Houston Texans: Why the team should stay away from David Amerson
The Houston Texans have wasted no time in entertaining free agent visits for the guys wanting to help our team. The first reported visit before this pivotal period starts is veteran cornerback David Amerson. How would he fit with the team? Take a look and find out why the team should STAY AWAY from him.
The Houston Texans are already doing things that are a step in the right direction in regard to improving this team. There’s a lot of needs this team has to address and it all won’t be complete this off season. But if they’re able to make impactful adds this year around, this team could continue to “wing it” until the partial rebuild of this roster is complete.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on David Amerson visiting the Houston Texans today with some additional details:
Free agent CB David Amerson, a rare veteran available in February, is visiting the #Texans today, source says. He’s got 3 more visits this week after that one, had a full week last week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2018
Rapoport speaks of Amerson’s five seasons of experience as a defensive back in the NFL. He was a second-round pick back in 2013 and has played for the Oakland Raiders for the past three seasons. With the whirlwind of changes taking place up in Oakland with Jon Gruden being hired as head coach, there was simply no room for Amerson. He’s now hot to trot, looking for a team needing cornerback help to latch onto.
The Chron’s Aaron Wilson also had some additional tidbits to share:
Former Raiders corner David Amerson's Texans visit today includes physical on foot, meetings with coaches and general manager Brian Gaine
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 12, 2018
Wilson is alluding to a foot injury Amerson suffered after Week 7, not being able to return for the rest of the season beyond that point. He also sustained a concussion earlier in 2017 along with a lingering shoulder injury as well.
But let’s get down to the meat of it. According to Pro Football Focus, Amerson’s grade was an abysmal 49.7 for 2017. His best grade that he received was against the Washington Redskins Week 3 (84); and, on the other hand, the worst was against the Kansas City Chiefs (32.6).
Lest we not forget that although Week 3 against the Redskins was eventful for him, it had more of bittersweet effect. Amerson also gave up a 52-yard touchdown to Josh Doctson, being the poster child of what not do in coverage and certainly being a quality candidate for ESPN’s Not Top 10 list.
To further illustrate, take a look at this clip about this concerning miscue:
In comparison, Amerson was relatively healthy in 2016, not missing a game but still producing a PFF grade of 65.2 on the season. He had a head-in-hands, horrible 30.9-grade against the Houston Texans during the Wild Card game back last January as well.
The likely reason that Amerson was cut was not only because of sub-standard play but his $5.5 million base salary would’ve been guaranteed had the Raiders carried him over to 2018. Cutting him certainly gets the team some extra flexibility to fulfill needs that they need to make.
I understand that the Houston Texans want to take a chance on him but I think they should STAY
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AWAY from him because of the aforementioned as well as history of injuries. But if they should decide to sign him after he passes his physical, they should offer him a base salary of $5 million or less per season — with more of the guaranteed money up front — on a two-year deal at best. Who knows? This may be what the Houston Texans want to sign him.
And this is not to mention the fact the has worked with new linebackers coach John Pagano, who was Raiders’ defensive coordinator last season. Romeo Crennel likes to run a hybrid 3-4 defense because of the talent we have out on the line and Pagano shares a similar mindset with his schemes. Amerson’s familiarity with the system certainly warrants the Texans’ front office a deserved look.
But with all of the free agents out there that are available, I’d rather spend more money on a proven corner. They’ll have in upwards of between $30 to $60 million in cap space to spend to get the guys that they need. Whether they spend it or not, remains to be seen. That’s up to Brian Gaine.
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All in all, I just think they need to pass on Amerson. He has too many question marks and is an accentuated risk. And that’s that.
Amerson, 26, combined for 18 tackles, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery through six starts in 2017.
Go Texans.