Johnson fits Texans' bill at QB Ex-Buffalo player tops possible signees INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Buffalo quarterback Rob Johnson has emerged as the leading candidate to be the veteran the Texans intend to sign to groom rookie David Carr, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in next month's draft. Johnson, an unrestricted free agent who turned down a multiyear contract offer to remain in Buffalo, is coming to Houston for a visit this week. If he signs with the Texans, he'll be reunited with offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who coached Johnson for one season at Jacksonville. Johnson joins such unrestricted free agents as guard Steve McKinney (Colts), linebacker Kailee Wong (Vikings) and tight end Hunter Goodwin (Dolphins) as scheduling visits with the Texans this week, according to NFL sources. The Texans are also interested in Bears outside linebacker Warrick Holdman, who is a restricted free agent. Holdman, who is represented by Houston-based agent Sean Jones, is one of the best players in the NFL at his position. An error by a member of the Bears' front office resulted in Holdman receiving the minimum tender offer, which means a team can sign him and surrender only a fourth-round pick as compensation. The Bears, who meant to tender him as a No. 1 pick, have a right of first refusal. Holdman should become one of the highest-paid free agents on the market. Another top player in whom the Texans are interested is Green Bay guard Mark Wahle, who had an excellent season after moving from tackle. At the scouting combine last week, Texans general manager Charley Casserly said for the first time their plan was to draft a quarterback in the first round. He also said they would sign a veteran who would go to training camp as the starter, but that the quarterback would have to understand that he would step aside for the rookie at some point during the season. The Texans, who could begin negotiations with Carr this week, plan to spend about $1 million on the veteran quarterback to play with Carr and Mike Quinn, who signed with them in December. Carr, a fifth-year senior from Fresno State, won't be thrown to the wolves as the immediate starter for an expansion team, even though Texans coach Dom Capers and offensive coordinator Palmer have no reservations against starting a rookie if they believe he's ready. When he was the expansion Browns head coach in 1999, Palmer started Tim Couch, the top pick in the draft, at the start of the season. When he was the expansion Panthers head coach in 1995, Capers started top pick Kerry Collins in the fourth game. A lot of veteran free-agent quarterbacks are available for the Texans, but Johnson has moved to the top of their list because of his age, size, experience, above-average arm strength and exceptional mobility. The 6-4, 212-pound Johnson turns 29 on March 18. Johnson, who played at USC, was drafted by the Jaguars, where he played for Palmer and another former Oilers assistant coach, Kevin Gilbride. Gilbride preceded Palmer as Jaguars offensive coordinator. Because Mark Brunell was entrenched as the starter, Jacksonville traded Johnson to Buffalo for multiple picks, including a first-round selection. During his four seasons with the Bills, Johnson became involved in one of the NFL's most celebrated quarterback controversies with Doug Flutie. The knock on Johnson was he was knocked out of too many games and he held the ball too long, which resulted in too many sacks. Johnson started 27 games for the Bills and was knocked out in 11 of them. He won eight of the games he started, or $2.35 million per victory. Johnson would have counted more than $11 million against the Bills' 2002 salary cap. By waiving him, they save $6.1 million, but he still counts $5 million against this year's cap. A source with the Bills who knows Johnson said over the weekend that money isn't the issue with him because he made $18.8 million at Buffalo. The issue with Johnson is working with a coach who likes, understands and respects him in a situation where he can repair his damaged reputation. The Texans would be the ideal team to fill Johnson's bill unless another team offers him a multiyear contract with a huge signing bonus. Will Johnson accept $1 million to play with us? Are his many injuries healed? Can he be a leader? Will he willingly relinquish a starting role to a rookie during the season? Can he put his past problems in Buffalo behind him? Will the fans tolerate him?
I think this would be a terrible choice. Especially if they have plans to start Carr in the middle of the season. In my opinion, if this is all true, they are better off starting someone like quinn. Why waste all that money on Blake or Johnson? They are not going to reliquish the starting role that easily and things will get messy. If Johnson gets sacked behind this line he really stinks. On the other hand. If he get's hurt that's a perfect chance to throw Carr into the mix
PSJ, There is one other possibility you didn't mention. If he can recapture what he had, that made the NFL drool all over him in the past, & we can sign him real cheap, we might be able to trade him for a nice package of players and/or picks in the future. Anything is possible & with Palmer here, it might be worth a shot.
I like what they're doing. They're going to choose, hopefully, based off the salary cap, not the quarterback. The article makes it seem they arent looking to spend more than $1 million regardless of the veteran QB. If Johnson wants to sign for $1 mil, thats fine with me. He hasnt had success, but he could be a good QB to hold the door for Carr at such a price.
I understand the need to keep the Rent-A-QB salary down. However, why are the Texans being so stingy with money for free agency? QB notwithstanding, I think we should be throwing our money around (fiscally, of course). Why are we backing off of Kreutz? We have the money to spend on him, he's young, and he's worth the dough. There is such thing as being too cautious, in my book. Buuuuuuut, it's not my money.
From what I understand, the Texans have about $15 million to spend on free agents & another $4-5 million for draft picks. They've currently got 56 players on the roster & are planning on going into camp with about 90. If they get 10 players in the draft, that means they have to sign 24 players with the $15 million. Starters won't settle for the mininum & you have to figure in the bonuses that will be paid as well. For instance: Say a player signs a 4 year deal with a base salary of $300,000 & a signing bonus of $1 million. That would mean that he'd count $550,000 towards the cap. If you were able to sign all 24 players for that amount, you would spend $13.2 million. Needless to say, some of the starters will make quite a bit more than that. They still need to acquire 3 starting linebackers, 1 starting quarterback, 2 starting receivers, 1 starting running back, another starting defensive tackle, a starting center, another starting safety, a punter, a FG kicker, & additional depth at most positions. They're also looking to upgrade the guard positions & acquire a starting center. All this, while staying under the salary cap. Kreutz's price has risen quite dramatically & might be out of range of the Texan's budget. Here's the story in regards to Kreutz's latest offers. http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-bside04.html Bears, Dolphins vying for Kreutz Headline goes heregg March 4, 2002 BY MIKE MULLIGAN AND BRAD BIGGS STAFF REPORTERS INDIANAPOLIS--The Bears made a grand offer to keep Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz on Sunday, but their efforts throughout the weekend could come up short. Kreutz received a six-year offer from the Bears worth close to $22.5 million and includes a signing bonus worth nearly $7 million, according to a source. But other sources say the Miami Dolphins have offered the same signing bonus but a higher annual salary, averaging $4 million a year. Kreutz was mulling his options Sunday night and is expected to decide today. "We've been talking about a lot of different things,'' his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. "Now it comes down to the fact Olin has to make a big decision.'' The Dolphins have moved ahead of the Houston Texans in trying to outbid the Bears, sources say. "I don't know how close we are, but we are talking,'' said Rick Spielman, player personnel director for the Dolphins who was with the Bears--as was Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt--when Kreutz was drafted. Kreutz, who will be 25 before next season, is considered by many to be the jewel of the free-agent market and one of the few players who will not feel the crunch of what is largely a buyers' market. The Bears' deal would put Kreutz in the same arena as Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk, who signed a seven-year extension worth $30 million with a $6 million bonus before last season. Pittsburgh's Jeff Hartings received a six-year, $24.7 million package with a $5.75 million bonus when he left the Detroit Lions. Bartelstein said no plans have been made for Kreutz to return from Hawaii to make any visits to other teams. ''Olin's just not sure what he wants to do yet,'' Bartelstein said. ''A lot is up in the air and we have to play this thing out.'' Meanwhile, quarterback Shane Matthews' camp remained active lobbying for the trade to the Washington Redskins, where he would reunite with Steve Spurrier, his college coach at Florida. Spurrier acknowledged at the NFL scouting combine that he would like to add Matthews to a quarterback competition that includes ex-Bear Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner for the Gators, who was acquired Friday in a swap with the Texans. The Bears would likely receive a low-round draft pick for Matthews, but could not agree to a deal before re-signing starter Jim Miller without putting themselves in a bad bargaining position. With or without Matthews, Spurrier believes Wuerffel can excel in the NFL despite very limited action since 1999. ''The years I watched him from the sidelines at Florida, he was pretty good,'' Spurrier said. ''I know some NFL people think Wuerffel can't play, but they weren't where I was when Danny played.''
Okay, I'll concede the point about Kreutz. After reading that article, it's clear that the bidding for Olin is skyrocketing out of our range. Let's forget him for the time being, unless we can somehow make the money work. The way I look at it, we can acquire our starting running back and possibly 1 starting wide receiver and linebacker in the draft (using Jermaine Lewis as the other starting WR). We can also pick up guard depth in the draft. Those draft picks shouldn't cost us a whole lot (with the exception being Carr). Punters and FG kickers should also be inexpensive. We know about the veteran QB situation (and the $1 million pricetag associated). There's a glut of safeties in free agency which should theoretically work to our advantage. If we have $10 million for draft picks, that should cover RB, WR, OG, LB, and possible depth at other positions. So where do we spend our money? Kevin Hardy? Corey Bradford? Todd Washington? Keenan McCardell? Sam Cowart? Earl Holmes? I want Kreutz, but I guess, in the long run, I'd rather fill the defense with high quality players...
kreutz wants $4M/year plus a $7M signing bonus, which is ridiculous; someone should remind him he plays center in the nfl, not the nba. the texans have, roughly, $10M to spend in free agency and not only do they have a lot of starting spots left to fill, they have a lot of roster left to fill. they'll take 90 to camp, and right now, they have 53 (give or take a few) on the payroll, so they don't have money to throw around. the expansion draft was, basically, their free agent signing period, so to speak. center's probably a priority, but not a high one. they need a qb, rb, they need some WR's, the could use some DE's, they desperately need an OLB who can rush the passer (hardy), i think they'd like to find a sure-fire starting G... and right now, they have no NFL-level K or P's and they're weak at the S position. so spending that much on kreutz is bordering on insane.
It looks like Rob Johnson may be signed on Tuesday. He's scheduled to take a physical & meet with McNair tomorrow. I'd say that a one year deal at $1 million is a pretty good deal for an experienced veteran quarterback. http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,5087017_59,00.html Texans appear ready to sign ex-Bills QB Johnson March 4, 2002 By Pete Prisco SportsLine.com Senior Writer Tell Pete your opinion! Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson, who was released by the team last week, will spend Monday and Tuesday in Houston meeting with Houston Texans' brass and could sign a contract with the team as soon as Tuesday. If the Texans do sign Johnson, it would likely be a one-year deal for about $1 million, which may not sound like a lot of money, but it would give Johnson the chance to jumpstart his career again. The Texans would likely make him the starter ahead of rookie David Carr, who is almost certain to be their choice with the first pick in the April draft. The Texans would love to allow Carr a year to groom behind a veteran before turning over the starting job to him. If Johnson were to sign with the Texans, he would reunite with offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who coached him when both were with the Jaguars. Johnson had his best NFL game, subbing for the injured Mark Brunell in 1997, when Palmer was the Jaguars offensive coordinator. Playing on an injured ankle against the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson completed 20 of 24 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. That would prove to be his only start that year, but it was enough that the Bills traded a first-round pick (No. 9 overall) and a fourth-round pick to acquire him in 1998. But after five disappointing seasons, the Bills elected to let Johnson walk last week, citing cap reasons. The Bills had hoped to re-work his contract in an attempt to bring him back, lessening the cap hit, but Johnson wanted out of Buffalo, and the two sides could not come to an agreement. Johnson will take a physical with the Texans on Tuesday and then meet with a variety of people in the organization, including owner Bob McNair. The Texans also are interested in Indianapolis guard Steve McKinney and a handful of receivers, including Green Bay's Corey Bradford.
Texans, Johnson near deal Agreement with QB expected within week By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle There seems to be very little standing between free-agent quarterback Rob Johnson and a deal with the Texans, a transaction that could be completed this week, possibly as early as today. Johnson arrived in town Monday night and will take a physical and tour the team's facilities today. Negotiations between Johnson's agent, David Dunn, and the Texans are in the early stages, but the process shouldn't be cumbersome considering the Texans' plan is to make a one-year, $1 million commitment to the veteran quarterback they sign to play the position until David Carr is ready. All signs point to Carr being the Texans' first pick in the college draft. Despite a rocky tenure in Buffalo, there are plenty of reasons to believe Johnson would be a good fit for the Texans. Johnson would be reunited with Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who was his offensive coordinator in Jacksonville. In addition to having a strong arm, an accurate passing touch and surprising mobility, Johnson knows Palmer's offense as well as anyone. By most accounts, Johnson, 28, is the best remaining free-agent quarterback for the job, which will require understanding the starting job eventually will belong to Carr. "This is the only team I've visited so far," said Johnson, who has the highest completion percentage and lowest interception rate of any quarterback in Bills history. "I think my agent is talking to a couple of other teams, but Houston, obviously is No. 1 on my list, and if everything works out, this is the place I want to play. "Coming from the team I came from, (the Texans) already have a better offensive line, defensive line and secondary in place. That's very attractive. I know the offensive coordinator, and I'm very comfortable with him. I think my best years are ahead of me." The Bills thought so much of Johnson, they traded a first- and a fourth-round pick to Jacksonville to acquire him in 1998, and gave him a five-year, $25 million contract. But prior to trading for Johnson, the Bills signed Doug Flutie out of the CFL and the result was one of the nastiest quarterback controversies in NFL history. Although public sentiment in Buffalo was against Johnson, those close to the situation insist Flutie was the instigator of the divisive feud. The Bills' new management team of general manager Tom Donahoe and coach Gregg Williams chose Johnson over Flutie. One year later, both are a part of Bills history. The Bills cut Johnson because they didn't want his $11.2 million cap hit. Although the Bills were interested in re-doing his contract, Johnson was eager to put an end to a sour four-year relationship. Johnson longs for a fresh start, and some believe he could undergo a Trent Dilfer-like career turnaround. Perhaps the transformation will begin in Houston. "I'm confident in my abilities and what I can do on the field," Johnson said. "If I stay healthy, no one is going to beat me out. But I'm not one of those guys who is going to politic and do all of that stuff. If they bring David in, that's great." The Texans also top the list of free-agent guard Steve McKinney, who attended Clear Lake High School, Texas A&M and spent the past four seasons with the Colts. McKinney, who could play center for the Texans, was in Houston Monday and will be in Cleveland today, in addition to a trip to Green Bay later in the week. "I'm ready to pull the trigger," McKinney said. "I'm just waiting for the right offer. (The Texans are) talking with my agent. If they come up with the right figure that I have in my head -- if they hit that number -- I'll cancel all of my visits right now and we can sign today. If they can't get to that number, I've got to keep shopping. "I have to do what I have to do for my family. Houston is probably my preference, but the money has to be right. I love the city of Houston and I want to play for the Texans, I really do. But they've got to come with a fair package. I just want to play at my market value. That's not asking for too much." Bears' linebacker Warrick Holdman, a restricted free agent who attended Elsik High School and Texas A&M, will not be in Houston today as originally scheduled. He will visit the Texans at a later time. Instead, he will be in Cleveland, where the Browns are expected to make an offer. The Bears have the right to match any offer, but the Bears are not due any draft compensation if Holdman signs with another team. Vikings unrestricted free-agent linebacker Kailee Wong is scheduled to arrive in Houston tonight, and Bears' running James Allen, also an unrestricted free agent, will be in town Thursday. Chicago, Miami and Cleveland are among the teams pursuing Allen. "Our timetable to get something done is to do the right thing at the right time," said Steve Mandell, Allen's agent. "I do know that Houston is a good situation and that Charley Casserly is going to build a good program there." Wong, who also plans to visit Cleveland, could turn out to be the rush linebacker the Texans have been looking for. He played inside linebacker for the Vikings, but might be intriguing to the Texans as an outside linebacker considering he played defensive end at Stanford, where he registered two double-digit sack seasons. The possibility of playing for Texans coach Dom Capers, a linebacker guru, also is appealing to Wong. "There's no question that Dom has been very successful in helping linebackers achieve their potential," Wong's agent, Steve Baker, said. "There are several different exciting situations out there for Kailee. A lot of places have called, but there's a reason we only scheduled two trips. Our goal is to find the best situation for Kailee, and everything else will take care of itself."
I'm ready for some football, Texan style. If they keep signing such good players, it's going to be hard not to expect a serious run at the playoffs out of them. If not this first year, then definitely next year.
Well, He's much better than anybody we could have signed, but you do have to wonder how much is he going to cost and you do have to wonder what happens when David Carr is ready. I'll say this, Johnson is taking a major risk. I like that. He's showing some courage. He's got a great offensive line and if he stinks it up his career could be over. He also has a great QB waiting right behind him. So he's in a no win situation unless he put up some numbers. Ironically, he just put on Doug Flutie's shoes. He's the veteran with a stud waiting in the wings.
whoah, whoah, whoah... nice shootin', tex. let's not get carried away. the team still doesn't have a starting QB, RB, WR, TE, DE, OLB, MLB, S, K or P. they're going to be a very good expansion team, but aything more isn't likely. it's not really a risk -- the guy has zero market; he's been mediocre, at best, and as fragile as sam jackson's charcater in unbreakable. where else is he going to go? he can come to houston, work under palmer (who he played for in jacksonville) and, if all things fall together, have a decent enough season that someone will take a chance on him in 2003. i'm not sure he could find a better alternative.
Photo of Rob Johnson in Houston today.... <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20020305/capt.1015362967texans_johnson_htp102.jpg">
any updates on this signing? what is impeding the process..i say if not johnson we should go after chandler
