Yeah it has been a long time with Football or Basketball that we really were in the running for anything and part of the hype. It's a good feeling to have people out here in Cali talk about the Rockets and Texans and how they are teams to watch. It's a good feeling, how long it lasts is another story.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Agent Ralph Vitolo: Texans express interest in free agent fullback Vonta Leach. <a href="http://t.co/CextuX1gvQ" title="http://tinyurl.com/kry24ll">tinyurl.com/kry24ll</a></p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/344910452507148288">June 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>FB Vonta Leach's agent, Ralph Vitolo, said 7 teams have expressed interest in Leach including the Texans, Dolphins, Chiefs, Giants & Browns.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/344910799778754560">June 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> While free agent fullback Vonta Leach meets with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, his agent said Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith told him the Texans do have interest in his client, but they have to find a way to maneuver under the salary cap to make it happen. Leach was released on Monday by the Baltimore Ravens in a salary-cap move and his agent, Ralph Vitolo, reached out to the Texans to gauge their interest about the three-time All-Pro fullback returning to Houston. Leach, who told FOX 26 Sports returning to the Texans is his first choice, played with Houston from 2006-2010. "We just talked and (Rick Smith) mentioned that he definitely had an interest in Vonta," Vitolo said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "He said that it would be beneficial for all of us if we could get him back down there. It's just a matter of 'how we can do it money-wise and when can we do it and if we can do it.' "We all agree that we want him back there, but how do we do it?" Vitolo said Smith responded on Wednesday to Vitolo's request to talk about Leach. "It's a mutual interest," Vitolo said. "He felt the whole organization would benefit from getting Vonta back there. "He thinks it's a win-win. He's a difference-maker. He said 'it's not just me, it's the entire organization.' "
Thanks, it would be so great if the Texans can make room for him somehow. He would likely have to take a big pay cut, but he might do it. I was "sick" when he left, bet Foster was too.
Foster also addressed using a hyperbaric chamber for recovery, adding chicken and fish to his diet and the speculation surrounding fullback Vonta Leach’s possible return to the Texans. “I’m a good friend of Vonta’s, but at the end of the day we’re just trying to get wins, so whatever is best for the team, I am for,” Foster said in the interview. This is from the chron., it seems Foster isn't that excited about being paired with Leach again...
I would love to have The Leachness Monster back. I really hope the Texans can find a way to maneuver some ends, and get Vonta back here.
I guess I'm just not as excited about Leach possibly coming back as everyone else. We have Greg Jones who is a MAJOR upgrade from last year. Go ask MJD what he thinks about Jones. I just don't see the need to having 2 starting-caliber FBs on this roster when what little $$ we have available would be better spent on a position that's more of a need (RT, MLB, NT).
If we signed Leach, we'd cut Jones. And Leach is better, so it wouldn't be pointless. The thing is that Leach would probably get paid more than Jones is, so Jones might be a better deal money wise. And while we wouldn't have to pay Jones' full salary if we cut him, he's still guaranteed $240K out of his $1M contract, so it wouldn't be entirely painless. But Vonta is the better player and gives us a better chance at winning. The real question is if it is worth the extra + lost money? IMO, it comes down to what we eventually do with the money we have left. If we use it to shore up areas of concern, then great. Even though Vonta is better, it's not like Jones is bad. It's not like he'd solidify a weak position. But if we don't really use that money for anything, I'd rather have Vonta than Jones. I expect the Texans to stick with Jones unless Vonta gives us a big discount.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Two teams other than the Texans and Dolphins are talking to Vonta Leach. He'll pick a team early next week.</p>— John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaytonESPN/statuses/348169965586751488">June 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It's interesting that former Ravens FB Vonta Leach is talking with his old team, the Texans. He might go to Miami, but Texans are interested</p>— John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaytonESPN/statuses/348169845872922624">June 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Well Vonta was basically cut in lieu of Jacoby Jones, and in hindsight that was probably a bad decision. But its become apparent how much of a dying breed by how little value GM's place on them.
Link Agent Ralph Vitolo said the Dolphins remain the front-runner for Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach, but he might take one more visit elsewhere (perhaps the Giants). Asked if he believes Leach will sign with Miami, Vitolo said: “I think so. I hope so. It’s the right place to be. We’re trying to crunch the numbers.”
Eh. If we were still running James Casey out there at FB, I'd be more upset. But now that we have a prototypical FB in Greg Jones (who has made a living blocking for MJD), I'm not worried. We'll be just fine at FB.
