Reading the coverage of the Houston Texans...
Andre Johnson deserves special consideration, writes Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle. He calls the handling of Johnson's situation one of general manager Rick Smith's top five bungles and advocates for the Texans guaranteeing Johnson's 2015 salary to show they actually mean they want him with the team for the rest of his career. Solomon makes a good point here, and I've always felt that players can earn the right to get special consideration for their place in a franchise's history. It wouldn't set a bad precedent. Would any player dare ask for the same treatment given to the best offensive player in franchise history? After everything Johnson has given the Texans on the field, and his positive presence off it, he deserves that. I've written the Texans' perspective on this in the past -- that they aren't inclined to let go of a player in whom they've invested so much. But it's also worth considering what Johnson has invested in the Texans, the fifth most valuable franchise in the NFL.
Patrick D. Starr, whose website is now part of Scout.com, is evaluating each position heading into training camp. Here's his evaluation of the Texans' safeties at StateoftheTexans.com. His thoughts on safety Chris Clemons: Adding him only improves the position in terms of depth. With the Miami Dolphins, Clemons showed he can be a solid safety that is a sure tackler, but his ball skills are limited since he has been in the NFL. Every defense needs three capable safeties and with three safety packages defenses need in the NFL today, the Texans feel they have that with Clemons. Clemons can play either position at safety, in the box or the deep player, for the defense. He is an instant plug and play player for the defense if something happens to Lewis or Swearinger. Either way, Clemons will see time with the defense and should be a key rotational piece for the defense.
Jadeveon Clowney is heading into training camp with lofty expectations surrounding him, writes Nick Klopsis of Newsday. "You just have to go out there and play,'' Clowney said. "It's football. It's not a science test or something I hate ... I've been playing for a while. It's not that hard.''