Two backups and a draft pick for the former number one overall pick

Texans deal Clowney for a paltry return

Cody Stoots
Aug 31, 2019, 11:42 am
Zach Tarrant/Houstontexans.com

The Texans dealt defensive standout Jadeveon Clowney Saturday morning. SportsMap's Fred Faour says O'Brien has completed his transformation into a super villain.

The compensation is underwhelming

The Texans got the same thing they would have earned had Clowney played a year and walked, which is a third round pick. The Seahawks get the second-best player on the Texans defense from last season.

The two players are both hopeful depth for the Texans pass rush.

Botched by Bill O'Brien

The Texans didn't trade Clowney back when other premier pass rushers were moved this offseason. Dee Ford and Frank Clark aren't as good as Jadeveon Clowney but went for MUCH higher compensation. The Texans reportedly checked in on trading Clowney but didn't get anywhere.

With no deal before the franchise tag extension deadline, Clowney's value plummeted. The Texans went from discussion about a starting left tackle in Miami to backup linebackers and a third round pick in a matter of days. Of course, that is because Clowney held all the cards.

The franchise tag let Clowney manipulate the situation. He won. He got what he wanted. He will play 2019 for a team which desires his services and could likely increase his value with another strong year of play.

O'Brien seemingly won in his eyes I am assuming. He went from wanting Jadeveon Clowney to not wanting him on the team. His reasoning is his own but the Texans didn't get better with this deal.

Questions still remain at running back and left tackle

The Texans still need a running back to pair with Duke Johnson and they could still use some help at left tackle. Matt Kalil is the projected starter at left tackle and the running backs on the roster besides Johnson have limited NFL snaps.

LeSean McCoy has been on the decline but might be one of the more worthwhile options.

Mingo might not have made the team

One addition in the trade is former LSU standout and former first round pick Barkevious Mingo. There have been many who cover the Seahawks who have speculated Mingo would not have made the team.

He has played for four different teams, three in the past three years, and has 10 career sacks. He graded out as decidedly average overall according to Pro Football Focus and slightly above average in pass rush.

Hope for Martin

Jacob Martin is a former sixth round pick for the Seahawks. He graded out as decidedly average overall according to Pro Football Focus and slightly above average in pass rush the same as Mingo. He has three sacks last year and 19 hurries.

Even Madden said no

Duane Brown weighs in

The Texans will likely look back and realize they shouldn't have traded either of these players to the Seahawks. The offensive line, especially left tackle, has been bad since Brown's departure.

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Houston dropped two of three

Astros drop series finale to Oakland, A's win series

Jose Urquidy couldn't hold Oakland back on Saturday. Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

With Oakland finally ending their drought against the Astros on Friday night to split the first two games of the series, and with the Angels staying in step with them as both teams started the day 6-2, the Astros needed a win to keep momentum in their favor on Saturday.

Instead, Oakland would outslug Houston once again to take the series finale and take the series win. The loss moves Houston to 6-3 and down to second place, at least for now, until the 6-2 Angels complete their game on Saturday evening.

Final Score: A's 7, Astros 3

Astros' Record: 6-3, second in AL West

Winning Pitcher: Frankie Montas (1-1)

Losing Pitcher: Jose Urquidy (0-1)

Urquidy gives up four over six

Much like the night before, Oakland was able to bring in runs against Houston's starter, this time Jose Urquidy, Saturday afternoon in their second time through the order. Their first time through, Urquidy was cruising, allowing just one baserunner in the first three innings on a single in the top of the third.

Things shifted in the top of the fourth, with the A's getting back-to-back singles to set the stage for a two-run frame with dual RBI-singles to take a 2-0 lead. Oakland doubled that in the fifth, getting a two-out single to set up a two-run homer by Ramon Laureano to make it 4-0. Urquidy would go on to finish six innings, but with no run support to that point, would leave in line for the loss. His final line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 93 P.

A's pad their lead before Houston gets on the board

Meanwhile, although getting five hits, the Astros could not get anything on the board against Frankie Montas through six innings. Brandon Bielak took over out of the bullpen for Urquidy in the top of the seventh, but after loading the bases, he would allow a dagger two-RBI single to make it a 6-0 deficit for Houston.

With Montas starting the seventh looking to face a batter or two before Oakland moved to their bullpen, Kyle Tucker would finally get Houston on the board with a leadoff solo home run, cutting the lead to 6-1 and ending Montas' day. Houston would get a two-out rally going, with an RBI-double by Jose Altuve followed by an RBI-triple by Michael Brantley to make it a three-run game at 6-3.

Oakland takes the series win

Ryne Stanek tried to keep it a three-run game and give the Astros a chance to stay in it in the top of the eighth but instead would give up a two-out solo home run to push Oakland's lead back to four. That 7-3 score would go final as Houston would go scoreless in the eighth and ninth.

Up Next: Houston will have a day off on Sunday before continuing this homestand Monday night by welcoming in Detroit and former manager A.J. Hinch for three games. In the series opener, the Tigers will send young star Casey Mize (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound, while the Astros will get another start by Zack Greinke (1-0, 1.38 ERA).

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