austins23
Hall of Fame
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Texans random thought of the day
- Thread starter Wolf
- Start date
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
The Watson issue covered here presents nothing new............beginning ~15 min is where it gets interesting regarding the roster, potential releases and trades and cap talk.
cuppacoffee
Resident Grouch
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I'm always hearing this. Why is so hard for the Texans to find one who can suit up on Sunday?
They can but they get impatient and release them for an older washed up vet
Yep,
This is why I want them to sign a couple of cheap young vets like Wilson/Mack and draft a young guy with talent to develop later in the draft. Guys like Chandler/Ingram/Corbin who are really talented but might need a yr or 2 before they will be ready to step into an every down role.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Positional value ebb & flow for league in general and lacking elite OL/RB coaching. Only above average positional Coach in Texan history was Alex Gibbs (rip).
I’m very hopeful, serious, that new OL positional coach, George Warhop (love last name
) who along with Pep Hamilton are reason why. See heavy OL & RB heavy draft. Then we’ll finally see the RB production we love to watch.
I’m very hopeful, serious, that new OL positional coach, George Warhop (love last name
) who along with Pep Hamilton are reason why. See heavy OL & RB heavy draft. Then we’ll finally see the RB production we love to watch.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
2022 NFL salary cap..............$208,200 million.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Dejaview
Wahoo Sabi
and they complain. Those annual increases sure don’t look like their fans’ social security increases.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Wonder where he’ll be playing next year. I saw a report where he & the Texans were too far apart contract wise
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Greenard makes Martin a little more expendable. Martin, if I remember, cost the Texans less than a $million last year. Caserio may be able to bump $$ for a re-sign. He would be a positive retention.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
If he's good, Texans will let him leave.
They have a bad habit of doing that.
I wonder how he would play on a team that normally has the lead.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Sizing up Texans' biggest draft needs ahead of NFL combine
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
Feb. 26, 2022Updated: Feb. 26, 2022 11:40 a.m.
Limitations in free agency place even more weight on the draft. The Texans have eight total draft picks, including the No. 3 overall selection — although Caserio has said the franchise is open for business to trade that pick. Here’s a look at five key positions of need for the Texans and the players who will participate in the combine this week.
Note: Year the player hits free agency is in parentheses.
Running back
Players under contract (3): Rex Burkhead (2023), Scottie Phillips (2023), Darius Anderson (2023)
Notable combine participants: Kenneth Walker III (Michigan St.), Breece Hall (Iowa St.), Hassan Haskins (Michigan), Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M), Tyler Badie (Missouri), Jerome Ford (Cincinnati)
Analysis: Running back is Houston’s most obvious positional need on offense. Lovie Smith said he wants an offensive philosophy founded on “being able to run the football,” and the Texans do not have the kind of “home run hitter” running backs coach Danny Barrett said coaches want who “can take it the distance” when given the ball. Rex Burkhead returns as the leading rusher (427 yards, 3 TDs) from the worst run game in franchise history in both yards per game (83.6) and yards per carry (3.4). New offensive line coach George Warhop defines a successful run game as above 4.2 yards per carry. While the Texans also need to improve up front to make that jump in 2022, particularly with interior blockers, there are several running back prospects at the combine who should be available in the second round and beyond. Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker (5-10, 210 pounds), Iowa State’s Breece Hall (6-1, 220) and Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford (5-11, 220) are all powerful backs who repeatedly busted long runs after contact. The 40-yard dash always takes the spotlight in Indy, but keep an eye on the drills that showcase power and explosiveness (vertical jump, broad jump) — even the individual drills that test route running and pass catching. “An every-down back is obviously the key,” Barrett said, “and if we can find someone like that, if that’s available, we’ll go after that.”
N.C. State tackle Ickey Ekwonu may be versatile enough to be moved to guard in a scenario where the Texans keep veteran Laremy Tunsil.
Mark Brown/Getty Images Offensive line
Players under contract (9): OL Tytus Howard (2023), OT Laremy Tunsil (2024), OT Charlie Heck (2024), OT Marcus Cannon (2023), OG Max Scharping (2023), OG Justin McCray (2023), OG Jake Eldrenkamp (2023), OG Jordan Steckler (2023), OG Sam Cooper (2025)
Notable combine participants: OT Ickey Ekwonu (NC State), OT Evan Neal (Alabama), OT Charles Cross (Miss. State), OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa), C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), OG Kenyon Green (Texas A&M), OG Darian Kinnard (Kentucky), OG Zion Johnson (Boston College)
Analysis: Warhop, 60, has a vast experience working with a myriad of notable offensive minds like Norv Turner, Mike Martz, Mike McCarthy and Jay Gruden — coaches who used two of the NFL’s main offensive ideologies: the power-run Air Coryell (Turner/Martz) and the zone-blocking West Coast system (McCarthy/Gruden). Warhop and Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton worked for Turner along with another eventual coordinator, Jim Hostler, who was later on Hamilton’s offensive staff with the Colts. The scheme Hamilton builds in Houston could lean in that direction, and Warhop said he wants offensive linemen who are “physical,” “tough,” and “have a mindset that we’re not going to take any crap out of anybody.” The Texans’ o-line was more often beat up than doing the beating in 2021, and the unit’s needs are most pronounced at the interior. They have no center under contract — that’s glaring need No. 1 — and guards Justin McCray and Max Scharping performed inconsistent enough in 2021 that it’s not unreasonable to consider Caserio might cut one of them for cap space (each would free up about $2.4 million) and start over with replacement-level free agents or rookies who have upside, especially if the Texans take away from Indy that the draft is deep with interior linemen. But the Texans own the No. 3 overall pick and that usually spells offensive tackle (if they indeed draft a lineman). There’s a scenario in which the Texans could come away from Indy so impressed by the versatility of N.C. State tackle Ickey Ekwonu that they find a way to keep star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, draft Ekwonu to temporarily play guard, move Tytus Howard back to right tackle and cut right tackle Marcus Cannon, 33, who suffered a season-ending back injury last year, for $5.2 million in cap savings that could finance another interior lineman.
Baylor's Jalen Pitre could be an option for the Texans past the first round if they make safety a bigger priority.
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Safety
Under contract (3): Eric Murray (2023), Jonathan Owens (2023), Grayland Arnold (2023)
Notable combine participants: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Jalen Pitre (Baylor), Lewis Cine (Georgia), Jaquan Brisker (Penn State), Bryan Cook (Cincinnati)
Analysis: New Texans safeties coach Joe Danna, who spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars, said he’s glad he doesn’t have to defend star Texans receiver Brandin Cooks anymore. But, for now, the Texans only have three safeties under contract to defend any receiver with. More than that: None of them are under contract beyond this season. That number could shrink even further if Caserio decides to free up nearly $5.5 million in cap savings by cutting safety Eric Murray, whose three-year, $18 million contract was negotiated under former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien. But Murray improved toward the back end of 2021 — right when Jonathan Owens started flashing promise when he started in victories over the Jaguars and Chargers. Lovie Smith, Danna and several other Texans assistants have voiced how much can be gained by players staying in the same defensive system, and, if they find a way to re-sign Justin Reid, the safety position suddenly becomes less of an immediate need. But signing Reid — who, at 25, will be seeking a more lucrative deal — would likely take up a large chunk of Houston’s available cap space when the team has many other positional needs. Franchise-tagging Reid seems even more unlikely, since the Texans would be required to pay the average of the five largest safety salaries (estimated at $13.5 million, per Over The Cap). But, long-term, the Texans still need depth at safety. Maybe Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton climbs the Texans’ draft board high enough that they can’t pass on him at No. 3. There’s also a scenario in which Houston addresses other needs and Baylor’s Jalen Pitre is available in the second round. But Pitre is trending up. Does he perform well enough in Indy to get selected Day 1?
Michigan defensive end and Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson, whose father is a Cypress Creek graduate, has already said he’d love to play for the Texans.
Julio Cortez, STF / Associated Press Defensive end
Under contract (5): Jonathan Greenard (2024), Jordan Jenkins (2023), Derek Rivers (2023), Ron’Dell Carter (2023), Demone Harris (2023)
Notable combine participants: Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), Jermaine Johnson (Florida State), George Karlaftis (Purdue), David Ojabo (Michigan)
Analysis: New Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire has a tangential background to Lovie Smith’s defense. As a defensive end for the Chargers, Cesaire played for Ron Rivera, Smith’s defensive coordinator with the Bears for three seasons. As an assistant defensive line coach with the Bills, Cesaire coached with linebackers coach Bob Babich, who was also Smith’s defensive coordinator with the Bears for three seasons, and defensive line coach Eric Washington, who was an assistant for Smith in Chicago for three seasons. “We’re all part of the same family,” Cesaire said. “It’s a penetrating, disruptive front, and we’re trying to generate pressure with four guys.” Some of that pressure comes from the interior, and if the Texans don’t re-sign Maliek Collins, they’ll need to acquire a 3-technique defensive tackle who’s essential to the scheme. But the Texans need a pass-rusher. Only four NFL teams pressured opposing quarterbacks at a lower rate last season than the Texans (20.7 percent of drop backs). Former 2020 third-round pick Jonathan Greenard showed promise with seven sacks in his first seven starts; but he cooled off with just one sack in his final five. The Texans are in range with the No. 3 overall pick to possibly select either Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — two of the top overall players in the draft who could possibly be gone by the time the clock starts for Houston. If either are available, it wouldn’t be shocking for them to be wearing Texans colors in 2022. Thibodeaux has started to drop in recent national mock drafts; but an elite workout after opting out of the Alamo Bowl could be enough to restore the hype that surrounded him throughout a stellar collegiate career.
Cincinnati's Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner has made a case as arguably the top cornerback prospect in the 2022 draft
Dylan Buell/Getty Images Cornerback
Under contract (6): Terrance Mitchell (2023), Tavierre Thomas (2023), Lonnie Johnson (2023), Tremon Smith (2023), Jimmy Moreland (2023), T.J. Green (2023)
Notable combine participants: Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati), Trent McDuffie (Washington), Roger McCreary (Auburn), Kaiir Elam (Florida), Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)
Analysis: No cornerback who is under contract with the Texans has a deal that lasts beyond the upcoming season. That includes nickel corner Tavierre Thomas, whose impressive season kept one-year signee Desmond King playing out of position at outside corner. Houston’s defensive scheme “is tailor made” to Thomas’ skillset, cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso said, which makes it unlikely the Texans re-sign King. That King was playing outside at all underlines the franchise’s need at the position. Too often they found themselves rotating between King, a spotty Terrance Mitchell and an inexperienced Lonnie Johnson while opposing elite quarterbacks made them pay again and again downfield. Only two other NFL teams gave up explosive pass plays (20-plus yards) at a higher rate than the Texans, according to Sharp Football Stats. This draft is deep with talented cornerbacks, which the combine is sure to reveal. LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., an All-American as a true freshman, was debatably a top-three pick before injuries sidelined him in portions of the past two seasons. There’s a reasonable scenario in which the Texans trade back from No. 3 and find him available. But it’s possible Stingley’s stock rises again with an impressive combine and individual workouts. Debate will ensue over whether Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is instead the top cornerback in the draft. But keep an eye on the middle of the pack. Any trade could yield extra picks, and Caserio could snag multiple corners to shore up the secondary for the future.
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
Feb. 26, 2022Updated: Feb. 26, 2022 11:40 a.m.
Limitations in free agency place even more weight on the draft. The Texans have eight total draft picks, including the No. 3 overall selection — although Caserio has said the franchise is open for business to trade that pick. Here’s a look at five key positions of need for the Texans and the players who will participate in the combine this week.
Note: Year the player hits free agency is in parentheses.
Running back
Players under contract (3): Rex Burkhead (2023), Scottie Phillips (2023), Darius Anderson (2023)
Notable combine participants: Kenneth Walker III (Michigan St.), Breece Hall (Iowa St.), Hassan Haskins (Michigan), Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M), Tyler Badie (Missouri), Jerome Ford (Cincinnati)
Analysis: Running back is Houston’s most obvious positional need on offense. Lovie Smith said he wants an offensive philosophy founded on “being able to run the football,” and the Texans do not have the kind of “home run hitter” running backs coach Danny Barrett said coaches want who “can take it the distance” when given the ball. Rex Burkhead returns as the leading rusher (427 yards, 3 TDs) from the worst run game in franchise history in both yards per game (83.6) and yards per carry (3.4). New offensive line coach George Warhop defines a successful run game as above 4.2 yards per carry. While the Texans also need to improve up front to make that jump in 2022, particularly with interior blockers, there are several running back prospects at the combine who should be available in the second round and beyond. Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker (5-10, 210 pounds), Iowa State’s Breece Hall (6-1, 220) and Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford (5-11, 220) are all powerful backs who repeatedly busted long runs after contact. The 40-yard dash always takes the spotlight in Indy, but keep an eye on the drills that showcase power and explosiveness (vertical jump, broad jump) — even the individual drills that test route running and pass catching. “An every-down back is obviously the key,” Barrett said, “and if we can find someone like that, if that’s available, we’ll go after that.”
N.C. State tackle Ickey Ekwonu may be versatile enough to be moved to guard in a scenario where the Texans keep veteran Laremy Tunsil.
Mark Brown/Getty Images Offensive line
Players under contract (9): OL Tytus Howard (2023), OT Laremy Tunsil (2024), OT Charlie Heck (2024), OT Marcus Cannon (2023), OG Max Scharping (2023), OG Justin McCray (2023), OG Jake Eldrenkamp (2023), OG Jordan Steckler (2023), OG Sam Cooper (2025)
Notable combine participants: OT Ickey Ekwonu (NC State), OT Evan Neal (Alabama), OT Charles Cross (Miss. State), OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa), C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), OG Kenyon Green (Texas A&M), OG Darian Kinnard (Kentucky), OG Zion Johnson (Boston College)
Analysis: Warhop, 60, has a vast experience working with a myriad of notable offensive minds like Norv Turner, Mike Martz, Mike McCarthy and Jay Gruden — coaches who used two of the NFL’s main offensive ideologies: the power-run Air Coryell (Turner/Martz) and the zone-blocking West Coast system (McCarthy/Gruden). Warhop and Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton worked for Turner along with another eventual coordinator, Jim Hostler, who was later on Hamilton’s offensive staff with the Colts. The scheme Hamilton builds in Houston could lean in that direction, and Warhop said he wants offensive linemen who are “physical,” “tough,” and “have a mindset that we’re not going to take any crap out of anybody.” The Texans’ o-line was more often beat up than doing the beating in 2021, and the unit’s needs are most pronounced at the interior. They have no center under contract — that’s glaring need No. 1 — and guards Justin McCray and Max Scharping performed inconsistent enough in 2021 that it’s not unreasonable to consider Caserio might cut one of them for cap space (each would free up about $2.4 million) and start over with replacement-level free agents or rookies who have upside, especially if the Texans take away from Indy that the draft is deep with interior linemen. But the Texans own the No. 3 overall pick and that usually spells offensive tackle (if they indeed draft a lineman). There’s a scenario in which the Texans could come away from Indy so impressed by the versatility of N.C. State tackle Ickey Ekwonu that they find a way to keep star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, draft Ekwonu to temporarily play guard, move Tytus Howard back to right tackle and cut right tackle Marcus Cannon, 33, who suffered a season-ending back injury last year, for $5.2 million in cap savings that could finance another interior lineman.
Baylor's Jalen Pitre could be an option for the Texans past the first round if they make safety a bigger priority.
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Safety
Under contract (3): Eric Murray (2023), Jonathan Owens (2023), Grayland Arnold (2023)
Notable combine participants: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Jalen Pitre (Baylor), Lewis Cine (Georgia), Jaquan Brisker (Penn State), Bryan Cook (Cincinnati)
Analysis: New Texans safeties coach Joe Danna, who spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars, said he’s glad he doesn’t have to defend star Texans receiver Brandin Cooks anymore. But, for now, the Texans only have three safeties under contract to defend any receiver with. More than that: None of them are under contract beyond this season. That number could shrink even further if Caserio decides to free up nearly $5.5 million in cap savings by cutting safety Eric Murray, whose three-year, $18 million contract was negotiated under former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien. But Murray improved toward the back end of 2021 — right when Jonathan Owens started flashing promise when he started in victories over the Jaguars and Chargers. Lovie Smith, Danna and several other Texans assistants have voiced how much can be gained by players staying in the same defensive system, and, if they find a way to re-sign Justin Reid, the safety position suddenly becomes less of an immediate need. But signing Reid — who, at 25, will be seeking a more lucrative deal — would likely take up a large chunk of Houston’s available cap space when the team has many other positional needs. Franchise-tagging Reid seems even more unlikely, since the Texans would be required to pay the average of the five largest safety salaries (estimated at $13.5 million, per Over The Cap). But, long-term, the Texans still need depth at safety. Maybe Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton climbs the Texans’ draft board high enough that they can’t pass on him at No. 3. There’s also a scenario in which Houston addresses other needs and Baylor’s Jalen Pitre is available in the second round. But Pitre is trending up. Does he perform well enough in Indy to get selected Day 1?
Michigan defensive end and Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson, whose father is a Cypress Creek graduate, has already said he’d love to play for the Texans.
Julio Cortez, STF / Associated Press Defensive end
Under contract (5): Jonathan Greenard (2024), Jordan Jenkins (2023), Derek Rivers (2023), Ron’Dell Carter (2023), Demone Harris (2023)
Notable combine participants: Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), Jermaine Johnson (Florida State), George Karlaftis (Purdue), David Ojabo (Michigan)
Analysis: New Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire has a tangential background to Lovie Smith’s defense. As a defensive end for the Chargers, Cesaire played for Ron Rivera, Smith’s defensive coordinator with the Bears for three seasons. As an assistant defensive line coach with the Bills, Cesaire coached with linebackers coach Bob Babich, who was also Smith’s defensive coordinator with the Bears for three seasons, and defensive line coach Eric Washington, who was an assistant for Smith in Chicago for three seasons. “We’re all part of the same family,” Cesaire said. “It’s a penetrating, disruptive front, and we’re trying to generate pressure with four guys.” Some of that pressure comes from the interior, and if the Texans don’t re-sign Maliek Collins, they’ll need to acquire a 3-technique defensive tackle who’s essential to the scheme. But the Texans need a pass-rusher. Only four NFL teams pressured opposing quarterbacks at a lower rate last season than the Texans (20.7 percent of drop backs). Former 2020 third-round pick Jonathan Greenard showed promise with seven sacks in his first seven starts; but he cooled off with just one sack in his final five. The Texans are in range with the No. 3 overall pick to possibly select either Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — two of the top overall players in the draft who could possibly be gone by the time the clock starts for Houston. If either are available, it wouldn’t be shocking for them to be wearing Texans colors in 2022. Thibodeaux has started to drop in recent national mock drafts; but an elite workout after opting out of the Alamo Bowl could be enough to restore the hype that surrounded him throughout a stellar collegiate career.
Cincinnati's Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner has made a case as arguably the top cornerback prospect in the 2022 draft
Dylan Buell/Getty Images Cornerback
Under contract (6): Terrance Mitchell (2023), Tavierre Thomas (2023), Lonnie Johnson (2023), Tremon Smith (2023), Jimmy Moreland (2023), T.J. Green (2023)
Notable combine participants: Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati), Trent McDuffie (Washington), Roger McCreary (Auburn), Kaiir Elam (Florida), Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)
Analysis: No cornerback who is under contract with the Texans has a deal that lasts beyond the upcoming season. That includes nickel corner Tavierre Thomas, whose impressive season kept one-year signee Desmond King playing out of position at outside corner. Houston’s defensive scheme “is tailor made” to Thomas’ skillset, cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso said, which makes it unlikely the Texans re-sign King. That King was playing outside at all underlines the franchise’s need at the position. Too often they found themselves rotating between King, a spotty Terrance Mitchell and an inexperienced Lonnie Johnson while opposing elite quarterbacks made them pay again and again downfield. Only two other NFL teams gave up explosive pass plays (20-plus yards) at a higher rate than the Texans, according to Sharp Football Stats. This draft is deep with talented cornerbacks, which the combine is sure to reveal. LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., an All-American as a true freshman, was debatably a top-three pick before injuries sidelined him in portions of the past two seasons. There’s a reasonable scenario in which the Texans trade back from No. 3 and find him available. But it’s possible Stingley’s stock rises again with an impressive combine and individual workouts. Debate will ensue over whether Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is instead the top cornerback in the draft. But keep an eye on the middle of the pack. Any trade could yield extra picks, and Caserio could snag multiple corners to shore up the secondary for the future.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Seems like some do not understand player contract guarantees.
**********************************************************************
In order to first understand NFL contracts, a basic understanding of the terms and systems that go into NFL contracts is needed. With just an understanding of these basic parts, a fan already can start determining the quality of deals players sign.
Base salary is the foundation for contracts for every NFL player. Players earn their base salary by just being on the team’s roster during the year. Players are given their base salary pay in 17 installments (for the 16-game schedule), one per week during the season. Base salary can be non-guaranteed or guaranteed depending on various clauses and conditions. Base salary is the bulk of the money that players lose when they get cut, as any current year or future year base salaries are lost when a player is cut unless they are guaranteed.
One thing that is somewhat unknown is that not all guaranteed money is the same. There are three types of guaranteed money that teams can use when constructing a contract.
The best-known form of guaranteed money is guaranteed for injury. Injury guarantees come into effect if a player is released but is unable to partake in football activities or pass a physical. If a player is released and this condition is met, the player is entitled to money that is protected against injury. If a player has guaranteed money for injury and they are healthy, then the money guaranteed for injury is lost when the player is cut.
Outside of guaranteed for injury, there are two other types of guarantees. These two types are skill guarantees and cap guarantees. A skill guarantee will protect a player from being released due to the player not having the requisite skill needed, according to the team. A cap guarantee will protect a player from being released so the team can get under the cap, sign a free agent, or re-sign another player. These two guarantees are rarely ever exercised on their own. The combination of cap and skill guarantees with injury guarantees forms a full guarantee. Full guarantees are used in almost every NFL contract and the player is entitled the money from full guarantees when they sign the contract.
A signing bonus, true to its name, is an upfront guaranteed payment the player receives when they sign their contract. Unlike normal guaranteed money, a player gets the signing bonus money usually within the first year after signing the contract, and the signing bonus is fully guaranteed. While the player gets the lump sum up front, the team can spread the signing bonus on their cap space into smaller payments over the length of the contract up to a maximum of five years. The spread out payment of this signing bonus is called the prorated bonus. When a player is cut, the team must pay the remainder of the spread-out signing bonus at once, and this payment is applied to the team's cap space.
LINK
**********************************************************************
In order to first understand NFL contracts, a basic understanding of the terms and systems that go into NFL contracts is needed. With just an understanding of these basic parts, a fan already can start determining the quality of deals players sign.
Base salary is the foundation for contracts for every NFL player. Players earn their base salary by just being on the team’s roster during the year. Players are given their base salary pay in 17 installments (for the 16-game schedule), one per week during the season. Base salary can be non-guaranteed or guaranteed depending on various clauses and conditions. Base salary is the bulk of the money that players lose when they get cut, as any current year or future year base salaries are lost when a player is cut unless they are guaranteed.
One thing that is somewhat unknown is that not all guaranteed money is the same. There are three types of guaranteed money that teams can use when constructing a contract.
The best-known form of guaranteed money is guaranteed for injury. Injury guarantees come into effect if a player is released but is unable to partake in football activities or pass a physical. If a player is released and this condition is met, the player is entitled to money that is protected against injury. If a player has guaranteed money for injury and they are healthy, then the money guaranteed for injury is lost when the player is cut.
Outside of guaranteed for injury, there are two other types of guarantees. These two types are skill guarantees and cap guarantees. A skill guarantee will protect a player from being released due to the player not having the requisite skill needed, according to the team. A cap guarantee will protect a player from being released so the team can get under the cap, sign a free agent, or re-sign another player. These two guarantees are rarely ever exercised on their own. The combination of cap and skill guarantees with injury guarantees forms a full guarantee. Full guarantees are used in almost every NFL contract and the player is entitled the money from full guarantees when they sign the contract.
A signing bonus, true to its name, is an upfront guaranteed payment the player receives when they sign their contract. Unlike normal guaranteed money, a player gets the signing bonus money usually within the first year after signing the contract, and the signing bonus is fully guaranteed. While the player gets the lump sum up front, the team can spread the signing bonus on their cap space into smaller payments over the length of the contract up to a maximum of five years. The spread out payment of this signing bonus is called the prorated bonus. When a player is cut, the team must pay the remainder of the spread-out signing bonus at once, and this payment is applied to the team's cap space.
LINK
Number19
Hall of Fame
I've mentioned off and on over the years that I favor Air Coryell. Sure hope this is the direction we go in. And I hope Mills can transition into a more vertical game rather than the dink and dunk.
From Wikipedia:
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I would love to see the Air Coryell. We will definitely have to hit well in the Draft and FA. Suspect it would take 2 years to get it really going.
Caserio's FA plan seems to be working out fine when it came to finding guys cheaply that can play. Too bad Caserio isn't going to be the final say down on Kirby anymore. It was good while it lasted.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
I know Kirby's FO is a bit of a joke, but surely if they see Caserio doing a good job, why would they risk changing that metric?
Because an 85 yr old woman who's trying to get in the good graces of God is running the team. A business person that you're describing certainly isn't running the team.
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
From the NFL site. https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-rookie-grades-ranking-the-classes-1-to-32
AFC South draft rankings by the NFL:
Houston 10th B+
Jacksonville 28th C-
Indy 30th D+
Tennessee 31st D+
AFC South draft rankings by the NFL:
Houston 10th B+
Jacksonville 28th C-
Indy 30th D+
Tennessee 31st D+
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Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
Collins had one of the worst catch rates in football, Jordan didn’t even dress for 7 weeks, and Lopez was up there in missed tackle percentage. Not saying they won’t turn out to be anything, but after year 1, that’s considered “solid returns”?
I’d give them a C at best, only because Mills gives it a boost overall. And that’s not considering what they gave up to get those players.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Have you ever watched Belichick pressers?
Texian
Hall of Fame
Yes, I have never mistaken Belichick for a Chatty Cathy. Belichick is more of a poster boy for, "a man of few words". Unlike a Caserio presser that is more like an overdose of amphetamines with adverse effects.
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A one year turnaround is absurd for the Texans. The Bengals had a ton of young and maturing talent entering 2021. And it took a miracle playoff run to make the Superb Owl.
But what about 3 years from now? That's how long it took Zac Taylor to get the Bengals in the big game. Lovie has 3 years in him, right? They just need to be damn near perfect in everything they do, then get lucky. First, start being perfect. Quit screwing around with the cap and start saving it up. Next, get the very best players at every pick. And stop pissing away picks. Then, fill in your roster with quality, value free agents. Not former buddies you once worked with.
Finally, just add in luck. The Texans have to have some good luck stored somewhere, right? They've hardly ever used any in two decades, so there must be plenty around. Presto! Superb Owl LIX, here we come!
Texian
Hall of Fame
Couldn't agree more. BTW I said I was buying lunch for the Brigade. I didn't say I was eating it.
There you go thinking again.
Reality is the McNair's dont spend in FA and history says it's very unlikely that the Calhoun's ever reach a SB, much less in the next 3 yrs.
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Are we back to the McNairs are cheap sad song?
Texansballer74
The Marine
They’re paying how many GM’ and HCes? Didn’t Tunsil get a hefty pay when he got here? But they’re cheap lol some fans.
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Tunsil, Osweiler, and Johnathan Joseph to name a few big FA acquisitions.
Hell, how many GMs and HCs are they willing to pay at the same time? I think the record is 3 GMs at the same time.
You can’t say the McNairs don’t spend money.
I wish Tunsil was a FA acquisition
Nope, time will tell, hopefully things will change. So far they haven't.
Hopefully I'm wrong.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Would be a great slot pickup.
Texazan
Our HOF 34
This got me excited again, FFS, Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in. GDit!Sizing up Texans' biggest draft needs ahead of NFL combine
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
Feb. 26, 2022Updated: Feb. 26, 2022 11:40 a.m.
Limitations in free agency place even more weight on the draft. The Texans have eight total draft picks, including the No. 3 overall selection — although Caserio has said the franchise is open for business to trade that pick. Here’s a look at five key positions of need for the Texans and the players who will participate in the combine this week.
Note: Year the player hits free agency is in parentheses.
Running back
Players under contract (3): Rex Burkhead (2023), Scottie Phillips (2023), Darius Anderson (2023)
Notable combine participants: Kenneth Walker III (Michigan St.), Breece Hall (Iowa St.), Hassan Haskins (Michigan), Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M), Tyler Badie (Missouri), Jerome Ford (Cincinnati)
Analysis: Running back is Houston’s most obvious positional need on offense. Lovie Smith said he wants an offensive philosophy founded on “being able to run the football,” and the Texans do not have the kind of “home run hitter” running backs coach Danny Barrett said coaches want who “can take it the distance” when given the ball. Rex Burkhead returns as the leading rusher (427 yards, 3 TDs) from the worst run game in franchise history in both yards per game (83.6) and yards per carry (3.4). New offensive line coach George Warhop defines a successful run game as above 4.2 yards per carry. While the Texans also need to improve up front to make that jump in 2022, particularly with interior blockers, there are several running back prospects at the combine who should be available in the second round and beyond. Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker (5-10, 210 pounds), Iowa State’s Breece Hall (6-1, 220) and Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford (5-11, 220) are all powerful backs who repeatedly busted long runs after contact. The 40-yard dash always takes the spotlight in Indy, but keep an eye on the drills that showcase power and explosiveness (vertical jump, broad jump) — even the individual drills that test route running and pass catching. “An every-down back is obviously the key,” Barrett said, “and if we can find someone like that, if that’s available, we’ll go after that.”
N.C. State tackle Ickey Ekwonu may be versatile enough to be moved to guard in a scenario where the Texans keep veteran Laremy Tunsil.
Mark Brown/Getty Images Offensive line
Players under contract (9): OL Tytus Howard (2023), OT Laremy Tunsil (2024), OT Charlie Heck (2024), OT Marcus Cannon (2023), OG Max Scharping (2023), OG Justin McCray (2023), OG Jake Eldrenkamp (2023), OG Jordan Steckler (2023), OG Sam Cooper (2025)
Notable combine participants: OT Ickey Ekwonu (NC State), OT Evan Neal (Alabama), OT Charles Cross (Miss. State), OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa), C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), OG Kenyon Green (Texas A&M), OG Darian Kinnard (Kentucky), OG Zion Johnson (Boston College)
Analysis: Warhop, 60, has a vast experience working with a myriad of notable offensive minds like Norv Turner, Mike Martz, Mike McCarthy and Jay Gruden — coaches who used two of the NFL’s main offensive ideologies: the power-run Air Coryell (Turner/Martz) and the zone-blocking West Coast system (McCarthy/Gruden). Warhop and Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton worked for Turner along with another eventual coordinator, Jim Hostler, who was later on Hamilton’s offensive staff with the Colts. The scheme Hamilton builds in Houston could lean in that direction, and Warhop said he wants offensive linemen who are “physical,” “tough,” and “have a mindset that we’re not going to take any crap out of anybody.” The Texans’ o-line was more often beat up than doing the beating in 2021, and the unit’s needs are most pronounced at the interior. They have no center under contract — that’s glaring need No. 1 — and guards Justin McCray and Max Scharping performed inconsistent enough in 2021 that it’s not unreasonable to consider Caserio might cut one of them for cap space (each would free up about $2.4 million) and start over with replacement-level free agents or rookies who have upside, especially if the Texans take away from Indy that the draft is deep with interior linemen. But the Texans own the No. 3 overall pick and that usually spells offensive tackle (if they indeed draft a lineman). There’s a scenario in which the Texans could come away from Indy so impressed by the versatility of N.C. State tackle Ickey Ekwonu that they find a way to keep star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, draft Ekwonu to temporarily play guard, move Tytus Howard back to right tackle and cut right tackle Marcus Cannon, 33, who suffered a season-ending back injury last year, for $5.2 million in cap savings that could finance another interior lineman.
Baylor's Jalen Pitre could be an option for the Texans past the first round if they make safety a bigger priority.
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Safety
Under contract (3): Eric Murray (2023), Jonathan Owens (2023), Grayland Arnold (2023)
Notable combine participants: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Jalen Pitre (Baylor), Lewis Cine (Georgia), Jaquan Brisker (Penn State), Bryan Cook (Cincinnati)
Analysis: New Texans safeties coach Joe Danna, who spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars, said he’s glad he doesn’t have to defend star Texans receiver Brandin Cooks anymore. But, for now, the Texans only have three safeties under contract to defend any receiver with. More than that: None of them are under contract beyond this season. That number could shrink even further if Caserio decides to free up nearly $5.5 million in cap savings by cutting safety Eric Murray, whose three-year, $18 million contract was negotiated under former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien. But Murray improved toward the back end of 2021 — right when Jonathan Owens started flashing promise when he started in victories over the Jaguars and Chargers. Lovie Smith, Danna and several other Texans assistants have voiced how much can be gained by players staying in the same defensive system, and, if they find a way to re-sign Justin Reid, the safety position suddenly becomes less of an immediate need. But signing Reid — who, at 25, will be seeking a more lucrative deal — would likely take up a large chunk of Houston’s available cap space when the team has many other positional needs. Franchise-tagging Reid seems even more unlikely, since the Texans would be required to pay the average of the five largest safety salaries (estimated at $13.5 million, per Over The Cap). But, long-term, the Texans still need depth at safety. Maybe Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton climbs the Texans’ draft board high enough that they can’t pass on him at No. 3. There’s also a scenario in which Houston addresses other needs and Baylor’s Jalen Pitre is available in the second round. But Pitre is trending up. Does he perform well enough in Indy to get selected Day 1?
Michigan defensive end and Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson, whose father is a Cypress Creek graduate, has already said he’d love to play for the Texans.
Julio Cortez, STF / Associated Press Defensive end
Under contract (5): Jonathan Greenard (2024), Jordan Jenkins (2023), Derek Rivers (2023), Ron’Dell Carter (2023), Demone Harris (2023)
Notable combine participants: Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), Jermaine Johnson (Florida State), George Karlaftis (Purdue), David Ojabo (Michigan)
Analysis: New Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire has a tangential background to Lovie Smith’s defense. As a defensive end for the Chargers, Cesaire played for Ron Rivera, Smith’s defensive coordinator with the Bears for three seasons. As an assistant defensive line coach with the Bills, Cesaire coached with linebackers coach Bob Babich, who was also Smith’s defensive coordinator with the Bears for three seasons, and defensive line coach Eric Washington, who was an assistant for Smith in Chicago for three seasons. “We’re all part of the same family,” Cesaire said. “It’s a penetrating, disruptive front, and we’re trying to generate pressure with four guys.” Some of that pressure comes from the interior, and if the Texans don’t re-sign Maliek Collins, they’ll need to acquire a 3-technique defensive tackle who’s essential to the scheme. But the Texans need a pass-rusher. Only four NFL teams pressured opposing quarterbacks at a lower rate last season than the Texans (20.7 percent of drop backs). Former 2020 third-round pick Jonathan Greenard showed promise with seven sacks in his first seven starts; but he cooled off with just one sack in his final five. The Texans are in range with the No. 3 overall pick to possibly select either Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — two of the top overall players in the draft who could possibly be gone by the time the clock starts for Houston. If either are available, it wouldn’t be shocking for them to be wearing Texans colors in 2022. Thibodeaux has started to drop in recent national mock drafts; but an elite workout after opting out of the Alamo Bowl could be enough to restore the hype that surrounded him throughout a stellar collegiate career.
Cincinnati's Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner has made a case as arguably the top cornerback prospect in the 2022 draft
Dylan Buell/Getty Images Cornerback
Under contract (6): Terrance Mitchell (2023), Tavierre Thomas (2023), Lonnie Johnson (2023), Tremon Smith (2023), Jimmy Moreland (2023), T.J. Green (2023)
Notable combine participants: Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati), Trent McDuffie (Washington), Roger McCreary (Auburn), Kaiir Elam (Florida), Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)
Analysis: No cornerback who is under contract with the Texans has a deal that lasts beyond the upcoming season. That includes nickel corner Tavierre Thomas, whose impressive season kept one-year signee Desmond King playing out of position at outside corner. Houston’s defensive scheme “is tailor made” to Thomas’ skillset, cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso said, which makes it unlikely the Texans re-sign King. That King was playing outside at all underlines the franchise’s need at the position. Too often they found themselves rotating between King, a spotty Terrance Mitchell and an inexperienced Lonnie Johnson while opposing elite quarterbacks made them pay again and again downfield. Only two other NFL teams gave up explosive pass plays (20-plus yards) at a higher rate than the Texans, according to Sharp Football Stats. This draft is deep with talented cornerbacks, which the combine is sure to reveal. LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., an All-American as a true freshman, was debatably a top-three pick before injuries sidelined him in portions of the past two seasons. There’s a reasonable scenario in which the Texans trade back from No. 3 and find him available. But it’s possible Stingley’s stock rises again with an impressive combine and individual workouts. Debate will ensue over whether Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is instead the top cornerback in the draft. But keep an eye on the middle of the pack. Any trade could yield extra picks, and Caserio could snag multiple corners to shore up the secondary for the future.
Texazan
Our HOF 34
I’m here and watched every game. Hard worker that can turn on the jets, would be a good grab
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
For clarity, cutting those 6 players doesn't free up an additional $38 million. It frees up $22 million moving the Texans cap space to $38 million. Not as much as you'd think, considering how many players that need to be signed. I would also cut Mitchell, Scharping, and Moreland for an additional $8.1 million savings. All could be replaced with draft picks or UDFAs.c
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That's 46 mil in addition to what's already on the cap? Add that into the almost 18 mil already available and 64 mil to work with is very doable when it comes to filling out the roster and adding 3-4 quality lower cost FA's like Mo Allie Cox, Marlon Mack, James Washington etc.. to upgrade the talent level and spend the rest to fill out the roster.
No. Right now, there's $15.5 million cap space after the Keke Kingsley signing. I guess he would replace Jenkins if cut. Cut the guys listed on twitter, and it's $38 million in space. Cut the additional 3 guys I mentioned, and it's $46 million, total. Set aside the cap space needed to sign the picks the Texans currently have, the cap space dwindles to $30 million. Again, not much considering how many spots the Texans need to fill. I assume you'd like to see a handful of guys re-signed. Grugier-Hill, etc. That will likely be $10 million. Don't forget a backup vet QB. That's at least $6-7 million. And don't you want to keep some $$$ for someone on waivers that would be a nice pickup? Or push to 2023 when the Texans become more competitive (hopefully).
Sorry, no bargain basement FA bonanza in 2022.
Texian
Hall of Fame
It's beginning to look like those Home Depot and Lowe's workers who signed 1-year deals in 2021 will be Target and Walmart workers in 2022.
That's not what I heard Texans cap describe