June 9, 2008
Quinn Gray Rejected by Texans
by Keith Weiland
Keith@IntheBullseye.com

It isn't often that there are too many transactions in the NFL that make me go "WTF?", but the Texans sure made one today. The team, preparing for a six week vacation before training camps open late in July, told quarterback Quinn Gray they no longer required his services.

Gray, an unrestricted free agent from the Jaguars, signed a one-year contract earlier in the spring, right around the time speculation was high that the Texans were talking to other teams about a trade of backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels. A deal never materialized.

The word from Reliant Park after the signing of Gray had been that head coach Gary Kubiak was looking forward to having a quality third quarterback on the roster. Now, just a few short weeks later, general manager Rick Smith told assembled media that Gray wasn't a good "fit" and the timing for Gray was poor.

O rly?

Of course, our glorious local media failed to ask the obvious follow-up question of Smith, probing to get him to further define what sort of fit Gray lacked.

Regardless, party's over for Gray in Houston. And it is a pity since I think Gray has some ability. I just wonder now how long it will be before another AFC South rival gives Gray a phone call with a one-year deal on the line.

The upshot? Shane Boyd must be looking like the shizz right about now. Boyd joined the team's practice squad last season and was on the active roster down the stretch. The 2005 undrafted free agent out of Kentucky set a single season rushing record for a quarterback a couple years ago in the now-defunct NFL Europe.

In other team news, the Texans are playing a waiting game on getting free agent linebacker Rooselvelt Colvin to lower his asking price. The Texans could use another situational pass rusher, and they've proven they aren't shy when it comes to signing old guys.

Offensive tackle Jordan Black was also booted from the roster today with Gray. That news isn't all too interesting given what little Black has contributed during his time in Steel Blue, but it is a bit intriguing as the team considers what to do next with another tackle, Charles Spencer.

Spencer, who before today had yet to be cleared to fully participate in offseason sessions, is still trying to return to the field after suffering a miserable leg injury in 2006. The team is thinking hard about what to do with Spencer given there are still cuts to be made as the team trims down its roster to 80 players in time for traning camp.

With Black removed from the picture, the Texans are down to just six offensive tackles on the roster, and that includes Brandon Frye. Like Spencer, Frye is someone the team might try at both tackle and guard. When I spoke to both players a couple weeks ago, both had a positive attitude about the possible switch, saying they were more than willing if it meant making the team.

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