FA to target this off season

[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
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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.

[jppaul]

My free agents:

Channing Crowder:

Man, I like Channing Crowder alot, he has great altheticism (I think it was him that chased AJ down from behind in the Miami game), to play or compete at the will.

Gibril Wilson:

He has always seemed pretty solid to me, not a great coverage defender but from what i have seen he has been a playmaker.

Micheal Boley:

Super athletic, always like him.

Seems to me that there is a lot of value in the midrange guys, not so much the super free agents (Haynerworth etc.)

[painekiller]

After listening to Kubiak on the official site talking about the combine and FA, I am starting to wonder if the Texans are planning on making a much bigger splash than we think. And for it to truly be a big splash only Albert Haynesworth is big enough to be a difference maker.

Imagine Ayers, Albert, Okoye, Mario (Could be anyone new at the other DE) together. Make even more fun, Ayers might still be considered a 2nd rounder, take Maybin in the 1st to play Will.

How shocked would you be if the Texans made a huge splash in FA?

[Keith]

Here's one snippet from Kubiak (available from the official):

(on if the team will be looking to improve defensively through free agency) “Obviously, it’s something Rick and I have been discussing over the course of the last few weeks. We definitely need to make our football team better in free agency, and I think there is an opportunity for us to do that, without specific names or positions. But we’ve done our homework; we are ready to go. Hopefully, we can improve our football team in a couple of spots, and then when we get through with that, we’ll move on to the draft. I think there are some good football players out there.”

The offseason training wheels are off for Rick Smith. He must be feeling more confident in himself now and willing to make a splash for the right player.

I'm sure Kubiak is asking for the best he can get on defense... this is year 4 for him. He needs a winner. He got Casserly and Ferens to sign Weaver to a big money deal in 2006. I doubt Kubiak would be the one pulling in the reins on any huge defensive signing.

Cap guru Chris Olsen has shown he knows what he's doing. He is fair and creative, plus no scent that he doesn't play within the rules.

The team has cap room this year to make the moves they want.

All together, I think the right ingredients are there for the team to make a splash next Friday, especially on defense, if someone they want is still available. The only way I think I would be truly surprised would be if the team spent megabuxxx on an offensive free agent.

[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.