Faneca on the Radar?

[Nconroe]

I did say bring him in and see what happens, not unusual to do this.

Kasey Studdard started 14 games and played in all 16 in 2009, his first year to start. I'm not saying can't improve Texans OL either, just saying need to do the OTA's, training camp, see who you drafted, check the FA's, looks like several others will become available, then have a great 2010 season. Lots of factors why Texans didn't run well either.

So, two to one sacks allowed, no matter the reasons, and I think in NY they thought it was because Faneca was getting old and lost a step or two is quite a difference from one position, otherwise why release him.

Overall Jets line, for run game , obviously maybe the best as a unit. They had much more experience and years together than the Texans OL as well. They are trying to get better for pass as well.

[NBT]

The way I read it is, Faneca is 33, he is still good on run plays but he gave up 6.5 sacks last year. Based on that I would say we wouldn't be any better off with Faneca than we are right now with Studdard.

[Warren]

Faneca has agreed to terms with the Cardinals -- one year, $2.5 million gauranteed base with a $300k signing bonus and a $100k workout bonus. He'll be reunited with Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, who also coached him in Pittsburgh.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Warren

Faneca has agreed to terms with the Cardinals -- one year, $2.5 million gauranteed base with a $300k signing bonus and a $100k workout bonus. He'll be reunited with Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, who also coached him in Pittsburgh.

Well, crap.....Now what are we going to talk about

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by WMH

Well, crap.....Now what are we going to talk about

John Henderson?

Aaron Sears?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

John Henderson?

Aaron Sears?

Or Sharper...

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Couple of points, I'm confused by the insinuation that 20% represents some excessive percentage. An offensive line is 5 guys so if they each gave up the same amount of sacks, each would be responsible for 20%. Not sure how you concluded that 20% was some out of proportion amount.

As others have pointed out (and as us Texans fans should be painfully aware), there are many reasons for sacks to occur and I think it is somewhat simplistic to just pull up his sacks allowed and base an opinion on that. For instance, I pulled up Steve Hutchinson (generally considered the best guard in football) and here are his career sacks allowed -

2001 7.00
2002 0.00 (only played 4 games)
2003 5.00
2004 3.00
2005 1.25
2006 4.50
2007 3.00
2008 7.00
2009 3.50

Even Hutchinson has averaged over 4 sacks allowed per year for his career and gave up 7 2 years ago. I hope Steve Hutchinson would still be on most people's radar even after giving up 7 sacks in 2008.

Although I admit it is little more than a popularity contest, Faneca is a multiple pro bowler, and I've never heard anyone say that Faneca is not an above average, if not elite, guard. While I might not want to break the bank for him, I can't see how anyone can argue that he simply doesn't have enough on-the-field ability to challenge even Kasey Studdard.

And I think the Ahman Green analogy is misplaced. Green was a known injury risk as well as over-the-hill. It was a calculated risk that failed but I think most people knew that risk was there. Faneca, on the other hand, is only 33 and offensive linemen are often productive into their mid, if not late, 30s. Just don't see the comparison unless you think anyone we consider over the age of 30 can be stuck with the "very similar logic got the Texans Ahman Green" card.

I would expect the tackles to have a greater percentage of sacks allowed than the interior linemen. Also, I expect some sacks allowed may be charged to RBs even though I'm not positive on that. The Jets released Faneca and it wasn't cheap for them to do so. A pro bowl offensive linemen just doesn't get released unless he's getting a little long in the tooth.

The Jets released Faneca. Why haven't the Texans done great at free agency. NFL teams, for the most part, are not stupid and do not let good players go to free agency unless the salary cap forces their hand. The Jets aren't stupid and Faneca can run block.

If the Texans offensive line sucked, Faneca might make more sense. The Texans offensive line is very good in pass protection, but have appeared to suck at run blocking.

I do find it odd at how chill Kubiak and Smith have been about the interior line and free safety, but they practically had airplanes flying over the draft saying "The Texans will pick RB and CB in the first two rounds". The Texans must be impressed with the learning curve of Studdard and Caldwell. Also, if I remember correctly...Winston stuck up for Meyers about getting pushed around by Jenkins saying he wasn't the one at fault. Pitts got cut...

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Or Sharper...

Interesting thought. There is no question that he made an enormous impact on the Saints last year and I'm not sure they win the Super Bowl without him. Savvy veteran leadership for a relatively young secondary. Having said that, I think it's fairly clear the Texans aren't in the market for guys like this. While I understand you can go overboard compiling big name players on the decline, a la the Redskins, I do think there is something to be said for taking a guy or two like that as stop-gap measures at positions of need, particularly when you think you are positioned to challenge for the playoffs. I think it is pretty clear the Texans don't feel this way though so all this talk is probably just that--talk.

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Interesting thought. There is no question that he made an enormous impact on the Saints last year and I'm not sure they win the Super Bowl without him. Savvy veteran leadership for a relatively young secondary. Having said that, I think it's fairly clear the Texans aren't in the market for guys like this. While I understand you can go overboard compiling big name players on the decline, a la the Redskins, I do think there is something to be said for taking a guy or two like that as stop-gap measures at positions of need, particularly when you think you are positioned to challenge for the playoffs. I think it is pretty clear the Texans don't feel this way though so all this talk is probably just that--talk.

Definitely agree. I would also add that I don't think the Texans feel there is anything wrong with the safeties. I've heard them say good things about Pollard, Wilson, and Barber. My guess is that Wilson is their saavy veteran.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joe Joe

Definitely agree. I would also add that I don't think the Texans feel there is anything wrong with the safeties. I've heard them say good things about Pollard, Wilson, and Barber. My guess is that Wilson is their saavy veteran.

What they say in public at a press conference and what they really think are two different things in many cases.

[Nconroe]

Originally Posted by painekiller

What they say in public at a press conference and what they really think are two different things in many cases.

Agree with that for sure. I guess they are always looking to upgrade but stay in their long term plan for now and build some consistency as well.

Here is a pretty recent list of FA available today by position.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...st-by-position

[NBT]

I think we'er making a mountain out of a mole-hill.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

What they say in public at a press conference and what they really think are two different things in many cases.

While I agree with this generally, their actions regarding the safety position seem to suggest that their public comments mirror their private ones. They never make any significant attempts to upgrade the position. Remember last year they claimed they were satisfied with their safeties and backed up these public comments by going into the regular season with absolute garbage at the safety position. By doing that, I gotta think they actually thought they were good at safety and it wasn't just PR. It was only after they were torched the first couple of games that they showed any indication that maybe they needed to look for someone to bring in. Luckily, Pollard fell into their laps.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Here is a pretty recent list of FA available today by position.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...st-by-position

Could somebody talk to me about Arron Sears and Tampa Bay. I thought he was pretty good there, and they just cut him. Is he injured? Any thoughts on bringing him in?

As for bringing in Veteran savvy and leadership. Keith Bulluck should be able to take the job from Zach Diles. Perhaps his agent is asking for $4Mil per year or something, but I'd be ok for 2 years at that price.

I wanted to draft Jeremy Thompson to play DE opposite of Mario. The Packers drafted him and now he is mis-cast as a 3/4 OLB. He is an Unrestricted FA and should be cheap. I understand that we have Barwin and Smith already, but is having 4 pass-rushing DE's on the roster a bad thing? Isn't that how the Giants won the SuperBowl a couple of years ago?

That's all I got.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Could somebody talk to me about Arron Sears and Tampa Bay. I thought he was pretty good there, and they just cut him. Is he injured? Any thoughts on bringing him in?

It looks like he is going through 'personal problems' off the field. So, that is probably with the Bucs cut him and why we won't sign him.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/footb...cle1021165.ece

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/footb...cle1007440.ece

[painekiller]

Darren Sharper is who I would go get. He would be the best Safety we have had, and IMO he would help us storm into the playoffs.

[bono]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I wanted to draft Jeremy Thompson to play DE opposite of Mario. The Packers drafted him and now he is mis-cast as a 3/4 OLB. He is an Unrestricted FA and should be cheap. I understand that we have Barwin and Smith already, but is having 4 pass-rushing DE's on the roster a bad thing? Isn't that how the Giants won the SuperBowl a couple of years ago?

That's all I got.

Jeremy Thompson is retiring due to injury

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by bono

Jeremy Thompson is retiring due to injury

Wow! That really sucks. He was like the definition of what I wanted from a LDE in terms of measureables. Guess he just never had a chance to develop and now an injury. Very young to have to retire due to injury.

[bckey]

Originally Posted by Joshua

While I agree with this generally, their actions regarding the safety position seem to suggest that their public comments mirror their private ones. They never make any significant attempts to upgrade the position. Remember last year they claimed they were satisfied with their safeties and backed up these public comments by going into the regular season with absolute garbage at the safety position. By doing that, I gotta think they actually thought they were good at safety and it wasn't just PR. It was only after they were torched the first couple of games that they showed any indication that maybe they needed to look for someone to bring in. Luckily, Pollard fell into their laps.

I've brought this same issue up on another board when the Texans negleted the fs position in this years draft. I hope Kubiak isn't just so stubborn that it clouds his judgement. Counting on Eugene Wilson after he has missed so many games due to injury over the last 3 seasons just doesn't make good sense. FS has been the single most neglected position on the team since its inception.

[Nconroe]

I thought they should perhaps draft a FS prior to UDFA as well.

Last year they were very bad the first 3-4 games, but defense got a lot better last 12 or so games, so maybe need this year is not quite as bad as last year this time.

I guess they like Eugene Wilson and Dominick Barber plus a draft pick from last year should all be healthy this year. They have quite a few DB on roster now, so perhaps we have some good backup to Wilson should he be injured again.

Then, there is still a long while till Sept. to pick up a FS via free agency should a good one come along.