Manning made the same amount of money at Schaub + Kevin Walter, if I remember correctly. The idea that they couldn't fit him in is ridiculous. The Texans went into 2012 as a Superbowl contender - they didn't have anything to offer? Really? You can choose not to believe the rumors - they were rumors, after all. But you certainly can't call the idea "foolish" when it was both financially possible and there is evidence out there he was interested. As far as having nothing to show, I'm pretty sure their fans enjoyed the last two years a whole lot more than the Texans. That's the purpose of sports, right? And that probably continues this year. You really believe Denver's season last year was no better or more valuable than the Texans?
Even if they had cut Scahub, at the time there would have been dead money so it wouldn't have freed up all that much to spend on Peyton meaning even more cuts and a weaker team. Peyton and the much stronger Broncos roster made it to 4 playoff games with Manning, the Texans have been to 4 playoff games since then as well. Tell me again how much they have to show for the Manning years.
Looking back on it. We all should have seen Russell coming. We're just prejudice against short quarterbacks. He was very good in college. He simply got passed on because of his height. I think we'll see more from him this year now that he has a better receiving core. I have no faith in Fitzpatrick. I'm expecting to see Savage (or whoever is the backup) on the field at some point this season rather Dre is here or not.
3rd hand rumors aside, I wonder what, monetarily, would have had to happen to get Manning in a Texans uniform. The Texans cut guys left and right in the 2012 offseason. I don't know where they were going to find the extra 7-8 million they would have needed to sign him. It would have interfered with some combination of Foster, Brown, or Cushing's extensions as well. I sometimes wonder how Texans fans would feel about Peyton if we had to sacrifice some stars to bring him here, and he gave us what he has given Denver so far.
I think we'd have everyone around here crying about how we went all out on a guy that chokes in the post-season and how we threw away our future foolishly. The Broncos had really nothing to lose at the time, the Texans would have had to all but gut their roster to pull it off unless Peyton was going to take a huge pay cut.
The Broncos were absolutely a clean slate, as were the Dolphins/Titans (two of his other suitors). They had a crapton of cap room and an offense that could be built from scratch. The Texans situation was messy. Lots of bills coming due. Plus the offense had Kubiak's fingerprints all over it. It was pretty crummy timing all around.
I think McNair will do whatever he feels gives them the best chance to win this year. That includes keeping Johnson even when he is mad and knowing he is losing the chance to get picks for the future. Why? The dude is going to die soon. He is 78 years old. I would do everything I possibly could to win NOW.
Broncos weren't a stronger team. The Texans had the #1 defense in 2011 (and a top-3 running game); the Broncos gave up 100+ more points. Peyton automatically makes you a top-3 offense. Broncos in 2011 had a -81 scoring differential; Texans were +103. And that was with TJ Yates for the last chunk of the season. It's not even close which team was better. The Broncos were hoping to be a contender with Manning; the Texans would have been the Superbowl favorites with him. As far as dead money, there wasn't a lot of dead money at that point - Schaub hadn't signed his contract extension until a week or two into the 2012 seasobn. But even if you needed to clear an extra $4 or $5 million, you really wouldn't do that for an upgrade from Matt Schaub to Peyton Manning? That's a bigger upgrade than any player or combo of players on the Texans making $5MM. If he was interested, *at the very least*, the Texans should have talked to him. The idea that it was impossible is silly - if Peyton Manning is interested in playing for your team that already has the #1 defense and a top-3 running attack, you explore every possibility to make it happen.
Which is part of why we shouldn't still be talking about it, the fact that it didn't even work out for the Broncos after a 280 yard 1 TD 2 interception performance against the Seahawks being another big reason.
The Broncos being a clean slate was a stronger situation to go all out on a QB like Manning. All of the advantages the Texans had over the Broncos when it comes to the roster would have been gone to make the room. We'd have lost our entire line...given that we already almost did, we'd have lost Foster so you can't mention run game, we'd have lost Cushing who without him our defense is really weak....It would have been foolish to gut the roster and gamble the future on a Peyton Manning coming off of that many surgeries. Knowing what we know today, it would be even more foolish.
If he wanted to get out of Houston, shouldnt he have got out 3-4 years ago? I dont understand his rebuilding logic. I think with OBrien aboard he will get more looks his way. He was #2 in targets with Keenum/Schuab last season too.
Crap. Pancakes just tweeted that AJ isn't going anywhere and that they'll "work things out" with him. RIP Andre.
I think most importantly is that in BOB's offensive system Andre has the best shot at getting 10+ TD receptions for the first time in his career.
I hope so . . . .. "Dre .. . we just going to throw you the damn ball! Esp in the red zone" - BO'B Rocket River
Yep, i dont think it even matters who the QB is. I also think Hopkins, Posey and Martin will be better utilized now. ...Leaving Andre open more.
