Texans Pick up Shaun Cody - 2-year deal
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4008922

Not bad IMO. Rick Smith is doing the same thing that he usually tries to do which is plug all the holes so that he is not pressured to reach for a need.

I thought we already had a Travis Johnson on the roster.

http://www.freep.com/article/2009032...s+with+Houston

Seems like just another body to me!

not sure about the three year part of the deal, but we'll have to see what the contract is. Just looking at the player...seems to be decent depth rotation type player. It seems like ther are always trying to get jack of all trade types instead of a prototype who is great in one area. Interchangeable Safeties. DT's who can move a little, but asking them to play a 2 gap style (which if they turn the line loose will be OK). The same interchangeable theory at OLB. I like that idea in theory if you can find the players, but it's hard to find guys who can excel in a multitude of areas. Sometimes it's OK if your NT is just a NT.

From the Chronic:

DANA POINT, Calif. — In their continuing effort to upgrade their defensive line, the Texans have reached a contract agreement with Shaun Cody, a free agent defensive tackle from Detroit.

Cody, 26, was the Lions' second-round pick in 2005. He started only 11 games in four years, including four last season.

When Cody signs his three-year contract that could be worth $6 million, he'll be the third free agent signed by the Texans. He'll join defensive end Antonio Smith and backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky as free agent additions to the roster.

Cody will compete for playing time with starters Amobi Okoye, Travis Johnson, DelJuan Robinson and Frank Okam


- No mention of guarrantee's, but $6MM for this guy? :eek:

Could be worth 6 million tells me it's gauranteed for less. If he doesn't work out I would guess it's a pretty pain free cut after year 1. Although with the collective bargaining agreement up in the air it's impossible to say. I'm still curious as to why they did three years though. It might just be a way for the agent to make it sound like he got his client a much better deal than he really did.


He's had a few years in the league to grow into the position (something I strongly believe is necessary at this position) so we could be getting him at the right time. Who knows?

This is one of those signings that I see a bunch of people getting upset about as being just another guy. That's what you are going to get this time of year. If he steps it up and upgrades the line play it's a great deal. If all he does is provide decent depth in the rotation then it's a solid signing. Not every free agent signing has to be, or can be, a home run.

I think Smith has done pretty well with these mid level free agents. Ferguson was solid last year, Wilson was solid, Andre Davis, Ryan Moats, etc.

Seems like another one of those signings to me.

Pretty much what I was thinking. Although, who knows...I've noticed that most DTs do have a tendency to take a good long while to develop. Maybe one of them will take a step up. Not that I'm holding my breath.

Just a depth guy to keep the rotation fresh. Meh, nothing to write home about, but should be OK.

Looking back at my notes. THR had Travis Johnson as the 11th best prospect in that draft and Shaun Cody was ranked 19th. Conversely, Mike Patterson was 40th, Chris Canty was 48th, and Luis Castillo was 59th. None of those 4 participated at the Combine, while Castillo was busted for Steroid use.

Now, these players have had different careers starting off, to say the least. However, we may be getting a talented player in Cody. Unlike Roosevelt Colvin and Ahman Green, he should still have something in the tank. I'm not going to say that this is a home run, but the risk appears to be low and the potential benefit is high.

We definitely needed to replace Zgonina and perhaps it would be nice to part ways with TJ. I think he's a bit of a loose cannon from what I see.

So, I'm on board with this signing. :)

I think Travis and Cody are similar type players... and I realize this statement will make some people hate him right off the bat. They have both both been mis-used as NT's and had similar combine numbers. Neither is big or strong enough to consistently tie up two blockers and push the pile from NT. I guess one possibility is they ask him to lose weight and play a similar role to Bullman as a hybrid DT/DE. Of course the obvious possibility is that he is TJ's competition. I don't think that the front office is looking to get rid of TJ anywhere near as much as the Fans are though. Cody's young enough where he still might blossom in the right situation/system, so it's a solid signing...not taking into account the contract.



What do you see in TJ that makes you think he's a loose cannon, and in what way do you mean. He's never been in trouble off the field that I can remember. I've never heard of any locker room problems with him. Kubiak called him out as needing to work a little harder when he first got here...and then followed that up with praise when TJ gave him what he asked for. He had a the personal fouls that one year, but a couple of them were bogus IMO. I just see an average to below average 3 technique who has been asked to play NT and who,for the last few of years, has played with a pretty high motor.

His spot needs to be upgraded. I won't argue that at all, but where does the "loose cannon" part come in?

He may even be an upgrade over TJ. His production is about the same across their carrers, his numbers were slightly better last year, and TJ has been a starter for 3 years where Cody hasnt. And Cody has played on a much more talented line.

They have both had 4 years, each with most of one lost to injuries. At this point I am hoping one of them shines, but at this point I would rather see us find some better starting talent.

At worst he is a good DL rotaion guy that can play either side.

The biggest question mark here is will that NT be played the way they have been or is Bush going to play them in a manner that better suits a light in the but NT.

Remember that Cody's best year in College came as a DE...they could look to use him in a similar way to Bullman.

Coming out of USC the report on Cody was that he was a quick, explosive DT who was best at shooting the gaps and struggled when he had to take on blocks, especially double teams -- very similar to Bulman's, although Cody was considered a much better prospect. I'm not sure how the Lions used Cody but he seemed like he'd be a perfect fit as the undertackle in Marinelli's defense. Obviously from the lack of production that didn't quite pan out.

As far as playing him much at DE, his short arms would probably make him a bad match up against NFL OTs. He'd probably have to do a lot of stunting and moving to keep them from getting their hands on him and neutralizing him.

Cody should be able to play some DT to keep Okoye fresh. Taking a look at my favorite defense, the Eagles have Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson, but drafted Trevor Laws to rotate into the mix. Obviously, there is no Bunkley in this draft, so we have to fill the DT rotation with bodies. If Okoye is Patterson, then Cody could be our Laws. Cody only had 4 start but was able to register 25 Tackles. Here's the stats....

Cody - 25 tackles, 4 GS
Okoye - 24 tackles, 12 GS
T. Johnson - 28 tackles, 14 GS

Bunkley - 47 tackles (34 Solo), 16 GS
Patterson - 42 tackles (28 Solo), 16 GS
Laws - 12 tackles, 0 GS

Can you see where I'm going with this?

We signed an upgrade at playing the run? (Upgrade of Zgonina at least). Maybe we are going to get serious about stopping run by attaching the backfield on 1st and 2nd down?

A man can dream, right? :o

We both have the same dream.

We all have that dream!

Yes, let's see all this young defensive talent mature and give us a top 10 or better defense this year. hope, pray, dream, wish, look forward to.