[John McClain, Chron.com]
The Texans can’t consummate their trade of quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the Minnesota Vikings before 12:01 a.m. Friday, the start of the NFL year and the beginning of free agency.
Like other teams, the Texans are preparing for what is always a whirlwind period.
Besides trading Rosenfels to Minnesota for a fourth-round draft choice, the Texans will waive defensive end Anthony Weaver, who would have made base salaries of $3.5 million this year and $4 million in 2010.
Weaver signed a five-year, $26.5 million contract, including a $12.5 million signing bonus, to leave Baltimore for the Texans in 2006, which was Gary Kubiak’s first season as coach. He started for three seasons but didn’t provide the kind of pass rush the coaches wanted from the left side.
The Texans are expected to use free agency and the draft to try to improve their pass rush.
Weaver said Monday that he felt uncomfortable commenting until the move becomes official.
The Texans and Vikings won’t comment on the Rosenfels trade until Friday.
In 2007 The Texans traded two second round draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons for (then un-proven) backup QB Matt Schaub who they planned to make their starter.
In 2008 the Texans turned down an offer from the Minnesota Vikings of a third-round draft pick for (semi-proven) backup QB Sage Rosenfels.
In 2009 the Texans are trading their (proven) back-up QB, Sage Rosenfels, for a fourth found draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings, who hope to make Rosenfels their starter.
There's very little difference between Schaub's numbers and Rosenfels numbers when you boil it down. Either the Texans overpaid for Schaub two years ago, or they're letting the Vikings get away with highway robbery now.