Keep em coming: Texans Sign LB’s Cato June, Davis
By andy
The Texans have signed free agent linebackers Cato June and Buster Davis, both former members of the Indianapolis Colts. This marks the third time this offseason that the team has addressed a defensive position of need via free agency.
Cato June was a Pro Bowler in 2005 and was a significant contributor at weakside linebacker for the overachieving Indianapolis Colt defense that won Super Bowl XLI in 2007. He has spent the last two seasons in Tampa Bay.
Buster Davis was a 3rd round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2007. The LB out of Florida State was once labeled as a “Demeco Ryans-type” linebacker, moreso probably because of his size (5’9″ 230 lbs) than necessarily his talent. He spent last season with the Colts, seeing most of his action in the last 3 games of the season.
Again the Texans make a small ripple in the free agent pool which could evolve into a splash with a few lucky bounces of the ball. June is going to compete with Xavier Adibi for the starting WLB gig and whomever emerges victorious from that battle should be even better in 2009 than they were in 2008. Regardless of June’s production, his veteran presence in the locker room as a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ on the perennial powerhouse of the AFC South should provide an impact. Hopefully Buster Davis can contribute on a special teams unit that will be leaned on heavily next season.
If you’re keeping score at home, the Texans have now added potential starters at DE, DT and LB. The impact these moves will have on our draft strategy remains to be seen. Still, look for the Texans to use the #15 pick in this month’s draft on the defensive side of the ball, potentially on a DB that can start this season and brace the franchise for the potential departure of Dunta Robinson after the season.
Three weeks til the draft, and counting…