Texans Sign DE Antonio Smith

[david_rocket]

According to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, Antonio Smith, will visit the Houston Texans on Sunday.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/27/de-smith-will-visit-houston/

I think this would be a great addition to the defense, if comes true.

And lock this thread if this has been posted before.

[EddieWasSnubbed]

It was touched upon in the off-season thread.

Would be a good pickup if not bank-breaking.

[Houston Native]

Berman of Fox 26 interviewed Smith yest I think at the airport when he arrived in town. Smith thought he would be a good fit with Mario on the other side and liked the idea of being closer to home (?Oklahoma). Berman said he would likely visit other teams and has not ruled out resigning with the Cardinals.

[redgoose]

If he wasn't playing the wine and dine me card i'd say send him an offer sheet right now. That shows he might just be looking for the most money and negotiations could be a real hassle and interfere with our draft strategy. :(

[Chuck 4]

Id love to have him opposite Mario, but I dont see us offering more than some of the other interested teams.

[jtotheb]

Houston is a great town.....I would love to play here!!!

- Orlando Pace

[Mattj]

Someone is going to give this guy stupid $$$. He had 3.5 sacks last year. People going ga-ga over Cardinals defenders must have missed the regular season. The fired their D-coordinator after the Super Bowl. Darnell Dockett is the reason Smith had a good postseason. I love how the Texans keep talking about getting a defensive end opposite Mario Williams when they don't have one DT worth a crap on the entire roster.

[conquistador#11]

matt, tell us how you really feel. jeje :)

I agree. It's too much money to spend.
What kind of message will it be sending demeco and mario when their contracts are up?

[Mattj]

I think Rick Smith's strategy is to get every single player on the roster into a contract year this season, so they will be plenty motivated and pissed. Schaub, Ryans, Williams, Robinson, Pitts...they could all potentially be looking at huge pay days with good seasons.

[rezdawg]

well...im guessing since he left town without a deal, then he is either not interested in signing with the Texans or the money offered did not suit his desires.

Either way, the odds of Smith joining the Texans seems to have taken a hit.

[texanskan]

I think Rick Smith's strategy is to get every single player on the roster into a contract year this season, so they will be plenty motivated and pissed. Schaub, Ryans, Williams, Robinson, Pitts...they could all potentially be looking at huge pay days with good seasons.

Schaub and Williams have long term deals in place

[Mattj]

If you think Matt Schaub's deal is not going to get re-done after next year, you are crazy. He's not getting a $10 million option bonus unless he plays 16 games and leads this team to the playoffs. Mario's deal will also re-done before his price gets too out of hand.

[texanskan]

If you think Matt Schaub's deal is not going to get re-done after next year, you are crazy. He's not getting a $10 million option bonus unless he plays 16 games and leads this team to the playoffs. Mario's deal will also re-done before his price gets too out of hand.

I assume the Texans will make the playoffs and Schaub will get his kicker as far as Mario goes they might redo it ala AJ a year ago to create room

I hope they come up with long term deals for Pitts/Daniels/Ryans and let Dunta play out this season

[Joshfast]

Someone is going to give this guy stupid $$$. He had 3.5 sacks last year. People going ga-ga over Cardinals defenders must have missed the regular season. The fired their D-coordinator after the Super Bowl. Darnell Dockett is the reason Smith had a good postseason. I love how the Texans keep talking about getting a defensive end opposite Mario Williams when they don't have one DT worth a crap on the entire roster.

Crap. I thought I heard you saying good things about him on 610?? ( I NEVER watched the Cardinals until the playoffs)

I don't want to draft another DE or DT and wait for him to develop. I wish there were better free agents out there.

[Ric]

People going ga-ga over Cardinals defenders must have missed the regular season.
wouldn't you be among that group?

[gucci888]

Smith would be a decent pickup if at the right price. I'm thinking more and more that both Orakpo and Everette Brown will be gone at #15, and like last season with Duane Brown, we're gonna end up reaching for a DE like Tyson Jackson. Smith would give us the option to wait to pickup a DE in later rounds.

This draft seems similar to last year's. We desperately needed a OT and we won a meaningless game to just put us out of reach of good OL prospects, likewise, seems like we're going to be just out of reach of guys like Rak, Brown, Raji, this year.

[texanskan]

Smith signed by Texans

[texanskan]

5 years 35 million 12.5 guaranteed

[rhester]

I love how the Texans keep talking about getting a defensive end opposite Mario Williams when they don't have one DT worth a crap on the entire roster.

No Joke! That is so true, they have wasted pick after pick and they don't have a decent DT. They need a strong DT badly that can collapse the pocket and stuff the middle... that would help Mario more than another edge rusher IMO..

And they really need to decide Ryan's future, either extend him or they better draft a really good M-LB

Matt, what's the chances of them going LB in the 1st or 2nd rd

and what do you think of the DE from U of Tenn? (Ayers?)

[texanskan]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6286086.html

link

The Texans have signed Arizona defensive lineman Antonio Smith to replace Anthony Weaver at left defensive end. Weaver was waived earlier this week.

Smith, 27, spent his first five seasons with Arizona and started for the Cardinals in their Super Bowl loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Smith came to Houston on Friday night and spent Saturday meeting with Texans coach Gary Kubiak and his assistants while general manager Rick Smith negotiated a five-year, $35 million contract with Antonio Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Of that, $12.5 million is guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Dan Orlovsky is the second free agent quarterback to visit the Texans.

Orlovsky, who started for Detroit in the Lions' 28-21 loss on Oct. 19 at Reliant Stadium, follows Denver's Patrick Ramsey, who was in town Friday and today. Orlovsky will visit today and Sunday.

In his start against the Texans, Orlovsky completed 12 of 25 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown. For the season, he threw for 1,616 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions while splitting time at quarterback with Daunte Culpepper.

[Yao Wink]

Yeah, just saw it on NFL Network. Adam Shefter (sp?) announced it by reading the message from his phone - seems kind of informal but whatever. The people on the show seemed to think he is a good fit, saying Texans now have two athletic ends in the pattern of Indy. Let us hope to have similar success.

[nWo34Life]

Wow, now what do we go after for our 1st round pick? DB? OLB?

[NewRoxFan]

Cornerback... can't have enough good coverage defenders in AFC South.

[Stevierebel]

Is this guy actually good or did they pay him because he had a "good" playoff run?

[DonnyMost]

So... I gotta plead ignorance here.

Is this guy worth a crap?

Did we just sign another bogus contract?

I get the feeling this is epic fail... as this guy's stock was probably never higher than when we signed him.

[Dubious]

Texans to sign ex-Cards DE Smith

Former Arizona Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith cashed in on his team's trip to the Super Bowl by landing one of the top defensive end contracts in the past couple of years.

Smith, according to a source, agreed to a five-year, $35 million contract with the Houston Texans on Saturday that will pay him $24 million over the first three years of the contract.

For the former fifth-round pick of the Cardinals who didn't get a start until his second season, this deal is a reward for a rapid climb as one of the best defenders in the league.

The 27-year-old Smith will receive $15.5 million this year and $19.4 million over the first two years of the deal.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive lineman has also shown his versatility through the years. He's played in a 3-4 defense the past couple years for the Cardinals, but he's also been successful when the Cardinals used a 4-3.

In five seasons in Arizona, he had 14½ sacks. Over the past four years, he's averaged 41 tackles a season.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3942383&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines


Antonio Smith (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) is the prototypical defensive end for the 3-4 defense. He has the size and strength to hold his ground at the point of attack, occupying two offensive linemen and keeping his linebackers clean. He doesn’t leave all the dirty work to the linebackers, however, as he’s bagged more than 40 tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Smith also brings plenty to the table as a pass rusher. He has nine sacks over the last two seasons; last year, no Chargers D-lineman registered more than two.

During the season, Amberly Richardson -- a former SDBoltReport.com reporter who is now the publisher at AZRedReport.com -- talked with Arizona Cardinals franchise player Karlos Dansby about Smith.

“He’s one of the top three-techniques in the game right now for defensive ends,” said Dansby of Smith. “He has a lot of potential and he still has a lot of growing [to do]. He hasn’t even hit his prime yet.”

Smith, 27, is the kind of player typically targeted by GM A.J. Smith during free agency. Antonio is a proven commodity who comes with a high ceiling and a low price tag, at least compared to the likes of Albert Haynesworth and Julius Peppers.

It also helps that Smith has more quickness and athleticism than the other defensive linemen on the Chargers roster -- essential attributes in the eyes of new defensive line coach Don Johnson, formerly of the Chicago Bears.

Smith would fit into San Diego’s 3-4 defense seamlessly. In fact, during the 2008 Senior Bowl, Cardinals defensive line coach Ron Aiken talked to SDBoltReport.com publisher Michael Lombardo about the numerous similarities between San Diego’s 3-4 scheme and Arizona’s hybrid defense.

Aiken was not at this year’s Senior Bowl to elaborate -- he was too busy readying his troops for an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII. Perhaps, with the addition of Smith, the Chargers coaches could find themselves in a similar situation next season.

To read what some current Cardinals players have to say about Smith, courtesy of interviews by Amberly, check out the Insider Message Boards.

http://sdg.scout.com/2/836181.html

Career Stats
Tackles Sacks Interceptions Fumb. Misc. KO Ret Punt Ret
Year Team G Solo Ast Total Sack Yds Yd/Sk Int Yds IntTD Rec
2004 ARZ 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2005 ARZ 11 16 0 16 3 16 5.3 0 0 0 0
2006 ARZ 16 15 10 25 3 9 3.6 0 0 0 2
2007 ARZ 16 38 6 44 7 46 7.1 0 0 0 3
2008 ARZ 16 31 10 41 4 24 6.9 0 0 0 3

[hsf09]

So... I gotta plead ignorance here.

Is this guy worth a crap?

Did we just sign another bogus contract?

I get the feeling this is epic fail... as this guy's stock was probably never higher than when we signed him.

I think it may be a another bogus contract. 41 tackles last year and only 3.5 sacks and we were suppose to be looking for someone opposite Mario with a pass rush/able to get to the QB. Hmm, hope this isnt the bad FA move of this year like years past a la Ahman Green 2 years ago, Jacques Reeves, Chris Brown and Roosevelt Colvin last year. All we can hope for is more production out of Smith than Weaver, or else another bad contract for the next few years.

[nWo34Life]

I hope he's not a system guy like Weaver.

[Dubious]

I edited in his stats , the numbers aren't that impressive but he did play in 16 games each of the last 3 years.

Did he platoon with LaBoy?

[robroy77]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4zwD7sInLXM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4zwD7sInLXM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[gucci888]

I hope he's not a system guy like Weaver.

I don't think you can say that the Cards defense has a system like the Ravens. I kinda like this pickup because it gives the Texans some options with the draft rather than maybe having to reach to pick one up.

[Wakko67]

This is a good signing. I'm looking forward to it working out. Now we need to grab a safety or CB early.

They could also go with a LB to help our corps out. I'm really feeling good about our options. Orakpo really would've been nice, but I don't think he would've fallen to fifteen. If he does though, it will be hard to pass him up. Perhaps we can trade down a couple of spot to net another second or third.

I'm really liking the moves of the front office so far. ;)

[Summer Song Giver]

I don't know much about Andre Smith so I hope he is better than Weaver was and helps pressure the QB. How is this contract money wise, it doesn't seem too bad, certainly not crippling, hope he performs up to it.

Welcome aboard Andre Smith.

[robroy77]

When I say he is the third rated d-end, I actually meant to say the third rated d-lineman in free agency.

[Dubious]

The top 50 players in free agency
Pat Kirwan By Pat Kirwan | NFL.com
Senior Analyst

1. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans -- Haynesworth will be the highest-paid defensive tackle in football shortly after free agency starts. He hasn't played a 16-game season since 2002, but he is a difference maker.

2. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati Bengals -- Houshmandzadeh is a fine second receiver who will be paid like he's a No. 1 receiver. Age is becoming an issue, but he can help a number of teams.

3. Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals -- Warner led his team to the Super Bowl and is going to the Hall of Fame someday, but the Cardinals have a generous offer close to $10 million a year on the table and he may want more. He may find out that the best offer is right in his lap. At his age, two years is as far as any team should go.

4. Bart Scott, LB, Baltimore Ravens -- Scott's age and solid play make him a better bet to play the length of the contract he signs as compared to teammate Ray Lewis.

5. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens -- Someone is buying a legend and he brings a lot to the table, but he is better off staying in Baltimore. Teams can't buy leadership.

6. Derrick Ward, RB, New York Giants -- He reminds me of when Chester Taylor went to the Vikings. He can be a feature back, but better serves his team as a role player. No matter where he winds up, if he gets 250 carries then he will rush for 1,000 yards.

7. Jason Brown, C, Baltimore Ravens -- There is a lot of interest in this young inside lineman who can play guard or center.

8. Antonio Smith, DE, Arizona Cardinals -- Smith had a good year in Clancy Pendergast's hybrid defense. He hit free agency at the right time with half the Cardinals staff going to Kansas City.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ef3b80&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[rhino17]

I wasnt impressed by his numbers at first but then I realized he plays mostly in a 3-4 and those sack number are pretty decent in that type system. I am thinking he has a shot at like 6 sacks a season on our line.

I think with this signing, they should go after an outside linebacker capable of getting sacks.

[askball]

If we stand pat at #15, I think we look at either Cushing or Matthews out of USC.

There is no safety or cornerback that is worth taking at 15. I watched Vontae Davis at the Combine and came away unimpressed. We could trade down and take him later in the 1st round.

I don't really know how I feel about this signing. Whenever I watched the Cardinals play, Darnell Dockett was the one who always seemed to be making plays. I knew Antonio Smith was out there, but he never really seemed to do much. Sorta like Weaver.

[DonnyMost]

Is this draft really shallow for DTs?

I haven't heard anyone mention one going in the first round...

[askball]

The two DT's that are guaranteed to go in the 1st round are B.J. Raji and Peria Jerry.

I haven't read much about any others.

[H-Town Info]

Is this draft really shallow for DTs?

I haven't heard anyone mention one going in the first round...

Raji and Perry will both go in the first round and Raji in the top 12.

There's more 3-technique 1-gap DT than 0-technique 2-gap NT.

[Mac#5]

The Texans signed free agent defensive end Antonio Smith and re-signed four free agents, the team announced today. Houston re-signed tight end Joel Dreessen, defensive end Stanley McClover, center Chris White and free safety Eugene Wilson.

The Texans signed defensive end Antonio Smith on Saturday to a five-year contract.

I think this might be a good move especialy if our target is gone before he gets to us during the draft (although i still want a DE in the first). With a move like this it makes it possible to draft someone like Michael Johnson who is supposed to take a couple years to come into his own. But with Smith signed we Can rotate them in and out with Earl Cochran and Michael Johnson (if we draft him)

And the link
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5169

[zantabak1111]

Hope he didn't get major money like Weaver.

[Mac#5]

Hope he didn't get major money like Weaver.

We gav him a 5 year 35 million wit 12.5 garanteed

[HKC]

not too sure how i feel about this...

[NateNate]

Good job

[nWo34Life]

I don't think you can say that the Cards defense has a system like the Ravens. I kinda like this pickup because it gives the Texans some options with the draft rather than maybe having to reach to pick one up.

I'm happy with the pickup also. Just don't want another bust like Weaver.

[nWo34Life]

http://blogs.chron.com/nfl/2009/02/smith_signing_means_texans_mig.html

So what do you think of the Antonio Smith signing? The Giants, Bucs, Eagles, Falcons, Seahawks and Rams were interested in Smith. He was on his way to the Giants when he came to Houston first, and the Texans didn't let him get away because they wanted him to replace Anthony Weaver at left defensive end.

Smith didn't cost a lot, either. His five-year deal is worth $35 million, but the only guarantee is his $12.5 million signing bonus. Getting Smith gives them flexibility on draft day. I feel stronger than ever that they're going to select an OLB in the first round, and they might trade down to do it. I also think they'll draft another defensive end after the first round, perhaps in the second.

In passing situations, Smith might be better inside with Tim Bulman coming off the bench to play next to him. I think a high draft choice is going to figure into the pass-rushing equation, too.

As I told you Friday, people in the Cardinals organization and friends who cover the team told me they like Smith. He works hard. He's a go-to guy for quotes. He's very enthusiastic. He improved each season. He played well in the playoffs. They wanted to re-sign him but couldn't because their best defensive player, Darnell Dockett, who had three sacks in the Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh, is trying to renegotiate with three years left on his contract. They couldn't justify paying Smith more than Dockett.

Smith had only 3½ sacks last season. In three years, Weaver had one. Sacks have a lot to do with scheme, coaching, teammates, etc. The Texans believe Frank Bush's aggressive philosophy will help all the linemen and that new coach Bill Kollar will help improve their pass rush, too. We'll see. It couldn't get much worse, right, except for Williams.

For those of you keeping score, the Texans have brought in three free agents, including Smith. Former Detroit quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who had 1,616 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions for the winless Lions last season, is the second quarterback the Texans have brought in for an interview. He follows Patrick Ramsey, who spent the last two years on Denver's bench.

Gary Kubiak likes Ramsey a lot. Kubiak liked Sage Rosenfels and Matt Schaub when many of us wondered why he was pursuing them, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But I thought Orlovsky played pretty well last season. Not well enough to get the starting job over Daunte Culpepper, though. The Lions wanted him to return to back up Culpepper, and he told them he'd rather take his chances on the open market.

By the way, the Texans have six more days to match the offer sheet receiver David Anderson signed with Denver or get a seventh-round pick in return. They have the money to match. The offer sheet is three years for $4.5 million, including a $1 million signing bonus. I think they should match because Anderson has improved each season.

Tight end Joel Dreessen, who backs up Owen Daniels, signed a three-year, $3.2 million contract. The Texans still need a tight end who can block like a fiend to replace the retired Mark Bruener. I'm not sure if they'll sign a third tight end in free agency or draft one.

Anyway, keep telling me what you think, and I'll keep telling you what I know about the Texans as free agency continues to heat up.

[rezdawg]

Great signing...dont look too much into his numbers.

He has a non stop motor and is relentless...The Cards dont have much of a defensive line, so Smith was the one that would continually be double teamed.

He's only 27 and with Mario on the other side, I think he can register about 7-8 sacks next year, which is a nice upgrade.

Plus, on 3rd downs, we can move him to the DT spot alongside Amobi...and insert Bulman in at the end. Thats definitely a lineup that can apply some solid pressure.

Since much of the contract is paid out during the first two years, we can cut him loose without much of a cap hit if he isnt pulling his end of the bargain. The contract really isnt that bad at all.

[NateNate]

Number 1 DE in free agency and 8th free agent overall according to NFL.COM
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ef3b80&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true&icampaign=DW_free_agency_thursday

[Mac#5]

I thought we should hav gone after Brian Dawkins even tho he is old hes an upgrade over any of our safties and his contract was pretty cheap 5 years 17 million. And if we draft a safety he could mentor him

[MadMax]

If it's true that Smith had to be double-teamed...then the Texans d-line should be scary good.

[rezdawg]

Nice video...

I like the signing. Good contract, lots of upside.

[rezdawg]

If it's true that Smith had to be double-teamed...then the Texans d-line should be scary good.

I was on the houston texans message board and a cards fan was saying some pretty good things about Smith. He also mentioned that Smith would get double teamed often.

[monkeyboy32]

I thought we should hav gone after Brian Dawkins even tho he is old hes an upgrade over any of our safties and his contract was pretty cheap 5 years 17 million. And if we draft a safety he could mentor him

Dawkins turns 35 this year. He signed a 5 yr deal but no way he plays it out. He gets $7 mil guaranteed and probably around $9-10 mil the 1st 2 years if he plays it out. Not as cheap as it looks.

[EddieWasSnubbed]

I was on the houston texans message board and a cards fan was saying some pretty good things about Smith. He also mentioned that Smith would get double teamed often.
Hard to double team him anymore when he's opposite Mario. :)

[wallyj12]

With this signing i see it unlikely going DE with our first round pick. What do you guys think our focus will shift to now? Personally im starting to warm up to the idea of drafting Brian Cushing, a versatile linebacker who has all the makings to be a stud in the NFL. I also am hoping jenkins continues his slide to us and possibly grabbing Michael Johnson in the second round

[Jared Novak]

IMO the Texans will probably go LB in the first (Maualuga, Cushing, Matthews, etc.) and then go DB, S (Chung, Delmas) or DE (Kruger) in the second. Unless someone on the offensive side of the ball is there who really knocks their socks off, I see the Texans going all defense the first day.

[rezdawg]

1st round, I want either Matthews or Cushing...I think Im leaning more towards Matthews though.

2nd round, I want help for the secondary.

[texanskan]

If it's true that Smith had to be double-teamed...then the Texans d-line should be scary good.

My father has been stuck in Scottsdale Ariz for over a year and a half b/c of a foot specialist that he is seeing is located there.

Anyway he always talks about how good this guy is but how he is always doubled on a not so good D and how good of a run stopper he is.

I called him today and he claims this will be a Osi/Strahan type of combo.

Well we will see, still need to get better production from the DT but there is a semi decent source who has been talking this guy up for a while

[The Real Shady]

Smith had only 3½ sacks last season. In three years, Weaver had one.

Check out what Weaver did in Baltimore before he came to Houston.

2002 BAL games: 16 tackles: 29 sacks: 3.5
2003 BAL games: 15 tackles: 26 sacks: 5.0
2004 BAL games: 16 tackles: 39 sacks: 4.0
2005 BAL games: 10 tackles: 33 sacks: 2.0


Statwise Smith and Weaver had identical careers pre-free agency. Anthony Weaver was also a 3-4 DE in Baltimore before coming to Houston.

Welcome to Houston Anthony Weaver II

[Mac#5]

Check out what Weaver did in Baltimore before he came to Houston.

2002 BAL games: 16 tackles: 29 sacks: 3.5
2003 BAL games: 15 tackles: 26 sacks: 5.0
2004 BAL games: 16 tackles: 39 sacks: 4.0
2005 BAL games: 10 tackles: 33 sacks: 2.0


Statwise Smith and Weaver had identical careers pre-free agency. Anthony Weaver was also a 3-4 DE in Baltimore before coming to Houston.

Welcome to Houston Anthony Weaver II

Smith is a 4-3 defensive end... theres a big diffirence

[rezdawg]

Check out what Weaver did in Baltimore before he came to Houston.

2002 BAL games: 16 tackles: 29 sacks: 3.5
2003 BAL games: 15 tackles: 26 sacks: 5.0
2004 BAL games: 16 tackles: 39 sacks: 4.0
2005 BAL games: 10 tackles: 33 sacks: 2.0


Statwise Smith and Weaver had identical careers pre-free agency. Anthony Weaver was also a 3-4 DE in Baltimore before coming to Houston.

Welcome to Houston Anthony Weaver II

Weaver is better suited to be a 3-4 DE...we brought him into a 4-3.

Smith is a 4-3 DE...and will be playing that opposite Mario.

You really cant compare the two...

[Refman]

Check out what Weaver did in Baltimore before he came to Houston.

2002 BAL games: 16 tackles: 29 sacks: 3.5
2003 BAL games: 15 tackles: 26 sacks: 5.0
2004 BAL games: 16 tackles: 39 sacks: 4.0
2005 BAL games: 10 tackles: 33 sacks: 2.0


Statwise Smith and Weaver had identical careers pre-free agency. Anthony Weaver was also a 3-4 DE in Baltimore before coming to Houston.

Welcome to Houston Anthony Weaver II
Wrong defensive scheme for Weaver.
Perfect defensive scheme for Smith.

Your post....

FAILS!

[redgoose]

It's hard to judge players on their stats in AZ because it seemed nobody meets expectations there and Warner is already their best QB in history, while a talent like Edrin James couldn't do anything his entire time there. Even Fitzgerald an NFL prototype WR, IMO, wasn't playing up to potential until Boldin went out and then was the talk of the country during their fluke Super Bowl run.

I think this signing is a great deal for multiple reasons and he'll have his best year by far with or D Line and coaching. :) The best thing is we don't have to sign another D lineman now with our #1 pick and can focus on our secondary in round #1 and maybe a RB in round #2 or #3 depending on the offensive lineman available. :confused:

I don't know our cap situation :confused: as it went up this year, but it would be an even bigger plus if we could address another above need via free agency. We could still use another WR, but i think TJ Housmandah or Harrison want #1 reciever money and their really #2 receivers and that could cripple us especially with our running game. Teams wouldn't worry the run and just concentrate on the WR's.

I still miss DD at the RB. :( Such a shame as he could put up great stats while playing with a bad O-Line.

[rezdawg]

We could still use another WR, but i think TJ Housmandah or Harrison want #1 reciever money and their really #2 receivers and that could cripple us especially with our running game. Teams wouldn't worry the run and just concentrate on the WR's.

I still miss DD at the RB. :( Such a shame as he could put up great stats while playing with a bad O-Line.

WR is probably one of our strongest positions, no upgrade needed there.

Slaton at RB is just as good as DD, so we just need a bruiser type back to spell Slaton during short yardage situations.

[redgoose]

WR is probably one of our strongest positions, no upgrade needed there.

Slaton at RB is just as good as as DD, so we just need a bruiser type back to spell Slaton during short yardage situations.

Maybe you're right. :cool: I still think DD was still a better RB because of his build and low to the ground running style, IMO, just not an all around player like Slaton. You're absolutely right we need that late 3rd down and short power running back like Brandon Jacobs you might be able to find in the late rounds that could give us 2 or 3 extra first downs per game giving us a chance to put an extra score on the board. That could be a difference of a couple wins and our first winning season.

I say we need another talented WR because we had to play AJ at the Slot position many times just to get him yardage he could easily get with numerous other teams at his regular position.

[rezdawg]

I say we need another talented WR because we had to play AJ at the Slot position many times just to get him yardage he could easily get with numerous other teams at his regular position.

Well, we put Andre at the slot to give defenses more of a hard time. If we kept him at the same spot all the time, not only will defenses be able to account for him on every play, but we would also not be taking advantage of his versatility.

We put him at the slot at times because its to our advantage, not because we are shorthanded at WR...these kinds of maneuvers are just some of the reasons we were able to have a top 3 offense last year.

[redgoose]

I see your reasoning and understand in moving AJ around. I just don't recall #1 receivers on most teams playing the slot as much as he did. He should be a long ball threat every time he lines up unless it's a 3rd and 10 yard route.

I might be wrong but out of all the stud receivers, it seemed like AJ had one of the least amount of long breakaway receptions. Maybe somebody could inform me of others? That's my concern with him and don't want him going to another team that gives him that chance. Wasn't that part of the reason AJ was slightly unhappy last year? Lack of usage and yardage? I thought that was when and why he played more and more slot to get him 100 yard games. :confused:

For such a classy and talented guy like AJ to complain when he's played for a losing team his entire career definitely says something. :eek:

[Raven Lunatic]

I'm very wary of signing like this because as others have said, it seems like a strong possibility to be Weaver part 2. But there haven't really been a lot of really bad FA signings by this regime (I suppose you could count Ahman Green...but that would have been good had he stayed healthy. Shouldn't be a problem with A. Smith). So I'll give this front office the benefit of the doubt here.

[mateo]

Redgoose....you're not the only one thinking that the Texans should go with a WR. Sports Illustrated posted this in their free agency blog last night:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/02/27/signings/index.html?eref=T1

• Houston made a nice move by signing Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith to play opposite Mario Williams. That opens the way for the Texans to use their No. 15 pick in the first round on a position than the defensive line. Receiver makes a lot of sense, because the Texans need to draw some coverage away from the sensational Andre Johnson. Missouri's Jeremy Maclin, Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey or Florida's Percy Harvin might all be there to choose from.


Personally, I know its not flashy, but I'd like them to draft defense all day long. We had a top 5 offense and an embarassing defense. I want to see Manning, Collins, and Garrard on the turf all season long. However, if someone amazing falls to #15, this free agency signing just gave us the ability to grab him.

[The Real Shady]

Weaver is better suited to be a 3-4 DE...we brought him into a 4-3.

Smith is a 4-3 DE...and will be playing that opposite Mario.

You really cant compare the two...


Why not? Look what was written about Weaver when we picked him up.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2364565

Texans nab DE Weaver as part of defensive makeoverEmail Print Share By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Archive
In a key move toward converting the Houston Texans' defense to a 4-3 front, the team on Saturday reached an agreement with highly regarded defensive end Anthony Weaver, an unrestricted free agent who had played his entire four-year career with the Baltimore Ravens.


Weaver


Contract details of the multi-year deal were not immediately available. But league sources said Weaver, a player clearly targeted by the Texans for an early free agency strike, could sign a deal that averages in the $5 million range and includes an eight-figure signing bonus.


The Texans also added unrestricted free-agent fullback Jameel Cook of Tampa Bay and quarterback Sage Rosenfels of Miami.



For the first four seasons of their existence, the Texans played a 3-4 defense under coach Dom Capers and coordinator Vic Fangio, but that will change in 2006. First-year head coach Gary Kubiak prefers a 4-3 front and new coordinator Richard Smith will begin the overhaul in minicamps.


The addition of Weaver, a more traditional 4-3 left end than anyone else on the Houston roster, is basically a starting point for the defensive makeover. The former Notre Dame star is a stout player versus the run, but has more mobility than the bulkier ends the Texans required in the 3-4 defense. Some of those ends will likely move inside and become tackles in the new alignment.


Houston plans to shift two young defenders, Antwan Peek and Justin Babin, to the right end. Both played as linebackers in the 3-4 alignment. But to use either Peek or Babin at right end, the Texans required a bigger left end as a complement, and Weaver (6-foott-3, 280 pounds) fills the bill.


Losing the talented Weaver, who was ESPN.com's No. 15 player among the top unrestricted veterans, is a setback for the Ravens, who had hoped to re-sign him. The Ravens quickly reacted to Weaver's departure by signing former Denver Broncos lineman Trevor Pryce, a four-time Pro Bowl performer released last week for salary cap reasons, to a five-year contract.


Weaver, 25, is considered an emerging defender who seems ready to elevate his game. He is better against the run than the pass but has improved his pass-rush skills. He played in just 10 games, with eight starts, in 2005 because of back and toe injuries. But Weaver, who has missed just one game in his first three NFL seasons, was healthy by the end of the season, and is health is not a concern to Houston officials. Weaver finished with 46 tackles and two sacks in 2005.


For his career, Weaver, a second-round choice in 2002, has 237 tackles, 14½ sacks, six forced fumbles and four recoveries. He has appeared in 57 games and started in 54 of them.

[EddieWasSnubbed]

I was thinking it would be interesting if one of the stud receivers or o-lineman fell to us.

Either of the Smith's, Maclin, Harvin, and Heyward-Bey would all be interesting choices...

[justtxyank]

I'd gamble on Harvin if he's there. I know we have a talented offense, but I'd love to have a homerun type player to move around the field.

[mateo]

I was thinking it would be interesting if one of the stud receivers or o-lineman fell to us.

Either of the Smith's, Maclin, Harvin, and Heyward-Bey would all be interesting choices...

Yeah if Oher or Andre Smith fell to #15 it would be very tempting.

[DaDakota]

Should have signed Haynesworth.

:D

DD

[moestavern19]

Andre Smith has sabotaged his career and could fall late into the first round based on just how terrible he behaved from the time he was basically kicked off Alabama to his immature, lazy antics at the NFL combine. He could have been a top 3 pick if he had just done what everyone else was doing. There are also questions about Oher after he performed not nearly up to expectations. Eugene Monroe from Virginia is likely now the #1 tackle by default, but Jason Smith from Baylor actually put up the best Combine numbers and he could easily move up.

As for the Antonio Smith signing, I wouldn't call him a great pass rusher who is going to take all the pressure of Williams, but he's pretty balanced against run... certainly an upgrade over Weaver.

[conquistador#11]

just the fact that linemen will not be asked to go out on coverage will make us better. Also, hopefully, Dunta locks down the best receiver and not just a side of the field. I don't know how frank bush is going to handle that. :confused:

[gucci888]

I was thinking it would be interesting if one of the stud receivers or o-lineman fell to us.

Either of the Smith's, Maclin, Harvin, and Heyward-Bey would all be interesting choices...

Jason Smith and Monroe will surely be off the board at #15, Oher and Andre Smith will likely be there. Oher would definitely be a tempting pick and I wouldn't be disappointed for one second if we picked him up. As far as picking up another receiver, I think we'd be better off waiting until later rounds to pick one up.

I'm starting to jump on the Perjia Jerry bandwagon, I think Orakpo, Everette Brown, and Raji will be off the board at #15 and Jerry would provide some much needed help in the middle of our DL.

[rezdawg]

Why not? Look what was written about Weaver when we picked him up.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2364565

It says...

The addition of Weaver, a more traditional 4-3 left end than anyone else on the Houston roster

Its not saying that he was a traditional 4-3 LE...but compared to the players on the roster. Given that we had been running a 3-4, I wouldnt say that's saying much.

In any case, the guy made his career with the Ravens in a 3-4 defense. So, since entering the pros, he had yet to play in a 4-3.

[BMoney]

The benefit of this signing is that it allows the Texans to upgrade at linebacker, or secondary in the first round and look for another defensive lineman later. Maybe they can roll the dice on a high upside guy at defensive end. I really hope they can get another stud linebacker. I like Adibi and Diles, but they are coming off injuries and were not exactly great prospects coming out of college. As for Smith, 41 tackles for a lineman is great. He is coming out of the same system and he produced. Good signing.

[JayGoogle]

How can anyone call him Anthony Weaver part 2 BEFORE even playing with us?

Dang, give the dude a shot to prove himself. I remember after Mario's first year he was bust bust bust according to 90% of the fanbase, and to the whole nation it would have been much better to get Bush or Young.

Boy were they wrong.

Also people are forgetting about Amobi Okoye. He's the wildcard in all this, he came into the NFL at 19...playing a grown man's game basically but he still showed flashes. Once Okoye grows up a bit he's going to beast also and our Dline will beast beast beast.

[mateo]

I remember after Mario's first year he was bust bust bust according to 90% of the fanbase, and to the whole nation it would have been much better to get Bush or Young.


The whole nation thought we should get Bush over Mario. In TEXAS they thought Vince. No where else.

But good point.

[Wakko67]

I really wanted Vince. I'm glad the choice wasn't up to me.

That Mario isn't too shabby.

[Refman]

I really wanted Vince. I'm glad the choice wasn't up to me.

That Mario isn't too shabby.
Meanwhile, Vince Young has looked like complete crap...so much so that Kerry Collins has put Vince firmly on the bench.

[zantabak1111]

Is Terence Cody not in this draft? I'd love to see someone like him, he's the next Ted Washington. I'd love to see him on those short yardage situations like old fridge perry. Who needs ron dayne back if we had him.

[redgoose]

Maybe all those wishes of getting Vince young will still come true in the future as a back up QB for us when his contract expires. However, i really hope he improves as a UT fan that loved watching him play more than anyone to this date or before. Maybe he'll start using his legs again to be dual threat, or a longshot would be converting him to play TE. :cool: