BREAKING NEWS: Texans Cut Steve McKinney

by Tim on Mar 25, 2008 2:44 PM CDT in News

I did not see this coming so quickly.

Sure, McKinney is coming off ACL surgery. And he was scheduled to count an estimated $2,356,720.00 against the cap this year, which is admittedly an awfully high number for someone coming off an injury at thirty-two (32) years old and who may not start. While I'd also concede that the recent arrival of Chris Myers certainly put McKinney's long-term future in question, I honestly thought that last month's release of Mike Flanagan, coupled with the uncertainty/inexperience surrounding the other options at center on the roster, all but assured that McKinney would be penciled in for a roster spot. In hindsight, that may have been naive, but I thought the Texans would jettison Flanagan or McKinney last year instead of paying seven figures for one of them to be a reserve. I was wrong then, and I was wrong this time around too. Nice to see that I learn from my mistakes, huh? Chalk this up as the latest example of why I should leave the general managing to Rick Smith.

Fortunately, this story may have a happy ending; McKinney could sign a new deal at a much cap-friendlier number:

"It caught me off guard, but they left the door open for me to return," McKinney said. "I owe it to myself to test the market, but, truthfully, I'd like to come back here."

"They told me that I just make too much money ($1.6 million this year) to be a backup," McKinney said. "They told me they didn't want to ask me to take a pay cut, and they wanted to give me an opportunity to look around to see if I could get the same kind of money somewhere else."

"Right now, I'm letting it all soak in, and I'm trying to digest everything. I'm going to see what's out there, but, hopefully, I'll have a chance to come back."

Personally, I'm hoping this split is temporary. All nostalgia aside, the running game disappeared when McKinney went down in Week Three, and his experience would be a welcome security blanket as the Texans try to break in a new center.

Update [2008-3-29 13:15:33 by Tim]: Despite the Chronicle trumpeting the headline of "Ex-Texan McKinney Signs With Browns," Steve McKinney hasn't signed anywhere. No...actually, his brother Seth signed a contract to remain with the Browns. Now THAT is some attention to detail, Chron staffers.

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Hi ho the dairy-o...

The cheese stands alone. And by cheese I mean Chris Myers. And by stands alone I mean with Okobi, Eslinger, and White.

I always gave White a nod in my mind, because he was familiar already with Sherman's blocking scheme, having been in the Packer's system before joining the Texans. The revamped blocking scheme and the fact that he's coming back from a torn MCL, makes me think that his days are numbered on the active roster.

I'm sure they could keep him for insurance, being that he can play at the guard spot, but I think his days of playing center for the Texans are over.

As for the other two, well - I give Eslinger a leg up because of his experience with the Broncos' running scheme, and Chukky also gets a longer look because as it stands now, he's the only one with any real experience at center.

To DE or not to DE... that is the question.

by SOLIS on Mar 25, 2008 4:01 PM CDT 0 recs

Center

Didn't they also say last season that Casey Studdard was someone they expected to play center at some time as well?

by 1Texan on Mar 25, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Re: Center

I think that's when we had depth issues on the line. We were moving people around to solve the injury bug puzzle, and I think that's when that was thrown out there.

I do remember reading that Kubiak liked the kid's tenacity, and with the holes at the guard spot, I don't see him having any real shot at center. If he shows he can play in Gibbs' scheme, I would expect him to see a lot more action this year - but at guard.

To DE or not to DE... that is the question.

by SOLIS on Mar 25, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up 0 recs