Giants | Mack Could Sign - posted at KFFL 9:04 PT: Updating previous reports, the Bergen Record reports free agent RB Stacey Mack (Jaguars) is likely to sign with the New York Giants unless another team offers him a starting position. This is what is being reported in Dallas and thought you guys might be interested in this news. I thought he was going to sign with the Texans? Did they back out or something?
I think it's becoming more and more apparent that the Texans are hoping to pick up McGahee in the draft, and whomever signs this offseason will likely only be a one-year starter. Thus, no one seems to want to sign here with that in mind.
Replace the word "McGahee" with the words "a top-flight running back prospect," and I think you've got something. Remember, even if we did pick up McGahee, he ain't playing a down this year, regardless of whatever he or his agent(s) are spinning. (Of course, if you believe his agent(s), McGahee's going in the first round to the Eagles, anyway.) If Mack does sign with NYG, it looks like we will probably resign the dynamic explosive gamebreaker otherwise known as James Allen. Hey, can Matt Stevens play running back?
I know JAllen is not the answer, but I'm hoping JWells is... I know we'll pick a running back, if not the 2nd, then definitely the 3rd round (3 picks me thinks)... I can't imagine us screwin' up this draft...
Until he signs elswhere...I'd expect to see him in a Mack in a Texans uni next season. I'd trust info from Carlton Thompson (see this morning's Chronicle) before whatever news service that tidbit of info came from.
Does it matter all that much? Is this guy a 'difference maker'? I just don't see it. Sign on, Stacy, or don't.
Good point Xiki. If the Texans do sign him, I hope they don't spend a lot of money on him. TRUST IN CHARLEY
Yeah, thats what I was gonna say...if he's gonna sign with the Giants, then WTF did they write that article?(I think he is underrated and would be a good addition.)
Here's the article: Mack, Texans close to consummating a deal By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle The Texans and Stacey Mack have been admiring each other from afar for most of the offseason, and it appears they finally might make a connection. According to sources, the two sides are close to reaching an agreement that could happen as soon as today, giving the Texans another option to help improve the NFL's 31st-ranked rushing offense from a year ago. Mack, 27, has spent the past four seasons as Fred Taylor's backup in Jacksonville, but he made it clear he was looking for an opportunity to compete for a starting job. Jonathan Wells is the incumbent starter at running back for the Texans, leading the team with 529 yards rushing during his rookie season. Interestingly, Mack and Wells are similar in style. Both are big, powerful backs who specialize in running between the tackles, but have not exhibited the speed or elusiveness to consistently turn the corner and make big plays in the open field. Wells has made an offseason commitment to shedding pounds with hopes of improving his burst. Mack has rushed for 1,498 yards and 19 touchdowns during his career, with an impressive average of four yards per carry. He enjoyed his best season in 2001 when an injury to Taylor allowed him to start 11 games, rushing for 877 yards and nine touchdowns. Dallas, Oakland and Carolina also expressed interest in Mack, who is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. That Texans coach Dom Capers was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator during Mack's first two seasons in Jacksonville no doubt is to the Texans' advantage. Wells made 11 starts for the Texans, posting a season-high 93 yards on 14 carries off the bench against Indianapolis in Week 3. As a team, the Texans surpassed 100 yards rushing in a game just three times and averaged at least four yards per carry on only four occasions. James Allen made the other five starts at running back and, although the Texans are negotiating with him, it's unclear if Allen will be re-signed. Also Tuesday, the Texans addressed their depth at linebacker, re-signing special-teams standout Troy Evans and adding former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Shannon Taylor. Taylor played in 16 games for the Ravens last season and made two starts at outside linebacker. The three-year veteran was a sixth-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers. Evans, who has spent two years in the NFL, played in 12 games for the Texans and had 14 tackles on special teams. The highlight of his season came in the Texans' Dec. 8 victory at Pittsburgh when Evans recovered a muffed punt that led to a Texans field goal. Finding an outside linebacker to replace Jeff Posey has become a priority for the Texans, who entertained Charlie Clemons on Tuesday. Clemons, a six-year veteran, spent the first three years of his career in St. Louis and the last three in New Orleans. His best season came in 2001 when he posted 13 1/2 sacks. That total dropped by 13 last season. ------------------------- Also, another interesting tidbit: BENGALS INSIDER Bengals ready to wheel and deal with No. 1 pick By Chick Ludwig e-mail address: chick_ludwig@coxohio.com Dayton Daily News CINCINNATI | Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has a bargaining chip that many are after — the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Proving that pre-draft mind games are in full swing, Lewis is sending out signals that he's willing to trade out of the No. 1 slot. If a suitor such as Houston moves up — it's hot off the presses of the NFL rumor mill, folks — Lewis could still get his man, Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer, at No. 3. And save the club millions. By saying he wants the top pick signed before the April 26 draft, Lewis is putting pressure on several teams to consider vaulting to the top spot in order to steal Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers from the Detroit Lions at No. 2. If Lewis pulls off a trade, he wants a top-5 position so he'll be able to get the Heisman Trophy-winning Palmer, Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich or Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman. All three are confirmed for pre-draft visits to Cincinnati. Palmer will likely command about a $20 million signing bonus if he goes No. 1 overall. That's a steep price to pay for a player who is going to sit behind Jon Kitna for a year and whose future is so uncertain (see Exhibit A, Akili Smith). By dropping down two spots or more, the Bengals can still get Palmer, but at a cheaper price. Trading with Houston makes sense because Texans general manager Charley Casserly wants to reward quarterback David Carr with a top-flight wide receiver. He can wait and take Miami of Florida's Andre Johnson at No. 3, but the guy he really wants is Rogers, who was clocked at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his pro day workout. .... http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/daily/0330beninsider.html It would be sweet to see the Texans trade up to get Rogers. Hopefully they wouldn't have to give up their high 2nd rounder tho, that's basically like a low first rounder.
Well, it's been speculated upon by quite a few people, and if you follow the thought in my original post, my feeling is that perhaps running backs are scared off from the Texans because they know they will not be starters here for more than one season. like VesceySux said though, it doesn't have to be McGahee. It could be anyone who's projected to take over in the future.
Berman said Mack is a (verbal) deal. Texans #1 pick by moving up? I still suspect they'll trade down, if they swap.
I totally disagree... you can't assume that anyone will be taken by anyone in the draft when he's not a top 10 pick, and even then it's a stretch. Here's some news, about 15 teams wouldn't mind having McGahee and you, me, even big Charley won't know where he goes in the draft until they call his name out. If free agents are stupid enough to base their decisions on something so speculative at this point, they need to fire their agents.
Mack is offically a Texan Clemons signs up; Texans land Mack By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle This time last year, the Texans had no idea who their starting right outside linebacker would be, and two weeks later when they signed Jeff Posey as a street free agent, coach Dom Capers had no idea who the journeyman linebacker was. That's why Wednesday's signing of free-agent linebacker Charlie Clemons seems like progress. The Texans inked a four-year, $6.7 million contract with Clemons, who two years ago in New Orleans had more sacks (13 1/2) than Posey has in his five-year career, including the team-high eight sacks he had with the Texans last season. Furthermore, the Texans were able to get Clemons for a deal similar to the four-year, $6 million contract Posey signed with the Buffalo Bills on the opening day of free agency. Posey received a $1.75 million signing bonus, and Clemons got $1.3 million to sign. Also Wednesday, the Texans re-signed free-agent cornerback Kenny Wright, and the team reached a verbal agreement on a one-year deal with free-agent running back Stacey Mack. Mack, 27, has spent the past four seasons as a backup in Jacksonville. He has rushed for 1,498 yards and 19 touchdowns during his career, including season bests of 877 yards and nine TDs in 2001. Signing Clemons addressed the Texans' biggest need on the defensive side of the ball and seemingly lessens the likelihood the team will use the third overall pick in the draft on Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs. Although Suggs, who had 24 sacks last season, played on the defensive line for the Sun Devils, he projects as an outside linebacker in the Texans' 3-4 scheme. Kailee Wong is the starter at left outside linebacker for the Texans. Clemons, 30, registered only a half-sack last season, but it's worth noting his role in the Saints' defense changed, and he was hampered by an injury. Although Clemons (6-2, 250) has experience as an outside linebacker during his six-year NFL career, the Saints played him in the middle last season. "We feel like he can rush the passer, and we like his versatility," Capers said. "When you lose a guy like Jeff Posey, you'd like to get someone who has shown in the past that they can rush the passer, and that's what we're getting in Charlie Clemons. He's proven he can be very productive. "When you play a 3-4 defense, linebackers are critical in the defense. We've had a chance to study Charlie, and we think he has multiple talents at the linebacker position. He's played inside linebacker, and we've seem him excel at moving outside and rushing the passer. Our plan is to put him at right outside linebacker and go from there." Interestingly, this wasn't Clemons' first visit with the Texans this offseason. He was looked at as a possible replacement for Jay Foreman at right inside linebacker, but that visit hit the skids when Foreman re-signed with the Texans the following day. "He made a quick trip in and out that time," Capers joked. But not this time. After having breakfast with Capers on Wednesday morning, Clemons told his agent he didn't want to leave Houston without a deal. By dinnertime, Clemons was a Texan. "This is a great opportunity for me," Clemons said. "Coach Capers has a great reputation for getting linebackers to the Pro Bowl, and I'm very happy to be here. I'm as healthy as I've ever been, and I'm ready to go. Outside linebacker is a natural position for me. My passion is rushing the passer, and I feel this is a system where I can use all of my talents." Clemons, who played at the University of Georgia, spent the first three years of his professional career in the Canadian Football League. He broke into the NFL with St. Louis in 1997, spending three seasons with the Rams before moving on to New Orleans for three years. The Texans claimed Wright off waivers from Minnesota last August, and he turned out to be one of the team's better acquisitions. Wright, 25, was the Texans' nickel corner, posting 34 tackles and a sack. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown in the Dec. 8 victory over Pittsburgh
Mack joins Texans for a chance to start -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans have reached a verbal agreement with free agent running back Stacey Mack, his agent said Wednesday. Mack's agent, Tim McGee, told Houston television station KRIV that the agreement is for a one-year duration. Texans officials said team policy doesn't allow them to comment on verbal agreements. McGee said Mack, who played the last four season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, chose to sign with the Texans because he wanted the opportunity to be a starter. ESPN.com's John Clayton reported that Mack passed up more money from the Jaguars and Giants for the opportunity to start. "I've always wanted to be able to showcase my ability,'' Mack said. "I am happy to be with Houston.'' Mack played in 50 games with Jacksonville and started in 13 games. He rushed for 1,498 yards and had 19 touchdowns. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. I haven't liked Mack at all. I think he's too much like Wells, not what the Texans really need. He was on my fantasy team for the past 2 years, so I enjoyed his goal line touchdowns (subbing for Taylor), but he isn't quite the breakaway back I was hoping for.
