Not just that... but I also think people overreact way to much to what Kubiak says, or does not say, to the media. Kubiak clearly has his own media speak where he talks about "battlefighting", and rarely throws anybody under the bus (if ever). Reports are, behind closed doors, he's a completely different person... takes a ton of time to break down film for everybody, goes one-on-one with individuals over technique/game-plan, hell... he probably gets mad at some people as well. I just feel that he's never going to say anything significant, one way or the other, to the media regarding his teams strengths or deficiencies. In the end, he'll end every criticism with "that's on me... ", and give very little info away with regards to injuries, or players who are being held out because of performance issues. I'd put almost zero stock in what he says to the media... its basically just drivel for pancakes to write up and make a story out of.
I hope that doesn't include O-line. With Newton basically still a rookie, coming off of patellar tendon surgery, and not being all that good even when he was healthy, we have a serious problem at Right Tackle. When your offense depends on zone blocking for your running game, and keeping an immobile QB upright, you've got to have a serviceable RT. We cannot seriously say we are a superbowl contender going into the season with Derrick Newton as our RT option, and no one else behind him. Even if Newton is healed up and ready to play, having only two viable tackles on your roster is a disaster waiting to happen. Having done some research into the draft, OT is deep through the first two rounds, and then pretty much a bunch of projects after that. Assuming we use our FA money to address other needs (like FS with Ed Reed), we're not likely to add starting-caliber RT in free agency. That means we've got to draft one in the 1st or 2nd round.
^My hope is that we go WR, ILB in the first 2 rounds depending on bpa at these positions. Tackle and safety/corner in the third.
the entire offensive scheme is predicated on running the ball. something we were mediocre at last year. fix the OL and the offense will look a lot more potent
Not close to a deal PHOENIX — Another day could pass without free-agent free safety Ed Reed signing a new contract. It’s pretty obvious Reed isn’t getting the kind of offers he was hoping to get when free agency began. He made $7.2 million during Baltimore’s Super Bowl season — the last of a six-year, $44.5 million contract. Texans general manager Rick Smith and Reed’s agent David Dunn have spoken since they arrived at the NFL meetings this week, but they don’t appear close to working out a deal, at least not today. Dunn is checking with other clubs to see how much interest they have. The Texans have made an offer that, according to two people familiar with the negotiations, is closer to $4 million a year than $5 million. Reed has been hoping to get a multiyear contract that averages $6 million to $7 million. Reed, who’ll be 35 next season, has an offer to return to the Ravens, who, like the Texans, don’t have a lot of room under the salary cap and won’t commit to a long-term deal. According to reports, teams like San Francisco and New England would like for Reed to visit. If Reed doesn’t sign with the Texans, they may look at unsigned safeties like Michael Huff (30), Charles Woodson (36) and Quintin Mikell (32). Gerald Sensabaugh, who started at Dallas but wasn’t invited back by the Cowboys, played for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips when he was the Cowboys’ head coach. He could be an option. This is a deep and talented draft for teams looking for safeties after the first round. Barring trades, the Texans will have four of the top 95 picks, including two in the third round.
Agreed. You just don't see teams using a #1 on a RT though. Winston was a third. I think we could probably find good value there.
So… six games invalidate the previous 60? (Really, it’s four – they were terrific against the Colts in their first meeting and thoroughly dominant in their playoff game with the Bengals.) And the collapse was due to their QB attempting to play the season from the fetal position, which is hard. It’s not like his offensive system suddenly became ineffective. I think they need another playmaker; I think he needs to modify his system slightly to spread the field more; I think he needs to be very cognizant that his QB might need to be carried for stretches. And I think he needs to make sure the right-side of the OL is locked down. But he has entered every offseason with a “to do” list, offensively, and been universally terrific at eradicating the issue.
It would seem that, contrary to what a lot of people in this thread believe, no news is actually good news if you're hoping we sign Reed. Sounds like the Texans are just waiting on Reed and his agent to finally figure out that the Texans offer is about as good as he's going to get at this point in his career.
if the figure they're reporting holds (lets say $4.5MM), the Texans would still have another $5MM to sign FAs before any other restructures. where would you spend that?
end of the 1st round is a perfectly fine draft position to pick a RT, as long as the guy is a franchise player at that position. I don't think you have to use a 1st round pick; there are a few good OT's in the 2nd round as well. But i don't think you can leave it for later in the draft, and gamble on Tackle projects who may have the tools to develop, but are far away from being NFL contributors over the next year or two. as for other positions of need: ILB/OLB, WR, NT, FS ...these are all positions that are deep through the 3rd, 4th and even 5th rounds. I think we need to go BPA, but i also think that at least one of those other needs will have to be filled in free agency with a day-one starter. It won't be possible to fill them all in this year's draft. fortunately this draft corresponds well to our positions of need as far as quality and depth go.
For me Eric Winston. The new rules that may pass which would affect the running game will likely hurt other teams moreso. With Arian being known as one of the very few RBs that runs with his head up well, we need that extra run blocking to distance our ground game even more to keep opposing teams un balanced, than of course get a WR that can help right away in the draft to help do that.
Reed, Winston and Karlos Dansby plus drafting a WR in the 1st round would be my ideal situation. (if we can restructure some contracts and get a veteran WR#2 to compete that would be perfect)
My fear is that the last 6 games are much more relevant to the next 6 games they plan than the previous 54 were....
The more time that goes by, the less I'm concerned about the waiting because I don't think the Texans are really interested in making any more notable FA signings before the draft. They'll get their safety in FA and their LB and WR in the draft then fill out the depth chart with cheap contracts after that.
Am I the only one that's bothered by the fact we're addressing WR2 in the draft, given the learning curve for rookie WR's? This is why I keep saying Walter will be back as WR2 next season. Because I think you're right...I think they will draft a WR, and realize you're not starting a rookie there...and eventually that will work itself into a camp invite for Kevin......
Really though... Move on already.. Bandon Lloyd is out there.. This guy will make our offense so much better than last year...
I'm bothered by it. Hopefully we have 2-3 veterans in camp fighting for a spot or someone like Santana Moss (sigh) becomes available. The again, McNair's comments sound like he's all about the long-term stability of the franchise, in that case, letting a rookie develop there might be what we're looking at.
I haven't heard much on Winston/McCain lately, I'm probably just out of the loop, but, could they be waiting for Reed to sign (or not sign) so they can come aboard? That'd be a nice haul that fills gaps and gives us major flexibility in the draft (NT not so much a stretch now). Dansby is probably a pipedream but I'd take him if available in a heartbeat. Pencil in Pollard for peanuts as a 3rd safety + special package specialist and you have a free agent class ready to make an immediate impact and a rookie class that won't be asked to carry a big load right away (but hopefully 1-3 of them will be ready to). If something like that fell in place I'd be ecstatic, I also wouldn't be so worried about WR2. It'd take such a significant upgrade there to make an immediate impact this year. I'm fine just punting that position and rolling with the most affordable/capable veteran. Let Kubiak figure out how to use Graham, Foster and the slot position more and pray a veteran with something to prove falls through the cracks from another team and lands in our lap midseason.
