The Houston Texans have lost more than their fair share of players to free agency in the last few years, but almost all of them have entered situations worse than had they stayed in Houston.
Jacoby Jones, Bernard Pollard and Vonta Leach (New Team: Baltimore Ravens)
I want it noted that I don’t hold a grudge against any of these guys but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to beat them when we play. With the exception of Leach the Texans let those guys go without a contract offer because Jones hadn’t reached his potential and Pollard didn’t fit the new scheme. Leach on the other hand was the best fullback in the league and we couldn’t pay him like it so he went where the money was; I wish he’d stayed but the fact that the NFL is a business goes both ways and the players have to make what they can while they can. The only bad blood I have against the three of them is that they chose the Ravens, and I really don’t like the fact that we could see them in the AFC Championship for the next several years. That being said they lost that matchup this year proving that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.
Oct. 14, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end (94) Mario Williams against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bills defeated the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Mario Williams (New Team: Buffalo Bills)
Mario is another guy that I don’t hold a grudge against. Do I wish our former number one overall pick had finished his career in Houston? Sure. However, he was the premier pass-rusher in free agency and one of the best in the league, and was going to be paid like it. The Texans were prepared for Mario’s departure and replaced him with youth and players that fit our scheme better meaning that when the two teams meet this week I won’t be booing him. That being said, he must be wishing that he was playing for the Texans right now as we are undefeated and his Bills have drastically underperformed, meaning the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.
Eric Winston (New Team: Kansas City Chiefs)
Winston is the best player in the league at his position and was going to be paid like it when his contract was up at the end of this year. The Texans realized that and knew that they didn’t have the ability to keep everyone and chose to keep Chris Myers instead. Winston and much of the fan base was completely blind-sided by the decision, however, it has proven to be the right one for the team as they have been able to extend Foster, Myers, Schaub, Jamison, and Brown. It was not Winston’s choice to leave but he chose a team who will be in the running for the top overall pick this April, meaning the grass was not greener on the other side.