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]
Originally Posted by BryanBusby:
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.
I’m frustrated as well but I just don’t think that’s feasible. We’ll have to keep some pieces. Why not keep the few that actually work and turn over the many that don’t? [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
I’m frustrated as well but I just don’t think that’s feasible. We’ll have to keep some pieces. Why not keep the few that actually work and turn over the many that don’t?
Because Justin Houston is not worth that price tag. He’s been paid a shitload of money for 3 years now.
We need money to get players to fix this defense now.
Either take a sizeable restructure in next years cap hit or GTFO. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
I’m frustrated as well but I just don’t think that’s feasible. We’ll have to keep some pieces. Why not keep the few that actually work and turn over the many that don’t?
They gotta start shedding off bad deals to pay for ascending talent. [Reply]
I have always liked Houston a lot- but he was clearly dogging it on Several plays vs. the Seahags. That is unacceptable. If he does not show up the next 2 games, they should cut ties with him. Berry, and Watkins as well. Take the massive dead money hit now, so in a few years, we can actually build a team around Mahomes instead of a bunch of overpaid bench warmers. These are the worst contracts on the books. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
Houston making plays like that is what we need in order for him to stick around.
That's why I'm OK with keeping him. Obviously he's not the same guy who recorded 22 sacks a handful of years ago, but assuming full health he's clearly a guy who can give us 10-15 QB takedowns a year.
And what's hilarious is that he actually has more FFs this season on only 9 sacks than he did the season in which he had 22. He's added another element to his game.
The guy's still got value. He's clearly overpaid but we've got cap room and I'm really not a fan of overpaying for FA help. [Reply]
The decision for 2019 is only one. Keep or cut. The likely decision will be to keep. You don't want to extend/restructure in 2019, I don't think that comes into play. That decision will be for 2020 where it then becomes extend/restructure or cut. If he continues the level of play he's at now, then the extend/restructure option becomes a good one. That all said, so long as there aren't any half-assed efforts going forward. I've seen Houston be one of few giving an all-out effort. What bothered me most was to see him not give full effort, even once. That disease cannot trickle down the team's best players and biggest leaders.
At this juncture, I consider the state of the defense as a keep Houston and Ford and cut ties with Berry situation. Berry just has to go. You can't run a team keeping guys that can't play around, especially ones on big contracts. Keep that defensive front intact as much as possible and go out and get some DBs that can play in the NFL. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Superturtle:
No, but do you cut the guy making 700k or the guy making 20+ million.
I look to cut Sorenson, Parker, Ragland, Scandrick, Murray, Nelson and probably Bailey before I cut Houston.
Having Houston on the field is a net positive. He's good for a huge splash play probably every 2-3 games on average while giving consistent effort and solid run defense on a play-to-play basis. Plus he's intelligent and doesn't commit penalties.
Sorenson's got a $5.2m cap hit, Nelson $2m, Scandrick $1.2m, Ragland $1m, Bailey $8m. The only one of that lot worth a damn is Bailey but I'm not sure we couldn't get 75% of his production for at or near league minimum.
You cut Houston and we're looking at Speaks playing 90% of snaps. If he goes down you're looking at Zombo starting again. No thanks.
I say keep Houston one more season. Find his replacement. Keep him around at a greatly reduced pay scale after his contract is up if he appears to still have some juice. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
I look to cut Sorenson, Parker, Ragland, Scandrick, Murray, Nelson and probably Bailey before I cut Houston.
Having Houston on the field is a net positive. He's good for a huge splash play probably every 2-3 games on average while giving consistent effort and solid run defense on a play-to-play basis. Plus he's intelligent and doesn't commit penalties.
Sorenson's got a $5.2m cap hit, Nelson $2m, Scandrick $1.2m, Ragland $1m, Bailey $8m. The only one of that lot worth a damn is Bailey but I'm not sure we couldn't get 75% of his production for at or near league minimum.
You cut Houston and we're looking at Speaks playing 90% of snaps. If he goes down you're looking at Zombo starting again. No thanks.
I say keep Houston one more season. Find his replacement. Keep him around at a greatly reduced pay scale after his contract is up if he appears to still have some juice.
Parker, Scandrick, Nelson and Bailey are UFAs anyway, right? I'm all for showing Ragland and Sorenson the door, though. [Reply]