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The Grand Poobah
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Texans’ history riddled with costly mistakes
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
IN MY OPINION
The Houston Texans better have this one right.
Matt Schaub, who went 0-2 in three years as Michael Vick’s backup, better be everything the Texans’ brass thinks he is. Houston, which swapped spots with Atlanta in the first round of this year’s draft and gave away second-round choices this year and next, can’t afford to bungle another quarterback decision.
As an expansion team in 2002, Houston used the No. 1 overall choice on David Carr. The Texans paid Carr $35 million in five years, and they got 23 victories in return, or $1.52 million per victory.
In fairness, it wasn’t all Carr’s fault, but he never developed into a capable starter. Maybe he will somewhere else.
“If you wanted to review the mistakes I’ve made in my life, you wouldn’t have enough time,” Texans owner Bob McNair said in a news conference Thursday after the trade was announced. “I’m going forward. This is about the future. Yes, we’ve made mistakes, not just there — that’s not the only place — and we’ll make mistakes going forward. The key is you’ve got to make more good decisions than bad decisions.”
The Texans’ problem is they have made too many mistakes, which is why they are only 24-56 in their history.
The Texans took left tackle Tony Boselli — bad shoulders and all — in the expansion draft. They drafted Carr. They used a second-round choice in 2003 on injury-plagued tight end Bennie Joppru. They drafted running back Tony Hollings in the second round of the 2003 supplemental draft. They made a trade in 2004 to take defensive end/linebacker Jason Babin with the 27th overall choice. They drafted Mario Williams No. 1 overall last year, passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young.
Most of the mistakes were made by former general manager Charley Casserly, and the Texans are trying to fix the mess by starting over at quarterback.
Schaub signed a six-year, $48 million deal that includes $7 million in guaranteed money. Even though he has only six touchdowns and six interceptions in his career with a 69.2 passer rating, Schaub has all the tools and the credentials to be a big-time quarterback. He also has the one thing Carr was missing — passion for the game.
“The opportunities I’ve gotten, I’ve been able to do well,” Schaub said in a conference call with the national media. “I know how to play the position. This is the next step for me, and I’m ready to get it on.”
The Texans are counting on it.
Rules changes Among the rules changes owners will consider next week in Phoenix is one to move the overtime kickoff from the 30-yard line to the 35. The hope is to level the playing field in the league’s sudden-death overtime format with a tweak of the rules.
Falcons general manager Rich McKay, the co-chairman of the competition committee, said teams winning the overtime coin toss have won 62 percent of overtime games since 1998, when the kickoff was moved back to the 30-yard line.
“The statistics have shown that in overtime we were having a definite advantage gained by the coin toss,” McKay said in a conference call. “... We believe that we can cure those statistics and make the coin toss less of a factor if we make the move on the kickoff.”
Three-quarters of the 32 teams have to approve the change, which will be voted on Wednesday.
MY FIVE CENTS 1Cincinnati backup Anthony Wright, an unrestricted free agent, is the most likely candidate to end up as Michael Vick’s backup in Atlanta.
2The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979, when Jerry Robinson was their choice. But middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is 30, and outside linebacker Dhani Jones is 29, and both have
shown wear and tear. Mississippi inside linebacker Patrick Willis, Penn State outside linebacker Paul Posluszny and/or Florida State outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons could be there for the Eagles at No. 26.
3The Houston Texans’ acquisition of Matt Schaub was bad news for University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb and veteran Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels was the projected starter before the trade for Schaub, and Houston had been interested in using a first-day draft choice for Stephenville’s Kolb. The Texans kept only two quarterbacks on their roster last season.
4The New York Giants, who had hoped to sign Leonard Davis for a reasonable price, are left with David Diehl as their left tackle if they don’t draft one. If Diehl moves from left guard, Rich Seubert, who has played center and guard, would take over at left guard.
5The Dolphins still are flirting with the idea of adding quarterback Trent Green, whose days in Kansas City are numbered.
WHO’S HOT
Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh: The only question was his speed. He chose not to run at the combine, where Michigan’s Leon Hall ran a 4.39. But Revis ran a 4.39 at his Pro Day, and some teams have him ranked ahead of Hall.
WHO’S NOT Michael Bush, RB, Louisville: Bush required more surgery last week to repair the leg he broke in the first game of last season. He is expected to be out two months.
THE NUMBER 15.4New Dolphins PK Jay Feely averaged a touchback on
15.4 percent of his kickoffs last season. His predecessor, Olindo Mare, got a touchback on
35.8 percent of his kickoffs.
The Blitz Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, who had microfracture surgery on his right knee Jan. 30, said he will play this season. The Browns have acknowledged that Winslow will miss the team’s off-season workouts and probably mini-camp, with a probable return in June.
The Washington Commanders’ veterans convinced Joe Gibbs to allow them to spend an extra six weeks at home before returning for off-season workouts. So defensive end Phillip Daniels, receiver Santana Moss, running back Clinton Portis and safety Sean Taylor were among those absent at Commander Park last week for the normal start of off-season workouts, which was attended by some 40-50 players.
The New York Giants exercised a buy-back provision in Eli Manning’s deal, keeping him under contract through the 2009 season. Manning would have become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season if the Giants hadn’t paid out $8 million in bonuses.
Former Texas Tech star Montae Reagor, who signed a three-year, $8.25 million deal with the Eagles, is expected to be part of a four-tackle rotation with Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson. Darwin Walker, Sam Rayburn and LaJuan Ramsey will compete for the fourth spot.
The Chicago Bears signed eight assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Ron Turner and new defensive coordinator Bob Babich, to three-year contracts last week.
Defensive end Grant Wistrom is contemplating retirement after being released by the Seahawks.
PROJECTING THE TOP 10 1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU Calvin Johnson could be the choice, especially if the Raiders can trade Randy Moss before the draft.
2. Detroit: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin Brady Quinn is another possibility, since Joey Harrington didn’t work out.
3. Cleveland: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma The Browns can pair him with Jamal Lewis for a powerful 1-2 punch.
4. Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech QB Jeff Garcia will have plenty of weapons on offense, but his protection might be a worry.
5. Arizona: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson The Cardinals need offensive line help and would love for Joe Thomas to fall to them.
6. Washington: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas Will the Commanders try to trade up for Calvin Johnson?
7. Minnesota: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame If Quinn falls here, the Vikings don’t have a choice but to take him.
8. Atlanta: LaRon Landry, S, LSU SS Lawyer Milloy will be 34 next season, and FS Chris Crocker would be better as a backup.
9. Miami: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan The Dolphins have to help their defense, and it’s a little early to draft Paul Posluszny.
10. Houston: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State The Texans need protection for Matt Schaub.
For the complete first round mock draft, click here.
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
IN MY OPINION
The Houston Texans better have this one right.
Matt Schaub, who went 0-2 in three years as Michael Vick’s backup, better be everything the Texans’ brass thinks he is. Houston, which swapped spots with Atlanta in the first round of this year’s draft and gave away second-round choices this year and next, can’t afford to bungle another quarterback decision.
As an expansion team in 2002, Houston used the No. 1 overall choice on David Carr. The Texans paid Carr $35 million in five years, and they got 23 victories in return, or $1.52 million per victory.
In fairness, it wasn’t all Carr’s fault, but he never developed into a capable starter. Maybe he will somewhere else.
“If you wanted to review the mistakes I’ve made in my life, you wouldn’t have enough time,” Texans owner Bob McNair said in a news conference Thursday after the trade was announced. “I’m going forward. This is about the future. Yes, we’ve made mistakes, not just there — that’s not the only place — and we’ll make mistakes going forward. The key is you’ve got to make more good decisions than bad decisions.”
The Texans’ problem is they have made too many mistakes, which is why they are only 24-56 in their history.
The Texans took left tackle Tony Boselli — bad shoulders and all — in the expansion draft. They drafted Carr. They used a second-round choice in 2003 on injury-plagued tight end Bennie Joppru. They drafted running back Tony Hollings in the second round of the 2003 supplemental draft. They made a trade in 2004 to take defensive end/linebacker Jason Babin with the 27th overall choice. They drafted Mario Williams No. 1 overall last year, passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young.
Most of the mistakes were made by former general manager Charley Casserly, and the Texans are trying to fix the mess by starting over at quarterback.
Schaub signed a six-year, $48 million deal that includes $7 million in guaranteed money. Even though he has only six touchdowns and six interceptions in his career with a 69.2 passer rating, Schaub has all the tools and the credentials to be a big-time quarterback. He also has the one thing Carr was missing — passion for the game.
“The opportunities I’ve gotten, I’ve been able to do well,” Schaub said in a conference call with the national media. “I know how to play the position. This is the next step for me, and I’m ready to get it on.”
The Texans are counting on it.
Rules changes Among the rules changes owners will consider next week in Phoenix is one to move the overtime kickoff from the 30-yard line to the 35. The hope is to level the playing field in the league’s sudden-death overtime format with a tweak of the rules.
Falcons general manager Rich McKay, the co-chairman of the competition committee, said teams winning the overtime coin toss have won 62 percent of overtime games since 1998, when the kickoff was moved back to the 30-yard line.
“The statistics have shown that in overtime we were having a definite advantage gained by the coin toss,” McKay said in a conference call. “... We believe that we can cure those statistics and make the coin toss less of a factor if we make the move on the kickoff.”
Three-quarters of the 32 teams have to approve the change, which will be voted on Wednesday.
MY FIVE CENTS 1Cincinnati backup Anthony Wright, an unrestricted free agent, is the most likely candidate to end up as Michael Vick’s backup in Atlanta.
2The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979, when Jerry Robinson was their choice. But middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is 30, and outside linebacker Dhani Jones is 29, and both have
shown wear and tear. Mississippi inside linebacker Patrick Willis, Penn State outside linebacker Paul Posluszny and/or Florida State outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons could be there for the Eagles at No. 26.
3The Houston Texans’ acquisition of Matt Schaub was bad news for University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb and veteran Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels was the projected starter before the trade for Schaub, and Houston had been interested in using a first-day draft choice for Stephenville’s Kolb. The Texans kept only two quarterbacks on their roster last season.
4The New York Giants, who had hoped to sign Leonard Davis for a reasonable price, are left with David Diehl as their left tackle if they don’t draft one. If Diehl moves from left guard, Rich Seubert, who has played center and guard, would take over at left guard.
5The Dolphins still are flirting with the idea of adding quarterback Trent Green, whose days in Kansas City are numbered.
WHO’S HOT
Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh: The only question was his speed. He chose not to run at the combine, where Michigan’s Leon Hall ran a 4.39. But Revis ran a 4.39 at his Pro Day, and some teams have him ranked ahead of Hall.
WHO’S NOT Michael Bush, RB, Louisville: Bush required more surgery last week to repair the leg he broke in the first game of last season. He is expected to be out two months.
THE NUMBER 15.4New Dolphins PK Jay Feely averaged a touchback on
15.4 percent of his kickoffs last season. His predecessor, Olindo Mare, got a touchback on
35.8 percent of his kickoffs.
The Blitz Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, who had microfracture surgery on his right knee Jan. 30, said he will play this season. The Browns have acknowledged that Winslow will miss the team’s off-season workouts and probably mini-camp, with a probable return in June.
The Washington Commanders’ veterans convinced Joe Gibbs to allow them to spend an extra six weeks at home before returning for off-season workouts. So defensive end Phillip Daniels, receiver Santana Moss, running back Clinton Portis and safety Sean Taylor were among those absent at Commander Park last week for the normal start of off-season workouts, which was attended by some 40-50 players.
The New York Giants exercised a buy-back provision in Eli Manning’s deal, keeping him under contract through the 2009 season. Manning would have become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season if the Giants hadn’t paid out $8 million in bonuses.
Former Texas Tech star Montae Reagor, who signed a three-year, $8.25 million deal with the Eagles, is expected to be part of a four-tackle rotation with Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson. Darwin Walker, Sam Rayburn and LaJuan Ramsey will compete for the fourth spot.
The Chicago Bears signed eight assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Ron Turner and new defensive coordinator Bob Babich, to three-year contracts last week.
Defensive end Grant Wistrom is contemplating retirement after being released by the Seahawks.
PROJECTING THE TOP 10 1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU Calvin Johnson could be the choice, especially if the Raiders can trade Randy Moss before the draft.
2. Detroit: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin Brady Quinn is another possibility, since Joey Harrington didn’t work out.
3. Cleveland: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma The Browns can pair him with Jamal Lewis for a powerful 1-2 punch.
4. Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech QB Jeff Garcia will have plenty of weapons on offense, but his protection might be a worry.
5. Arizona: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson The Cardinals need offensive line help and would love for Joe Thomas to fall to them.
6. Washington: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas Will the Commanders try to trade up for Calvin Johnson?
7. Minnesota: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame If Quinn falls here, the Vikings don’t have a choice but to take him.
8. Atlanta: LaRon Landry, S, LSU SS Lawyer Milloy will be 34 next season, and FS Chris Crocker would be better as a backup.
9. Miami: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan The Dolphins have to help their defense, and it’s a little early to draft Paul Posluszny.
10. Houston: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State The Texans need protection for Matt Schaub.
For the complete first round mock draft, click here.
