Houston Texans Off Season News

[eagle eye]

New head coach Bill O'Brien kept defensive line coach Bill Kollar from the 2013 staff. Sixteen other assistants have been let go. Kollar has been in the NFL for 25 years as a coach and the past 5 with the Texans. JJ Watt credits Kollar for helping him to develop into a premiere defensive lineman.

 

From Texans.com here are the coaches who have been let go;

 

Perry Carter (assistant defensive backs), Rick Dennison (offensive coordinator), Karl Dorrell (quarterbacks), Dan Hammerschmidt (offensive assistant), Chick Harris (running backs), Reggie Herring (linebackers), Vance Joseph (defensive backs), Bobby King (assistant linebackers), Larry Kirksey (wide receivers), Marc Lubick (assistant wide receivers), Brian Pariani (tight ends), Wade Phillips (defensive coordinator), Jim Ryan (assistant offensive line), Matt Schiotz (assistant strength and conditioning), Cedric Smith (head strength and conditioning) and Jeff Zgonina (assistant defensive line).

 

 

Speaking of JJ Watt, yesterday Pro Football Focus named him the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. The web site tauted Watt as the best defensive player in the NFL and also the best player in the NFL period.

Edited August 21, 2014 by eagle eye

[eagle eye]

The new head coach is coming into a sweet deal in Houston. He needs to rebuild the team's roster but it's not a major undertaking. The Texans do have some nice pieces in place to build on. Bill O'Brien also has the first pick in the draft to work with. There are a lot of needs to fill and it's no lock that Johnny Manziel or Terry Bridgewater will be that first pick. In fact, it's quiet possible Houston trades down similar to the St Louis Rams did two years ago so Washington could draft RGIII. Both teams have benefitted greatly from the trade but it would be a great debate about who got more bang for their buck. There a lot of QB's in the draft who will go in later rounds like Alabama's AJ McCarron who look like they will be good NFL caliber QB's. Houston could trade down and accumulate extra picks to fill the hole Houston has on the O-line, D-line, linebacker and running back. Not to mention cornerback and safety. The caveat here is, in Houston, will fans tolerate not taking Texas' own Johnny Manziel especially with such a big A&M influence in Houston? What do you think Houston should do?

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In his first week Bill O'Brien has assumed the head coaching job, fired all of his predecessor's staff except the defensive line coach, met former President George H W Bush (the old man, not his son) and the latest news is that he is a gifted communicator. A man with a way with words. By all accounts a man who will potentially be a very good NFL head coach. He certainly did a nice job at Penn State despite the well documented issues at State College Pennsylvania. It's ironic though that a man with such good communication skills should be frustrated out of a job at Penn State but that's what seems to have happened. Apparently, the old Joe Pa followers still hanging on constantly complained that O'Brien didn't do things like Joe Pa and they didn't like it. They complained so much that O'Brien got fed up with it and jumped at the opportunity to get back to the NFL and away from Penn State where, by the way, he won Coach of the Year honors in 2012. Joe Paterno had a great coaching career which he crapped all over by facilitating a child molester. The Joe Pa boosters are ridiculous but it looks like we got a good coach for the Texans as a result. I think Joe Paterno was evil for what he allowed to continue under his watch and for boosters to taint the excellent effort by his successor is just unimaginable. Screw Joe Pa and I hope the people who revere this sick old man get nothing but a big old F you from the new head man, James Franklin. As for Houston, I hope we win 5 Super Bowls just as a big F you from O'Brien to those stupid people who still think Paterno is worth anyone's admiration.

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In an interview with Texans owner Bob McNair was asked his opinion of South Carolina's Jadaveon Clowney since McNair is an alumnus of the school. McNair said he feels Clowney is a once in a decade athlete but he sort of questioned his work ethic. McNair said he thought Clowney is such a gifted athlete he never has had to really work to succeed. A question about if Clowney was to come to Houston if the Texans could teach him the work ethic needed for Clowney to succeed in the NFL. McNair said that he would put Clowney with JJ Watt, a guy who has worked very hard to develop into the player he is, would be the perfect mentor for Clowney. Apparently, McNair had asked Watt about mentoring Clowney and Watt said, "If I'm in the room he WILL work!". I don't know if this is a hint at the direction the Texans will go with that first pick in the draft but it would be a pretty controversial pick considering how much publicity is out there about picking either Johnny Manziel or Terry Bridgewater. McNair isn't a stranger to controversy considering the Texans selected DE Mario Williams with the first pick in the 2006 NFL draft instead of the popular choices of either Texas' Vince Young or USC RB Reggie Bush. The fit sure hit the shan with that draft but hindsight bears out that Houston made the right decision at the time. It may very well be that Houston will trade that first pick for draft choices and maybe try to snag Clowney at pick 6 or 7. It will be an interesting topic of discussion as we move through the senior bowl and the scouting combine on the way to the May draft.

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Left tackle Duane Brown was added to the Pro Bowl roster earlier this week. He will replace Eagles tackle Jason Peters who declined to go. This Brown's second Pro Bowl with his first being last season.

 

JJ Watt was named a team captain for the Pro Bowl. The four players named as captains are DrewBrees, Jamaal Charles, Robert Quinn and Watt. Brees and Rams defensive lineman Quinn will be paired and Charles and Watt will be paired. The Pro Bowl format will change this year with Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice will pick teams like we used to on the playground instead of zoning in on a per conference selection and rivalry which is really no rivalry at all.

 

Here's a link to a Texans.com article about the results of the first mock drafts released this past week. Louisville's Terry Bridgewater is the favorite of the mockers but it's an interesting look at who thinks the Texans may go with when they are on the clock with that first pick.

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10303206/oregon-pac-12-winners-lsu-sec-losers-nfl-draft-early-entries

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Well, my hopes have been dashed on the rocks in terms of the style of defense Houston plays next season. How do I know that? Because Houston has hired Romeo Crennell to be defensive coordinator and he's a 3-4 man. My hopes of seeing what kind of damage JJ Watt could do in a 4-3 as a defensive end are dashed to pieces now. Seriously, Crennell is a good coach and his defenses have always been strong. Even two years ago when he was head coach of Kansas City the defense was good it's just that the offense wasn't. Another incident where a good coordinator doesn't necessarily mean he's a good head coach. Most of the needs for Houston is on the defense so knowing the scheme they take into the season will help identify the exact needs of the team. The question still begs will the Texans go defense or offense. Will they draft a QB like Manziel or Bridgewater of will they get DL Jadaveon Clowney? I still think that if Houston switch to a 4-3 you could bookend Clowney and Watt at defensive end and the front four becomes a really dangerous unit.

[eagle eye]

It didn't take long for former head coach Gary Kubiak to find a job. Yesterday he was hired to be the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Rick Dennison who was the Texans OC will join Kubiak as the QB coach. Kubiak replaced Jim Caldwell who left to become the Detroit Lions head coach. He inherits a unit with a recognized QB (Joe Flacco), a top RB (Ray Rice), a top WR (Torrey Smith) and top TE (Dennis Pitta) with depth at most positions. The Ravens don't have the WR depth Houston does but Ravens GM is possibly the best GM in the NFL at acquiring talent. Head coach John Harbaugh like to have a run-dominated offense and that's Kubiak's forte. Kubiak appears to be the perfect fit for what the Ravens are looking for.

 

Here's a link to a Texans.com look at possible draft prospect Jadeveon Clowney.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-On-The-Clock-Jadeveon-Clowney/8b33f848-8902-49e6-b5a5-4b2e4b134392

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Here's a look, for the Texans website about prospective first first round pick Johnny Manziel. As time passes the feeling may be more clear as to who Houston may draft with their first pick but now there are a lot of names that are on the prospective list of possibilities but Johnny Football is arguably the highest profile of them all.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-On-the-Clock-Johnny-Manziel/007b9528-8d56-418f-99ec-3d3c780867bf

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Here's a link to a Texans.com article about the difference in this off season compared to last year for LB Brian Cushing. This year the outlook is really good without the uncertainty of last season as Cushing was rehabbing from a torn ACL. This time last year Cushing was a long way from being cleared to even practice but this year he's already running and he says he feels great. Good news for new head coach Bill O'Brien and Texans fans.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/“Night-and-day”-offseasons-for-Brian-Cushing/2dea1ebe-e7bf-4043-a38c-40a468baf3ee

 

Here's a link to a video of Matt Schaub's feelings about his off season and his impressions of Bill O'Brien. Texans fans may not want to hear this but Schaub may be the QB going in the 2014 season. One, his contract is too prohibitive for Houston to just cut him and two, Schaub is a pocket passer and that's something that Bill O'Brien seems to prefer given his recent history of working with Tom Brady in New England and his development of pocket passers at Penn State. At State he developed current Oakland Raiders QB Matt McGloin and Penn State's current signal caller Christian Hackenberg.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/QB-Schaub-on-OBrien-offseason/0a101bef-cf4d-4d10-b7c0-db0651aec17f

 

One last item from Texans.com is the interview with Texans DB D J Swearinger who is a former teammate of prospective 1st round pick Jadeveon Clowney at South Carolina and Clowney's statement that the Texans need to "get me to Houston"!

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Get_me_to_Houston_Clowney/9f2f9800-543d-4842-ab75-f15ac7b77e15

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Here's a link to an interview with LB Brian Cushing and his impressions on new head coach Bill O'Brien, new LB coach and former All-Pro LB for the Patriots Mike Vrabel as well as his thoughts on the learning curve in new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel's defensive scheme.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/hou/houston-astros-president-reid-ryan-driven-by-love-for-the-game?ymd=20140217&content_id=67802318&vkey=news_hou

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Yesterday Johnny Manziel was interviewed at the Scouting Combine and, to me, he came off pretty good. His official height at the combine was listed as 5'11-3/4". During his interview Manziel said his competitiveness and drive to win make him play like he's ten feet tall. To him his height is only a number. That's a predictable answer but when you see his face when he says it and you believe him. He also iterated that he is a pro now and his approach and commitment to being the best player he can be is an answer to the question about how serious he takes his football. He pointed out that he worked a lot before last season at A&M to improve as a pocket passer and his QB play overall. He also said he has been working out in San Diego in prep for the combine even though he doesn't plan to throw in Indianapolis. He will throw at his A&M pro day and private workouts as requested. The one thing Texans fans should note was that he wants to stay in Texas because he was born and raised in Texas and it's very fortunate that Houston has the first pick in the draft. This was a not-so-subtle hint that he wants to be the Texans choice with the first pick in the draft.

 

The combine is in full swing with on field work beginning today. I recommend you go to Texans.com and check out the videos posted on the site with head coach Bill O'Brien, A.J. McCarren, ESPN's John Clayton and the article about Maziel's presser. I liked the McCarron presser and I agree he's been underrated as a QB prospect and from a measuerables standpoint he's kind of right up Bill O'Brien's alley. A guy like McCarron could drop as low as the second round and be available for Houston allowing the Texans to draft a Jadeveon Clowney or a Jake Mathews with the first pick. The options available in the "deepest draft in 10 years" according to Mike Mayock for Houston will be a topic of discussion until the May draft begins.

[eagle eye]

The combine is over and if you watched the procedings or checked out the highlights you had to hear all the good---and bad---about Jadeveon Clowney. His forty time was better than most tightends but his bench press wasn't all that great, 21 reps at 225 lbs. He ran the shuttle run and other drills but he didn't participate in the drill where they had to begin lying on their stomach. So, the controversy continues over him. Is he a beast and a no-brainer 1st pick or is his work ethic, or lack thereof, make him too much of a risk? Is he a dedicated football guy or diva? Did his lack of production his senior year send up red flags or will scouts and coaches take into consideration he was double, triple and quadruple teamed on almost every play last season? It's a conundrum wrapped in an enigma wrapped in an anomoly.

Houston is sitting with the first pick in the draft and they will have an immense pressure to draft QB Johnny Manziel. If they pass on Manziel and he blows up and becomes Johnny Pro Football the Texans will never hear the end of it. If Houston drafts Manziel and he doesn't live up to expectations and Clowney blows up same situation. This may be the most important pick in Bill O'Brien's tenure in Houston because repercussions from this draft will resonate for years. If the Texans pick well it's happy days in Houston again and if not O'Brien will be looking for a job within a couple of years.

If you believe the pundits there isn't a QB in this draft that's a 1st pick franchise QB but Clowney himself has caused a lot of doubt about whether he is a 1st pick. Heck Mike Mayock said he would take Pitt's Aaron Donald ahead of Clowney despite Donald's lack of height and arm length. It's going to be a very important pick but it could be clouded by the current QBs on the roster.

Matt Schaub got a big contract a couple of years ago and to cut him would result in a lot of dead money Houston can't really afford. Schaub is a pocket passer, the kind O'Brien reportedly likes and has been used to working with. Houston may be stuck with Schaub for a couple more years. Then there is Case Keenum. Did he show enough to make Schaub a bench warmer? Is either one enough to pass on a QB with the first pick? Wow, I'm glad I don't have to make this decision.

[eagle eye]

Hey, the Texans have already signed the first free agent of 2014. Yesterday they inked TE Zach Potter who was a defensive end in college at Nebraska who was converted to TE in the NFL. Potter was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets in 2009 and was waived on the last cut. The Jaguars signed him to their practice squad and they converted him to tight end. In 2012 the Rams signed him as a free agent but for some reason I can't find he didn't play a down in 2013. Apparently, the notion that head coach Bill O'Brien likes to stockpile TE's is accurate because with this signing it gives Houston 5 TE's on the roster.

Who knows but the fact that Potter was an Honorable Mention All Big Twelve defensive end might mean he could switch back to DE and be a pass rusher. At 6'7" and 269 lbs he could do just that. He may need to add a few pounds to be a 3-4 DE but who knows what's in store.

 

Here's an article from Texans.com about who experts around the country think Houston will draft with their first pick in May's draft.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-Mock-Draft-Survey-40/49bd5a92-acae-4d6b-aed5-82d887630c65

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Talk about a memorable prom night. Houston Texans cheerleader Caitlyn has agreed to go to a Crosby student's senior prom if he get 10K retweets. Here's a link to the Texans.com article for details of this dream date!

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-Cheerleader-agrees-to-prom-date/df778774-5231-46f1-9dbe-cda8d929c7f0

[eagle eye]

Houston has claimed LB Paul Hazel off waivers and released inside LB Evan Frierson. Frierson was signed as an undrafted free agent last May 10th but he was put on injured reserve before the preseason began with a shoulder injury. Hazel went to Western Michigan where he played both football and basketball. Hazel is 6'5" and 227 lbs and he was a standout player at WMU. He was signed as an undrafted free agent last May by Jacksonville but he ended up playing for Cleveland in 2013.

 

OT Duane Brown says he's going to bulk back up for the 2014 season. In 2013 he took off weight in an attempt to be faster and quicker which he accomplished but he was also not, in his words "able to anchor" so he will put on 12-15 pounds in a healthy way of course. He is currently listed at 303 lbs so he looks to play next season at around 315 lbs. Brown and the rest of the O-line is looking to bounce back after a pretty bad season they and the rest of the team suffered through last season.

 

Ben Tate said in an interview that a team who signs him in free agency will be getting an elite type of running back. Tate was drafted by Houston in 2010 after a good career as a four year player at Auburn. Tate had done some nice things with the Texans but he has been plagued by injuries during his time highlighted by his missing the entire 2010 season with a broken ankle suffered in preseason. Tate has apparently closed the door on playing in Houston saying, "I'm very grateful for the Texans selecting me and giving me an opportunity coming out of college," he said. "Without a doubt I'm very grateful for that. I just see it as a chapter closing in my life and opening a new chapter." Tate was drafted to be the man in the Houston offense but Arian Foster, who was signed by Houston as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2009, had an unbelievable breakout season in 2010 after Tate was injured. Foster suffered through back issues and barely played last season but Houston has said that Foster is healthy and they expect a return to form in 2014. Most RB's are not all that popular as free agents mainly because by the time most RB's hit free agency they are pushing 30 and they don't get the deal they are hoping for. Tate's situation is different. He's healthy and he's only 25 and he's determined to show how good he can be. He will likely be a bargain for a team that signs him.

[eagle eye]

Rumors are flying around that Houston is going to try to trade for New England Patriots backup QB Ryan Mallet. Houston head coach Bill O'Brien worked with Mallet when he was an assistant for the Patriots so he is familiar with what Mallet is about as a player. Mallet is the type of QB that O'Brien seems to prefer and he would be a good fit in the Texans new O'Brien offense. The rumors are saying Mallet would cost the Texans their early 2nd round draft pick. If true, the Texans would be free to draft DE Jadeveon Clowney with the first pick in the draft and still get a young QB. The upside is that Mallet has served a 3 year apprenticeship under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady and he should be ready to step into a starting job in Houston. A trade would also be beneficial to the Patriots because Mallet will become a free agent in 2015 and a trade now will enable the Patriots to at least get something for their trouble. There is a monkey in the wrench to this rumor. Senior beat writer for the Texans, John McClain, is insisting that Houston will not be trading for Mallet. It would be hard to argue with a guy who follows the team on a day-to-day basis. C'mon May 8 when the draft begins and all speculation will end.

[eagle eye]

Two players who were injured in 2013 contributed mightily to the Texans dismal season. Truthfully, there were a whole group of injuries that adversely affected the Texans fortunes last season but two big losses where Owen Daniels on the offensive side of the ball and Jonathan Joseph on defense. Joseph was lost for the rest of the season in December when he tore a toe ligament but he was also hobbled by one thing or another all season. Daniels was lost much earlier than Joseph when he broke his leg in Week 5 against San Francisco. Both men claim they are on or ahead of schedule in there rehabs and both feel they will be ready when OTA's begin for the Texans.

 

Here's a link from Texans.com who went back and took a look at some of the free agent signings Houston have done.

 

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/A-look-back-at-Texans-free-agent-signings/d0274c4c-6e22-455a-a83f-85a0b73e5881

[eagle eye]

So much for being ready to start OTA's. Free agency begins at 4 PM today and Houston cleared away some cap space by releasing long time TE Owen Daniels. This is a bit of a surprise but Daniels has been prone to injury since he was drafted by Houston in 2006. He did make two Pro Bowls in 2008 and 2012 and he is sort of like a Jason Witten Lite. That is to say Daniels is a good player and he should be for several more years to come but it just won't be with Houston. Houston has actually done Daniels a favor by releasing him in time to take advantage of the free agent frenzy beginning this afternoon. I could see Daniels as a good fit in New England. There's no guarantee Rob Gronkowski will be back to his old Gronk-ness and the Pats have shown they like using the tight end as a receiver which is something Daniels is very good at. Even if Gronk does come back strong the Pats have never replaced Aaron Hernandez. For the right price I could very well see Daniels go to New England.

[eagle eye]

I've said this before, don't be surprised if Matt Schaub is the quarterback of the Texans in 2014. According to an article in NFL.com the Houston Chronicle's lead Texans reporter John McClain is saying that despite rumors that the Cleveland Browns are interested in him, Schaub won't be going anywhere. The Texans are not is any salary cap distress so they don't have to let Schaub go for that reason. But, they don't want to eat a lot of dead money by releasing him either. The only other option is a trade. Considering how bad Schaub was in 2013 it's unlikely Houston can recoup much value in a trade but you never know just what Houston may be willing to take for him. Cleveland seems motivated to move on a deal for somebody since they cut Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell today. That leaves the Browns with only Brian Hoyer who is coming off a torn ACL suffered about mid season last year. It was highly speculated that Houston may be interested in former Bears backup Josh McCown who filled in so spectacularly last year when Jay Cutler missed several weeks due to injury. However, Tampa Bay has signed McCown so that door is now closed.

[eagle eye]

Houston hasn't made any noise in free agency but they did make a signing today. TE Garrett Graham signed a deal this afternoon to remain with the Texans. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

[eagle eye]

Right now Houston is seeing players leave and they haven't done anything to replace them as yet.

 

Ben Tate has signed with the Cleveland Browns. If QB Brian Hoyer comes back after ACL surgery in the form he showed when he got hurt the Browns offense should be a force to be reckoned with in 2014.

 

Antonio Smith is gone too. Yesterday he signed with the Oakland Raiders for a reported 2 year deal worth $9 MM.

[eagle eye]

The Texans have gotten their free agent feet wet and it began by signing their own TE Garrett Graham to new deal. Graham should be even more involved because starting TE Owen Daniels was released last Tuesday. Graham actually signed his deal last Thursday. Some people are sad to see Daniels go but Graham is pretty much the same player but less injury prone. Graham should be the favorite to assume the starting role on the Texans defense and one thing for sure Bill O'Brien likes to use his tight ends. Despite the release of Daniels Houston still has three other TE's on the roster including 2013 draft pick out of UConn Ryan Griffin. Griffin and Graham should give the Texans a nice one-two punch at their position.

 

The Texans finally made a move in free agency outside of their own players. Today Houston signed former Chiefs nose tackle Jarrell Powe. Powe has only played in two games in 2013 but at 6'2" 331 lbs he should be a good rotation guy at nose tackle. He suited up for nine games in 2012 alternating between defense and special teams.

 

In Week 6 vs St Louis CB Danieal Manning was lost for the season to a knee injury on his right knee. In an interview today Manning indicated that he is right on schedule in his rehab if not ahead. He said he is running on a treadmill machine called an Alter-G treadmill. The Alter-G in effect mean anti-gravity treadmill which can offset your body weight so undue pressure isn't put on an injured joint like your knee. It allows users to dial up how much of their body weight is put on their legs while walking or running on the treadmill. Currently Manning claims he is up to running on 90% of his body weight. He is hoping to be able to go out and run on the field this week for the first time. Below is a link to what the Alter-G looks like. Pay no attention to the sexy girl in the photo!

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=7OMlUJqyARhTGM&tbnid=MIwvPgqVncuJ7M:&ved=0CAYQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdavislifecareorg.startlogic.com%2Falter-g-anti-gravity-treadmill.html&ei=VtUoU_moNMPO2wXK-4G4Aw&bvm=bv.62922401,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNEg2Kv4EdxHneODXld-FndpOiI4Bg&ust=1395271342498570

[eagle eye]

I asked my friend Wes today what he thought about his Texans only signing a backup nose tackle and their own TE Garrett Graham as free agency is about two weeks old now. He just smiled and shook his head.

 

It may be possible, since a bunch of the draft gurus are saying there isn't a shoe-in #1 pick QB in this year's draft, that Houston will go for South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney. That's cool. The guy is freak of an athlete but what if, because of his speed and athleticism, the Texans look at Clowney as a weak side linebacker? A pure pass rusher like Lawrence Taylor or DeMarcus Ware. To me it's a much better use of his talent than stick him in as a defensive end. Typically, a 3-4 DE is just supposed to eat up space and tie up the O-line so the linebackers can make plays. Clowney is a playmaker and he didn't do all that well last season being double and triple teamed most the time. Just throwing that out there...........

[eagle eye]

Great, as soon as I rag on Houston for not being more of a player in free agency and what do I find? Houston has signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick which fuels speculation that Matt Schaub will soon be working in another city. If you believe NFL.com the Oakland Raiders are expressing interest. Fitzpatrick has done some good things in his career, most recently in Buffalo where he started for three injury plagued years. He was a backup in Tennessee last season but the Titans released Fitzpatrick last week in favor of Charlie Whitehurst. Fitzpatrick's signing, according to Ian Rappaport of NFL.com, seems to signal the end of Matt Schaub's tenure in Houston. Rappaport is saying that Schaub could be as early as tomorrow. I supposed earlier that Schaub's $10+ MM salary cap hit would be too much for Houston to just eat but they have had nary a nibble for a trade for a QB who looked so pitiful in 2013. This could refuel the talk of Houston taking a QB with the first pick in this year's draft because there's no question Fitz isn't the QB of the future in Houston.

[eagle eye]

What a crazy week. First Houston signs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick then the Texans sign free agent free safety Kendrick Lewis late of the Kansas City Chiefs who will end up a backup to Danieal Manning and playing next to D J Swearinger. This is, of course, if he doesn't win one of the spots outright. Lewis was drafted by the Chiefs in the 5th round out of Mississippi in 2010. Last season Lewis played in all 16 games for KC starting 15. He's a good insurance policy in case Manning's rehab has a setback or two.

 

Now, on Friday, the Raidahs actually couldn't wait for Matt Schaub to be released so they traded for him. I know, crazy, right? Houston got two things, 1) they got rid of Schaub who had completed wearing out his welcome in Houston with his awful play last season. And, in all fairness, Schaub probably had enough of Houston especially after angry fans were cruising past his house at one point. Those "fans" deserved to be horsewhipped. 2) Houston gets rid of Schaub's cap hit of $14 MM with it's base salary of $10 MM. Fitzpatrick's signing enabled Schaub to be let go and I still can't explain why Oakland couldn't wait until Houston released Schaub. Dumb move IMO. But, that's the Raiders problem and I'm glad to see Houston win a deal for once.