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Texans release C Nick Martin
- Thread starter amazing80
- Start date
Texazan
Our HOF 34
I said exactly that up above. It‘d be great if NC could let ALL the ones on D he wants gone in one day. Save time, save money, effective and efficient.
TexansFan15
All Pro
I like several of the centers in this years Draft class, but another option would be to slide Fulton over to center. Thoughts? If I remember correctly, he was fairly decent at the position.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Fulton just look better at Center than what we had at the time. Personally I would like to see scharping get a chance if he remains on the team and I think he will. I could see Fulton getting a chance at left guard but like his 3 million dollar savings if cut better.
We have gone from being approximately 17 million over the cap to approximately the same under the cap. Let's keep adding to that. A Concern is that the Texans will decide to keep some veterans over rookie draft picks and free agents. I think that is a mistake. If we can gain significant cap space by eliminating veteran and then replace him with a draft pick or UDFA let's do that.
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
To me, LG is typically the weakest talent in an offensive line. Maybe the center is a bit slight to but he has to at least be more cerebral or have some snap (pun intended.) With good coaching sharping should make it at LG or center. Fulton has the physical ability to do it as well but isn't bruiser enough to make it as a rg.
I'm not opposed to cutting Martin or kelemente. Trouble is it creates more needs. Do we have the cap space or draft capital to replace them both? Are we trying to revamp our ol in the same off-season we switch to a Tampa 2 defense? Do we have the resources for it? No. Maybe after a Watson trade...
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
Not in one draft no but in a couple of drafts and with some cheap F/As we could see a big jump. It also helps that for the first time in almost a decade I think the line will improve with coaching not get worse after being coached.
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
One would hope ol talent actually gets better here for the first time in a long time because of coaching.
Watch Martin go somewhere else and be a stud with better coaching. Just our luck.
We'll see.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
I mentioned Ben Cleveland in one of my first 2021 draft post(s). I hear BC want to break the 225 lb bench press by hoping to hit 49 reps. Hope he does it!!!!
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
Since when 4.5m per year was top 5 money?
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chicagotexan2
Easterby = Little Finger/Cal = Fredo Corleone
I know right?!?
I bet he was also available for practice.
Ok Caserio your next target should be Whitney Mercilus
beerlover
Hall of Fame
I’ll go ahead and do that for him, yes. Another 2nd pick gone for nothing in return. Don’t know how any of you people could agree with this move? He played on one of the worst coached, worst schemed lines in NFL history. We have no idea of the dumbass **** he was told or coached to do?
Mark these words, like Ben Jones, but with even better results, he will be another teams competent starting Center for very low cost considering positional importance. Nick Caserio doesn’t even know yet who the next QB is, unless a trade in exchange for Watson has already been consummated, we just don’t know?
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
If he still needs coaching to know how to snap a ball when the game is on the line then he has no business on an NFL team. NFL coaches are suppose to refine and adjust players not teach them the most basic parts of their position that for PeeWee and High school coaches. No one hated Devlin’s coaching more than me but I’m not going to blame Martin screwing that up on him.
Likewise the guy has been a paper wall. Don’t get pushed back by the defense and don’t let the defense blow past you and murder your QB, it’s not rocket science. Martin was failing that the most basic parts of his position, not sorry to see him go.
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
Ben Jones was solid and he was coached up. When OBRIEN came in he was determined to bring in his guys and he wanted bigger guys. Remember he wanted all the linemen to get bigger? In the ZBS, they were lighter,but BIG doesn't spell MAN in the NFL. A sign of good coaching is knowing the strength of your team. The oline wasn't a problem when OBRIEN got here, he made it a problem that was never solved. Conversely, Tomlin takes over for Cohwer and he kept the 3-4 and Lebeau vs instituting the Tampa 2 and a 4-3.
Number19
Hall of Fame
Martin, and Kelemete, are two cuts I've wanted to see since at least spring of 2019. At the time, given what we had, I wanted to see Fulton slide over to the Center position.
Given a situation where Watson is not traded, and given our other priorities, any draft pick will likely be in the lower rounds and will need "seasoning". Admittedly, I paid zero attention to the 2020 season and the play of our veterans, but moving Fulton over while any draft pick gains experience still seems to be a viable option.
If Watson is traded and we have a boatload of draft picks in the first three rounds, then one of those picks should be at Center, with the possibility that player may be capable of starting early.
I see in the Chronicle that Martin graded out at 56.1, overall, last season. Glad he's gone and we can rebuild at the position.
Given a situation where Watson is not traded, and given our other priorities, any draft pick will likely be in the lower rounds and will need "seasoning". Admittedly, I paid zero attention to the 2020 season and the play of our veterans, but moving Fulton over while any draft pick gains experience still seems to be a viable option.
If Watson is traded and we have a boatload of draft picks in the first three rounds, then one of those picks should be at Center, with the possibility that player may be capable of starting early.
I see in the Chronicle that Martin graded out at 56.1, overall, last season. Glad he's gone and we can rebuild at the position.
What ax do you want to see fall?
The one I dont truly expect to see, but I think you wipe the slate clean and get rid of Easterby for a rebuild.
I dont know the full story behind the scenes but it seems a great deal of the drama centers around him.... so take him out of the equation a good amount of the drama follows.
As such, IMO for the sake of a fresh start to rejuvenate hope, team confidence and all the rest.... you empty the building of any reason for drama and ties to the previous regime.
Like going into a disgustingly filthy house and opening the windows..... the problems aren't solved by opening a window, but its a good start to get wind flowing through diluting the stinch as you begin to clean up the mess.
I dont believe that Easterby is 100% the problem, just as I didnt believe OB was 100% the problem, but you take steps from top down in priority and other problems may even right themselves by solving the bigger issues.
I dont believe it happens, also think now is too late (but better late than never) as for timing.
Cal hired Easterby to do an audit and clean FO types out and help get Caserio here. Mission accomplished and now it's Caserio's job to clean out the roster. He's currently doing his job as we speak.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
I see a lot worse draft picks over the O'Brian regime than Nick Martin. Nearly all have busted out, been cut (Martin) via trade (Clowney) or other, not including DeShaun Watson (yet). I mean just look at their track record, think only a couple have stuck Zach Cunningham and Justin Reed? Pretty sure Will Fuller will leave once Watson trade over too. To say Texans have had the worst OL is probably accurate and Martin was a part of it, he struggled with injurie's early on. But at least he provided some continuity in a sea of rotational line-up changes all around him, very difficult situation. Again just look at a couple departed Texan offensive lineman who went on to more success in other systems, besides Ben Jones, you had Brandon Brooks and Xavier Su'a-Filo as examples.
As expected, which is why I don't post much anymore, frustration and unrealistic expectations of a completely dysfunctional organization, dictates a mob mentality, that screams for vindication, byproduct of poor execution, productivity and results. I don't Blame Watson for wanting to leave. Same time I don't blame fans for their frustration, just know this, that blaming players, specifically those who tried their best on the OL, where never put on a pathway to success.
As expected, which is why I don't post much anymore, frustration and unrealistic expectations of a completely dysfunctional organization, dictates a mob mentality, that screams for vindication, byproduct of poor execution, productivity and results. I don't Blame Watson for wanting to leave. Same time I don't blame fans for their frustration, just know this, that blaming players, specifically those who tried their best on the OL, where never put on a pathway to success.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
To especially play C in the NFL, and not be pushed around, a C needs above all a strong base. After bilateral high ankle sprain fracture surgeries, Martin lost any chance of maintaining a strong base.
badboy
Hall of Fame
watch him blow a shoulder or pop a groin.
If the job is done, even more reason to be done with him.
IF Cal loves him so much, buy him a house next door, take care of him for life and spend their free time cuddling for all I care but keep him out of the rest of Texans dealings. No one cares if Easterby whispers sweet nothings in his ears in their free time. Its that his whispers seem to carry weight on team direction that its a problem.
Truth is Easterby is the new RS. Godfather
The henchman carrying out the McNair's wishes.
LMAO. How do you come up with this stuff? I'm going to start charging you to replace my keyboards! I'm calmly sipping on an adult beverage, I read your post(s), start laughing and spit out my drink over my keyboard and monitor.
Texazan
Our HOF 34
Spot on Doc. Martin had no base and coaching isn’t going to bring that back so the idea that he’ll go somewhere else and be productive seems far-fetched.
Easterby hasn't been seen or heard from for some time. I think they're going to fire him, just not now. Cal is running this team, & it has to look like it. Can't have the inmates running the asylum.
Either that or they'll make him team President.
TxnsJuggernaut1
All Pro
What happened to the days when we used to have realistic expectations for rookie quarterbacks no matter where they were drafted? I realize a lot of rookie quarterbacks nowadays have started out fast but we should not have such low expectations for rookie quarterbacks that didn't quite live up to high expectations after only one season.
At least it appears we have a competent GM.
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maverick512000
Hall of Fame
Problem is you only have a very narrow window after you draft them. You figure they will need a year to really adjust to NFL level play so IF you have all the other pieces in place you have a 4 year window before you have to sign them to a mega, cap killing contract or start over looking again.
Even if you draft a project QB in later rounds you still have to have that established starter to give you time to develop that project. Of all teams only the Pats really had the luxury of developing a heir QB and Kraft threw that away when he sided with Brady over BB. Its why BB said they sold the next 3 years to win one more ring with Brady there.
badboy
Hall of Fame
No one wants to hear from easterby and now that he is not speaking everyone wants to know why? Not referring to you specifically but I've heard this twice on the radio this past week. McNair said that he would remove Jack easterby from the temporary GM position when he hired a new GM. Well we have Nick Caserio so I don't see why anybody is surprised That we are not hearing from easterby. That's what we wanted.
As long as Jack is not making any football decisions and I've seen no evidence that he is, I don't care what he does.
On another matter, I find it interesting that Watson spoke to Cully rather than the GM. Also does anyone know if Watson initiated the call or the head coach?
badboy
Hall of Fame
Yeah that is sort of my point with Tua tag. To your question I think that a team as well as fans such as Houston are just so frustrated. You want a player like a James Harden or a DeShaun Watson and you finally get one. For whatever reason after a few years your team has not been as successful as you have hoped. It makes it worse when the player has good stats but you still do not have the ultimate championship.
As you say it wasn't long ago that a quarterback was allowed to develop his rookie year either on the field or on the bench behind a vet and then criticism would start his second year.
With Deshaun Watson and what we gave to trade up and get him and then his recent contract our expectations soar. Then we get sore when those are not met.
You’re better off building your team, then getting a Brady.... maybe a Stafford or Watson
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
True but they very rarely come available and it’s even rarer they come available just when you need them. Buccs had all the stars align as they truly were just a QB away.
Scooter
Funky
The only problem I have with this move is dropping an offensive lineman without a replacement. Kinda like our last Patriots' takeover except with our current pathetic levels of talent. I've never said anything good about Martin (was a fan of Jones for the record), but it's just plain stupid to remove starting offensive linemen before having their replacement in place. Even then, it's better to hold onto an experienced backup and purge bad contracts elsewhere.
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
How do you know they don’t have his replacement in place? People on here have discussed several people currently on the roster that could slide in there such as Fulton. Really we are so far away from training camp or even the draft you can’t say they don’t have a replacement in mind for anybody.
There aren’t a lot of places they can purge bad contracts without it being a big dead money hit so the luxury of an experienced backup isn’t something we can afford.
I dunno BB but wouldn't that be the typical protocol ? You know players communicate with the coaching staff and the HC reports to the GM.
But I'm starting to feel real optimistic about NC. Hopefully I won't regret saying this but I'm feeling like we might have a real winner here in NC.
Don't have any feel for the new HC yet, but yes on Casario, and I've always felt the GM was more important than the coach in the NFL.
Agree. I don’t know why they released Mancz already. I don’t know what purpose that serves.
But, cutting Martin was about cap space. They can’t address anything without addressing that first.
Dejaview
Wahoo Sabi
I don’t know, I’m getting a different vibe. I thought Caserio in a press conference praised JE for the personal help he had given him but with another question made it clear that he (Caserio) is head of football operations. My take on his back burner status is this is Caserio‘s team and he’s taking full control. He doesn’t strike me as a follower.
theCATALYST
Football Messiah
This is Caserio's team. Easterby is his friend, and neither Nick nor Cal are going to do anything to make him look bad. Easterby will fade into the distance quietly and in time will take another position as character coach for a company not in the NFL.
Yeah but if Watson is traded we may see a new trend. Already we have Wilson following suit.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Texans excel @ putting the cart before the horse. Focus should have been take DeShaun seriously and get the best deal possible for him. Dismantling core players before you even know moving pieces, amateur at best.
Core pieces? Martin was not a core piece. He was a liability on the field and a hindrance to the cap and getting it straightened out.
Didn't Martin play at replacement level while getting top 10 money. Mancz couldn't get off the practice squad in 2020. Kelemete is good at the 7th linemen because he can get you through a game at any position, but has left a lot to be desired when full-time. That's a lot of money and known below-average play. Signing a "just another guy" and having a development player is a better use than that overpriced mess.
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
When Martin got his extension, he was the 5th highest center in the division. Yep, 5th highest rated in his own division.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
He was core component (starter) nearly every game he was active as a Texan. He was drafted to be the franchise Center for the Houston Texans. Period.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Sure that is protocol but what has been protocol about this situation? This HC and Deshaun have zero relationship and while I get that Derrick Deshaun would rather speak first to Culley but if he truly does not want to return to Texans why not just speak to Caserio. Hey Nick you can now say we've talked. Bye.
If I am NC, I would have insisted only I have ANY contact with Mr. Watson.
Yea I hear you and eventually I suspect it's likely that they do have that conversation.
Yeah, it's going to take a while for them to dig out the hole that O'Brien dug for them. We'll have to be patient for the process and the inevitable suckage that is coming.
Yep. I agree completely. GM should be without a rival and only a boss in the owner(s). Be ruthless, cunning, and without a concern of emotional baggage.
Caserio may or may not be a great GM in the end, but I have little doubt that he's part of a new power structure at NRG. Easterby is nothing but a glorified assistant at this point, and Culley works for (and answers to) Caserio in the end. No more HC = GM in power, which I believe is a good thing. And I doubt we hear much from the McNairs going forward. I get the sense that Cal wants nothing to do with the spotlight.
They haven't cut anybody of great value but Watt and that was a favor to Watt.