John Bach - Indianapolis, IN, US: The hurricane hurt the Texans record this year. What do you think their record will be next season with Reliant Stadium repaired?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi fans. This will be the last question of the day. Thanks for all your emails!! Remember, I'll be at the NFL Scouting Combine next week, so log on for the latest coverage.
Hi John,
The Texans are slated to have an easier schedule next season. The dates for their games hasn't come out, so it's hard to pin a record on the team. But a lot of pundit have the Texans as a trendy pick in 2009.
Jose Salinas - Houston, TX, US: Sorry Brooke, last question. What about Molden, will he be given a chance next season, because he looked real good in the spare minutes he played?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Jose,
Antwaun Molden got time on special teams, but didn't really get to show his stuff at cornerback. He is extremely athletic, fast and has huge hands. He needed some polishing during the season because he played in a small school and didn't have a lot of the technique stuff down. Molden got injured at the end of the season, but he is healing well and coach Gary Kubiak has said he is excited about developing Molden next season.
Jose Salinas - Houston, TX, US: Brooke, Another question. What are the Texans saying about Jacoby? I understand he has a ton of potential but he is just way to fumble prone. are there any chances we might take a WR, maybe not in the 1st round but at some point early in the draft?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Jose,
The Texans think that Jacony Jones has a ton of potential. He returned to punts for touchdowns last season. He does need to protect the ball better and improve his route-running. But the Texans are feeling pretty good at wide receiver this offseason.
Steve - Austin, TX, US: Brooke, First off, i think you are fantastic. A lot of the offseason talk has been about improving the defense. While the Texans had a highly ranked offense this past season, i don't think they should be content with it. What area on offense do you think will or should be addressed?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the shout out! The Texans' offense did rank third last season, but they struggled with turnovers and scoring in the red zone. It would really help the offense if the team added a pounding runner to complement Steve Slaton. They need a guy who can pick up the dirty yards and pound the ball in goal-line situations. That type of runner also would help reduce the turnovers.
Jose Salinas - Houston, TX, US: Brooke, Let's say a DE we want isn't available when we pick what are the chances of us trading downfor more draft picks? I really don't see Orakpo or Brown falling to us at 15 and Tyson Jackson is another Anthony Weaver. Or what else do you envision the Texans doing?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Jose,
It's not out of the realm that the Texans will trade down. They did it last year and got a lot of value for their picks: left tackle Duane Brown in the first round and running back Steve Slaton and Antwaun Molden in the third round. The Texans were able to trade down because they knew Brown would be available to them with the 26th pick. I think the combine will give the Texans a much better idea about where their prospects will fall and which teams will be targetting certain players.
Blaine Juergens - Livingston, TX, US: What position do you think the Texans will spend their first round draft pick on? Anyone in particular?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Blaine,
I can't give anything away by revealing who the Texans are targetting in the first round, but it's clear that defense is on their minds. Also, it looks like there is a lot of talent at linebacker and defensive end in this year's draft. The Texans will have a much better idea about the players they are scouting after next week's combine. I will be there covering the event and providing video interviews with pro prospects, so you can see who is on their draft radar.
Sunny D. - Houston, TX, US: Broooke, You have a great. Please keep up the great work on Texans TV. Everyone talks about the defense needing improvement, and while I agree with that, I still think that the turnovers that the offense had put our defense in bad situations throughout the year. What do the Texans need to do on offense to eliminate turnovers. Also, I know we need to sign Dunta back, but we also need to sign back Owen!!! He proved his worth in the Pro Bowl. What is it going to take to get him back?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Sunny,
Who can forget about O.D.? GM Rick Smith won't. He said he is committed to re-signing Owen Daniels, and Daniels wants to be back in Houston. It seems like negotiations won't be too contentious there. Also, Daniels is a restricted free agency. The Texans have until Feb. 26 to offer a tender to a restricted free agent. Any restricted free agent not receiving a tender will become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 27 and would be free to sign with any team, including the Texans. If a restricted free agent is offered a tender but does not sign with the Texans before Feb. 27, he remains a restricted free agent. The restricted tag gives the Texans one week to match a signed offer sheet sent from another team. If the Texans match another team's offer, the player will be obligated to sign with Houston. So basically, the Texans have to make sure Daniels gets paid.
Roland - San Antonio, TX, US: What kind of talent are we looking at getting from this year's draft?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Roland,
This year's draft will focus on defensive players - guys who are athletic, fast and can make plays. The Texans want to be more aggressive off the ball and improve their pass rush.
david scott - houston, TX, US: 2 short questions - your prediction on outcome of penalties on texans alleged allegations and what is thought of moving probowl to the dead week before superbowl when the 2 participating teams in superbowl will not allow their players to get hurt in a meaningless game .. thk you for your time
Brooke Bentley:
Hi David,
I'll start with the Pro Bowl. I was at the Super Bowl this year and there were a lot of players complaining about having the Pro Bowl in Miami the week before next year's Super Bowl. Andre Johnson has been vocal about not being a fan of this decision. Having been to the Pro Bowl, I think the players enjoy the vacation aspect of the trip. It's almost like camp for the NFL. I think you lose a little bit of the reward aspect by moving the game from Hawaii. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did say that next year's Pro Bowl was a trial run, and he thinks the game will return to Hawaii at some point. I don't think he'll get too many players to play if the Pro Bowl is in Indy before that Super Bowl! As for the penalties the Texans could face, I can't comment too much. The Texans could lose a week of OTAs and face a fine. The worst-case scenario is that they lose a fourth-round draft pick. Or nothing could happen.
rob p - houston, TX, US: What are biggest draft needs
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Rob,
This year, the Texans need to add talent on defense, specifically a physical safety, a run-stuffing defensive tackle, a pass rusher opposite Mario Williams and an outside linebacker. Of course, GM Rick Smith is looking to get some of those players through free agency. Still, the Texans will be evaluating pro prospects at all of those positions and they will have a much better idea of where they stand on those players after next week's scouting combine.
Matt - Dallas, TX, US: A few short ones and one lengthy question: - Does work around internal media for an NFL team slow down during the offseason? - Do you think the Texans will make any big free agent moves? - Do you have a Valentine? - Finally, in regards to the illegal practice drills: What are the lines of action if the allegations are confirmed/disproved? What kind of penalties is the team facing and how will those impact the on field play? Thanks for a great season of coverage.
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Matt,
Lots of great questions. Let me break it down: 1. There always seems to be news on the team. During the offseason, we focus on free agency and the draft. Next week, I'll be heading to Indy with our coaches and scouts to cover the combine. The pace during the offseason isn't frenetic, but it's busy at Reliant! 2. Free agency really hinges on re-signing cornerback Dunta Robinson. That is GM Rick Smith's top priority right now. The Texans could use the franchise tag on him if it looks like negotiations aren't progressing. Smith has to make that decision by Feb. 19. If the Texans do re-sign D-Rob, they probably won't go after big money players. Smith told me that he wants to bring back safety Eugene Wilson and add players who will give the Texans more depth. 3. I am spening Valentine's Day with my best friends! 4. The NFL is reviewing allegations that the Texans held contact drills during OTAs last season. If they are found in violation of the collective bargaining agreement, the Texans could lose a week of OTAs and be served a fine. That would be the most likely punishment. For repeat offenders, the NFL will take away a fourth-round draft pick. The Texans, however, have a sterling record.
Tomeka R - Ahoskie, NC, US: Hi Ms. Bentley. I hope you have been enjoying the off-season. And I hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl this year. I have a request, my Best Friend Amber (Winton,NC) is a huge fan of the Texans, and her birthday is Feb.10. I would love if you could give her a B-day Shout Out. Thanks so Much, Tomeka
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Tomeka,
Amber Moore is one loyal fan! The Texans wish her a huge Happy Birthday today!!!!
j dawg - houstone, TX, US: r the texans going 2 the super bowl in 2010??
Brooke Bentley:
Hi J,
The Cardinals just showed that a team like the Texans has a legitimate chance of becoming Super Bowl contender next season. In fact, several media pundits are calling the Texans a "trendy pick" for 2009. SI.com's Ross Tucker wrote that Houston has "enough firepower to go on an Arizona-like run" and could surprise people with a Super Bowl appearance.
reginald holifield - bessemer, AL, US: texaans have some good defense players. Ihopeyou all keep that de earl cochran he make plays all over that field.Just like he said on the video he is ahard worker. ITS COMING he will be one of the best on the field.be patience
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Reginald,
I completely agree with you about defensive end Earl Cochran. He's a guy that worked his way up from the practice squad to becoming one of the first players off the bench. Before he injured his foot last November, Cochran had two sacks and was considered by many of the players to be a defensive leader. Still, Cochran will have to prove that he is healthy this offseason.
Alejandro - Houston, TX, US: I heard on Espn That the texans were doing contact drills in ota's . They said that this breaks the barganing agrement. what might the NFL do to the Texans?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Alejandro,
Yes, ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported that the Texans held contact drills during OTAs. The network got this information from offensive lineman, Dan Stevenson. The matter is being reviewed by the league, and the Texans could lose a week of OTAs this year if the league finds that the team violated the collective bargaining agreement.
Steve - Houston, TX, US: Why are the Texans not focusing on acquiring key players in this period of free agency?
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Steve,
The Texans may not make a huge splash in free agency and go after big-money players, but they definitely will look to fill needs. Generaly manager Rick Smith likes to begin by re-signing players that have been productive for the team, like safety Eugene Wilson and cornerback Dunta Robinson. Then, Smith will look to sign players who can give the team more depth. It's no secret that he will focus on defensive players (ie: safety, linebacker, defensive tackle), because that's where most the Texans' needs are.
Jose Salinas - Houston, TX, US: Brooke, I know Rick Smith already said we weren't going to break the bank on free agents, but why not bring in DE Julius Peppers to compliment Mario, then we wouldn't have to spend a draft pick on a DE. And we would be getting a Pro Bowl DE.
Brooke Bentley:
Hi Texans fans! Welcome to our Live Chat. During the offseason, you would think life slows down at Reliant Stadium, but that's not the case. The front office is gearing up for the NFL Scouting Combine, and HoustonTexans.com will be in Indy next week to give you the latest coverage. Plus, free agency is just around the corner. So we have a lot to discuss in regards to the draft and free agency!
Hi Jose,
Free agency with the Texans starts with Dunta Robinson. General manager Rick Smith has said re-signing Robinson is his first priority this offseason, and D-Rob is going to demand big-time cornerback money. Remember, Carolina cornerback Chris Gamble set the bar high. On November 28, 2008, the Panthers signed Gamble to a six-year, $53-million contract with $23 million guaranteed, which made him one of the highest paid defensive backs in the league. If the Texans aren't able to re-sign Robinson, then they might end up making a bigger splash in free agency. Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers would be a great pass rusher opposite Mario Williams, but there are some draft prospects that could make an immediate impact, too.
