The cuts, final roster, practice squad 2015

[Keith]

Originally Posted by chuck

I honestly don't see any surprises here.

It's almost as if an entire recent draft's worth of players were completely ineffective.

Oh wait, the 2014 Texans draft. These cuts would have been much more painful and possibly surprising had the 2014 draft been worth a darn.

For the most part, save for QB, the starters (when healthy) on this team are decent, and on defense they are actually contenders. But the lack of depth all over is troublesome.

[HPF Bob]

I presume they will sign a 3rd quarterback, perhaps one for the practice squad, and just IR Savage.

[Arky]

Cut by Texans, Louis Nix claimed by Giants, Kourtnei Brown to Buccaneers, Ferentz to Broncos.

Cut by the Texans, nose tackle Louis Nix III was awarded to the New York Giants off waivers.

Meanwhile, outside linebacker Kourtnei Brown was awarded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off waivers and center-guard James Ferentz to the Denver Broncos.

A former third-round draft pick, Nix was cut by the Texans this year after spending his entire rookie season on injured reserve with wrist and knee issues.

Nix was beaten out for a roster spot by former Rice defensive lineman Christian Covington.

Nix is entering the second year of a four-year, $2.85 million contract that includes a $575,272 signing bonus

A former blue-chip recruit from Jacksonville, Fla., who chose Notre Dame over Miami, Florida State and Florida, Nix had 50 tackles, 7 ½ for losses and two sacks in 2012 before his senior year was cut short in 2013 due to a torn meniscus in his knee that required arthroscopic surgery. Nix ran the 40-yard dash in 5.42 seconds at the NFL scouting combine and only had a 25 ½ inch vertical leap and an 8-1 broad jump.

Brown, cut previously by the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams, was on the Texans’ practice squad last year and signed to a reserve-future deal.

Brown led the Texans with three preseason sacks and also returned an interception for a touchdown. However, he had some key breakdowns as a run-stopper and allowed long outside runs with at least one for a touchdown against the Saints.

Ferentz is the son of highly-respected Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. The Texans had wanted to add him to their practice squad.

Meanwhile, outside linebackers Lynden Trail (quadriceps) and Tony Washington (chest) cleared waivers and are now on the Texans’ injured reserve list.

Wide receiver and return specialist Chandler Worthy has joined the Texans’ practice squad list, as will running back Kenny Hilliard and several other players cut by the Texans who have cleared waivers.

The Texans are also expected to sign safeties Kurtis Drummond and Corey Moore to the practice squad.

aaron.wilson@chron.com

[Arky]

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL · 1m1 minute ago
Cut by Texans, cornerback Charles James joins Ravens' practice squad http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...ractice-squad/ …

[Arky]

Texans’ practice squad includes Zac Dysert, Max Bullough, Chandler Worthy, Kurtis Drummond, Kenny Hilliard

The Texans have signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Zac Dysert to their practice squad.

Dysert broke most of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s passing records at Miami of Ohio.

He was drafted in the seventh round by the Broncos two years ago. He was beaten out during the preseason by Trevor Siemian, a rookie from Northwestern, for the Broncos’ third quarterback job.

Wide receiver and return specialist Chandler Worthy has also joined the Texans’ practice squad.

Inside linebacker Max Bullough has been signed to the Texans’ practice squad along with safeties Kurtis Drummond and Corey Moore and defensive end Dan Pettinato. All of the players were with the Texans during training camp.

The Texans also signed former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad and offensive guard Karim Barton. Barton is a 6-foot-, 313-pound former Browns offensive guard from Morgan State.

Tomlinson is known as a strong blocking tight end who played collegiately at Texas-El Paso who caught 59 career passes for 547 yards and touchdowns. Tomlinson went to Klein High School where he was a two-year starter in football who also was on the basketball team and a member of the National Honor Society.

Tomlinson was an All-Conference USA honorable mention selection two seasons ago who caught 30 passes for 304 yards.

The Texans also signed running back Kenny Hilliard, their seventh-round draft pick from LSU, to the practice squad.

The Texans can sign up to 10 players to the practice squad under the NFL collective bargaining agreement.

Although undersized, Worthy has 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash and was an accomplished return specialist and wide receiver at Troy University.

“I just look at it like a blessing,” Worthy said. “They gave me the opportunity to stay and get better and continue to grow. I’m able to play a game I love on a team where I have pretty good relationships.

“The team kind of told me my weaknesses and what I need to work on. They told me they see the potential of what I can be. I need to work on the little things and correct them and continue to improve.”

aaron.wilson@chron.com
twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL

[popanot]

I'm surprised they cut Brown, somewhat surprised they cut James. I thought Brown played well enough and showed enough promise to at least keep him on the roster and see if he develops. James seemed to be a good ST player and could provide spot duties at CB if in a bind. I would have gambled KMart's spot and/or the now available 3rd QB spot for either of those guys.

As it is, I'm surprised a lot of these guys are deciding to sign with other teams. I know these are fringe players, but could there be something more to it (like BOB is a complete arse away from the HBO cameras)?

[WMH]

Vic Carucci ‏@viccarucci 3m3 minutes ago
Hearing #Bills offered a better deal to Matt Cassel than #Texans w bonus structure that could potentially recoup most of lost pay.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by popanot

As it is, I'm surprised a lot of these guys are deciding to sign with other teams. I know these are fringe players, but could there be something more to it (like BOB is a complete arse away from the HBO cameras)?

I wondered about this, too. Might be one or more of these:

1. That yep, OB is a complete arse away from the cameras. These guys may have been led on or promised something right up until the day they were cut.

2. The players may have realized that signing with the Texans PS was a dead end. Could be a coach (for example, Vrabel seems somewhat difficult to work with) or the depth at their position that may have encouraged them to seek employment elsewhere.

3. I believe PS guys can make more than the minimum. If a team offers you say, 10K more to be on their PS, you probably take it. Plus, it's nice to feel wanted.

4. The Hard Knocks factor. These guys got excellent exposure to the other 31 teams which allowed them to be showcased league wide. Along with James, Nix and Brown who cut bait, I think EZ is now on the Dolphin PS. So, that's (at least) four who migrated to another team which has to be a Texans record....