Kevin Walter: The Forgotten Texan
by Tim on Aug 11, 2009 9:18 PM CDT
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PrintNearly all the talk around these parts for the past several months has centered on what the Texans should or will do with their prized free agent eligible (or more accurately, potentially soon-to-be free agent eligible) players. We've pounded our heads against the wall about Dunta Robinson. We've lamented the DeMeco Ryans and Owen Daniels situations. We've even briefly mentioned the horrifying reality of what Mario Williams' next deal will entail (deservedly entail, I might add). One guy we haven't discussed is Kevin Walter.
Is there a more unsung player on the entire roster? K-Dub has quietly gone from little-known special teams wizard/third wideout to being in the discussion of best WR2s in the league. Battle Red infused hyperbole? Look at the numbers. And in terms of bargains, I can't think of many veterans who make the kind of impact Walter does for the relatively paltry 2009 cap number of $2,000,000.00. Enjoy it while it lasts, Texans fans. Because this is very likely the last year we'll get to see Kevin Walter as a Texan.
For Walter, you see, is an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season. He's going to command big dollars. And with so many Texan free agent mouths to feed, it says here that Kevin Walter, as valuable as he's been, could easily be the unfortunate man out, particularly given Apostrophe Davis' cap figure/skill set and David Anderson's rising stock.
While it's nice to finally be facing the problem of having players other teams covet, it's still tough facing the reality that some of the guys you've watched excel probably aren't long for Reliant Park. If there's a poster boy for that cold reality in '09, it's Kevin Walter.
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No safety?
I call shenanigans.
The strong do what they have to do; the weak accept what they have to accept
I'm not the Texans
…but they might surprise and make a pick there. I agree it is a need based on today’s status, but they don’t seem to put a priority on that position. Maybe with the new aggressive defensive style they want to employ, they will move safety up in their priority list.
It will happen
Taylor Mays
Is everyone’s not so secret dream. But if we can pick him, things will have gone badly.
Safety is going to be a very strong position at the top in next year's draft
Mays is almost a lock to be a top 10 pick barring injury, but overall there’s probably going to be 3 safeties in next year’s draft with top ten talent and it’s probably unlikely that 3 teams in the top 10 or even 15 for that matter use their first pick on a safety. It’s hard to guess how things will pan out between now and then, but I don’t think it’s out of the question right now that the Texans could land a quality starting safety in the draft next year….
That said, I don’t think they will. From all accounts they really like how Barber is progressing in his 2nd year, and they have several other young safeties they’re high on as well. I don’t think the Texans are as worried over the future of their safety positions as everyone else is. Unless Robinson signs a long term contract with the Texans or we franchise him for the second time, we’ll probably go CB with our first pick.
Two things...
1. It’s possible that Barber can be pretty solid, and we don’t need a safety.
1a. Eugene Wilson is good, and apparently I’m the only one who remembers this, based on previous comments.
1b. I’d like to see a listing of all starting safeties in the league, which shows their draft round. I think most decent to good safeties were taken after the first round.
2. (or 4, depending how you see the other points, but I didn’t want to change my title)
Why are we even debating who we’ll take in the first round? We’re obviously going to be idiots if we pass up on whatever ungodly stud the University of Texas trots onto the field, right? Right, Tim? BFD?
UT Douchers.
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
I agree about the safeties
And in the first round we should definitely draft one of the many players that A&M produces worthy of such a high pick every year…
You know... for kids.
by Jake on Aug 12, 2009 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why do you guys do that???
Is it not possible to just completely loathe that fuckhole of a town/school, based on my OWN feelings? Am I automatically an Aggie for wanting all Texas current and exes to die in a fire?
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
Well said, beefy
Why are we even debating who we’ll take in the first round? We’re obviously going to be idiots if we pass up on whatever ungodly stud the University of Texas trots onto the field, right?
Truer words have never been spoken.
KW's Numbers Are Inflated By AJ
But he’s still a valuable commodity. Besides being a receiver, he’s a good blocker.
I understand the argument
But you have to consider the alternative effect as well. How much more double coverage would Andre see if Walter and OD weren’t viable receiving threats.
Having said that though, kozanack is obviously right in the aspect that it will be much easier to find a player to replace our WR2 to play alongside the best WR in football than the alternative.
You know... for kids.
I think OD could be the odd man out
Why keep OD if some of the rookies we picked up this year work out. Trade him for some good draft picks and go happily down the road next year
I agree
with OD being the possible odd man out. If things do work out with Casey this year why keep OD? I know he’s a pro bowl caliber TE but it’s not like it’s hard to find a pass-catching TE nowadays. From the looks of it, Casey or “THOR”(really like the nickname) has a better set of hands than OD. If he progresses more as a blocker throughout the season it would be a no brainer to drop OD and keep K-dub.
Tell you what...
If OD fumbles again, you won’t have to worry about it, because I’ll drop kick that motherfucker.
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
I like KW, I really do
But he is to a large extent a product of the system. He’s a reliable set of hands, he runs good routes, and he comes up big when you need him. He might be one of the better WR2s around while he’s at Houston, but I don’t think he’ll be as good elsewhere.
Furthermore, if Kubes can pluck him out of relative obscurity (wasn’t it Cincy?) I’m confident we can pick up another such guy to complement AJ.
In other words, thanks for everything KW. Hope you get a nice payday out in the NFC Wst.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Aug 12, 2009 3:05 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
agreed....
but i think KW, like mario, or ryans, or even OD, just really like playing for Coach Koob, love the city, love the team, and the chemistry. i dont think money is an issue…. until proven otherwise. every player is different, and has different motivations.
I love k-dub.....
but he is expendable, that just goes to show you how good the Texans WR group is. Remember when that was the teams weakness?
GO TEXANS!!!!
This is the year.......
I sure do.
Jabbar Gaffney, Corey Bradford. and a random slot receiver we picked up from the trash pile. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I dont wanna go back to those days with captain hairspray!
I even remember the excitement we used to get when Avion Black would return a punt for a…. wait for it. wait for it. wait for it…… 30 yard return!
How about Jarrod Baxter making a punishing block and leading the way for Jonathan Wells for a 2 yard gain?
ahhh. those were the days.
Uh oh
Dear Jordann,
Please refrain from writing the words “Jonathan Wells.” It is a banning offense.
Your BFF,
bfd
Um.
No he didn’t.
@BFD: sir yes sirrr!
And for future references, I can only assume that putting the name “Matt Stevens” and the phrase
“best safety in texans history” to be a banning offense also.
We have hit squads for that one.
There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, scarier than Tim in Spandex.
by bigfatdrunk on Aug 12, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
He Speaks The Truth
It’s a lethal vision.
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
So that's what happens....
when Tim and BFD gets together for a drink
and end up consuming ungodly amounts of alcohol.
im pretty sure
Travis Johnson in Spandex dancing to “all the single ladies” by Beyonce is scarier than that.
That song...
Is scary enough, all by it’s lonesome. TJ in spandex was like throwing a grain of salt into the ocean.
Dear God, I hate that woman and everything she stands for.
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
Second coming
You guys are nuts. Kevin Walter is the unsung hero of the Texans. 8 TDs 900 yds from a WR2? And he’s the WR on the field for two TE sets because of his blocking ability. Walter adds a lot more than random free agent off the street. Kubiak has said a number of times he reminds him of Ed McCaffrey. I think the Texans dig deep in those pockets to find some change to throw Walter’s way.
Love To See It Happen
But I’m just not optimistic. Kubes, being the offensive guru that he is, may well believe so much in his system that he thinks he can replace K-Dub, Easy Ed McCaffrey comparison aside. Hell, it might not even be his call. There’s only so much money to go around, and I worry that Walter will be the one left standing when the music stops.
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
also
signing 29 yo WRs to huge contracts is rarely a good thing.
I do hope, though, we CAN sign him. I really like Walter.
like what BFD said
He is 29 yrs old. He’s going to ask for more money and in his case he definitely deserves it.
If it’s Kube’s call, it would still be up in the air but if Rick makes the decision, I dont see him holding on to Walter if he can sign one or two receivers(rookie/Fa/UFA) with the same skill set and higher ceiling for chump change. Walter joined the Texans as an unknown, but Kubes saw some potential there and decided to install him in our offense where he ended up realizing that potential. Everybody coming out of college has the potential or even FA let go by other teams. So why drop money on an aging receiever when there’s younger guys out there that are starting their careers with the same potential that Walter had in the beginning. With good coaching comes good players. Walter definitely benefited from our system. Not to take away anything from him but we see this happen all the time. It’s a higher risk keeping him. As good a player as he is, I see him as potential dead money.
And I know, I know. WR careers aren’t like RB’s where they go downhill when they hit the big 3-0. But why take that risk? It’s not guaranteed that Walter will keep producing the way he did. He definitely went unnoticed last year but I dont think he’ll go unnoticed this coming season. Tons and tons of film can magnify a subtle weakness of a certain player. And what do coaches do besides coach? Exploit those weaknesses. With the exception of AJ because the dude’s a beast. But with a WR2? I can bet you that coaches are starting to catch on with Walter.
Pessimistic? Yes. But am I right? Damn right I am.
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