Do we let Kevin Walter go?

[HPF Bob]

Kevin Walter is a free agent and while he's been productive, the Texans have a deep and expensive receiving corps. I've always felt Andre Davis was underutilized and Jacoby Jones stepped up big down the stretch. We met the offer sheet on Anderson so even he isn't cheap.

"Possession" receivers are not hard to come by and I think we can get by fine without him, essentially giving more playing time to the three backups. I also think that if we can get the OL solidified, we could win some battles having AJ, JJ and AD on the field together and throwing deep.

So, I guess you know my vote. We could spend the money elsewhere and find a 5th receiver in camp. We're going to be paying Schaub and Mario more money, have to re-up DeMeco and afford some better help for the defense.

But what say you?

[TheMatrix31]

If we have to, we have to. If we don't have to, we shouldn't.

[Roy P]

I think we could get by without Kevin Walter, Dunta Robinson, and even Owen Daniels. Conversely, I seriously hope that Chest Pitts gets healthy and comes back to assume his position on the OL so we can create some holes to run through.

[Arky]

I like KW and would truly miss the slow-white-boy-reverse.....

j/k

Seriously, I think if they resurrect the running game, he's (KW) an asset as a blocker and a #2 or rotation wideout. My #1-trim-the-fat cut is on the other side of the line.

AD I view as somewhat pricey "AJ insurance". Should AJ go down, AD can fill in full time and hopefully they would not miss too much of a beat... AD is also good on special teams.... As is KW (onsides kicks).

Not sure this is the year to tinker with the wide receiver corps so I voted "keep him"...

[barrett]

what does he make now? How much salary cap room do we have? There's a lot of questions I would want answered before answering this one.

I really like KW. He does everything at least OK (except run the reverse). He can go deep a bit. He scores touchdowns. He blocks great. And he catches everything thrown at him. I saw a stat on NFL network detailing the % of catchable passes a WR caught that were thrown his way. Walter was #1 at over 80%.

I see no reason to remove a guy who does everything you ask of him UNLESS it comes down to a "we can only keep one of these guys" type of situations. In which case I'd rather see the money spent on OD, Ryans, or Pitts, but if KW can stick around with those guys then I say absolutely.

[Nconroe]

of course Keith keeps a pretty book database on salaries and cap space on this web site with indexes to 2010 info to be updated soon at http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2009.html

seems Walters has a fair salary and if he reups reasonably we are in good shape to keep him

[James]

I voted yes on this, however; I feel as though the team would be better served to get Jacoby Jones more opportunities in 2010. He has the true ability to become a great 2nd option to Andre, and David Anderson, imho, has the opportunity to become a great "Welker" option in that offense. We are still BETTER with Walter, and in an uncapped season I see McNair keeping this team intact and possibly adding a key piece or two via free agency prior to and perhaps after the draft.

[popanot]

I'm on the fence on this one. I think we'd be fine without him and have stated many times this year that I'd like to see more JJ in the offense because he's a bigger homerun threat and would take some defensive attention off of AJ. I thought he played great when he got the chance at the end of the season. However, KW provides a proven starter and certainly quality depth. I'd be very reluctant to mess around with the depth on this team right now when they seem to be on the verge of good if not great things. It will probably come down to money and where they get the most bang for the buck.

To me, it comes down to if they feel JJ is ready to start. If the answer is yes, then it's not a priority to keep KW and they hopefully have (Anderson/AD/Martinez??) or find a decent backup. If the answer on JJ is no, then you do what you can - within reason - to keep KW.

[Mike]

Kubes loves Walter. He is good in the run game. If the contract is a fair deal for both sides, then I have no problem bringing him back.

[TheMatrix31]

I feel like Jacoby simply makes too many mistakes to truly rely on him as a second WR. He had such a great game last game, but had a terrible moment letting the ball go through his hand which ended up going for an interception.

[kravix]

In 2008 AJ and KW were the top WR tandem in the NFL.

Going into 2009 KW averaged 1 TD every 7.5 touches.

This year he was not nearly as productive in the red zone or in total yardage.

KW is a great run blocker however, which Kubiak really likes. I dont really look at him as a possesion guy though. Having a second reciever with 600-900 yards a season, in an offense which spreads the ball and throws to the TE alot seems like a damm good deal to me.

He may not have the explosiveness as JJ or AD but his consistency is not something to be overlooked, especially on a team struggling to maintian any consistency throughout a season.

[NBT]

I think the poll shows most people want Kevin Walters back. However, we can't keep all these good wide receivers, can we?

[edo783]

Originally Posted by NBT

I think the poll shows most people want Kevin Walters back. However, we can't keep all these good wide receivers, can we?

Why not??? We have them now, so what will radically change that would cause us to not be able to keep them? Dollars shouldn't be an issue as we have some room now and it will likely be an uncapped year so even more/max room.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by NBT

I think the poll shows most people want Kevin Walters back. However, we can't keep all these good wide receivers, can we?

Trade bait? We need hogs and DB's.....

[Big Texas]

I think Walter represents a valuable asset. Not just because of his ultra reliable hands because:

1. Jacoby's route running is not all that superb. He is simply a homerun threat at this point.

2. Walter is 6'3. He can really make the necessary adjustments to catch some of those lopsided throws that Matt makes from time to time.

3. If it aint broke don't mess with it.