Chris Myers Should Be Texans’ First Priority

Tons of attention has been given to what the Texans should do this offseason when it comes to building the 2012 edition of this team.  For example, re-sign or franchise Mario Williams?

My contention is to have the Texans focus on their own players first before deciding who to go after on the free agent market.  However the draft is just around the corner and the Texans will for sure continue to build this team through that avenue.

Priority number one for this team should be to sign or franchise Chris Myers to a long-term deal.  If you franchise Myers, then you would possibly free up the money you would need to possibly sign Arian Foster to that long and well-deserved contract extension.  However if you sign Myers to the long term-deal of possibly three or four years, then you probably wash out the possibility of bringing Mario Williams back and extending Arian Foster.

The reason I feel that Myers is the most important free agent to bring back this offseason is two-fold.  Look at how the Texans fared this year without Mike Brisiel in the lineup with his leg injury.  He went out after the week 14 division clinching win over the Bengals and the Texans went winless in their final three games.  Not to mention what the four game suspension of Duane Brown contributed to the teams disappointing 2010 season.  Plus, the Texans ran for about 2,800 yards this season (Regular and postseason combined).  Along with nearly 8,000 yards of passing over the past two seasons.  What’s been the constant theme with these numbers?  Offensive line continuity!

It would be understandable if the Texans Pro Bowl centers would want to become one of the higher paid players at his position.  In order to make that happen, Houston would then probably have to pay Myers three to six million dollars annually.

So with that being said I think you franchise Myers, sign Arian Foster to a contract extension, draft an outside linebacker for depth (either in the first or second round), draft a receiver in either round you don’t take the ‘backer, and then focus on restructuring contracts or releasing players who could keep you under the cap.

After you do all these steps you can look at Neil Rackers, Joel Dressen, Jason Allen, & the other unrestricted free agents.  Along with drafting and signing all of your players by training camp next August.  So…  Who’s ready for all this to be behind us and get to that time of year?  My hand is up.


(houston.cbslocal.com)