AFC South: Jacoby Jones
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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Texans in 2012.
Dream scenario (12-4): Quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson return from injuries and have exemplary seasons, providing big plays that sync up beautifully with another excellent campaign by running back Arian Foster. New starters at right guard and right tackle take over and play well, and the offensive line continues to be a team strength, providing time for Schaub and room for Foster. They show it’s about the scheme and players with the traits that fit it, not necessarily about the specific people in the lineup.
In conjunction with the excellent offense, Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense picks up where it left off, swarming opposing quarterbacks and finding big plays that tamp down offenses just about every week.
This talented, deep squad does not get caught up in success and shows it can stand toe-to-toe with teams like the Packers and Patriots. In so doing, the Texans give Houston something it has never had before: a Super Bowl team.
Nightmare scenario (7-9): Schaub either can’t stay healthy or can’t return to form and he or T.J. Yates winds up throwing more to rookie receivers who struggle than to Johnson, who battles another round of leg injuries. The right side of the offensive line proves a huge issue as the team loses any hint of the cohesion that was such a key in 2011. That means trouble for Foster as well, and he doesn’t break through to the second level nearly as often as we’ve become accustomed to.
Defensively, the Texans can’t generate the kind of consistent pass rush they mounted last season as offenses do a better job countering than they did in Phillips’ first season heading up the 3-4. The secondary is asked to hold up too long and an injury to Johnathan Joseph leaves them susceptible at cornerback, the one spot that they lack depth. Opposing quarterbacks find too many big plays against them.
The return games are worse, not better, with Jacoby Jones now playing in Baltimore.
A nearly unanimous pick to win the AFC South before the season, the Texans fail to make the playoffs.
Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Texans in 2012.
Dream scenario (12-4): Quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson return from injuries and have exemplary seasons, providing big plays that sync up beautifully with another excellent campaign by running back Arian Foster. New starters at right guard and right tackle take over and play well, and the offensive line continues to be a team strength, providing time for Schaub and room for Foster. They show it’s about the scheme and players with the traits that fit it, not necessarily about the specific people in the lineup.
In conjunction with the excellent offense, Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense picks up where it left off, swarming opposing quarterbacks and finding big plays that tamp down offenses just about every week.
This talented, deep squad does not get caught up in success and shows it can stand toe-to-toe with teams like the Packers and Patriots. In so doing, the Texans give Houston something it has never had before: a Super Bowl team.
Nightmare scenario (7-9): Schaub either can’t stay healthy or can’t return to form and he or T.J. Yates winds up throwing more to rookie receivers who struggle than to Johnson, who battles another round of leg injuries. The right side of the offensive line proves a huge issue as the team loses any hint of the cohesion that was such a key in 2011. That means trouble for Foster as well, and he doesn’t break through to the second level nearly as often as we’ve become accustomed to.
Defensively, the Texans can’t generate the kind of consistent pass rush they mounted last season as offenses do a better job countering than they did in Phillips’ first season heading up the 3-4. The secondary is asked to hold up too long and an injury to Johnathan Joseph leaves them susceptible at cornerback, the one spot that they lack depth. Opposing quarterbacks find too many big plays against them.
The return games are worse, not better, with Jacoby Jones now playing in Baltimore.
A nearly unanimous pick to win the AFC South before the season, the Texans fail to make the playoffs.
AFC South links: Colts pining for Luck
May, 17, 2012
May 17
10:45
AM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Houston Texans
Former Texans receiver Jacoby Jones welcomes his move to new surroundings in Baltimore. "Change is good in life," said Jones, whose muffed punt in last season's playoffs led to a Ravens touchdown in a game Baltimore won by seven. "It’s always good to have a breath of fresh air.”
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts appear to be feeling the absence of top draft pick Andrew Luck, who is missing this week's organized team activities and can't report to the team's facilities until after his final exams at Stanford. "For him to be here, taking snaps, building chemistry, the timing with the offense, timing with the receivers, all those kind of things ... it’s days lost,’’ coach Chuck Pagano told the Indianapolis Star's Mike Chappell of the quarterback. “It’s like money you never get back."
The team signed four more draft picks Wednesday: fifth-rounder Vick Ballard, sixth-rounder LaVon Brazill, and seventh-round selections Tim Fugger and Chandler Harnish.
Becoming head coach of the Colts "has been a whirlwind" Pagano says in a Q&A with Chappell.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Though he hasn't been cleared for contact, linebacker Paul Posluszny is participating in this week's organized team activities as he recovers from January shoulder surgery. "As far as working out, being functional, the strength, the stability -- everything is back," Posluszny, who expects to be at full strength for training camp, told the team's official site. "I’m still not allowed to be in contact, but other than that, it feels great. It feels normal to me."
The Jaguars don't mind practicing in the rain, writes Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert isn't taking his starting job for granted, writes Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
As expected, receiver Kenny Britt had minor surgery on his right knee in an effort to boost his return from torn ligaments suffered in September. The procedure will "probably accelerate his rehab," Titans general manager Ruston Webster told the Tennessean. Also in Jim Wyatt's notebook: The Titans have not had any contract talks with franchise player Michael Griffin, but the safety is working out with teammates. And third-round pick Mike Martin signed a four-year deal.
And after thoroughly examining other options at center, it looks like the Titans will go with one of their own this fall, writes Wyatt. Eugene Amano, the regular starter the past two seasons, will have to hold off Kevin Matthews, Fernando Velasco and rookie William Vlachos for the job, Webster said.
The Titans are in the running for former Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell, writes Terry McCormick.
Picking a starting quarterback can be a difficult proposition, but for the Titans, Webster says choosing between Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker could come down to a simple "gut feeling," writes Elliot Harrison of NFL.com.
Former Texans receiver Jacoby Jones welcomes his move to new surroundings in Baltimore. "Change is good in life," said Jones, whose muffed punt in last season's playoffs led to a Ravens touchdown in a game Baltimore won by seven. "It’s always good to have a breath of fresh air.”
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts appear to be feeling the absence of top draft pick Andrew Luck, who is missing this week's organized team activities and can't report to the team's facilities until after his final exams at Stanford. "For him to be here, taking snaps, building chemistry, the timing with the offense, timing with the receivers, all those kind of things ... it’s days lost,’’ coach Chuck Pagano told the Indianapolis Star's Mike Chappell of the quarterback. “It’s like money you never get back."
The team signed four more draft picks Wednesday: fifth-rounder Vick Ballard, sixth-rounder LaVon Brazill, and seventh-round selections Tim Fugger and Chandler Harnish.
Becoming head coach of the Colts "has been a whirlwind" Pagano says in a Q&A with Chappell.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Though he hasn't been cleared for contact, linebacker Paul Posluszny is participating in this week's organized team activities as he recovers from January shoulder surgery. "As far as working out, being functional, the strength, the stability -- everything is back," Posluszny, who expects to be at full strength for training camp, told the team's official site. "I’m still not allowed to be in contact, but other than that, it feels great. It feels normal to me."
The Jaguars don't mind practicing in the rain, writes Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert isn't taking his starting job for granted, writes Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
As expected, receiver Kenny Britt had minor surgery on his right knee in an effort to boost his return from torn ligaments suffered in September. The procedure will "probably accelerate his rehab," Titans general manager Ruston Webster told the Tennessean. Also in Jim Wyatt's notebook: The Titans have not had any contract talks with franchise player Michael Griffin, but the safety is working out with teammates. And third-round pick Mike Martin signed a four-year deal.
And after thoroughly examining other options at center, it looks like the Titans will go with one of their own this fall, writes Wyatt. Eugene Amano, the regular starter the past two seasons, will have to hold off Kevin Matthews, Fernando Velasco and rookie William Vlachos for the job, Webster said.
The Titans are in the running for former Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell, writes Terry McCormick.
Picking a starting quarterback can be a difficult proposition, but for the Titans, Webster says choosing between Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker could come down to a simple "gut feeling," writes Elliot Harrison of NFL.com.
Reading the coverage …
Houston Texans
Owner Bob McNair’s challenge is to keep contract extensions for coach Gary Kubiak and GM Rick Smith at a manageable length “so that he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger if the time does come that he has to make a move,” writes Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle.
Recently cut receiver and return man Jacoby Jones signed with the rival Ravens, says John McClain of the Chronicle.
Indianapolis Colts
The rookie wage scale that was part of the new collective bargaining agreement means the contract for No. 1 pick Andrew Luck won’t be difficult, says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback Jordan Palmer doesn’t see as much Bob Bratkowski influence on the Jaguars’ offense as he expected, says Tania Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
Matt Hasselbeck and Michael Roos have built a close friendship based on mutual respect, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. Hasselbeck jokes that two bald guys spend a lot of time discussing hair styles.
Houston Texans
Owner Bob McNair’s challenge is to keep contract extensions for coach Gary Kubiak and GM Rick Smith at a manageable length “so that he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger if the time does come that he has to make a move,” writes Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle.
Recently cut receiver and return man Jacoby Jones signed with the rival Ravens, says John McClain of the Chronicle.
Indianapolis Colts
The rookie wage scale that was part of the new collective bargaining agreement means the contract for No. 1 pick Andrew Luck won’t be difficult, says Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback Jordan Palmer doesn’t see as much Bob Bratkowski influence on the Jaguars’ offense as he expected, says Tania Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
Matt Hasselbeck and Michael Roos have built a close friendship based on mutual respect, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. Hasselbeck jokes that two bald guys spend a lot of time discussing hair styles.
The Mailman from Section 146 EverBank Field writes: An elite punter that can consistently force fair catches and pin the enemy inside the 20 is a defensive weapon. Is an elite punter worth a high draft pick? Al Davis took Ray Guy with his 1st round pick in the '73 draft. Was that crazy? Yeah, I'd say so and we're talking about Ray Guy. I can live with giving up a 3rd round pick if Bryan Anger is another Ray Guy. At least GM Gene is not Al Davis crazy.
Paul Kuharsky: You’re giving me one whole example, and he was drafted 39 years ago.
Think the game’s evolved a little bit since then? I am not anti-punter.
And I could have lived with Bryan Anger in the fourth perhaps, definitely in the fifth.
But it’s simply silly to refer to someone who would have punted 99 times last year as a starter, as Gene Smith did, when the offense and defense played more than 900 plays each.
Realistically, what are the odds Anger is Guy? Slim.
Brutus from Houston writes: Now that the Texans have drafted 2 new receivers, and released Jacoby Jones, do you see a receiver currently on the Texans' roster that can really step up and challenge Kevin Walter as the starter opposite Andre Johnson and the heir apparent to Andre down the road?
Paul Kuharsky: I am sure DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin will prove more dynamic than Walter.
But they’ll have to be precise to chop away at his snaps.
It’s not a bad thing, if Johnson is healthy, and Arian Foster and Owen Daniels are on the field, to have a precise, sure route-runner who blocks on the field as well. That’s Walter.
Dan from Indianapolis writes: Looking at the Colts draft picks this year; especially the TEs. It’s clear they plan on running a lot of 2 TE sets. However, I remember Grigson and/or Pagano saying weeks ago that they plan on using fullback running sets. I'm trying to imagine the standard offensive sets they plan to use this year. With 5 lineman, QB, RB, FB, and two TE's, that only leaves one open spot for any of the WRs. Obviously, multiple formations are used in game. But do you really think this is what the colts plan on doing for the most part? Or do you think that post draft, the Colts are now shying away from the fullback idea? Are the days of 2 wide outs, slot receiver formations mostly over.
Paul Kuharsky: They will be two-tight sometimes, and they will be fullback at other times. They won’t be both at the same time, except maybe in an occasional short-yardage situation.
If the skill guys pan out, I hope they lead the Colts (and any team) away from using a fullback much. A quality tight end like Dwayne Allen should be able to add enough to the run game as a blocker while not giving away that it’s a run every time he’s on the field. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians historically does a lot with multiple tight ends, so I expect two-tights to wind up as the base look.
But these days, you’re a dinosaur if you aren’t going three-wide (or the equivalent of three wide with Coby Fleener in the slot) a reasonable amount of the time, too.
They still have a lot of time to sort these things out.
Ellen Rosenblum from Jacksonville writes: Why do you continue to fan the flames of Tebow and jacksonville? I know every Tebow reference by ESPN is supposed to get ratings, but for most of us in Jacksonville it is very old and tired news. The sports media is having a great time accentuating the negatives of Jacksonville, while downplaying the positive of getting Justin Blackmon. Goodbye ESPN.
Paul Kuharsky: You blame me, I blame the Jags.
Why in the world would they be talking Wildcat now, and make it a selling point for cornerback Mike Harris. If they are going to run some silly, gimmicky stuff, then they should have gone and gotten the league’s biggest gimmick.
Otherwise, find people who can run somewhat conventional offense with success and run it.
And talk about that.
Paul Kuharsky: You’re giving me one whole example, and he was drafted 39 years ago.
Think the game’s evolved a little bit since then? I am not anti-punter.
And I could have lived with Bryan Anger in the fourth perhaps, definitely in the fifth.
But it’s simply silly to refer to someone who would have punted 99 times last year as a starter, as Gene Smith did, when the offense and defense played more than 900 plays each.
Realistically, what are the odds Anger is Guy? Slim.
Brutus from Houston writes: Now that the Texans have drafted 2 new receivers, and released Jacoby Jones, do you see a receiver currently on the Texans' roster that can really step up and challenge Kevin Walter as the starter opposite Andre Johnson and the heir apparent to Andre down the road?
Paul Kuharsky: I am sure DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin will prove more dynamic than Walter.
But they’ll have to be precise to chop away at his snaps.
It’s not a bad thing, if Johnson is healthy, and Arian Foster and Owen Daniels are on the field, to have a precise, sure route-runner who blocks on the field as well. That’s Walter.
Dan from Indianapolis writes: Looking at the Colts draft picks this year; especially the TEs. It’s clear they plan on running a lot of 2 TE sets. However, I remember Grigson and/or Pagano saying weeks ago that they plan on using fullback running sets. I'm trying to imagine the standard offensive sets they plan to use this year. With 5 lineman, QB, RB, FB, and two TE's, that only leaves one open spot for any of the WRs. Obviously, multiple formations are used in game. But do you really think this is what the colts plan on doing for the most part? Or do you think that post draft, the Colts are now shying away from the fullback idea? Are the days of 2 wide outs, slot receiver formations mostly over.
Paul Kuharsky: They will be two-tight sometimes, and they will be fullback at other times. They won’t be both at the same time, except maybe in an occasional short-yardage situation.
If the skill guys pan out, I hope they lead the Colts (and any team) away from using a fullback much. A quality tight end like Dwayne Allen should be able to add enough to the run game as a blocker while not giving away that it’s a run every time he’s on the field. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians historically does a lot with multiple tight ends, so I expect two-tights to wind up as the base look.
But these days, you’re a dinosaur if you aren’t going three-wide (or the equivalent of three wide with Coby Fleener in the slot) a reasonable amount of the time, too.
They still have a lot of time to sort these things out.
Ellen Rosenblum from Jacksonville writes: Why do you continue to fan the flames of Tebow and jacksonville? I know every Tebow reference by ESPN is supposed to get ratings, but for most of us in Jacksonville it is very old and tired news. The sports media is having a great time accentuating the negatives of Jacksonville, while downplaying the positive of getting Justin Blackmon. Goodbye ESPN.
Paul Kuharsky: You blame me, I blame the Jags.
Why in the world would they be talking Wildcat now, and make it a selling point for cornerback Mike Harris. If they are going to run some silly, gimmicky stuff, then they should have gone and gotten the league’s biggest gimmick.
Otherwise, find people who can run somewhat conventional offense with success and run it.
And talk about that.
Reading the coverage ...
Houston Texans
Jacoby Jones had some big moments with the Texans, but they were too infrequent, says Jerome Solomon.
Bob McNair talks draft with Drew Dougherty of the Texans’ website, showing particular interest in receiver Keshawn Martin.
What to expect from Whitney Mercilus in the rookie year of the Texans' first-round outside linebacker, from Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report.
Indianapolis Colts
The average rookie-year production of first- and second- round tight ends sets a relatively low bar for production from Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Dunlevy breaks down the recent history.
A Jim Irsay comment about Indianapolis needing another big hotel to get another Super Bowl prompted this piece from Anthony Schoettle of the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars released a long list of workout players who will get a look in minicamp, says Vito Stellino.
The story of Long Ding, a Chinese kicker hoping to make the Jaguars, from Michael Preston of the International Federation of American Football.
What to expect from first-round receiver Justin Blackmon and second-round defensive end Andre Branch, in more Dunlevy projection pieces.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans added veteran linebacker Zac Diles and fullback Collin Mooney who spent the last three years fulfilling his service commitment to Army, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. With Quinn Johnson and Mooney on the roster, it doesn't look good for Ahmard Hall to return.
What to expect from Kendall Wright, from Dunlevy.
Houston Texans
Jacoby Jones had some big moments with the Texans, but they were too infrequent, says Jerome Solomon.
Bob McNair talks draft with Drew Dougherty of the Texans’ website, showing particular interest in receiver Keshawn Martin.
What to expect from Whitney Mercilus in the rookie year of the Texans' first-round outside linebacker, from Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report.
Indianapolis Colts
The average rookie-year production of first- and second- round tight ends sets a relatively low bar for production from Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Dunlevy breaks down the recent history.
A Jim Irsay comment about Indianapolis needing another big hotel to get another Super Bowl prompted this piece from Anthony Schoettle of the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars released a long list of workout players who will get a look in minicamp, says Vito Stellino.
The story of Long Ding, a Chinese kicker hoping to make the Jaguars, from Michael Preston of the International Federation of American Football.
What to expect from first-round receiver Justin Blackmon and second-round defensive end Andre Branch, in more Dunlevy projection pieces.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans added veteran linebacker Zac Diles and fullback Collin Mooney who spent the last three years fulfilling his service commitment to Army, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. With Quinn Johnson and Mooney on the roster, it doesn't look good for Ahmard Hall to return.
What to expect from Kendall Wright, from Dunlevy.
Time was right for Texans to part with Jones
May, 1, 2012
May 1
5:05
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
When I saw him in mid-April, Jacoby Jones said he would happily mentor a Texans’ receiver draft pick. He also sounded like a guy who knew he could be on the way out.
And according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have released the receiver and return man after drafting two receivers: Ohio State’s DeVier Posey in the third round (68th overall) and Michigan State’s Keshawn Martin in the fourth round (121st overall).
It was time.
While Jones showed flashes, his ability to disappear and make costly mistakes isn’t worth waiting for the peaks in his game.
He wasn’t going to be worth the scheduled $3 million base salary he was due this season.
Undoubtedly he will get a chance somewhere, likely for a deal at a minimum base salary with incentives.
And according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have released the receiver and return man after drafting two receivers: Ohio State’s DeVier Posey in the third round (68th overall) and Michigan State’s Keshawn Martin in the fourth round (121st overall).
It was time.
While Jones showed flashes, his ability to disappear and make costly mistakes isn’t worth waiting for the peaks in his game.
He wasn’t going to be worth the scheduled $3 million base salary he was due this season.
Undoubtedly he will get a chance somewhere, likely for a deal at a minimum base salary with incentives.
Reading the coverage…
Houston Texans
Jacoby Jones is in trouble after the Texans drafted two receivers, says Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle. “His on-again, off-again relationship with fans may have gone off permanently after a crucial muffed punt in the Texans’ playoff loss at Baltimore. The Texans aren’t bowing to pressure from fans; they just acknowledge the need for more production from that position.
Indianapolis Colts
Micah Pellerin, an undrafted cornerback out of Hampton, is a Colts addition who can help, says Wes Bunting of the National Football Post. “Displays a great feel in coverage when matched-up one-on-one... Showcases natural fluidity when asked to turn and run and displays a good burst out of his transition.” Hat tip to the Indy Star.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are going to experiment with the Wildcat with fifth-round cornerback Mike Harris, a one-time quarterback, writes Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. They’ll get roasted for this. Many of us defended them not getting Tim Tebow because they weren’t going to be gimmicky. Now they are enthusiastically talking about employing the very gimmick Tebow’s good at.
Tennessee Titans
Taylor Thompson, the SMU defensive end who’s turning back into a tight end for the Titans, shows the team is being creative and thinking outside the box, says David Climer of The Tennessean. “For the Titans, this was a risk/reward draft. They surprised everyone by picking wide receiver Kendall Wright in the first round, went the athleticism/potential route in the second round with Zach Brown, gambled on the speed of Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh in the fourth, and traded up 10 spots to grab the position-hopping Thompson in the fifth.”
Houston Texans
Jacoby Jones is in trouble after the Texans drafted two receivers, says Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle. “His on-again, off-again relationship with fans may have gone off permanently after a crucial muffed punt in the Texans’ playoff loss at Baltimore. The Texans aren’t bowing to pressure from fans; they just acknowledge the need for more production from that position.
Indianapolis Colts
Micah Pellerin, an undrafted cornerback out of Hampton, is a Colts addition who can help, says Wes Bunting of the National Football Post. “Displays a great feel in coverage when matched-up one-on-one... Showcases natural fluidity when asked to turn and run and displays a good burst out of his transition.” Hat tip to the Indy Star.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are going to experiment with the Wildcat with fifth-round cornerback Mike Harris, a one-time quarterback, writes Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. They’ll get roasted for this. Many of us defended them not getting Tim Tebow because they weren’t going to be gimmicky. Now they are enthusiastically talking about employing the very gimmick Tebow’s good at.
Tennessee Titans
Taylor Thompson, the SMU defensive end who’s turning back into a tight end for the Titans, shows the team is being creative and thinking outside the box, says David Climer of The Tennessean. “For the Titans, this was a risk/reward draft. They surprised everyone by picking wide receiver Kendall Wright in the first round, went the athleticism/potential route in the second round with Zach Brown, gambled on the speed of Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh in the fourth, and traded up 10 spots to grab the position-hopping Thompson in the fifth.”
Without Andre Johnson for a good share of the season, the Texans' receivers were exposed in 2011.
While Arian Foster and other non-receivers may have been making plays, the Texans were one of just two teams in the NFL that didn’t have any 30-yard receptions from their receivers on throws that traveled fewer than 15 yards, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
On average, Houston receivers got 3.1 yards after the catch. That ranked 31st in the NFL. But that was offset in a big way by four non-wide receiver pass-catchers.
Foster averaged a league-best 12.0 per catch among players with at least 50 catches. Owen Daniels (5.6), Joel Dreessen (5.5) and Ben Tate (6.2) also did solid work after the catch.
Largely because of those four, the Texans ranked second overall in average YAC per reception, with 6.3 yards. New England was first at 6.5.
A healthy Johnson will help boost the receiver numbers in a big way.
The team’s next two best wideouts are Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones.
Walter (3.5) is not a big YAC guy; he’s a reliable guy who will be in the right spot and do the right things. Jones (4.8) is explosive and should do quite a bit more in this department.
Whether the Texans add a receiver in the first round or wait until later, the guy who’s added to the group needs to be able to take passes from Matt Schaub and get some additional yards.
While Arian Foster and other non-receivers may have been making plays, the Texans were one of just two teams in the NFL that didn’t have any 30-yard receptions from their receivers on throws that traveled fewer than 15 yards, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Foster averaged a league-best 12.0 per catch among players with at least 50 catches. Owen Daniels (5.6), Joel Dreessen (5.5) and Ben Tate (6.2) also did solid work after the catch.
Largely because of those four, the Texans ranked second overall in average YAC per reception, with 6.3 yards. New England was first at 6.5.
A healthy Johnson will help boost the receiver numbers in a big way.
The team’s next two best wideouts are Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones.
Walter (3.5) is not a big YAC guy; he’s a reliable guy who will be in the right spot and do the right things. Jones (4.8) is explosive and should do quite a bit more in this department.
Whether the Texans add a receiver in the first round or wait until later, the guy who’s added to the group needs to be able to take passes from Matt Schaub and get some additional yards.
As the Houston Texans let go of right tackle Eric Winston and traded inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans, fans of the team peppered me.
Why, they lamented, is receiver and returner Jacoby Jones still on the team?
The answer is that Texans coaches and brass like Jones a lot better than fans do.
Jones can make some spectacular plays. He can offset them with spectacular flubs.
His foolish handling of a punt in Baltimore helped kill the Texans in their playoff loss to the Ravens in January.
I saw Jones today in Nashville where he appeared on 104.5 The Zone helping to promote Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s charity basketball game this weekend at Tennessee State University.
I asked him, first, about the projection that Houston will take a wide receiver with the 26th pick in the draft on April 26.
“It’s a business,” he said. “I love Houston. I would love to stay there. And I’ve been working hard in the offseason. If it happens, it happens,. If they bring somebody in I will take him under my wing and show him the ropes. Whatever happens, happens, but I’m still ready to play.”
Jones is due a $3 million base, which is too much. He could rank as high as second or as low as fourth in the receiver pecking order when games, and paydays, arrive. He signed a three-year deal in 2011 worth $10.5 million with $3.5 million guaranteed. Barring a sterling camp and a claim of the No. 2 job, I think that base salary will need to come down.
He said he forgot the muffed punt -- the only one of the season, he said. -- in relative short order, because he’s a football player and football players have to forget bad stuff and move on.
As for fan venom …
“Fans are fans, they always look for somebody to point the finger at,” he said, without any contempt in his voice. “If they want to point the finger at me, fine. That year’s gone, in my past. I’m not dwelling on it anymore. I’ll still play for my teammates, my family, those coaches and everybody in that front office.”
He’s trained in New Orleans since the season ended, but will return to Houston Saturday. A nagging spotlight will follow. It's his job to make it fade.
Why, they lamented, is receiver and returner Jacoby Jones still on the team?
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Bill BaptistJacoby Jones said he's staying positive despite a potentially uncertain future in Houston.
AP Photo/Bill BaptistJacoby Jones said he's staying positive despite a potentially uncertain future in Houston.Jones can make some spectacular plays. He can offset them with spectacular flubs.
His foolish handling of a punt in Baltimore helped kill the Texans in their playoff loss to the Ravens in January.
I saw Jones today in Nashville where he appeared on 104.5 The Zone helping to promote Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s charity basketball game this weekend at Tennessee State University.
I asked him, first, about the projection that Houston will take a wide receiver with the 26th pick in the draft on April 26.
“It’s a business,” he said. “I love Houston. I would love to stay there. And I’ve been working hard in the offseason. If it happens, it happens,. If they bring somebody in I will take him under my wing and show him the ropes. Whatever happens, happens, but I’m still ready to play.”
Jones is due a $3 million base, which is too much. He could rank as high as second or as low as fourth in the receiver pecking order when games, and paydays, arrive. He signed a three-year deal in 2011 worth $10.5 million with $3.5 million guaranteed. Barring a sterling camp and a claim of the No. 2 job, I think that base salary will need to come down.
He said he forgot the muffed punt -- the only one of the season, he said. -- in relative short order, because he’s a football player and football players have to forget bad stuff and move on.
As for fan venom …
“Fans are fans, they always look for somebody to point the finger at,” he said, without any contempt in his voice. “If they want to point the finger at me, fine. That year’s gone, in my past. I’m not dwelling on it anymore. I’ll still play for my teammates, my family, those coaches and everybody in that front office.”
He’s trained in New Orleans since the season ended, but will return to Houston Saturday. A nagging spotlight will follow. It's his job to make it fade.
Perhaps no underachieving player in the division gets more, steady, public cover from his team than Kareem Jackson, the Texans’ cornerback heading into his third year.
He was the 20th pick of the 2010 draft, when I felt like the draft went off the course the Texans expected and they got a little panicky. The talked about how pro ready he was coming out of Alabama and they made him a starter from the very beginning.
But even in an upgraded secondary last season, he couldn’t secure a full-time job, splitting work at the cornerback slot opposite free-agent addition Johnathan Joseph with Jason Allen, who’s now gone. (Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report recently wrote about Jackson as on the hot seat in Houston.)
Jackson doesn’t play with the confidence the Texans seem to try to instill with the constant reinforcement, often appearing timid. He got better under new defensive back coach Vance Joseph, but he still qualifies as the weak link in the defense.
Perhaps Brandon Harris, a mid-round draft pick from 2011, will get in position to challenge Jackson or provide a security blanket. Perhaps the team will draft a cornerback to fill Allen’s role. Perhaps it will pick up a veteran down the road when some shake free out of training camps.
But ideally, Jackson would graduate and become the player the Texans like to say he is. If he does, the defense has the potential to be as good as it was a year ago, when it often carried Houston.
Gary Kubiak was fond of saying both Jackson and Allen qualified as starters. Jackson played 55.73 percent of the Texans’ snaps on defense, Allen played 49.05 percent.
Getting only a bit more than half-time work out of a first-round draft pick hardly qualifies as a success. It’s only Year Three. Plenty of players emerge to play their best at this stage.
Receiver Jacoby Jones was a candidate here, but I fully expect the Texans to add a wide receiver who would take playing time away from Jones. Jackson should be counted on to play more, not expected to play less.
If I am a coordinator planning for the Texans, I’m making an effort to go after Jackson until he shows me he can make plays to slow me down.
He was the 20th pick of the 2010 draft, when I felt like the draft went off the course the Texans expected and they got a little panicky. The talked about how pro ready he was coming out of Alabama and they made him a starter from the very beginning.
[+] Enlarge
Brett Davis/US PresswireHouston cornerback Kareem Jackson, a first-round pick by the Texans in 2010, had 42 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception last season.
Brett Davis/US PresswireHouston cornerback Kareem Jackson, a first-round pick by the Texans in 2010, had 42 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception last season. Jackson doesn’t play with the confidence the Texans seem to try to instill with the constant reinforcement, often appearing timid. He got better under new defensive back coach Vance Joseph, but he still qualifies as the weak link in the defense.
Perhaps Brandon Harris, a mid-round draft pick from 2011, will get in position to challenge Jackson or provide a security blanket. Perhaps the team will draft a cornerback to fill Allen’s role. Perhaps it will pick up a veteran down the road when some shake free out of training camps.
But ideally, Jackson would graduate and become the player the Texans like to say he is. If he does, the defense has the potential to be as good as it was a year ago, when it often carried Houston.
Gary Kubiak was fond of saying both Jackson and Allen qualified as starters. Jackson played 55.73 percent of the Texans’ snaps on defense, Allen played 49.05 percent.
Getting only a bit more than half-time work out of a first-round draft pick hardly qualifies as a success. It’s only Year Three. Plenty of players emerge to play their best at this stage.
Receiver Jacoby Jones was a candidate here, but I fully expect the Texans to add a wide receiver who would take playing time away from Jones. Jackson should be counted on to play more, not expected to play less.
If I am a coordinator planning for the Texans, I’m making an effort to go after Jackson until he shows me he can make plays to slow me down.
» AFC Assessments: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South
Houston Texans
Key additions: None.
Key losses: OLB Mario Williams, RG Mike Brisiel, CB Jason Allen, TE Joel Dreessen, RT Eric Winston (cut), ILB DeMeco Ryans (traded), FB Lawrence Vickers (cut), QB Matt Leinart (cut).
Keepers and finance: Not everyone got away. The Texans managed to keep two very important players. They re-signed running back Arian Foster before he reached restricted free agency. And after he'd explored the market some, they struck a deal with unrestricted-free-agent center Chris Myers, a vital piece to a line that lost the two starters on the right side when Winston was cut and Brisiel bolted to Oakland.
Ryans was not a full-time player in the 3-4 defense, and his price tag was high. While Houston takes a $750,000 hit this season, he’s cleared from the books in the future. That will help the team as it tries to make sure players like outside linebacker Connor Barwin and left tackle Duane Brown don’t get away like Williams did.
What’s next: Depth paid off in a big way in 2011 as the Texans managed to win the division and a playoff game despite major personnel losses. At several spots, like on the offensive line and at corner, the draft will serve to replenish the roster with the same kind of insurance.
But the Texans are not without need.
While they are likely to stick with Jacoby Jones as part of the team and like Kevin Walter, a more reliable and dynamic weapon to go with Andre Johnson at receiver is something they acknowledge wanting. A third outside linebacker can reduce the high-snap strain on Barwin and Brooks Reed. While they hope Rashad Butler will replace Winston and Antoine Caldwell will take Brisiel’s spot, adding a guy who can compete for one or both of those spots would be healthy.
Indianapolis Colts
Key additions: DE Cory Redding, WR Donnie Avery, C Samson Satele, S Tom Zbikowski, G Mike McGlynn, RT Winston Justice (trade), QB Drew Stanton (trade).
Key losses: QB Peyton Manning (cut), WR Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, C Jeff Saturday, TE Dallas Clark (cut), LB Gary Brackett (cut), S Melvin Bullitt (cut), RT Ryan Diem (retired), WR Anthony Gonzalez, QB Dan Orlovsky, CB Jacob Lacey (not tendered), QB Curtis Painter (cut), DE Jamaal Anderson, G Mike Pollak.
So much we don’t know: We know background on coach Chuck Pagano and his coordinators and we know what Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson have said. But there will be a degree of mystery well into the season about what they intend to run and with whom. It’s unlikely to be a sweeping transition to a 3-4 defense, as it takes time to overhaul the personnel. But as they play a hybrid defense and move toward a conversion, they’ll need more than they’ve got -- starting with a nose tackle.
On offense, they’ve said they’ll use a fullback. That’s a major departure from the previous regime. And we don’t know if a Donald Brown-Delone Carter duo at fullback will be sufficient to run behind. They need help virtually everywhere after the cap purge and free-agency turnover. Not everything will get addressed as much as they’d like in their first offseason.
What’s next: I expect more role players like Zbikowski and McGlynn, more castoffs like Justice and Stanton and more guys who are presumed finished by a lot of teams, like Avery.
They are all guys who didn’t cost much but who have upside and can help, at least as role players. And if they don’t pan out, it’s hardly a death blow to Indianapolis' major, long-term plans. Money is limited with big dead-money charges and a $19 million cap hit for defensive end Dwight Freeney the team has indicated it's willing to carry.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key additions: WR Laurent Robinson, CB Aaron Ross, QB Chad Henne.
Key losses: DT Leger Douzable (did not tender).
Keeping their own: The Jaguars did well to hold on to players who have been valuable to them. The top of that list belongs to safety Dwight Lowery. They traded with the Jets for him before last season, shifted him full time to safety and got good work from him before he was hurt. It was crucial for the team to stay fixed at the position where it was horrific in 2010 before signing Dawan Landry and adding Lowery.
They also re-signed defensive end Jeremy Mincey, a great effort defensive end who was overextended in terms of playing time last year. He’s no sack-master, but he’s going to bust it on every play, break through sometimes and make the opponent work hard to stay in his way. And with the lack of quality defensive ends who hit the market, the Jaguars did well to keep him from jumping to Chicago.
What’s next: Receiver has to be addressed beyond a change in position coach and the addition of Robinson. If it’s not in the first round, it needs to be early. The franchise is trying to maximize Blaine Gabbert’s chances to be a franchise quarterback, and few would be able to establish themselves with the current cast of wideouts.
The Jaguars are a top pass-rushing end away from being a top-flight defense. Can they find him seventh overall in the draft? They could tab someone like South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, though it’s hard to say he or any rookie would be an immediate solution. Most ends need some time to become impact guys in the league.
The Jaguars could certainly look to add in the secondary free-agent market and when players are set free late in training camp.
Tennessee Titans
Key additions: DE Kamerion Wimbley, RG Steve Hutchinson.
Key losses: CB Cortland Finnegan, DL Jason Jones, WR Donnie Avery.
Sidetracked: Did the Titans miss out on real chances to sign either Scott Wells, who went to St. Louis, or Chris Myers, who stayed in Houston, as their new center because they were focused on chasing quarterback Peyton Manning? Perhaps. But when the owner declares that his executives and coaches need to put the hard sell on an all-time great QB with roots in the team’s state, that’s what you do.
Ideally, the team will still find an alternative to Eugene Amano. If the Titans find a new center to go with Hutchinson, who replaces free agent Jake Scott in the starting lineup, the interior offensive line could see a big improvement. That could have a big bearing on running back Chris Johnson, provided he takes care of his own business.
What’s next: The Titans think Wimbley will excel as a full-time defensive end, but they can’t afford for him to be too full time. He’s a smaller guy who’s played mostly as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and shouldn’t be asked to play every down of every game. That means they still need more help at end, where the only other guys they have right now are Derrick Morgan and Malcolm Sheppard.
Look for them to address depth at corner -- where they feel fine about Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner as the starters, if that’s how it falls -- as well as at receiver. One wild-card spot could be running back. Are they content with Javon Ringer and Jamie Harper as changeups to Johnson, or would they like to add a big back?
Houston Texans
Key additions: None.
Key losses: OLB Mario Williams, RG Mike Brisiel, CB Jason Allen, TE Joel Dreessen, RT Eric Winston (cut), ILB DeMeco Ryans (traded), FB Lawrence Vickers (cut), QB Matt Leinart (cut).
Keepers and finance: Not everyone got away. The Texans managed to keep two very important players. They re-signed running back Arian Foster before he reached restricted free agency. And after he'd explored the market some, they struck a deal with unrestricted-free-agent center Chris Myers, a vital piece to a line that lost the two starters on the right side when Winston was cut and Brisiel bolted to Oakland.
Ryans was not a full-time player in the 3-4 defense, and his price tag was high. While Houston takes a $750,000 hit this season, he’s cleared from the books in the future. That will help the team as it tries to make sure players like outside linebacker Connor Barwin and left tackle Duane Brown don’t get away like Williams did.
What’s next: Depth paid off in a big way in 2011 as the Texans managed to win the division and a playoff game despite major personnel losses. At several spots, like on the offensive line and at corner, the draft will serve to replenish the roster with the same kind of insurance.
But the Texans are not without need.
While they are likely to stick with Jacoby Jones as part of the team and like Kevin Walter, a more reliable and dynamic weapon to go with Andre Johnson at receiver is something they acknowledge wanting. A third outside linebacker can reduce the high-snap strain on Barwin and Brooks Reed. While they hope Rashad Butler will replace Winston and Antoine Caldwell will take Brisiel’s spot, adding a guy who can compete for one or both of those spots would be healthy.
Indianapolis Colts
Key additions: DE Cory Redding, WR Donnie Avery, C Samson Satele, S Tom Zbikowski, G Mike McGlynn, RT Winston Justice (trade), QB Drew Stanton (trade).
Key losses: QB Peyton Manning (cut), WR Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, C Jeff Saturday, TE Dallas Clark (cut), LB Gary Brackett (cut), S Melvin Bullitt (cut), RT Ryan Diem (retired), WR Anthony Gonzalez, QB Dan Orlovsky, CB Jacob Lacey (not tendered), QB Curtis Painter (cut), DE Jamaal Anderson, G Mike Pollak.
So much we don’t know: We know background on coach Chuck Pagano and his coordinators and we know what Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson have said. But there will be a degree of mystery well into the season about what they intend to run and with whom. It’s unlikely to be a sweeping transition to a 3-4 defense, as it takes time to overhaul the personnel. But as they play a hybrid defense and move toward a conversion, they’ll need more than they’ve got -- starting with a nose tackle.
On offense, they’ve said they’ll use a fullback. That’s a major departure from the previous regime. And we don’t know if a Donald Brown-Delone Carter duo at fullback will be sufficient to run behind. They need help virtually everywhere after the cap purge and free-agency turnover. Not everything will get addressed as much as they’d like in their first offseason.
What’s next: I expect more role players like Zbikowski and McGlynn, more castoffs like Justice and Stanton and more guys who are presumed finished by a lot of teams, like Avery.
They are all guys who didn’t cost much but who have upside and can help, at least as role players. And if they don’t pan out, it’s hardly a death blow to Indianapolis' major, long-term plans. Money is limited with big dead-money charges and a $19 million cap hit for defensive end Dwight Freeney the team has indicated it's willing to carry.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key additions: WR Laurent Robinson, CB Aaron Ross, QB Chad Henne.
Key losses: DT Leger Douzable (did not tender).
Keeping their own: The Jaguars did well to hold on to players who have been valuable to them. The top of that list belongs to safety Dwight Lowery. They traded with the Jets for him before last season, shifted him full time to safety and got good work from him before he was hurt. It was crucial for the team to stay fixed at the position where it was horrific in 2010 before signing Dawan Landry and adding Lowery.
They also re-signed defensive end Jeremy Mincey, a great effort defensive end who was overextended in terms of playing time last year. He’s no sack-master, but he’s going to bust it on every play, break through sometimes and make the opponent work hard to stay in his way. And with the lack of quality defensive ends who hit the market, the Jaguars did well to keep him from jumping to Chicago.
What’s next: Receiver has to be addressed beyond a change in position coach and the addition of Robinson. If it’s not in the first round, it needs to be early. The franchise is trying to maximize Blaine Gabbert’s chances to be a franchise quarterback, and few would be able to establish themselves with the current cast of wideouts.
The Jaguars are a top pass-rushing end away from being a top-flight defense. Can they find him seventh overall in the draft? They could tab someone like South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, though it’s hard to say he or any rookie would be an immediate solution. Most ends need some time to become impact guys in the league.
The Jaguars could certainly look to add in the secondary free-agent market and when players are set free late in training camp.
Tennessee Titans
Key additions: DE Kamerion Wimbley, RG Steve Hutchinson.
Key losses: CB Cortland Finnegan, DL Jason Jones, WR Donnie Avery.
Sidetracked: Did the Titans miss out on real chances to sign either Scott Wells, who went to St. Louis, or Chris Myers, who stayed in Houston, as their new center because they were focused on chasing quarterback Peyton Manning? Perhaps. But when the owner declares that his executives and coaches need to put the hard sell on an all-time great QB with roots in the team’s state, that’s what you do.
Ideally, the team will still find an alternative to Eugene Amano. If the Titans find a new center to go with Hutchinson, who replaces free agent Jake Scott in the starting lineup, the interior offensive line could see a big improvement. That could have a big bearing on running back Chris Johnson, provided he takes care of his own business.
What’s next: The Titans think Wimbley will excel as a full-time defensive end, but they can’t afford for him to be too full time. He’s a smaller guy who’s played mostly as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and shouldn’t be asked to play every down of every game. That means they still need more help at end, where the only other guys they have right now are Derrick Morgan and Malcolm Sheppard.
Look for them to address depth at corner -- where they feel fine about Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner as the starters, if that’s how it falls -- as well as at receiver. One wild-card spot could be running back. Are they content with Javon Ringer and Jamie Harper as changeups to Johnson, or would they like to add a big back?
RTC: Jaguars interested in Anderson, too
March, 19, 2012
Mar 19
11:33
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage...
Houston Texans
Why fan-target receiver Jacoby Jones won’t get cut, from Nick Matthews of the Houston Chronicle.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Star rounds up all the big links on Peyton Manning.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The team is interested in free agent defensive end Mark Anderson, who’s being pursued by the Titans as well, says Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times Union.
Tennessee Titans
How Jake Locker can strike it rich even if he spends the next few years on the bench behind Manning, from John Glennon.
Houston Texans
Why fan-target receiver Jacoby Jones won’t get cut, from Nick Matthews of the Houston Chronicle.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Star rounds up all the big links on Peyton Manning.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The team is interested in free agent defensive end Mark Anderson, who’s being pursued by the Titans as well, says Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times Union.
Tennessee Titans
How Jake Locker can strike it rich even if he spends the next few years on the bench behind Manning, from John Glennon.
The money isn’t mine. I’m not certain about what you can afford and what the market will pay when free agency opens on March 13. I’m not positive about your plans and schemes.
But I’ve got a good sense of your team. We've looked at your free agents.
And here’s what I’d try to do with your major issues:
1. Make one, big solid offer to defensive end Mario Williams. Very soon. Tell him it’s the best you are going to be able to do now or later. Expect him not to take it. Prepare for life without him and the crushing reviews you’ll get when he goes to a place like Seattle or, worse, Jacksonville, and wreaks some havoc as a pass rusher. Take solace that he’s overpaid by his new team and will ultimately mess up its cap. Plan to draft a outside linebacker to be third in a rotation with Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed.
2. Free up money with the following moves: Cut receiver Jacoby Jones (due a $3 million base salary) and reserve quarterback Matt Leinart (due a $1.75 million base). Make it clear while you’d like to keep them on your team, you cannot pay inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans ($5.9 million), receiver Kevin Walter ($3.5 million base) or defensive tackle Shaun Cody ($2 million) the base salaries they are scheduled to make. Ryans is a good player and a great locker room guy. But he played 58 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps last season. He can't make that money for that time on the field.
3. Do what you need to do to hold on to running back Arian Foster, but realize you have control. He’s a restricted free agent. A team trying to lure him away with an offer sheet would have to give up a first-rounder for him, and as great as he is, a first round pick is a high price for a running back. I think you can be a little risky here in terms of not worrying about outsiders. An offer sheet could be front-loaded and hard to match straight up. Hopefully if he’s offered one, he’ll share the numbers because he likes you and you’ve give him an equivalent deal shaped differently to get him to steer clear of signing the sheet. With or without outside influence, you should be able to give him a deal he’ll like that has a smaller 2012 cap number than the franchise tag of nearly $8 million.
4. Find a way to lock up center Chris Myers and don’t worry about guard Mike Brisiel, who's not the same caliber and won't cost nearly as much, unless he can be had for cheap. While you’d like to keep both, Myers is a better player, who's more valuable and has a better injury history. He’s also more of a the leader of the group. You need him long-term to keep that great running game going. Antoine Caldwell can take over at right guard without major drop off. There is no obvious replacement for Myers on the roster, so they’d have to find one if you let him go.
But I’ve got a good sense of your team. We've looked at your free agents.
And here’s what I’d try to do with your major issues:
1. Make one, big solid offer to defensive end Mario Williams. Very soon. Tell him it’s the best you are going to be able to do now or later. Expect him not to take it. Prepare for life without him and the crushing reviews you’ll get when he goes to a place like Seattle or, worse, Jacksonville, and wreaks some havoc as a pass rusher. Take solace that he’s overpaid by his new team and will ultimately mess up its cap. Plan to draft a outside linebacker to be third in a rotation with Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed.
2. Free up money with the following moves: Cut receiver Jacoby Jones (due a $3 million base salary) and reserve quarterback Matt Leinart (due a $1.75 million base). Make it clear while you’d like to keep them on your team, you cannot pay inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans ($5.9 million), receiver Kevin Walter ($3.5 million base) or defensive tackle Shaun Cody ($2 million) the base salaries they are scheduled to make. Ryans is a good player and a great locker room guy. But he played 58 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps last season. He can't make that money for that time on the field.
3. Do what you need to do to hold on to running back Arian Foster, but realize you have control. He’s a restricted free agent. A team trying to lure him away with an offer sheet would have to give up a first-rounder for him, and as great as he is, a first round pick is a high price for a running back. I think you can be a little risky here in terms of not worrying about outsiders. An offer sheet could be front-loaded and hard to match straight up. Hopefully if he’s offered one, he’ll share the numbers because he likes you and you’ve give him an equivalent deal shaped differently to get him to steer clear of signing the sheet. With or without outside influence, you should be able to give him a deal he’ll like that has a smaller 2012 cap number than the franchise tag of nearly $8 million.
4. Find a way to lock up center Chris Myers and don’t worry about guard Mike Brisiel, who's not the same caliber and won't cost nearly as much, unless he can be had for cheap. While you’d like to keep both, Myers is a better player, who's more valuable and has a better injury history. He’s also more of a the leader of the group. You need him long-term to keep that great running game going. Antoine Caldwell can take over at right guard without major drop off. There is no obvious replacement for Myers on the roster, so they’d have to find one if you let him go.
Randle could be a fit for Texans at 26
February, 26, 2012
Feb 26
1:11
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- While still backing Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones, Texans coach Gary Kubiak conceded this week the Texans are looking for a wide receiver.
One draft prospect who looks like a nice fit to play with, and eventually succeed, Andre Johnson is LSU’s Rueben Randle.
At just under 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he’s a nice combination of size, strength and speed. He’s a willing blocker which also makes him a potential fit for Houston, which drafts 26th in the first round.
“I try to model myself after Calvin Johnson, he’s a big body receiver," Randle said. “He makes a lot of plays deep down the field and also yards after the catch. I try to model myself in that kind of way.”
Johnson’s also been on Randle’s radar.
“You’ve got no choice but to look at him," Randle said. “He makes plays each and every Sunday whether it’s two guys on him, three he just goes and makes plays on the ball and the quarterback trusts him. That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build with the quarterbacks I play with.
“…That’d be great (to play with him). I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a lot of attention, that would free me up a little bit so it wouldn’t be much of a struggle for me. It’d be great to play with a great receiver like Andre Johnson, I’d just look forward to that.”
Said ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay: “Of the bigger guys, Randle can probably get down the field the best and is probably the most athletic.”
The downside?
McShay has trouble forgetting Randle’s performance in LSU’s national championship game loss to Alabama.
“He quit on them in the national championship game, which drive me nuts,” McShay said. “But you just have to live with it, he’s a receiver.”
Randle wasn’t asked about the championship game. Be he did rate Alabama’s DeQuan Menzie as the best defensive back he saw beyond LSU teammates.
[+] Enlarge
Rob Foldy/Icon SMILSU wide receiver Rueben Randle could be of interest to the Texans at No. 26.
Rob Foldy/Icon SMILSU wide receiver Rueben Randle could be of interest to the Texans at No. 26.At just under 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he’s a nice combination of size, strength and speed. He’s a willing blocker which also makes him a potential fit for Houston, which drafts 26th in the first round.
“I try to model myself after Calvin Johnson, he’s a big body receiver," Randle said. “He makes a lot of plays deep down the field and also yards after the catch. I try to model myself in that kind of way.”
Johnson’s also been on Randle’s radar.
“You’ve got no choice but to look at him," Randle said. “He makes plays each and every Sunday whether it’s two guys on him, three he just goes and makes plays on the ball and the quarterback trusts him. That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build with the quarterbacks I play with.
“…That’d be great (to play with him). I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a lot of attention, that would free me up a little bit so it wouldn’t be much of a struggle for me. It’d be great to play with a great receiver like Andre Johnson, I’d just look forward to that.”
Said ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay: “Of the bigger guys, Randle can probably get down the field the best and is probably the most athletic.”
The downside?
McShay has trouble forgetting Randle’s performance in LSU’s national championship game loss to Alabama.
“He quit on them in the national championship game, which drive me nuts,” McShay said. “But you just have to live with it, he’s a receiver.”
Randle wasn’t asked about the championship game. Be he did rate Alabama’s DeQuan Menzie as the best defensive back he saw beyond LSU teammates.
Outsiders' review of AFC South needs
February, 13, 2012
Feb 13
8:11
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Rivers McCown of Football Outsiders runs through the primary need of each AFC South team in this Insider piece 
. Here’s a peek at what he has to say with my reflections.
Houston Texans: Wide receiver
McCown: “The Texans enter free agency as a team with a promising amount of depth at many key areas, but Andre Johnson's injury last season exposed the fact that Houston's wide receivers simply aren't up to snuff without him ...
“The Texans will look hard at receivers in free agency and the draft. It's unlikely that they'll land a top-tier wideout like Marques Colston or Vincent Jackson because they still need to budget money carefully for players like Mario Williams, Arian Foster and Chris Myers. But a mid-level receiver like Steve Johnson, Reggie Wayne or Robert Meachem could potentially be brought in.
“More likely, however, the path for improvement will come through the draft.”
Paul Kuharsky: I think the Texans like Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones better than most analysts, but the long stretches without Johnson made them overly reliant on Foster as a target showed they don’t have enough at wideout.
Indianapolis Colts: Wide receiver
McCown: “Of the top five receivers on the Colts' depth chart going into last season, only Austin Collie and Blair White are under contract for 2012. Reggie Wayne, who will turn 34 during the 2012 season, is likely on the outs as this team begins a rebuilding phase. The Colts have expressed interest in re-signing free agent Pierre Garcon, who has generally fared very poorly in our receiving numbers. Garcon came out as below-replacement value last year, but he has ideal deep speed, and playing with Dan Orlovsky or Curtis Painter will make any speed receiver look worse than he really is. Anthony Gonzalez is also finally out the door after a disappointing, injury-plagued career in Colts blue.
“Again, given the direction of the team, it's rather unlikely that the Colts will be players for an elite free-agent receiver, but they could probably be in on the mid-tier targets with an eye toward youth. Players like Laurent Robinson, Harry Douglas or Andre Caldwell could make sense here. The Colts could also spend their second- or third-round picks on a receiver who could compete for snaps.”
Kuharsky: McCown writes he skipped past quarterback knowing it will be addressed with the No. 1 pick. Receiver is certainly a concern, but I think cornerback may rate as even bigger for a team that hired a defensive head coach in Chuck Pagano. If the new regime likes Jerraud Powers, the team still ranks as thin in coverage guys after him.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Wide receiver
McCown: "Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson summed it up best when he said: 'Those guys couldn't get a [expletive] receiver if it hit them in the head. They haven't had anyone since Jimmy Smith. ...'
“There are two ways to (upgrade). The Jaguars could make a play for Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson or DeSean Jackson. They certainly have the cap space to accomplish such a goal and could even bowl over someone who is iffy about Jacksonville with extra money. Or they could see if Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon falls into their laps at No. 7 overall, which would certainly be a more cost-conscious, if risky, move.”
Kuharsky: We are certainly talking about more than one guy. The Jaguars could aggressively shop in free agency and get a first-tier and second-tier guy. Or they could grab one veteran and spend a premium pick on another receiver. Upgrading the weapons for Blaine Gabbert is definitely priority No. 1.
Tennessee Titans: Defensive end
McCown: “Assuming that the Titans continue to handcuff themselves to the declining Chris Johnson, the biggest need in Nashville is an elite pass-rusher. When Jason Babin joined former Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn in defecting to the Eagles, the Titans' adjusted sack rate fell from 13th in the NFL in 2010 to second-to-last in 2011. Moreover, only two teams generated fewer quarterback hits from their top pass-rushers than the six the Titans had from Dave Ball: the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills ...
“If they can't address defensive end in free agency, then a pass rusher will likely be a top priority for the Titans with their first-round pick. If they do pick up a premier sack artist, then it would give them an opportunity to spend the pick on a safety or wide receiver, which are also positions that could use reinforcement in Nashville.”
Kuharsky: The Titans need immediate impact at the spot. I don’t expect them to overpay Williams if he's free. The free-agent crop behind him could be thin if guys get franchised. Can they find a reclamation type like Babin who will be an upgrade on opening day? Will a guy who can consistently get into the backfield still be on the draft board at No. 20?
. Here’s a peek at what he has to say with my reflections.
Houston Texans: Wide receiver
McCown: “The Texans enter free agency as a team with a promising amount of depth at many key areas, but Andre Johnson's injury last season exposed the fact that Houston's wide receivers simply aren't up to snuff without him ...
“The Texans will look hard at receivers in free agency and the draft. It's unlikely that they'll land a top-tier wideout like Marques Colston or Vincent Jackson because they still need to budget money carefully for players like Mario Williams, Arian Foster and Chris Myers. But a mid-level receiver like Steve Johnson, Reggie Wayne or Robert Meachem could potentially be brought in.
“More likely, however, the path for improvement will come through the draft.”
Paul Kuharsky: I think the Texans like Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones better than most analysts, but the long stretches without Johnson made them overly reliant on Foster as a target showed they don’t have enough at wideout.
Indianapolis Colts: Wide receiver
McCown: “Of the top five receivers on the Colts' depth chart going into last season, only Austin Collie and Blair White are under contract for 2012. Reggie Wayne, who will turn 34 during the 2012 season, is likely on the outs as this team begins a rebuilding phase. The Colts have expressed interest in re-signing free agent Pierre Garcon, who has generally fared very poorly in our receiving numbers. Garcon came out as below-replacement value last year, but he has ideal deep speed, and playing with Dan Orlovsky or Curtis Painter will make any speed receiver look worse than he really is. Anthony Gonzalez is also finally out the door after a disappointing, injury-plagued career in Colts blue.
“Again, given the direction of the team, it's rather unlikely that the Colts will be players for an elite free-agent receiver, but they could probably be in on the mid-tier targets with an eye toward youth. Players like Laurent Robinson, Harry Douglas or Andre Caldwell could make sense here. The Colts could also spend their second- or third-round picks on a receiver who could compete for snaps.”
Kuharsky: McCown writes he skipped past quarterback knowing it will be addressed with the No. 1 pick. Receiver is certainly a concern, but I think cornerback may rate as even bigger for a team that hired a defensive head coach in Chuck Pagano. If the new regime likes Jerraud Powers, the team still ranks as thin in coverage guys after him.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Wide receiver
McCown: "Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson summed it up best when he said: 'Those guys couldn't get a [expletive] receiver if it hit them in the head. They haven't had anyone since Jimmy Smith. ...'
“There are two ways to (upgrade). The Jaguars could make a play for Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson or DeSean Jackson. They certainly have the cap space to accomplish such a goal and could even bowl over someone who is iffy about Jacksonville with extra money. Or they could see if Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon falls into their laps at No. 7 overall, which would certainly be a more cost-conscious, if risky, move.”
Kuharsky: We are certainly talking about more than one guy. The Jaguars could aggressively shop in free agency and get a first-tier and second-tier guy. Or they could grab one veteran and spend a premium pick on another receiver. Upgrading the weapons for Blaine Gabbert is definitely priority No. 1.
Tennessee Titans: Defensive end
McCown: “Assuming that the Titans continue to handcuff themselves to the declining Chris Johnson, the biggest need in Nashville is an elite pass-rusher. When Jason Babin joined former Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn in defecting to the Eagles, the Titans' adjusted sack rate fell from 13th in the NFL in 2010 to second-to-last in 2011. Moreover, only two teams generated fewer quarterback hits from their top pass-rushers than the six the Titans had from Dave Ball: the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills ...
“If they can't address defensive end in free agency, then a pass rusher will likely be a top priority for the Titans with their first-round pick. If they do pick up a premier sack artist, then it would give them an opportunity to spend the pick on a safety or wide receiver, which are also positions that could use reinforcement in Nashville.”
Kuharsky: The Titans need immediate impact at the spot. I don’t expect them to overpay Williams if he's free. The free-agent crop behind him could be thin if guys get franchised. Can they find a reclamation type like Babin who will be an upgrade on opening day? Will a guy who can consistently get into the backfield still be on the draft board at No. 20?
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
