Ok, you got me there. The guy is a grade-A s**thead. I'm not arguing that point at all. All I'm saying is that we seem to be the victims of a LOT of late hits, and low blows, and that to me says that the rest of the league has zero respect for us. In two years, it's just not a coincidence that Drayton Florence, Albert Haynesworth, Cortland Finnegan, Jared Allen, and John Henderson have ALL laid dirty hits on Schaub. Name me another quarterback who has been victimized THAT much in two seasons. It would be nice to know that when that happens, you have players who are willing to retaliate. I'm not condoning dirty plays, or dirty players, but the reality is this is the NFL, and if you can't dish out punishment at the same clip at which you take it, you just aren't going to be very successful.
Meh, I don't necessarily believe for a second that dirty players are MORE dirty against the Texans because we don't retaliate somehow. I think dirty players are just dirty players. Carr got hit a LOT. I mean a LOT. Way more than Schaub. I don't remember him getting an inordinate amount of dirty shots, and he played with the same coaching staff and much of the same personnel. I think Schaub has just been really unlucky to be on the receiving end of some massive douchery so far in his career as a Texan. And as for guys like Haynesworth, being dirty is not why anyone would want a guy like that. I don't believe for a second that his dirty play gives him any real edge on the field save for if he manages to injure an opposing player. Guys like Haynesworth are valued because they are really freaking good at their job. Haynesworth just also happens to be an *******. But players of his caliber and impact can be had without all the baggage (just look at Mario Williams). So while Haynesworth could surely help this team (if he stays healthy), I don't really agree that the reason (or really even part of the reason) is because he takes cheap shots at opposing QBs (or other players).
What should the Texans do: Lose their last game so that the have a chance at UT's DE Orapko? (sic). Sign via FA a lock down corner. Big $, whatever it takes. Negotiate with Dunta and sign him if he will take reasonable money. Do not franchise him or sign him to crazy money. Fire their defensive coordinator. Do NOT give up any draft picks. Go hard again at defense in the draft unless a can't miss offensive lineman comes up. (This just in, Chester Pitts ain't all that good). We really need linebackers and a cover safety. If they beat Chicago. In that circumstance they should: Sign via FA a pass rusher (Peppers) Draft best defensive player available in first round. Same for the rest.
Orakpo will be gone by the time we pick no matter whether we win or lose this week. I also don't see the Texans spending big money on a FA CB this year since we spent quite a bit on Reeves just last summer. I agree with the rest. Also, I've seen a couple posts mentioning Peppers as a FA signee. We're not getting him. He's coming off of one of his best seasons as a pro, he's going to command more money that we would offer and there are going to be teams offering way more money than we ever would.
The Texans are going to be in their best cap position in years. I think they will pull out all stops if the Oakland corner is available (although I think he will be franchised). I think they will be willing to spend big big bucks on defensive FA's if they are still young enough. I don't think they will go after Hendrickson, because of his injury and mental history. I don't think they will go for anyone that is even somewhat long in the teeth. If there is a young defensive FA I think they will go for it. If not, they will wait, continue to build through the draft, and save their cap space for the potential of having to sign a qb in 2010.
Davis was coming off a career year and was a HUGE weapon as a WR and KR, he also came at a very reasonable $4M/year. It is likely that Dunta will cost double that amount and he is still coming of a sever injury. I'm not saying he won't be re-signed but the 2 players can't be compared.
Hopefully the threat that the team MIGHT put the franchise tag on him will be enough to give them leverage in the negotiations. I really want Dunta back, but I worry he is going to want big time CB money.
Sure it is. The player really has very little say in that process. That said, it would have to be done with the understanding that it allows more time to work out a long term deal. It makes Dunta one the highest paid players at his position for the year. He is crucial to the success of the Texans in 2009. He will be back.
I am uneasy about paying him gobs of money without any solid proof he's still worth it. I honestly think that money would be better spent on someone without a catastrophic leg injury hanging over them to play CB.. nothing personal
Well literally speaking, the player has no say in the process, but you don't want to hand over $10M for one year to a guy and still have him pissed in the mean time with the possibility of him walking the next season. I am hoping that we can work out a deal, but franchising him does not seem to be the best option for either parties IMO.
I'm willing to roll the dice on Dunta Robinson. Maybe it was just coincidence, but our defense got a lot better when he came back. He adds more to the team than just his play on the field...but that play is not half bad. I think with a good offseason of rest and rehab going into training camp he'll be just fine. I don't want to lose this guy. He is a team leader, and more importantly, he wants to be here. He doesn't just want the paycheck - he wants to finish what he started. He wants to be a part of what he believes that this team can become. Lock the man up long-term now so that he can just focus on the recovery process this offseason. The thought of the Texans without Dunta Robinson makes me a bit ill.
Resigning Dunta is a no brainer, whether to a long term deal or slapping the franchise tag on him. If the negotiating for the long term deal bogs down the Texans would be prudent to slap the non-exclusive franchise tag, meaning Dunta can negotiate with other teams and the Texans can either match other teams offers or get 2 first round picks as compensation. He won't like it, but the Texans gotta do what's best for the team. We don't have a shot at Peppers, he'll want to stay near his hometown and the Panthers are a winning team. Fat Albert is a risky move, he's entering that stage where his production can dropoff dramatically, he's in his late 20's. But it seems a worthy gamble.
Arakpo isn't going that high. There will be so many talented junior DE/DT coming out this year. We are drafting 15th so lets let things play out. Arakpo would be nice. We might be able to do better though.
First...it's Orakpo. Second...he'll be the first DE off the board and is likely to go in the Top 5. Who would be better? I don't think we should trade up because I think more picks are better but as far as DL, Orakpo is probably the best prospect with the least question marks IMO.
