VERBA: 35 MILLION or Else

[dalemurphy]

The Texans and Verba's representative spoke June 10, and the two have a mutual interest in the other.

Well, it would appear that negotiations have begun.

By the way, for everyone that is standing up for Wand, it's painfully obvious that the Texans don't feel he's ready to man the most critical OL position (LT). It doesn't mean that he'll never be able to handle it. It just means he's not ready now. As Vinny said, he's projected to take about 3 years before he's ready to step in. Just be patient. Your time to gloat will come soon enough.

Don't be so sure that Verba would be penciled in at LT. One of the his strenghts is that he can play G or T. Perhaps some of the Pitts supporters are the ones who will need patience. Then again, Weigert will be cut next year almost surely- so a move here may have more to do with that.

 

[beerlover]

Don't be so sure that Verba would be penciled in at LT. One of the his strenghts is that he can play G or T. Perhaps some of the Pitts supporters are the ones who will need patience. Then again, Weigert will be cut next year almost surely- so a move here may have more to do with that.

thankyou dalemurphy some sanity in the jungle, I agree whole heartedly. Wand is gonna be fine in due time, Pitts was killing him (my opinion) in pass protection put Verba at LG next to Wand and we'll see some improvement. relocate Pitts to RG next to Wade and the running game will improve as well

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

Don't be so sure that Verba would be penciled in at LT. One of the his strenghts is that he can play G or T. Perhaps some of the Pitts supporters are the ones who will need patience. Then again, Weigert will be cut next year almost surely- so a move here may have more to do with that.

The biggest problem with this logic is that Verba shas stated that he is going to a team that has a need at tackle. why would we bring a guy in that is not shy about speaking his mind and then all of a sudden switch him away from the position he wants to play.

In fact, i think Verba is a better guard, but at least for year one, he is going to line up a tackle, assuming that he signed.

 

[dalemurphy]

The biggest problem with this logic is that Verba shas stated that he is going to a team that has a need at tackle. why would we bring a guy in that is not shy about speaking his mind and then all of a sudden switch him away from the position he wants to play.

In fact, i think Verba is a better guard, but at least for year one, he is going to line up a tackle, assuming that he signed.

Well, Verba is asking for $37 million also and I'm pretty sure he's not getting it. THe fact that we're talking to him doesn't mean that we're going to agree to his every demand. I'm sure the team will say that he'll have the opportunity to compete for any position on the OLine but they'll be starting the best 5 in the positions that make most sense for the health of the team.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

Well, Verba is asking for $37 million also and I'm pretty sure he's not getting it. THe fact that we're talking to him doesn't mean that we're going to agree to his every demand. I'm sure the team will say that he'll have the opportunity to compete for any position on the OLine but they'll be starting the best 5 in the positions that make most sense for the health of the team.

You are almost swinging to the side of Verba can't get anything that he wants. I don't think that Verba takes a deal that does not assume that he will get a crack at tackle first. IMO, it would not actually make any sense to sign Verba to play any other position, but LT (at least for 2005). If I were the Texans, I would not be talking to the guy unless i expected him to start for me at LT.

 

[dalemurphy]

You are almost swinging to the side of Verba can't get anything that he wants. I don't think that Verba takes a deal that does not assume that he will get a crack at tackle first. IMO, it would not actually make any sense to sign Verba to play any other position, but LT (at least for 2005). If I were the Texans, I would not be talking to the guy unless i expected him to start for me at LT.

If those are the parameters then I don't want him. We didn't go after Shelton with big money. I think that if we see Verba as only filling a tackle position then it wouldn't make sense to offer him much money either.

 

[Scottyboy]

Talking w/ a close inside friend in the head office - "Verba is 95% finshied completing a deal with US" Belive it or not, this is a good thing, trust me I think we will see more rushing yards from all three HB's, and Carr's passer rating around 95. Everyone has issues, Sharper was more of a cancer then this guy will ever be!!!

 

[Porky]

Talking w/ a close inside friend in the head office - "Verba is 95% finshied completing a deal with US" Belive it or not, this is a good thing, trust me I think we will see more rushing yards from all three HB's, and Carr's passer rating around 95. Everyone has issues, Sharper was more of a cancer then this guy will ever be!!!

If this is true, then I will support it....but I am wary of this guy in a big way. I also want to see the numbers. I hope we don't overpay him. He is average...which granted, is an improvement over last year. He may actually be a better guard, but like Arlington stated, if he comes here, it is to start at LT while they develop a young replacement. That could be Wand, but I still think we draft a LT in round one next year. Verba holds down the spot for 2 years, and then they release his sorry butt, and the new guy takes over. They need to structure the deal with as much upfront money as possible imo. I do think he is probably better than Shelton. The big red flag on Shelton is the guy came in overweight, when he should be trying to impress teams. That doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

 

[jacquescas]

I like the versatlity of Verba i just dont like a 35 million dollar deal. at this point i'd give him most of whats left on this years cap in salary(not including rookie portion) give him a decent bonus. basically front load it for 1 year cause i doubt we are going to make any other moves. then if he is somewhat affordable for the next 3 years we can slide him where we need him along the line

 

[edo783]

I think you might have that a bit backwards. I think you want to hold the bonus down and the salary up. The bonus is garanteed, so it would be prorated acrosse the contract. It would then count in the other years even when he is cut. The salary is only for the year it is earned in. Sooo, if we did something like: (not saying this is what to do)

3 year contract
1 mill bonus
3 mill a year + incentives to get him a 8 mill number.

That way if we cut him his contract only counts 333K in the out years. You could literaly make the salary be anything in out years and it would not affect cap if cut, but the bonus does. That is how I understand it to work anyway.

 

[Vinny]

If the Texans sign him, don't expect a one mil bonus. He will get quite a bit more than that.

 

[Paragon Blue]

If Verba is signed what does that mean to the rest of the starting OL?

 

[Lucky]

...You could literaly make the salary be anything in out years and it would not affect cap if cut, but the bonus does. That is how I understand it to work anyway.

That's exactly how it works. As long as the salaries aren't guaranteed, which is very rare in the NFL.

 

[jacquescas]

ya but i mean if verba is gonna agree to such a deal he would have just stayed with the browns.

he wants to get paid. giving him around 5 million upfront from 1st year salary and bonus might be enough to lure him here and it wont affect our future cap to much if alot of it is in salary.

 

[tiger06]

Is this guy one of the better LTs in the NFL? Would he be an immediate upgrade to our line? I don't want to give this guy a huge contract if he's not much better than Wand. I think continuity with our o-line would be better.

 

[edo783]

ya but i mean if verba is gonna agree to such a deal he would have just stayed with the browns.

he wants to get paid. giving him around 5 million upfront from 1st year salary and bonus might be enough to lure him here and it wont affect our future cap to much if alot of it is in salary.

That is pretty much what I was getting at. Like Vinny says a one mill bonus won't get it done (never expected that it would), but if we can keep it low and bump up the salary that would be best. Makes it look like he is geting close to the 35 mill he wants to let him save face, but most of it being salary over say a 5 year deal. I am pretty sure I am not really all that interested in him, but if we do it, I hope we make the deal cap friendly as I doubt he would be here more than 2-3 years at most.

 

[keyfro]

i just don't think he's worth that much...it's silly...if it's all about the money to him do we really want him here protecting our franchise's blind side?

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

i just don't think he's worth that much...it's silly...if it's all about the money to him do we really want him here protecting our franchise's blind side?

My only defense for Verba here is that despite the way he handled the off season and he is not considered a nice guy, there has been no question as to Verba's intensity and dedication on the field.

 

[TEXANS84]

Ross Verba's stats:

LINK

 

[edo783]

i just don't think he's worth that much...it's silly

I don't think ANYONE (except Verba) thinks he is worth that sort of money, but that is the whole idea behind structuring the deal with a high salary. Looks good, but has no real meaning unless we keep him. Don't like him, just cut him and no cap hit for the salary. His stats aren't to bad though. Could we afford to have a guy who has proven to be a devisive type in the locker room? I would rather pass on him, but who knows.

Signing bonus is a cap hit, but does anyone know how a roster bonus affects cap? I THINK it is only for the year earned, but not certain about it.

 

[TexanFan881]

Talking w/ a close inside friend in the head office - "Verba is 95% finshied completing a deal with US" Belive it or not, this is a good thing, trust me I think we will see more rushing yards from all three HB's, and Carr's passer rating around 95. Everyone has issues, Sharper was more of a cancer then this guy will ever be!!!

And Sharper was a great player for us. Also, I definately hope this is true because we definately need him on our team with our O-lineman. If we get Verba and he plays LT that would make this offseason for me from a little improvement to a lot of improvement. Left tackle is the last piece of the puzzle, I believe, and if we could complete the puzzle I think we have a lot better of a chance to be in the playoffs.

 

[Texans Pride]

Everyone has issues, Sharper was more of a cancer then this guy will ever be!!!

Could you please give an example of how Sharper was a "cancer" on this team?

And before you bring it up, let me go ahead and say that his comments in the locker room after a loss where he said, "someone needs to show us the way on this team," doesn't classify as a "cancer". It was out of line to say in the newspapers, but I do not feel that classifies someone of a "cancer" on his team.

He played his butt off for us while he was here, and was an important part of this defense. I don't like some of the things he has recently said, but it no way is he a "cancer".

 

[awtysst]

I don't think ANYONE (except Verba) thinks he is worth that sort of money, but that is the whole idea behind structuring the deal with a high salary. Looks good, but has no real meaning unless we keep him. Don't like him, just cut him and no cap hit for the salary. His stats aren't to bad though. Could we afford to have a guy who has proven to be a devisive type in the locker room? I would rather pass on him, but who knows.

Signing bonus is a cap hit, but does anyone know how a roster bonus affects cap? I THINK it is only for the year earned, but not certain about it.

I think thats the key, we need to sign him to a backloaded contract. We can then get a LT in tnext year's draft and keep this guy along to tutor the new LT. Then ask him to restructure or cut him. No guaranteed contracts can be a good thing for fans.

 

[beerlover]

I think thats the key, we need to sign him to a backloaded contract. We can then get a LT in tnext year's draft and keep this guy along to tutor the new LT. Then ask him to restructure or cut him. No guaranteed contracts can be a good thing for fans.

Wand is the Texans LT until proven otherwise. Verba would bring depth and stability to the OL and competition for the starting nod, otherwise he would be slotted into the LG in place of Pitts and Pitts would be in competition to win the RG from Weigert or as a back-up to multiple positions. last I heard that would mean the Texans have arrived both talent wise and depth wise.

Bottom line, ownership promised action to protect David Carr and keep him from continually getting killed, this may be the last ticket on a one way trip down Relient stadium

 

[ColdSteelBlue]

If they think he can help, I don't give a rat's rear end what they pay him.

Carr having good time to throw= wins

 

[Big B Texan Fan]

We're not gonna take 'em. Next years draft is supposed to be OT heavy (no pun intended). There is probably gonna be 4-5 of 'em taken picks 5-40. With the Texans installing more timing routes and supposedly having several plays with Andre in motion/slot, the Texans will probably take their chances with what they've got. Also continuity will help as well as these play together longer they'll improve some...."some". Their thinking on last year is that 2 games got away from them late, Minn & GB, and they had no business losing to Clev and even Det. That turns there record into 10-6 / 11-5 and puts them in the playoffs. Yea yea I know wishful thinking but that is what they're probably thinking and for that....NO Verba...which is fine with me. Heck, The Pats won it 2 years ago with out a bonafide RB, the Rams did it with a back up QB, and the Ravens did it with defense. We cannot have studs @ every position or for that fact even halfway decent players @ every position. We must play to our strengths and hope thats better than our opponent playing to our weakness. I'm still concerned though.

 

[pek281]

Very good read, this post. Our fans are very informative. We've analyzed our most inportant need from every single angle.

I agree with a good portion of this thread is that... I'm wary of change on our O-Line. I think we should stand pat. An O-Line is NOT about plugging a new guy into the line-up and expecting a one, or even two year, miraculous change. An O-Line is about gelling together. It was mentioned way early in this post (I wish I could remember who should get this credit) that it takes a good THREE years together to gel.

Someone help me out here when it was, but I remember a good five, six years ago... the Washington Redskins went out and BOUGHT a whole offensive line... they spent HUGE money on free agents... they bought a stellar O-Line that was gonna finally be key. What happened? Well, it turns out that an O-Line needs to gel together. You can't just plug guys into an O-Line and expect immediate results.

Verba? Let's pass and stay-put on our GUYS. Come on people... they are OUR guys. Give 'em another year.

 

[titan hater]

Very good read, this post. Our fans are very informative. We've analyzed our most inportant need from every single angle.

I agree with a good portion of this thread is that... I'm wary of change on our O-Line. I think we should stand pat. An O-Line is NOT about plugging a new guy into the line-up and expecting a one, or even two year, miraculous change. An O-Line is about gelling together. It was mentioned way early in this post (I wish I could remember who should get this credit) that it takes a good THREE years together to gel.

Someone help me out here when it was, but I remember a good five, six years ago... the Washington Redskins went out and BOUGHT a whole offensive line... they spent HUGE money on free agents... they bought a stellar O-Line that was gonna finally be key. What happened? Well, it turns out that an O-Line needs to gel together. You can't just plug guys into an O-Line and expect immediate results.

Verba? Let's pass and stay-put on our GUYS. Come on people... they are OUR guys. Give 'em another year.

I'll give em another year...Of Course, IM not DC, who has been sacked more times than an Idaho potato. Go ahead give them 1 more year, and then another, and another...Before you know it DC will have signed with a team that cares about his safety, or be on the Cody Carlson's PUPL. I agree it takes time to develpe an O-Line...But 3 years is long enough!! It's time to put up or shut up, its time for what ever stupid cliché they can think of...

I want to see a winner now!!! Not two years from now, but NOW!!! DAMN IT!!!!

 

[twinkletwinkle]

Yeah what is this little league. "C'mon guys....sniffle..sniffle...they need time to gel." Whatever, they need to get'er done. These guys are grown up professional athletes. Simply stated if you need time to gel, NFL europe is the place to be.

 

[titan hater]

Winning is what it is all about!! Gelling for 1 year is cool...But 3? Come on...If they don't protect DC better we are gonna have Dave Ragone starting soon...He was good in Deutschland...in front of 25 to 30K. Reliant holds what, 70...75K...I pay a hell of a lot of money to see them play on Sunday...I expect them to win...Not put a second rate o-Line on the field...

 

[Davis37]

Im not excited about our OL, but CC has done what he can by going after Pace. He could have thrown alot of money at Shelton, but hes not that much of an upgrade over what we have. I would like to snag Verba, but for 35 mil, thats just stupidity. I hope our line does better this year with the players we have. Im just glad we didnt pay a huge amount of money to bring in a FA that isnt a great improvement over what we have.

 

[ColdSteelBlue]

Talking w/ a close inside friend in the head office - "Verba is 95% finshied completing a deal with US" Belive it or not, this is a good thing, trust me I think we will see more rushing yards from all three HB's, and Carr's passer rating around 95. Everyone has issues, Sharper was more of a cancer then this guy will ever be!!!

Very interesting. Esp. since Charlie P. (ESPN 790) mentioned that the Texans have not even met w/ Verba yet.

 

[bigtex77]

Yeah what is this little league. "C'mon guys....sniffle..sniffle...they need time to gel." Whatever, they need to get'er done. These guys are grown up professional athletes. Simply stated if you need time to gel, NFL europe is the place to be.

Oh yeah, the great lines from Dallas (90's), Denver (4 different 1000 yard rushers), and all the others took no time to gel, yeah right!

 

[bigtex77]

Winning is what it is all about!! Gelling for 1 year is cool...But 3?

They haven't had the same line for all three years.

 

[TheGus]

Acoording to nfl.com

After spending the offseason searching for a left tackle to protect David Carr's blindside, the Houston Texans are now zeroing in on former Cleveland left tackle Ross Verba. The Texans and Verba's representative spoke June 10, and the two have a mutual interest in the other.

The Texans would love to add the top available left tackle, and Verba wants to cash in. He is now seeking a $35 million deal after returning a $465,000 bonus check to the Browns this week to let himself out of the contract he had with them. The 31-year-old Verba insists that if he doesn't get the money he wants, he'll walk away from the game.

But first the Texans will try to sway him to Houston. And while the Texans are interested in Verba, they are not interested in running back Travis Henry, as some have speculated.

 

[YodAa]

Score! Were checkin out another LT and not thinking bout replacing DD

 

[Big B Texan Fan]

They haven't had the same line for all three years.

This would be year #2 though. Squeeze into the playoffs this time around and next year will be year #3 and then look out. That particular year and the 2-3 after could filled with playoff appearances. That's 5-6 years of playoff football in H-Town. We do need to start thinking of plans to replace McKinney and Weigart in the not so distant future. Maybe some of the guys we've got already could do th trick. M. Brown, T. Washington, F. Weary.,D. Hodgdgen, and B. Evans.

 

[The Preacher]

35 mil seems way too pricey. what about 25 mil or a wade type contract? would guarantee more stability and good depth. i like the idea of letting wand develop but having verba would allow for more line changes without carr losing confidence. same age as pace half the salary makes the oline way less of a gamble. if we have the cap room it would make a statement the texans are a team built to win now.

 

[Big B Texan Fan]

Just noticed something. Verba missed out on the whole season 2 seasons ago. The season after an injury season is always a bit wishy washy. So if the team (Clev) said he'd lost a step or isn't the same anymore, it could be a little pre-mature. Not to mention that the Browns have been one of the worst teams since 2000 (minus their 9-7 playoff berth) and I do not beleive it had anything to do with him. This might be what he needs, a solid coaching staff.-------------- Also don't forget, Chris Palmer caoched him for 2 years and I'm sure if there were any doubts on him he'd speak up. I still say pass on 'em cuz he ain't cheap but if we do pick 'em up we could be very happy fans after we go to SF the last game of the season and pound the 49er's to go 10-6 on the season and get in the playoffs as a Wildcard squezzing out the jags and their 10-6 record cuz we swept them during the reg. season. The team would carry Verba off the field on their shoulders. He'd get a key to the city, free lap dances all over town, Pitts and Wand would set up Verba Shrines in their houses and pray to O-Line Gods that they can one day be like the almighty Verba. ----------- When does the season start again, I'm bored.

 

[CowboysTexansFan]

Here is an article posted today on Pro Football Weekly's site. I like the way Reynolds, in response to the first question, refers to our "incompetent offensive line." In my view, the O-line is without question one of the team's weakest links, if not THE weakest link. I'm not sure too much can be done for this upcoming season, but hopefully the team will find some players in the next draft worthy of premium picks.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Spins/2005/spins061405.htm

Texans target OT Verba

ProFootballWeekly.com asks associate editor Jeff Reynolds for his thoughts on the hottest topics in the NFL.

Texans look to Verba to solve problems at tackle

Since selecting OLT Tony Boselli with the first pick in the franchise’s expansion draft, and struggling through Boselli’s injury-shortened tenure with the team, the Texans have been unable to fill the void at left tackle. Some scouts believe the unfortified offensive line, and in particular the weakness at left tackle, has stunted the growth of former No. 1 overall pick David Carr and the Houston offense. The Texans are considering moving C Seth McKinney to guard, which would precipitate Chester Pitts returning to left tackle. First, they will consider signing recently released Browns OLT Ross Verba.

PFW: In the short term, what is the best move for the Texans to make?

Reynolds: Carr has been sacked 140 times in three seasons, and his professional longevity depends almost fully on how Houston addresses its incompetent offensive line. The OLT position remains a question mark, but not for a lack of trying on the part of general manager Charley Casserly. Casserly attempted to lure Rams franchise player Orlando Pace in March, but Pace quickly signed a record deal to remain in St. Louis.

Pitts (6-4, 329) played left tackle in 2002 and ’03 (Pitts allowed 15½ sacks in ’02, 5¾ in ’03) and was unspectacular, proving to be a better fit on the right side. Seth Wand still is a project entering his third season. At 6-7, 330, Wand looks the part, but the light has yet to come on. Victor Riley, a right tackle with Kansas City and New Orleans, allows Pitts to slide to the left side. Verba, a former Packers product with an injury history, can play all four outside positions on the line. He’s feisty and tenacious and would add a needed edge to the Texans’ front. That said, Verba would be a better asset in the running game than as a pass blocker, which doesn’t solve the prevailing issue of protecting Carr. At this point, however, it would be easy to endorse Casserly adding another capable part, building depth and making his front five as solid as possible without going young.