Am I the only one who thinks this is likely his last season here?
He’s the biggest financial responsibility on this team and he’s not the same. I get that he’s still pretty good, but his knee is not the same as it used to be. It seems like that will not get better in future years. Here’s my reasoning:
1. He still has to be motivated.
In the Ravens game, Houston himself said Justin Hamilton had to motivate him to make a play. That is a pretty telling sign to me.
2. He has quit on plays.
Just last week he quit on a play where he could have tried to make a tackle on the RB who scored.
3. Being a great run stuffer and decent pass rusher isn’t worth the price tag.
4. We drafted Breeland Speaks.
Veach specifically looked for Breeland Speaks and trade up for him, who coincidentally relates to some things Houston does (albeit not as good). He’s a strong player who can hold up against the run and drop in coverage. It seems like Veach calculated this pick to replace Houston after getting Speaks a year in the NFL and a training program.
It seems like this is the time that good organizations sell these players for assets. He’s turning 30 next month.
I’m thinking they could try to get him to restructure, but why not use him to get a 2nd rd pick or trade up in the first rd for a good young player? [Reply]
If you let Houston go then you'll probably end up having to keep some other scrubs simply because you just can't turn over the entire defense in one offseason.
I'd rather pay Houston $20m for his production than keep a bunch of Sorensons and Raglands around. [Reply]
I don’t think I’d cut him, but if they could get a day 2 draft pick, that’d be awesome.
I would absolutely ask him to take a pay cut. The way I see it, if he doesn’t show consistent effort and will to win over this next month, get rid of his ass. Yeah he’s better than what is behind him, but we’re paying him to be an elite player when it seems like he only tries half of the time.
But this is all pending on keeping Ford. I would absolutely not get rid of both this offseason. [Reply]
I'd get rid of his salary and throw some numbers at the position. Markus Golden and Shane Ray are two reclamation projects that I think together could equal the recent production of Houston at a fraction of the cost. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
If you let Houston go then you'll probably end up having to keep some other scrubs simply because you just can't turn over the entire defense in one offseason.
I'd rather pay Houston $20m for his production than keep a bunch of Sorensons and Raglands around.
At this point I’m all for spending money on proven defensive players. I have the utmost trust in Andy to find offensive players in the draft. He’s done it forever.
I think the best plan might be to get a new DC, free up money and get a bunch of solid defenders in FA while trying again in the draft.
If a corner or linebacker we love is at around pick 25, use Houston to trade up. [Reply]
I LOVE what Ford has done this year, but even paying him long term scares the shit out of me. He’s even been banged up a few times this year and just played through it.
I have little faith that he will be able to stay on the field consistently throughout a contract extension. Stop me if that sounds familiar... [Reply]
Preston Smith would make a nice replacement for Houston if they stick with a 3-4 and should be half the price. Food for thought.
I've been a staunch defender of Houston for some time now, but seeing him quit on that play last week was the last straw for me. Trade him for whatever you can get for him. I put a 4th and swap of 6th's in my mock. I don't see them getting much more than that to be honest. Maybe a 3rd. Surely not a 2nd. [Reply]
Originally Posted by kccrow:
Preston Smith would make a nice replacement for Houston if they stick with a 3-4 and should be half the price. Food for thought.
I've been a staunch defender of Houston for some time now, but seeing him quit on that play last week was the last straw for me. Trade him for whatever you can get for him. I put a 4th and swap of 6th's in my mock. I don't see them getting much more than that to be honest. Maybe a 3rd. Surely not a 2nd.
Which play?
Houston did a lot of contain stuff last week because Russell Wilson is Russell Wilson. He just kind of strafed the LOS when Wilson would roll or slide toward him. [Reply]
Houston did a lot of contain stuff last week because Russell Wilson is Russell Wilson. He just kind of strafed the LOS when Wilson would roll or slide toward him.
I was on a TD run by the RB. Later in the game iirc. Pretty sure someone also posted a video of it in the Lounge but not sure. He basically stopped playing and watched the guy run in when he was close enough to at least make an attempt at tackling him before he got to the end zone. It was a bullshit play on his behalf. [Reply]
Houston did a lot of contain stuff last week because Russell Wilson is Russell Wilson. He just kind of strafed the LOS when Wilson would roll or slide toward him.
He's actually talking about the Seahawk's first TD of the game.
Houston fights through an OL. It's actually hilarious the ease with which Houston just throws this dude to the side, but unfortunately Houston ended up throwing the guy in the direction that the rusher was running so it effectively sealed him off from making the play..
But that wasn't a lack of effort. People just see what they want to see. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RunKC:
At this point I’m all for spending money on proven defensive players. I have the utmost trust in Andy to find offensive players in the draft. He’s done it forever.
I think the best plan might be to get a new DC, free up money and get a bunch of solid defenders in FA while trying again in the draft.
If a corner or linebacker we love is at around pick 25, use Houston to trade up.
Houston is a proven player. We know we're not going to get 15+ sacks out of the guy anymore, but he's A+ in run support and is actually surprisingly good when dropped into coverage. I'm just not sure we can afford to ship out one of, like, three solid contributors we have on this defense.
Would you prefer to bring in more Hitchens types? That dude's cap hit is like $9m and he's absolute garbage. I'd pay for three Houston's before I'd pay for two Hitchenses. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
He's actually talking about the Seahawk's first TD of the game.
Houston fights through an OL. It's actually hilarious the ease with which Houston just throws this dude to the side, but unfortunately Houston ended up throwing the guy in the direction that the rusher was running so it effectively sealed him off from making the play..
But that wasn't a lack of effort. People just see what they want to see.
Bullshit. He had the tackle beat while Carson was still at the LOS and then didn't make any step towards the ball carrier. He stood there. The tackle was beyond him to the end zone side and not directly impeding his progrees. It was not a complete lack of effort, but he didn't close down the line like he should have to make the tackle. There was no reason the OT should have recovered more quickly than it would have taken Houston to step in and make the tackle, or at least an attempt at the tackle. It's a classic case of what is wrong with the entire defense. They may make the play to get into a good position to close but then they just stop and wait as if the ball carrier will come to them. I'm tired of watching it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
If you let Houston go then you'll probably end up having to keep some other scrubs simply because you just can't turn over the entire defense in one offseason.
I'd rather pay Houston $20m for his production than keep a bunch of Sorensons and Raglands around.
I don't know why the fuck you couldn't. Are we scared about losing pieces from a bottom tier Defense?
This is a perfect time to gut shit that doesn't have a long term outlook. [Reply]