Look out JD! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Since they say it’s National Puppy Day!! My young Ghost!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kasper?src=hash">#Kasper</a> <a href="http://t.co/rjX5JygNK5">pic.twitter.com/rjX5JygNK5</a></p>— Kareem Jackson (@ReemBoi25) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReemBoi25/status/580203744073105408">March 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source: JJ Watt has restructured his contract. Turned $10M roster bonus into a signing bonus. Creates $8M in cap space for HOU for 2015.</p>— Field Yates (@FieldYates) <a href="https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/580354889315971072">March 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans DE JJ Watt did simple restructure. Converts $10M roster bonus to signing bonus. Creates $8M in space for '15, adds $2M to cap '16-'19</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/580358248513069057">March 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>J.J. Watt will make $19.969 million 2015 through $9.969M base salary salary, $10Mrenegotiated bonus, cap figure $13.969M, down from $21.969M</p>— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/580356703696371712">March 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's who first came to mind when the JJ restructure was announced. So what's the deal with Bowers? Has he shown flashes?
Trade for Rivers, thanks, bye. And why all the love for Bowers? He has basically sucked or been injury riddled his entire career. He was a big name as a draft prospect, but that's about it...as a pro, he's been nothing but below average.
He was a second round pick that dropped bc of medical issues. If teams werent worried about that, he was going to be a first round pick...so there was definitely some hope that he would be that kind of player. He was seen as a potential franchise type player, if healthy.
Bowers is being looked at on a prove it contract to be depth on the line, not a star contributor. I don't think they have any interest in trading for a QB. I think BOB believes in the guys he has. To me the needs, based on how I think THEY see the roster, are: OLB ILB that can stay on the field (Bruce Carter type) interior OL veteran WR DL depth I could imagine them signing Wes Welker for cheap, Bowers for cheap and then maybe a legit interior OL guy.
Some names to watch: Wes Welker Justin Blalock (G) Red Bryant (DE) Mason Foster (ILB) Stefen Wisniewski (C) Lance Briggs (LB, not sure he can play in the 3-4) Brandon Spikes (ILB, not ideal can't cover) Bowers (DE)
My question is why the Texans would carry out the Watt cap hit to future years if we are just trying to sign "cheap" contracts. I would think that they have something possibly bigger in mind. They may not do anything, but they've definitely opened themselves up to spending 8 more million this offseason, which is quite a bit of money. I also think the Texans might be positioning themselves to sign Evan Mathis if the Eagles release him...his salary desire is right in the neighborhood of the cap savings with the Watt deal.
This is awesome but it's not like Watt gave up any money. Still, Rick Smith killing it this offseason.
Maybe they are big game hunting with that $8 million loan they just took out, or maybe they need to fill out the roster still and barely have enough to do that because of the rookie pool. I also think it was always intended for this restructure to happen this year based on the way the salary was setup. It also isn't a big deal in future years. So now Watt counts 14 instead of 12. Wow. Devastating blow! You could sign a center (Wiz), a veteran WR to compete in the slot (Welker), a DE to shore up the line (Red Bryant) and a cheap veteran linebacker and you would have added a lot of depth to this team. That would probably cost you all of your cap space.
Hope they have big plans for this cap room. Otherwise, I would have liked for them to take their cap hit on Watt (and J-Joe) this year to free up lots of cap room in the remaining years of Watt's contract. This kind of restructuring is what led to AJ80's $16MM cap number this year and his eventual release.
Team was pretty bad against the run last year, so for example, signing Red Bryant and Brandon Spikes would be pretty big adds to stop the run. A frontline of Bryant/Wilfork/Watt would be impossible to run against. Geez.
Watt is really the only player in the league I would be ok with this type of restructure for. It's extremely low risk.
$2 mil a year won't be a huge detriment down the line because I trust that we'll be able to manage the cap a lot better this time and our previous mistakes will be distant history at that time.
