5 minutes later one of the national writers had to correct mcclain on twitter... they were released, not waived... so the texans are off the hook and the players can sign anywhere. Slaton should get the axe eventually, if Ben Tate is anywhere near decent. Biggest winner from this move? Dorin Dickerson... our new #4 WR
They might get some reps but they aren't gong to surpass Dickerson ,IMO. I think that dude is going to be solid this year and turn some heads
FAs of interest: Vonta Leach Ty Warren Nate Clements Antonio Cromartie Carlos Rogers Marcus Stroud Tommie Harris
Sign one of the corners or trade for Samuels if he's available. It's time to battlefight our way to a deep playoff run.
HE'S A FREE AGENT, dude anchored the bears defense for half a decade, i know they dont run a 3-4 but they typically only have 3 down line man right?? it blows my mind that this guy isnt a big target.. hed be a huge upgrade to mitchell, cody, and....ehhh... other people
Since they finally signed 2 players of significance and need, it is time to start sacrificing the future for now. They should be willng to trade some high draft picks to get the last piece or 2 to put them over the edge into definite contender (Someone like Asante Samuels or others)
McClain_on_NFL John McClain Rumor is they'll also have to restructure some contracts to fit these guys in.
Teams need a steady flow of young talent just to stay good. Draft picks were too valuable to trade before the new CBA. With smaller rookie salaries, they become even more important. Trades for the most part are stupid in the NFL unless you are the team getting picks. Basically, the team has to trade draft picks and salary cap space for a vet. It is so much better to just keep draft picks and sign vets with the same cap space. Why do you think the Pats are always trading vets? They basically get picks and just sign an equivalent player(s) with the saved cap space. The only time they trade for a vet is when the vet is better than the pick given up and the quality of player able to be signed with cap space used for vet (e.g. Randy Moss for 4th round pick). My understanding on the Pats success in other words They trade player A for draft pick Z. Sign player B with freed up cap space. B is as good as A and a year younger. Next season, Patriots trade Player B next year for draft pick Y. Pats sign player C who is a year younger than B with freed cap space. Next Season, Patriots trade player C for draft pick X. Patriots sign player D who is as good as player C, but a year younger. So after two seasons, the Pats have player D who is as good as A was two years ago while some team is thinking A is a step slow now and not worth his contract. They also have players from picks Z and Y and going into the draft room with a luxury pick X that they hope they can trade for a future first. This is over-simplified considering guaranteed money, but this is why teams that trade draft picks for veterans are generally stupid. The Texans should have an internal rule to never trade draft picks for vets. They could call it the PBurnt Rule.
Well, the Pats also have good scouting to know when to break their own habits. Cowboys appear to have little strategy these days, poor pro-scouting, but have had successes in draft. Giving up picks does not play to their strengths.
David Anderson likely being brought back for a vet minimum contract. Which is great cause he's a great player who does all that is asked of him. Hope we re-sign Vonta quick cause he's getting a ton of offers. Vonta Leach, David Anderson, Kevin Bentley, Ty Warren, Nate Clements/Antonio Cromartie, Alan Branch, maybe Zac Diles and Bernard Pollard. Dump Slaton, re-structure guys, Dump all the guys who we have carried for too long like the Barber's, Molden's, etc.
Not sure if you watch the texans.. but mediocre defensive tackle is a HUGE upgrade, not expecting him to be a team captain, but this would be a great pickup.. dline is a position where players can have really productive seasons that came from nowhere.
Anderson as good as gone. He's signing with Denver. Would be a little surprised if Vonta is brought back. Kevin Bentley, Bernard Pollard, and Diles(who signed with Rams) wont be back. Branch already signed elsewhere I believe. Warren maybe. Clements doubtful(has a connection to new DB coach Vance Joseph but still doubt they sign him) Cromartie not a Texans type of guy(I belive Lance Zierlein said they have no interest in him).
