Justin Houston

[RunKC]

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?

[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.

[RunKC]

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.

[ThaVirus]

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.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

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.

excuse me, but we refer to hitchens as "the hitman" here

[philfree]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

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.

9 sacks in 12 games. Off the top of my head that extrapolates to at least 12 sacks in 16 games. If Houston comes out of the season clean he can start next season as healthy as he's been since the spinning heel kick to the kneecap. He'll have a chance to get 15 sacks in 2019. He's made some huge plays since he's come back from his hammy issue this year. It would be great if he'd restructure but I would keep him either way.

[BryanBusby]

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 **** 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.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

I don't know why the **** 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?

[RunKC]

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.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by RunKC

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.

That's what I'm saying, though. That formula rarely works.

[BryanBusby]

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.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

They gotta start shedding off bad deals to pay for ascending talent.

**** it, I'm down.

We were missing Houston for the better part of 2015 and 2016 and still did pretty well without him.

Let's just can all these ****ers.. I'd just rather start with like five other guys first.

[OKchiefs]

I don't see many teams giving up a 2nd for that price tag. I'd be surprised if we could get a 4th.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

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.

[OKchiefs]

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.