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.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by 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.

How many years are you talking about? I mean, even Andrew Luck (the most pro-ready guy in years and your own example) has had a learning curve and while he has been successful, he still wasn't ready to lead his team to the promise land in his first 2 years. So, unless you think Bortles or Manziel is going to take 5 years, I don't think the pace of their development is much of an issue.

To me, it's virtually impossible for any QB to come in and be good enough to win a Super Bowl in his first couple years (although Wilson was just the exception). It's generally going to be year 3 or 4 when they're ready to do that. What having a more pro-ready QB the first couple of years gets you is maybe a little better success in those first 2 years (i.e., 9 wins instead of 7). In other words, Bridgewater may win a couple more games than Manziel or Bortles the first couple of years because he's more ready, but at the end of the day, none are likely to win it all in their first couple of years and assuming they actually pan out, will all likely reach the point where they can lead a team deep into the playoffs at about the same time. So, if your ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl, how good they're going to be in their first 2 years is not terribly relevant in my mind.

[Warren]

Cancel the reunion plans -- Cassel has re-signed with the Vikings.

[Keith]

Any QB's agent is bound to use the Texans as a potential suitor through the media. The Texans have been verrrry quiet in using the media in the past, and I doubt the hiring of BOB changes that.

[Nconroe]

Sounds like DT Earl Mitchell off to Dolphins. 4 yrs / 16 mil. Good for him.

[Warren]

The well-traveled (but very effective last year) Josh McCown reportedly has a visit with the Texans scheduled if he makes it out of Tampa Bay without signing.

[Nconroe]

I was hoping they could keep antonio Smith around as one of better entertainers on the team.

[Nconroe]

Just saw this on news where Texans didn't make qualifying offer to three RFAs, so they are now FAs. OLB Bryan Braman, DE Terrell McClain and WR Lestar Jean.

[popanot]

Per Twitter... Eagles sure like our players.

Eagles signed former Texans LB Bryan Braman to a two-year, $3.15 million deal, including $1 million guarnteeed via @seanstellato.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

Per Twitter... Eagles sure like our players.

That is the first one I am truly disappointed to see go.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by barrett

That is the first one I am truly disappointed to see go.

Because why? Braman played his heart out on special teams, but iirc he was accountable (under Marciano, yes) for a couple big missed tackles and seemed very limited when given time playing on defense.

I left the 2013 season feeling like he was overrated. That is a lot of money to pay for a special teams player that neither kicks nor punts (or even long snaps).

[Nconroe]

Seems if we let everyone go who missed a tackle or two last year we will need to release everybody.

So was it one or two big plays a game but easy to fix back to 10-6 or are we into major rebuild?

I'm favoring the not that hard to fix for now.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

but iirc he was accountable (under Marciano, yes) for a couple big missed tackles...

'Responsible' I think is what you mean.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

Because why? Braman played his heart out on special teams, but iirc he was accountable (under Marciano, yes) for a couple big missed tackles and seemed very limited when given time playing on defense.

I left the 2013 season feeling like he was overrated. That is a lot of money to pay for a special teams player that neither kicks nor punts (or even long snaps).

I am disappointed because I liked him. I wouldn't pay him that money and I think he was limited on defense. But he was fun.

[painekiller]

When you know his life story, you have to be happy he got a nice payday. But iirc he is a four year vet, or is going to be, and don't they get close to $1M a year anyway?