[NFL.com] Anthony Weaver to be Cut

[Keith]

Just days after cutting RB Ahman Green and LB Morlon Greenwood, the Texans will release DE Anthony Weaver on Tuesday. His $6.2 million base salary will come off the Texans’ salary cap, but they still must deal with $5.4 million in acceleration on his contract — a total savings of $800,000.

Once Weaver is released, it will not be long before he finds another job. Jets coach Rex Ryan coached Weaver in Baltimore and could sign him for New York, or the Ravens always could try to bring him back.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/23/look...ase-de-weaver/

Well, so much for the last article I did on why the team might want to keep him around! And it looks like even though the cap page is right, I had done some BAD math in saying in that article that cutting him wouldn't result in cap savings (though the dead money estimate matches). No clue what I was thinking when I wrote that, since I had all the right contract info. I made some edits so the errors no longer appear. Hopefully.

Just guessing, but I suppose the Texans waited to release him with the thought that they might re-negotiate his base salary. If the Jets or anyone else told his agent there was interest in him with another team, then I can see why he wouldn't agree to re-negotiate. Like i said in the article (maybe I got this right at least), I wondered if Weaver would be asking to be cut. He might get a lot more than $3.5 million this season with a new team.

[WMH]

PFT reporting on this too via Schefter:

WEAVER ON THE OUTS IN HOUSTON
Posted by Mike Florio on February 23, 2009, 8:06 p.m.
As the Texans prepare for the start of a league year that they hope will finish with the first meaningful games played in the first month of the calendar year, they’re cutting loose another current player, and in turn freeing up some cap space.

Gone, according to Adam Schefter of NFLN, is defensive end Anthony Weaver.

The move frees up $6.2 million in base salary, but with $5.4 million in bonus acceleration the net savings will be only $800,000.

The Texans will clear another $1.35 million if they trade quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the Vikings.

[edo783]

It seems a bit interesting that we seem to be clearing out some cap space....wonder why.......we typically aren't big players in FA, but this may portend something.

[kravix]

I dont really understand this or agree with it.

While Weaver has under performed his contract, ok way under performed, he is still the second best DE on the roster IMO. While his pass rushing skill are very suspect, which he was never advertised as having, he can play the run.

$800k in savings? Might as well bring the guy into camp and let him compete. This does nothing more than free up a roster spot, which at this point doesnt need to be freed up.

This move has overpaid, underperforming, FA splash written all over it.

So we know the defence wants to be more agressive, maybe react and read rather than read and react. We know the team wants to generate more pressure on the QB than just MW. Now we need an every down DE, preferably one that can actually play the run also. I have no desire to see the next Freeney rack up sacks and let teams run all over us killing playoff run after playoff run. Plus our off, while very good this year, is still not an Off I would count on to put the opposing team into a single dimension passing team.

So, who is out there that can actually play a 4-3 DE, stop the run and generate some pressure? I wouldnt imagine we see another monster DE like MW, but at least someone solid in both areas.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by kravix

I dont really understand this or agree with it.

While Weaver has under performed his contract, ok way under performed, he is still the second best DE on the roster IMO. While his pass rushing skill are very suspect, which he was never advertised as having, he can play the run.

$800k in savings? Might as well bring the guy into camp and let him compete. This does nothing more than free up a roster spot, which at this point doesnt need to be freed up.

This move has overpaid, underperforming, FA splash written all over it.

So we know the defence wants to be more agressive, maybe react and read rather than read and react. We know the team wants to generate more pressure on the QB than just MW. Now we need an every down DE, preferably one that can actually play the run also. I have no desire to see the next Freeney rack up sacks and let teams run all over us killing playoff run after playoff run. Plus our off, while very good this year, is still not an Off I would count on to put the opposing team into a single dimension passing team.

So, who is out there that can actually play a 4-3 DE, stop the run and generate some pressure? I wouldnt imagine we see another monster DE like MW, but at least someone solid in both areas.

No way Weaver is better than Cochran or Bulman at DE. Also, we have guys like Stanley McGlover and Chaun Thompson who are coming off injury-riddled seasons that are better fits for that position... oh yeah, and Nading. Plus, we'll be drafting 1-2 DEs. I don't think this signals a FA splash written on it at all.

By the way, the cap savings is $800,000, however the organization is saving close to $3 million by not paying him his salary this year.

And, it's obnoxious to compare Dwight Freeney unfavorably to Anthony Weaver, which is basically what you've done. The reason Indy struggles against the run is because every member of their DL weigh about 250 lbs, including the tackles. That's their problem- not Freeney. Check out Philadelphia, or Tennessee, who both use smaller DEs and are excellent stopping the run.

It's about time this organization demanded that the FAs and veterans perform up to their salaries. The only thing that could make this off-season better, to this point, would be to see Kasey Studdard given his walking papers.

[kravix]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

And, it's obnoxious to compare Dwight Freeney unfavorably to Anthony Weaver, which is basically what you've done. The reason Indy struggles against the run is because every member of their DL weigh about 250 lbs, including the tackles. That's their problem- not Freeney. Check out Philadelphia, or Tennessee, who both use smaller DEs and are excellent stopping the run.

Bringing Freeny and Weaver up in the same post in no way compares the two. My statement about Freeney had nothing to do with Weaver, it was about the idea that pass rush > run defense, and lighning fast, light in the butt, every down DE only trades one weakness for another.

I compared Freeney to every undersized pass rushing DE in FA or the draft, now that you can slap me for.

I like Bulman and Cochran. It would be nice if either were great players. At this point Cochran may get a chace a starting position somewhere if the Texans dont tender him. I am all for waiting for DL talent to mature also, but still dont think that either of them has the talent Weaver has.

Thompson is a LB and situational pass rusher at best, and McClover is a 7th round pick that has shown less than Bulman or Cochran at this point.

[Roy P]

I am still wondering if we could pry Jeremy Thompson away from Green Bay since they are converting to a 3-4 defense under dandy Dom. Me likes the idea of getting rid of Weaver, Greenwood, and Sage. It allows the team to get younger, and hopefully better.

[mussop]

Maybe we are close to getting Peppers and that makes Weaver expendable.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by kravix

I dont really understand this or agree with it.

While Weaver has under performed his contract, ok way under performed, he is still the second best DE on the roster IMO.

I would say Cochrin when healthy is the #2 best DE on the team. And Bulman and Nading are making themselves nice rotation guys.

BTW I can't find Dan Bazuin on the roster and I do not see him being cut anywhere, he must be cut and the official site just missed the transaction.

[nero THE zero]

I agree with Kravix (assuming I'm understanding his premise alright.)

Given the number of open roster spots we have right now, the minimal savings this cut lends toward the cap, and the recent comments by Kubiak regarding an impact defensive player in FA, I think this points toward a big DE signing. I know some folks mention it, but I can't persuade myself to buy into the Peppers idea; his contract, coupled with Mario's future contract, would simply count too much toward the cap and become a hindrance on improving other areas on the team. But, I do think they have something brewing - maybe a trade, maybe someone like Bert Berry.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

No way Weaver is better than Cochran or Bulman at DE.

Against the run they aren't. I really like Cochran and I would like to see him develop more. I'm not upset that Weaver's gone by any means, but for a minimal cap savings I don't see the point when he could still be a situational guy for us. Maybe McNAir didn't want to pay the salary, and that's fine with me too. I tend to lean towards the idea that tried to rework his contract and he said no.

[WMH]

Peppers isn't going to happen...Or at least I hope it doesn't. Since he was franchised, we would need to give up...2 1sts(?), not too mention the contract that he would demand. I would love to have the guy, but not at the expense of 2 1sts.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by WMH

Peppers isn't going to happen...Or at least I hope it doesn't. Since he was franchised, we would need to give up...2 1sts(?), not too mention the contract that he would demand. I would love to have the guy, but not at the expense of 2 1sts.

They can work out a trade that doesn't have to be two first. I still don't see it happening though.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by papabear

Against the run they aren't. I really like Cochran and I would like to see him develop more. I'm not upset that Weaver's gone by any means, but for a minimal cap savings I don't see the point when he could still be a situational guy for us. Maybe McNAir didn't want to pay the salary, and that's fine with me too. I tend to lean towards the idea that tried to rework his contract and he said no.

Deion Sanders wasn't as good against the run as Marcus Coleman... However, I think I'd take Deion at CB anyway. I know that analogy is a little ridiculous but the point is that playmaking ability and a pass rush are the primary duties for a DE. Particularly with Mario on one side, we just need a guy that can get to the QB- the other edge is set. Our run defense will improve when our DTs do.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Deion Sanders wasn't as good against the run as Marcus Coleman... However, I think I'd take Deion at CB anyway. I know that analogy is a little ridiculous but the point is that playmaking ability and a pass rush are the primary duties for a DE. Particularly with Mario on one side, we just need a guy that can get to the QB- the other edge is set. Our run defense will improve when our DTs do.

I agree on the DT line, but the Strongside DE always has more responsibility against the run. I wasn't reffering to an every down situation either. My point was I can see Weaver in on short yardage situations. and as part of a rotation. Not that he's a great every down DE. He's making way to much money for that, I know, but he's not completely useless on the field depsite what the sack numbers say.

[WMH]

It is now official. Along with Weaver, Salaam, and Demps got the axe.

From Chron.com:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6280713.html

[Arky]

Originally Posted by WMH

It is now official. Along with Weaver, Salaam, and Demps got the axe.

From Chron.com:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6280713.html

Man, talk about your spring cleaning..... gonna be a lot a new faces in 2009....

[painekiller]

That means to me Butler is now going to be the official backup swing tackle, I'm ok with that.

And reports we heard that the team liked Barber at safety is likely to be true.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

And reports we heard that the team liked Barber at safety is likely to be true.

I think they do like Barber, but this probably also means they feel pretty good about re-signing Eugene Wilson and/or Nick Ferguson. With another safety (FS?) being added somewhere in the draft.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by papabear

I think they do like Barber, but this probably also means they feel pretty good about re-signing Eugene Wilson and/or Nick Ferguson. With another safety (FS?) being added somewhere in the draft.

Wilson and Ferguson where givens. Now I will not be shocked if we pass on resigning CC Brown.