The Texans had former Colts linebackers Tyjuan Hagler, Buster Davis and Cato June in for tryouts, and ended up signing Davis and June.
I can see why they passed on Hagler. He’s a pretty good player and a great guy who can play any linebacker spot and will help on specials, but he is injury prone. Playing in just 30 of a potential 64 regular-season games in his four-year Colts career, he just doesn’t offer a great return on investment. At least at this point. In all likelihood, some team — probably from the AFC South — will come calling when one of their linebackers gets hurt, or a rookie they were depending on doesn’t work out.
I can see why they signed June. A former Pro Bowler, June didn’t really work out in Tampa after he left the Colts (mainly due to injuries), but he still has the skills that got him there in the first place. A one-year, $1.5 million contract from a team with tons of cap room isn’t a huge gamble. His skills may have eroded some due to injuries and age, but June adds savvy, experience and athleticism to a linebacking corps in need of all of them. And if he doesn’t work out at all, they cut him in camp and are stuck with just his $500,000 signing bonus against the cap.
Davis? Well, as fans of the Cardinals, Lions and Colts have heard: “he was a beast in college.” Eventually, it becomes a mantra for optimistic fans — until they see him play.
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