MVN: Most Valuable Network

I went ahead and created a spreadsheet/pdf to track the moves the Texans make throughout the 2009 off season. It has a lot of info on it so go check it out if you're bored. You can find the link at the top of the page labeled Texans Offseason Coverage. 

I flew solo to the Prom my senior year in high school. Not because I couldn't find a date--I actually had one, but dumped her after a change of heart (sorry Lauren if you're reading this)--but rather, I just didn't find someone I really wanted to go with. I mean think about it. Proms aren't exactly cheap. So why spend a ton of money on someone you didn't really want to go with in the first place? Here's the point. The Texans wanted to go to Prom with Cedric Benson. Benson found another date, and now the Texans have to make a decision. Should they find a replacement date in free agency, or should they go to prom alone and see if they can get lucky--with the draft. They can find another date if they wanted to, sure. They're an upstart franchise on the verge of big things. They have an established coaching... Read more

Free agent Cedric Benson wont be teaming up with Steve Slaton anytime soon. The former UT standout declined the Texans offer and signed a two-year deal with the Bengals.To me this reflects the type of person Benson is. He wants to be "The Guy" and that's his only goal. He knew he wouldn't be "The Guy" in Houston and that's why he split. In my opinion it was already a little shady to walk away from the only team that gave him a chance last season, you know, just to make sure there wasn't more money a better opportunity out there for him.Whatever. I'm only frustrated because the time the Texans spent courting the founder of the "Nuf Ced" foundation could've been spent chasing after other guys like Derrick Ward, who's now off the market. Granted, I'm on the outside looking in, so I don't know who or what the Texans... Read more

The Texans are now apparently targeting RB Cedric Benson as Steve Slaton's back up. This comes after hearing news that the Texans interest in Derrick Ward was increasing. He's stayed out of trouble and he's kept his mouth shut since he signed with the Bengals during the season. That's a step in the right direction, but I'm still not a huge fan of the guy. He has shown he can be productive as a starter, and his downhill running would definitely be a good compliment to Slaton's speed back style.More updates as the day moves on.... Read more

The Texans wasted no time acquiring their second biggest need this off season: a backup quarterback. A day after locking up defensive end Antonio Smith, the Texans found Schaub's backup. After visiting with free agent Patrick Ramsey about the vacancy, the Texans decided to go a different direction by signing ex-Lions QB Dan Orlovsky to a three-year deal. I've got no complaints. The Texans needed a guy with experience and Orlovsky certainly has that. Think what you want about his ability but consider the fact that he was playing for the Lions. That said, the jury's still out on him in my opinion. Overall I'd say it was a good pickup.Now with the current moves they've made, you have to wonder what their plans are for the rest of free agency. Do they go after a bruiser running back like Ruben Droughns or Derrick Ward to offset Slaton's scat back-type style, or do... Read more

Yesterday the Texans locked up one of the best defensive ends on the market by signing Antonio Smith to a five year deal.I'll be writing about it more tonight, but this guy has work in 30 minutes.In the meantime here's some more details.Quick thoughts though since I have time.He's big and young. The Texans now have two monster sized guys on at defensive end.The Texans think he has a lot of potential. They have a knack for spotting this (see Walter, Kevin; Schaub, Matt; etc...).He's a definite upgrade, and I like the fact that the Texans are being aggressive this off season.Even if he doesn't turn out to be spectacular I like the move. The top of the draft is a bit lighter on defensive ends than it has been in previous years, so the Texans took the sure-fire upgrade and locked up Smith. Perhaps now the Texans will be looking... Read more

Tomorrow marks the beginning of free agency in the NFL. You know...the time when we as fans sit around in agonizing anticipation, hoping that our respective teams' front offices will pull the trigger and pick up that one guy you think will help your team turn the corner and lead them to the promised land?Yea...it's about that time.But as a Texans fan, free agency carries a different meaning. Free agency is typically the time where the Texans sign some under the radar guy, take a chance on a veteran and then sit and wait for the draft. Since the Texans remain committed to building their team through the draft, you can't expect much else, really.Of course free agency serves a purpose for the Texans nonetheless. Over the years, they've tended to use free agency to pick up players in positions that generally come with an adjustment period between college and... Read more

The gears in the front office are already starting to spin, as starting defensive end Anthony Weaver was cut today. Weaver will join Morlon Greenwood and Ahman Green in the unemployment office as the 3rd player to be cut by the Texans who began the season as a starter.Weaver and Greenwood were both adequate starters but neither were game-changers by any means. With weaver out, the Texans draft intentions are beginning to come into focus. Maybe we'll get another Mario-Demeco type draft. Wouldn't bother me one bit.Weaver was great at containing the run, but was completely devoid of any pass-rushing ability. In his three years as a starter for the Texans, he amassed one entire sack. That's bad.I would've personally liked to see him take a pay-cut and stay as a solid backup to whoever we pick up this off season, but oh well. We'll see what other tricks the front... Read more

According to ESPN.com, the Texans and Vikings are close to a deal that would send the Texans other starting quarterback, Sage Rosenfels, to the Vikings in exchange for a 4th round draft pick.It would definitely be a shame to see Sage go, but I can't argue with GM Rick Smith's previous manuevers. In the few trades the Texans have been a part of under his control, none have necessarily hurt the team in any way. Babin for Boulware is one example, where we traded a guy who didn't pan out for a guy that...well didn't pan out either. It didn't really hurt, but it addressed an area that needed immediate help, and there was (at the time) the thought that Boulware could still figure things out and turn into a beast.But this trade confuses me. A fourth round pick in return suggests that they're clearing cap space, but at what... Read more

Since the Texans' loss to Tennessee, my roommate has been on my back over some comments I made about Matt Schaub (something to the effect of, "If he keeps this crap up, Sage might be starting soon"). Apparently he's been under the impression that I threw Schaub under the bus and was scouting for a replacement. Let's get one thing straight. I've liked the guy since day 1. He definitely started slow out of the gate this season, but I'd say he's knocked the rust off and gotten his feet under him by now. By that I mean he's a beast. He's doing a better Peyton Manning impression that Peyton Manning right now. In fact, as of right now, Matt Schaub is the best QB in the AFC South. That's right, I said it. THE BEST. Schaub is 6th overall in the league in completion percentage (67.8%) and 4th overall in yards per game... Read more

So Bull Pen Dirt ran into a few snags during the transition, but we're finally here! It's been a bumpy ride trying to get this thing goin smoothly, but we should be good to go now.  For anyone just now checking out BPD for the first time, I wanna say what's up and I hope you like what you read. If you don't feel free to let me know. Part of how I write is to get a reaction and start a debate. Prove me wrong and I'll agree with you, but I'm also a bit cocky...and I don't think any of you will (queue foot-in-mouth). Bottom line is, I like debates and arguments so bring it. But keep it PG otherwise I'll have to delete and/or edit your comment. That is all for now. ... Read more