Aaron Schobel to the Texans?
 

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Rumors and reports are circulating that the Texans could sign Aaron Schobel this preseason if they want him. At this point, the Texans can not sign, contact, nor comment on Schobel because he is still officially a Buffalo Bill. John McClain has an informative article at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/7135755.html that details the situation. Essentially, the Bills will be releasing Schobel and because of Schobel’s relationship with Bill Kollar (Texans DL coach), and his farm in Colombus, Texas… he would like to play in Houston.

Schoble is 32 years old and has been a highly successful DE pass rusher and playmaker in his career. He has suffered a number of injuries that past few years, limiting his practice time and gameday snaps, but he has remained a pass rushing force. He only played five games in 2008 due to injuries but rebounded last season with 10 sacks in 16 games, while still hampered with knee/leg ailments (http://www.pro-football-reference.co...S/SchoAa99.htm).

He is an undersized, high energy DE. He has less than elite speed and strength but has a great motor and understands the finer points of the game. Though he is unlikely to remain and every down player, I think he would be highly effective in a DE rotation. The Texans have three DEs that are assured of making the roster: Mario, A.Smith, and Barwin. However, only Barwin is strictly an edge rusher. So, Schobel could certainly fit into the rotation. As a matter of a fact, it is a wonderful thought to imagine a 3rd and long with Schobel and Barwin lined up at DE and Mario and A. Smith both pinched in at DT. There are many combinations that could be effective, and I think a deeper rotation of the DL is something that will help the pass rush significantly. I know that Kollar believes in heavy rotation and keeping guys fresh and their motors running high (strange that Okoye had so many snaps last year under Kollar). I’m sure there will be more on this potential development soon. Essentially, his presence would push out at least two of the following DEs from the roster: Bulman, Jamison, Nading.

here’s a fun highlight from last season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7OAzUqlaHQ

He certainly kills us. If he doesn't take time away from Barwin's development, I'm all for it.

Didn't he play at Rice?

TCU.. and went to high school in Columbus, Tx.

Schobel will be a Texan in 24 Hours

I’m not Adam Schefter but my sources are as solid as ESPN’s sources saying “Bret Favre is retiring”. Multiple reports assert the Bills will cut Aaron Schobel today. Given the fact that the Bills GM is on record saying that they don’t want him on the team and given his huge contract, I am confident the reports are accurate.

Why do I have confidence he’s coming to Houston? Well, I am not always a believer in reports from John McClain. However, yesterday, McClain directly quoted Schobel saying that Houston is the team he wants to play for. McClain doesn’t make up quotes. When he is speculating or trying to fill newspaper/blog space, he will say “I think” or “I’m hearing”… Also, there seems to be some real momentum to this deal.

I think it is a great deal for the Texans. I’m not a guy who usually gets excited about big name free agents and 30+ year old veterans signing with my team but this move would make a ton of sense. The Texans have two pure edge rushers on their entire 80 man roster right now: Connor Barwin and Tim Jamison. Both players are young and somewhat unpolished. Antonio Smith is actually a better interior pass rusher and Mario, though he provides an excellent pass rush, is not a classic edge rusher.
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This would be a great short term signing. He does not have to play every down, can can rotate in to spell Mario and Antonio, as well as come in on obvious passing downs.

This would make our pass rush instantly better.

oh man. Can you imagine the push we'll get on 3rd and long with Mario and Smith on the inside and Barwin and Schobel on the outside? It's gonna be beautiful.

Not to be the pessimist of the bunch, but my guess he will use Rick Smith to get a better deal from the Patriots than he would normally get.

I mean really, a 33 year old defensive end? That is right up Belicheats alley.....

I hope I am wrong, but this seems to nice and neat for it to happen.

Who would have to be cut if we DID sign Schobel?

As far as the final 53.....Okam. This would push Antonio more inside more often, and Okam doesn't look like he will materialize.

Prior to that, probably someone we never heard of. Solomon had an article in the chronic about some rookie safety from Purdue, that is pretty much a kiss of death.

Ideal. Get it done, Rick!

As far as a spot taken, I guess it would be a DE we have now, and fourth DE is Bulman, who I'd hate to see go. High energy, great on special teams. And can play inside if required.

Since Schoebel played for Kollar before in Buffalo, Kollar would likely influence this decision a lot.

33 year old guys have flopped for us in past, but who knows, Scoebel had 10 sacks last year playing full time. if he's reduced to 3rd down only, likely not gonna be that much. He's smallish for DE, like 245.

This is the kinda guy New England has been getting past several years, but since Schoebel is from this area, this may his preference if they can work out the salary and incentives.

2010 uncapped rules don't allow the Patriots to offer a contract of more than $4 million a season because they were among the final 8 teams in the 2009 playoffs. It's confusing, but we would be able to outbid them rather easily, if we chose to... Plus, the Texans are younger, better, and closer to home.

I don't see a Schobel signing until camp is broken, he is on recorded as saying he will need two weeks to get game ready, so I look for him to sign around Aug 20th.

Or maybe it's just not gonna happen, atleast here in Houston no matter how logical some people think his signing here would be ?
And all of this talk about the Pats being in the running for Schobels services,
aren't they basically a 3-4 team and isn't Buffalos conversion to the 3-4 one of the reasons he's not there anymore ?

Every veteran that is released in the NFL is thought to be going to the Pats, am most of them do not. I really think few rumor mongers and most message board writers have little clue about the types of guys each team is looking for and what each player is looking for in the matter.

I am not going to worry on way or the other about the signing of Schobel, if we sign he will make the team better, IMO yes he will. But will he makes us better at a reasonable cost? That is the $4M to $8M question.

Being 4 deep at DE is better than when we are 3 deep, and Mario having more plays off can only be a good thing.

I read that Schobel has enrolled his kids in school in Columbus so... take that for what you will?

Unfortunately....not much. At the most the dude is going to play another year, and if it isn't here, then it would likely be somewhere that he isn't going to retire to. One way or another, he is "stablizing" his family for the long term.

I for one, hope he plays, and plays here for a year. Don't know how it would work, but it would sure be a nice problem to have.

That could mean he is retiring since he has a ranch near there.

He went to high school in Columbus, and has lots of family there. I think he kinda wants to hang it up, but he's said he's a Texans fan. If he is, so are his kids, most likely. "Daddy, wouldn't it be cool if you were a Texan" can go an awful long way. Hell, no. 4 said he would've retired last year if his kids hadn't told him they wanted him to play, IIRC. I think the pats aren't in the running as much as the media thinks, since the 3-4 is a big reason why he wanted out of buffalo. That leaves us and the Seahawks. We're a better squad with better fans in a better stadium, AND we're close to home. Even taking off the battle red glasses, it just seems like too good a fit. Either he plays here, or he retires. I'd call it a coinflip at worst.

For the record, I think I can see a clear spot for him on this team this year and at least next. It is hard for anyone to turn down multiple million dollars for 4-5 months work. His presence would make a difference in our playoff chase. I am sure he is aware of that. He might have an enormous effect on Barwin's schooling also.