According to Adam Schefter, the Texans' quest to find a replacement for the injured Connor Barwin begins tomorrow. The team is said to be working out free agent defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye and Bobby McCray.
Ogunleye, whose name I guess I might need to learn how to pronounce, was having a productive 2009 for the Bears before breaking his fibula and going on IR last December. Prior to the injury, Ogunleye recorded 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 14 starts for Chicago. He was a Pro-Bowler in 2003 and has notched 67 sacks in his nine year career. Even though he is 33 and coming off of an injury, this might be about the best you're going to find on the street at this point of the season. Unless he just looks done, I expect him to leave Reliant tomorrow with a one-year deal in hand.
McCray was a member of last year's Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints (God...it doesn't get any easier to type that...) and is probably most known for his illegal hit on Brett Favre in last year's NFC Championship game that cost him $20k. In 2008 he played in all 16 games, including 8 starts, and had 6 sacks before falling off a bit in a reduced role last season, where he only accumulated 1.5 sacks. After being outplayed by other defensive ends like Junior Galette and Jeff Charleston this preseason, the Saints let McCray go in final cuts.
So, neither guy is Aaron Schobel, but could be good in a pinch such as the one Houston currently is in. It will probably cost the team a lot less, too.
What do you think, BRB? Either one of these guys meet your fancy?
UPDATE: Free agent defensive end Ryan Denney will also come in for a workout today. In Buffalo, Denney had 2 sacks in 16 games last season. But he does have some Denver ties (he was born there), so that likely gives him the advantage with this coaching staff.