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
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.
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.
Number 1 DE in free agency and 8th free agent overall according to NFL.COM http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09...onfirm=true&icampaign=DW_free_agency_thursday
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
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.
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.
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
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.
1st round, I want either Matthews or Cushing...I think Im leaning more towards Matthews though. 2nd round, I want help for the secondary.
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
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
