...In the Bullseye.com: Texans Add Reed, Lose Others

It has been a quiet offseason for the Texans until this week when the organization signed free agent safety Ed Reed from Miami of Florida, whom many project as a future Hall of Fame inductee.

Reed, an 11-year veteran from the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, will turn 35 years old in September, but he is expected to add some swagger and toughness to a secondary that has wilted at times against top competition. Critics say Reed has lost some speed and has been bothered by shoulder injuries, but he still has great ballhawking instincts which Houston fans may recall from our playoff loss to the Ravens two years ago.

That stems the bleeding from other free agent losses the Texans have experienced this month. OLB Connor Barwin, FB James Casey, S Glover Quin and RB Justin Forsett all found greener pastures. Other free agents such as ILB Bradie James, NT Shaun Cody, OG Antoine Caldwell and S Quintin Demps may or may not come back. Plus, the Texans may be in the market for a new punter and placekicker.

As of this writing, Houston has re-signed CB Brice McCain and OT Andrew Gardner, and there will probably be more before the NFL draft arrives at the end of April.

Speaking of the draft, the Reed signing probably changes the focus of who the Texans will choose with the 27th overall selection. Will they look now for an inside linebacker to pair with recovering Brian Cushing? Will they look again for a wide receiver to line up opposite Andre Johnson, especially now that Kevin Walter has been cut and Devier Posey might be out until mid-season? Will they pursue more stability on the right side of the offensive line or will they grab a blitzing pass rusher now that Barwin has left town?

General Manager Rick Smith gained more flexibility when it was announced that the Texans will receive the 95th overall selection at the end of the third round as compensation for losing Mario Williams last spring. While that selection can not be traded, it means Smith may be more inclined to use their own third round choice (89th overall) as part of a package to trade up if they spot someone they really want sliding down the draft board. As it is, the Texans can answer four needs during the first two nights of the upcoming draft. They will also get Brian Cushing and Brice McCain back from injuries to shore up the back seven.

More help is needed though. It should be a subtle but important off-season, one with few big headlines but one that will tell the tale of whether this club has peaked or if they have another climb in them.

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