The Houston Texans have released DB Vernon Hargreaves, allowing him to test the market of free agency. This obviously shows a shift in strategy, what’s up?
TheHoustonTexans are definitely out on the wilderness of what we call the offseason. There’s a ton of decisions that will have to be made on the 2020 roster which is now all decided byBill O’Brien, who has all but usurped the title for theHoustonTexans.
With the New England Patriots deciding on awarding long-time player personnel guru Nick Caserio a multi-year extension, this further solidifies that O’Brien doesn’t trust anybody else but himself and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby, a former Pats’ alumni himself.
The decisions made about the team were sound and the majority of them turned out to work well for theHoustonTexans.
We were all sore aboutJadeveon Clowneybeing traded butJacob Martinhas really morphed into a solid contributor — he wants to be an every-down linebacker — andBarkevious Mingocame on strong toward the end of the season.
Gareon Conleyalso was also a notable contributor in the secondary last season, being able to make plays and his modest rookie-pay level salary will keep him on this roster as he continues to grow.
This might accelerate withAnthony Weavernow in charge of the defense but we’ll have to see what schemes he employs that suits the strengths of not only the unit we see next season but Conley’s as well.
We all know how well the acquisitions ofCarlos Hyde,Laremy TunsilandKenny Stillsworked by acquiring them via trade and they’re likely to be mainstays on the roster although there’s no word yet on if theHoustonTexans will retain Hyde with a new deal. Hyde has expressed interest in returning; and, although the feeling is mutual it will certainly have to be at the right price.
The first big roster move of the offseason so far has been to cut cornerbackVernon Hargreaves. Although it wasn’t clear if theHoustonTexans were willing to pick up his 5th-year option worth $9.6 million next season, they’ve decided not to and Aaron Wilson of theHoustonChronicle has indicated that they’d be willing to bring him back at a cheaper price.
Hargreaves hasn’t expressed publicly many overtures — if any at all — about wanting to return so the likelihood of him coming back has gone to quite a slim margin.
Claimed off waivers back in mid-November, Hargreaves help stabilize the inconsistency of the
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secondary’s performance but it will be not enough to make an impression across the unit so that’s why theHoustonTexans feel they can get something better.
With the agingJohnathan Josephall but certain not to return to the team next season — at least as a player — it’s time theHoustonTexans invest in a dynamic cornerback of the future.
TheHoustonTexans could use their second-round pick this draft to acquire a top-level corner — Kristian Fulton, A.J. Terrell and Darnay Holmes could be available so there should be some talent that they could snatch up.
You also have to wonder if the love is still in the air forChris HarrisJr. — the team tried to trade for him before going with Conley — as he’s now a free agent and he’s the type of player that you can plug-in immediately to the secondary.
I can’t wait to see how things pan out!
Hargreaves, 24, accumulated 21 tackles — 16 solos — along with two passes defensed and one tackle-for-loss with theHoustonTexans this past season.
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