Clemons, who played the last three seasons for the New
Orleans Saints, agreed to a four-year, $6.7 million contract. The deal includes
a $1.3 million signing bonus.
The Texans had been searching for a "rush"
linebacker since Posey, who had eight sacks in 2002, signed with the Buffalo
Bills as an unrestricted veteran on the opening day of the free agency period.
Clemons had 13 1-2 sacks for the Saints two seasons ago. The total,
however, dwindled to one-half sack last season when he was used more as a run
defender. Playing in the Texans' 3-4 defensive scheme, which showcases blitzing
linebackers, was a major selling point for Clemons.
He joins a veteran
linebacker group that also includes starters Kailee Wong, Jay Foreman and Jamie
Sharper.
"It's a system that creates sack opportunities. That's just one
of the things that appealed to me," Clemons said.
The signing of Clemons
addressed the Texans' biggest need on the defensive side of the ball and lessens
the need to take a young pass rusher such as Arizona State defensive end Terrell
Suggs in the first round of the upcoming draft. That could means the Texans are
now concentrating on Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson with the No. 3 pick.
Another plus for the Texans in signing Clemons to replace Posey: The two
deals were similar, so the Texans were able to fill the hole without stretching
their budget. Posey signed a four-year, $6 million contract with the Bills and
received a $1.75 million signing bonus.
Team Notes:
--The Texans strengthened one of their most glaring needs by
agreeing on a one-year deal with free agent running back Stacey Mack.
Mack, who played the last four seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars as
the primary backup to Fred Taylor, chose to sign with the Texans because he
wanted the opportunity to be a starter. Mack reportedly passed up more money
from the Jaguars and Giants for the opportunity to start.
"I've always
wanted to be able to showcase my ability," Mack said. "I am happy to be with
Houston."
Mack, 27, played in 50 games with Jacksonville and started in
13 games. He rushed for 1,498 yards and had 19 touchdowns.
The Texans
ranked next-to-last in rushing last season.
Jonathan Wells is the
incumbent starter at running back for the Texans, leading the team with 529
yards rushing during his rookie season. James Allen made five starts and
although the Texans are negotiating with him, it's unclear if he will be
re-signed.
As a team, the Texans surpassed 100 yards rushing in a game
just three times and averaged at least four yards per carry on only four
occasions.
Interestingly, Mack and Wells are similar in style. Both are
big, powerful backs who specialize in running between the tackles, but have not
exhibited the speed or elusiveness to consistently turn the corner and make big
plays in the open field. Wells has made an offseason commitment to shed some
pounds in an effort to increase his burst out of the backfield.
--The
Texans' 2003 schedule includes five playoff teams -- including three division
winners -- and three trips to the Sunshine State.
Some highlights of the
schedule include:
--Houston begins the season with back-to-back road
contests against Miami (Sept. 7) and New Orleans (Sept. 14).
--The
Texans are paired with the NFC South this season, which means a Nov. 30 home
game against Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons and a Dec. 14 road trip to
face the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Texans' other
playoff match-up comes in an Oct. 19 home game against the New York Jets.
--The Texans open at home Sept. 21 against the Kansas City Chiefs, then
host Jacksonville the following week for their first divisional game. Houston
has its bye in Week 5.
--Capers' former team, the Carolina Panthers,
visits Reliant Stadium on Nov. 2.
--The Texans will be weather-tested
during a Nov. 16 game at Buffalo. Houston notes it's 1-0 in games under 40
degrees after a 24-6 win at Pittsburgh last year.
--The Texans play four
of the last six games at Reliant Stadium, including back-to-back match-ups with
division foes Tennessee and Indianapolis to end the season.
--Based on
2002 records, the Texans will play the seventh-toughest schedule in the NFL.
Their opponents have a winning percentage of .533. Opponents of the Cowboys,
Eagles and Jets had a .541 winning percentage in 2002. The Bucs' opponents had a
.539 winning percentage, followed by the Redskins and Jaguars' opponents at
.537.
--After playing five preseason games last year because of their
participation in the annual Hall of Fame Game, the Texans have the standard four
in 2003. The exhibition schedule begins Aug. 9 against Denver at Reliant
Stadium. The Texans play at Dallas Aug. 15, host San Diego Aug. 23 and travel to
Tampa Bay for the preseason finale on Aug. 28. Capers and Cowboys coach Bill
Parcells are in the process of finalizing plans for their teams to practice
against each other at the Cowboys' training facility in San Antonio during
training camp. Capers also has spoken to Denver coach Mike Shanahan about the
possibility of the Broncos coming to Houston early to work against the Texans in
advance of the preseason opener.
--Tony Banks re-signed with the Texans
to be the No. 2 quarterback and insurance policy for David Carr.
Banks,
a seven-year veteran, has started 75 games in the NFL and passed for 14,433
yards and 71 touchdowns. He also has spent time with Washington, Dallas, St.
Louis and Baltimore, where he was in the Super Bowl following the 2000 season.
The Texans signed Banks as a free agent during training camp last year
to provide an experienced veteran to pair with Carr, the No. 1 overall selection
in the draft. Although Carr was sacked a record 76 times, he took every snap.
Banks, 29, likely would have landed a starting job with another team
last season, but a broken hand set back his offseason workouts and by the time
he was healthy, no jobs were available.
--The Texans re-signed backup
cornerback Kenny Wright. Wright, who backed up Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman
and played on passing downs, appeared in all 16 games last year.
--In
need of depth at the linebacker position, the Texans signed former Baltimore
Raven Shannon Taylor and re-signed Troy Evans. Taylor played in 16 games for the
Ravens last season and made two starts at outside linebacker. Evans played in 12
games, mostly on special teams.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "When you play a 3-4
defense, linebackers are critical in the defense. We've had a chance to study
Charlie, and we think he has multiple talents at the linebacker position. He's
played inside linebacker, and we've seem him excel at moving outside and rushing
the passer. Our plan is to put him at right outside linebacker and go from
there." -- Texans coach Dom Capers on newly acquired linebacker Charlie Clemons
Team Skinny:
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES:
OL, RB, WR.
OL - In search of pass protection after quarterback David
Carr was sacked NFL record 76 times. The additions of Zach Wiegert and Greg
Randall will go a long way towards adding depth to the line and may allow the
Texans to go for a playmaker with their first-round selection. The health of
Tony Boselli will also play a factor in the decision making.
RB --- Even
with the addition of Stacey Mack, the Texans might still draft a runner. Mack
signed for just one year.
WR - Surrounding Carr with playmakers is a top
priority. If Michigan State's Charles Rogers falls to No. 3 the Texans won't
hesitate to grab him. Miami's Andre Johnson could also be an option.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB James Allen (was a one-year rental; won't
be asked back after disappointing season); S Leomont Evans (neck injury in
exhibition opener kept him out all season; may be forced to retire); OG DeMingo
Graham (suspension for use of banned supplement to likely signal end of his stay
with Texans); OL Ryan Schau (versatile lineman that can every position; still
recovering from injuries to both feet).
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not
tendered offers): WR Trevor Insley (not tendered as RFA); WR Dwaune Jones (not
tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Avion Black (tendered at
$605,000 with 4th-round pick as compensation; could see his role increase with
the departure of Jermaine Lewis); TE Billy Miller (tendered at $605,000 with
7th-round pick as compensation; team's most reliable receiver and solid
influence in the locker room); P Chad Stanley (tendered at $605,000 with no
compensation; had one of his best seasons with 36 punts inside the 20; likely to
be retained).
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: WR Atnaf Harris (tendered at
$300,000).
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: QB Tony Banks (UFA; terms unknown); CB
Jason Bell (ERFA; $375,000/1 yr); S Eric Brown (UFA; $10.5M/5 yrs, $1.5M SB); WR
JaJuan Dawson (RFA; $605,000/1 yr); DE Jerry DeLoach (ERFA; $375,000/1 yr); CB
Pat Dennis (RFA; terms unknown); LB Troy Evans (ERFA; $300,000/1 yr); LB Jay
Foreman (UFA; $11.84M/5 yrs, $2.2M SB; 2003 cap: $975,600); DT Howard Green
(ERFA; $300,000/1 yr); OT Barry Hall (ERFA; $300,000/1 yr); S Kyries Hebert
(ERFA; $225,000/1 yr); OT Jimmy Herndon (UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown); TE Jabari
Holloway (ERFA; $300,000/1 yr); DB Brandon Jennings (ERFA; $605,000/1 yr); LB
Jason Lamar (ERFA; $300,000/1 yr); C Chris Lorenti (ERFA; $225,000/1 yr); TE/LS
Sean McDermott (ERFA; $375,000/1 yr); WR Frank Murphy (ERFA; $450,000/1 yr); QB
Mike Quinn (UFA; terms unknown); DE Corey Sears (UFA; $555,000/1 yr, $25,000 SB;
2003 cap: $475,000); CB Jason Simmons (UFA; terms unknown); S Matt Stevens (had
been cut by Texans; terms unknown); OT Tarlos Thomas (ERFA; $300,000/1 yr); S
Kevin Williams (UFA; $530,000/1 yr, no SB; 2003 cap: $450,000); DT Shawn Worthen
(ERFA; $375,000/1 yr); CB Kenny Wright (UFA; terms unknown).
PLAYERS
ACQUIRED: LB Patrick Chukwurah (waivers Vikings); LB Charlie Clemons (UFA
Saints; terms unknown); P Craig Jarrett (waivers Redskins); RB Stacey Mack (UFA
Jaguars; $705,000/1 yr, $175,000 SB); OT Greg Randall (trade Patriots); LB
Shannon Taylor (RFA tender of $605,000 withdrawn by Ravens; terms unknown); OL
Todd Washington (FA Buccaneers; terms unknown); OL Zach Wiegert (UFA Jaguars;
$17M/5 yrs, $3.5M SB; 2003 cap: $1.756M); LB Antonio Wilson (not tendered as
RFA/Vikings; terms unknown).
PLAYERS LOST: KR/WR Jermaine Lewis (cut);
LB Keith Mitchell (UFA Jaguars; $1M/1 yr, $250,000 SB); LB Jeff Posey (UFA
Bills; $6.425M/4 yrs, $1.75M SB); OG Cameron Spikes (UFA Cardinals; 2 yrs, terms
unknown); OT Ryan Young (UFA Cowboys; $6.5M/3 yrs, $2M SB).
MEDICAL
WATCH: No updates.
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