UPDATE 6:00pm 9/5: Texans grabbed two off waivers and released Danny Clark this afternoon. So, there is still one spot available. Here are the two new Texans:
Jamar Wall (6th round rookie CB, waived by Dallas) He’s #3 for Texas Tech in this highlight. Here is a pre-draft analysis from CBS Sports.
David Nixon (UDFA LB out of BYU signed in 2009 by Tennessee, waived by Oakland). College highlights here.
The Texans made their cuts and roster moves official this afternoon, confirming what was being reported yesterday afternoon. Barrett’s list of roster cuts from yesterday is accurate and can be found here. With the signing of Derrick Ward, the roster exemption of Brian Cushing, as well as Anthony Hill’s placement on the PUP, the Texans effective roster is at 51. It is a virtual certainty to be at 53 by the early part of next week. So, the Texans clearly have a plan in place to sign players from the outside. I’m very encouraged by the aggressiveness the Texans are showing. This is easily the most talented and deepest team in the history the organization. Yet, instead of focusing on that reality, the Texans have apparently determined a need to strengthen the roster from the outside. So, by identifying where the Texans cut more aggressively than anticipated, we can probably surmise what positions will be addressed via FA in the next 48 hours. Here are my thoughts:
1. Before delving too deeply into the numbers, it is possible that there has been a handshake agreement with Aaron Schobel to join the team after the preseason. If so, this would definitely take place by Monday, so he would be present for the full week of practice and preparation for Indy. I think it is unlikely but is something to watch. The Texans kept five DEs. It would seem strange for them to sign another. However, they did only keep four DTs and Kubiak mentioned A. Smith’s ability to play DT in his press conference yesterday.
2. QB: I imagine many will predict the Texans to add a QB to replace Booty. However, I don’t agree. If the Texans are successful in their attempt to get Booty on the practice squad, I don’t seem them adding a QB this late into the season.
3. RB: I’m almost convinced another RB will be added. Even with the signing of Derrick Ward, the Texans only have three RBs on the roster and only one FB. Also, Steve Slaton has shown nothing this preseason to give the Texans confidence that he will be healthy and reliable. He is currently questionable for week one with some sort of toe injury.
4. CB: I really thought the Texans would keep six. They kept five and released the onlyveteran. In addition, Antwuan Molden made the team despite missing two preseason games with various injuries. I would be shocked if the Texans do not add a veteran CB in the next 48 hours.
5. DT: DT is another possibility since they only kept four. However, the Texans will be playing Antonio Smith at DT quite a bit and could always move him to DT if injuries occur… particular given the fact they kept five defensive ends.
6. OT: Other than RB and CB, I think this is the most likely move. The Texans want four OTs but have only three. Wade Smith has experience at tackle but did not play one down there this off-season. The Texans had three very young tackles in camp (Steve Maneri, Cole Pemberton, Adam Stenavich) and at least one of them will certainly be on the practice squad. However, I doubt seriously that Kubiak is keen on any of those guys contributing this season.
Let the name-dropping begin:
I’ll take two wild guesses just for sh*ts and giggles: Andre Brown RB (NYG), and Alphonso Smith CB (DEN).
What are your guesses?:
I like their aggressiveness as well. I hope you’re right about Schobel; something just seems kind of fishy/incomplete/unfinished about the way it was left. If he does come in, how does that affect the current D-line personnel? I really hope they can find some quality help at RB; I don’t ever want to have the same feeling I had when it was Ron Dayne first and nobody second.
I don’t know if the bring in another corner.
But I do expect them to bring in another RB and I am really, really hoping they bring in Schoebel.
If they do bring in Schoebel I think they’d cut one of the DE’s…Probably Naeding…
Out of the guy’s that have been cut, I’d like to see them bring in RB J. Bell from the Bills, and AQ Shipley from the Eagles.
Also, I’d like to see them deal one of these TE’s to help us get stronger at another position.
The issue with bringing in Schobel and cutting Nading is what it costs the special teams’ units. I know that seems trivial to most fans when we are talking sacks. But, my point is that Schobel would be more likely to be added without a DL cut. I love Jamison, but I would be very concerned that he would be more likely to get axed if Schobel was onboard, because he isn’t the special teams player that Nading is… and, Jamison’s value as a pass rushing DE is minimized with schobel’s addition.
Regarding TE, I don’t think they will, though I like the way you think. But, here are the issues as I seem them:
1. OD- trading the best player at a position (and a probowl caliber player) doesn’t make too much sense when the coaches jobs are on the line and everyone is determined to make the playoffs.
2. Dressen- Primary backup Long-Snapper and likely early season starter at TE. Also, he’s cheap and will be cheap next year as well.. and, he doesn’t everything pretty well.
3. Casey- They love Casey! I think they’d rather give up a 4th or 5th round pick than trade him away. I can’t imagine he has more value around the league than that, at this point. Also, he’s very cheap, on the upswing and a Texan thru 2012.
4. G.Graham- Great looking rookie, cheap… again, I doubt his value has increased since the draft and the Texans would gladly trade a 4th before giving him up.
Finally, they are planning on OD walking this off-season, I think. So, that essentially makes the other three guys central to their plans moving forward.
Uggh! Ron Dayne… Signing Schobel would mean that we would see much more of Antonio Smith at DT. It would also mean a lesser role this season from Earl Mitchell, because of A. Smith’s increased snaps at DT. Finally, I would worry that Jamison would eventually be cut (probably when Cushing returned) because Nading is better on special teams and Jamison, at that point, would be the fifth best DE on the roster.
Hopefully they’ll add a few more offensive linemen. Hell, just put Schaub and Foster out there with one WR and 8 O linemen, because if Schaub gets hurt this year we’re f***ed.
TGCGT WR
GGG
QB
RB
That’s 11, right? Go ahead, blitz!
Jon B I think they have enough TEs to run that formation.
Dave – Not quite yet, but don’t worry, we can always draft four more in 2011.
I have to say, I like the aggression I’m seeing from the Texans this year in shaking up the roster. I get the feeling they really think they’re close here. You could also see it as desperation, but I don’t think so. Texans under Kubes have always been patient about building the team through the draft (more patient than the average fan, haha), and I don’t remember them ever making quite so many tweaks as what I’m seeing this year. Then again, maybe I’m just paying closer attention this season.
With that said, unlike many fans out there, I’m actually pretty comfortable with our running back situation as it stands now, even if they don’t pick up anyone else (though I still think it wouldn’t hurt). That is, of course, if Slaton’s healthy to start the year. A lot of Texan fans seem to have given up on Slaton at this point, but it seems to me that they’re planning to use him mainly as a 3rd down back, and an out-of-the-backfield receiving threat on passing downs, which is really what he should be anyway. His fumbling concerns me a lot less than his utter failure to hit the right hole, which has been going on since last year. I’m not as high on Jeremiah Johnson as others are either; the guy runs like he really wants to get hurt. Too upright, too backwards, etc. and he’s not that great on pass protection, which is huge for this team. There were a number of plays where he made me cringe, even while he was picking up good yardage. If Ward is at least a competent backup to Foster, we should be ok there, and I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen from our oline going into the season.
Ok, I’ll shut up. Man, is the 12th ever going to come?
Jon B.,
It’s coming! We have NFL football this Thursday!
By the way, Barrett and I will be in the orange lot, sporting an RV. If any of you guys are going to be at the game, we’d love to meet you and fake confidence in the outcome of the game! I’m already scared to death!
By the way, I agree with you about the roster and the aggressiveness of the Texans this weekend. Everything points to a great season except our history of disappointment.
I thought seriously about getting tix to the game for my son and I, but got bogged down in the start of school and other stuff. If we do come out for a game this year, I’ll stop by for sure.
I know how you feel, John, I’m excited as hell, too–just as excited as I was before the Pittsburgh and Jets openers. I know I’m going to judge this season as a whole, so I’m not passing judgment until the last game is played, but I sure as hell want them to avoid another embarrassing lay-down. Is that too much to ask?
IT’S TIME TO REVENGE THE ROSENCHOPPA!