FA to target this off season

[TrickyTexan]

wouldnt mind trading for Carlos Rodgers (Washington Redskins) if we are unable to bring back Dunta or choose to go elsewhere. He is being made available for draft picks. I would think a 3rd rounder should bring him over.

[studogg]

First, I think the FA signings have been so poor because of the limited amount of money to spend, coupled with mediocre free agent classes. While this FA pool does seem top heavy with talent, the cost is probably higher than we should be willing to concede at this point. IOW, forget Fat Albert, Salt N' Peppers, and Awesome WAAA!

If we resign Dunta, given our track record of recent draft picks, I would be good with signing someone like Bert Berry and drafting a DE. Bert fits the traditional Rick Smith mold of FA signings (old, injured and with Denver connections) and has Houston/Humble connections. He's also pretty damn serviceable as a rotation player. This could also leave enough to sign a complimentary RB to mix with Slaton.

then draft d all the way.

$0.02

[TrickyTexan]

or picking up Carlos Rodgers from the skins who is apparently on the trade block.

[nunusguy]

As far as their needs in free agency, they’re the same as the draft. The Texans need a pass rusher or two, preferably an end. Because Williams is comfortable on the right side, undersized ends don’t fit their needs. They need an end who can play over the tight end and rush from the left side.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6245451.html
********************************************
In this Chron article, John McClain comments about Texan FA/Draft priorities. All I can say is I hope this isn't true because it seems such a waste to make weakside and not strongside DE as Marios starting/regular position.
DEs with his size and strength who still have the quicks to rush from the edge and thereby be 3-down players on the strongside are few and far between. On the other hand there's a much larger population of the smaller variety (245-260 range) to choose from who can play the weakside where they don't need the size to contend with double-teams from the TE.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

As far as their needs in free agency, they’re the same as the draft. The Texans need a pass rusher or two, preferably an end. Because Williams is comfortable on the right side, undersized ends don’t fit their needs. They need an end who can play over the tight end and rush from the left side.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6245451.html
********************************************
In this Chron article, John McClain comments about Texan FA/Draft priorities. All I can say is I hope this isn't true because it seems such a waste to make weakside and not strongside DE as Marios starting/regular position.
DEs with his size and strength who still have the quicks to rush from the edge and thereby be 3-down players on the strongside are few and far between. On the other hand there's a much larger population of the smaller variety (245-260 range) to choose from who can play the weakside where they don't need the size to contend with double-teams from the TE.

That *has* to be a smokescreen. Keep in mind, McClain is known as a kind of parrot for the organization, so if they want to get some misleading information out there you'd think it'd come from him.

I do like what he has to say about LB though. I think we need to get bigger and more athletic at both OLB spots. If our DL is going to shoot the gaps like we're led to believe, it is going to allow OL to get into the second level unimpeded and really wear down our LB. That being the case, we need a whole lot more size and athleticism back there to counter that.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

That *has* to be a smokescreen. Keep in mind, McClain is known as a kind of parrot for the organization, so if they want to get some misleading information out there you'd think it'd come from him.

Keep in mind, McClain doesn't have clue what he is talking about a large percent of the time.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Keep in mind, McClain doesn't have clue what he is talking about a large percent of the time.

it is likely that nothing truer has ever been posted on this board.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

In this Chron article, John McClain comments about Texan FA/Draft priorities. All I can say is I hope this isn't true because it seems such a waste to make weakside and not strongside DE as Marios starting/regular position.

McClain is either saying what the organization wants him too, or simply taking what he thinks is the safe stance. I have no problem leaving Mario there. It's hard to find a pass rusher as effective as him, and I won't complain about leaving him at a position where he can typically do the most damage. However, I think it's much harder to find a Strongside DE who will be an effective enough rusher to get us the kind of pass rush we want than it is to find an undersized DE with speed to get around the corner.


This could also be a hint that they are just looking to replace Weaver, but still want the speed rusher, maybe later in the draft?, for obvious passing downs but plan on leaving Mario on the right side most of the time.