anybody wanting to bet Mathis won't be here after June 1

[TexansSB07]

here is what Kubiak said about Jacoby jones

Kubiak also had some positive remarks about his third-round pick, though there is still plenty for him to work on as well.
“Jacoby (Jones) has been extremely impressive as a returner and as a receiver he’s kind of up and down right now but that’s to be expected,” Kubiak said. “He’s been very impressive as a returner.”

same phrase twice


here he speaks of Mathis

Jerome Mathishttp://assets.houstontexans.com/images/relatedicon.gif (http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=3370#) has a hamstring issue and sat our for the first time Thursday. It’s a trend that’s becoming alarming to Kubiak given Mathis’ history since Kubiak’s arrival in Houston.
“Yes, it concerns me and I know it concerns him too because nobody is more frustrated than him, I can tell you that,” Kubiak said of the 2006 Pro Bowl selection.
“He was working and doing a heck of a job, but it’s got to be a concern because he’s having a hard time holding up over a period of time and being a successful pro in this business means you have to hold up so we have to figure it out.
“Hopefully it’s an isolated incident. He’s got four days here to get treatment and get ready to come out here next Tuesday and compete against a tough group that he’s having to compete against.”

Sounds like if Mathis is hobbling after Tuesday he might get the door

[ObsiWan]

I wouldn't have made that bet before he pulled up lame

[ObsiWan]

Message to Gary Kubiak:
If you're going to get rid of Mathis...TRADE HIM!!!! Don't just release him. Because you know good and well that if you release him on a Monday, his agent's phone will be ringing on Tuesday. Jerome Mathis has definite TRADE value, and to release him would just be foolish.

Nice idea. Should have done that BEFORE he got back on crutches. It may be too late now.

[newport texan]

he is way too good to not have a little more patience...

[joedinkle]

I REALLY hope we don't get rid of JM.

[rush2112mn]

Can you say returner job up for grabs. I don't know if Mathis makes this team. I think Kubiak's patience is growing thin over his injury position. After having Mathis sit out for most of last year due to injury, I don't know how much faith Kubiak has that Mathis will make this team. We will see

[ObsiWan]

My issue with Mathis is not at KR, its at WR. With his elusiveness, he ought to lead the league in YAC. But he can't stay healthy and when he is healthy he seems to have the drops. The competition is higher than its been since he's been here. This ain't the time to be "dead weight".

[runnshoot]

Meh, I floated that idea right after the draft, but nobody answered because nobody loves me!!!!!!!! /cry :P
http://boards.houstontexans.com/forums/thread/18526.aspx

[Zagen30]

My issue with Mathis is not at KR, its at WR. With his elusiveness, he ought to lead the league in YAC. But he can't stay healthy and when he is healthy he seems to have the drops. The competition is higher than its been since he's been here. This ain't the time to be "dead weight".
I pretty sure I've heard that Mathis isn't very agile, he's just straight-line fast. Hence why he's not returning punts, as that requires more elusiveness (kick returns are basically all about straight-line speed). Of course, it also requires better hands, which Mathis doesn't seem to have.

[BornOrange]

What kind of value could you get for Mathis?

He is injury-prone, missing 18 games his first two years.
He might be just a return specialist, he hasn't proven himself as a WR.
He's not just a return specialist, he's a KICKOFF return specialist. So far he has been below average returning punts.Any team would be stupid to give up a pick in the first three rounds for Mathis.
Because he has proven to be a remarkable kickoff return man, I would hold on to him until the latest possible cut. Field position is that important. However, he will need to prove to be more durable and versatile to make the final cut.

[CloakNNNDagger]

Mathis' foot is said to be healed. However, Mathis' pattern of injuries are predictable......if his foot is NOT 100%. Overcompensation for one injury leads to injury in another area......his groin first and now his hamstring. I, for one, do not buy into the fact that his foot is "healed."

[keyser]

What kind of value could you get for Mathis?

He is injury-prone, missing 18 games his first two years.
He might be just a return specialist, he hasn't proven himself as a WR.
He's not just a return specialist, he's a KICKOFF return specialist. So far he has been below average returning punts.Any team would be stupid to give up a pick in the first three rounds for Mathis.
Because he has proven to be a remarkable kickoff return man, I would hold on to him until the latest possible cut. Field position is that important. However, he will need to prove to be more durable and versatile to make the final cut.

He's a pro-bowl player (from just two years ago). He's young. He's cheap. Plus, Devin Hester's performance last year increased the perceived value of returners. He absolutely has trade value.
There is no question that teams would be willing to give up some signficant draft pick or player for him. If the injury issue is a big concern, it might be a conditional pick. But, it would be a very poor decision by the FO to just cut him outright.
I won't be surprised at all if he's gone (in fact, I didn't put him on my projected 53-man roster). He seems to be on Kubiak's bad side. But, if they do decide to get rid of him, they need to pursue a trade option.

[BornOrange]

The Texans couldn't get better than a fifth round pick for Mathis.

[fox]

The Texans couldn't get better than a fifth round pick for Mathis.

Agreed, the Chiefs got a 5th rounder for Dante Hall, who's proven more as a returner and as a receiver than Mathis. Returners don't generally have long life spans in the NFL, add that to the fact that he's injury prone and I don't see us getting much for him.

[HydrOshocK]

I agree, I don't see a whole lot of value in a player that can't stay healthy. The only value he has IMO is that he has a pro bowl appearence as a return specialist. What teams out there are in a position to trade for an injury prone return specialist?

[Whiskeyrbl]

If we decide not to keep him you shop him and take what you can get if it helps your team. Otherwise put him on the PUP, but don't just let him go.

[nativetexan]

If we can get anything for him, that would work fine for me. Even a 6th rounder, with potential to be a 5th if he stays healthy. It's obvious Kubiak does not like him, and I think there are other options on the roster.
Releasing him and not getting anything in return would be a slight hit to my confidence in Rick Smith.

[ObsiWan]

If we can get anything for him, that would work fine for me. Even a 6th rounder, with potential to be a 5th if he stays healthy. It's obvious Kubiak does not like him, and I think there are other options on the roster.
Releasing him and not getting anything in return would be a slight hit to my confidence in Rick Smith.

If we, the masses, know he's gimpy, other teams with full-blown "spy networks" know he's gimpy too. Think about it, if KC can't get a fourth round pick out of Miami for former starting QB, Trent Green, who, by the way, is projected to START for them, what can we expect to get for Mathis who cannot stay healthy (14 games in two seasons) and isn't much in the way of a WR (5 catches for 65 yds in those two seasons).
Let's face it. NFL Front offices are filled with vultures. They'd rather wait for a player to "die" (be cut) and pick over the dead bodies to see if there's anything they can use, than pony up picks or cash to make a deal.

[CloakNNNDagger]

then we keep mathis jeez.....why in the world r some of you so high on kickin his a@@ off of our team....he had some injuries for a year.....get over it....so should we get rid of spencer b/c there is a possibility he could never play again???? give it some time guys....its not even tc yet.....he could be a very good 3 or 4 wr plus his kr skills put him as one of gthe BEST PLAYERS ON THIS ROSTER!!!!!!
It's not only his injuries last year, and his recent reinjury under non strenuous conditions............it's about the things that were seen when he was inserted as a WR.........the same problems that plagued him in college>>>not running crisp and/or appropriate routes>>>dropping passes because he was running for the TD before he has the ball in possession or used his body not his hands as the target. Not to even mention a poor attitude. With returns, you're always facing the ball.......usually squared up, and can more easily get by with catching the ball against your body. That doesn't work so well as a WR, especially in the slot. His injuries have all been lower extremity related..........not a good pattern, if all you bring to the table is speed.

[ObsiWan]

then we keep mathis jeez.....why in the world r some of you so high on kickin his a@@ off of our team....he had some injuries for a year.....get over it....so should we get rid of spencer b/c there is a possibility he could never play again???? give it some time guys....its not even tc yet.....he could be a very good 3 or 4 wr plus his kr skills put him as one of gthe BEST PLAYERS ON THIS ROSTER!!!!!!
We're not calling for his head or anything. We're just stating that if he doesn't "heal up" and produce he's most likely out.
Of the guys competing for the KR spot, who would you let go to in order keep the injured Mathis on the roster?? Lundy? Andre Davis? Jacoby Jones? David Anderson? Dexter Wynn? ALL those guys can play fairly decently at some other position. Not Mathis.
In fact, Kubiak has already said he's planning as if Spencer won't be back. If Spencer DOES (and I think he will) make it back, he probably starts. But Kubiak won't plan on anyone that's seriously / chronically injured being available. He did that with Domanick and passed up a flock of RBs (including Reggie Bush) in last year's draft. He won't make that mistake again. I don't blame him. Why do you think we have Jordan Black?? Mathis has played 14 games out of a possible 32. And now, before the real hitting has started, he's hurt again. NOT a good sign.

[TK_Gamer]

normally I would say just wait and see if he reports healthy to camp, and if he cant stay on the field , goodbye, but....I really believe mathis is one of the most gifted one-trick-ponies in the league and deserves whatever it takes to get him back in the game.

[Pantherstang84]

then we keep mathis jeez.....why in the world r some of you so high on kickin his a@@ off of our team....he had some injuries for a year.....get over it....so should we get rid of spencer b/c there is a possibility he could never play again???? give it some time guys....its not even tc yet.....he could be a very good 3 or 4 wr plus his kr skills put him as one of gthe BEST PLAYERS ON THIS ROSTER!!!!!!

Since Mathis is not one of the highest paid players on the team, I don't necessarily think he has to be a June 1 cut. However, I am with Kubiak and patience is wearing. If your not part of the solution then your part of the problem.

I don't care how fast a guy is. If he can only suit up for 14 of 32 games, I don't call that being part of the solution. The man needs to get himself healthy and quick. Otherwise, I don't think he'll be on the 53 man roster and I'm fine with it.

If there is one thing I learned from watching "he who shall remain nameless", it's that blind undying faith in one player will cloud your judgement about that player's abilities.

Nope. For me it's now, "What have you done for me lately?"

[HydrOshocK]

then we keep mathis jeez.....why in the world r some of you so high on kickin his a@@ off of our team....he had some injuries for a year.....get over it....so should we get rid of spencer b/c there is a possibility he could never play again???? give it some time guys....its not even tc yet.....he could be a very good 3 or 4 wr plus his kr skills put him as one of gthe BEST PLAYERS ON THIS ROSTER!!!!!!
We're not calling for his head or anything. We're just stating that if he doesn't "heal up" and produce he's most likely out.
Of the guys competing for the KR spot, who would you let go to in order keep the injured Mathis on the roster?? Lundy? Andre Davis? Jacoby Jones? David Anderson? Dexter Wynn? ALL those guys can play fairly decently at some other position. Not Mathis.
In fact, Kubiak has already said he's planning as if Spencer won't be back. If Spencer DOES (and I think he will) make it back, he probably starts. But Kubiak won't plan on anyone that's seriously / chronically injured being available. He did that with Domanick and passed up a flock of RBs (including Reggie Bush) in last year's draft. He won't make that mistake again. I don't blame him. Why do you think we have Jordan Black?? Mathis has played 14 games out of a possible 32. And now, before the real hitting has started, he's hurt again. NOT a good sign.


I'm not saying I want him gone either, I'm just saying I want him to step up or it's his own fault. I'd love to see him excell as a WR personally. I just don't think he has enough catching experience. Kubes was really wanting to see what he could offer in the passing game and so far he hasn't delivered because he hasn't been healthy. While you can't fault a guy for being injured you can question his work ethick to study and rehab. I don't know if he's had trouble with either, but it's obvious Kubes thinks he has.
I'm sure he's going to make an effort to get himself straight but the question is, is it going to be enough?

[valleytexfan]

I don't think we should get rid of Mathis...his value at KR is too high...sure Jones may be good, but Mathis is a sure thing at KR. He could be our Mel Gray-type of player...Jones sees more time at WR, and Mathis returning kicks and punts and occasional WR.