SESupergenius said:
...If we had never taken Boselli we'd have had one of the DL from the Jags, had picked up a LT high in the draft one of the last 2 seasons...
Picked up a LT in the previous 2 seasons? Well, there are currently 8 LT's that are listed as starters going into this season who were drafted in 2002 & 2003.
2002
Bryant McKinnie - Vikings - The Texans could have selected this huge LT, but David Carr would not be on the roster.
Levi Jones - Bengals - The Texans could have traded down as far as the 9th pick in the draft to select this promising LT. Still, no new Carr.
Mike Pearson - Jaguars - The Texans could have taken this guy with their 1st pick in the 2nd round. But, the Jags are hoping to replace Pearson with journeyman tackle Ephraim Salaam, so it's not as if he would have been the answer.
Kevin Shaffer - Falcons - Atlanta thinks this former 7th round pick is ready to start on the left side. Fortunately for Vick, that's not his blindside.
2003
Jordan Gross - Panthers - The Texans brought Gross in for a look see prior to the '03 draft, but went with Andre Johnson instead. Hard to question that decision.
Kwame Harris - 49ers - Penciled in at LT, but hasn't played the position to date. Went 25th in the draft.
Wade Smith - Dolphins - Drafted as a guard in the 3rd round, but pressed into service at LT due to injuries (remind you of someone?).
Seth Wand - Texans - Huge project both in terms of size and experience. TBD how he'll work out.
With the benefit of hindsight, the Texans could be entering the '04 season with the LT position secured if they had only selected McKinnie in '02 or Gross in '03. They just wouldn't have either Carr or Johnson.
What about free agency? Well a grand total of one LT left his team in '02 & '03. Then 32 years young Wayne Gandy left the Steelers & signed a 5 year $25 million contract ($8.5 million bonus) with New Orleans in 2003. Maybe the Texans could have pulled Gandy away from the Saints with an extra X million, maybe not.
Sure, the Texans swung & missed on Boselli. But to imply that the Texans would be much further in the O-line development had they not taken Boselli in the expansion draft doesnt bear out. At least they would have had to pay a price in terms of another part of their roster. Casserly & Co. have licked their wounds and moved on to Plan B. What else can they do?