<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>O'Brien: We've signed some guys but what we're really trying to do is build the team through the draft. <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/status/450763735213158400" data-datetime="2014-03-31T22:37:03+00:00">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>O'Brien says he brought Fitzpatrick in to compete with Keenum and Yates, and will "draft a QB, maybe two." <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/450764314140348416" data-datetime="2014-03-31T22:39:21+00:00">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>O'Brien (on Manning's release): Danieal is testing the market right now. May not be the last time you see him in a <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a> uniform.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/status/450764325242687488" data-datetime="2014-03-31T22:39:24+00:00">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>O'Brien (on DBs): Clemons and Lewis would compete for FS. Swearinger will be the strong safety. <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/status/450764730785730560" data-datetime="2014-03-31T22:41:01+00:00">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien: We've signed some guys but what we're really trying to do is build the team through the draft. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450763735213158400">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"We really want to build the team through the draft. We believe in developing young players." -O'Brien <a href="http://t.co/8zcFmLcIcZ">pic.twitter.com/8zcFmLcIcZ</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450763775663042560">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien (on parting ways with Schaub): Both parties came to the conclusion that it was time for a fresh start. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450763972849852416">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien says he brought Fitzpatrick in to compete with Keenum and Yates, and will "draft a QB, maybe two." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450764314140348416">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien (on Manning's release): Danieal is testing the market right now. May not be the last time you see him in a <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a> uniform.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450764325242687488">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien (on DBs): Clemons and Lewis would compete for FS. Swearinger will be the strong safety. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450764730785730560">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"We want to be a big, physical, situationally smart team. We've got to be a disciplined team." -O'Brien <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450765332370563072">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien on expectations: "To go out there every single Sunday, Monday or Thursday and expect to win." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450765880075374592">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien says his system will allow QB to make decision at line of scrimmage. Will use "formation indicators" to help him make that decision.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450766236092092416">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien: This is a team that isn't too far from winning. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450766495472050176">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien says if Clowney is drafted he'll be used in more than one position. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a>.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450766813043777537">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien on ideal characteristic in QB: "There's not one. He has to be a leader, high character, hard worker, smart, decent arm, & accuracy."</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450767774445346816">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien likes accuracy over a cannon of an arm for starting QB in NFL. Wants him to be hardest working guy on team. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450768071020396546">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"We have a very aggressive mindset," OB when asked how conservative he'll be in play-calling. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450768434176208896">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien: I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a coach. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450768706260328448">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien commends team for having mentally tough players. "Our practices won't be easy." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450769294939287552">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien talks about being fiscally responsible after ? on lack of FA action: We're very aware of what's available, that we have 11 picks.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450770721606623232">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"J.J. Watt, in my opinion, is the best defensive player in the National Football League." -O'Brien <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450770804934848512">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>O'Brien asked about quality of draft picks. Mentions the last NE team he was on (2011) had highest # of undrafted FAs that year.</p>— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepSlant/statuses/450772665079312384">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>You've got to play an exciting brand of football. We're gonna play as a team, have fun doing it & for the fans, play aggressively. -O'Brien</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450772735845601280">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"It's a great city that's passionate about football. It's been a great place for my family, & we are really excited to be here." -O'Brien</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/450773897030283264">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Five trades that should happen (but won't) Houston Texans trade wide receiver Andre Johnson to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2014 second-round pick and 2014 fifth-round pick Why it works for San Francisco: In need of a wide receiver -- and with 11 picks in this draft -- the 49ers would be well-served to add Johnson. He has a manageable base salary of $6.5 million for 2014, an amount for which San Francisco could find cap space. The 49ers have a deep and talented roster, and while draft picks can result in young, affordable talent, the truth is there aren't that many spots available on the 53-man roster in San Francisco. Johnson brings a vertical presence to the perimeter passing game and would make an already Super Bowl-caliber team that much scarier. Why it works for Houston: The Texans have a new head coach in Bill O'Brien, and while the roster in some ways profiles as a quick-turnaround candidate, it's critical that they continue to collect assets with an eye toward a future of sustained success. Adding two draft picks in exchange for a nearly 33-year-old wide receiver would provide them with draft capital to fill out their roster holes. Johnson remains an elite wideout and has meant so much to the franchise, but Houston is desperate for an infusion of young talent, and draft picks are invaluable at this time.
You'd be lucky. Some recent WR trades: Roy Williams(& 7th rd) --> 1st, 3rd, & 6th rd picks Braylon Edwards --> 3rd & 5th rd picks Anquan Boldin(& 5th rd) --> 3rd & 4th rd picks Santonio Holmes --> 5th rd pick Brandon Marshall --> Two 2nd rd picks(separate yrs) Randy Moss(& 7th rd) --> 3rd rd pick Deion Branch --> 4th rd pick Chad Johnson --> 5th & 6th rd picks Lee Evans --> 4th rd pick Brandon Lloyd --> 5th rd pick Brandon Marshall --> Two 3rd rd picks(separate yrs) Mike Thomas --> 5th rd pick Percy Harvin --> 1st, 3rd, & 7th rd picks Anquan Boldin --> 6th rd pick
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Report: DeSean Jackson to Redskins a "done deal" <a href="http://t.co/CDeAw6Qeiw">http://t.co/CDeAw6Qeiw</a></p>— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/statuses/450838673248886784">April 1, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
All indicators point to Clowney #1 and QB later. Sounds good to me. Just don't want to take Bortles with the #1.
Welker was traded for about that proposed 49'ers value - http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2788847 - I think Johnson has more value now than Welker did then. Welker and Johnson were both... gruntled? The opposite of disgruntled. Gruntled isn't a real word but I'm using it.
I cant see that happening either. However, Andre's cap hit next season is 16+ million. We might have enough cap space to be able to endure that, but as an fyi, cutting him would create almost 9 million in cap space. :grin: But I want him to get paid.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans re-signed CB Elbert Mack</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/451442756326416385">April 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans begin phase 1 of onfield conditioning program Monday. Strength coach Craig Fitzgerald can b with players on field for first 2 weeks.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/451448899668942848">April 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
You know it is hard to give up the stereotype of the Texans being a "dumb" team that won't make obviously needed changes and will consistently stumble and bumble their way into incompetence. BUT, there is a lot of NEW on the ground in Houston. I do worry about what is is not new like Bob McNair and Rick Smith, but we got to let this play out, give the new guys a chance. I am cautiously hopeful, but I can't get over this nagging intuition that the Texans will screw up the draft. Please don't let that happen.
I was hoping Rick Smith wouldn't survive the purge. Still not sure how he managed to. That being said... Smith/BoB > Smith/Kubiak
While I agree with this, but only because it can't get much worse on molding a team. We still have yet to see any evidence from BoB in the NFL that he will be successfull at evaluating talent. I feel confident in the first that if we get either Clowney or Manziel we will be on the right track, after that, they need to show in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds they can hit. Actually would like a trade down in the 2nd for extra picks in the old patriot way of doing things.
I'll preface by saying I don't have any issue drafting Clowney #1, but I do have some concerns. A) Are we going to get stuck in a cycle of never committing a high pick to a QB? I am not saying one of these are the QB we need, but I think the mentality of constantly trying to find a hidden gem or groom a less than perfect prospect has seen its full lifecycle with Schaub. I am concerned with the fact that management seems to think Fitzpatrick can (and probably will) be the starter next year. 2) The window for max production from Clowney and JJ, because of cap reasons, does not coincide with what appears to be the window for our best team. I personally think that it will take a year or so for Clowney to start hitting his stride and to be nearly solidify as to what kind of player he will be will come right around the time for his 2nd contract. I can not see Clowney and JJ being on the same team with huge contracts. You could potentially have ~30-40 million invested in the defensive line...and still have to pay a QB? I don't think so. Even if max production comes from the start, it will not be until both of those guys require mega-contracts that we are ready to contend and the financial implications are a concern to me.
