Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002

A barbecue buffet?

When the Houston Texans step to the table, they should feast on only the choicest cuts

By Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

Take Houston Texans master chef Charley Casserly’s predicament here. One of the best things about Texas is the barbecue (or BBQ, as posted on signs across the eastern half of the state), so at least he’s in the right area to put together a solid feast.

But here’s Casserly, headed for the butcher shop that is the NFL’s expansion draft, wondering what choice cuts should be part of his feast. Does he go for the Tony Boselli and Aaron Glenn, both certain to leave fans clamoring for seconds? Or does he fall back on the plain-Jane choices like Than Merrill and Avion Black, who might scare fans away before the dessert?

Casserly has said that he will go the expensive route. After looking at the expansion drafts of the Jaguars, Panthers and Browns, Casserly and his staff decided that burgers will not be part of the menu. Those three teams went for burgers, picking 34 or so low-priced guys who didn’t last long with their respective teams at all. Casserly wants filet mignon in Houston and is willing to pay for it.

The following is a bit of "culinary" advice for Casserly and his staff when choosing his team’s fare in the expansion draft Feb. 18. Keep in mind that the Texans must spend roughly $27 million of their salary cap (38 percent) in the expansion draft. Casserly says that the Texans will take 12-18 players in the draft (maybe fewer), so I’ll offer 10 names with a running tally of cap money spent (cap figures are estimated). Tackle statistics were taken from the NFL Players Association Web site. The Texans don’t have to take these players in this order, but if they’re looking to draft 10 players and get close to the targeted $27 million, these are the ones I’d choose.

1. Ravens LB Jamie Sharper (cap: $2.875 million; total spent: $2.875) — Sharper has been a good linebacker in the Ravens’ dominant defense for five years now, but he has recently been overshadowed by Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware. Sharper had 73 tackles and six sacks last season. But what’s more impressive is that he’s started every game of his five-year career except two. He's a nice, consistent performer and good building block for the defense. His base salary shoots up to $4.5 million in 2003, but I still believe he’s worth it.
2. Jaguars OT Tony Boselli (cap: $8.949 million; total spent: $11.824 million) — Sure, Boselli has missed a lot of time with injuries, but I believe that, even at this high price, you should take a chance with him. His base salary jumps from $500,000 in 2001 to $4.5 million in 2002, but if Boselli stays healthy, no matter whom you go with at quarterback, that passer will have a much better time in the pocket. Thus, Boselli is nearly a bargain at that price.
3. Colts TE Ken Dilger (cap: $3.390 million; total spent: $15.214 million) — Another player who can protect your quarterback (likely Fresno State QB David Carr) by giving him a dump-off option in the passing game. Dilger’s numbers suffered with the emergence of Marcus Pollard in Indianapolis, but he’s probably a more well-rounded tight end than Pollard. Dilger also is a solid blocker. His base salary climbs to $2.29 million in 2004, a bearable salary for an all-around tight end.
4. Jets OT Ryan Young (cap: $0.563 million; total spent: $15.777 million) — Young was deemed expendable because of the solid, young depth the Jets have. Young would make for another nice bookend opposite Boselli, and Young is young, having played just three seasons in the league. A solid all-around blocker, Young would be a nice addition to the Texans’ roster. They’d have to sign him to a new contract, as 2001 was the last year of his contract.
5. Steelers WR-RS Troy Edwards (cap: $1.325 million; total spent: $17.102 million) — While Edwards didn’t emerge, like fellow Pittsburgh wideout Plaxico Burress has, Edwards hasn’t been a terrible receiver. This year, his numbers suffered likely because Burress and Hines Ward drew most of QB Kordell Stewart’s attention. Edwards is a good blocker, having learned from one of the best, Ward, and he does have speed and run-after-the-catch ability. It’s not a good sign that he dropped off after catching 61 passes in his rookie year, but the Steelers haven’t been a pass-happy team either. With a base salary that remains in triple figures for the duration of the contract, Edwards would be worth a pick.
6. Giants DE Kenny Holmes (cap: $2.9 million; total spent: $20.002 million) — Holmes’ addition to the Giants was supposed to be one of the better free-agent moves of last offseason. But Holmes didn’t get to the quarterback half as much in 2001 as he did in 2000. Holmes did make some big plays though, forcing a fumble and recovering four fumbles this season, and he registered a career high in tackles. Plus, if you look at the defensive linemen available in this expansion draft, Holmes is about the best for the money.
7. Buccaneers DE Marcus Jones (cap: $3.750 million; total spent: $23.752 million) — Jones is probably the second-best defensive lineman available in terms of cost. While Jones’ value decreased this season, with him racking up just three sacks on the year, he is one season removed from a 13-sack season. Tampa Bay’s numbers on the defensive line went down as a whole last season (aside from Simeon Rice's), though, so it wasn’t just Jones who struggled.
8. Browns CB Corey Fuller (cap: $4.925 million; total spent: $28.677 million, which meets league's demands for money spent in this draft) — Cheap alternative to Jets CB Aaron Glenn, who I believe will be pulled back at the first chance the Jets get. Fuller picked off three passes last year and returned one for a score.
9. Seahawks RS Charlie Rogers (cap: $0.563 million; total spent: $29.240 million) — Cheap alternative to Ravens RS Jermaine Lewis, who may not get pulled back, given the cap situation the Ravens are in. But I’m going on the assumption that each team will pull back a player, as permitted, after one of its players is selected. Rogers’ numbers dropped off a tad this season, but he gives head coach Dom Capers an instantly viable return man.
10. Saints LB Darrin Smith (cap: $1.613 million; total spent: $30.853 million) — Here’s an older guy who can bring some veteran leadership to the defense. He’s been a consistent performer for years, and while he may not have made a ton of plays in 2001, he was in on enough tackles to make his lower cap figure palatable.

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2001 - 2002 Season