.

Your mentality of the salary cap is exactly why there are salary cap problems.Learn to follow the money. Learn and understand that most all decisions made are a direct result of the money available. Your post will be more accurate and filled with less excuses.

How's your Mecedes-Benz 2dr Roadster SL63 AMG Convertible? Oh you don't have one. You can't afford it. I understand, I can't either.

 

[Tailgate]

Rackers was a Top 5 PK in 2011 so this pretty much makes your argument of an upgrade null and void. Even if the Texans wanted to sign Rackers or Graham prior to the 2012 draft they didn't have the available salary cap to do so. They simply did not have the money. Therefore it doesn't take a genius to understand that they drafted a player they could afford. It doesn't take a genius to understand that the salary cap dictated the decision to draft Bullock. It wouldn't be the first time that the Texans drafted a player that had a conditioning or medical issue. When the Texans realized they needed another option to Bullock in 2012, the first thing they had to do was release Jacoby Jones so they could afford to sign Graham. It's not that complicated. It's basic deductive reasoning and general logic vs making more excuses for the Texans. If you have studied the Texans player personnel transactions over the years you would know this is a pattern of behavior. The salary cap controls the Texans, the Texans do not control the salary cap. It's the old adage, you want to know the answer? you want to know why? follow the money

Dude, you are trying too hard w the whole kicker thing here.

In 2011, pff has Rackers at #16 overall in fg% and was 4 of 8 in fgs from 40-49... And ranked #29 in kickoffs.

In 2012, Graham was ranked #26 in fg%, and #37 in kickoffs. Now, I will concede that alot of Graham 's lower fg% is due to misses from 50+.

But the fact remains, Rackers and Graham are no longer on ANY team. And you know who is tearing it up? Blair Walsh, a 23 yr old kicker who was DRAFTED in the 6th round by the Vikings. Again, its not inconceivable to think we were drafting an upgrade and long term solution for the future when we drafted Bullock. I honestly dont know what else to tell you.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

Lot's of excuses there Ritchie...Let's review

Winston was a cap casualty simply because he offered the most cap relief without any penalty. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it. None of your excuses, precognition or clairvoyance apply.

Lienart, Vickers and Ryans were cap casualties regardless of how you try and spin it. They were high end salary cap relief and that's why they were released. No way the Texans could have re-signed Foster without some major cap relief. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it.

Even with all the cap casualties the Texans still had to restructure contracts (Johnson & Joseph $10 mil) in order to get the season under way. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it.

Graham - signed May 7th for another leg in camp which is done every year. - If that were the case they would have done that in 2013. They didn't and that makes your argument null & void. It's that simple no matter how you try to spin it.

Your mentality of the salary cap is exactly why there are salary cap problems.Learn to follow the money. Learn and understand that most all decisions made are a direct result of the money available. Your post will be more accurate and filled with less excuses.

How's your Mecedes-Benz 2dr Roadster SL63 AMG Convertible? Oh you don't have one. You can't afford it. I understand, I can't either.

I think y'all are saying the same thing in an around about way .

If you make 5 million dollars but play like a 1.5 million dollar player , you better watch it . Why ... cause they have a 2nd year ,7th round pick waiting in the wings and for a lot less .

 

[Texian]

Dude, you are trying too hard w the whole kicker thing here.

In 2011, pff has Rackers at #16 overall in fg% and was 4 of 8 in fgs from 40-49... And ranked #29 in kickoffs.

In 2012, Graham was ranked #26 in fg%, and #37 in kickoffs. Now, I will concede that alot of Graham 's lower fg% is due to misses from 50+.

But the fact remains, Rackers and Graham are no longer on ANY team. And you know who is tearing it up? Blair Walsh, a 23 yr old kicker who was DRAFTED in the 6th round by the Vikings. Again, its not inconceivable to think we were drafting an upgrade and long term solution for the future when we drafted Bullock. I honestly dont know what else to tell you.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...onType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=false&Submit=Go

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...onType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=false&Submit=Go

Conceivable or Inconceivable the bottom line is that drafting Bullock was dictated by the salary cap. Justin Tucker is doing better than Walsh and Bullock. So what you're saying is the Texans wasted a 5th RD draft pick on PK.

 

[Texian]

I think y'all are saying the same thing in an around about way .

If you make 5 million dollars but play like a 1.5 million dollar player , you better watch it . Why ... cause they have a 2nd year ,7th round pick waiting in the wings and for a lot less .

Here is what I am saying....

The Texans drafted a PK with a 5th RD pick because they didn't have the money to sign an experienced veteran. The Texans could NOT afford to sign an experienced Vet PK without first releasing a player with an equal or greater salary cap hit or restructuring contracts and borrowing enough money from future years to pay for players this year.....that's what I am saying.

 

[Tailgate]

So what you're saying is the Texans wasted a 5th RD draft pick on PK.

Is that not obvious at this point? And to me says they INVESTED a lot more in this guy than you want to admit.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

Here is what I am saying....

The Texans drafted a PK with a 5th RD pick because they didn't have the money to sign an experienced veteran. The Texans could NOT afford to sign an experienced Vet PK without first releasing a player with an equal or greater salary cap hit or restructuring contracts and borrowing enough money from future years to pay for players this year.....that's what I am saying.

I know they don't have much wiggle room . The elephant in the room to me is , they got this way before they became real super bowl contenders .

 

[76Texan]

Here is what I am saying....

The Texans drafted a PK with a 5th RD pick because they didn't have the money to sign an experienced veteran. The Texans could NOT afford to sign an experienced Vet PK without first releasing a player with an equal or greater salary cap hit or restructuring contracts and borrowing enough money from future years to pay for players this year.....that's what I am saying.

I get your point, Texian.

But that was why I brought up the other two kickers drafted in the sixth round; you even added the UDFA from UT (a Houston native no less.)

These guys performed at basically the same pay as Bullock, with less in signing bonus. Teams don't need to go after veterans.

On the one hand, you have to balance between paying a veteran and the possibility of a young talent.

It seems to me that you pick and choose.

If the Texans hit on all the picks, none of us would complain, since young talents are always cheaper than the vets.

 

[Texian]

Is that not obvious at this point? And to me says they INVESTED a lot more in this guy than you want to admit.

Oh make no mistake, I freely admit the Texans have more invested in Bullock than was originally planned. Not only a 5th rd draft pick but Texans also had to release Jones to bring in Graham, the Texans had to spend an additional $1 million on Graham they hadn't intended on. The Texans certainly didn't intend on bringing in Rackers and Graham today and the probability of spending another $500K for another PK for 8 games left in the season.

 

[Texian]

I get your point, Texian.

But that was why I brought up the other two kickers drafted in the sixth round; you even added the UDFA from UT (a Houston native no less.)

These guys performed at basically the same pay as Bullock, with less in signing bonus. Teams don't need to go after veterans.

On the one hand, you have to balance between paying a veteran and the possibility of a young talent.

It seems to me that you pick and choose.

If the Texans hit on all the picks, none of us would complain, since young talents are always cheaper than the vets.

Basically my point is the Texans are in this position because they put themselves in this position because of poor salary cap management. When you begin each league year without enough money to meet your minimum financial obligations for 3 years in a row that is poor salary cap management. It causes a deterioration in talent, prevents teams from adding quality talent and forces them to make decisions that they don't necessarily want to make and that is exactly where the Texans are today.....no excuses from me, follow the money, it tells actual and true story.

 

[76Texan]

Basically my point is the Texans are in this position because they put themselves in this position because of poor salary cap management. When you begin each league year without enough money to meet your minimum financial obligations for 3 years in a row that is poor salary cap management. It causes a deterioration in talent, prevents teams from adding quality talent and forces them to make decisions that they don't necessarily want to make and that is exactly where the Texans are today.....no excuses from me, follow the money, it tells actual and true story.

I would explore this further with you, except my dislike for the business side of football prevents it from happening.

I'm just not interested in it even though I do follow it.
It gives me no joy.

It's a good excercise for me to learn a little here and there.

All I need to know is it's not a hindrance to the team's performance.

For one thing, fixing the ST doesn't require a hell lot of capitals.
Why they fail to address this for so long is beyond me.
And it has nothing to do with cap space.

 

[Texian]

I would explore this further with you, except my dislike for the business side of football prevents it from happening.

I'm just not interested in it even though I do follow it.
It gives me no joy.

It's a good excercise for me to learn a little here and there.

All I need to know is it's not a hindrance to the team's performance.

For one thing, fixing the ST doesn't require a hell lot of capitals.
Why they fail to address this for so long is beyond me.
And it has nothing to do with cap space.

It is very hard, darn near impossible to fix the X and Os if don't understand the Dollars and Cents.

 

[Tailgate]

Oh make no mistake, I freely admit the Texans have more invested in Bullock than was originally planned. Not only a 5th rd draft pick but Texans also had to release Jones to bring in Graham, the Texans had to spend an additional $1 million on Graham they hadn't intended on. The Texans certainly didn't intend on bringing in Rackers and Graham today and the probability of spending another $500K for another PK for 8 games left in the season.

Yes, they had to bring in Graham because an unforseen injury to Bullock. Had they got the pick right they would have secured our kicker for the future instead. And considering his resume in college this is not a move I can fault.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

It is very hard, darn near impossible to fix the X and Os if don't understand the Dollars and Cents.

You can paint yourself in a corner if you give an average X the pay of an all pro X .

 

[76Texan]

It is very hard, darn near impossible to fix the X and Os if don't understand the Dollars and Cents.

Oh trust me; I understand the world we live in.

No matter how I loath the business side of football, I understand that I need to know about it's influential on the football side .

Reading books about the whole thing helps keep one uptodate as well.
I love the public library.