That's Football...That's Life: Matt10's Houston Texans

[Matt10]

Free Safety, Nick Ferguson (79 Ovr), has decided to hang up his helmet on his 11-year career. The Houston Texans do not plan on convincing him out of retirement.

Gary Kubiak on Ferguson: "This is a vacancy that will be hard to fill, almost impossible. Nick finished the season with six interceptions - he always comes out of no where plays and makes decisions that are nine times out of ten times the best ones. I can't say enough about how much I respect Nick - I hope he stays with the Texans family."

Rick Smith on Ferguson: "It's bittersweet for the Texans losing Nick Ferguson. Our secondary will be a bit askew for now - but I do have an announcement, more like a sneak peek, that Nick will remain part of the Houston Texans family - how he will contribute, I will announce later on. I wish Nick and his family all the best."

Running Back, Ahman Green (77 Ovr), has decided to remove his name from the retirement list. Green has accepted a 2-year contract extension from the Houston Texans.

Gary Kubiak on Green: "When I heard Ahman was going to hang em up - I thought 'no possible way' - he is a key part of why we are where we are. From a lousy season last year, to one I can be proud of this year. Ahman is the veteran the young guys need - the guy who can get the job done every Sunday."

Tight End, Mark Bruener (70 Ovr), has decided to hang up his helmet on his 16-year career. The Houston Texans do not plan on convincing him out of retirement.

Gary Kubiak on Bruener: "The man ends an illustrious career on a high I believe. Mark Bruener is a highly underrated tight-end, and his never give up attitude is complimentary to the kind of athlete he is."

Rick Smith on Bruener: "We are surely going to miss his efforts and contributions to the team and community of Houston."

Running Back, Ron Dayne (69 Ovr), has decided to hang up his helmet on his 11-year career. The Houston Texans do not plan on convincing him out of retirement.

Gary Kubiak on Dayne: "One of the greater college football players the game has seen - I think he had a great NFL career as well. We will miss Ron's effort on the practice field and the crucial yards that he produced when we needed him the most."

[Matt10]

The following is the CAP DATA before 2010 re-signings.






2010 RE-SIGNINGS

• QB Matt Schaub - 2yrs/$9.90m (85ovr)
• HB Chris Johnson - 2yrs/$5.50m (80ovr)
• HB Steve Slaton - 2yrs/$6.71m (77ovr)
• FB Vonta Leach - 2yrs/$4.84m (80ovr)
• T Duane Brown - 2yrs/$8.07m (83ovr)
• CB Dunta Robinson - 3yrs/$9.06m (80ovr)

2010 RELEASED/WAIVED PLAYERS

• DT DeJuan Robinson (69ovr)

The following is the CAP DATA after 2010 re-signings.

[Matt10]

[GoChargers]

AFC South was dangerous this season. Any other division and you would've had a good shot at the playoffs. Better luck next year.

[Matt10]

AFC South was dangerous this season. Any other division and you would've had a good shot at the playoffs. Better luck next year.

Yeah, with Indy dominating, although I'm a bit excited next year because Starvin Marvin won't be there. Hopefully I can get some decent cpu-generated draftees. It's going to be a bit tricky because I won't know their ratings unlike last year.

[Woy]

Once again, nice to see this back. Looking forward to some off-season fun.

[Matt10]

The following is a breakdown of management's mindset on Free Agency. The signing(s) are based on team needs and/or organization's desire to improve certain areas.

Team Needs: CB (5/6), FS (1/2), TE (1/2)

Cap Room: $10.07M

• Cornerbacks on Team: D.Robinson (80) C.Finnegan (79) A.Molden (72) K.Lewis (71) D.Scott (69)
• Free Safety on Team: W.Demps (72)
• Tight Ends on Team: O.Daniels (87) J.Dreessen (73)

GOAL
We are trying to sneak in whoever we can really. With limited cap room there will have to be some sort of significance in the player(s) signed.


SOLUTION

• Wide receiver, Chad Jackson (80 ovr) has been released from the team.
• Offensive tackle, Rashad Butler (74 ovr)) has been released from the team.
• Outside linebacker, Chaun Thompson (69 ovr), has been released from the team.
• Cornerback, Demarcus Scott (69 ovr)has been released from the team.

Adjusted Cap Room: $13.11M

REFLECTION
It's not easy to let go of some of these guys - Chad Jackson in particular who is a rising star. However, the free agents that are available are in a posiiton to make a difference to a team that does not want to rebuild any longer.

RESULT
FA Cornerback, Antonio Cromartie (90 ovr), has been signed by the Houston Texans for $33.34M, 6 years.
Gary Kubiak on Cromartie: "Last season he led his team (San Diego) with 7 interceptions. He joins the ranks of Dunta Robinson, Cortland Finnegan - it is going to be a real battle, and I think this is exactly what we needed to do this offseason."
Rick Smith on Cromartie: "Just a superb talent that this guy has. We are confident our defense will be feared now."

FA Center, Nick Cole (82 ovr), has been signed by the Houston Texans for $16.74M, 6 years.
Gary Kubiak on Cole: "We expect Nick to be a driving force for protecting the quarterback next year. He is going to breed some competition with Chris Myers (86 ovr). Eitherway, I think this was a great signing for us."

FA Defensive End, Matt Roth (83 ovr), has been signed by the Houston Texans for $13.55M, 5 years.
Gary Kubiak on Roth: "This guy quietly recorded 50 tackles last year. He is a real go-getter, he has some good agility and a smart head on his shoulders. I think Matt is going to fit right in, and has a good chance of starting right away alongside Mario (Williams) on the line."


NFL FAW SIGNINGS
49ers - DE Shaun Smith (79)
Bengals - SS Adam Archuleta (72)
Broncos - CB Kelly Jennings (71), CB Fred Bennett (71), DT J'Vonne Parker (77)
Browns - WR Mario Manningham (82)
Bucs - LB Matt McCoy (67), LB Bobby Carpenter (70), CB Charles Woodson (77)
Cards - LB Marques Harris (68), DT La'Roi Glover (77)
San Diego - CB Maurice Leggett (70)
Chiefs - QB Shaun Hill (74), TE Michael Gaines (73)
Giants - WR Chad Jackson (81)
Jets - FB Lousaka Polite (74)
Packers - DT Marcus Stroud (86)
Patriots - LB Barrett Ruud (83)
Ravens - CB Damarcus Scott (69), WR Jabar Gaffney (78)
Seahawks - WR Keary Colbert (78), WR Vincent Jackson (84), CB Marlin Jackson (80)
Steelers - TE Sean Ryan (74), DE Dwight Freeney (91)
Texans - CB Antonio Cromartie (90), C Nick Cole (82), DE Matt Roth (83)
Titans - LB Dontarrious Thomas (71), FS Nick Collins (77)

[Woy]

Wow, you are stacked at corner now. Nice acquisition of Cromartie.

[GoChargers]

Love the pickup of Cromartie. I think a winning season in on the cards this time around.

[Matt10]

Wow, you are stacked at corner now. Nice acquisition of Cromartie.

Love the pickup of Cromartie. I think a winning season in on the cards this time around.

Thanks, I saw Cromartie there and was like...um, screw it - let's get em!

So I did :twinkle:

[Matt10]

Alan Burge, Houston Texans Examiner
Slaton shipped out
Texans nab third overall pick from Bengals



For those that don't remember, before this afternoon, we did not have a first overall pick. Kubie and Smitty over there dealed that out at the beginning of this year when we traded (sigh) Graham Harrell for Ryan Clady.

So what exciting drama was in store for this upcoming season?

Well, next season all those #20 jersey's will have someone else's name on them, and it won't say "SLATON".

That's right, Steve Slaton has been the top story in the league today. The Texans have stated that the back was "disgruntled" and the Bengals organization expressed their interest behind closed doors.

According to sources, Slaton was frustrated last year to not being picked as the backup to starter Chris Johnson. Despite Johnson's exit in mid-season, Coach Kubiak chose to play veteran Ahman Green. What made matters worse as of late in Slaton's view, was the fact that Green's contract was renewed.

Of course, Mr. Slaton is unavailable to confirm or deny - but you can't blame the guy for thinking that way.

As for the Bengals side of thing, they need some serious help on the defensive side of things, but Marvin White is a practical "no-name" from TCU, adding the fact that Taylor Mays is coming off of a 150+ tackle season - he was expendable.

Now then, what about giving up the third pick in this year's draft? That is where the bone-head discussion begin. Is Slaton that great of a player that the Bengals are looking to improve their offense when in fact their defense was the the worst in the NFL last year?

Boneheads. Oh, well - thank you very much.

The Specifics
Not even on paper

We are going to need a running back now you know...

[bhurst99]

If you can use the first rounder to pick up a RB, then you basically got White for a fifth-rounder. Not bad.

[LC AAU]

I mean really, you already have CJ and Green. You could get that RB later in the draft if you have a glaring need some where else.

[Matt10]

If you can use the first rounder to pick up a RB, then you basically got White for a fifth-rounder. Not bad.

Yeah, actually my plans are not to grab a RB in the first round - no lie. I have CJ still and Green is an adequate backup.

I mean really, you already have CJ and Green. You could get that RB later in the draft if you have a glaring need some where else.

There we go - there is some serious need of a WR with Johnson being the only 90 ovr, everyone else is below 80. An upgrade to linebacker would be great to compliment Demeco Ryans (93 ovr).

I've decided also to go ahead and use rooks from my NCAA 08 (end of 2009 season) dynasty. Not going to go crazy and create 230, but I'll get close.

[Matt10]

*KEY - RRT (Run Route), CVR (Coverage), RCVR (Run Coverage), PSR (Pass Rush)

Drafted, but not signed: RB Roman Nash (FSU, 3rd rd), OG Tim Carr (Montana, 4th rd), WR Daniel Morrison (Miami-FL, 6th rd), OG Darrin Klein (Iowa, 7th rd)
How come?: Texans Cap Room: $-5.48m
Didn't stop us: Texans sign FA RB Felix Jones (76) for 3 yrs, $3.99m





Awfully weird: The 2010 draft concluded and I'm a bit stunned because of how bad some players are rated. For those who wonder if I do the ratings this time around - I did not. To keep my competitive spirit, I had my housemate rate some real rookies (created about 30 players from my NCAA 08 dynasty). So this is the result of the first round. He grinned when I told him I was picking Sam Bradford - wonder why, huh? Eitherway, the offseason is just about over now - I think some teams improved within the draft, others during free agency.