"Revis Island" is about $10 mil per against the cap. If it isn't significantly higher than Darrelle Revis, I'd be shocked. I would say $12 million is the floor, not the ceiling unless he pulls a Cliff Lee and goes somewhere for less money.
i'd imagine the cap space would start out on the lower end and move up to the, and above, the higher end. Of course, it all depends on how the contract is structured.
Reasonable in some cases, but not enough. Players will say yes, if the money is there, and it's been proven over and over again. Sure, there are some situations and markets - teams like Buffalo and maybe Jacksonville - that will make any player pause. But by and large, as long as a team has at least some elite talent and a decent market around it, money will win out. It's the same way the perpetually mediocre Redskins make enormous splashes every offseason. Bob McNair is no Mike Brown, but he does try to save money where reasonable (see alleged Schobel negotiations for one example). And to acquire elite talent in free agency, you have to overpay. That's just how it works, in pretty much all sports. The concept of market value changes when so many teams are able to simultaneously place bids against one another. If the Texans offer Asomugha the most money, I would be absolutely floored if he doesn't sign here. It really is that simple. It just depends on whether McNair is willing to commit himself to that extent. So far, he hasn't.
while elite talent does come at a premium, the examples people use to show how "cheap" the texans are typically aren't elite status (you own Schobel example...not what you call an elite level. the Pats CB that i'm blanking on, etc) I hope Aso comes here too but if he doesnt and the texans have actively pursued him, then i'm not going to point to that as an example of bob not willing to spend money or whatever.
You're ignoring exposure, though. The Redskins, despite their perpetual medicority, are guaranteed national coverage, especially if they're good. Remember, they finished 4-12 in '09 and then *opened the 2010 season on NBC against the Cowboys*. Their six games against the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants always generate interest from the networks because they're a marquee franchise with a rich, successful history; their fans are rabid and sell-out every game; and the owner makes headlines that keeps the team relevant. The Texans would likely have to offer *a lot* more to lure a player away from the Redskins, IMO. They're not playing on the same level field. The Texans' competion is, sadly, Detroit, Jacksonville, Arizona - yeah, more money trumps those guys. But I think the lure of big-time football on a national stage plays bigger and that's something the Texans simply can't offer. Hell, the Redskins have a MNF game this year; the Texans do not.
I'm watching NFL Total Access on the NFL network right now and they have Plax in for the show sitting with the guys. They were talking about potential teams Burress might go to and he commented on each situation. One guy threw out the Texans and Burress responded by saying "Wow". He went off about how good our offense is, how we are on the rise, and how he liked us in the playoffs. He also talked indivually about Andre, Schaub, and Foster. The panel continued to talk about us being real sleepers, needing that #2 and how scary a good Burress can be in our offense, and also said we were "committed to spend" this offseason. Burress finished his comments by saying "When you think of Houston..all you can say is Wow" He would be an interesting addition depending on the circumstances, and he definitely has put some thought about signing with us.
I wonder what the Texans' reputation, as a team, is around the league? Does the team, minus the city and money and all that, look attractive to prospective free agents? I'm guessing - strictly guessing - that Kubiak is probably well thought of by guys. This team seems to like him quite a bit and he certainly had his fans in Denver. I sense he's the type of coach you'd like to play for - but I can't reconcile how players might perceive his lack of success... I would guess Phillips' reputation probably isn't as good, seeing as it looked like he lost his players in Dallas. But he gets results as a DC so, maybe guys out there love him. I don't know. It'll be interesting to see if guys like Weddle and/or Sensabaugh flock back to him. Roster-wise, I'd love to know if "wow" is a commonly-held opinion around the league. We all look at the talent and think, "Man, there's a lot on paper..." but we live with this team 24/7. What does... random free agent who spent the past 5 years in the NFC think? Does a guy like Asomugha or Joseph see this as an opportunity to possibly be the final piece of a playoff team? Does Phillips' hiring maybe push them over the top, in terms of interest? Man, I wish the lockout would end.........
you left off the rest of his comment..."wow...from the steelers to the Giants to the Texans. How depressing"
My guess...and I'm strictly guessing...is that he was thinking of offensive personnel only and nothing else when he uttered the word, "wow." My guess is he thinks adding himself to that mix would be potent stuff. I doubt quite seriously that his "wow" extended to the coaching staff or anything else at all.
I'm sure newly emancipated Plaxico Burress would love to play for any team. I take those remarks with plenty of salt.
I was asking/wondering generally, beyond Plaxico. What is the team's reputation *throughout* the NFL. Good? Bad? Indifferent?
good question. my guess would be indifferent to bad....we've seen some complaints about Rick Smith from players...and we have a franchise history of absolutely nothing at all.
I think the Rick Smith thing is being way overblown. The Oilers always attracted talent despite an Adams/Herzog combo in their corporate offices. His liabilities would most likely weigh heavier with agents and other front office types - but as long as they generally offer fair market money, I doubt players care much at all about the front office personnel. But I would agree, on the surface, 9 years of irrelevance has likely landed us on the not-prime-time list among free agents. I guess I'm wondering if our talent, coaching staff and/or ever-present (and unfufilled) potential - all these "on paper" items - are moving the chains at all in our favor?
Completely disagree on almost all points. For starters, Snyder makes headlines because he's willing to spend big bucks on marquee free agents. As far as the Texans, I don't think most reasonable observers put them in a class with Detroit, Jacksonville and Arizona. They're a far more profitable franchise in a far bigger market, with perceived better talent and with more loyal fans. It's not even remotely close in any of those areas. The Texans have also sold out every game in their history, by the way. With primetime games, it's been proven that if the Texans are competitive, networks will put them on the big stage. Hell, just coming off a 9-7 season with no playoffs, the Texans were in primetime three times last year, two on MNF! Those are the exact same "exposure" figures the Redskins had. Make no mistake, the Texans aren't the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it's absurd to even lump them in that class. If the Texans are a quality team, which signing an Asomugha would almost undoubtedly make them, the exposure will be there. Oh, and the biggest reason the Redskins opened the season in primetime? Because Snyder made a gutsy move to acquire Donovan McNabb at quarterback, and it was his first game with a new team. The Texans are every bit as marketable as the Redskins, if the players and situations are comparable. Difference is, McNair thus far has had an aversion to splash-type moves. If there's ever a poll conducted with NFL players on the desirability of free agent destinations, assuming equal money... I'd make quite a large wager that the Texans finish in front of the Redskins, and it probably wouldn't be close.
Players? I'm not trying to be an ass, just curious who the other person is besides Ahman Green. When I hear Green's complaint, I hear the words of a very bitter, prideful back who didn't want to accept the reality of aging at his position, and needed someone to blame. Hell, the mere concept of Smith supposedly having a "known reputation" at that point - having been on the job for one year - seems ridiculous. I'd guess the Texans are in the top half of the league in terms of desirability. The lack of history keeps them from being in the upper tier, but in terms of overall talent, team facilities, surrounding city, and perception of ownership... they're clearly a cut above the bottom teams. I'll go with "pretty good" as my phrase of choice.
We’re talking about 22-year old guys here – they don’t care about franchise profitability and market sizes. They care about money and national exposure. In terms of the NFL, if you think the Texans are lumped with, or even ahead of the Redskins… let’s just agree to disagree. The Redskins are a storied franchise they’ve all grown up watching win Super Bowls. The Texans are… well, not. Except for, you know… NBC, who hasn’t so much as sniffed the Texans in 9 years. Yes, and the Redskins were terrible. So an up-and-coming *winning* team got the same exposure as a 4-12 team… and you want to argue that, all things being equal, the Texans have greater cache among the league and its players than the Redskins? Really? Doesn’t this, above all else, make my case? Tell me about it – the Jags have been remarkably more successful since 2002. And, FYI – the Jags have 3 primetime games this year. You honestly believe that? That in 9 mostly sub-mediocre years, the Texans have caught-up to one of the NFL’s premiere franchises? I’m sorry, that’s hopelessly silly. And remember: not just a storied franchise, but a storied franchise in perhaps the highest profile division in the history of football. The Redskins’ prominence is tied to Dallas and New York and Philadelphia, too. The Texans play… Tennessee. And Jacksonville. Even Indianapolis is a transplant. Granted, a large profile due to Peyton – but once he retires… that franchise enters the dark ages, I’m guessing. I will take that fictitious bet!!! Shall we say… one trillion dollars? Look, I’m from Houston…. And I’d probably pick Washington over the Texans. I’d at least give it some serious thought. It is a premiere destination for players and has been for many years. I’m sorry… I’m a Texan homer but… come on. You sound like you just started following the NFL last year and we all know you didn’t…
