Rick Smith Pre-Draft Press Conference

[Allstar]

UPDATE: transcript here. Video here. Cliffnotes below.


Excerpts from twitter:


Smith at podium: Says he applauds efforts of scouting/coaching staff. Feels better about this process than in years past.

"The work is done and the board is set."

We have to look at OL group, can help ourselves at WR position, and depth in LB corps. Plus "You can always add corners."

We'll have a quality football player available at 26th pick.

Successful last yr in Draft/Free Agency/On field last year. Reason why: we executed. Went in prepared and we executed.

Impressed w depth in draft this year w WR/OL/LB positions.

this time last yr, none of our LB's had played in the position they wound up playing. Succeeded bc of @sonofbum (Wade Phillips), Herring, scouts.

To have that season under @sonofbum has helped everyone. We're further along now. Always need LB help.

Last yr we were fortunate to get @Brooksreed42. Still think he can get better. Also think @HarrisNOFLYZONE will help us win.

Restricted free agency has never been a strong market for improvement.

I spend next day and a half calling around and asking other GM's about potential trades. Most moves happen when you're on clock, tho

We're talking to K Neil Rackers about coming back. K/P are also part of thought process in draft, but few are ever drafted.

Very confident in @MSchaub8 rehab process. Working hard, looking good, and on schedule.

[badboy]

thanks for posting. Good to see my boy Brandon Harris get mentioned.

[Playoffs]

Thanks for posting, repped.

[GP]

Rep your way, Allstar. Thanks a million!

Looks like our hunch about targeting/focusing on OL, WR, and LB (as depth) is being proven true by Smith's comments here. He said exactly that.

It'll be OL in the first round, guys. I'm calling it now. The outright release of Winston while at the same time NOT cutting Jacoby Jones is the telling sign for us going for OL at pick #26.

There'll be a Duane Brown guy there, a guy likely not that high on the boards of the so-called national draftniks, who fits the Kubiak style. The Riley Rieff kid from Iowa, or maybe the Cordy Glenn kid. Someone in that sort of capacity, a mauler who is big and mobile and adaptable.

Kubiak will pick his guy and hunker down for WR or LB in round 2.

[Quick II Draw]

Um...Reiff will be gone in the top 15, and Glenn will probably not last to 26

[badboy]

Originally Posted by GP

Rep your way, Allstar. Thanks a million!

Looks like our hunch about targeting/focusing on OL, WR, and LB (as depth) is being proven true by Smith's comments here. He said exactly that.

It'll be OL in the first round, guys. I'm calling it now. The outright release of Winston while at the same time NOT cutting Jacoby Jones is the telling sign for us going for OL at pick #26.

There'll be a Duane Brown guy there, a guy likely not that high on the boards of the so-called national draftniks, who fits the Kubiak style. The Riley Rieff kid from Iowa, or maybe the Cordy Glenn kid. Someone in that sort of capacity, a mauler who is big and mobile and adaptable.

Kubiak will pick his guy and hunker down for WR or LB in round 2.

just for discussion, didn't he say those postions were deep indicating maybe using later rounds for those?

[GP]

Originally Posted by Quick II Draw

Um...Reiff will be gone in the top 15, and Glenn will probably not last to 26

Several mocks have Peter Konz and Kendall Wright lasting until pick 30 or more...which I disagree with, but it's possible.

Once you get out of the top picks, like picks 1 through 5 or 1 through 10...the draft gets fuzzy for a lot of teams. You're going to see teams go after CBs, Safeties, A center or two, WRs, TEs, RBs, LBs....so many positions that other teams need. When we look at OL, a lot of teams want to go with the flashier positions such as WR or RB.

Of the positions a team would LIKELY pick from (which is why I exclude QB here) there's LT, LG, C, RG, RT, RB, TE, WR, DL, LB, CB, and S. That's 12 possible positions to draft from over a period of 20 picks before us at #26 (and that's not even delineating a NT from a DT or an ILB from an OLB, etc.).

So let's assume there's only five "top" picks and therefore there's 20 more picks before us at #26. If each team took the "best" player from each of those twelve positions, then the top 12 guys from those 12 positions are gone and now at overall pick #18 we're into the 2nd tier of players for each of those 12 positions. We're picking 8 picks later and would have a shot at a 2nd tier guy in one of the four positions not yet picked at.

But here's where it gets awesome: Teams won't follow that hypothetical formula. Someone picking at #12 is going to pick the top S on the board. This will trigger a team at pick 20 to select the NEXT best S on the board. Multiple CBs are going to be picked along the way, too. Multiple RBs will go before our pick, as well. So it's possible that 1 guy out of the 2 or 3 that Kubiak is targeting will be there. Cordy Glenn or Zeitler or Konz or Rieff, etc.

Several teams are going to go for the sexy pick. Detroit finally wised up and stopped doing such a thing. They started focusing on the trenches and they're getting better because of that. Other teams will draft that WR or that RB and ignore one of the 2nd or 3rd-tier OL that we're targeting. That's my hunch. And if he IS gone, if there isn't a guy Kubiak wants there at 26...we will trade down.

Winston's release is the key. We're going balls to the wall for a right side OL and the fallback plan is to trade out of the 1st and use current roster depth (Shelley Smith, Antoine Caldwell, etc.) for our right side OL and use the compensatory picks (for having traded out of the 1st) to wreak havoc in rounds 2 through 4. One way or another, we're going to get value.

[GP]

Originally Posted by badboy

just for discussion, didn't he say those postions were deep indicating maybe using later rounds for those?

Hmmm....could be a bit of double-speak from Rick.

At first he said "We have to look at OL group, can help ourselves at WR position, and depth in LB corps. Plus, You can always add corners."

Then he said "Impressed w depth in draft this year w WR/OL/LB positions."

Our speculation (the majority of posters here, IMO) was that NOW is the time to add a better WR, and that OL is a target for obvious reasons, and then the release of Ryans might dictate the need for a LB in the top 3 or 4 rounds.

Rick is mirroring that speculation, but do you think he figured he slipped up by being so open about our targets...so he then follows up by saying "DEPTH" to try and throw people off the trail?

He even mentioned maybe adding CB too...which fits the speculation about letting Jason Allen go and finding a challenger for KJ???

I think we have TOO obvious of a need at WR and OL, and a bit at LB and CB, to the point that we'rre not really going to be able to fake out teams picking a dozen or so spots in front of us. People know what we want, they know what we NEED. When you're getting better, people can easily see what players you need the next year. When you suck, you need EVERYTHING!

So I think Rick is not playing mind games. OL or WR in the 1st round is the highest percentage to bet on, IMO. I'd stake 75% on OL and a mere 25% on WR...and that's only if a guy or two at WR slips too far. Such as for some whacked out reason Michael Floyd fell to the 20's and we decided to risk the farm on him by moving up to get him. I think he's a Top 10 pick, tbh. Will not last past #15 at the worst. We have no chance to get the best WRs, but the OL is deep for what we look for in those guys.

[ThaShark316]

Someone's going to call Rick about 26 and try and get Weeden for fear that he won't get to them...

OK, that's me HOPING.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

Someone's going to call Rick about 26 and try and get Weeden for fear that he won't get to them...

OK, that's me HOPING.

It might be the Jags on the line, do you make the trade to help them get a competent QB? Maybe try to get the Browns into a bidding war with the Jags and send him to a team not in our division. Right now, those are the only two teams I can foresee trading up for Weeden. I'd prefer he goes to the Browns and let the Jags reach for a QB in the 2nd.

[GP]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

Someone's going to call Rick about 26 and try and get Weeden for fear that he won't get to them...

OK, that's me HOPING.

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

It might be the Jags on the line, do you make the trade to help them get a competent QB? Maybe try to get the Browns into a bidding war with the Jags and send him to a team not in our division. Right now, those are the only two teams I can foresee trading up for Weeden. I'd prefer he goes to the Browns and let the Jags reach for a QB in the 2nd.

Another team could collaborate with the Jags so that the Jags get Weeden regardless.

I doubt the Jags would have the balls to ask Rick Smith for a trade.

Rick would be like...

[badboy]

Originally Posted by GP

Hmmm....could be a bit of double-speak from Rick.

At first he said "We have to look at OL group, can help ourselves at WR position, and depth in LB corps. Plus, You can always add corners."

Then he said "Impressed w depth in draft this year w WR/OL/LB positions."

Our speculation (the majority of posters here, IMO) was that NOW is the time to add a better WR, and that OL is a target for obvious reasons, and then the release of Ryans might dictate the need for a LB in the top 3 or 4 rounds.

Rick is mirroring that speculation, but do you think he figured he slipped up by being so open about our targets...so he then follows up by saying "DEPTH" to try and throw people off the trail?

He even mentioned maybe adding CB too...which fits the speculation about letting Jason Allen go and finding a challenger for KJ???

I think we have TOO obvious of a need at WR and OL, and a bit at LB and CB, to the point that we'rre not really going to be able to fake out teams picking a dozen or so spots in front of us. People know what we want, they know what we NEED. When you're getting better, people can easily see what players you need the next year. When you suck, you need EVERYTHING!

So I think Rick is not playing mind games. OL or WR in the 1st round is the highest percentage to bet on, IMO. I'd stake 75% on OL and a mere 25% on WR...and that's only if a guy or two at WR slips too far. Such as for some whacked out reason Michael Floyd fell to the 20's and we decided to risk the farm on him by moving up to get him. I think he's a Top 10 pick, tbh. Will not last past #15 at the worst. We have no chance to get the best WRs, but the OL is deep for what we look for in those guys.

I think Texans are cool with Butler for this season and will draft an OG (regardless if it is a OT to convert) 3rd round or later.

Fleener first round 60% (maybe after a trade down); OLB in second round 90% and first WR 3rd round or later 75%. Unless Zeitler falls to #58 I think we get our OG in 4th. Remember Caldwell played on two injured ankles & should be better than we saw.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by badboy

I think Texans are cool with Butler for this season and will draft an OG (regardless if it is a OT to convert) 3rd round or later.

Fleener first round 60% (maybe after a trade down); OLB in second round 90% and first WR 3rd round or later 75%. Unless Zeitler falls to #58 I think we get our OG in 4th. Remember Caldwell played on two injured ankles & should be better than we saw.

He seems to have a lot of injuries, so I would prefer that we don't have to count on him.

[GP]

Originally Posted by badboy

I think Texans are cool with Butler for this season and will draft an OG (regardless if it is a OT to convert) 3rd round or later.

Fleener first round 60% (maybe after a trade down); OLB in second round 90% and first WR 3rd round or later 75%. Unless Zeitler falls to #58 I think we get our OG in 4th. Remember Caldwell played on two injured ankles & should be better than we saw.

I think Fleener goes Top 20, or will be a pick-by-pick possibility from #21 all the way to us...with somebody giggling all the way to OTAs if they got Fleener past #20. Some national guy had Fleener going to the 49ers at like #30 or whatever they draft at, which is just wayyyyy past where Fleener would fall to.

Fleener is hella' value at 26, IMO. That would be a test for Kubiak to skip a great TE that fits his type of TE style...or to try on an OL at #26 instead.

You've got Fleener at 26, and your speculation of OLB and WR in the next two rounds lines up with what Rick Smith said about OL/WR/LB. Only difference is you have Fleener falling to 26 and Kubiak saying "Aw hellz, I want some Fleener in my diet. Call it in."

I will be happy with Fleener or any OL Kubiak wants. If he goes LB or WR, I might be uneasy about the pick even if I think he did his homework on the guy(s). Just my gut.

EDIT: When Rick says "WR" I read that as Fleener is a TE whom the Texans see playing the TE spot but has WR-type skills like Owen Daniels has. They see Fleener as a WR in TE frame/position. No way would Rick slip and say TE. He's using code. WR = Fleener.

[Thorn]

Thursday is only two days away.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by GP

Rep your way, Allstar. Thanks a million!

Looks like our hunch about targeting/focusing on OL, WR, and LB (as depth) is being proven true by Smith's comments here. He said exactly that.

It'll be OL in the first round, guys. I'm calling it now. The outright release of Winston while at the same time NOT cutting Jacoby Jones is the telling sign for us going for OL at pick #26.

There'll be a Duane Brown guy there, a guy likely not that high on the boards of the so-called national draftniks, who fits the Kubiak style. The Riley Rieff kid from Iowa, or maybe the Cordy Glenn kid. Someone in that sort of capacity, a mauler who is big and mobile and adaptable.

Kubiak will pick his guy and hunker down for WR or LB in round 2.

Agree with you about OL over WR. Even though I would like to see Hill @ 26 if he's available. Speaking of picking D.Brown, I would feel much better if HOF Gibbs was making the pick like he did with D.Brown.

The rest of the press confrence was just hyperbole.We're looking at trades/players we drafted last yr are great/going to be great. The scouts have done an incredible job. etc.... typical Rick speak. The proof will be in the pudding. Starting with the draft Thursday night and more importantly how much the Reeds/Harris of the world improve next yr. In addition to how much the draft picks contribute.

According to C-N-D there's no way to know at this time if Schaub is going to be ready for the begining of the season. So when I read that I knew Rick was blowing more smoke up the fanbase collective butts.

[GP]

Originally Posted by Thorn

Thursday is only two days away.

YES. As evidenced by me stationed at my computer ALL DAY TODAY. Rinse and repeat for tomorrow. And then there's Thursday.

Work can wait until next week. This week is like Hannakah for me. Each day presents a new gift. Shalom...and I'm not even Jewish.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by GP

I think Fleener goes Top 20, or will be a pick-by-pick possibility from #21 all the way to us...with somebody giggling all the way to OTAs if they got Fleener past #20. Some national guy had Fleener going to the 49ers at like #30 or whatever they draft at, which is just wayyyyy past where Fleener would fall to.

Fleener is hella' value at 26, IMO. That would be a test for Kubiak to skip a great TE that fits his type of TE style...or to try on an OL at #26 instead.

You've got Fleener at 26, and your speculation of OLB and WR in the next two rounds lines up with what Rick Smith said about OL/WR/LB. Only difference is you have Fleener falling to 26 and Kubiak saying "Aw hellz, I want some Fleener in my diet. Call it in."

I will be happy with Fleener or any OL Kubiak wants. If he goes LB or WR, I might be uneasy about the pick even if I think he did his homework on the guy(s). Just my gut.

EDIT: When Rick says "WR" I read that as Fleener is a TE whom the Texans see playing the TE spot but has WR-type skills like Owen Daniels has. They see Fleener as a WR in TE frame/position. No way would Rick slip and say TE. He's using code. WR = Fleener.

We'll see - I think Fleener will go low in round one with either the Texans or the 'Niners being realistic possibilities. If not, I think he's more likely to drop to the second round than go in the top 20.

[Rey]

I wonder if Rick is being sincere with his words...

He may be...

[GP]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

Agree with you about OL over WR. Even though I would like to see Hill @ 26 if he's available. Speaking of picking D.Brown, I would feel much better if HOF Gibbs was making the pick like he did with D.Brown.

The rest of the press confrence was just hyperbole.We're looking at trades/players we drafted last yr are great/going to be great. The scouts have done an incredible job. etc.... typical Rick speak. The proof will be in the pudding. Starting with the draft Thursday night and more importantly how much the Reeds/Harris of the world improve next yr. In addition to how much the draft picks contribute.

According to C-N-D there's no way to know at this time if Schaub is going to be ready for the begining of the season. So when I read that I knew Rick was blowing more smoke up the fanbase collective butts.

Rick is merely sticking to the script about Schaub. That script was made by Rick and Bob and Gary, and they've made sure everyone sticks to the script.

Those guys are good; none of them will crack...and if anybody cracks, it was approved by one of the top guys (By Bob or Rick or whatever). Everything is calculated. To the point that even when they're being honest, you think they're not, and then they do what they said they were going to do...and then you can't know if what you're hearing IS the truth or not. It's all part of their game.

And yes, I think they're THAT dedicated to that shroud of secrecy that they'd work THAT hard at it. Because they damn sure never spent the preceding years looking for better d-coordinators and doing actual work that would've helped faster. LOL.