Quote:
Originally Posted by BigLouie
We are not building for the future if we bring in over priced FAs who will be here a short period of time. That is what got us in cap trouble in the first place.
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You are not wrong. While the team hasn't come out and said we are in a rebuild, I'm definitely getting that queasy feeling in my stomach.
It's certainly not too late for 2015; the Texans, with over $30 million in cap space, could definitely acquire some free agents worth having, but is that the best-case scenario?
Or is it time to bite the bullet and just blow the whole thing up, try to rebuild as quickly as possible while JJ is on the clock?
If it's a full blown rebuild, that is, of course, the kiss of death: such things are boring as you see a slew of JAGs pass through here while they try to find diamonds.
So let's talk about what free agents we'd like to see them pick up, hopefully on the cheap, at what position.
QB
FREE AGENCY
The QB free agent class is, let's admit it, dismal, to say the least. When the best QBs available are Mark Sanchez, Brian Hoyer and Jake Locker, you know you're in trouble here.
Solution: Re-sign Mallet immediately on a team friendly deal so that you can cut him if he sucks too bad. At least his ceiling is an *unknown*. We already have fitz under contract as a back-up, cut Case Keenum and give Savage another year of learning, see what he becomes.
DRAFT NOTE
The draft is thin, here, according to most. Two choices: Winston and Mariota.
In an ideal world, trading up for Mariota is what I'd do, but the price may be just too high for the Texans to swallow. I'd go a little under RGIII numbers, definitely NOT more than that. It's a definite 'No' from me on Famous Jameis, as that guy is a total knucklehead off the field and almost certainly will be making the commissioner's exempt list at some point.
I want Mariota for this team BAD.
WR
The 'big' names will be too expensive. Cobb, Maclin are going to get (over?)paid.
A run at Torrey Smith could be good, if a little on the expensive side.
While he's older, I'd personally like to see the Texans make a run at Harry Douglas here. The guy has been playing second fiddle to big personalities in Atlanta and you almost never hear about him rocking the boat (at least, I haven't). He could be good for (relatively) cheap.
Crabtree is pretty intriguing.
Failing Smith, Douglas or Crabtree, it might be worth it to take a flyer on Denarius Moore: while there are some definite questions with this 26 year-old wideout, his performance for three years was pretty consistent, and he seemed to find the end zone on a regular basis. Last year, however, a couple of injuries and Moore seemed to quit on his team. Maybe a change of scenery would do him wonders (come on, he was playing in freaking OAKLAND).
TE
Julius Thomas is going to get PAID. The Texans cannot afford to chase him, period.
That said, given our current tight end core, pretty much anyone could be an upgrade.
In all seriousness, Niles Paul is the one that everyone wants to sign, and I *totally* get that: he's talented and 26, could be good for years to come.
The one I *really* want to see in Texans deep steel blue is Jordan Cameron. With a stat line of 24 receptions for 424 yards and 2 touchdowns in 10 games last year (for CLEVELAND, no less), I have a feeling that Cameron could do way more in Houston, especially if Mallett pans out.
RB
Oh, running back. How far you have fallen. I think people underrate the crap out of how important the running game still is in the NFL. If nothing else, a run threat will keep the defenses honest. Houston has that in Arian Foster, and Alfred Blue sure looks pretty sitting behind him...but the Texans just murdered their o-line by dumping their captain.
We're going to NEED help, no doubt.
Ingram, Spiller and Forsett will probably be expensive as hell, so since we are unlikely to sign any of those three, next man up.
SHANE VEREEN. Guy can run the ball, yeah, but excels at catching it out of the backfield and making something happen. Sound like anyone you know? A Foster/Vereen/Blue backfield would probably give us one of the better stables of running backs around, IMO, and I think the guys is underrated. He could be a real value pick.
Failing Vereen, Roy Helu and Jacquizz Rodgers are intriguing. Helu would be the better option; stuck behind Alfred Morris in Washington, he has good hands, and I feel like he could deliver much more than he currently is.
I'm not sure why I like Rodgers; he's comparable to Blue and Grimes in terms of production and capability, the only thing that distinguishes him from the other two is his proven ability to carry the ball 90+ times a season and not get hurt. Of course, durability may be very important in the near future.
O-Line
On the oline, you gotta go big or go home. We already have second tier talent filling most of these positions, the only untouchable is Duane Brown, as far as I'm concerned.
C
Either Wis from the Raiders or Hudson from the Chiefs. Gimme the Wis: he was from the raiders, and if he looked good there, imagine how much better he'll look here. Just sayin'.
G
Orlando Franklin or Mike Iupati. Why not both? No? Ok, If I have to choose one, Franklin: sure, he's a penalty magent, but his verstility speaks to me.
T
Bulaga. Get him. End of story.
