2021 Houston Texans - (2 Viewers)

[GregR]

Look, they have to do something about that Joke of an offensive line. Their best asset going forward is Deshaun Watson, and right now they have nothing protecting him. Without a first or second round pick, Free Agency is the only place to get some help. Be smart in how you spend the dollars, but you have to get something more on the offensive line. It was criminal what they started this year with on that line.

Nate Solder is the top FA lineman... assuming he doesn't re-sign.

This is what I am talking about, don't throw a lot of cash at the trash that is this year's crop of FA linemen just because it is a need. Getting more Jeff Allens at the salary he got just makes us even worse. It is going to take guys getting released to have decent options.

 

[Buckna]

Yeah, other than Andrew Norwell, there's very little out there on the O'line front (i'm assuming Carolina doesn't resign him because they are strapped for cash)  and tons of teams need linemen. Norwell would be expensive but awesome, but there are quite a few teams like SF and Indy that need him and could outbid us for his services. By the same token, SF has a major need at corner as well so i would be surprised if we can bid the most for and land a marque guy at that position either. We have a lot of cap space so i could see a splash on one or two guys but not going to solve the biggest problem which is o'line that easily. Probably going to have to sign a few lower tier o'line guys (that would still be an improvement) and draft a few guys to develop along the way. So instead of the worst line in the league, maybe they can work up to bottom third-ish.

Ideally i'd like a solid 1 expensive guy added at corner and 1 expensive guy at o'line and maybe a few mid-level signings for other spots. Then try to draft for the future on o'line. i like Gaines, he ran a good scouting dept while he was here. This teams main problem hasnt been identifying talent, its been retaining the wrong ones and letting the right ones walk.

Despite fantasy footballers love for Foreman (who i'll be surprised if he is back on the field again anytime soon after the Achilles tear) i'd say keep Miller and go to the well again at RB in the 3rd or 4th with this deep class. We need a TE, but no idea where to find one when short on draft picks. Maybe if Graham wasnt too expensive.

With so few draft picks and a lack of FA's to address our biggest problem, i think we just have to hope Watson is really who he looked like and can stay healthy for 2018.

 

[dhockster]

Yeah, other than Andrew Norwell, there's very little out there on the O'line front (i'm assuming Carolina doesn't resign him because they are strapped for cash)  and tons of teams need linemen. Norwell would be expensive but awesome, but there are quite a few teams like SF and Indy that need him and could outbid us for his services. By the same token, SF has a major need at corner as well so i would be surprised if we can bid the most for and land a marque guy at that position either. We have a lot of cap space so i could see a splash on one or two guys but not going to solve the biggest problem which is o'line that easily. Probably going to have to sign a few lower tier o'line guys (that would still be an improvement) and draft a few guys to develop along the way. So instead of the worst line in the league, maybe they can work up to bottom third-ish.

Ideally i'd like a solid 1 expensive guy added at corner and 1 expensive guy at o'line and maybe a few mid-level signings for other spots. Then try to draft for the future on o'line. i like Gaines, he ran a good scouting dept while he was here. This teams main problem hasnt been identifying talent, its been retaining the wrong ones and letting the right ones walk.

Despite fantasy footballers love for Foreman (who i'll be surprised if he is back on the field again anytime soon after the Achilles tear) i'd say keep Miller and go to the well again at RB in the 3rd or 4th with this deep class. We need a TE, but no idea where to find one when short on draft picks. Maybe if Graham wasnt too expensive.

With so few draft picks and a lack of FA's to address our biggest problem, i think we just have to hope Watson is really who he looked like and can stay healthy for 2018.

You make a great point about retaining the wrong players and letting the right ones walk. Keeping Cushing at a big cap number at a position that is easier to find young replacements and letting Brandon Brooks, Ben Jones, and Duane Brown go because you can't afford them is the problem. Hopefully Gaines understands the cap well enough to spend money on essential positions and structure deals to give you more flexibility. Rick Smith was master of the big long contract that the team can't get out of quickly.

 

[Buckna]

So noticed in the Titans thread after the Vrable announcement a post that supposedly the Texans have already informed Cushing's agent that he won't be back. Take that FWIW on if it's true. Crennel will be back as DC with Vrabel leaving.

I'm leaning more and more towards spending those FA dollars on just offense, something like LT Solder, G Norwell, C Martin, platoon of Quessenberry/Mancz/Fuller at the other G spot and depth, and then maybe have Davenport at RT for more seasoning with Lamm as a swing tackle. Sprinkle in at least two new draft picks there as well.

What would others think about going after a TE like Tyler Eifert? Sure he gets injured a lot just like our TEs but at least he's a playmaker when on the field unlike our guys.

After that, maybe splurge on a corner, but with Mercilous and Watt back and even guys like Dylan Cole & Reader returning, hopefully the front 7 can help the secondary to where their play can be marginally better until we have more draft picks in 2019 to start reloading.

 

[GregR]

ESPN article discussing the Texans and some of the O-line free agents. 

http://www.espn.com/blog/houston-texans/post/_/id/21814/texans-need-to-improve-deshaun-watsons-protection-through-free-agency

 

[GregR]

This week, Fiedorowicz told the Crystal Lake Northwest Herald that he is still considering retirement.

“A dude knocked me out,” he told the Northwest Herald. “After eight weeks [on IR], when I came back, it was constantly on my mind. I wasn’t always able to play loose and free. It was in my head. Any time that’s on your mind while you’re playing an NFL football game, you’re in trouble. You can’t play timid. Guys are trying to take your head off, you know?”

But while Fiedorowicz is thinking about retirement, he said he plans to attend the Texans’ offseason workout program that starts in mid-April.

 

[Buckna]

So noticed in the Titans thread after the Vrable announcement a post that supposedly the Texans have already informed Cushing's agent that he won't be back. Take that FWIW on if it's true. Crennel will be back as DC with Vrabel leaving.

So not a surprise at this point but it has been made official, Cushing has been cut saving $7.64M in salary cap.

Puts us in the neighborhood of $64M in cap space and the 5th most overall at the moment.

 

[GregR]

Texans were given 3 compensatory picks.  A 3rd rounder, 98th overall, and two 6ths, 211th and 214th overall.   That will give us three thirds total: the 4th (ours), 16th (from Seattle) and 34th (compensatory) in the round.

 

[Buckna]

Texans were given 3 compensatory picks.  A 3rd rounder, 98th overall, and two 6ths, 211th and 214th overall.   That will give us three thirds total: the 4th (ours), 16th (from Seattle) and 34th (compensatory) in the round.

Not that I am advocating this in any way, but add the old school pick value chart together and those three 3rds would be between the 3rd & 4th pick in the second round. Add the 4th and 16th together and its around pick 14 in the 2nd. So does give them some options to move up into the 2nd round should they so chose. Also have that extra 2nd next year.

Maybe I won't be as bored through the first two rounds this year as I thought?

 

[GregR]

Free agency updates from the Chron:

The Texans are making a strong push for and are regarded as the leaders to sign Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard-center Zach Fulton, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

No deal is done yet, though, and several NFL teams are interested in Fulton.

Fulton could command over $7 million per year.

Buffalo Bills free agent cornerback E.J. Gaines is firmly on the Texans' radar, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

Gaines is expected to have a strong market with multiple teams, including the Texans, interested in him.

The Texans are making a serious run at New England Patriots free agent left tackle Nate Solder, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

And the Denver Broncos are also involved with the 6-8, 325-pound Colorado native. A potential return to the Patriots hasn't been ruled out at all.

When Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a recruiting pitch to New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler on social media, he was onto something.

The Texans are exploring the possibility of adding the former Super Bowl hero and undrafted free agent, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

They are among a large group of NFL teams interested in the pending unrestricted free agent, though.

 

[Buckna]

Disappointed we weren't in on the bidding for Norwell and that the Jags were able to get him, we were never reported to be interested.

At the start yesterday we were linked with a lot of names, hot and heavy for Solder, Butler and Fulton, but nothing has come to fruition yet. Solder is looking like a bidding war if the talking heads are to be believed, even Cleveland getting in on the action. Not sure how I feel about Butler given his poor play in season and the benching for the SB, there are a lot of decent corners out there with potential to play better and come cheaper.

 

[GregR]

Adam Schefter‏Verified account @AdamSchefter 34m34 minutes ago

Former Jaguars' CB Aaron Colvin intends to sign a 4-year deal with the Houston Texans, per source.

The Jaguars signed A.J. Bouye to start opposite Jalen Ramsey, so Colvin was exclusively the Jaguars' nickelback in 2017. But he also started on the outside during his four seasons with the team.

Colvin, 26, had 165 tackles, five sacks, 14 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries in 48 games (25 starts) with the Jaguars.

He did not intercept a single pass during the regular season, though he did pick off Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger in an AFC divisional playoff game in January.

The Jaguars drafted the 6-foot, 193-pound Colvin in the fourth round in 2014 even though he was recovering from a torn ACL suffered during Senior Bowl practices. He missed the first 10 games of the 2014 season and broke up two passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the final six games.

Colvin started 15 games on the outside in 2015 and had career highs in tackles (73), sacks (four) and pass breakups (seven). He missed the first four games of the 2016 season because he was suspended for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances and the final two with an ankle injury.

Colvin played in every game in 2017 and had 44 tackles and five pass breakups

 

[Buckna]

Waiting to see numbers, hopefully it's quite a bit cheaper than Bouye, because he's good, but he's not Bouye.

Edit: 4-year/$34M deal with $18M in guarantees. Not bad, seems like a much better value than the Titans reportedly giving Malcolm Butler a 5-year/$61M deal with $30M+ guaranteed. For contrast, Bouye was 5-year/67.5M deal with $25M guaranteed.

 

[GregR]

The Texans are signing former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.

Henderson was with the Bills last season when Texans general manager Brian Gaine was working for their personnel department.

Henderson is a big, strong blocker at 6-7, 330 pounds who was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round in 2014 out of the University of Miami.

 

[GregR]

Generally I'd rather see the Texans making those kind of moves, medium price guys, in free agency, and draft for the core of the team.

Granted, they have to do something with the O-line, so would have liked Norwell, he could have helped cover some other weakness there.  Assuming they found some decent middle price guys though I'm good with that.  Just have to be decent, not Jeff Allen.

 

[Buckna]

Generally I'd rather see the Texans making those kind of moves, medium price guys, in free agency, and draft for the core of the team.

Granted, they have to do something with the O-line, so would have liked Norwell, he could have helped cover some other weakness there.  Assuming they found some decent middle price guys though I'm good with that.  Just have to be decent, not Jeff Allen.

Agree, like these signings so far rather than the big $$$ splashes like Butler and Trumaine Johnson. Eerily quiet on the Nate Solder, Cameron Fleming, Justin Pugh and other o'linemen front. Feel like there's going to be something big breaking there soon (and it might not be good news for us.)

 

[Buckna]

Ugh, Solder to the Giants. Now we wait to see what Plan B is.

I know a lot of fans are going to crucify Gaines for missing out, but seeing how much Solder got from NY I can't really blame them for passing just like they did on Butler's huge contract. Just sucks because there really aren't many alternatives to Solder at tackle out there available unlike cornerbacks.

Hoping we get another good corner for a decent price like Gaines. If so, then their next step should be putting in a call to Kareem Jackson and telling him he's either getting a paycut with extension for 2 years or he's out. I have never liked the idea of moving declining CB's to safety, just cut them and sign a safety. However if Jackson would take a paycut, he wouldn't be terrible as a #3 for a few more years with Joseph back on a 1 yr deal for depth and Johnson platooning with him and hopefully improving some. Then you could target another corner either in 2019 FA or the 2nd round of the draft next year to replace 1 or 2 of Jackson/Joseph/Johnson.

 

[GregR]

G Zach Fulton signing, for average of $7.5m per year.

Honey Badger got cut by the Cardinals.  Wonder if they'll look at him.

 

[GregR]

Ugh, Solder to the Giants. Now we wait to see what Plan B is.

I know a lot of fans are going to crucify Gaines for missing out, but seeing how much Solder got from NY I can't really blame them for passing just like they did on Butler's huge contract. Just sucks because there really aren't many alternatives to Solder at tackle out there available unlike cornerbacks.

Hoping we get another good corner for a decent price like Gaines. If so, then their next step should be putting in a call to Kareem Jackson and telling him he's either getting a paycut with extension for 2 years or he's out. I have never liked the idea of moving declining CB's to safety, just cut them and sign a safety. However if Jackson would take a paycut, he wouldn't be terrible as a #3 for a few more years with Joseph back on a 1 yr deal for depth and Johnson platooning with him and hopefully improving some. Then you could target another corner either in 2019 FA or the 2nd round of the draft next year to replace 1 or 2 of Jackson/Joseph/Johnson.

Yes, while I'd rather have Solder than the others available... his contract is going to make him the highest paid OL in the NFL.  Just not a good contract.  If the Texans had got him for that... I'd be glad we had him but wincing majorly at the price and worrying we'd regret it in the long run.

 

[Buckna]

G Zach Fulton signing, for average of $7.5m per year.

Honey Badger got cut by the Cardinals.  Wonder if they'll look at him.

JJ Watt has tweeted him to "come on down." But so have a ton of other players.

 

[GregR]

Already a fair amount of money has been spent in free agency by other teams. Might help the Texans if they pursue him.

You may have to worry about health.  And have to be comfortable that the years he's been in the league now show he has finally learned how to conduct himself.

But he's only going to be 26 this season.  Plenty of good years left in him.  If you're going to pay someone big money I'd rather see an investment in a guy like him than in Solder, even if we need tackle more.

 

[GregR]

The full details are in on new Texans cornerback Aaron Colvin's four-year, $34 million contract.

The deal includes $18 million guaranteed with a $4 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2018 league year.

His $2.5 million base salary in 2018 is fully guaranteed, as is his $7.5 million base salary in 2019.

He's due nonguaranteed $7.5 million base salaries in 2020 and 2021.

 

[Buckna]

The full details are in on new Texans cornerback Aaron Colvin's four-year, $34 million contract.

The deal includes $18 million guaranteed with a $4 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2018 league year.

His $2.5 million base salary in 2018 is fully guaranteed, as is his $7.5 million base salary in 2019.

He's due nonguaranteed $7.5 million base salaries in 2020 and 2021.

So only a $4M signing bonus, nice. Means he can be cut in 2020 for a $5.5M savings if he doesn't work out.

Now cut Kareem & Jeff Allen and you can free up another $11.5M to go after Honey Badger and Gaines!

 

[Tha Guru]

Y’all got a good one in Kelemete.  Saints offered around the same money but he wanted the chance to start.  

 

[Buckna]

Y’all got a good one in Kelemete.  Saints offered around the same money but he wanted the chance to start.  

Cool! I didn't know much about him, seeing similar comments on twitter. We could certainly use him!

Savage should hopefully make a decent backup for you guys. He's a good locker room guy from all accounts. Now I wonder what the Texans are going to do about a backup QB?

 

[Tha Guru]

He’s best at G by far but he can emergency fill in at T.  

 

[GregR]

The Texans placed tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz on the reserve-retired list and reworked his contract following an injury-plagued season during which he suffered three concussions.

Fiedorowicz has reduced his base salary to $790,000 for this season and was advanced $229,000 in salary, according to NFL Players Association records.

There was also a renegotiated $1.971 million signing bonus.

The final two years of the contract are no longer listed on the deal. He had been due base salaries of $5.25 million and $5.5 million in 2019 and 2020.

A year ago, Fiedorowicz signed a three-year, $22 million contract that included $10 million guaranteed.

I looked at all the numbers and I'm shuked as to what cap impact this ends up having. 

 

[Buckna]

I looked at all the numbers and I'm shuked as to what cap impact this ends up having. 

Was coming to say the same, very confusing. I saw something about they also had a descalater clause when he signed the contract:

"When the Texans signed Fiedorowicz to the extension, they included a de-escalator that would reduce his base salary by $2.8 million if he were to be cut or retire due to a pre-existing condition such as a concussion."

So I guess that gets thrown out as well as his $5M guaranteed base salary for 2018 and he's now down to the $790K number?

 

[Buckna]

Also Joseph resigned on a 2 year deal.

Haven't seen the #'s yet, I would guess no guaranteed or dead money in year 2.

 

[GregR]

Was coming to say the same, very confusing. I saw something about they also had a descalater clause when he signed the contract:

"When the Texans signed Fiedorowicz to the extension, they included a de-escalator that would reduce his base salary by $2.8 million if he were to be cut or retire due to a pre-existing condition such as a concussion."

So I guess that gets thrown out as well as his $5M guaranteed base salary for 2018 and he's now down to the $790K number?

It sounds like he gave up the $5m of guaranteed salary this year (plus a $500k roster bonus) for $790k salary and $1.971 signing bonus.   By making almost $2m of it signing bonus it would prorate half this year and half next, I believe.

If that's right, he would count as $1.8m this year and $1m next year.   So $3.7m cap saving this year (including the unpaid roster bonus), but $1m dead money next year.

Teams can go after prorated signing bonuses if someone retires, but I'm sure they wouldn't if they just negotiated this as severance.

 

[GregR]

Texans re-sign DL Angelo Blackson

 

[GregR]

A little more leverage for the team with Clowney on getting him to agree on a long term deal:

When the Texans picked up the fifth-year club option for former top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney a year ago, he was originally due a $13.846 million base salary for this season.

With Clowney now classified as a two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker, the fifth-year option has been reduced to $12.306 million, according to NFL Players Association figures.

That is fully guaranteed for this season with the start of the NFL league year.

The Texans hope to sign Clowney to a blockbuster contract extension this offseason, so he wouldn't play for the $12.306 million. He would become one of the highest paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL.

 

[GregR]

Yesterday news but I hadn't seen it anywhere else yet:

Ian Rapoport‏Verified account @RapSheet 18h18 hours ago

Bruce Ellington is going back to the #Texans on a 1-year deal, source said. He may have found a home after he had success there in the slot in 2017.

 

[GregR]

Also Joseph resigned on a 2 year deal.

Haven't seen the #'s yet, I would guess no guaranteed or dead money in year 2.

Potential $10m contract if he hits all bonuses.

$3.9m guaranteed this year plus 100k per game he is active (so up to $1.6m).   So $5.5m total if active all 16 games.

$2.9m next year no guarantee, plus $100k per game he is active.  So $4.5m if active all 16 games.

No cap hit if cut after this year.  The guaranteed money is a roster bonus and year 1 salary. 

 

[GregR]

LB / Special teamer Brian Peters re-signed.

 

[GregR]

Not including Fulton, Ellington, or Peters contracts, cap room down to $50.7m.   Fulton's contract has an average of $7.5m per year but no idea how it is structured.

 

[Buckna]

Adam Schefter‏Verified account @AdamSchefter 25m25 minutes ago

Former Patriots' special teams standout Johnson Bademosi reached agreement with the Texans on a two-year, $6.25 million contract, per source. Once again he becomes highest-paid special teams player in the NFL, but he also has shown ability to play CB, with three starts in 2017.

I know nothing about him other than he blew a tackle in the Superbowl trying to play corner and is supposedly awesome at special teams. However, if he truly is a special teams ace, who are these new Texans? Actually ADDRESSING a ####ty special teams unit for once!??!

Edit: And how come Fulton's contract #'s aren't out yet?

 

[GregR]

The Texans claimed receiver Sammie Coates off waivers from the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Houston will inherit Sammy Coates contract. One year remaining with a $730k cap charge.

 

[GregR]

Honey Badger signing with the Texans, per NFLN.  1 year, $7m deal.  @Buckna

 

[battlestar]

What a week for the Texans.  Multiple needs addressed effectively.  Well done.

 

[GregR]

I do think free agency has gone well with this on top of the rest.

A few starting positions have been upgraded. Special teams has been upgraded. The contracts have been pretty reasonable.  While a top corner or tackle would have been preferred, I would have felt some buyer's remorse with either Solder's or Butler's contracts. Only regret on Mathieu's is that it's only 1 year.

The thing they were missing though was adding a key player, someone who is a difference maker compared to the modest signings they've had.  Mathieu could be that guy. It's only a one year deal, but if it goes well maybe he'll be up for an extension.

Still would like more options at tackle, and TE. Another corner wouldn't hurt.  And they need to get Clowney a new contract.  Though extensions like that normally get done around camp time with Houston in the past.

Some other needs too like another RB, maybe WR, but they do have three 3rds and an early 4th that can help.

 

[Buckna]

HONEY BADGER!!! Pretty cool, way cheaper than I thought too. Hopefully there is a handshake agreement that if he stays healthy and is a good scheme fit that a multi-year extension would be in the cards during the season. Clowney extension will come at some point, just a matter of when.

Some nice pieces added and nothing back breaking contract wise if the players dont work out. I agree and would like them to add another piece at Tackle and outside corner. News has been quiet on Cameron Fleming, seems like he could be a solid RT upgrade. Still some corners out there (Gaines asking for too much money I guess?) Obviously they couldn't address every need in FA but definitely some more flexibility now.

We still need a veteran backup QB and theres not much left out there. If there are no other additions at corner or tackle, i think we are stuck with Jeff Allen and Kareem Jackson for another year. Hopefully that means negotiated paycuts or a cheap extension in Jacksons case.

No longer need to spend ALL those 3rds on o'lineman. Maybe a developmental guard and tackle in the 3rd or 4th like we did with Davenport. Flexibility to now try to draft and fill holes at TE, RB or WR. The franchise LT will have to wait until next years draft unfortunately unless Davenport takes a giant leap forward.

HONEY BADGER!

 

[GregR]

Mathieu's $7m contract consists of a $4.5m signing bonus, a $2m salary, and then per-game bonuses that can add up to $500k. 

 

[GregR]

Bruce Ellington received a 1 year deal worth $1.25m.

 

[GregR]

Johnson Bademosi cap charges are $3.0m for 2018 and $3.25m in 2019.

 

[GregR]

Bruce Ellington WR 2017:  11 games, 6 starts, 29 receptions, 11.4ypc, 330 yards, 2TD
Donte Moncrief WR 2017:  12 games, 8 starts, 26 receptions, 15.0ypc, 391 yards, 2TD.

Bruce Ellington 2018 contract: 1 year, $1.25 million.
Donte Moncrief 2018 contraact:  1 year, $9.6 million fully guaranteed plus $2m more in incentives.

 

[GregR]

Out of curiosity, if anyone is interested in season tickets, there is a block of 4 seats with the PSLs available four seats to my left.  Pretty cool group that's been sitting there together for a long time, ten yard line above where the Texans exit the tunnel.  Back row so you can get in and out really easily, right near the building exit and a men's room right outside on the concourse. Can point you towards them.  @Buckna needs to move back to Houston!

 

[GregR]

OL Zach Fulton's four-year Texans deal guarantees him $13M. No signing bonus. Fully guaranteed $1.5M salary in 2018, plus $5M 2018 roster bonus that paid Monday and a fully guaranteed $6.5M salary in 2019. Non-guaranteed salaries of $6.5M in 2020 and 2021. Up to $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year of the deal.

So can walk away after 2 years with no cap hit.

 

[GregR]

The Texans have signed inside linebacker and special teams contributor Josh Keyes.

The 25-year-old has played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.

Keyes has five tackles and one for a loss. He has nine special teams tackles.

 

[GregR]

The Texans are bringing back Brandon Weeden as their backup quarterback behind Deshaun Watson.

Weeden, 34, played for the Texans in 2015 and 2016 before getting cut in September of last season and signed with Tennessee.