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Texans sign Justin Britt Center

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
Probably something I should know and forgot, but how are these guys signing (Britt, Watt, etc) before free agency begins?
Britt was not under contract for any team after getting cut early in 2020. Watt was released from his contract so that he could shop around.

Expiring contracts don't become free agents until March 17.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
In the comments section of the article from a seahawk fan:

CHawk12thMan says:
March 5, 2021 at 8:09 pm
Justin Britt is a solid player who I wish had been retained or brought back by the Seahawks. He was not the weak link in previously poor offensive line play by Seattle. The injury was the reason he was released. Hopefully, he shows he is back at full strength. I’m thinking it’s a good pickup by Texans.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Looks like it.

Graded as "Replaceable" by PFF 5 games into the 2019 season.

That grade is from ONE game Seattle-Rams week 5 of the 2019 season.

Also he was rated as “Backup” not “Replaceable” of course that’s just PFF’s rating who rated the line bad in contradiction to Football Outsiders, in that same article, who rated the line as:

Run Blocking: 24th (Up from 30th after Week 4)

Pass Blocking: 17th (Up from 26th after Week 4)
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
That grade is from ONE game Seattle-Rams week 5 of the 2019 season.

Also he was rated as “Backup” not “Replaceable” of course that’s just PFF’s rating who rated the line bad in contradiction to Football Outsiders, in that same article, who rated the line as:

Run Blocking: 24th (Up from 30th after Week 4)

Pass Blocking: 17th (Up from 26th after Week 4)
OK, low end back up for the game.
You're happy?
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
That grade is from ONE game Seattle-Rams week 5 of the 2019 season.

Also he was rated as “Backup” not “Replaceable” of course that’s just PFF’s rating who rated the line bad in contradiction to Football Outsiders, in that same article, who rated the line as:

Run Blocking: 24th (Up from 30th after Week 4)

Pass Blocking: 17th (Up from 26th after Week 4)
Good catch....but its funny b/c even if that was his grade for the 8 games he played that season, overall he would STILL be considered to be better than Martin who graded out overall as 56.1.
 

Texazan

Our HOF 34
Probably something I should know and forgot, but how are these guys signing (Britt, Watt, etc) before free agency begins?
There is some kind of three day negotiation period with free agents before 3/17(?) that they can agree but officially can’t sign? Something like that and it may only pertain to UFA. I’m here in Tempe and they mentioned it on the radio but I hardly keep up with that stuff
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
29th ranked C in 2018

Oh I’m not saying he’s a long term answer but he’s still better than Martin and at a max of 5 million it’s a nice, team friendly one year deal. Some were complaining Texans cut Martin without any backup plan well there it is.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
29th ranked C in 2018

Yeah, but is he the 5th best center in a 4 team division? Takes a special kind of talent to do that.

 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Oh I’m not saying he’s a long term answer but he’s still better than Martin and at a max of 5 million it’s a nice, team friendly one year deal. Some were complaining Texans cut Martin without any backup plan well there it is.
Was Martin ever rated 30th or worse?
I don't think so.

At the moment, this looks like just a back up guy IF he can come back healthy.

Sounds really meh to me.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
What were you expecting them to do? Sign a pro bowl center? This is a cap saving move while getting a guy who is good enough.
3.5M is the 19th highest paid center in the league.


And nobody knows if he can come back better than low end back up / fringe starter.

BTW, total grade for 2019 was 62 (slightly better than in 2018).

.

I would feel better if he was signed for the veteran minimum or somewhere on the very low end of the pay scale, say 2-2.5M
At the very least, just another instance where NC does not show a cut-throat mentality "somebody" thought he had.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
3.5M is the 19th highest paid center in the league.


And nobody knows if he can come back better than low end back up / fringe starter.

BTW, total grade for 2019 was 62 (slightly better than in 2018).

.

I would feel better if he was signed for the veteran minimum or somewhere on the very low end of the pay scale, say 2-2.5M
At the very least, just another instance where NC does not show a cut-throat mentality "somebody" thought he had.
Once again you are cherry picking to support your argument. Are a look at all those other around and lower than 3.5 and notice what they all have in common. They are UFA this year. You don’t think those guys are going to sign for more of what the average is which is 6-10 million.

Also he only played 8 games in 2019.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Once again you are cherry picking to support your argument. Are a look at all those other around and lower than 3.5 and notice what they all have in common. They are UFA this year. You don’t think those guys are going to sign for more of what the average is which is 6-10 million.

Also he only played 8 games in 2019.
It's exactly because I don't think guys are going to be signed for more than usual (this being a reduced cap year) that this doesn't look like a "good" deal.

We were talking about the Redskins in 2019, when Trent Williams held out, and I mentioned that old man Donald Penn came in and managed not to be a liability.
The then Redskins line finished 13th as you had mentioned.
Penn was graded at 64.2, which was a better grade then Britt's in both 2018 and 2019.

Guess what his salary was?

.

A mere $2M and just 250K guaranteed.

Big difference.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Not earth shattering. Just a pragmatic 1 year prove it on a guy with a lot of versatility. I like it.
Yeah, except he didn't have to prove anything. His base salary is guaranteed.

And that's just the start.
Looks like a guarantee for playing time, probably 70% of the snaps.
If he play in more games , he will earn bonus to bring up the total to $5M.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
It's definitely another instance where beggars can't be choosers. For both sides of this agreement.
As I had pointed out in the posts above, $3Mplus guaranteed isn't beggar's money.

Also, you may not know it, but there were a couple posters (I think Maverick was one) who insisted that Nick Caserio comes from the Factory of Frugality that is the Pats, we won't see any kind of deal like this; the players will be squeezed like lemons.
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
As I had pointed out in the posts above, $3Mplus guaranteed isn't beggar's money.

Also, you may not know it, but there were a couple posters (I think Maverick was one) who insisted that Nick Caserio comes from the Factory of Frugality that is the Pats, we won't see any kind of deal like this; the players will be squeezed like lemons.
The Texans are beggars in this as well. No FA is counting on playoff money if they sign here. No chance at a Super Bowl ring. This was likely Britt’s best shot at a starting gig. And he still had to get a little extra $$$. That’s where the Texans are as a NFL destination. We’re not in Foxboro anymore, Toto.
 
Oh I’m not saying he’s a long term answer but he’s still better than Martin and at a max of 5 million it’s a nice, team friendly one year deal. Some were complaining Texans cut Martin without any backup plan well there it is.
a backup “plan” with a guy who hasn’t played in a season-plus because of injury sounds more like a gamble. Seems like a good guy and teammate so hope it works out.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
The Texans are beggars in this as well. No FA is counting on playoff money if they sign here. No chance at a Super Bowl ring. This was likely Britt’s best shot at a starting gig. And he still had to get a little extra $$$. That’s where the Texans are as a NFL destination. We’re not in Foxboro anymore, Toto.
The only beggars in this instance is NC.

Britt is coming back from an injury, he's so happy to get the guaranteed money he jumped and shouted on twitter.

We don't know how the bonus money is allocated, but as I had surmised, it's most likely about playing time.
The playoffs, as you said, is practically out of the question; it would be stupid to even include it in the contract for any kind of incentive.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
This was likely Britt’s best shot at a starting gig.
Exactomundo. Right now, players that want to come and sign in Houston are those with a shot at a starting gig, like Britt or David Johnson, and those down to their last chance to stay employed.

With that and the parameters likely set by the Pastor of who fits the culture or not, the player pool is going to be extremely limited for this team moving forward. And that would be why I’m not in favor of trading Watson right now. I don’t believe for a second that Caserio has final say and therefore what he could do with a haul of picks is going to be limited to fitting those parameters.

Even trading Watson and getting a boatload in return, I don’t believe this gets better any time soon, for that reason.
 

welsh texan

You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
For me, his contract compares closer to replacing Kelemente as the backup for a number of positions with the potential to start if necessary.

If that equates to our starting Center then let’s hope he does a decent job.

I think people who are jumping on Caserio for this signing are setting themselves up for a looooooong few years as Texans fans.
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
He’s versatile! Has played 4 of the 5 o-line positions. I bet he’s a good teammate too.

I see nothing wrong this move. Gotta start the rebuild sooner than later. Not suggest he’s part of the rebuild, just a start
Yea he's 6'6", 331/2 so modest length and has some tackle experience so could also be a reserve at other OL positions.
I like it too.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
As I had pointed out in the posts above, $3Mplus guaranteed isn't beggar's money.

Also, you may not know it, but there were a couple posters (I think Maverick was one) who insisted that Nick Caserio comes from the Factory of Frugality that is the Pats, we won't see any kind of deal like this; the players will be squeezed like lemons.
First never said the “players will be squeezed like lemons” I said the Pats are cutthroat and I believe Caserio is to. This is not a bad deal at all and you may not have noticed but 2018 was three years ago and all salaries have gone up. You have no idea at all what the average salaries for centers will be once they all start signing new contracts. Even still one year gigs often cost more because the player knows it may be the only they make on the contract and that in a year they could very well be looking for a new team.

Seriously if you are flipping out this much over 5 million then it’s going to be a very long off season for you. I had forgotten how trying to discuss things with you is :brickwall:
 
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maverick512000

Hall of Fame
a backup “plan” with a guy who hasn’t played in a season-plus because of injury sounds more like a gamble. Seems like a good guy and teammate so hope it works out.
@CloakNNNdagger posted a little bit about his injury, was hoping he would give more insight into how it would affect him more long term (hint hint CnD). From the little I know about it though an ACL rupture wouldn’t take away his base like Martin’s injuries did. Is it a gamble, sure every player is but he’s almost 2 years to recover so it’s not as big as some are making it out to be.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
First never said the “players will be squeezed like lemons” I said the Pats are cutthroat and I believe Caserio is to. This is not a bad deal at all and you may not have noticed but 2018 was three years ago and all salaries have gone up. You have no idea at all what the average salaries for centers will be once they all start signing new contracts. Even still one year gigs often cost more because the player knows it may be the only they make on the contract and that in a year they could very well be looking for a new team.

Seriously if you are flipping out this much over 5 million then it’s going to be a very long off season for you. I had forgotten how trying to discuss things with you is :brickwall:
You're talking one-year deal, what about that Donald Penn's deal?

250K guaranteed 2019 before Covid is totally different from $3M+ at this time; no matter how you slice it.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
You're talking one-year deal, what about that Donald Penn's deal?

250K guaranteed 2019 before Covid is totally different from $3M+ at this time; no matter how you slice it.
So Washington got a good deal, we got a good deal when we signed Honey badger that one year. There are always players that play better than their price tag and players that play worse, those are outliners. Unless you think the upcoming average for one year players will be 250k.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Exactomundo. Right now, players that want to come and sign in Houston are those with a shot at a starting gig, like Britt or David Johnson, and those down to their last chance to stay employed.

With that and the parameters likely set by the Pastor of who fits the culture or not, the player pool is going to be extremely limited for this team moving forward. And that would be why I’m not in favor of trading Watson right now. I don’t believe for a second that Caserio has final say and therefore what he could do with a haul of picks is going to be limited to fitting those parameters.

Even trading Watson and getting a boatload in return, I don’t believe this gets better any time soon, for that reason.
Those parameters were set by the McNair's yrs ago.

JE is just the new guy to blame now that BOB's gone.

This is a solid signing.

Watching some on here act like it's their $$$$ instead of the McNair's $$$$ is freaking awesome. Thanks for the LOL's. 5 mil is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
So Washington got a good deal, we got a good deal when we signed Honey badger that one year. There are always players that play better than their price tag and players that play worse, those are outliners. Unless you think the upcoming average for one year players will be 250k.
I've been looking, but so far no player in a situation similar/close to it, so I can't compare yet.

At any rate $3M plus in guaranteed money for a backup is outrageous to me.

Tell me it's the norm and I won't bug you again.
(Meaning, find me other similar contracts.)
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
I've been looking, but so far no player in a situation similar/close to it, so I can't compare yet.

At any rate $3M plus in guaranteed money for a backup is outrageous to me.

Tell me it's the norm and I won't bug you again.
(Meaning, find me other similar contracts.)
First he’s not a backup he’s our starter. You are basing that on PFF who’s player evaluation has always been questionable at best even if you take them as gospel.

Second as I said most of the lower contracts are up this year, how about we wait to see what the other players sign for before we decide it’s to much money.

Oh and FYI Donald Penn was 36 when he signed that deal and had ended his previous season with an injury. Justin Britt is 29 and his last contract with Seattle was for 27 million so if he had played that out he would have pulled down 9 million a year. So you could say we are getting a player Seattle valued at 9 million for at most 5 million
 
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