Texans FA Tracker

[barrett]

I'm not saying a trade won't happen. I'm saying a trade won't happen unless it's to the place Romo wants to go, because no team will employ him with that contract. So no trade happens without his say so and ensuing renegotiation.

So he will pick his team either via trade or FA.

By the way I'm fine with sending a late conditional pick if he wants to come here.

[chuck]

Of course. His contract is not tradable. Anyone trading for him would have to rework it, and I'm sure he'd want to rework it, too, because if I recall correctly virtually none of it is guaranteed.

If the Texans want him and he wants to be a Texan the easiest and surest way to do it is capitulate to Mr Glitter and send that asshat a pick.

[Arky]

I think the Texans are gonna wait, here. I don't think they want anything to do with giving Jerrah a pick or dealing with Romo's present contract. I think they're interested but any deals will be on their terms.....

I like Mahomes but he's very raw and (IMO) will need much NFL schooling. He just flat out looks young, like he's still 18 or 19. Good arm, though...

McClain thinks if they get Romo, they'll still draft a QB. I think it will be one or the other.... Next year's QB class is supposed to be better....

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

I think the Texans are gonna wait, here. I don't think they want anything to do with giving Jerrah a pick or dealing with Romo's present contract. I think they're interested but any deals will be on their terms.....

I like Mahomes but he's very raw and (IMO) will need much NFL schooling. He just flat out looks young, like he's still 18 or 19. Good arm, though...

McClain thinks if they get Romo, they'll still draft a QB. I think it will be one or the other.... Next year's QB class is supposed to be better....

That's what they said a year ago. A year ago Watson was the crown jewel. The longer these college QBs are in the spotlight, the longer we get to find things wrong with them. And the longer you wait to draft a QB, the longer you are good but going nowhere like most of our last decade.

The last QB we drafted in the first 2 rounds was David Carr. In the last 10 drafts we have used a 4th, 5th, and 7th on 3 QBs. During that same time the Patriots have had GOAT Tom Brady and still used a 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, and 7th on 5 QBs.

And right now we are hoping to be lucky enough to sign a guy who played 4 of the last 32 games and lost his job to a 5th round rookie (who we could have drafted). The Patriots still have Brady and have a cheap young guy that a dozen teams would probably prefer to their starter.

If we don't draft a QB we ought to forfeit the franchise.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

In the last 10 drafts we have used a 4th, 5th, and 7th on 3 QBs. During that same time the Patriots have had GOAT Tom Brady and still used a 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, and 7th on 5 QBs.

I'd just like to highlight this post for its excellence and to underscore the difference between an organization run by people who want to win and an organization run by people who are content to milk money out of ignorant necks.

Buford's all-time favorite Texans quarterback was drafted in the third round, you know. Good old Dave Ragone. Second round pick that year? Anyone? That's right, Bennie Joppru, tight end. I believe he has as many catches for the Texans as I do. Other third rounders that year? The team had three for some reason. Seth Wand, who is, by far, the best Texan ever from Northwest Missouri State, and Antwan Peek, who is nowhere near the best Texan pass rusher from Cincinnati.

To be fair, Rasputin somehow picked Andre Johnson that draft. Of course word was he wanted Willis McGahee instead. Drafting a running back third overall seems like a very Rasputin thing to do. But in that draft he also selected Domanick Whateverhisnameis, who had a couple of pretty good years for the team, which is about right for a running back, which is why it is generally insane to draft one at number three overall.

Look at me. I'm slowly turning into Buford, lecturing all seven of us about shit everybody knows that happened years and years ago. Kids born the year AJ was drafted would be terrifyingly close to being able to drive a motor vehicle on public roadways by now. Hey, get off Buford's lawn! Oh, I forgot, Buford doesn't have a lawn. Step away from Buford's LeSabre! Put his cassettes back where you found them, you punks!

[Keith]

I think all seven of us think this too is an excellent post.

Like a generation of children who had never known a white president until two months ago, there is a generation of children who have never seen the Texans draft a first or second round quarterback.

#DoItForTheKids

[chuck]

#DoItForTheKids

#FinallyAWhitePresidentWhatTookSoLong

#PutThatLeoSayerGreatestHitTapeBackWhereYouGotIt

[HPF Bob]

smh

Truth be told, the Texans (either Casserly or Smith) have been rancid with their second and third round picks since the beginning in 2002. Technically, their best one was Demeco Ryans but since he was the first pick of the second round, my brain made him an honorary first-rounder.

We gave up a pair of seconds to get Schaub which was either genius or retarded depending how you felt about the Schaub years and about the value of second-rounders.

Watson could use some polish but he has been the main cog in two runs at the National Championship so we know he plays/produces in big games. The other QBs we're discussing have never even sniffed a big game, much less stepped up in one. If he were an inch or two taller, Watson would be up there with Cam Newton.

This whole situation is so bad, I'm starting to warm to the idea of signing Jay Cutler, insulin pump and all.

[popanot]

I'd go so far as to draft 2 QBs this draft. One high (perhaps Mahomes) and one later (perhaps Webb or Kayaa) and may the best one win an opportunity. We piss away late picks on players that never amount to anything so why not gamble on QBs? Shoot, we might just get lucky where one is the franchise answer and the other brings some future trade value or is at least a serviceable backup.

It's mindboggling to see how many QBs this franchise has passed on over the last 5yrs. They drafted one a few years ago (Savage) and then never gave him a real shot at playing other than when they finally realized they had the worst QB in the league. If Savage has been that bad or questionable over the years, then why is he on the roster? If you didn't think Savage had a shot, why would you not take a draft flyer on a QB from a major program and who's had fairly good college success like a Cousins, Dak or McCarron? Romo fits the mindset of this franchise so perfectly you know it's happening (and will likely be an immense failure).

[Joshua]

Kudos to Barrett for compiling the draft picks used by the Texans and Patriots on QBs during the Tom Brady era. I actually was wondering this very thing the other day but never got around to looking it up.

At this point, I'm completely perplexed by the Texans. They've botched the QB position at a Cleveland Brown-level for virtually their entire existence. And there is no doubt that they have squandered 2nd and 3rd round picks by the bushel. But I'll be damned if it's not a pretty good roster aside for the QB position (which I admit is kinda like saying "other than that, how was the play, Ms. Lincoln?").

For instance, one of the discussions I've had with some friends lately is what team would you trade rosters with, if you leave out the QB position. We were all having a hard time finding one. Maybe Denver? Pittsburgh? This is all to say I don't know what to make of the Texans. While I can find plenty to fault them for, if they somehow stumbled into an above-average QB, I think they're one of the best teams in the league.

[HPF Bob]

What was so bad about Weeden? All he did was win when we gave him a chance. I don't think we are finding our QBTF this year. We're just looking for someone to give us a fair shot in the postseason.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

What was so bad about Weeden? All he did was win when we gave him a chance. I don't think we are finding our QBTF this year. We're just looking for someone to give us a fair shot in the postseason.

The Texans would have won the Super Bowl last year with average quarterback play. Who is average? Savage? Weeden? Cutler? I don't know, but the team sure as hell needs to find one, quick.

If they somehow found a quarterback that could win games for you? Well, I have no idea what that would be like.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

What was so bad about Weeden? All he did was win when we gave him a chance. I don't think we are finding our QBTF this year. We're just looking for someone to give us a fair shot in the postseason.

That is how bad franchises operate. "Why bother with a QB when we might get a guy off the scrap heap to be average?"

That is how you end up bad at QB for a decade instead of a season.

[Arky]

They were making the point yesterday on the radio yesterday that we Texan fans seem to look at the drafts in a vacuum - and we do. Compare the Texans recent drafts to any other team.....nobody has perfect drafts.

True, not too many QB's drafted in the last 10 years but you have Senor Schaub taking up about 7 of those years. He wasn't losing his starters job especially with Kubes in command. Following that era, you got OB trying to convince us that Fitz/Hoyer/Mallett, et al were good QB's. So, post-Schaub, they've tried to fill the position - they're just not very good at it.... All this culminated with the Oz mistake - heavily paying for a guy who was unable to dink & dunk.

So, while we're all honing our critiques, how would YOU fix the QB position?

Draft? A young guy will most likely will need a year or two to develop.... Romo? Kinda broken...
Savage?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

They were making the point yesterday on the radio yesterday that we Texan fans seem to look at the drafts in a vacuum - and we do. Compare the Texans recent drafts to any other team.....nobody has perfect drafts.

True, not too many QB's drafted in the last 10 years but you have Senor Schaub taking up about 7 of those years. He wasn't losing his starters job especially with Kubes in command. Following that era, you got OB trying to convince us that Fitz/Hoyer/Mallett, et al were good QB's. So, post-Schaub, they've tried to fill the position - they're just not very good at it.... All this culminated with the Oz mistake - heavily paying for a guy who was unable to dink & dunk.

So, while we're all honing our critiques, how would YOU fix the QB position?

Draft? A young guy will most likely will need a year or two to develop.... Romo? Kinda broken...
Savage?

Yes we had Schaub. And the patriots had TOM BRADY and kept drafting QBs. That was my point. It's almost like a GM ought to consider more than just the current year. You don't not draft a rookie because he will take a year to develop. You draft a rookie now BECAUSE he will take a year or two to develop.

It's embarrassing we're this bad at QB. It's more embarrassing how little we've done to try fixing that.

So what would I do? I'd draft a QB on the first 2 days of the draft every year until I had one that could win a super bowl for me. Then after I had that one, I'd still draft one every other year or 3, because decent backup QBs cost tons of money on the market but are cheap to draft. I guess I'd consider copying the team that beats the rest of the league every year.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

Yes we had Schaub. And the patriots had TOM BRADY and kept drafting QBs. That was my point. It's almost like a GM ought to consider more than just the current year. You don't not draft a rookie because he will take a year to develop. You draft a rookie now BECAUSE he will take a year or two to develop.

Ya, all those drafted Patriot QB's and how much game time did they see? Cassel got some time one year during a Brady injury, that's about it. "2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, and 7th on 5 QBs". At least they had good seats to watch the GOAT. I'm guessing during the Schaub era, the Texans figured other areas of the team needed attention....

Besides Garapollo, not too many people are coveting back-up Patriot QB's. Well, except for the Texans... Cassel/Hoyer/Mallett, meh..

It's embarrassing we're this bad at QB. It's more embarrassing how little we've done to try fixing that.

I'm not embarrassed. That's their ****-up, not mine.

So what would I do? I'd draft a QB on the first 2 days of the draft every year until I had one that could win a super bowl for me. Then after I had that one, I'd still draft one every other year or 3, because decent backup QBs cost tons of money on the market but are cheap to draft.

That may or may not work. Worst case, you turn into Cleveland. Best case, you find one - possibly a gem like Dak Prescott (who I will be very interested to watch in his sophomore season).... They really should draft one this year. Just hope whoever he is can see some action before the defense goes into a down-cycle...

I guess I'd consider copying the team that beats the rest of the league every year.

Well, we are New England South afterall. All we lack is the GOAT coach and the GOAT QB....

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

Ya, all those drafted Patriot QB's and how much game time did they see? Cassel got some time one year during a Brady injury, that's about it. "2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, and 7th on 5 QBs". At least they had good seats to watch the GOAT. I'm guessing during the Schaub era, the Texans figured other areas of the team needed attention.

In 2015 New England probably had the best team but they stumbled late, blew home field, and couldn't go on the road and win at Denver in the playoffs.

This year they played 4 games without Brady and two of those drafted QBs won games in a 3-1 start (Brissett crushed us). If they go 0-4 with a veteran castoff at QB they don't get home field and their odds of winning the superbowl plummet.

But forget those wins. The main point is that you hope you never need your backup QB, but as a GM you think moves ahead. You don't just look at this year's roster. You don't just look at your starting QB. You have backup plans for your backup plans. You don't plan for your GOAT QB to play at this level until he's 40, but you're happy when your plan to replace him at 38 turns out to be unneeded.

The bottom line is a competent team never gets caught out at QB. They never don't know who's supposed to take snaps next year and the year after. They don't try to fill gaps at QB like you do at CB with guys off the street.

There are maybe 20 guys in the world who can play NFL QB, and you treat the position like that. You don't try to hide a guy there like you might hide your 4th CB.

It's a QB league. If you have one you have a chance, if you don't, you're wasting time. I wish we'd stop wasting time.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

In 2015 New England probably had the best team but they stumbled late, blew home field, and couldn't go on the road and win at Denver in the playoffs.

This year they played 4 games without Brady and two of those drafted QBs won games in a 3-1 start (Brissett crushed us). If they go 0-4 with a veteran castoff at QB they don't get home field and their odds of winning the superbowl plummet.

But forget those wins. The main point is that you hope you never need your backup QB, but as a GM you think moves ahead. You don't just look at this year's roster. You don't just look at your starting QB. You have backup plans for your backup plans. You don't plan for your GOAT QB to play at this level until he's 40, but you're happy when your plan to replace him at 38 turns out to be unneeded.

The bottom line is a competent team never gets caught out at QB. They never don't know who's supposed to take snaps next year and the year after. They don't try to fill gaps at QB like you do at CB with guys off the street.

There are maybe 20 guys in the world who can play NFL QB, and you treat the position like that. You don't try to hide a guy there like you might hide your 4th CB.

It's a QB league. If you have one you have a chance, if you don't, you're wasting time. I wish we'd stop wasting time.

I got your point a long time ago. Yep, the Texans have neglected the QB position via the draft.

You want Brissett? I don't.

I can defend them during the Schaub era. We had TJ Yates for most of that time. TJ was serviceable when Schaub had health problems.

But then Schaub and Kubes were both gone. Enter OB. We get Fitz and maybe OB is a little reluctant to take Garoppolo @ 2.1 that year. First gig, first draft, maybe he doesn't want to get himself tied to Jimmy Garoppolo (who was a total unknown at that point - small school guys sometimes don't get the NFL). The following year, a lot of us had high hopes for Mallett while Hoyer was OB's choice (the Hard Knocks year). And then we got Brock last year.

So, I understand why they did what they did. In each instance, the QB "problem" was thought to be solved. But there really is no excuse for not drafting a high round QB over the last 3 years.... A lot of us liked Prescott last year but they had just signed Brock. Hindsight now says they shoulda pulled the trigger....

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

I got your point a long time ago. Yep, the Texans have neglected the QB position via the draft.

You want Brissett? I don't.

I can defend them during the Schaub era. We had TJ Yates for most of that time. TJ was serviceable when Schaub had health problems.

But then Schaub and Kubes were both gone. Enter OB. We get Fitz and maybe OB is a little reluctant to take Garoppolo @ 2.1 that year. First gig, first draft, maybe he doesn't want to get himself tied to Jimmy Garoppolo (who was a total unknown at that point - small school guys sometimes don't get the NFL). The following year, a lot of us had high hopes for Mallett while Hoyer was OB's choice (the Hard Knocks year). And then we got Brock last year.

So, I understand why they did what they did. In each instance, the QB "problem" was thought to be solved. But there really is no excuse for not drafting a high round QB over the last 3 years.... A lot of us liked Prescott last year but they had just signed Brock. Hindsight now says they shoulda pulled the trigger....

I said nothing about liking Brissett.

Again, how would Schaub's or Yates' presence mean you weren't looking for the QB of the future? Why would Mallett or any of the castoffs paraded through here affect what we do at QB? Why would you believe a guy in the league that nobody wanted would suddenly fill the need like we're talking about stealing reps at dime back with a street FA? Why would $72 million to Brock affect drafting a QB like Prescott with our 5th rounder? There is almost no way to pay a QB less than to draft a guy in the 5th round. We ought to have a day 3 QB as our 3rd stringer every year on the chance we like one and have a super cheap backup.

I seriously don't understand how you can look at what we've done and say "I get it."

[HPF Bob]

I keep reading this and thinking "Boy weren't we stupid not to have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick?" The Patriots didn't have a QB controversy because they got lucky on Tom Brady before the Texans were even in the league (!!!). Without Brady, they could recycle all the QBs they wanted and look just as bad as we do. And we've seen up close what the Patriot assistants bring to the table without Belichick to lead them - not exactly MENSA members.

I think everyone is in agreement that Osweiler was a mistake and that getting veteran QBs wasn't as smart as perhaps using a top pick to grab one of their own (IMO, Teddy Bridgewater was the most logical choice out of the past three years).

The problem is that we're at the worst drafting position (25th) and in a bad QB class to be thinking about drafting a franchise QB. A good one would be long gone and a crappy one likely just be a ticket for more crap.

Someone asked "what would you do?" As of March 18th, my straategy is this:

1) Sign Jay Cutler to a 2-year deal that is manageable within the cap. Don't expect a lot but know you have a guy who can run an offense and make the big play on occasion.

2) With the 25th pick in the draft, get the best LT candidate out there regardless who else is on the board. In order, that would be Ramczyk, Robinson and Bolles. From the mocks, I don't think they'll all be gone by #25.

3) With the second-round pick, get the best QB candidate on the board which I am hoping and praying will be Davis Webb. I might even get itchy and trade up for Webb with my extra fourth if he gets close enough.

If by some crazy coincidence, DeShaun Watson lasts until #25, I'll take Watson and get my OT in the second (Roderick Johnson a possibility).

Nothing else matters besides securing a current and future QB and finding a LT. Everything else can wait until that is settled.