Archive for the ‘lockout’ Category
July 18th, 2011
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With the lockout seeming like it is all but over, the anticipation for the Texans' moves in free agency grows. Going into free agency there are three truths that we all know are Texans necessities.
1) Get a Veteran Corner
2) Get a Huge Nose Tackle
3) Get a Solid Field Stretching Deep Threat Receiver
While many people seem to be on the Nnamdi Asomugha train, I can't honestly sit here and think there is a chance in hell he will come to the Texans. Will Bob McNair and Rick Smith make an offer? Absolutely, but I don't think it will be enough to bring Nnamdi to Houston. Although last year he had many words of support for Rookie Kareem Jackson (almost mentor-like) and as much as he seems like a perfect fit here, it's just not likely and I don't want to get my hopes up.
It's much more realistic to imagine we'll be able to bring in Jonathan Joseph or a Cromartie (god forbid). Either would be solid plusses on the field though. Early in the lockout, many people were touting Champ Bailey, but that seems to have quieted quite a bit. My speculation is because
Regardless, we are in this mess because Rick Smith didn't pay attention to the sharpee text written on the shoes of Dunta Robinson. At the time I thought it was a classless move and blasted "get him outta here," but now I am certainly eating those words and wishing that I had a genie bottle to make a wish that he never left. You're welcome Falcons.
At Defensive Tackle, Haloti Ngata is available, but I don't see the Texans landing him. He is going to be really hard to obtain, so I would support the decision to forgo pursuing him despite the fact that he is an excellent lineman. Aging Richard Seymour should also be available and looking to go to a much better team than the Raiders in the twilight of his career. At 32, he will be looking to land a role with a team he can spend the next 3 to 4 years winning with...perhaps in a 3-4 defense. If the Texans pursue a DT, my money is on Seymour.
At Wide Receiver, there are a plethora of guys available. Some aged vets and a few young, loud mouthed solid contributors. It would be a gamble to go with Plexico Burress, but who knows if he still has it. He's expressed interest in coming to the Texans, which is a new thing to hear from free agents, but would Smith and McNair be willing to take that gamble? If they did, he COULD pay off pretty heftily on the other side of Andre Johnson. As much as I would like to see that, however, if it were my team I'd do what it takes to retain Jacoby Jones and then pick up another free agent who requires less money. A Donte Stallworth, Kevin Curtis, Lance Moore or Sims-Walker. If the Texans go this route - my money is on Curtis or Moore.
Overall - when this lockout business is all said and done, it will be a fast paced and very interesting free agent blitz. I'm really looking forward to it.
PS - Texans Free Agent Sleeper: Safety Eric Weddle. He'd be an immediate impact.
1) Get a Veteran Corner
2) Get a Huge Nose Tackle
3) Get a Solid Field Stretching Deep Threat Receiver
While many people seem to be on the Nnamdi Asomugha train, I can't honestly sit here and think there is a chance in hell he will come to the Texans. Will Bob McNair and Rick Smith make an offer? Absolutely, but I don't think it will be enough to bring Nnamdi to Houston. Although last year he had many words of support for Rookie Kareem Jackson (almost mentor-like) and as much as he seems like a perfect fit here, it's just not likely and I don't want to get my hopes up.
It's much more realistic to imagine we'll be able to bring in Jonathan Joseph or a Cromartie (god forbid). Either would be solid plusses on the field though. Early in the lockout, many people were touting Champ Bailey, but that seems to have quieted quite a bit. My speculation is because
Regardless, we are in this mess because Rick Smith didn't pay attention to the sharpee text written on the shoes of Dunta Robinson. At the time I thought it was a classless move and blasted "get him outta here," but now I am certainly eating those words and wishing that I had a genie bottle to make a wish that he never left. You're welcome Falcons.
At Defensive Tackle, Haloti Ngata is available, but I don't see the Texans landing him. He is going to be really hard to obtain, so I would support the decision to forgo pursuing him despite the fact that he is an excellent lineman. Aging Richard Seymour should also be available and looking to go to a much better team than the Raiders in the twilight of his career. At 32, he will be looking to land a role with a team he can spend the next 3 to 4 years winning with...perhaps in a 3-4 defense. If the Texans pursue a DT, my money is on Seymour.
At Wide Receiver, there are a plethora of guys available. Some aged vets and a few young, loud mouthed solid contributors. It would be a gamble to go with Plexico Burress, but who knows if he still has it. He's expressed interest in coming to the Texans, which is a new thing to hear from free agents, but would Smith and McNair be willing to take that gamble? If they did, he COULD pay off pretty heftily on the other side of Andre Johnson. As much as I would like to see that, however, if it were my team I'd do what it takes to retain Jacoby Jones and then pick up another free agent who requires less money. A Donte Stallworth, Kevin Curtis, Lance Moore or Sims-Walker. If the Texans go this route - my money is on Curtis or Moore.
Overall - when this lockout business is all said and done, it will be a fast paced and very interesting free agent blitz. I'm really looking forward to it.
PS - Texans Free Agent Sleeper: Safety Eric Weddle. He'd be an immediate impact.
Posted in 2011, asomugha, corner back, defens, free agent, free agents, Houston, lockout, nnamdi, texans, wide receiver
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The NFL lockout is by far one of the more frustrating things that NFL fans have had to deal with in recent years. In cities like Houston where the professional basketball and baseball teams are hideously terrible, the lockout seems to be even more impacting.
There may be a really good positive that comes out of this for the Texans and Texans fans however. The lockout may force Matt Schaub to become the team leader that he is needed to be, have the other players learn to look to him and have the fans see his leadership in action.
If there is one thing that many fans agree on is that we don't see enough of Schaub showing passion and leadership on the field during games. I've always felt like he is being a leader, but we just can't see it through the TV. When I explain this to people, they just don't buy it.
Maybe this will help...
This week Schaub has organized three mini-camp days bringing 35+ players together to practice as they would if coaches were involved. Schaub led the team and the offense, while DeMeco Ryans led the defense in drills. On Sports Radio 610, John McClain stated that it looked exactly like a mini-camp would've with coaches leading me to believe that "Coach" Schaub did a hell of a job getting these guys together. It was also mentioned that at the beginning of the lockout, Schaub sent letters to all of his teammates letting them know what they needed to do during this confusing time.
Also to be noted - somehow Ryans got a hold of the 3-4 playbook that the Texans Defense will be moving to. I won't ask how he got it because players and coaches cannot have interaction with one another, but that is a critical move in the guys getting some work in the new system.
If anything - I'm going to look at the positives that come out of the lockout...and Schaub taking a stronger step forward in his leadership role is HUGE!
There may be a really good positive that comes out of this for the Texans and Texans fans however. The lockout may force Matt Schaub to become the team leader that he is needed to be, have the other players learn to look to him and have the fans see his leadership in action.
If there is one thing that many fans agree on is that we don't see enough of Schaub showing passion and leadership on the field during games. I've always felt like he is being a leader, but we just can't see it through the TV. When I explain this to people, they just don't buy it.
Maybe this will help...
This week Schaub has organized three mini-camp days bringing 35+ players together to practice as they would if coaches were involved. Schaub led the team and the offense, while DeMeco Ryans led the defense in drills. On Sports Radio 610, John McClain stated that it looked exactly like a mini-camp would've with coaches leading me to believe that "Coach" Schaub did a hell of a job getting these guys together. It was also mentioned that at the beginning of the lockout, Schaub sent letters to all of his teammates letting them know what they needed to do during this confusing time.
Also to be noted - somehow Ryans got a hold of the 3-4 playbook that the Texans Defense will be moving to. I won't ask how he got it because players and coaches cannot have interaction with one another, but that is a critical move in the guys getting some work in the new system.
If anything - I'm going to look at the positives that come out of the lockout...and Schaub taking a stronger step forward in his leadership role is HUGE!
In case you missed it, check out this great video of NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith's thoughts regarding the ruling yesterday that lifts the NFL lockout. Please feel free to share and pass along.
Okay, so that may be a slightly dramatic title, but things are looking up for Texans and NFL fans. A federal judge has ordered an immediate end to the NFL lockout that owners and teams had imposed on players, keeping them from practicing with the team or using team facilities.
While the "adventure," is nowhere near over - this move is a huge win for the players...and even bigger for us fans. The questions remain centered around whether or not the players will start reporting to work however. The NFLPA emailed all players late Monday telling them that they should return to work for their teams beginning today.
There are still a ton of legal wrinkles to iron out and the fact that the owners might appeal this ruling, but things are looking up.
Let's just hope the Texans do something good with this draft...
While the "adventure," is nowhere near over - this move is a huge win for the players...and even bigger for us fans. The questions remain centered around whether or not the players will start reporting to work however. The NFLPA emailed all players late Monday telling them that they should return to work for their teams beginning today.
There are still a ton of legal wrinkles to iron out and the fact that the owners might appeal this ruling, but things are looking up.
Let's just hope the Texans do something good with this draft...
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement is due to expire in March and NFL owners have made a series of moves designed to lock out the players and fans. If you want to see NFL games next season, do your part as a fan and help us “Block the Lockout” by signing the Petition.
You can also interact online with other fans from around the league at the social media profiles http://www.facebook.com/NFLLockout and http://www.twitter.com/NFLLockout.
