Face it: The Houston Texans are Rebuilding
By Joey Buchta
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Here is an attempt to sort through all of the negativity about the boys over at NRG Park. The name-change is going to take a while to get used to.
Three days into free agency and the Texans have done nothing but re-sign one of their own in tight end Garrett Graham. They have yet to cut Matt Schaub, and they have watched two defensive starters (Earl Mitchell & Joe Mays) sign with other teams. Bryan Braman, Darryl Sharpton, and Terrell McClain have also left for greener pastures. Owen Daniels and Antonio Smith will likely find new teams soon as well.
What’s the message that they are sending to the fans? I’m not sure, but I think it goes something like this:
“WE ARE NOT REBUILDING!”
That’s OK. We understand what’s going on.
Why does it have to be this way?
It’s very simple actually. There is no way that the Texans can compete with the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots next season.
Well, there are two ways….
Peyton Manning‘s age could catch up to him and Tom Brady could be best friends with Aaron Hernandez.
Both of those things won’t happen, so that’s why this is a rebuild without using the term rebuild.
The Texans have about $10.4 million in cap space now after re-signing Graham. What no one ever talks about is that the Texans will have to use around $7-8 million of that for the players that they draft.
So when you are wondering why the Texans are not making a run at (insert high-priced free agent), ask yourself if you would rather have them than Danieal Manning, Chris Myers, or Johnathan Joseph.
In order to clear space those three are the first to go, without restructuring contracts and pushing cap problems to the future. No one wants that since the future is when they can actually compete.
Cut Schaub and clear over $10.6 million!
Yes this is possible if Schaub is made a June 1st designation, but then they will have to eat $7 million on next year’s cap. That’s not happening considering J.J. Watt will be breaking the bank then.
They will cut ALL of their losses with Schaub this year (save $3.6 million), putting themselves in a better situation for the future, when their quarterback is not a rookie.
Yes they could keep him, and it’s been talked about, but that would make him part of their future cap strategy.
What should you expect?
I am not going to tell you to expect the worst. There is still a lot of talent on this team. I firmly believe that Bill O’Brien will do a good job getting the most out of what he has.
Best case scenario is they could watch the Colts regress and move ahead of them and the other two quarterback-less teams in the division. This is very possible considering their schedule.
I’m aware of the love affair between the world and Andrew Luck, but owner Jim Irsay’s arrogance and their overall dumb personnel moves will catch up to them soon.
Worst case scenario is they blow the draft, win six games, and Andre Johnson demands his release while Watt tests the free agent market.
Kind of a lot at stake isn’t there?
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