Houston Texans: Off-season Thread (1 Viewer)

[coolnerd]

Links

Are the Texans primed for 2008

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=372056

Alex Gibbs Hired

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...p;hl=alex+gibbs

Texans salary cap

http://www.houstonprofootball.com/cap2008.html

Chronicle off-season interviews (youtube.com)

Bob McNair (3 parts) from January 23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX0eAoAiF6E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRMqj5SS4ZY...feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmfA2WHZeg4...feature=related

Kubiak

Rick Smith GM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1cVMOYww-A...feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9as6bQwJzB8...feature=related

Salaam?pitts Sueprbowl commercial

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aPLX_ckw0G4

Salary cap basics

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/20/...houston-texans/

Chris Brown thread

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...50#entry8357310

Gray signs Rosenfels speculation

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=388160

Excellent Texans fans thread

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=390806

 

[Bri]

IMO They hired the best OL coach. That is one previous problem solved with a bow wrapped around it as well.

 

[coolnerd]

IMO They hired the best OL coach. That is one previous problem solved with a bow wrapped around it as well.

thanks, I forgot about that thread.One thing the OL actaully protected the QB well and was probably the better portion of the run game in 2007 w/o Gibbs. The biggest issue I believe now is for them to secure the LT spot long-term.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

IMO They hired the best OL coach. That is one previous problem solved with a bow wrapped around it as well.

The best O line coach just left the game after Mouse McNally retired from the Bills.If they can get one or two more solid lineman they can become very dangerous. I really feel they get their RB in the draft and he becomes very productive.

 

[coolnerd]

Ray Rhodes to Texans???

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...ts/5480338.html

Asst. Defensive Backs coach

 

[Bri]

IMO They hired the best OL coach. That is one previous problem solved with a bow wrapped around it as well.

The best O line coach just left the game after Mouse McNally retired from the Bills.If they can get one or two more solid lineman they can become very dangerous. I really feel they get their RB in the draft and he becomes very productive.

I disagree and your Bills coach has little to do with the Texans thread

 

[Buckna]

Projected 2008 Texans Salary Cap

The only major UFA on the roster I see is Andre Davis.

I look forward to FA for the Texans, I feel we have enough cap room to go after one of the top corner's or RB's out there. Every mock draft I read right now has us drafting a RB, which I don't think is neccesarily a good idea. It would certainly help the offense, but I feel the Texans are at least another year or two away from being a legitimately competitive team. Will have to see if they keep Ahman and/or add anybody in FA.

There are still too many holes needing to be filled and bandaids needing to be upgraded. But that will happen when you turnover 80% of the roster in 2 years.

 

[dgreen]

IMO They hired the best OL coach. That is one previous problem solved with a bow wrapped around it as well.

Problem solved? Is that jumping the gun a bit?Honest question: what talent does he have to work with in Houston?

 

[Jason Wood]

I had to check my contact lenses when I read that Ray Rhodes was being hired as Assistant Secondary Coach...wow. But then I realized that he had health issues and is basically starting from the group up; hard to believe he was a 2-time NFL head coach though not so long ago.

 

[Tanner9919]

Links

Are the Texans primed for 2008

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=372056

Alex Gibbs Hired

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...p;hl=alex+gibbs

Ray Rhodes? meh..he's average at best..Gibbs is a great signing, however..

 

[GregR_2]

Projected 2008 Texans Salary Cap

The only major UFA on the roster I see is Andre Davis.

I look forward to FA for the Texans, I feel we have enough cap room to go after one of the top corner's or RB's out there. Every mock draft I read right now has us drafting a RB, which I don't think is neccesarily a good idea. It would certainly help the offense, but I feel the Texans are at least another year or two away from being a legitimately competitive team. Will have to see if they keep Ahman and/or add anybody in FA.

There are still too many holes needing to be filled and bandaids needing to be upgraded. But that will happen when you turnover 80% of the roster in 2 years.

I agree. I just don't see how we can take a RB in the 1st when we lost both our corners last year... when severely injured Dunta Robinson (who it is a crime hasn't made a Pro Bowl yet) could potentially never be the player he was. I think you have to go cornerback unless something special slides to you. I'd much rather have a 1st round corner and a 3rd or 4th round RB, than a 1st round RB and a 3rd round corner.I also think RB is a position you can probably address in free agency given how many capable guys are out there.

Any word on the chances of Charles Spencer playing again at a capable level?

 

[redman]

Projected 2008 Texans Salary Cap

The only major UFA on the roster I see is Andre Davis.

I look forward to FA for the Texans, I feel we have enough cap room to go after one of the top corner's or RB's out there. Every mock draft I read right now has us drafting a RB, which I don't think is neccesarily a good idea. It would certainly help the offense, but I feel the Texans are at least another year or two away from being a legitimately competitive team. Will have to see if they keep Ahman and/or add anybody in FA.

There are still too many holes needing to be filled and bandaids needing to be upgraded. But that will happen when you turnover 80% of the roster in 2 years.

I agree. I just don't see how we can take a RB in the 1st when we lost both our corners last year... when severely injured Dunta Robinson (who it is a crime hasn't made a Pro Bowl yet) could potentially never be the player he was. I think you have to go cornerback unless something special slides to you. I'd much rather have a 1st round corner and a 3rd or 4th round RB, than a 1st round RB and a 3rd round corner.I also think RB is a position you can probably address in free agency given how many capable guys are out there.

Any word on the chances of Charles Spencer playing again at a capable level?

What's the word on Chris Taylor next year at RB?

 

[Houston turmOiler]

Projected 2008 Texans Salary Cap

The only major UFA on the roster I see is Andre Davis.

I look forward to FA for the Texans, I feel we have enough cap room to go after one of the top corner's or RB's out there. Every mock draft I read right now has us drafting a RB, which I don't think is neccesarily a good idea. It would certainly help the offense, but I feel the Texans are at least another year or two away from being a legitimately competitive team. Will have to see if they keep Ahman and/or add anybody in FA.

There are still too many holes needing to be filled and bandaids needing to be upgraded. But that will happen when you turnover 80% of the roster in 2 years.

I agree. I just don't see how we can take a RB in the 1st when we lost both our corners last year... when severely injured Dunta Robinson (who it is a crime hasn't made a Pro Bowl yet) could potentially never be the player he was. I think you have to go cornerback unless something special slides to you. I'd much rather have a 1st round corner and a 3rd or 4th round RB, than a 1st round RB and a 3rd round corner.I also think RB is a position you can probably address in free agency given how many capable guys are out there.

Any word on the chances of Charles Spencer playing again at a capable level?

I agree that we definitely need a CB. Any chance Dunta could come back at some point next season and slide over to FS? That might upgrade 2 spots if we get a good CB in the draft, assuming Dunta recovers well. He'd give us a guy with cover skills at one of the safety spots, something we've never really had.Another thing I'd love to see us get in the draft is a speed rusher type, even if it's only a situational guy later in the draft. I think this defense could really take off if we had a really fast guy coming off the edge who could consistently put heat on the QB. Add that to Mario and Okoye and we could finally see a defense that's able to get consistent pressure on the QB. I know everyone will freak out if we take one in the first round again so maybe we can find a diamond-in-the-rough like Mark Anderson with the Bears last season in the later rounds....

 

[coolnerd]

Some of the questions I have seen thus far

Charles Spencer: Expected back, but no way of knowing what you have until he is actually on the field.

Chris Taylor- A running back coming off injury who was undrafted and played 1 good game. He will get a shot, but how can you count on him?

Robinson- Chance he won't play at all in 2008. Despite the fact he plays pretty physical, he is a smaller guy, so I am not sure that FS is a real option. The value is still for him to play CB.

On needs

CB- I am expected some veteran signing and a pretty high pick

OL- the unit played well. I suspect that a young OLT will be added somewhere this offseason

RB- I expect the Texans to go 2nd if not 3rd level veteran FA and mid rounder in the draft.

 

[coolnerd]

Houston Writer view on the needs

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5476955.html

 

[Bri]

IMO They hired the best OL coach. That is one previous problem solved with a bow wrapped around it as well.

Problem solved? Is that jumping the gun a bit?Honest question: what talent does he have to work with in Houston?

Real good point, "beginning of the end" or "means to an end" would have been much better there

 

[GregR_2]

Houston Writer view on the needs

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5476955.html

Let's pull a few quotes out of there to get them into the thread.

Green will be back after contributing only 260 yards rushing in an injury-wrecked season. Offensive tackle Charles Spencer continues to rehab and plans to be ready for minicamp, but the team has to operate as if he won't be there.

Cornerback Dunta Robinson is working out like a fiend at Dr. James Andrews' rehab facility in Alabama but still might not be ready until November.

And owner Bob McNair isn't going to guarantee $20 million to any free agent, including Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel — even if he wanted to play for the Texans.

The most attractive free agents are going to be re-signed, franchised or want so much money guaranteed that only a few teams will pursue them.

The Texans' philosophy, which McNair, Smith and Kubiak explained in our recent seven-part video series on chron.com, is to continue to build through the draft and supplement the roster with free agents who fill needs but won't break the bank and contribute to cap problems in the future.

As much as fans including myself like the thought of going out and picking up a big name free agent at a position of need, frankly this is probably the better way to do it. But it only works if you draft consistently well. It's too early to tell for this front office though it was an excellent first 2 years. Texans had the best draft 2 years ago (granted they had the #1 pick but they got far above-average value at their picks). Last year's rookies it is less clear how they will turn out yet. Some possible positive signs, but nothing along the lines of the value of Demeco and Daniels and Winston.

Wanted: a good cornerback

Based on what we know now, it looks as though the Texans' biggest need is a cornerback. They could use their No. 1 pick on a corner, and they also could sign one in free agency.

Although there's a long way to go in the evaluation process, cornerback doesn't appear to be strong at the top of the draft, meaning the best prospects are expected to go from, say, 15 on down.

The Texans have the 18th selection, and there's a chance Smith could trade down. The way it looks now, there could be a run on cornerbacks near the bottom of the first round, like 20 on down.

Based on what we know now, the Texans don't plan to sign a veteran left tackle or running back in free agency, but they're expected to draft players at those positions.

At this point, nothing is etched in stone, of course, but it seems safe to predict that the Texans are going to take the highest-rated player at a need position.

I would love to see us trade down and still get a good corner. Picking up a 2nd in particular so we can get a RB and a lineman in the 2nd and 3rd.

 

[Bri]

SI.com's mock draft No. 1 has the Texans taking Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin with the No. 18 overall pick.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

Links

Are the Texans primed for 2008

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=372056

Alex Gibbs Hired

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...p;hl=alex+gibbs

Ray Rhodes? meh..he's average at best..Gibbs is a great signing, however..

Rhodes is a GREAT defensive mind, and to get him to just be a positional coach will improve the texans DB's 2fold. He may have flamed as a HC but Rhodes can sure scheme and motivate a defense.

 

[Stewy]

Houston Writer view on the needs

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5476955.html

Jeez. I'll admit that I am not a fan of John McClain (at all,) so I may be a bit bias, but when the guy starts off his article with a totally false statement I don't know how he expects people to take him seriously.

If you are Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak, you know what the team needs in free agency and the draft. You are somewhat limited in what you can do because you don't have a second-round pick, and you have salary-cap issues for the second consecutive offseason.

From everything I have read the Texans are supposed to have anywhere from $22M-$36M available in cap space depending on Mario's option, the rookie pool, etc. That ranks somewhere in the middle of the NFL. How in the world can McClain construe that as salary cap issues? I know he's getting up there in age and the organization has historically mismanaged the cap, but this is just sloppy reporting on his part.With that being said, I agree with Smith and Kubiak in that we should continue to build through the draft and supplement with role players via free agency. That also makes me wonder what will happen with Andre Davis. The plus side for him is that he stepped up big (HUGE) while 'Dre was out at WR and then again on special teams at the end of the season. He practically won the last game of the season on his own for us. That brings up his down side, he should command a nice contract given his play last season. With the presence of Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter how much will Rick Smith be willing to pay Andre Davis and will it be enough to keep him here? I think this will be one of the more interesting side stories in the Texans' offseason.

 

[coolnerd]

On Davis, i saw a note somewhere that the Texans are meeting with his agents this week. I will look for it later when I have more time.

 

[Stewy]

The Rhodes hire is official:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5484614.html

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Projected 2008 Texans Salary Cap

The only major UFA on the roster I see is Andre Davis.

I look forward to FA for the Texans, I feel we have enough cap room to go after one of the top corner's or RB's out there. Every mock draft I read right now has us drafting a RB, which I don't think is neccesarily a good idea. It would certainly help the offense, but I feel the Texans are at least another year or two away from being a legitimately competitive team. Will have to see if they keep Ahman and/or add anybody in FA.

There are still too many holes needing to be filled and bandaids needing to be upgraded. But that will happen when you turnover 80% of the roster in 2 years.

I agree. I just don't see how we can take a RB in the 1st when we lost both our corners last year... when severely injured Dunta Robinson (who it is a crime hasn't made a Pro Bowl yet) could potentially never be the player he was. I think you have to go cornerback unless something special slides to you. I'd much rather have a 1st round corner and a 3rd or 4th round RB, than a 1st round RB and a 3rd round corner.I also think RB is a position you can probably address in free agency given how many capable guys are out there.

Any word on the chances of Charles Spencer playing again at a capable level?

I disagree with this a bit- not the fact that they need a cb, but that they have to take one in the first. If they have a corner with a first round grade that they believe will succeed available at their pick- sure, take him. But if there isn't a player there, they have enough needs that you simply take the highest rated player that has a reasonable chance of playing in the immediate future (probably anyone but a QB or a TE).

 

[GregR_2]

Projected 2008 Texans Salary Cap

The only major UFA on the roster I see is Andre Davis.

I look forward to FA for the Texans, I feel we have enough cap room to go after one of the top corner's or RB's out there. Every mock draft I read right now has us drafting a RB, which I don't think is neccesarily a good idea. It would certainly help the offense, but I feel the Texans are at least another year or two away from being a legitimately competitive team. Will have to see if they keep Ahman and/or add anybody in FA.

There are still too many holes needing to be filled and bandaids needing to be upgraded. But that will happen when you turnover 80% of the roster in 2 years.

I agree. I just don't see how we can take a RB in the 1st when we lost both our corners last year... when severely injured Dunta Robinson (who it is a crime hasn't made a Pro Bowl yet) could potentially never be the player he was. I think you have to go cornerback unless something special slides to you. I'd much rather have a 1st round corner and a 3rd or 4th round RB, than a 1st round RB and a 3rd round corner.I also think RB is a position you can probably address in free agency given how many capable guys are out there.

Any word on the chances of Charles Spencer playing again at a capable level?

I disagree with this a bit- not the fact that they need a cb, but that they have to take one in the first. If they have a corner with a first round grade that they believe will succeed available at their pick- sure, take him. But if there isn't a player there, they have enough needs that you simply take the highest rated player that has a reasonable chance of playing in the immediate future (probably anyone but a QB or a TE).

Well, I'd hope it's obvious I'm not saying to take a corner with the 18th pick that they think is a late 2nd round grade. I haven't seen predictions yet that don't have the Texans in a position where some of the best players on the board at their pick are corners, and many of them have us taking a corner, or sometimes a safety.

 

[redman]

Chris Taylor- A running back coming off injury who was undrafted and played 1 good game. He will get a shot, but how can you count on him?

I posed the question about Taylor, so I'll respond. My impression was that Taylor's injury was not literally season ending in that he could have recovered in time to play much if not most of the season. It looked to me at the time like the Texans wanted a convenient way to keep him on their roster while getting someone who could play right away, so they essentially stowed him away on the IR. I'm not claiming or expecting for him to become a stud, but I also recognize that the Texans' RB corps is among the weakest in terms of talent in the NFL, and that it's not all that unusual for guys to emerge from those situations with some fantasy value.

 

[hauser42]

Links

Are the Texans primed for 2008

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=372056

Alex Gibbs Hired

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...p;hl=alex+gibbs

Ray Rhodes? meh..he's average at best..Gibbs is a great signing, however..

Rhodes is a GREAT defensive mind, and to get him to just be a positional coach will improve the texans DB's 2fold. He may have flamed as a HC but Rhodes can sure scheme and motivate a defense.

Rhodes has always been a great defensive mind, but being a head coach has been a little over his head. Great move for the Texans to add him to their staff.

 

[prymetyme25]

Chris Taylor- A running back coming off injury who was undrafted and played 1 good game. He will get a shot, but how can you count on him?

I posed the question about Taylor, so I'll respond. My impression was that Taylor's injury was not literally season ending in that he could have recovered in time to play much if not most of the season. It looked to me at the time like the Texans wanted a convenient way to keep him on their roster while getting someone who could play right away, so they essentially stowed him away on the IR. I'm not claiming or expecting for him to become a stud, but I also recognize that the Texans' RB corps is among the weakest in terms of talent in the NFL, and that it's not all that unusual for guys to emerge from those situations with some fantasy value.

He had a torn ACL in TC, there is no way he could have returned to play this year. HTH

 

[Stewy]

Sometime during the latter part of the season (week 14-15ish) Steve McKinney said on 1560 that he had seen Chris around the facilities and that he was looking really (emphasis on the really) good. I'm not saying that he could have been playing (though that seemed to be the insinuation) but Steve said he should be back and 100% at training camp.

 

[redman]

Chris Taylor- A running back coming off injury who was undrafted and played 1 good game. He will get a shot, but how can you count on him?

I posed the question about Taylor, so I'll respond. My impression was that Taylor's injury was not literally season ending in that he could have recovered in time to play much if not most of the season. It looked to me at the time like the Texans wanted a convenient way to keep him on their roster while getting someone who could play right away, so they essentially stowed him away on the IR. I'm not claiming or expecting for him to become a stud, but I also recognize that the Texans' RB corps is among the weakest in terms of talent in the NFL, and that it's not all that unusual for guys to emerge from those situations with some fantasy value.

He had a torn ACL in TC, there is no way he could have returned to play this year. HTH

I thought it was "only" a partial tear. Did that diagnosis change or have I just been flat out wrong about that?

 

[coolnerd]

Chris Taylor- A running back coming off injury who was undrafted and played 1 good game. He will get a shot, but how can you count on him?

I posed the question about Taylor, so I'll respond. My impression was that Taylor's injury was not literally season ending in that he could have recovered in time to play much if not most of the season. It looked to me at the time like the Texans wanted a convenient way to keep him on their roster while getting someone who could play right away, so they essentially stowed him away on the IR. I'm not claiming or expecting for him to become a stud, but I also recognize that the Texans' RB corps is among the weakest in terms of talent in the NFL, and that it's not all that unusual for guys to emerge from those situations with some fantasy value.

He had a torn ACL in TC, there is no way he could have returned to play this year. HTH

I thought it was "only" a partial tear. Did that diagnosis change or have I just been flat out wrong about that?

It is hard to say, the Texans are among those teams which think there is something wrong about giving the straight scoop on an injury. I do know that it was a knee. I have heard the same sort of notion that he could have return at some point in the season, but that Texans "erred on the side of caution" Overall, if you have the space, having Taylor on the back of your roster is not a bad play. If healthy, there is a legitimate argument he is the most talented back on the Texans pre-free agency and draft.

 

[coolnerd]

On Davis, i saw a note somewhere that the Texans are meeting with his agents this week. I will look for it later when I have more time.

From John Mcclain's bloghttp://blogs.chron.com/nfl/2008/01/how_bou...ears_and_t.html

 

[Biabreakable]

I agree with the focus of the draft should be BPA. If that meets need in a corner then great but if a good LT/DE/DT prospect should fall to their pick that would still improve the team. This rookie crop looks deep at RB so a suitable prospect should still be available to the Texans in the 2nd or possibly later rounds.

If they have the cap space the Texans should re-sign Andre Davis. Davis finally found success there. They should build on that as long as Davis doesen't ask for too much jing. That allows the Texans to be reasonably talented in 4 WR sets should they opt to use them.

I definitly like the direction this team has taken since becoming Denver south.

I also think any question of Bush vs. Mario talk has been put to rest. Mario is for real.

 

[Stewy]

FYI -- Barring any trades the Texans don't have a second round pick.

I think this essentially guarantees that there will be a trade made, but as we stand now there is no second round pick.

 

[Bri]

Houston Writer view on the needs

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5476955.html

Jeez. I'll admit that I am not a fan of John McClain (at all,) so I may be a bit bias, but when the guy starts off his article with a totally false statement I don't know how he expects people to take him seriously.

If you are Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak, you know what the team needs in free agency and the draft. You are somewhat limited in what you can do because you don't have a second-round pick, and you have salary-cap issues for the second consecutive offseason.

From everything I have read the Texans are supposed to have anywhere from $22M-$36M available in cap space depending on Mario's option, the rookie pool, etc. That ranks somewhere in the middle of the NFL. How in the world can McClain construe that as salary cap issues? I know he's getting up there in age and the organization has historically mismanaged the cap, but this is just sloppy reporting on his part.

What RFA and UFA need to be signed? How many players = 22-36 mil under the cap? It's very tricky to interpret without that info.

For example the Titans are wayyy under but they need to pay what may be the biggest FA in Albert Haynesworth. When they do, their cap won't have as much room of course.

FWIW Up to 50 players count against the cap, highest paid 50. I did skim and saw quite a few teams with tons of wiggle room but 36-38 players so....they've got some to fill.

 

[coolnerd]

Houston Writer view on the needs

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5476955.html

Jeez. I'll admit that I am not a fan of John McClain (at all,) so I may be a bit bias, but when the guy starts off his article with a totally false statement I don't know how he expects people to take him seriously.

If you are Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak, you know what the team needs in free agency and the draft. You are somewhat limited in what you can do because you don't have a second-round pick, and you have salary-cap issues for the second consecutive offseason.

From everything I have read the Texans are supposed to have anywhere from $22M-$36M available in cap space depending on Mario's option, the rookie pool, etc. That ranks somewhere in the middle of the NFL. How in the world can McClain construe that as salary cap issues? I know he's getting up there in age and the organization has historically mismanaged the cap, but this is just sloppy reporting on his part.

What RFA and UFA need to be signed? How many players = 22-36 mil under the cap? It's very tricky to interpret without that info.

For example the Titans are wayyy under but they need to pay what may be the biggest FA in Albert Haynesworth. When they do, their cap won't have as much room of course.

FWIW Up to 50 players count against the cap, highest paid 50. I did skim and saw quite a few teams with tons of wiggle room but 36-38 players so....they've got some to fill.

Bri,I think you have hit on a good point. I just posted the salary cap estimated from one of the Texans fan boards. It looks like the Texans have about 38-40 players under contract for 2008.

 

[Bri]

Who is a RFA that you (as we all pretend) plan on them signing?

Top of my head, I think both Andre Davis and the Texans have served each other very well.

There's some money spent.

All in all, no team can plan on all 7(if not more, maybe 8 is average with comp picks) picks making the roster. 4-5 is probably reasonable.

 

[GregR_2]

Houston Writer view on the needs

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5476955.html

Jeez. I'll admit that I am not a fan of John McClain (at all,) so I may be a bit bias, but when the guy starts off his article with a totally false statement I don't know how he expects people to take him seriously.

If you are Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak, you know what the team needs in free agency and the draft. You are somewhat limited in what you can do because you don't have a second-round pick, and you have salary-cap issues for the second consecutive offseason.

From everything I have read the Texans are supposed to have anywhere from $22M-$36M available in cap space depending on Mario's option, the rookie pool, etc. That ranks somewhere in the middle of the NFL. How in the world can McClain construe that as salary cap issues? I know he's getting up there in age and the organization has historically mismanaged the cap, but this is just sloppy reporting on his part.

What RFA and UFA need to be signed? How many players = 22-36 mil under the cap? It's very tricky to interpret without that info.

For example the Titans are wayyy under but they need to pay what may be the biggest FA in Albert Haynesworth. When they do, their cap won't have as much room of course.

FWIW Up to 50 players count against the cap, highest paid 50. I did skim and saw quite a few teams with tons of wiggle room but 36-38 players so....they've got some to fill.

The $22m-$36m range is likely due to whether the source is accounting for the option on Mario Williams. The Texans are around $35-36m under the cap, but will exercise around a $12m option that lowers his salaries in future years and adds an extra year to the contract.RFAs:

Brown, C.C.

Maddox, Anthony

Mathis, Jerome

UFAs:

Alexander, Roc

Anderson, Charlie

Barry, Kevin

Bruener, Mark

Clark, Danny

Davis, Andre'

Dayne, Ron

Demps, Will

Earl, Glenn

Hutchins, Von

Kalu, N.D.

Killings, Cedric

Simmons, Jason

Turk, Matt

Weary, Fred

Wynn, Dexter

Players under contract (ordered by 2008 cap number)

Weaver

AJ

Schaub

Greenwood

Pitts

Ahman Green

Mario

Flanagan

Dunta Robinson

Putzier

J. Black

McKinney

K. Walter

S. Barber

Rosenfels

K. Brown

Okoye

Faggins

T. Johnson

Leach

Demeco

J. Fletcher

Salaam

Zgonina

Jameel Cook

Bryan Pittman

Spencer

Winston

Jacoby Jones

Boulware

Owen Daniels

Fred Bennett

Rashad Butler

Brandon Harrison

Kasey Studdard

Zach Diles

 

[Stewy]

If I had to guess, these are the players we'll (attempt to) re-sign:

RFAs:

Maddox, Anthony

UFAs:

Anderson, Charlie

Davis, Andre'

Dayne, Ron

Demps, Will

Earl, Glenn

Hutchins, Von

Kalu, N.D.

Turk, Matt

 

[Bri]

RFAs:Brown, C.C.Maddox, AnthonyMathis, JeromeUFAs:Alexander, RocAnderson, CharlieBarry, KevinBruener, MarkClark, DannyDavis, Andre'Dayne, RonDemps, WillEarl, GlennHutchins, VonKalu, N.D.Killings, CedricSimmons, JasonTurk, MattWeary, FredWynn, Dexter

I see alot of relatively easily replaceable players if they ask for too much.Even Mathis, if he asks for too much it's time to cut the cord. Nice project to try but Davis and Jones are fine returnmen.I don't see how Davis could ask for alot so I'm banking on that one.

 

[Bri]

Looks as if Fred Weary was drafted in the new AAFL spring league

 

[Stewy]

Looks as if Fred Weary was drafted in the new AAFL spring league

Really? By what team?Chances are he won't be back with the Texans next year. Even if his leg does heal up, according to Zerlein, he is too slow for Gibb's ZBS. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Briesel as the starting RG come September.

 

[Bri]

Looks as if Fred Weary was drafted in the new AAFL spring league

Really? By what team?Chances are he won't be back with the Texans next year. Even if his leg does heal up, according to Zerlein, he is too slow for Gibb's ZBS. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Briesel as the starting RG come September.

I goofed, different Fred Weary, last # is weightWeary, Fred FLA 15 88 DBC Florida 5105 187

 

[coolnerd]

Jerome Mathis is not a good guy.

http://www.thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=57646c7b4d35bb9e

 

[coolnerd]

Zach Thomas to visit Texans ...flanagan, Putizer cut

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5552918.html

 

[saintfool]

Zach Thomas to visit Texans ...flanagan, Putizer cut

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5552918.html

Thomas meets with the Saints Thursday. He also met with the Pats, who apparently are very interested in having him.

 

[Houston turmOiler]

where would Zach Thomas play? Not that he'd sign with us anyway, but DeMeco Ryans is the MLB unless they move him to WLB.

Mathis is such a waste. Healthy for about 2 games a year, can't play WR, and this isn't his first questionable off-the-field incident. Good luck with another team, Jerome. If Andre Davis doesn't resign, looks like the Jacoby Jones show gets to take on the added responsibility of kickoff returns next year...

 

[Buckna]

I swear I saw something on TV last week that the Texans had made an offer to Andre Davis but I haven't been able to find anything confirming that on the internet. Must have been speculation that they will or something.

 

[coolnerd]

I swear I saw something on TV last week that the Texans had made an offer to Andre Davis but I haven't been able to find anything confirming that on the internet. Must have been speculation that they will or something.

I have heard this several places, so I tend to believe it. I did see (don't remember) that Davis has drawn some interest from Jacksonville.

 

[Houston turmOiler]

I would hate to see Davis go to Jacksonville, but it makes sense. They've got some big, slow guys but not really a speedy downfield threat like Davis. I'd love to see him re-signed, but don't know if it makes sense money-wise for a #3 WR. Jacoby Jones may be able to step into that role anyway, as well as handle the return duties. Anybody have any idea what kind of money Davis should command?

 

[Beaumont]

I would hate to see Davis go to Jacksonville, but it makes sense. They've got some big, slow guys but not really a speedy downfield threat like Davis. I'd love to see him re-signed, but don't know if it makes sense money-wise for a #3 WR. Jacoby Jones may be able to step into that role anyway, as well as handle the return duties. Anybody have any idea what kind of money Davis should command?

I looked on the Jags MB and no mention of Davis.I think the Jags are happy with John Broussard as a speed threat ...