New Texans (FA/Trade)
 

Taking a cursory look at the roster and around the league I wanted to discuss some needs and potential players to fill them. I am not sure how much weight I put into Ryan Mallet or any of the draft prospects. So, once again I'm advocating the trade with the Giants in order to get Ryan Nassib. He is stuck behind Eli Manning and perhaps the Giants would be willing to deal. Next, the NT position is questionable with Louis Nix, so I would see what Dan William's price tag would be. In addition, I am really looking for a ILB to play on third down and would suggest Sean Weatherspoon. We are in the market for a WR even if we draft one with the departure of Andre, so Brian Hartline makes sense to me.

CB Brandon Flowers, S Rahim Moore, TE Jordan Cameron and G Justin Blaylock would be great complimentary players.

Not sure Nassib brings anything a rookie or Savage couldn't bring. I think they'd have a hard time trading for a guy that has zero NFL game tape.

Speaking of trades, look on MFL. I sent you couple offers. LOL. :)

Nassib has a couple of years in the NFL. He appeared to have better pocket presence at Syracuse than anything these college prospects have shown me. He has displayed better accuracy and decision making skills (during preseason games) than either Mallet or Savage, in my opinion. Having zero NFL regular season snaps, makes him attainable, in my estimation.

I have questions about Mallett, but I doubt that Nassib would fair any better next year. I think we will resign Mallett and target another guy in the draft....someone like Petty.

We are in the market for a WR even if we draft one with the departure of Andre, so Brian Hartline makes sense to me.

- Just saw a report that the Texans had a meeting with Hartline today :)

Hartline is 6ft2in, 200 lbs will be 29 this next season, only had 39 receptions this past year while making about 6 mil.

Doesn't sound like no. 1 WR? Maybe plenty other WR a couple years younger available as FA?

Randall Cobb would be great on the team, but suspect the competition for him will be heavy and expensive.

Hartline is a possession receiver, which is basically what Andre was in 2014. Compare Hartline's 2013 to Andre's 2014... fairly similar.

Texans have a #1 WR already... used a first round pick on him even. His name is DeAndre Hopkins. This offense, especially with an inexperienced QB, doesn't need another wide. It needs a better TE and/or an actual slot, neither of which would cost a first round pick necessarily.

Randall Cobb would be an awesome add, but how much of the team's salary cap do we want tied up in WR? Pedestrian, usable WRs in the mold of Hartline (and, ahem, Posey) are always available to supplement guys like Hopkins.

If not Hartline, then I would like Harry Douglas or Eddie Royal. With the QB situation unanswered, attracting Free Agents might be more difficult and more expensive than for other teams with an established QB.

As for the TE position, is there anything out there who could come close to filling the Gronkowski role in this Offense? Clive Walford is the only draft prospect who intrigues me.

@AdamSchefter: Texans reached a 5-year agreement with Derek Newton, per league source.

@taniaganguli: Newton's contract will include $10 million in guarantees and around $13 million in the first two years of the 5 year deal. #Texans

@PatDStat: Not a bad deal of Newton. 5 years for a little above $25 million. #Texans

@RapSheet: Big numbers for #Texans OT Derek Newton: 5 years at $26.5M with $10M guaranteed. $13.75M in first 2 years and $17M in first 3 years

@McClain_on_NFL: Texans making run at WR Randall Cobb and Jeremy Mackin to replace Andre Johnson. Expect them 2 target Torrey Smith, 2.

@McClain_on_NFL: Don't b surprised if Wilfork reunited with Crennel and O'Brien if price is right. He and Crennel are real close.

I am not a big fan of Newton, but we can't expect to field a Fantasy football team with an All-Pro at every position. The contract seems reasonable. I am excited to hear we are persuing Maclin and Cobb, waiting to hear if we can sign either. I wanted to draft Wilfork in 2004, not sure how much he has left in the tank. His leadership and production should be better than we got when we signed Ed Reed.

CB Kareem Jackson locked up for four years. So, that's reassuring. Hopefully, he continues to improve.

@PatDStat: Kareem Jackson getting $8.5 a season with $20 million guaranteed per @taniaganguli. #Texans

@RavensInsider: Kareem Jackson four-year, $34 million deal has $20.5M in first two years, $9M bonus, $4M roster bonus, $1M base 2015, $6.5M 2016, per source

NFL Media reports the Texans are pursuing QB Brian Hoyer (Browns):

I'm hoping Texans can resign Brooks Reed. I think he was 12th in nfl in QB hits and QB hurries. Steady play and can play both inside and outside as well as special teams.

I'm glad Newton and Jackson resigned. Good players and help with consistency.

IMO, they're jacking with Mallett with this "leak."
Games people play this time of the year.

At least I hope so.....

I'd rather have the unknown with Mallett than the known with Hoyer.

Guess you missed the reports on the radio yesterday from Reed's agent that the Texans do not appear to be trying to resign Reed. Agents said that Reed was likely done as a Texan.

Doesn't mean he doesn't sign here much later if he doesn't get the type offer he is expecting.

And I am glad with the two big signing's, now I wonder if the shoe drops on J-Joe. Either a pay cut or out right release.

Also when does the AJ release happen? The money could come in handy.

Lastly please get Mallett under contract so we can sign a FA WR, or TE of note.

As I've said, Newton was borderline great last year. He was a crucial re-sign. I have no idea what he'll be like as a veteran in the first year of a new contract. I suppose we'll see how much he likes football.

And I do hope the team signs Hartline. Not because he's good, of course. He sucks. But so Bob has an impetus to grouse about his favorite play. That never gets old, just like the left handed quarterback.

The guy I want re-signed is Ryan Pickett. The defense was demonstrably better once he played the middle. I know he's old so he shouldn't break the bank.

As for Newton and Jackson, similar stories. They were shitty for a few years and were (statistically at least) above average last year. So, why the improvement? Better coaching? Better focus? Contract years? The Texans gambled that they will still play at their 2014 levels instead of their 2012-13 levels. When you look at the markets at these positions, it's hard to argue with re-signing them but I sure hope the difference was better coaching.

Imagine if they draft Phillip Dorsett, that play might actually work. ;)

IIRC, they don't have to be under the cap till Tuesday. They'll likely do it then.

Crazy activity today with teams signing their own. Sucks we didn't get a chance at Cobb. Can't blame him though. He's got another shot at a contract. Rodgers > Whatever We put out there.

Whelp, looking back, IMO, KJ should have stayed in college for his final year but like a lot of young fellas, he couldn't resist the cash grab so he came out his junior year. In the NFL it seems, playing cornerback is one of the largest leaps (college --> NFL). Seen it many times: a young CB struggles only to eventually turn into a decent player. I remember during the height of his (KJ) struggles that Kubiak would answer the critics with a "yeah, but he's a tough kid" and that was needed during his rough early years. They put him a sink or swim situation and he looked bad all too often but eventually became a pretty good CB. It would have been a shame to let all that development/OJT hit the road....

Newton was somewhat similar: over his head early but received so much real game experience that he couldn't help but get better. He also played through injury quite often and I remember him limping at times, especially in 2013. Yet, the Texans kept trotting him out there..... I suppose because he was the best they had....

At any rate, I think you gotta call these two "core signings".....

Great observation. Every year there's "Lockdown" Corner in the draft who goes first round and disappoints. They're decent, but not like Revis. Antoine Cason is a FA this year who would fall into this example.

Jackson has been good for years after a terrible rookie year and a slightly disappointing 2nd year.

So far I have agreed with every player we let go, and I have agreed with every player we brought back. The veterans are out and the contracts are going to guys in their 20s. This is what needs to happen for a team that will not win a superbowl this year.

Yep, in which case, the play will need to be renamed.... ;)

‏@AlbertBreer Per source, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is planning to sign with the Texans tomorrow.

@RapSheet Ex-#Browns QB Brian Hoyer plans to sign a multi-year deal with the #Texans, likely three years, I’m told. They plan to have Hoyer & Mallett

@JaysonBraddock Brian Hoyer's contract is expected to be 3 years and in the range of $12-14 million. Getting more due to playing experience.

Can't say I'm too excited about this one.

I'm good with if it means Fitz is gone and at roughly the same price. Might not be much of an upgrade (if at all), but it was so painful watching Fitz last year that I'm ready for anything non-Fitz. And I don't think this necessarily means Mallett is gone either. Might hurt even hurt Savage more than Mallett.

@MMehtaNYDN After the QB dominos fall in Houston (Hoyer & Mallett to Texans), I'm told the Jets will pursue Ryan Fitzpatrick #nyj

@RapSheet The #Texans have agreed to terms with QB Ryan Mallett, source said. So it’ll be Hoyer & Mallett in Houston.

‏@MarkBermanFox26 NFL sources confirm Ryan Mallett has agreed to a contract with the Texans. It's a 2-year deal.

@taniaganguli Ryan Mallett's deal with the #Texans is a 2 year deal worth $7 million. Expecting Hoyer's to be bigger.

‏@MarkBermanFox26 NFL sources confirm Ryan Mallett gets 2-year deal worth $7 million, with less than $2 million guaranteed in first year.

There you go. Fitz and Keenum are goners, for sure. I personally thing Savage might be hanging on by a thread, and it wouldn't surprise me to see them jettison him and draft someone else (Petty?).

Man, I like the Mallet signing but Hoyer?

Radio is saying Hoyer is gonna make more money.... I was hoping Mallet would be the starter but now I'm not so sure...

Mallet is betting on himself. I kinda like that.
(Also can't believe he's that cheap)....

Hoyer signed a typical veteran back up type of deal. I'd guess it will be similiar to the Fitz structure.

Yeah, Hoyer is 6ft2in and passing completion under 60 %, 29 yrs old, so that seems like backup.

I hope Mallett succeeds and am surprised he bet on himself, but good for him and Texans.

And best wishes to Fitz and Keenum.

I was thinking now not drafting a QB, but who knows.

Not so fast... LOL!

Aight, makes sense. It's just that I see the intangible "upside" with Mallett. Not so much with Hoyer - but he should be comfortable in this system....

I guess we should get prepared for the "open competition" blabber but I'll be flummoxed if we can't see more of Mallett this year....

The Texans were in the playoff hunt until the final hours of the season. Assuming that they are at least able to duplicate that record you can't risk blowing the season because you don't have a veteran backup. To me Hoyer is an ideal veteran backup. He's young, BOB knows him (and likes him, apparently), he really didn't play that badly in Cleveland and let's remember he was playing for Cleveland who have exactly one offensive player I would switch any Texan for...

If this Mallet deal is being reported accurately I think it's perfect. I hope he distinguished himself and then truly gets paid. If not, there's no Carr-like commitment. Hoyer as I've said is a very good signing. Newton and KJ were absolute musts and neither signed for what I would consider elevated sums.

It makes me wonder who the hell is in charge over there.

I'm starting to be a huge fan of this Texans offseason. Retaining Mallett, Kareem, and Newton were the keys. If they find a way to add Vince Wilfork and/or a legit slot receiver, I'll enter a state of euphoria.

How the team is handling the QB spot, considering the crappy options available, is en route to being darn near masterful. A prove-it deal on Mallett, possibly adding a veteran who won games in Cleveland in Hoyer, and now the possibility of trading Fitzy to the Jets. In fact, how BOB and the Texans are driving the QB landscape, making MacCagnan and the Jets sit and wait to figure out what is happening in Houston first, is flat out awesome regardless of whether the Texans end up with either Hoyer or Fitz. Got to have one of them... Mallett couldn't last two games healthy as the starter. Fluke or not, need a quality player to go with him.

Respect to O'Brien. I imagine having Gaine still in this front office is a help too.

Texans also retained Damaris Johnson today. Hopefully the team lands someone better to compete with him.

If this is the case then it's the first time in my lifetime of following Houston sports. And not since the Oilers had both Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey have we had two guys that could push each other for the starting job, a true competition.

And having the other teams wait on the Texans and not the Texans getting the consolation prize, feels pretty good. Also it seems that guys are wanting to play for BoB.