http://www.kffl.com/hotw/ Very reasonable contract. He'll be a good addition. He's not a great blocker, but he's not embarassingly bad like Billy Miller. And he's definitely a tremendous upgrade to the downfield passing game... he's known for making tough, over-the middle type catches. This is probably the first legit NFL TE we've ever had.
Now we have to concentrate on getting the right pieces for our bandaid OL and that 2nd WR to compliment AJ. Then we're set!
since it looks like we didnt want to give up a 3 to get Burleson...what WR do we target in the draft and when? I think Baskett will be there in the third round. 6'4, 225, 4.49 40. Maurice Stovall from ND maybe in the 2nd 1. Bush 2. ? 3. ? 3. ? Or do we still try and add a FA?
hell, it's always good to have a guy named Jeb on the team. now to work on the abominations that were the offensive lines and defensive front seven.
Sinorce Moss would be a heck of a pick with the 2nd rounder if he is still on the board. Derek Hagan with a 3rd would be excellent as well. At one time Hagan was thought of as the best WR prospect for this senior class (probably 1st rounder), but really had a terrible senior bowl week and so/so combine. But I think he could be a much better player than that--he was tough to handle when I saw him play, so his stock may be lower than it should. One of those maybe buy-low type prospects. Stovall with the 3rd is a option, but I'd take Hagan 1st if I had the choice, I think Hagan could be a lot more explosive whereas Stovall will be your strait possesion guy. All these guys may be gone when the pick I would want to use is available, but then maybe there will be other sleepers in day 2.
I like this signing, but is Jeb really worth Sage Rosenfels money? In the WR department, we could always take a flyer on Peerless Price, Dez White, Kevin Curtis, Randy Hymes, Quincy Morgan, or... *shudder* Keyshawn Johnson. If Sinorice Moss is there for our 2nd round pick, I *might* consider forgoing an OL and take him instead... and that's lofty words coming from me, "Mr. Draft an OL".
Here's the Pasquerelli article: Texans expand TE opportunities by adding Putzier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com The Houston Texans, who have rarely thrown the ball to the tight end the past two seasons, on Monday evening found an excuse to start doing so again. ESPN.com learned that the Texans have reached agreement with free agent tight end Jeb Putzier, who was released by the Denver Broncos for salary cap reasons two weeks ago, on a four-year contract. The deal is worth $7.5 million and includes a signing bonus of $1.85 million. Jeb Putzier Tight End Denver Broncos Profile 2005 SEASON STATISTICS Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC 37 481 0 13.0 32 224 Putzier, 27, will be reunited in Houston with first-year head coach Gary Kubiak, who was his offensive coordinator in Denver, and who pushed hard for the Texans to sign the four-year veteran. Putzier had drawn interest from several other teams, including the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles after his release. The Jets had actually signed him to a restricted free agent offer sheet last spring, but the Broncos matched it and retained him. A former Boise State standout, and a sixth-round pick in the 2002 draft, Putzier will provide the Texans a vertical dimension at tight end that the team has never possessed before. And with Kubiak calling the shots on offense, the tight end figures to become a viable element again in the Texans' passing game. Although he played rarely in his first two seasons in the league, Putzier blossomed in 2004 as a player who could run up the seam and split the safeties. In 2004, he had 36 catches for 572 yards. The three tight ends on the Houston roster totaled just 22 catches for 232 yards that season. In 2005, Putzier posted 37 catches for 481 yards, while the Texans' contingent of tight ends had a collective 33 catches for 216 yards. Putzier's average of 14.4 yards per catch over the last two seasons ranks among the top five in the NFL over that stretch. The lone downside to Putzier is that he is only an adequate blocker and struggles to move defenders off the line of scrimmage. But one of Houston's offseason priorities was to provide beleaguered quarterback David Carr with more playmakers, and with some vertical options, and the acquisition of Putzier certainly addresses that goal. In 39 appearances, Putzier has 77 receptions for 1,087 yards and two touchdowns.
Solid signing. Let's do our best to bring in Cowart, Ashworth and Flanagan, then get ready for the draft.
Looks like we are getting some good offensive players to fill our holes through FA. Now in the draft if we can go all defense all the way, we will be set.
Well, it looks like the Texans will go offense with the top two picks. 1. Bush 2. WR (Moss) Load up on offense this year, then try to build the defense up over the next couple seasons.
Your new #2 WR for the Houston Texans.......... Reggie Bush. Look, you have to figure out ways to get the ball into Reggie's hands, especially ways where he doesn't run into 300 lb. defensive linemen. If AJ draws the double coverage you have Reggie one on one with a CB. I'll take that match up 10 times a game. You can also play him with AJ and Mathis in the 3 wide, you've already acquired Walter for your possession receiver and I think when Kubiak sees Armstrong catch everything they throw his way in practice he will figure out how to get him in the game (when the previous braintrust stuck with Bradford ) There are so many ways to use the second rounder better than WR. Think about it, you need to get the ball to DD, AJ, Mathis, Putzier and Reggie, that's pretty strong. But to do that you need to give Carr time to count his fingers and toes. Also you had the worst run defense in the NFL last year. It doesn't help to add a WR if you never see the ball.
While I agree that the coaching staff needs to come up with creative ways to get the ball into Bush's hands, I hope they are not counting on Reggie having a huge impact as a wide receiver. The guy is fast, really fast, but for a running back. As a wide receiver, I don't think he would be able to get sufficient separation to be a really effective receiver. I hope I am wrong, and even if I'm not I think he would be a great running back.
I agree Raven, you can't look at Bush as being the #2 WR on your team. His best use will be motioning him out of the backfield into the slot #3 WR position. Saying that I would be happy with any of these three guys in the 2nd round. 1. Sinorice Moss WR 2. D'Qwell Jackson MLB 3. Eric Winston OT
I agree we have to take Bush with the second pick if we dont move down but our needs are strictly OL, and LB. Our only LB who should actually play as a starter in this league is Wong and perhaps Greenwood on the edge. Our linebackers missed so many plays last year it was hard to watch. We need a middle linebacker as bad as anything, someone like Jamie Sharper would be perfect although we obviously won't be getting him.
