Rick Smith Pre-Draft Press Conference

[beerlover]

Rick seemed in his comfort zone representing Texans well. They are going BPA not a particular need. But I have heard rumors of Upshaw sliding down some teams boards, meaning he could be the next Texan OLB

[steelbtexan]

If Jonathan Martin or Mike Adams are there at 26 then that will probably be the pick. Otherwise WR will be the way they go, with the possible exception of Fleener.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

If Jonathan Martin or Mike Adams are there at 26 then that will probably be the pick. Otherwise WR will be the way they go, with the possible exception of Fleener.

steel, do you think Adams will really be considered? Have the Texans gone that far from their MO? I . He seems like a really genuine guy and a hella'va OL prospect, but failing a test he KNEW was coming. Just doesn't sound like the kinda guy the FO wants.

I'd be really surprised. Not disappointed, but damn surprised.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by drs23

steel, do you think Adams will really be considered? Have the Texans gone that far from their MO? I . He seems like a really genuine guy and a hella'va OL prospect, but failing a test he KNEW was coming. Just doesn't sound like the kinda guy the FO wants.

I'd be really surprised. Not disappointed, but damn surprised.

I'd be both.

The failed test combined with 19 reps on the bench press at the combine (although he did get it up to 21 on his pro day) make me both hope and believe that Adams will not be a Texan whether he's there at 26 or not.

[Norg]

saying in the past we havent drafted for need is BS .... LOL

i can name off the top of my head on all the pro bowlers we have missed on

Big ben rothesburger

Darrell Revis

Holtee Nata

Matt schaub

J Peppers

MJD


and i could prob go on and on

[Norg]

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by Norg

saying in the past we havent drafted for need is BS .... LOL

i can name off the top of my head on all the pro bowlers we have missed on

Big ben rothesburger

Darrell Revis

Holtee Nata

Matt schaub

J Peppers

MJD

and i could prob go on and on

I was all over Holtee, too.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

I was all over Holtee, too.

What good is an IGNORE LIST if one quotes that asinine dribble?

[Allstar]

Originally Posted by drs23

What good is an IGNORE LIST if one quotes that asinine dribble?

You'll never escape Norg

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by Norg

saying in the past we havent drafted for need is BS .... LOL

i can name off the top of my head on all the pro bowlers we have missed on

Big ben rothesburger

Darrell Revis

Holtee Nata

Matt schaub

J Peppers

MJD


and i could prob go on and on

STOP!!!! Just please, stop!!!


I know that we in the past, got on SIAB and thought he was the second coming of Johnsonfan, OR thought they were one in the same... Obviously SIAB has aquitted himself nicely, maybe Norg is a different verision of Johnsonfan?? Just sayin'!

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Allstar

You'll never escape Norg

OK, so I'll close my eyes and dream.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by drs23

OK, so I'll close my eyes and dream.

Well, we have another trip to "the Dungeon" this offseason. Well, so I heard some of us were there. Me? I'm not sure I ever saw that place, while you chickened out and had a steak at Brennan's (iirc).

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

Well, we have another trip to "the Dungeon" this offseason. Well, so I heard some of us were there. Me? I'm not sure I ever saw that place, while you chickened out and had a steak at Brennan's (iirc).

You do indeed RCC. But I didn't "chicken out", I STEAKED OUT!. They were chaining the doors when I got there and let me in. I was the only SOB in there! The chef prepared the whole thing by himself, after cutting up a fresh head of lettuce and brandy new tomatoes for my salad and then he and the waitress sat at the table with and drank wine while I pigged out on one of the best steaks I've ever eaten. Great suggestion by that really tall guy Saint's fan wearing the hardhat!

Pisser was, it wasn't three blocks, more like 13. No biggie, it was worth it.

[SW H-TOWN]

Originally Posted by 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.

Gotta love how he pretty much tells everybody what positions we are going to focus on (every GM/scouting staff has probably analyzed and identified our need positions) but then talks about how he is impressed with the depth at the same positions. Coincidence...no.

Few K/P are ever drafted = We are drafting a K. I would bet money that they are zoned in on Bullock.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by drs23

You do indeed RCC. But I didn't "chicken out", I STEAKED OUT!. They were chaining the doors when I got there and let me in. I was the only SOB in there! The chef prepared the whole thing by himself, after cutting up a fresh head of lettuce and brandy new tomatoes for my salad and then he and the waitress sat at the table with and drank wine while I pigged out on one of the best steaks I've ever eaten. Great suggestion by that really tall guy Saint's fan wearing the hardhat!

Pisser was, it wasn't three blocks, more like 13. No biggie, it was worth it.

YOU SUCK!!! I would rather have gone to Brennan's.. Although by going to the "dungeon" (not that I remember being there) I did have have the awesome priveledge of watching Joe Texan do a face plant somewhere outside that place!!!!

BTW, Ima call friend in Shreveport Mitch, (who you met), who is also good friends with our "great tall Saints fan", (his name Glenn IIRC) and see if we can do it all again this year!

You in????

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

YOU SUCK!!! I would rather have gone to Brennan's.. Although by going to the "dungeon" (not that I remember being there) I did have have the awesome priveledge of watching Joe Texan do a face plant somewhere outside that place!!!!

BTW, Ima call friend in Shreveport Mitch, (who you met), who is also good friends with our "great tall Saints fan", (his name Glenn IIRC) and see if we can do it all again this year!

You in????

Yeah, Glenn! That's the guy!

2nd bolded: I'll hafta axe...

[badboy]

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.

would not the Browns just select Weeden with their second of two first rounds rather than get in a bidding war with anyone? I guess if they could draft others in first and then trade up for #26 without a bidding war that would work for them.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by GP

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.

Thats not true .... Schaub will be ready barring furter injury.


Dont ask.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by The Medic01

You know that Caldwell was the starter in 2012 when Foster led the league in rushing. Yeah he didn't do amazing but he had two high ankle sprains and Foster had a 100 yards in the two games he played and vs th Titans we still had over 100 yards rushing.

First off, THIS is 2012.

When there's been a choice between Caldwell and Brisiel, Brisiel got the starts. Caldwell started 7 games in 2010 but it was because Brisiel was injured. Brisiel started most of the games that year and was "officially" the starter.

Last year, when Brisiel went out, there was a noticeable drop-off when Caldwell came in. That's got me worried.

As you say, it might be that Caldwell is great and that he was just playing through two bum ankles. I know I expected better out of him. But that's what I saw and that's why I'm worried.

[Lucky]

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.

Generally, teams move up to a spot ahead of a team that could select their desired player. If not the pick just before, somewhere in the general area. When the Ravens moved up to #18 in 2008 to select Joe Flacco, they were trying to get ahead of Tampa Bay (selecting at #20). In the current scenario, there are no teams drafting after the Texans at #26 that would be poised to draft Weeden. No team is going to trade up just to trade up. And there's no reason to trade up to #26 to draft Weeden.

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

If Jonathan Martin or Mike Adams are there at 26 then that will probably be the pick. Otherwise WR will be the way they go, with the possible exception of Fleener.

No way the Texans draft Adams. Or Jenkins. Or the CB from Nebraska that was recently arrested. It's the Texans. That's not how they roll.

Originally Posted by Rick Smith

(on if he’s confident that there will be a player available at the 26th overall spot who can step in and contribute right away like many of the Texans’ first-round picks in the past) “Well I think so and I think in the first round you try to get a player that will impact your team. Whether he’s a starter or not, I don’t know if that’s a prerequisite. But I do know that what you try to do is you try to add players that can come in and be impact players and if it’s an offensive player, he can make plays with the ball in his hands. Obviously a defensive player is either going to rush the passer or going to make plays on the ball if he’s a defensive back or a linebacker with sacks, or something like that. Somebody who impacts the team.”

Did Ricky just say that the Texans are going WR (or TE) if they draft offense in the 1st round?