For starters I would resign the following players:
SS- B.Pollard
MLB- D.Ryans
TE- O.Daniels
CB- D.Robinson
WR2- K.Walter
LG- C.Pitts (double checking on the injury of course but would still resign most probably anyway)
P- M.Turk (I'd ask him not to retire and please return)
In Free Agency this year I think the Texans ought to target:
DT- R.Seymour (OAK) (70% chance to get him in my opinion - he could be a huge signing because he could finally solidify the DT spot next to Amobi Okoye and give us some much needed time to find that young franchise stud DT)
RB/KR- L.Washington (NYJ) (40% chance to get him in my opinion - I don't believe S.Slaton needs to be completely overlooked by the team but just rightly guided so adding a L.Washington could help in the sense of complimenting him and then also bring in a big time threat that this team has been missing and that's in the Kick Return game. In general though if not him I do believe it should be a veteran RB as compared to one we get through the draft. This should be Steve Slaton's job to win back with a veteran who knows how to lead the way and be professional)
RG- J.Evans (NO) (15% chance to get him in my opinion - very unlikely that New Orleans will let him go but if he even sniffs the open market we should make sure to get him)
LE- J.Peppers (CAR) (5% chance to get him in my opinion - I don't see the )
Panthers giving him the franchise tender again but then again I don't see us being able to touch him in free agency either if he was to become available as one. I would only inquire if there is a reasonable trade possibility which would mean he got franchised yet again)
In the draft whether I attain these players or not I go for these players:
1st round FS- Taylor Mays (USC) (by all means necessary too, meaning trading up if need be to get this guy - a tandem with him and Bernard Pollard would solidy our secondary issues for good finally as this guy is tailor made for the FS position)
2nd round C- Matt Tennant (BC) (solid experience playing C for Boston College assisted Matt Ryan in pass protection and led rushing attack for Boston College when Matt Ryan got drafted - should be able to beat out C.Myers for the job making him a depth man, at the very least M.Tennant could be a very quality depth center)
3rd round DT - Vince Oghobaase (Duke) (has all the tools already and will dominate once he gains even more strength)
I'd say the Texans should be drafting for depth after this.
The Depth Chart would then look as such:
Offense
QB- M.Schaub / D.Orlovsky
RB- S.Slaton / L.Washington
FB- V.Leach / J.Casey
TE- O.Daniels / J.Dreesen / J.Casey
WR- A.Johnson / K.Walter / D.Anderson / J.Jones / A.Davis
LT- D.Brown / R.Butler
LG- C.Pitts / K.Studdard
C- M.Tennant (hopefully for all of Houston's sake) (draft) / C.Myers
RG- A.Caldwell / M.Brisel
RT- E.Winston / R.Butler
Defense
LE- A.Smith / C.Barwin (if J.Peppers came via trade I would make sure to include A.Smith in that deal - I know I know very unlikely)
DT1- R.Seymour (via free agency) / V.Ogobhasse (draft) / S.Cody
DT2- A.Okoye / V.Ogobhasse / D.Robinson
RE- M.Williams / T.Bulman
SLB- B.Cushing / K.Bentley
MLB- D.Ryans / K.Bentley
WLB- Z.Diles / X.Adibi
CB- D.Robinson / G.Quin / J.Reeves / B.McCain / F.Bennett
SS- B.Pollard / D.Barber
FS- T.Mays (draft) / E.Wilson
KR- L.Washington
PR- J.Jones
As of Dec. 23rd, 2009
Houston Texans Team Ranks
Total Off- 7
Pass Off- 2
Rush Off- 31
Total Def- 12
Pass Def- 12
Rush Def- 17
My Opinions of what would happen after the Draft and Free Agency class
Offense
With the additions of a capable center (M.Tennant), development of our RG (A.Caldwell), and return of our LG (C.Pitts) our team should be able to more consistently run the ball and keep up in pass protection. With the help of L.Washington and the return of S.Slaton to form we should have a dangerous combination of talent.
Defense
With the additions of a strong physical rangy Free Safety (Taylor Mays) and a dominant interior Defensive Tackle (R.Seymour & in the future V.Ogobhasse) our defense should be able to shore up the run defense even more and get more pressure on the quarterback as the interior of the pocket should collapse on more of a regular basis giving our defensive ends more chances at sacks and cornerbacks less time to have to hold their coverage and safety's capabilities to roam and react making all our DB's even more of a threat in the passing game.
Special Teams
For the most part we have had a very good special teams unit under special teams coach J.Marciano and the only thing that needs to get worked on is the KR game. L.Washington should be able to help in that department for us.
In Summary
With both the Offense & Defense having the capability of being in the top 10 legtitimately and potentially even top 5 if they have a good to exceptional year the only thing that could stop us would be the same thing that stopped us this year, turnovers. Other than that we would be absolutely beastly.
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