Free Agent Target - Priority #1 - Asomugha’s a FA

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Now explain why he'd want to play for Houston.

That's easy. Money.

[NBT]

There are other, more SB ready teams out there that he might relish more than just the money. That would not bode well for our chances.

[chuck]

I don't feel like starting another thread so I'll hijack this one. Watching the Green Bay - Philadelphia game is very, very depressing. Watching Clay Matthews and Tramon Williams make plays all over the place just reminds me emphatically of how bad the Texans' personnel decisions have been over the Rick Smith years.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by chuck

I don't feel like starting another thread so I'll hijack this one. Watching the Green Bay - Philadelphia game is very, very depressing. Watching Clay Matthews and Tramon Williams make plays all over the place just reminds me emphatically of how bad the Texans' personnel decisions have been over the Rick Smith years.

The problem is in knowing who was responsible for his release. With so many of the question personnel decisions on defense, it is simply hard to know. Who was it that decided to keep Okam for a 3rd year? Smith? Kubiak? Bush? Kollar? all of them?

Regarding Matthews, I have no problem with that move. Sure I'd like him, but it is hard to argue with the Cushing draftpick. If the argument is "stereoids", I'd say that is as likely an issue for Matthews.

More than personnel decisions, I think the issue is in development at certain positions. I would argue there is a good chance that Tramon Williams would never have developed into a good CB if he stayed in Houston. Though, it is all conjecture.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Sure I'd like him, but it is hard to argue with the Cushing draftpick. If the argument is "stereoids", I'd say that is as likely an issue for Matthews.

It's hard to argue with the Cushing pick ? Only before he got suspended, because right now after his suspension and his mediorce second season it's real easy to second-guess the wisdom of taking Cushing. And Matthews now has 2 seasons behind him while his play on the field has continued to improve and he remains clean.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

It's hard to argue with the Cushing pick ? Only before he got suspended, because right now after his suspension and his mediorce second season it's real easy to second-guess the wisdom of taking Cushing. And Matthews now has 2 seasons behind him while his play on the field has continued to improve and he remains clean.

If he was great as a rookie, then clearly they accurately identified his talent. When a team goes 6-10, lots of things go wrong. For Cushing, he missed a month of time and did not handle Demeco's absence well. Picking in the middle of the first round in 2009, they selected the ROTY and a player at a need position that has already been to the probowl.. I'm saying that it is hard to argue that was a poor selection. A lot of teams passed on Matthews. Draft grades can't be simply based on selecting the best player in hindsight.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

If he was great as a rookie, then clearly they accurately identified his talent. When a team goes 6-10, lots of things go wrong. For Cushing, he missed a month of time and did not handle Demeco's absence well. Picking in the middle of the first round in 2009, they selected the ROTY and a player at a need position that has already been to the probowl.. I'm saying that it is hard to argue that was a poor selection. A lot of teams passed on Matthews. Draft grades can't be simply based on selecting the best player in hindsight.

Are you really in total denial about the possibility if not likelihood that his dramatic decline in performance from his rookie year to his second season was because he no longer had the "benefit" of PEDs ?

[NBT]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

It's hard to argue with the Cushing pick ? Only before he got suspended, because right now after his suspension and his mediorce second season it's real easy to second-guess the wisdom of taking Cushing. And Matthews now has 2 seasons behind him while his play on the field has continued to improve and he remains clean.

Couldn't let this one go by without a comment. Yes Mathews had a good year. He also had a stable environment and a good DC. Cushing will be OK now that he has Wade for a Coordinator. You'll see.

[Fonz the Boss]

Originally Posted by NBT

Couldn't let this one go by without a comment. Yes Mathews had a good year. He also had a stable environment and a good DC. Cushing will be OK now that he has Wade for a Coordinator. You'll see.

^^^ I agree with this

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by NBT

There are other, more SB ready teams out there that he might relish more than just the money. That would not bode well for our chances.

Maybe but this is an argument that I hear a lot but I see little real world support for. I can think of very few, if any, players over the last 10 years who went into free agency and changed teams but took less to go to a winner. I ask this in all seriousness to the people that make the argument that free agents don't go to the highest bidder, can you name 5 guys (besides end of the career guys) who took less money to play for a winner? I can't. And didn't Nnamdi re-up with the Raiders 3 years ago despite the fact that they were terrible becasue they offered the most money? Just seems like an argument that sounds right but doesn't actually happen.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Joshua

That's easy. Money.

Bob McNair is not that kind of owner. He will not break the bank on FA. He's a business man first and foremost. I don't see us giving him 16+ mill/per for a CB.

Sorry. I'd love to be wrong though.

On the Matthews deal, he plays OLB in a 3-4 in GB, which is a stand up OLB. He basically played the same position at USC, think they called it the elephant line backer.

Cush played the SAM at USC and had an outstanding rookie season for us, this year he obviously struggled because of the loss of Demeco. But we basically got the same player in Connor Barwin(size, speed) in the second round that Matthews is today. Only difference is Barwin is playing end in a 4-3, and Matthews is playing OLB in a 3-4. We'll see how good Barwin looks next season playing OLB in our 3-4 after his injury. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.

The best we can hope for now is to draft Clay Matthews younger brother, Casey. For those not familiar with him, he'll be playing Monday night for Oregon. He'd be a nice insurance plan incase the coaches have some reservations about Barwin's leg.

[cland]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

Bob McNair is not that kind of owner. He will not break the bank on FA. He's a business man first and foremost. I don't see us giving him 16+ mill/per for a CB.

Sorry. I'd love to be wrong though.

I considered this, but I think it's exactly what a business man should do. McNair cannot be immune to his customers reactions over a 6-10 season and his non-firing of Kubiak. Sure we're selling out the stadium, but we didn't keep it full. Less fans, less stadium business, less money...

With the lockout having a potential impact on season-ticket holders renewing their seats, there is one clear message he's going to need to deliver: It Won't Happen Again!

If Nnamdi costs 16 million per year, he can write off half of that from the marketing budget.

To get him, Bob needs to have a talk with Nnamdi's good friend Andre Johnson. And Andre needs to go something like, "Look man, you're badass and I'm badass--but neither of us has been rewarded for it. Now here's Bob's blank check, come down to Houston, and let's role through the playoff's together.

PS. You can cover Kevin Walter in practice."

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

The best we can hope for now is to draft Clay Matthews younger brother, Casey. For those not familiar with him, he'll be playing Monday night for Oregon. He'd be a nice insurance plan incase the coaches have some reservations about Barwin's leg.

Speaking of which, Casey Matthews had a great game last light. Someone said Cush could play outside in a 3-4, but I don't think he's got the hips to turn on a dime or the speed. On the other hand, Casey showed he could run down a VERY mobile QB, and even showed a knack for the big play by causing a fumble while sacking Cam Newton.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

Speaking of which, Casey Matthews had a great game last light. Someone said Cush could play outside in a 3-4, but I don't think he's got the hips to turn on a dime or the speed. On the other hand, Casey showed he could run down a VERY mobile QB, and even showed a knack for the big play by causing a fumble while sacking Cam Newton.

From what I saw of young Matthews he was pretty impressive in the BCS game the other night as has Aggie Von Miller been when I've seen him on TV this past season. But IMO they both have the same problem, which is they're undersized.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

From what I saw of young Matthews he was pretty impressive in the BCS game the other night as has Aggie Von Miller been when I've seen him on TV this past season. But IMO they both have the same problem, which is they're undersized.

Miller is listed as 6-3 243 and Matthews is listed as 6-2 235.

Miller does not play hard when the play is moving away from him, he trots on the field alot. That is not going to endear him to NFL scouts and coaches. Matthews has a high motor and football smarts.

Both are smaller then ideal but both have upside.

The guy I'm watching is Dontay Moch from Nevada. 6-1 242, high motor guy.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by painekiller

.....
The guy I'm watching is Dontay Moch from Nevada. 6-1 242, high motor guy.

He's apparently a freak of nature:

Moch, 6'1", 245 pounds, ran a 40-yard dash in 4.2 seconds, which was after he had run a 4.08 and 4.18 for NFL scouts. The scouts purportedly did not believe their stopwatches so they asked Moch to run again and he recorded the 4.2."He has freakish talent," Nevada defensive coordinator Andy Buh said. When he puts his mind to it, he's unstoppable."

NFL draft Scout has him at 4.38 which is still really fast....

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Miller is listed as 6-3 243 and Matthews is listed as 6-2 235.

What they're listed at is one thing, but Miller looks a lot more like 223 than 243, and Matthews is very short. We'll see what their stats are at the Indy combine ?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

What they're listed at is one thing, but Miller looks a lot more like 223 than 243, and Matthews is very short. We'll see what their stats are at the Indy combine ?

That is why I said it was listed.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

The guy I'm watching is Dontay Moch from Nevada. 6-1 242, high motor guy.

"Moch had a lot of hype entering the season with his elite speed and athleticism, but he really has no clue how to play football, and on tape he reminded me of Vernon Gholston. He has absolutely no instincts and is very soft. He is the definition of a workout warrior. I'm not sold on him as an 3-4 rush linebacker either because he his instincts really hurt him and all he can do is use his first step and speed rush."
http://walterfootball.com/draft2011OLB3-4.php
Maybe you're right about Moch PK, but the Walter Draft guys aren't buying into it.

[itssharif]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

"Moch had a lot of hype entering the season with his elite speed and athleticism, but he really has no clue how to play football, and on tape he reminded me of Vernon Gholston. He has absolutely no instincts and is very soft. He is the definition of a workout warrior. I'm not sold on him as an 3-4 rush linebacker either because he his instincts really hurt him and all he can do is use his first step and speed rush."
http://walterfootball.com/draft2011OLB3-4.php

Maybe you're right about Moch PK, but the Walter Draft guys aren't buying into it.

Who knows hopefully that might be a blessing in disguise and we can grab em both (Miller and Moch). Can't have enough pass rushers and especially with the question marks around Connor Barwin now after his injury. Also if what John McClain has been saying is true for us about how Wade Phillips uses a DT/NT that's currently on rosters for all team's he comes to then that may not even be a position of need so we may not have to draft for it (though I disagree).

But at the end of the day in my dream scenario if it all played the way I'd want it to go it would be like this:

1- Von Miller OLB (assuming DT is assessed as to not being a position of need)

2- Rahim Moore FS

3- Dontay Moch OLB (if what Walter Football projects is accurate)

Free Agency- Nnamdi Asomugha CB (NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES)

I believe our offensive issues are going to be solved next year as long as Owen Daniels is re-signed and fully healthy. He's reliable in moving the chains as you can tell Schaub had a little bit of indecisiveness without him. The focus of the draft has to be and needs to be defense. My opinion.