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2025 Free Agency-

leebigeztx said:
What does that say about your coaching? If a good coach can get it out of him, and you feel like he's a product of good coaching, then the oline is doomed anyway
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It says your Oline coach isn't regarded as the best one currently working and an all-time great. Also says your scheme may not be as good and it certainly says the guys to his left and right arent as good. The last one of those shouldn't be very shocking to any Texans fan
 
leebigeztx said:
So Kubes can come in and get the oline right in a yr or so and we're still dealing with this?
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I'm not saying the new coach/es can't make an improvement quickly; just that I wouldn't roll the dice with Becton for the reason that his one good season was in a pretty unique circumstance.
 
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Errant Hothy said:
I'm not saying the new coach/es can't make an improvement quickly; just that I wouldn't roll the dice with Becton for the reason that his one good season was in a pretty unique circumstance.
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Not unique really. It's the Leonard Davis part 2. High pick with tackle traits but heavy. Middling career with Arizona, signs with Dallas, moves to guard, really good career. If the oline coach can't get him to play up to that level or close to it, then he's not worth a dime. It's evaluation, scouting.
 
Hottoddie said:
Folks, I think it's blatantly obvious that NC is adding depth to the whole team rather than trying to shore up one or two positions with a big name player. As for the offensive line, with the three players traded/cut it appears to me that our starting o'line isn't in as bad of shape as some would have us think. Last year when Mason was out for two games, they put Juice in at RG & it looked like CJ was not under as much pressure as he had been when Mason was in there. He was still under pressure, but not as much as he had previously been. Then, Mason comes back & the pressure ramped right back up. With the new coaching additions & the veteran FA's, I'm hopeful that they can get more out of the young guys. Right now, I see the starting lineup being:

LT: Howard?
LG: ???
C: Patterson
RG: Juice
RT: Fisher

I think the right side is set for now. It's the left side I'm not sure about. Howard can play either LT or LG & that's where I believe there could be a possible smoke screen being thrown up. Originally, I thought that Fisher was going to play LT, but it makes sense that Howard was being readied to move to LT by playing the RG position for the last couple of years.

But here's the smoke screen. Everyone knows the Texans are most likely going to take an offensive lineman with their first pick, but with the extra picks from the Tunsil trade, the Texans are in a great position to trade up in the first round to grab either Kelvin Banks Jr (LT/LG) or Tyler Booker (LG). Booker would be a plug & play LG on his first day & Banks could play LG until he is ready to take over the LT position. Both players are the best available at their positions & both are hard nosed football players that would instantly bring in a strong work ethic. Of course, all of this is contingent upon the coaching staff (not the members of this board) believing that Howard can hold down the LG or LT position. They haven't cut or traded him, so they must still believe in him. We'll know for sure if they restructure his contract.

Lance Zierlein's 2nd mock has us trading up to pick #16 with Arizona & selecting Banks. I did a trade up to pick #15 with Atlanta & it only cost us our first (#25), one of our thirds this year & one of our seconds next year. By adding just one of these two players in the draft, our starting O'line would be:

LT: Howard/Banks
LG: Howard/Booker
C: Patterson
RG: Juice
RT: Fisher

With our second round pick, we could take the best available WR & add additional team depth with the rest of the picks.
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I'd prefer Becton at rg and Jenkins at LG. Juice and Patterson can battle at center
 
Another one bites the dust. Whatever this plan is, it sucks. Looks like one halfway decent guard that could be average and one more backup type guard that was a 2nd rounder…hoping he improves which is a wing and a prayer, and a couple of drafted rookies.

The Tunsil trade changes the draft priority dramatically imho. I would be drafting Banks, Connelly, or Simmons in the 1st, so no WR. I think so far…and still looking at these three but so far I like Simmons, Banks, Connelly in that order.
 
After all they've done so far, many of you still have no faith in Meco & Nick. They know what they're doing & their plan isn't y'all's plan. Everyone's focusing on the Tunsil trade, which I think was a slight of hand move to distract everyone from what their real plan is. They've added a lot of quality depth & a couple of low cost starter upgrades, all while keeping the salary cap under control for the upcoming extensions of Stingley, CJ & Anderson. I have a strong feeling they're going to knock it out of the park in this year's draft. Keep believing. Even the talking heads have no idea what they're doing & that makes me laugh.

Houston Texans​

  • Grade: C-
The Texans have had a strange offseason. They made a nice trade to acquire C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Eagles by offloading first-round guard bust Kenyon Green, but that was one of many moves in the dismantling of their offensive line.

Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders and Shaq Mason was released, leaving the Texans with a very different-looking blocking unit in 2025. Veteran guard signing Laken Tomlinson will be an upgrade over Green but trading for right guard Ed Ingram, who finished 66th among 77 qualified guards last season, seems like a downgrade at right guard.

The Texans have made a couple quality buy-low moves, like trading for receiver Christian Kirk and signing edge rusher Darrell Taylor, but it doesn't feel as though they have improved upon their playoff roster from last season yet.

LAREMY TUNSIL TRADE GRADES: Texans baffle with deal; Commanders help Jayden Daniels
 
Texans defense has been on an upward trend since demeco arrived. Im pretty confident they know what they're doing over there. Track record speaks for itself.

Ill have to wait and see on the offense. They didnt clean house over there for no reason. I think people have a right to be skeptical...especially with the oline.
 
BullRushTX said:
I'm not sure how I'd feel about a trade up, but being able to get out from under Howard's contract in a year would be worth it
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Hottoddie said:
Folks, I think it's blatantly obvious that NC is adding depth to the whole team rather than trying to shore up one or two positions with a big name player. As for the offensive line, with the three players traded/cut it appears to me that our starting o'line isn't in as bad of shape as some would have us think. Last year when Mason was out for two games, they put Juice in at RG & it looked like CJ was not under as much pressure as he had been when Mason was in there. He was still under pressure, but not as much as he had previously been. Then, Mason comes back & the pressure ramped right back up. With the new coaching additions & the veteran FA's, I'm hopeful that they can get more out of the young guys. Right now, I see the starting lineup being:

LT: Howard?
LG: ???
C: Patterson
RG: Juice
RT: Fisher

I think the right side is set for now. It's the left side I'm not sure about. Howard can play either LT or LG & that's where I believe there could be a possible smoke screen being thrown up. Originally, I thought that Fisher was going to play LT, but it makes sense that Howard was being readied to move to LT by playing the RG position for the last couple of years.

But here's the smoke screen. Everyone knows the Texans are most likely going to take an offensive lineman with their first pick, but with the extra picks from the Tunsil trade, the Texans are in a great position to trade up in the first round to grab either Kelvin Banks Jr (LT/LG) or Tyler Booker (LG). Booker would be a plug & play LG on his first day & Banks could play LG until he is ready to take over the LT position. Both players are the best available at their positions & both are hard nosed football players that would instantly bring in a strong work ethic. Of course, all of this is contingent upon the coaching staff (not the members of this board) believing that Howard can hold down the LG or LT position. They haven't cut or traded him, so they must still believe in him. We'll know for sure if they restructure his contract.

Lance Zierlein's 2nd mock has us trading up to pick #16 with Arizona & selecting Banks. I did a trade up to pick #15 with Atlanta & it only cost us our first (#25), one of our thirds this year & one of our seconds next year. By adding just one of these two players in the draft, our starting O'line would be:

LT: Howard/Banks
LG: Howard/Booker
C: Patterson
RG: Juice
RT: Fisher

With our second round pick, we could take the best available WR & add additional team depth with the rest of the picks.
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This OL would really suck and be injured most of the time. Hopefully this isn't Caserio/Ryans/Caley/Popovich's thinking.

Trading up to 1-16 like LZ proposed is what I would do and if Banks is the pick he's the day 1 starting LT.
 
leebigeztx said:
What does that say about your coaching? If a good coach can get it out of him, and you feel like he's a product of good coaching, then the oline is doomed anyway
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Exactly, if they dont think Caley/Popovich can coach guys up to the level that outstanding OL coaches coach their OL up too, then they should fire Popovich and find an OL coach that can coach their players up to a championship level.
 
Hottoddie said:
After all they've done so far, many of you still have no faith in Meco & Nick. They know what they're doing & their plan isn't y'all's plan. Everyone's focusing on the Tunsil trade…
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Couldn’t disagree more on this as it relates specifically to the offensive line. I would argue the 180 to this point. Under Casserio they have proven time and again, they have no clue how to build a quality offense]I’ve line. So no…they don’t know what they are doing. If they did…they wouldn’t be in the mess they are in.
 
Porky said:
Couldn’t disagree more on this as it relates specifically to the offensive line. I would argue the 180 to this point. Under Casserio they have proven time and again, they have no clue how to build a quality offense]I’ve line. So no…they don’t know what they are doing. If they did…they wouldn’t be in the mess they are in.
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Caserio drafts what his coaches (In this case Caley/Popovich) want.

How many different OL coaches have the Texans had since Caserio became GM? 3 or 4, there's no way Caserio can draft successfully when he was drafting players that fit at least 3 different systems. There's been no continuity within the coaching staff. Caserio decided mainly for financial reasons, but somewhat talent reasons to burn down the OL to the ground and start over. What I dont understand is why Howard wasn't part of the tear down.
 
steelbtexan said:
Caserio drafts what his coaches (In this case Caley/Popovich) want.

How many different OL coaches have the Texans had since Caserio became GM? 3 or 4, there's no way Caserio can draft successfully when he was drafting players that fit at least 3 different systems. There's been no continuity within the coaching staff. Caserio decided mainly for financial reasons, but somewhat talent reasons to burn down the OL to the ground and start over. What I dont understand is why Howard wasn't part of the tear down.
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Popovich and Caley must think Howard is salvageable. I’m not worried unless the draft passes and Nick doesn’t pick up a few tackles and guards. I trust Nick, he’s been a hell of a GM! Look at the team he compiled with the haul he got from the Browns for the sexual predator. I will never question that man again!
 
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steelbtexan said:
Caserio drafts what his coaches (In this case Caley/Popovich) want.

How many different OL coaches have the Texans had since Caserio became GM? 3 or 4, there's no way Caserio can draft successfully when he was drafting players that fit at least 3 different systems. There's been no continuity within the coaching staff. Caserio decided mainly for financial reasons, but somewhat talent reasons to burn down the OL to the ground and start over. What I dont understand is why Howard wasn't part of the tear down.
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As to your last point, I agree. I do think there is a small chance something happens with him within the next 6 weeks.

Your other points we mostly disagree on but it’s old ground. No sense and relitigating it.
 
Mangler said:
Popovich and Carey must think Howard is salvageable. I’m not worried unless the draft passes and Nick doesn’t pick up a few tackles and guards. I trust Nick, he’s been a hell of a GM! Look at the team he compiled with the haul he got from the Browns for the sexual predator. I will never question that man again!
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Like Kenyon Green?
 
Mangler said:
Popovich and Carey must think Howard is salvageable. I’m not worried unless the draft passes and Nick doesn’t pick up a few tackles and guards. I trust Nick, he’s been a hell of a GM! Look at the team he compiled with the haul he got from the Browns for the sexual predator. I will never question that man again!
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This is what I was trying to say. They started by replacing the coaches, getting rid of the players that don't fit into the new coaches plans & now they're adding the types of players the new coaches want to implement the new changes.
 
steelbtexan said:
What I dont understand is why Howard wasn't part of the tear down.
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In the previous trade Tunsil threads my plan was to start Howard at LT. I’m still fine with that, especially if this class is as slim at true LTs as y’all are saying.

I’d probably go BPA… & that means determining which player I want most on my team & go get him. Maybe I pick a developmental swing tackle later in the draft or bring in a Cam Robinson type after the draft.

In other words, I understand LT is an issue but not so dire that I “have to” solve it this year.
 
thunderkyss said:
In the previous trade Tunsil threads my plan was to start Howard at LT. I’m still fine with that, especially if this class is as slim at true LTs as y’all are saying.

I’d probably go BPA… & that means determining which player I want most on my team & go get him. Maybe I pick a developmental swing tackle later in the draft or bring in a Cam Robinson type after the draft.

In other words, I understand LT is an issue but not so dire that I “have to” solve it this year.
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We view Howard differently. I see him as a big part of the Texans ol problems. Playing LT is only going to make those problems worse. He's not good at his job. Did you see how poorly he played at LG last year?
 
steelbtexan said:
We view Howard differently. I see him as a big part of the Texans ol problems. Playing LT is only going to make those problems worse. He's not good at his job. Did you see how poorly he played at LG last year?
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Howard doesn't have the strength to play any IOL position. Only 4 options I would have for him:
- Play tackle
- Be one of the highest paid backup offensive linemen in the NFL
- Trade
- Cut
 
steelbtexan said:
We view Howard differently. I see him as a big part of the Texans ol problems. Playing LT is only going to make those problems worse. He's not good at his job. Did you see how poorly he played at LG last year?
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His play at LG is what soured me on him. I couldn’t believe how bad he was there. Especially right next to Tunsil. They were probably the worst LT/LG duo I’d ever seen.
 
No enthusiasm for Fisher to play LT? Draft evals had him as a potential LT, played OK there in spot duty through the season, established himself as the starter and did ok at RT through the season, yet the outlook seems to have soured on him since the season ended?

I blame the coaching staff for putting Mason back in at RG vs KC in the playoffs FWIW, and both the people responsible for that decision are gone.

Howard at LT, id hope for the best, but Fisher is the guy with the potential upside.
 
welsh texan said:
No enthusiasm for Fisher to play LT? Draft evals had him as a potential LT, played OK there in spot duty through the season, established himself as the starter and did ok at RT through the season, yet the outlook seems to have soured on him since the season ended?

I blame the coaching staff for putting Mason back in at RG vs KC in the playoffs FWIW, and both the people responsible for that decision are gone.

Howard at LT, id hope for the best, but Fisher is the guy with the potential upside.
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Don't forget Duane Brown played miserably in his first year as well, OT is one of the hardest instant-impact positions on the field. I haven't made any judgement on Blake Fisher, and it's why I don't really want to see a rookie starting at LT.
 
cland said:
Don't forget Duane Brown played miserably in his first year as well, OT is one of the hardest instant-impact positions on the field. I haven't made any judgement on Blake Fisher, and it's why I don't really want to see a rookie starting at LT.
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They used Ephraim Salaam to split series with Brown his rookie season I seem to remember and it helped bring the rookie along to what he became.

If they do draft an LT, I wouldn’t mind seeing either Howard used like that, or bring in a guy like Fant to play that role (could easily do the same if they move Fisher over and draft RT).
 
steelbtexan said:
Caserio drafts what his coaches (In this case Caley/Popovich) want.

How many different OL coaches have the Texans had since Caserio became GM? 3 or 4, there's no way Caserio can draft successfully when he was drafting players that fit at least 3 different systems. There's been no continuity within the coaching staff. Caserio decided mainly for financial reasons, but somewhat talent reasons to burn down the OL to the ground and start over. What I dont understand is why Howard wasn't part of the tear down.
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True, but most of the staff are expatriots of some kind
 
leebigeztx said:
True, but most of the staff are expatriots of some kind
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Exactly, finally Caserio has the people he wants in place to build an offense that he's wanted from the beginning. Don't forget that he used to be the QB at John Carrol and the people he has in place are the guys that share his vision. Although I disagree with the Tunsil movie at this time. These are exciting times to see if Caserio can build up the offense in short order to rival Ryan's guys. If he's able to do this then finally this team will be a championship contender
 
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steelbtexan said:
Exactly, finally Caserio has the people he wants in place to build an offense that he's wanted from the beginning. Don't forget that he used to be the QB at John Carrol and the people he has in place are the guys that share his vision. Although I disagree with the Tunsil movie at this time. These are exciting times to see is Caserio can build up the offense in short order to rival Ryan's guys. If he's able to do this then finally this team will be a championship contender
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Are the Texans unique in having Defensive HC and Offensive GM? It’s a different way to build out your FO/coaching staff relationship but it could be genius if it works.

Ryans & Caserio able to stay out of each other’s way due to very different responsibilities in the collaboration.
 
AggiebyMarriage said:
I kinda of agree with you on Becton. But I would be very good with Risner, and OK with Hernadez

As far as the money to extend rookie contracts, Nick will not be doing that until after the draft (training camp is when they are usually done), so he would not have churned out some cap space until that time when he knew how much he needed.

No, this almost has to be for something that is happening with free agency.
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Nobody bother me for a while, I am busy eating this tasty plate of Crow over the Stingley signing. Yum Yum, it is so good served raw with the feathers still on.
 
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What do we think about Darby guys? I remember when he came out I liked him. 2nd rounder at the time. Now 31. Has he lost a step?

Considering the dough and the fact that he's actually been a pretty good player in his career, I see this as a significant upgrade over last year's slim pickings.

I'd still consider adding a corner on day 3 with some kind of ST ability. That would make the corner room look like this:

Derek Stingley
Kamari Lassiter
Ronald Darby
Tremon Smith
Rookie to be named
 
Porky said:
What do we think about Darby guys? I remember when he came out I liked him. 2nd rounder at the time. Now 31. Has he lost a step?

Considering the dough and the fact that he's actually been a pretty good player in his career, I see this as a significant upgrade over last year's slim pickings.

I'd still consider adding a corner on day 3 with some kind of ST ability. That would make the corner room look like this:

Derek Stingley
Kamari Lassiter
Ronald Darby
Tremon Smith
Rookie to be named
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He was pretty miserable at Jacksonville, so I look at him as depth alone. The fact that he got all but vet-min should probably tell us his value, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make the final roster.
 
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