MVN - Most Valuable Network

Texans Sign LB Colvin

The Texans have signed veteran LB Roosevelt Colvin as a free agent in a search to improve their talent-laden defense and provide leadership to the young players on the team.

Colvin has played for the Chicago Bears (1999-2002) and New England Patriots (2003-2007) in his nine NFL seasons, notching 360 tackles and 52.5 sacks.

He is known as a pass-rushing specialist and will be a welcome addition to the defensive push opposite stud end Mario Williams.

Texans Sign Weary, Leave it to Fans to Decide Final Cheerleader Spot

The Texans have resigned G Fred Weary, who started 12 games last season. The one-year deal is reportedly worth up to $1.5 million with incentives, which are likely to be reached if he keeps his starting spot on the line.

In other news, there is one final spot open on the cheerleading squad, and the Texans will leave it up to the fans to decide between three finalists. Kelli has my vote.

Demeco Ryans Wired for Sound

In the NFL owners meeting this off-season, a new proposal was agreed upon to allow teams to communicate directly to one of their defensive players during the upcoming season.

In previous years, teams were able to do so with an offensive player (always the quarterback) to enhance communication between the coaches and the offense. Hand signals were no longer needed.

Now the league has leveled the playing field for defenses, enabling coaches to signal to their ‘D’ about how to properly align.

And the chess game begins.

Honestly, I have no idea what this leads to. To be sure, there are a lot of questions that will be answered once the season starts. At the moment, it seems like a good idea, if not to make it fair for all.

It only works until 15 seconds remain on the play clock, just as it does for the offense. That’s interesting, but again, I don’t quite understand the ultimate effect it will have on the game, if any.

It probably puts teams that run the hurry-up offense at a disadvantage, as coaches will be able to call in the new defense to deal with the different formations put out by the opposing offense. Sorry Colts and Pats.

What I do know that is LB Demeco Ryans will be the Houston Texans defender that will be receiving these direct streams. It makes sense, considering he is in the middle of the defense and his Pro Bowl play has warranted him the distinction as the defensive captain.

Texans Draft, Day Two

It’s day two of the NFL draft, and there are five rounds of action today. A lot of the glory is given to the first day selections, but teams earn their money by being able to find gems in later rounds. Coaches, scouts, and GMs are looking to find the next Tom Brady, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, etc.

Without further ado, here’s what the Texans have done with their picks today:

Round 3, Pick 16 (79th overall) - CB Antwuan Molden, Eastern Kentucky. Molden has good size (6′1″, 200) and speed (4.38 40-yard dash). ESPN.com’s scouting report says he would have been a good value pick in the later rounds for a team looking to take a flyer on a small-school player with potential. That said, Molden is probably a work in progress, considering the level of competition he played at in college. CB was a position of need, though, and Houston made sure they got someone to provide depth in the defensive backfield.

Round 3, Pick 26 (89th overall from Baltimore) - RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia. Slaton showed flashes of his big-play ability as a Mountaineer. In his three seasons at West Virginia, Slaton rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and a school-record 50 touchdowns. Slaton s explosive, if nothing else, and with the proper coaching he has the ability to succeed in this league.

Round 4, Pick 19 (118th overall) - LB Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech. As a senior, Adibi started all 14 games at inside linebacker, notching 115 tackles (12 for losses), three sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions and five pass breakups. He projects to play the outside alongside Demeco Ryans, providing Houston another playmaker at the linebacker position.

Round 5, Pick 16 (151st overall) - DT Frank Okam, Texas. As a fellow Longhorn, I have had the privilege of watching Okam play the last two years. At times, he has been the most dominant defender on the line, but he sometimes fades out of the picture. As a senior, he started all 13 games, collecting 52 tackles (11 for losses), five sacks, a force fumble and five pass breakups.

Round 6, Pick 7 (173rd overall from Baltimore) - S Dominique Barber, Minnesota. As a senior, he played all 12 games and had a team-high 100 tackles (5.5 for losses), one sack, eight pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown, and three blocked kicks. Barber is the son of former NFL player Marion Barber II and brother to Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber III, so he has good blood lines. I don’t know a whole lot about him, but safety was an obvious position of need for Houston.

Round 7, Pick 16 (223rd overall) QB Alex Brink, Washington State.