Texans Release Cierre Wood, Sam Montgomery, and Willie Jefferson

[Keith]

Tweet from John McClain of the Houston Chronicle:

Texans waived RB Cierre Wood, DE Sam Montgomery, OLB Willie Jefferson. Sources say they violated team rules at KC hotel. Got sent home.
1:20 PM - 21 Oct 2013 (https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/392354596900712448)
Texans have 3 roster openings cause Wood, Montgomery and Jefferson released. Wood and Jefferson had off-the-field issues in college.
1:21 PM - 21 Oct 2013 (https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/392355095922229248)

[WMH]

Well, that certainly explains Wood not being active.

Jefferson is the one that really screwed the pooch. With Cush being out, I can see Brooks @ MLB which would have created a spot for Jefferson to get some PT.

Montgomery was a swing and a miss. A big one....

[nunusguy]

Can't say I've heard of something like this before in the NFL, certainly not a situation where a player(s) being cut or releasted in such an abrupt and final fashion.
First thing that comes to mind is that the boys just decided they'd go out and get stoned, get really blasted in KC.

[chuck]

Wood and Jefferson had off-the-field issues in college.


And Montgomery was hated by his college coaches and admitted to taking games off - not plays, but games. All of which Rick Smith claimed to know nothing about before drafting him.

This draft is turning into a disaster.

On the other hand I guess I'm glad to see some accountability demanded for a change, even if the whole thing has sort of ceremonial overtones to me.

It's going to suck seeing Jefferson be productive elsewhere.

[nunusguy]

The Texans placed on waivers today running back Cierre Wood, defensive end Sam Montgomery and outside linebacker Willie Jefferson.

The Texans gave no explanation for releasing the three rookies, all of whom were inactive for Sunday’s 17-16 loss to the Chiefs, but a person familiar with the situation said they were waived because they violated unspecified team rules at their Kansas City hotel on Saturday.

The same person said Wood, Jefferson and Montgomery were sent home to Houston on Sunday morning and informed they were being released today.

The Texans could have used Wood against the Chiefs. He led the team in rushing in preseason after signing as an undrafted free agent. Arian Foster had a sore hamstring last week and left the game in the first quarter.

Ben Tate suffered an injury to his ribs, left the game, but returned and was ineffective from that point on.

Jefferson, who was kicked out of Baylor after failing multiple tests for marijuana, played at Stephen F. Austin. He was signed as an undrafted free agent and showed a lot of potential as a pass rusher. He contributed on special teams.

Montgomery was a wasted third-round pick. He began as an outside linebacker from LSU but was moved to defensive end. He had been inactive for every game this season.

The Texans will have three roster spots available. Expect them to look for a veteran inside linebacker now that Brian Cushing is out for the season with a knee injury.
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2013/10/source-texans-waive-rookies-due-to-violations-of-team-rules/

[barrett]

Can't say I've heard of something like this before in the NFL, certainly not a situation where a player(s) being cut or releasted in such an abrupt and final fashion.
First thing that comes to mind is that the boys just decided they'd go out and get stoned, get really blasted in KC.

I agree. It sounds like a college situation. I have heard many stories of NFL players partying VERY hard on the road and it almost being the norm. I am guessing there is something more here than the usual sex, curfew, and alcohol situation. Like an assault accusation at the hotel or drug use that was directly apparent to the Coaches in some way. Either was it is disappointing because it means we lose two promising players (Wood and Jefferson) and we totally wasted a 3rd round pick (although Montgomery already looked like a waste). Wasn't there something out of the combine about how some teams considered Montgomery undraftable based on his interviews?

[barrett]

Are either of the two UDFA RBs we cut still available? Was one on our practice squad?

[nunusguy]

It's going to suck seeing Jefferson be productive elsewhere.
Bad timing for Jefferson in the wake of the Cushing injury with the Texans maybe moving Brooks Reed inside to fill the vacuum.

[WMH]

Are either of the two UDFA RBs we cut still available? Was one on our practice squad?

Isn't Graham still on there?

[chuck]

Maybe this explains some of the kick coverage issues, half the special teamers are stoned as hell on game day.

[popanot]

Can we just called this organization and season an unmitigated disaster and fire the HC, GM, Cap-ologist, and the cleaning crew now?!?!?

[popanot]

I think Graham went somewhere (Cleveland??) and then got cut.

[chuck]

The latest rumor is that Jefferson was smoking... a cigar.

http://nfldraftdiamonds.com/houston-texans-lb-willie-jefferson-was-waived-for-smoking-a-cigar-in-the-team-hotel/

If this is true then the team has plunged to depths that even I never would have imagined.

[WMH]

The latest rumor is that Jefferson was smoking... a cigar.

http://nfldraftdiamonds.com/houston-texans-lb-willie-jefferson-was-waived-for-smoking-a-cigar-in-the-team-hotel/

If this is true then the team has plunged to depths that even I never would have imagined.

If you truly believe that three grown men were smoking cigars, in a bathroom, after curfew, I've got a flea circus I'd like you to come visit.

;)

[WMH]

I think Graham went somewhere (Cleveland??) and then got cut.

According to the main site, he is on the PS.

[barrett]

Looks like Jefferson is counting on the fact that nobody in the organization is talking so nobody will contradict his story. I love the qoute from his agent too. Something like "Willie takes responsibility, but Willie has no idea why he was cut." Nothing says I take responsibility like I didn't do anything wrong.

[Keith]

I think Graham went somewhere (Cleveland??) and then got cut.

I thought that was the other one, Dennis Johnson.

Regardless, toss in Deji Karim with Graham and Johnson... and the Texans have decent street FA-type alternatives for another RB. Montgomery was a bust the minute Rick Smith told whoever to put his name on the card to pass up to the podium. And Jefferson might have been useful with Cushing out, but he looked kinda like a one-trick pass rushing pony to me by the end of preseason.

[BigBull]

The latest rumor is that Jefferson was smoking... a cigar.

http://nfldraftdiamonds.com/houston-texans-lb-willie-jefferson-was-waived-for-smoking-a-cigar-in-the-team-hotel/

If this is true then the team has plunged to depths that even I never would have imagined.

They misquoted him. He clearly said blunt they just heard cigar.:mad:

[chuck]

And Jefferson might have been useful with Cushing out, but he looked kinda like a one-trick pass rushing pony to me by the end of preseason.

He always sort of reminded me of a Jeff Posey or an Antwan Peek (remember those guys?) but who knows how he might develop.

[HPF Bob]

It's a bye week so they have two weeks to fill four roster spots. Any thoughts to dealing a low-round pick to a team that's already packing it in for next year (not that we aren't...)?

Really disappointed in Wood and Jefferson. You know what they say about bad influences.

[Warren]

This may come as a shock, but ESPN is now reporting that they were actually smoking pot: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9859855/houston-texans-cut-sam-montgomery-cierre-wood-willie-jefferson

[Nconroe]

Sam Montgomery taking test to prove he was innocent bystander
Counter to ESPN sory
http://www.stateofthetexans.com/sam-montgomery-passes-voluntary-drug-test/

And more story at

http://m.topix.com/nfl/houston-texans/2013/10/sam-montgomery-takes-drug-test-days-after-release-by-texans

So , what was that team rule.

Could be all three guys get a look somewhere else.