Texans Sign Weaver/Cook

Free Agent Frenzy
DE Weaver, FB Cook Signed

The bell has rung on the start of free agency, and the Texans have left the gate running. The team has reportedly scheduled at least three notable visits this weekend to Reliant Park, and there are likely several more to come over the next couple days.

The first big visit has resulting in a signing of Ravens defensive end Anthony Weaver according to the Baltimore Sun. While terms are not yet known, the paper reported that Weaver expected to receive $13 million in guaranteed money.

A second round selection in the 2002 draft, Weaver has experience playing end in both a 3-4 and a 4-3 defensive front. Drafted at a playing weight of roughly 295 pounds, Weaver is listed at 280 pounds on the Ravens official website.

The Texans have perhaps their greatest positional need at strongside defensive end, so the team's pursuit of a veteran at the position comes as no surprise. Weaver, who was born in Abilene but played high school football in New York, has amassed 14.5 sacks in his four-year career. His only significant time missed due to injury came late last season when he dislocated his toe.

The Texans are also expecting Patriots wide receiver David Givens to visit Reliant Park on Sunday according to the Boston Herald. Givens, a graduate of Humble high school, has been a key member of the Patriots' recent Super Bowl championships. Like Weaver, Givens calls Notre Dame his alma mater.

Givens, a seventh round pick in the 2002 draft, has averaged 57.5 receptions for 806 yards (a 14-yard average per catch) the last two seasons. He missed three games in 2005 due to a knee injury.

With the lack of talent at wide receiver on the free agent market, Givens' services will likely come at a price. He has a visit scheduled with the Dolphins on Saturday, but while other teams like the Bills, Broncos, Browns, and others are interested according to his agent, Miami and Houston were his only two visits immediately scheduled.

ESPN.com reported that the Texans signed fullback Jameel Cook on Saturday. Cook, 27, was a sixth round pick of the Buccaneers in 2001. While he has 55 receptions in his career, his value to the team will come as a lead blocker for the team's tailbacks. Terms of the deal were not included in the report.

The NFL Network is reporting that Packers center Mike Flanagan will be visiting Houston on Saturday. Assistant head coach Mike Sherman coached Flanagan, 32, for much of his career. The team re-signed Steve McKinney last week, but he is expected to shift back to left guard this season.

Drew Hodgdon, who started three games at center as a rookie, is penciled in as the starting center unless Flanagan is signed. Hodgdon though is coming off an injury to the arch in his right foot, and the team might not be completely comfortable with his health, much less his relative inexperience.

The Miami Sun-Sentinel is also reporting that the Texans will visit with Dolphins quarterback Sage Rosenfels on Saturday. The Texans released backup quarterback Tony Banks last month.

Regardless of whether these initial visitors will be Texans by the end of the weekend, look for the team to invite several more players to Reliant Park in the coming days, particularly at linebacker, tight end, and on the offensive and defensive lines.

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