LB Cato June to Visit (Signed 1-yr, $500k bonus)

[Keith]

I'm kinda excited about this. I think June still has something left in the tank and has been undervalued by the league.

The Texans have agreed to a contract with free agent outside linebacker Cato June. He will sign a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, including a $500,000 signing bonus. The deal could be worth as much as $2 million. ...

June, 29, is 6-0, 227. He'll compete with Xavier Adibi for the starting job on the weak side. June had 63 tackles, including 49 unassisted, for the Buccaneers last season. ...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6358781.html

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Keith

I'm kinda excited about this. I think June still has something left in the tank and has been undervalued by the league.

Well, he is a cheap veteran presence. I'm almost as excited as I was about the Roosevelt Colvin signing. Maybe he'll pay off.

[jppaul]

I actually like this alot, I think it is these signings that make Smtih worth his salary. We have gotten some pretty good players from these signings.

[NBT]

Maybe I'll warm up to the Cato June signing when TC starts and I find out he's not just another Roosevelt Colvin looking for a place to flop.

[nunusguy]

I dunno but dosen't this have significant implications for our Draft strategy, namely that WIL is no longer the priority that it was before this signing ?

[barrett]

Basically we have done our best to allow a wide open, talent driven draft board next month, and a competitive camp in August. Both are good things.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by barrett

Basically we have done our best to allow a wide open, talent driven draft board next month, and a competitive camp in August. Both are good things.

Agreed. Only backup RB remains to be addressed really, that and maybe a Sam.

As for the Colvin vibes, totally different imo. Colvin was a 31-yr old pass rusher who wasn't consistently healthy. I think June, who's more of an asset in pass coverage, ought to be able to make some plays... just not in the backfield. I like the veteran depth so long as they have the guys they need on special teams.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I dunno but dosen't this have significant implications for our Draft strategy, namely that WIL is no longer the priority that it was before this signing ?

Maybe and maybe not.

Did signing Antonio Smith make us less likely to draft a DE?

Did signing Shaun Cody make DT less of a priority?

Perhaps matching David Anderson's offer made us less likely to draft a WR?

If for some reason Clay Matthews, Everette Brown, B.J. Raji, and Jeremy Maclin are available at #15 - I don't know if ANY of the FA signings will preclude us from drafting the player we had ranked highest.

This just makes it less painful if we don't get a guy we thought we might in the later rounds.

For example, I recently ran a mock where I drafted Maclin in the 1st with the thought that I'd be able to get a player like Gerald McGrath later on. However, he and comparable players were off the board when I went looking for a WLB.

So, I would say that the WILL is still a priority. However, if the chips don't land the way we hope on draft day, we won't be caught with our pants down.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Maybe and maybe not.

Did signing Antonio Smith make us less likely to draft a DE?

Did signing Shaun Cody make DT less of a priority?

Perhaps matching David Anderson's offer made us less likely to draft a WR?

If for some reason Clay Matthews, Everette Brown, B.J. Raji, and Jeremy Maclin are available at #15 - I don't know if ANY of the FA signings will preclude us from drafting the player we had ranked highest.

.

No, but each of those signings made it less likely that we would reach for one of those positions or try to maneuver in the draft in order to get to a position. Each move allows a little more freedom on draft day.

I'd go as far as to say only RB and OC/OG absolutely must be addressed on draft day. Certainly there are many things I'd like to see but those are the only two positions where we really don't have quality NFL depth.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Maybe and maybe not.

Did signing Antonio Smith make us less likely to draft a DE?

Did signing Shaun Cody make DT less of a priority?

Perhaps matching David Anderson's offer made us less likely to draft a WR?

If for some reason Clay Matthews, Everette Brown, B.J. Raji, and Jeremy Maclin are available at #15 - I don't know if ANY of the FA signings will preclude us from drafting the player we had ranked highest.

This just makes it less painful if we don't get a guy we thought we might in the later rounds.

For example, I recently ran a mock where I drafted Maclin in the 1st with the thought that I'd be able to get a player like Gerald McGrath later on. However, he and comparable players were off the board when I went looking for a WLB.

So, I would say that the WILL is still a priority. However, if the chips don't land the way we hope on draft day, we won't be caught with our pants down.

The answer to all of those questions is in the affirmative. Of course the emphasis in this upcoming Draft on all of those position is reduced unless we want to emulate the Detroit Lions who seemed to never tire of using their first round pick on a single position - WR ? But there's also degrees in each situation, e.g. Anderson doesn't repressnt a major cap investment while Smith does.
For lack of a better term, I don't think it's "politically" possible (or atleast it's very unlikely) that we draft a DE with our first pick. On the other hand I fully expect us to do just that with our 2nd or thirds round pick. The problem is we made a substantial investment in DE Smith while still not solving our basic problem of providing another major pass-rushing threat. We're gonna have to do better than Bulman and Nadin.
Of that foursome you listed I'd think the most difficult player for the Texans to leave on the Board would be Raji, pot-head allegations and all.