He'd make our o-line one of the best IMO. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4048721.html July 15, 2006, 12:20AM Wade released as shake-up continues on Texans' O-line New blocking scheme makes big tackle expendable By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle With changes in the works on the offensive line, the Texans released veteran tackle Todd Wade on Friday. The 6-8, 314-pound tackle was lured away from the Miami Dolphins with a $10 million signing bonus in 2004. He started 22 games for the Texans before spraining his medial collateral ligament against Indianapolis on Nov. 13. His rehabilitation continued this offseason, and Wade was unable to participate in the Texans' workouts. "Anytime you're in a situation like I am, you have to make tough decisions," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "As an organization, we appreciate what Todd has done for us. He's a good football player. But you have to factor in so many aspects when making a decision, like a player's salary, his style and how it fits in your system and where we want to go in the future." Wade, a starter since he entered the league in 2000 out of Mississippi, likely will be picked up quickly by another team. He was not able to be reached for comment. Texans guard Steve McKinney said Wade will be missed when camp begins July 27. "It's tough, because Todd was a good friend," McKinney said. "The unfortunate problem was his injury came at a time when there was a coaching change and the offensive line was having fingers pointed at it. Changes were inevitable, and sometimes you get lost in the shuffle when you're in an injury situation." Because of the injury, Wade never was able to show how he might adapt to playing in the new scheme coach Gary Kubiak brought from Denver. The Broncos use a zone-blocking scheme that utilizes quick linemen who must be able to make the initial block and then get to the second level. Because of that, the linemen in this scheme typically are some of the NFL's smallest. Some of the Texans' linemen have been trimming weight and switching positions. At this point, right tackle Zach Wiegert is the only player returning to the same position at which he started when the 2005 season ended. McKinney is at right guard, free agent Mike Flanagan is at center, Chester Pitts is at left guard and Seth Wand is returning to left tackle, where he started in 2004. "The attitude will be a little different," McKinney said. "Some of the blocking schemes will be different. The position moves they've made are putting guys in the best positions for them, I think. I felt in the past, some of us were playing in the position that wasn't best suited for us. Regardless of whether we like all the moves they've made, we believe it's put the best five on the field in the best five positions they can play." The Texans also will monitor the progress of rookie tackles Charles Spencer and Eric Winston, each third-round draft picks. Neither is expected to crack the starting lineup by the season opener, but each could make an impact at some point in the year. Winston is slated to back up Wiegert, and Spencer is competing for the backup job at left tackle. The coaches hope the changes will improve the team's pass protection. In four years, quarterback David Carr has been sacked 208 times. Three out of the last four years, he was the most sacked quarterback in the league. megan.manfull@chron.com
Yup he is a RT. OTs: D'Brickashaw Ferguson-Todd Wade C: Nick Mangold LG: Pete Kendall RG: Adrian Jones? Teague? That would be a rock solid o-line.
Brandon Moore is a much better RG than both of those guys...he was part of the dominate Oline we had in 2004.
Stop the assertions that Adrian Jones be moved to guard. They're both absurd and unfounded. Jones was drafted for his superior athleticism at the position. For someone very new to the position he performed solidly last season. You can't simply point to a few poor early season performances by the guy who excelled all season, because he was a young guy who would make mistakes. Wade won't be signing here any time soon. I'm certain he'll be looking for a job at the stadium. With the new field we are building, I'm sure we'll need turnstiles. We can sign him now and hold on to him for later. -X-
It's comments like this one, that make being a member here all the more worth while. Thanks, I needed a good laugh today.....
Maybe not the best this year but i would love to here your argument on why not one or two years down the road.
You are right about Wade, and you're overrating Jones's play a little, but with D'Brick at LT, I don't see much room for Jones on the team.
Jones will have a place on the team - even if he doesn't win a starting position. He is athletic enough to backup both tackle positions AND both guard positions. Personally after what happened to our O-line last year the more depth we carry the better IMO. Cavka is the one that needs to show something in training camp or he is the odd man out.
