BREAKING NEWS: Texans Sign Cato June

by Tim on Apr 4, 2009 12:58 PM CDT in News Comment 29 comments

Tip o' the cap to jkoy20 for letting me know that your Houston Texans have signed Cato June:

The Texans have agreed to a contract with free agent outside linebacker Cato June. He will sign a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, including a $500,000 signing bonus. The deal could be worth as much as $2 million.

I dig this move. A lot. Cato June has been productive throughout his NFL career; even if he never returns to the Pro Bowl form he showed in Indianapolis a few years ago playing in the Tampa 2, his arrival, at the very least, creates better depth at LB and should push Xavier Adibi.

Riddle me this: Do the recent acquisitions of June and Buster Davis affect the possibility (or probability) of going LB at No. 15?

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Cato June signing and Draft Day implications

I really like both of these signings. Buster adds depth and Cato has tremendous upside along with adding depth as well. Rick Smith is doing a helluva a job in Houston and I believe the Texans are headed in the right direction. I think the Texans can go any direction that they want in this years draft. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make any move at this point. Offensively I can only see them taking an OL in the first round but defensively they could go anywhere in the secondary or front seven and it would not surprise me at all. I still can’t see us moving up this year but I can see us moving back and taking a player like Matthews. If he is there it may be really hard to pass up Jenkins though… he would be a nice addition to our secondary!

by wasteph on Apr 4, 2009 1:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a good signing, but we could still use a SLB with size

Cato June will be a good guy for Xavier Adibi to learn from, and he is also a good insurance policy in the event that Xavier and/or Zac do not recover from their injuries. This signing coupled with the Buster Davis acquisition give us depth, but neither is a big guy who will be a run stuffer and a pass rusher. I still want to add a LB with size, and preferably pass rushing ability as well, in the draft. Do we still use our #1 on a LB? I think these signings make it more likely that we do not, but I still would like to take a steroid-free Clay3 at 15.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 4, 2009 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What he said

We need a big mofo’in strongside LB.

I’d be happy with Cushing, but EVEN WITH his coverage problems, I’m still loving Clint Sintim.

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Apr 4, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris I think you said a lot with just a few words

The weakness of the Texans LB corps is that they do not have a SLB who has the ability to defend the run and the pass. Ideally you have a run stuffing SLB, who can hold his own in pass coverage and get after the QB when needed. Most SLB’s are better at one than the other, and finding one who can hold his own in both run and pass defense makes it harder for other teams to scheme against. Is Clay3 or Cushing that guy? If either is, the he’s worth a 1st round pick. Our depth chart has Kevin Bentley 6’0" 238 first then Chaun Thompson 6’2" 255. Zac Diles 6’0" 240 is not listed presumably because he has not yet recovered from the broken leg. Last report was that he should be ready for the start of training camp, but will miss the OTA’s. Bentley and Diles both played pretty well last year, but neither is outstanding.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 5, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would love

to see the Texans go Darius Butler at 15, to be perfectly honest. He is the best cover corner in the draft. I don’t expect they will do it, but I would love it.

by Triple347 on Apr 4, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

would not be dissapointed at all

never hurts to get the best corner in the draft, butler def looks like it this year. I like the way u think, Butler at 15, and donald brown in the 2nd (2 uconn guys in a row) would not anger me one bit.

by wiseonekms on Apr 6, 2009 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No draft implications at all

Except that they won’t be drafting a first/second rd. LB and Zack Follett. sniffle

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Apr 4, 2009 5:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

great draft implications

taking care of NEEDS in FA, opening the door for the best draft strategy of all: take the best player available.

I like it, a lot.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Apr 4, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is LVJ

Still around? Wasn’t he supposed to play some SAM? Or is he more of a MIKE?

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Apr 4, 2009 8:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

honestly

wouldnt mind now going maclin in 1st, or oher…wouldnt mind matthews either…wouldnt mind trading down and going for sintim or even Michael Johnson…dont mind reaching on Smith…

Smith has done a great job and agree with texanphil about best player available (not including QB/RB and K/P (LOL))

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Apr 4, 2009 9:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

It no longer is a “lock” to go OLB in the first round. What it does open up is BPA, or a much more convenient trade down. I always prefer more “lottery tickets” when drafting players. I agree totally that we need a banger at SAM, but I pray to insert deity of choice that we don’t draft an MLB or corner high. That would imply problems with DeMeco or Dunta that I do not want to encounter.

by Riott on Apr 5, 2009 12:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I think it makes it easier to say no to OLB in round 1 knowing that we will still probably need to draft a good one next year or in round 2 or 3, but we could still draft one and I doubt any Houston fan would be dissapointed. It just makes signing Jenkins or Oher a little more…comfortable.

"There was a pretty good group of free agent quarterbacks out there and, after studying them all, I liked the fact that he's young and I like the fact he's a mirror image of the guy we have (Matt Schaub) so when we're coaching Matt, we're coaching him, too." - Gary Kubiak on new Texans QB Dan Orlovsky

Matt Schaub = Safety Dan. We're in trouble.

by last texans fan on Apr 5, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Added Bonus

Is the fact that Cato June is a tried and true veteran with as much experience as anyone on the Texans. That means a lot when we are adding him to a linebacker core where the most seasoned veteran was youngster Demeco Ryans.

Matt Schaub = Safety Dan. We're in trouble.

by last texans fan on Apr 5, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thought exactly!

GO TEXANS!!!!

www.houstonsportsrule.blogspot.com

by Texanmaniac on Apr 5, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and he might have some insight

on when Peyton is bluffing and when all his nonsense means something.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Apr 5, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gonna' force Peyton to do something different against us next year

I’m sure he can adjust his routine, but it may give us a slight advantage because I am sure he is used to doing more or less the same routine at the line of scrimmage. He won’t be able to put it on autopilot, or Cato may be able to see what’s coming.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 5, 2009 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not worried about that.

Keep Dreamin’ =-D

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 6, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for stopping by. I have been admiring Peyton for years now, and am curious

do you know if the Colts tailor make line of scrimmage calls each week, or do they have a fairly standard routine? I was just guessing when I said that he probably doesn’t change his calls very much, do you have any ideas about that?

Thanks again for stopping by. Still looking forward to the 1st ever Texans win over the Colts. Really thought we had you last year, but then Sage pulled his famous Rosencopter move, and you pretty much know the rest. Thanks in advance for your input and good luck this year, except when playing the Texans. We are truly starved for some real NFL football in December/January down here.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 6, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Week 16 in 2006

…when the Texans beat the Colts?

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Apr 6, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's that nasty Alheimers again

thanks for the reminder. This stupid to add, but I’ll do it anyways. Have season tix, but let the wife drag me out of town for X-mas and gave the tix to my nephews. Missed the damn game, but my nephews had a great time. I was lucky enough to see the Rosencopter game.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 8, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From what I understand...

they have a set amount of plays they go into the game with. Each possession, he has a few options he goes in with.

Now, the cool thing that I’ve heard is that depending upon the circumstance Peyton has been known to call a play from years ago that they’ve run maybe once.

This is the reason I was so glad we re-signed Jeff Saturday (center). Saturday remembers calls like Peyton and will adjust the line accordingly.

Plus, his audibles are constantly changing…from week to week. A look, hand signal or word can negate the audible (so he is only doing it to confuse) or enforce it.

And, just for the record, I like the Texans. The fans have class and the team is much better than its record indicates the past couple of years. They play good football.

About Sage, I personally need to thank him. I had my head buried under a pillow crying “we’re 1 and 2, we’re 1 and 2” then the miracle.

So, I’ll root for you guys too next year (not when you play the Colts, of course)…especially when you play the Titans!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Apr 6, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ughh

Thanks for the kind words PTB, but just for the record, if that was considered a miracle in Indy, it was considered a plague in Houston.

“There will be rivers of blood, frogs, rosencopters, disease…”

Let's get the Texans a better fight song.

by Jake on Apr 6, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you very much for the in-depth response

Good luck to your Colts this year. The Colts fans I have seen at Reliant all seemed pretty cool. The Texans are on the rise and we’re all hopeful that this is finally the year that we get into the playoff race for real.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 8, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

successful free agency period continues:

anyone who still “hates” the Texans for the reason of hating them just cuz they can should compare what we’ve done this offseason to most other teams. Compared to Washington we’ve saved BUTT loads of cash, yet filled in areas of great need including: NT, DE, and WLB, and FS w/ Shaun Cody, Antonio Smith, Cato June, and Eugene Wilson. All of whom are relatively young, in the primes of their careers and w/ the exception of Cody have contributed to the success of playoff/Superbowl contenders. We also obtained an extra 4th round draft pick, and we’ve promoted a Defensive coordinator through our own system. I’m not saying we’re perfect, but what noteable free agent moves have our division rivals made that make them better? OHH, i know one: Tennessee gets Petey Faggins! Shit, if only we were smart enough to resign him…. My trust for Kubiak and Smith is growing, and by retaining Dunta, getting all these free agents, and w/ the possibility of moving up/down in the draft, I am getting stoked for Draft day.

by wiseonekms on Apr 6, 2009 12:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes, kudos to smithiak so far

now lets nail the draft and pass the torch to kubiak.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Apr 6, 2009 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make DeMeco happy

and Smith gets my vote.

by Riott on Apr 6, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's been a great offseason...

and we haven’t even had the draft yet. Maybe I’m just blind homer fan, but this offseason is giving some good vibes about our Texans, I sense something special.

GO TEXANS!!!!

www.houstonsportsrule.blogspot.com

by Texanmaniac on Apr 6, 2009 7:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs