Chris

Myers

Stefen Wisniewski appears poised to walk in free agency, and Myers would be a readymade veteran replacement. Going on 34, Myers was a liability as a pass blocker last season, but held firm against the run. He’d come cheap.

“I want to be here,” he emphasized. “I want to see things through, and that’s the way it is. So that’s kind of the bottom line of my thinking.” Myers has been a Texan since 2008. He has 80 straight starts and was a Pro Bowler in 2011.

Myers earned his first Pro Bowl invitation in 2011, and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top center. Reliable beat writer John McClain recently reported the Texans wouldn’t “break the bank” to keep him, however. A zone-blocking specialist, Myers hasn’t missed a start since 2006. He’ll turn 31 in September.

The Journal-Sentinel’s venerable NFL writer, Bob McGinn, insists nearly every re-signing and free agent signing in March “germinates” from the “supposedly illegal club-agent meetings in Indy.” Pro Football Focus’ top-rated 2011 center, Myers makes sense for Green Bay as a replacement for fellow under-sized zone-blocker Scott Wells. It’s conceivable that Packers officials leaked the Myers talks to goad Wells into lowering his reported $7.5 million asking price.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel hears the Titans have also shown interested in free agent center Scott Wells, a sign that the team is serious about improving at the pivot. Myers’ preference is to return to Houston, so the Titans will have to come strong.

Free agent DE/OLB Mario Williams has never been a candidate for the tag because of the prohibitive $22 million cap hit that would come with it, while the Texans aren’t inclined to tag free agent C Chris Myers. The Chronicle believes the $30 million guaranteed Chris Johnson landed last summer could be the “starting point” if the Texans tag Foster as a means to jump-start long-term talks

The Titans are making the position a priority after engaging in talks with Chris Myers, the other top center on the market, on Tuesday. Former Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson has also visited Tennessee this week.

Profootballtalk.com reported Tuesday the sides were “in talks.” He’s also reportedly remained in contact with the Texans.

Per Yahoo’s Jason Cole, the deal includes $14 million guaranteed. Myers finished as the No. 1 center in Pro Football Focus’ 2011 rankings, and helped anchor one of the league’s best run-blocking units. Despite visits with several teams, Myers’ preference was to return to Houston throughout free agency. As the premier zone-blocking center in the game today, Myers’ return is good news for the fantasy values of Arian Foster and Ben Tate.

Myers replaced Maurkice Pouncey, and Smith replaces Patriots DE Andre Carter. It’s just as well. Myers outplayed Pouncey all season, finishing as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated center as the pivot for one of the league’s most dominant ground attacks. Smith was outstanding against the run in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.