Colts are signing Justin Houston [Merge]

[WoolMagnet]

5 hours ago, DougDew said:

 

I'd like to know what's up with the KC front office.  A great pass rush but they let both Houston and Dee Ford leave.  They must have somebody on the roster to take one of those spots or they are telegraphing their draft plans pretty badly.

Its funny.  I sometimes see teams that are over-talented at a position willing to let studs go and move on as if they expect to always be good at a position.

I noticed KC hasclet alot of guys walk instead of re-signing.

Could it be cap-related?

[LockeDown]

Ballard says we want to be so good that the players we let go are good. I’m paraphrasing

[DougDew]

5 minutes ago, WoolMagnet said:

Its funny.  I sometimes see teams that are over-talented at a position willing to let studs go and move on as if they expect to always be good at a position.

I noticed KC hasclet alot of guys walk instead of re-signing.

Could it be cap-related?

Another poster said it was cap related.  Houston, Ford, and Berry were all cap casualties.

 

Of course, when in that situation, teams choose which players don't fit their plans, or figure who they can replace more inexpensively through the draft.  The fact that KC let BOTH of their edge rushers walk gives me some concern that they saw something they didn't like.  I'm glad we didn't give up a pick for Ford and signed Houston to what looks like a team friendly contract.

[2006Coltsbestever]

The only thing that made KC's Defense good was their pass rush and they traded Dee Ford and let Houston go. Their defense on paper looks awful. Good luck with no pass rush when you play Luck again.

[MTC]

Pretty happy with the signing of Justin Houston. Not only will he mentor Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis, but he will still bring the juice and presence to the pass rush we desperately need. 

[ColtsBlueFL]

2 minutes ago, DougDew said:

Another poster said it was cap related.  Houston, Ford, and Berry were all cap casualties.

 

Yes, but also because they are changing from a 3-4 system to a 4-3 scheme and their other, younger, cheaper guys fit it better than Ford/Houston do.

[runthepost]

2 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

The only thing that made KC's Defense good was their pass rush and they traded Dee Ford and let Houston go. Their defense on paper looks awful. Good luck with no pass rush when you play Luck again.

Still got their best defensive player in big Chris Jones 

[CR91]

Any chance walker gives up 50? Id rather see Houston wear 52 or 99 myself

[2006Coltsbestever]

2 hours ago, oldunclemark said:

Because when you are as close as we are and have the money to spend that we do, you have to add veteran players to put you over (or near) the top. You have to. Or you will lose to teams that do add key vets. That's the way the NFL is now.

 

Nobody wins solely because of the draft anymore

Andrew is in his prime.   And we have the money to spend.

Let's pay the cost to be the boss.

I agree. Today was a great day 

[HOZER]

[ColtsAC]

1 hour ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

The only thing that made KC's Defense good was their pass rush and they traded Dee Ford and let Houston go. Their defense on paper looks awful. Good luck with no pass rush when you play Luck again.

Plays Luck AND Funchess!!!! Couldn't resist that...but I agree that KC sure seems like a step back, especially with their new DC.

[Jason_]

3 hours ago, oldunclemark said:

Because when you are as close as we are and have the money to spend that we do, you have to add veteran players to put you over (or near) the top. You have to. Or you will lose to teams that do add key vets. That's the way the NFL is now.

 

Nobody wins solely because of the draft anymore

Andrew is in his prime.   And we have the money to spend.

Let's pay the cost to be the boss.

 

I don't see how that's not being concerned with building the team the right way.  In fact I'd say this kind of move proves they're trying to do it the right way.  They're bringing in a stop-gap veteran pass rusher to bide time while younger guys develop.  If they weren't concerned with building the team the right way, they'd have thrown big money on the younger higher priced guys that hit free agency and would have been more likely to have been more involved in all of the trades that have gone down. 

 

Instead, they spent modest money on a stop gap pass rusher with plans to let Turay and Lewis continue to develop while also, I'm quite sure, addressing the pass rush in the draft.

[ColtJ82]

7 hours ago, BProland85 said:

Wow, this signing is a surprise. I guess Ballard was comfortable with his fit in our 4-3 defense as a pass rush specialist. He should be, if nothing else, a really good example for the development of Turay. 

KC often rushed 4 down lineman out of the nickel. This isn't that much of a transition for him.

[oldunclemark]

Just now, J@son said:

 

I don't see how that's not being concerned with building the team the right way.  In fact I'd say this kind of move proves they're trying to do it the right way.  They're bringing in a stop-gap veteran pass rusher to bide time while younger guys develop. 

No, Justin Houston is not a stop-gap. He's the kind of guy you bring in if you think you otherwise have the team to win division and conference championships THIS YEAR.

And that's what you have to do.

 

Signing a guy like this when you have Andrew Luck in his prime, to me,  IS 'building a team the right way'

[DerekDiggler]

I am very happy with this move.  But I bet I am not near as happy as Denice Autry will be.  The UT will have a much better chance at sacks now that they will be worrying about Houston.   We really need to shore up the NT position now with a big strong player to occupy the RG and the center to turn Autry loose against the LG. Although we did play more of a traditional 4-3 with 2 DT's playing 3 tech at the same time.     I'd still like to see another DE drafted as a pass rush to be able to run 2 - 9 techniques. ( wide 9) Like with Robert and Dwight.   But Sheard, Muhammad  or Ward may be able to do that.   But I think Sheard is more of a strong side DE responsible for containing the RT and TE Muhammad showed some decent pass rush ability from the outside.

 

Just my 2 cents 

[WoolMagnet]

3 hours ago, DougDew said:

Read the thread, and all of my posts, as well as some others.  Overreaction doesn't wear well on you.

Just messin with ya

[WoolMagnet]

2 hours ago, DougDew said:

Another poster said it was cap related.  Houston, Ford, and Berry were all cap casualties.

 

Of course, when in that situation, teams choose which players don't fit their plans, or figure who they can replace more inexpensively through the draft.  The fact that KC let BOTH of their edge rushers walk gives me some concern that they saw something they didn't like.  I'm glad we didn't give up a pick for Ford and signed Houston to what looks like a team friendly contract.

All i know is they ALL looked pretty good against us last year, unfortunately.

[EastStreet]

1 hour ago, WoolMagnet said:

All i know is they ALL looked pretty good against us last year, unfortunately.

all i know is 2 of their 3 top sack guys are gone. 

maybe Luck can compete a few passes now :-)

[LockeDown]

Some experts say that KCs defense was good at hone but not away.  That’s why we need home field advantage.  If Tyreke is out any signidcant time, that’s our ticket to get the better record.

[ClaytonColt]

Nice signing. Couple of concerns such as age, injury and scheme change but that's offset by the relatively short term matter of the deal.

 

I'm worried about the rollover now. With Funchess and Houston signed on decent contracts I'm not sure we'll be able to afford Nelson in 2022 any more. 

[SteelDragon]

Does signing Houston and Funchess signal anything about our draft strategy? Does it negate drafting a WR or another pass rusher in the first round? What position do you think we're looking to draft at 26 now?

[ColtsAC]

Very happy with this signing on multiple levels....his skill, the Colt's need, seems like a high character guy who could be a good mentor, and I really thought that he was the kind of signing the Patriots always seem to pull out of their fanny to help them in another Super Bowl run. I honestly thought they would target him to replace Flowers. Good deal Mr. Houston and Mr. Ballard!

[SteelCityColt]

12 hours ago, krunk said:

Houston says heâll be a defensive end in the Coltsâ 4-3 (first time officially in that role in his career; played OLB at KC): My job will be easier now than it has been in the past, as a primary pass rusher, not really worrying about coverage responsibilities

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001023797/article/colts-sign-allpro-pass-rusher-justin-houston

 

 

He can just pin his ears back and go in our scheme.

 

Even in a 3-4 that's pretty much what they did with Mathis in the year he racked up the sacks. 

 

Always liked Houston, I am surprised that KC didn't want him back at that sort of price, scheme change or not. Even is he's not a prime pass rusher anymore, he's a great piece to have in the rotation. 

[DaveA1102]

2 hours ago, SteelDragon said:

Does signing Houston and Funchess signal anything about our draft strategy? Does it negate drafting a WR or another pass rusher in the first round? What position do you think we're looking to draft at 26 now?

 

The key thing in Free Agency is to ensure that you don't go into the draft feeling that you **need** to draft a certain position, especially in the early rounds. 

 

Bringing in Funchess and Houston means we can focus on what Ballard likes to do, go for BPA in those early rounds where the talent is so strong.

[ColtStrong2013]

9 hours ago, CR91 said:

Any chance walker gives up 50? Id rather see Houston wear 52 or 99 myself

 

These vets sometimes pay big money to get their number on a new team. Walker on a rookie contract, "only" making $700k this year would definitely switch numbers for a nice bonus and new camaraderie with Houston. 

 

I think this is potentially Ballard's best free agency pickup. I'm very interested in seeing what Houston does as a 4-3 edge rusher that only has to focus on putting pressure in the backfield. He was tasked with so much in Kansas City and excelled. This could be huge for this franchise over the next few years (could he finish his career here?) And also has a ripple effect through the next decade with how he helps these young guys, specifically Turay. 

[r a y s k i]

2 hours ago, SteelDragon said:

Does signing Houston and Funchess signal anything about our draft strategy? Does it negate drafting a WR or another pass rusher in the first round? What position do you think we're looking to draft at 26 now?

Pretty convinced we'll go OL/DL in the first. 

[lollygagger8]

Ooooooooooo Colts have a pass rush now!??!?? 

 

[teganslaw]

What's a pass rush? J/K. I like this signing; didn't even know the Colts were talking to Houston. WTG Ballard?

[DougDew]

3 hours ago, SteelDragon said:

Does signing Houston and Funchess signal anything about our draft strategy? Does it negate drafting a WR or another pass rusher in the first round? What position do you think we're looking to draft at 26 now?

I think its simply a way to upgrade positions that need upgrading from last year without having to rely on the draft to do it.  No matter how good a GM is, they simply are not going to know if the guy they want at a particular spot (value) is going to be there at 26, 34, or 59.   The signings are insurance policies for the draft falling against you.

 

But yes, I would say that DT is the likely pick since both Funchess and Houston have the ability to contribute for a few more years.  That's not to say that if all of the DTs are gone we wouldn't select DE or WR who is a 3 down playmaker, because we really still don't have any body like that along the Dline and only TY in the receiving corps.

[ColtStrong2013]

At age 29 and 8 seasons in:

 

Robert Mathis - 74 sacks

Justin Houston - 78.5 sacks

 

We got 5 more seasons out of Mathis which resulted in 49 sacks, and we all know what his importance to the defense was during those years. If we can get a solid 3-5 years out of Houston, and he is able to consistently collapse the pocket and give our interior guys (especially a young new draft pick from this upcoming class fingers crossed) then this signing is worth gold. I have high hopes for this. We should be able to let him focus on pass rushing exclusively, and rotate him in waves that will help him stay fresh and possibly extend his career. Smart move for him. 

[BleedBlu8792]

10 hours ago, oldunclemark said:

No, Justin Houston is not a stop-gap. He's the kind of guy you bring in if you think you otherwise have the team to win division and conference championships THIS YEAR.

And that's what you have to do.

 

Signing a guy like this when you have Andrew Luck in his prime, to me,  IS 'building a team the right way'

 

Houston is definitely a stop-gap. Does he make the team better? Obviously. However, he's not a top tier pass rusher anymore, but I'm good with that because he fills a huge hole in an area we desperately needed help at. Turay simply is not ready to be a full time starter and he's our only pure pass rusher on the team from the outside. Muhammad is ok as a rotational piece but he clearly isn't the answer either. On top of that, where the Colts are picking, we won't get a day one starter there either. I'm sure Ballard could have made it work like last year, had we not landed Houston, but now, Houston takes the pressure off these guys to try and be something they just aren't right now.

[AZColt11]

I'm good with it.  Is the guy 25 and at the top of his game anymore?  Of course not or else he wouldn't be available.  Does that mean he can't still be effective and teach the young bucks?  Nope.  I was thinking it would be good if the Colts brought him in and I was thinking 1-2 years and about $13-14M, which would be just lower than what he would have made with the Chiefs.  So to get him at 2 years and $12M per year is pretty good in my book.  Even IF he flames out he's still a short-term dud.  At worst he can help mentor the young guys, and that aint bad.

[shasta519]

16 hours ago, throwing BBZ said:

 

 Dude, he was forced to play Rush DE where was out of place. 
 But he did move well and quickly was playing good as an edge defender.
 At 269 lbs he is perfect for Sheards role, where we did move Sheard inside some to rush. Now i get Autry only weighs 270 and held up decently against the run. That is until the KC game. Maybe Lewis becomes more of a DT. He sure does have a thick lower body.
 We will see as the season goes on what % of snaps he gets where. I predict it will be more outside than inside, but it could be close depending on who we draft.
If Jihad Ward becomes good, man we would be getting Deep on the line.

 

Lewis is super thick (has a different

body type than a lot of guys)...gets good push and is not easy to move. He definitely can set the edge against the run. Though run defense was a knock coming out of a college. Maybe he’s just more willing now...but that weakness didn’t really show up...which is good.

 

We will just see what happens. The draft will play a huge role in this....as there are going to be several DE types available that could slot in behind Sheard. But it’s not like Ballard doesn’t ever change his mind (Smith, Green are a couple examples).

 

I think the goal is a very talented deep rotation. Obviously we would all like elite DE/DTs that never leave the field...but those are not easy to come by. How that looks is going to be fun to watch.

[TomDiggs]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-colts-ink-justin-houston-immediately-improve-pass-rush

 

Nice article detailing what Justin Houston still has left in the tank and how well he has fared as a DE in KC on the times when he has played w his hand in the dirt (spoiler: He has performed exceptionally well).

 

Another place that credits this signing as being one of the best of free agency so far.

 

 

[BProland85]

9 hours ago, SteelDragon said:

Does signing Houston and Funchess signal anything about our draft strategy? Does it negate drafting a WR or another pass rusher in the first round? What position do you think we're looking to draft at 26 now?

 

I still say DT. Possibly a big NT who can collapse the pocket but is also athletic enough to pressure the QB from the inside.....Dexter Lawrence perhaps?

[RockThatBlue]

Great signing and great contract. Don't see how anyone can complain about this one.

[EastStreet]

5 hours ago, BleedBlu8792 said:

 

Houston is definitely a stop-gap. Does he make the team better? Obviously. However, he's not a top tier pass rusher anymore, but I'm good with that because he fills a huge hole in an area we desperately needed help at. Turay simply is not ready to be a full time starter and he's our only pure pass rusher on the team from the outside. Muhammad is ok as a rotational piece but he clearly isn't the answer either. On top of that, where the Colts are picking, we won't get a day one starter there either. I'm sure Ballard could have made it work like last year, had we not landed Houston, but now, Houston takes the pressure off these guys to try and be something they just aren't right now.

He had 9 sacks last year, which isn't bad. And he had those sacks playing a few yards in back of Jones, and opposite Ford, both top 10 guys in sacks. 

 

IMO, he'll have more opportunity to get sacks with the Colts. He's not competing with two other top 10 guys for the penetration play calls. He's going be on the line instead of behind Jones, and be our primary. Not the #2 or #3. And he's going to disrupt and open up lanes for our other guys. 

 

I'm going to predict 10+ for him this year. Not sure I put him in the stop gap category just yet.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

He actually may get more sacks then what we think being a DE.

[ColtsBlueFL]

16 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

He actually may get more sacks then what we think being a DE.

 

Or double teamed and chipped...  other guys on the D line better be ready to beat the guy in front them one on one.  Get Houston freed up to work.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

5 minutes ago, ColtsBlueFL said:

 

Or double teamed and chipped...  other guys on the D line better be ready to beat the guy in front them one on one.  Get Houston freed up to work.

Houston could free up other guys also. This will make guys like Leonard even better. We had to do a lot of scheming to get the sacks we got.