Mike Brisiel Signs With Oakland Raiders

The Texans exodus continues.

Word came late Friday afternoon that the Raiders had signed longtime Texans guard Mike Brisiel to a five-year deal. His agent broke the news on Twitter. Later, John McClain had the details on the contract: $20 million over five years. Here's what Brisiel had to say to FOX 26's Marc Berman:

"I'm excited, I am," Brisiel said. "It's going to be a new chapter in my life. So it's going to be exciting."
...

"Just the familiarity of the scheme, It's definitely a positive," Brisiel said. "We're in position right now to compete in this division and I'm super excited."

Brisiel, who overcame injuries in Houston, said leaving the Texans is not easy for him.

"It's sad," Brisiel said. "It's one of those things that I thank them for everything, giving me the opportunity, sticking with me through some rough times. I couldn't be more happy about the way (last) season happened and I always be one of those Texans' diehards at heart."

Hard to mad about him walking for those terms. That's an insane amount of years and money for a non-elite guard, and the Texans are now faced with having to replace over half of their line should they be unable to reel Chris Myers back from the brink.

Brisiel was a great fit for the Texans zone scheme, and played very well the last couple of years when he was healthy -- but weighing that money against the fact that he often doesn't stay healthy, it's pretty easy to see why the Texans opted not to match it. Should the Texans retain Myers, Antoine Caldwell would likely step in at guard with Rashad Butler to form a whole new right side of the line. If Myers leaves, either Caldwell or Wade Smith could step in at center, with Shelley Smith being the only other in-house candidate that Houston has actually drafted on the interior line.

This is what happens when your offensive line starts to get the kind of pub that Houston's has. Brisiel got an enormous offer, Eric Winston is reportedly looking to be the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL, and Myers has Drew Rosenhaus out there looking to get him the best deal he can get as well.

Feel free to share your favorite Mike Brisiel memories, if you have any, alongside the inevitable falling sky comments. Here is a good start: Jacoby Jones is still on the roster!