Not Just BookEnds........Twins

[CloakNNNdagger]

It's amazing how much when you look at Antonio Smith, you're almost looking at Mario's twin. Much has been written about how much Smith will "free up" Mario. But with Arizona, Smith did not have a feared bookend either. I strongly believe that Smith will surprise a lot of people as a much stronger end pass rusher than expected now that he has Mario sharing the "fear" factor.



{CHRONICLE ARTICLE}

Looks like N.D Kalu to me

[nunusguy]

Honestly I'm still puzzled by the Smith pickup ? I mean if he was going to be the real pass-rushing weapon that some are expecting, they wouldn't have stated from Day 1 that he would be moved inside on passing downs and
they wouldn't have used their second round pick this year on a guy who will used almost exclusively as a pass-rusher, atleast initially.

[Ben Frank]

I think his pass rush will only get better, seeing that he was in a 3-4 last year, and giving him a extra man on the line would let him be able to play more free.. not to mention Mario will take 2 guy's away. Only time will tell

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly I'm still puzzled by the Smith pickup ? I mean if he was going to be the real pass-rushing weapon that some are expecting, they wouldn't have stated from Day 1 that he would be moved inside on passing downs and
they wouldn't have used their second round pick this year on a guy who will used almost exclusively as a pass-rusher, atleast initially.

Never hurts to have alot of weapons (depth).

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by whiskeyrbl

Never hurts to have alot of weapons (depth).

This. You're not always gonna find guys like Mario, good against the run and a great pass rusher from the end. You have to get one guy to play the end on vs the run, and a pass rush specialist. The guy on the end needs to be able to rush from the tackle, or you lose value. If Smith is a run stuffing end and can get you 5-8 sacks from the tackle, its a great sign.

[HOU-TEX]

I'll look forward to seeing him at TC this year. The first time I met MW I was speachless. I'm between 6'5"-6'6" at 245lbs and standing there with him after shaking his hand I was totally astonished at the size of the dude. The guy's a physical freak of nature and I'd be quite surprised if I ever meet another player that could compare to his stature.

*No, I am not ghey. Thank you*

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly I'm still puzzled by the Smith pickup ? I mean if he was going to be the real pass-rushing weapon that some are expecting, they wouldn't have stated from Day 1 that he would be moved inside on passing downs and
they wouldn't have used their second round pick this year on a guy who will used almost exclusively as a pass-rusher, atleast initially.

Our pass rush issue were more than a single person away from being solved, and it is no secret that Smith is more of an all around type player than outside rusher. At this point, I think the everyone has had their say on whether he or she likes the pick-up and we just need to wait and see if the club gets right and improves our defense.

[Texan JBZ]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly I'm still puzzled by the Smith pickup ? I mean if he was going to be the real pass-rushing weapon that some are expecting, they wouldn't have stated from Day 1 that he would be moved inside on passing downs and
they wouldn't have used their second round pick this year on a guy who will used almost exclusively as a pass-rusher, atleast initially.

Guess you missed the Giants vs Patriots Super Bowl when the Giants would line up with Justin Tuck inside and Strahan at end.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Texan JBZ

Guess you missed the Giants vs Patriots Super Bowl when the Giants would line up with Justin Tuck inside and Strahan at end.

What I missed and have yet to hear is Marios explanation or the coaching staffs explanation of why Mario is unwilling to move to Strongside DE, his "natural" position where he is most suited to play and most valuable to the team. But I know we've been all over that, so never mind.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

What I missed and have yet to hear is Marios explanation or the coaching staffs explanation of why Mario is unwilling to move to Strongside DE, his "natural" position where he is most suited to play and most valuable to the team. But I know we've been all over that, so never mind.

Where do you come up with this stuff?

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

What I missed and have yet to hear is Marios explanation or the coaching staffs explanation of why Mario is unwilling to move to Strongside DE, his "natural" position where he is most suited to play and most valuable to the team. But I know we've been all over that, so never mind.

It is John McClain who says that Mario won't move.

The Texans staff hasn't said it and Mario hasn't said it. Mario has said he is good doing whatever the team needs.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly I'm still puzzled by the Smith pickup ? I mean if he was going to be the real pass-rushing weapon that some are expecting, they wouldn't have stated from Day 1 that he would be moved inside on passing downs and
they wouldn't have used their second round pick this year on a guy who will used almost exclusively as a pass-rusher, atleast initially.

Beggars and choosers.

Weaver wasn't the answer.
DEs do not grow on trees.
It wasn't a great DE draft.
And the Texans didn't need a still needs to learn guy.
Smith was a known quantity to Bush, and had a background of success and a good work ethic.

What do you want the Texans to say, "Smith is the best guy we could find this offseason who gave us some flexibility and fills a dire need?"

I'm not sure that there is anyone out there who is out of their mind excited about this pickup. They were looking at upgrading the position the best they could given who was available and here ya go.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

I'll look forward to seeing him at TC this year. The first time I met MW I was speachless. I'm between 6'5"-6'6" at 245lbs and standing there with him after shaking his hand I was totally astonished at the size of the dude. The guy's a physical freak of nature and I'd be quite surprised if I ever meet another player that could compare to his stature.

*No, I am not ghey. Thank you*

Agreed. Except for I don't run 6'5, 245.

The new SAT:

Antonio Smith is to Mario Williams as

hmmmm.....

Robin is to Batman?

Nah, that's not quite right. Antonio Smith is a rocked up human. Mario Williams is cartoon character sized, like shouldn't be possible

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

Agreed. Except for I don't run 6'5, 245.

The new SAT:

Antonio Smith is to Mario Williams as

hmmmm.....

Robin is to Batman?

Nah, that's not quite right. Antonio Smith is a rocked up human. Mario Williams is cartoon character sized, like shouldn't be possible

Ha, indeed, indeed

[DiehardChris]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

Beggars and choosers.

Weaver wasn't the answer.
DEs do not grow on trees.
It wasn't a great DE draft.
And the Texans didn't need a still needs to learn guy.
Smith was a known quantity to Bush, and had a background of success and a good work ethic.

What do you want the Texans to say, "Smith is the best guy we could find this offseason who gave us some flexibility and fills a dire need?"

I'm not sure that there is anyone out there who is out of their mind excited about this pickup. They were looking at upgrading the position the best they could given who was available and here ya go.

Truth.

Also - we don't need another superstar on that end - we just need someone who wasn't the worst in the league at that position, as Weaver was, or was close to. Weaver got NO pressure. None. We don't even need a 7-sack guy... just a guy who can get some consistent pressure. Smith won't be spectacular - but he doesn't NEED to be. He's a significant upgrade, and if Cushing/Barwin end up improving the pass rush as well, it's going to look like a really smart signing.

[Vinny]

I think Smith will make us tougher against the run in our conventional sets but I'm not so sure he makes us any better as a team when it comes to rushing the passer although a ham sandwich would likely create more pressure than Anthony Weaver ever did.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I think Smith will make us tougher against the run in our conventional sets but I'm not so sure he makes us any better as a team when it comes to rushing the passer although a ham sandwich would likely create more pressure than Anthony Weaver ever did.

That's pretty much my take on it, my beef is the cost ? I dunno, why do we have to shell out a 35 million dollar contract to get what is basically a DLine runstopper ?

Originally Posted by nunusguy

That's pretty much my take on it, my beef is the cost ? I dunno, why do we have to shell out a 35 million dollar contract to get what is basically a DLine runstopper ?

He calls himself a renissance man.

I think that the plan is to use him as more than a 'run stopper'.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

This. You're not always gonna find guys like Mario, good against the run and a great pass rusher from the end. You have to get one guy to play the end on vs the run, and a pass rush specialist. The guy on the end needs to be able to rush from the tackle, or you lose value. If Smith is a run stuffing end and can get you 5-8 sacks from the tackle, its a great sign.

Exactly! The key to this signing will be Smith's ability (or inability) to pressure the QB on run downs. Teams that can pressure the QB by collapsing the pocket, without leaving themselves vulnerable to the run, are at an advantage. If he can play the 5 technique on the strong side and collapse that RT or force the TE to stay in and help block, we are going to be a pretty good defensive team.