Free Agency About to begin

[Nconroe]

Seems like Mar. 8, Saturday, teams can start to talk with FA and they can sign FA starting March 11, next Tuesday.

And salary cap was increased by 10 mil to 133 mil, so Texans have between 11 -12 million available to resign their own FA, other FA, and draft picks.

Garrett Graham seems to be target of a few other teams.

Antonio Smith wants to stay a Texan as does Wade Smith.

What happens at QB and OL are two big questions.

We shall see. And what does happen will likely impact how draft goes.

[Nconroe]

Seems to be a rumor that Matt Cassell could be a FA QB pickup by Texans. Cassell and OBrien(WR coach) were player and coach, were both with offense at same time at NE Pats.

This might let Texans take defense first round or trade down and then hope to pick up Garoppolo in second round.

Or be a cleaver smoke screen for what might keep us all guessing.

[Warren]

I'd be okay with Cassel as a short-term starter during the transition who eventually backs up a drafted QB, but not as the answer at the position. He should know the system and is supposed to be an accurate passer with a good but not great arm, but isn't very mobile and takes a lot of sacks. He seems to get hurt a lot and will turn 32 in May.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Warren

I'd be okay with Cassel as a short-term starter during the transition who eventually backs up a drafted QB, but not as the answer at the position. He should know the system and is supposed to be an accurate passer with a good but not great arm, but isn't very mobile and takes a lot of sacks. He seems to get hurt a lot and will turn 32 in May.

But isn't "conventional wisdom" that if the Texans go QB in the Draft with their 1.1, then that guy starts from Day 1 or very shortly after Day 1 ? So if they were to sign a Cassel, then that implies that the Texans aren't using their 1.1 on a QB ?

[Joshua]

While he could be pressed into service as a starter, it's just as likely that he would be brought in to be the "veteran QB" and "mentor" to whoever they draft. I don't think whether or not they sign him impacts the draft process in any way.

[HPF Bob]

The problem is that a drafted QB that needs development years is out of sync with the talent we've acquired. By the time Bortles/Manziel is ready to lead us to the playoffs, AJ will be on his last legs, Foster will be beat up and Daniels will probably be gone and the surrounding pieces (except possibly Duane Brown) will need to be found all over again.

I'm not fond of the idea of Matt Cassell. I'd almost just keep Schaub if that's who our QB is. But it is a question with no really exciting answers because there's no Luck or Manning available to us. Whoever we get is going to be an imperfect fit.

That's why, without a trade down, the only two acceptable choices to me are Clowney (the best non-QB on the board) or Bridgewater (the most pro-ready of the three top QB prospects). Both come with risks but they would be the only smart choices at 1-1 for the Texans.

[popanot]

Didn't want to start new thread on this so I stuffed it here.

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl · 12m
#Rams waived RB Daryl Richardson.

Texans should give him a call. Might be a good, cheap compliment to AF.