December 29, 2005
Two cents on the Texans

I don't follow the Texans very closely. I found myself becoming an Oilers fan back in the 90s, and though my relationship with that team doesn't go back nearly as deeply as it does for many people, I was bitter about the shenanigans that led to their move to Tennessee, and I've never quite warmed up to their replacements as a result. I don't dislike them, I just don't much care one way or the other. Maybe some day I will, but not at this time.

All that said, I think the Texans need to think long and hard before deciding that David Carr is part of the problem as they look to rebuild. I just don't know how you can accurately judge a quarterback who's got such an awful offensive line and a defense that forces him to play catchup most of the time. Carr's career stats are far from awful, especially 2004's. The main thing to worry about is his big dropoff in yards per attempt, but given that his completion percentage this year is identical to last season's, I'd point a finger at the play-calling before I blamed Carr.

For sure, the Texans could do better at quarterback. Carr's a serviceable player, but he may never live up to the hype of being a #1 pick. The question is whether the marginal gain from installing a better QB - at whatever the cost would be - would be greater than the equivalent gain from improving other positions that might need it more. If I were the Texans' general manager, I'd think that there were higher priorities. That eight million he'd be owed to stay around isn't chump change, but I say it's worth it. I don't think they'll get enough of a return if they have to find a new signal caller as well as a new coach and maybe a new GM.

By the way, do you think anyone in the NFL front office is concerned about the possibility that either the Texans or the 49ers will appear to tank on Sunday in order to get a shot at Reggie Bush? I don't think either team will do anything less than give their best effort, but all it takes is one dropped TD pass or one questionable play call, and some media type somewhere will speculate about ulterior motives. If there's been any word from the Commissioner's office about this, I've not seen it. I'm just curious.

UPDATE: You know, like how people spoke about the Rockets tanking when Hakeem Olajuwon was in the draft.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on December 29, 2005 to Other sports | TrackBack
Comments

Tim and I have talked about this and we've basically concluded that what the Texans need, perhaps more than Reggie Bush, is a better offensive line. If the O-line has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese, it's hard for anybody to do much. The Texans might be better served by trading the #1 pick for a couple lower draft picks.

As for the appearance of impropriety on either team's part, yeah. I'm sure the NFL is watching closely. But it's really hard to prove that a team purposefully tanks a game, unless you get somebody to tattle.

Posted by: Sue on December 29, 2005 9:56 AM

Were I Reggie Bush I might decide to do what Elway and Eli Manning did: issue a warning that I wouldn't sign with either team, so trade the pick.

As a Niners fan, they need a lot more than Reggie Bush, and from what I've seen of the Texans (not much) they do too. Any team which has its quarterback setting unwanted sack records needs protection more than a running back.

Posted by: Linkmeister on December 29, 2005 1:18 PM

I'm surprised that the NFL, which prides itself in trying to produce parity, has yet to institute a lottery for the draft. With six teams in contention for the number 1 pick this year, perhaps this will happen in the near future.

Of course, if the Jets somehow end up with the number 1 pick (Texans and Saints win and the Jets lose), they'll draft the best available offensive lineman over Reggie Bush. :-)

Posted by: William Hughes on December 30, 2005 9:58 AM

A third vote here for trading down for an O-lineman, and my hope is that they go for UVa LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Posted by: PDiddie on January 2, 2006 12:09 PM