Rick Smith Leading Candidate for GM

gucci888 · May 20, 2006

Texans GM spot intrigues Smith
Broncos official sees enormous potential for team

By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Denver Broncos assistant general manager Rick Smith has interviewed for jobs as a general manager in the past, but those opportunities never intrigued him as much as the one with the Texans does.

Smith, 36, sees tremendous possibilities in a franchise that is entering its fifth year and still looking for its first winning season. He arrived at Reliant Stadium to share his vision Friday, as the first candidate invited to interview with owner Bob McNair.

Smith met with various front office personnel and coaches most of the day. The Texans will interview more candidates next week, but Smith is one of the leading candidates to replace Charley Casserly, who resigned this month.

After 10 years with the Denver Broncos, Smith has become well-respected throughout the NFL. He developed a close relationship with Texans coach Gary Kubiak in Denver.

"This is a very attractive job," Smith said. "What I've learned in my years in the NFL, the two most important things are the ownership and the people that you work with. And I'm coming from a place where we feel like we're pretty good in Denver, and we have a great reputation in Denver.

"Mr. McNair has an impeccable reputation. The excitement level of what we could do here and the opportunity to work with Gary and work for a guy like Mr. McNair is unbelievable."

Kubiak is working closely with McNair in the job search. One of the top criteria for the new general manager is that he is able to work well with the head coach.

After 10 years of working together in the same organization, there is no question Smith and Kubiak have a strong bond.

"He's a brilliant young man," Kubiak said. "He's coached. He went to the front office. He evaluates players and is great with players. I've watched him do that.

"And on top of that, he's a dynamic person. He's great with people. He just brings a lot of electricity to a room. He'll sell himself."

Smith, a former strong safety at Purdue, was an assistant defensive coach with the Broncos for four years before being named the team's director of pro personnel. He spent six seasons in that capacity before being elevated to assistant general manager in March.

Smith knows the Broncos' offensive system, which is what Kubiak is implementing with the Texans. Because of that, Smith understands the type of players Kubiak needs to help the team win.

"I have some familiarity with what Gary Kubiak would like to implement here from a football operations standpoint and from a talent evaluation standpoint," Smith said. "So we're excited about maybe the possibility of joining forces and doing it the way that we think can make this organization successful."

With Casserly remaining on the job until June 1, the Texans do not have a timetable on how long the search will continue. McNair did not name his other candidates because he was setting up the interviews.

Last offseason, Smith also interviewed to become a front office chief with the San Francisco 49ers. In 2004, he interviewed for the general manager job in Tampa Bay.

"I've interviewed for a few GM positions and had some opportunities to go to some other places, and I've elected to stay in Denver because I just didn't feel like in some respects and similar situations that it was the right one," Smith said. "I feel like this particular job at this particular time is the right one for me."

Chron
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I think bringing in a GM who already knows Kubiak, the system, and the type of players that can fit that system would be a HUGE help in turning this franchise around.

Nick · May 20, 2006

gucci888 said:

I think bringing in a GM who already knows Kubiak, the system, and the type of players that can fit that system would be a HUGE help in turning this franchise around.
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Or maybe Kubiak could just serve as the GM... I'm pretty sure he was at least half as much for this offseason, with the FA signings and the draft choices.

ima_drummer2k · May 21, 2006

I heard an interveiw with him Friday on 610. Sounds like a pretty sharp cat. I hope he gets it.

MadMax · May 21, 2006

we are the broncos.

that's not a bad thing. but man, denver must feel flattered.

A_3PO · May 21, 2006

The fact Kubiak is helping hire the new GM lets you know the GM will be working for Kubiak and not the other way around. Nothing wrong with that as it seems most successful and improving teams in the NFL (Steelers, Patriots, Broncos, Colts, Bengals, Dolphins, etc) have gone to that model. The days of the powerful GM may numbered in the NFL.

ubigred · May 22, 2006

good pick because he already paid his dues and brings diversity to the team...way to go Texans

P. Moon · May 22, 2006

MadMax said:

we are the broncos.

that's not a bad thing. but man, denver must feel flattered.
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Well, it all began when we stole their uniforms

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