Lucky said:
Wiegert has a base salary this season of $3.5 million. His signing bonus is prorated at about $700K per season. Zach is signed through 2007.
If Wiegert is cut, the Texans would carry around $1.4 million in "dead money" in '06 from Wiegert's signing bonus coming due. But the net cap savings in '06 would be $3.5 million, and Zach's contract would be off the books for '07.
So do you think the Texans would be better served by keeping Wiegert, or using that cap space somewhere else? Who's available that the Texans could reel in? And would Wiegert re-structure the contract and reduce the cap hit? I'm certain the Texans are asking themselves the same questions.
It depends on a number of things.
(1) Is Pitts going to be our LT next season?
-If yes, then you might consider having McKinney restructure his deal, have him move to left guard and draft Greg Esligner to play center. I would move Seth Wand to guard (as well as draft a guard in the middle rounds) and keep Todd Wade at RT. Or, we could put Weary at LG, keep McKinney at center, and have Wand play RG.
-If no, then I would move Pitts into LG and move McKinney to RG. I would be Wade at RT, draft a center, and draft our LT (IMO Colledge).
(2) Will McKinney restructure his deal?
-My guess is yes.
(3) How has the new staff evaluated Todd Wade and Seth Wand?
-Todd Wade: Has been average-to-above average every year prior to last season. Assuming a full recovery from injury, I think with proper coaching he could be an effective RT. He has been and will continue to be a force in the running game and can improve w/ technique and a superior scheme in passing situations.
The biggest issue with Wiegart is age. He has shown a propensity to get injured (even in his younger days) and has lost some of his quickness. Kubiak system puts an emphasis on quickness and think this might be an area were it is time to let the player go. Wiegart is still a good player, but with the current cap situation and the Texans needs I would think this is seriously in consideration.
-Seth Wand: This guy was severely disrespected last season. Please, I do not know how in the hell Pendry convinced Capers that Victor Riley was a better option at LT than Seth Wand. I think Wand's best position would be RT, however, as I have already mentioned Wade above (not to mention his huge cap figure), my guess is that he would be well suited for the RG position. I would envision he and Weary battling it out over this position.