Can someone tell me what the Texans are thinking?
 

Mario, Briesel, Winston, Vickers....ALL GONE.
Is there some grand plan going on behind the scenes.
In one offseason Arian has lost 50% of his blockers.
Please tell me theres some GRAND plan to get WR, LB depth, and entire right side of the Oline.

OR

Is this one of those arrogant Texans decisions?

Well, since Myers got signed looks like it's going to be:

Brown LT
Smith LG
Myers C
Caldwell RG
Butler RT

And then "value" players before the draft at the end of FA, then the draft and and then TC cuts, etc.... I think they'll be OK.....

I hope there is a cheap vet or mid round pick to push Caldwell. There was a drop off between him and a broken legged breisel when they rotated in the playoffs.

IMO, this has absolutely nothing to do with arrogance. This is about cap availability. They are doing what they believe they can to skirt by. Not saying I agree, but if you look at each one, it makes some sense.
Mario - no room, no way, no how
Wnston - they have always been high on Butler. Plug and play. Cheaper option.
Briesel - too much jack for a guard. Caldwell is a sub, could be a 3rd or 4th rd guy coming..
Myers - had to pay one of them. Might as well have been the "Qb" of the line.

Better brace yourself, as we will likely be in the same boat next year, if not worse.

Just the way I see it.

"Holy crap, Brisiel got WHUT?!? WTH is Duane Brown going to be asking for next year??!!!"

I figure the Texans are thinking something like this right about now.


... in all seriousness, Brisiel was more valuable than Winston last season. His loss was noticeable late in the year, and I have my doubts that Caldwell is a full time player in the NFL. That said, RG is probably the most easily replaced position on this offensive line.

Lest we all forget, Caldwell and Briesel were in a close tie for RG a couple of years ago, with Caldwell and Briesel sharing time. Caldwell sustained an injury so Brisel got the job by default. After that Caldwell just couldn't get it back...until now of course. He will do OK.

Re: Caldwell, I need to see more before I can conclusively pass judgement..... Caldwell is not a rookie but he's still somewhat lacking in NFL experience...

Those linemen are a funny lot - I recall Duane Brown struggled a bit after coming back from suspension - took him a few games to get going again. Maybe Caldwell just needs some time to find his own groove..

Exactly. Caldwell was not good last year but I am going to wait until he starts sucking in real life this next season before I start complaining. (And the masses rejoiced.)

I agree with your OL prediction, I for one want to see what Shelley Smith can do, maybe he is ready to push Caldwell.

Wonder if there's any chance the Texans would draft fairly high for an OT, say in the 2nd round, and continue using Butler as their swing-guy ?

There is a chance of this, but I am guessing that it is unlikely.

If they want a pure RT (someone who is a road grader but not a particularly strong pass blocker), they can probably find one as late as the fifth round. The only problem is that Robert Mathis would eat his lunch, just like he ate up Winston.

I think the days of us drafting with Indy in mind have passed.