Justin Houston’s last year in KC?

[kcbubb]

I’m not an expert on these contracts, but could it be Houston’s last year here? His production has been awful and with two games this year with big leads and lots of down the field pass attempts by opposing QBs, Houston has no sacks. I think he has less sacks in the last 50 or so games than he did in the year before his contract, the big year with 22 sacks. His cap hit will decline dramatically next year. He might be gone. As a general rule, I think the chiefs should limit these large 2nd contracts. The motivation just isn’t there. The raiders were right to trade Khalil Mack. Here’s the info on Houston’s contract. Let’s hope Houston turns it around. We need him for a playoff run but if he doesn’t increase production, I think he’s gone.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/kansas-c...-houston-7789/

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by kccrow

People are idiotic when it comes to sacks though. In his comeback year last year he had 9.5 which still put him in the top 20.

Last year:

Von Miller - 57 tackles 10.0 sacks
Justin Houston - 59 tackles 9.5 sacks

Would you all scream the Broncos should cut Miller and he isn't worth 20 million?

No, no you wouldn't.

It's been 2 games and because he doesn't have a sack everyone is up in arms? Sorry if I'm not worried about the best player on this defense.

That was also a down year for Von Miller.

I expect a 10 sack season out of Houston. That's completely reasonable for a starting OLB. Especially one with getting paid that kind of coin.

But a 10 sack season is nothing special. A 15 sack season? Now we're talking.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

Houston hasn't had double digit sacks since 2014, so not a great comparison. His performance is reasonable at roughly half his current salary. It's inexcusable for what he is making. We can't build a team with what we are paying to Houston and Berry considering the complete lack of return we are receiving on the investment.

What's inexcusable is judging Houston for an uncontrollable injury, surgery, and recovery. He was out 1 full year, as should be expected when the surgery got botched.

So, in 2015 (the year Houston was injured) he played 11 games with 7.5 sacks. In 2016 he played 5 games and had 4.0 sacks. Of course he didn't put up "double-digit" sacks because he missed a significant amount of time across 2015-16 because of the injury. You know what he did do? Put up 11.5 sacks in the 16 games he did play.

He had 9.5 last year, which is still really good. Even the best defenders in history didn't put up 10+ every year. Derrick Thomas had less than 10 sacks 4 times in his career. Lawrence Taylor 5 times. Et cetera.

Give the guy this season and let's see what happens. If he doesn't produce sacks again then I'd be willing to have the discussion, but as of right now I'm giving Houston the benefit of the doubt.

[OKchiefs]

Originally Posted by kccrow

What's inexcusable is judging Houston for an uncontrollable injury, surgery, and recovery. He was out 1 full year, as should be expected when the surgery got botched.

So, in 2015 (the year Houston was injured) he played 11 games with 7.5 sacks. In 2016 he played 5 games and had 4.0 sacks. Of course he didn't put up "double-digit" sacks because he missed a significant amount of time across 2015-16 because of the injury. You know what he did do? Put up 11.5 sacks in the 16 games he did play.

He had 9.5 last year, which is still really good. Even the best defenders in history didn't put up 10+ every year. Derrick Thomas had less than 10 sacks 4 times in his career. Lawrence Taylor 5 times. Et cetera.

Give the guy this season and let's see what happens. If he doesn't produce sacks again then I'd be willing to have the discussion, but as of right now I'm giving Houston the benefit of the doubt.

I'm fine with that. I'm also predicting he doesn't get double digit sacks this year. I hope I'm wrong.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Shaid

I agree with the op here. He's not the same guy. Yes he is smart and can set the edge well still but he's not elite like he used to be. Pay cut or move on.

Plus 1

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by kccrow

What's inexcusable is judging Houston for an uncontrollable injury, surgery, and recovery. He was out 1 full year, as should be expected when the surgery got botched.

So, in 2015 (the year Houston was injured) he played 11 games with 7.5 sacks. In 2016 he played 5 games and had 4.0 sacks. Of course he didn't put up "double-digit" sacks because he missed a significant amount of time across 2015-16 because of the injury. You know what he did do? Put up 11.5 sacks in the 16 games he did play.

He had 9.5 last year, which is still really good. Even the best defenders in history didn't put up 10+ every year. Derrick Thomas had less than 10 sacks 4 times in his career. Lawrence Taylor 5 times. Et cetera.

Give the guy this season and let's see what happens. If he doesn't produce sacks again then I'd be willing to have the discussion, but as of right now I'm giving Houston the benefit of the doubt.

9.5 Is what a competent starting OLB should get in a 34.

It would've been good enough for 20th in the league last season. The 30th ranked OLB got 8 sacks. 8-10 is competent. Nothing special at all.

I expect that he'll probably get that this season too. Which is ok. It's not bad. But it sure as **** isn't $20+Mill good.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

Restructure just means moving around money to future years to save money in the current year. I assume you mean renegotiate a reduced contract?

To a large extent yes. But I doubt Houston would allow that. You'd have to extend the contract with the current contract in mind. I would guess we'd want to extend the years. Basically take his current contract and convert into bonus. For example... You could basically buy out his current contract for a $30m signing bonus over 5 years then pay significantly less base salary. The goal is to take his current expensive contract and spread it out over a longer time. Win win.

[Mecca]

He's basically the whipping boy for the defense, the talk radio dudes are railing him for basically being a scrub so this will go on and on.

[ModSocks]

I see guys all the time try to compare Houston's season to Von Miller's last season, even though that was a down year for Von.

Pssst.....guess who's on top of the sack leader board in 2018?

I'll give you a hint, he has a REALLY big contract but his name isn't Justin Houston.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Mecca

He's basically the whipping boy for the defense, the talk radio dudes are railing him for basically being a scrub so this will go on and on.

Oh is that what's happening on KC radio these days? I see.

[chiefzilla1501]

Chiefs have a lot of leverage. Houstons hitting the point in the contract where the Chiefs can basically tell Houston to accept the new terms, or be cut. I think Houston wants to stay and he's definitely looking for long term contract security, not making a quick buck.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

I'm fine with that. I'm also predicting he doesn't get double digit sacks this year. I hope I'm wrong.

He may not. I haven't seen the "unleash the hounds" defense that we heard about all offseason. Still a lot of playing it safe type of stuff. Houston was at his best when we had Hali also applying pressure and setting the edge opposite him and a defensive line that didn't get their shit pushed in. Jaye Howard and Dontari Poe were infinitely better than what's been there the past couple seasons.

[MahiMike]

There's no one on this defense that is indispensable. Not one.

[ModSocks]

I think Houston needs to have a 10 sack season to stay on the team and i think that's exactly what he'll have.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

They can’t even begin to consider releasing Houston until Speaks or KPass show that they’re actually good players.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Oh is that what's happening on KC radio these days? I see.

Yea phrases like

"I take the time to just watch him on plays and he doesn't do anything, he runs into the OT and just stands there, he's a bum"

The narrative that he blows is being pushed really hard. Like yesterday Bob Sutton said he played a fine game and when they went back to the guys the first line was "a lot of disinformation out there at 1 arrowhead drive apparently"