Free Agents (now)
 

Ok, we have signed Derrick Ward. Are there any other bodies out there that would be upgrades to what we already have? The early name that caught my eye is DT Khalif Barnes from the 49ers. Wondering if he'd be an upgrade over Okam.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...ayers-released

Don't think Barnes plays on the same side of the los as big frank does.
But speaking of Okam, I'm a little surprised he's made it, atleast so far he's not been cut ? Many favored DelJuan (or even the rookie Sheppard) ?

I suppose that was a Freudian slip. Obviously, I meant Khalif Mitchell the DT from East Carolina.

Ariz cut LB Cody Brown from UConn and CB/KR Justin Miller from Clemson
I also saw the 49ers cut QB/RB/WR/KR Michael Robinson from Penn St.

Names that jump out at me so far....

RB Alphonso Smith Arizona - UK
RB Dimitri Nance Atlanta - Arizona St.
RB Joique Bell Buffalo - Wayne St.
RB Chad Simpson Buffalo - Morgan St
DT Orien Harris Cinci - Miami
DT Clinton McDonald Cinci - Memphis
S Quintin Demps Philadelphia - UTEP
DT Jeff Owens Philadelphis - Georgia

Roy, the Texans left open two roster spots. So, clearly something is about to happen. Keep that list coming! I'm intrigued and excited to see what they have planned.

Here's what we wrote in regards to the open spots on the roster: Texans Bull Blog

Wondering if they put Johnson on the PUP list? Ward is the only 'veteran' RB cut, unless they like the idea of "Fast" Willie Parker who has been working with Kyle Shannahan all summer. I would imagine that DT and LB must be in their thoughts too.

DT Corvey Irvin Carolina - UGa
LB Abdul Hodge Cinci - Iowa
RB Lonyae Miller Dallas - Fresno St
RB Herb Donaldson Dallas - W. Illinois
RB Kregg Lumpkin Green Bay - UGa
DT Montavious Stanley Miami - UofL
OG Donald Thomas Miami - UConn
RB Thomas Clayton NE - Kansas State
DT Jay Ross NO - ECU
FS Chip Vaughn NO - Wake Forest
DT Jay Alford NYG - Penn St
RB Andre Brown NYG - NC St
RB GArtrell Johnson NYG - Colo St.
OL Guy Whimper NYG - ECU
CB Nathan Vasher SD - UT
CB Karl Paymah SF - Wash St.
DT Jonathan Lewis Sea - Va Tech
DT Dre Moore TB - Maryland
LB Lee Robinson TB - Alcorn

No, they waived Johnson. Saw it on the official site.

PUP is reserved for players entering the new season unhealthy. Once a player participates in training camp practice, they are disqualified for PUP. So, they don't have that option with Johnson.

With Cushing, they have 7 LBs, not counting Greenhouse, whom they cut but will sign to P.S. So, I seriously doubt they can bring anyone in to contribute the first four weeks. I'd be surprised to see a LB signed.

They did what?!?!? Waived him? They can't do that if he's injured.

Holy crap. I just checked. Apparently, they can. I hope we can stash him on the Practice Squad. That's just crazy. We better get another RB other than Ward.

I don't know much about what they are thinking or what they see at practice. Adibi is in the same boat as Molden and Bennett to me. There might have been something there at one point, but I'm ready to cut bait if something better comes available. I don't know if Johnny Holland is watching tapes of the preseason games to see which cut LBs might be an upgrade in our system. My thought is perhaps Lee Robinson (he had 7 tackles against us) would be a better Cushing substitute than Adibi.

I didn't mean to suggest there aren't better LBs available than Adibi and Clark. My point is that our depth is good at LB once Cushing returns. Therefore, I don't think the team gets better by signing a guy that hasn't been with the team, to be here that first month. Too much has to happen to get him caught up with system, teammates, etc...

Well, I think you are half right. As best as I can tell, if they "waive/injured" and they reach an injury settlement. Once it is settled, then he is free to re-sign with someone else, or preferrably, our practice squad. Kubes said he is going to be out a month or so, so I don't see anyone else picking him up.

While I understand that it is important to have 'chemistry' and be integrated into a team/system, I also think that being able to tackle in space and being able to shed blocks is important.

Personally, I think Cushing got entirely too many sanps this preseason. I heard the reason, but I don't agree with it. The most important game of the season is the one you are playing. So we have 4 important games that Cushing won't have any impact in. It would have been nice to see some more of Diles and Adibi at the SAM playing beside Ryans to see how they worked together. We also should have seen Sharpton playing the WILL along with Ryans and Diles on the field on more snaps, because right now - that's the combo I'd like to see vs. the Colts in week 1.

OK, that's all I'll say about it. I'm still pissed at Cushing for Juicing and wishing that we had drafted Clay Matthews instead.

Okam did start slow at camp this year, but if you watch him and only him in the games every play, he developed. He is not the elite player most thought he would be when he was a junior, but he is serviceable and has talent. If he could ever turn his motor up to the level of DelJaun he would be a force in the NFL.But as of now with his current motor he is serviceable.

Sheppard is still to raw and small to be the backup NT, which is the position Okam plays. Sheppard is an undertackle.

I gotta agree with RP on his thoughts about all of the playing time in preseason Cushing is getting, because I don't get it either ?
And I can see a scenario where it's not that unlikely that we get a real bad start, again, this year and therefor it behoves the Texans to maximize preseason snaps for the teams SAM, whoever he or they may be, that's gonna be in the lineup in the first 4 games. We may not know for sure who
it's gonna be, but we do know for sure it won't be Cushing.

I agree with the two of you, when a player get injured you adjust, but a suspension to start the season you plan, and getting Cushing ready is stupid, getting the guy that is playing reps is the smart move.

My only guess is that they knew early on that Adibi was the guy and he was hurt, so he could not get the reps, and they figured the backups getting the rep was not as important.

They got Chris Ogbonnaya 6'0" 225lbs a 2-year "veteran" from U.Texas. There is still one slot open for the practice squad. I'd like to see a BIG DT like Jay Ross. Wondering if it's too late now to add another body. I also would be interested in signing Stanford Keglar, since the Titans cut him. He's a 6'2" 250lbs LB that has good speed and quickness from Purdue.

It's not to late to add to the practice squad, in fact it is common for teams to juggle this roster all season.