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Rick Smith Pre-Draft Press Conference

Allstar

Allstar

Bona fide
UPDATE: transcript here. Video here. Cliffnotes below.


Excerpts from twitter:
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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.

 
Last edited:
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.
 
GP said:
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.
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just for discussion, didn't he say those postions were deep indicating maybe using later rounds for those?
 
Quick II Draw said:
Um...Reiff will be gone in the top 15, and Glenn will probably not last to 26
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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.
 
badboy said:
just for discussion, didn't he say those postions were deep indicating maybe using later rounds for those?
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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 said:
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.
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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.
 
ThaShark316 said:
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.
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Dutchrudder said:
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.
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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...

Antoine-Dodson-So-Dumb-for-Real.jpg
 
GP said:
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.
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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.
 
badboy said:
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.
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He seems to have a lot of injuries, so I would prefer that we don't have to count on him.
 
badboy said:
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.
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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.
 
GP said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Thorn said:
Thursday is only two days away. :)
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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.
 
GP said:
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.
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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.
 
steelbtexan said:
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.
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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.
 
steelbtexan said:
When has Rick been sincere with his words?

He tows the company line. 1 playoff birth isn't going to change that.
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He went into great length a few weeks ago, talking about how they all go about the draft process. He couldn't have been lying about that. He wouldn't go into the depth of detail like he did.

He explained it in vivid detail, about how they rank, how they assemble the draft board, and even how they make the selection on draft day. I think Allstar, on here, posted the entire transcript of Rick's interview with NFLN. It was a crazy amount of detail.

Rick ain't playin. Remember that movie where Denzel wasn't gangster, but then Denzel becomes the head gangster? Rick is now Gangster Denzel. Rick. Is. Not. Playin.
 
I don't think we go OLine in rd 1 unless there is overwhleming value there. I just don't see it but I could be wrong. I just don't think they want two 1st rd tackles money wise and I just don't think a G is a wise investment at #26.
They have to pay the LT next year.

Put your money on the skill spots or a playmaking spot. I'm also looking at Smithiak's history. Other than Brown, everyone else on OL EVER is 3rd or lower. Hell, the RG was an NFL Europe project. They have proven they can take guys that are projects and turn them into players. What makes you think this year is any different?

I think it's Fleener or a pass rusher if they stay at that spot, and my money is on the rusher. Lots of choices there. I'm slightly partial to Shea McCellen, but there are numerous guys there who can rotate in and provide a rush. I think they would prefer to trade down, but finding a partner won't be easy. I put trade down odds at 20%.

I was high on Wright, but as I move along in my own eval's, I'm not sure I want to spend a #1 on a guy that looks like a slot WR to me - albeit a good one. I just don't think he has the frame to be a top shelf outside guy. Could be wrong there but that's how I view it.

The other WR's other than Fleener? Let's TRY to trade down if that's the idea. I don't see the value at #26 other than Fleener who is a WR in a TE body so for my purposes I'm calling him a WR. I would rather go OLB other than Fleener UNLESS an OL is overwhelming value at the pick.
 
Porky said:
I don't think we go OLine in rd 1 unless there is overwhleming value there. I just don't see it but I could be wrong. I just don't think they want two 1st rd tackles money wise and I just don't think a G is a wise investment at #26.
They have to pay the LT next year.

Put your money on the skill spots or a playmaking spot. I'm also looking at Smithiak's history. Other than Brown, everyone else on OL EVER is 3rd or lower. Hell, the RG was an NFL Europe project. They have proven they can take guys that are projects and turn them into players. What makes you think this year is any different?

I think it's Fleener or a pass rusher if they stay at that spot, and my money is on the rusher. Lots of choices there. I'm slightly partial to Shea McCellen, but there are numerous guys there who can rotate in and provide a rush. I think they would prefer to trade down, but finding a partner won't be easy. I put trade down odds at 20%.

I was high on Wright, but as I move along in my own eval's, I'm not sure I want to spend a #1 on a guy that looks like a slot WR to me - albeit a good one. I just don't think he has the frame to be a top shelf outside guy. Could be wrong there but that's how I view it.

The other WR's other than Fleener? Let's TRY to trade down if that's the idea. I don't see the value at #26 other than Fleener who is a WR in a TE body so for my purposes I'm calling him a WR. I would rather go OLB other than Fleener UNLESS an OL is overwhelming value at the pick.
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Agree with your post but just for discussion, Zeitler #26 would give you a 10-12 year starter day one with a low 4-5 year contract. How could that not be wise?
 
Dutchrudder said:
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.
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If they'd part with their 2nd, a 3rd or 4th, and next year's 1st that'd be something you have to do regardless i think. Not that they'd offer that to us.


That'd be relatively similar to the Browns/Falcons trade last year but not as much and not as far of a trade up value wise.
 
Porky said:
I don't think we go OLine in rd 1 unless there is overwhleming value there. I just don't see it but I could be wrong. I just don't think they want two 1st rd tackles money wise and I just don't think a G is a wise investment at #26.
They have to pay the LT next year.

Put your money on the skill spots or a playmaking spot. I'm also looking at Smithiak's history. Other than Brown, everyone else on OL EVER is 3rd or lower. Hell, the RG was an NFL Europe project. They have proven they can take guys that are projects and turn them into players. What makes you think this year is any different?

I think it's Fleener or a pass rusher if they stay at that spot, and my money is on the rusher. Lots of choices there. I'm slightly partial to Shea McCellen, but there are numerous guys there who can rotate in and provide a rush. I think they would prefer to trade down, but finding a partner won't be easy. I put trade down odds at 20%.

I was high on Wright, but as I move along in my own eval's, I'm not sure I want to spend a #1 on a guy that looks like a slot WR to me - albeit a good one. I just don't think he has the frame to be a top shelf outside guy. Could be wrong there but that's how I view it.

The other WR's other than Fleener? Let's TRY to trade down if that's the idea. I don't see the value at #26 other than Fleener who is a WR in a TE body so for my purposes I'm calling him a WR. I would rather go OLB other than Fleener UNLESS an OL is overwhelming value at the pick.
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With the departure of Winston and Brisiel, I think there will be sufficient value at 26 for us to justify the pick on an OL. And by saying "value" I mean "need." LOL.

Signing Foster and Myers to new deals was the first half of a plan that inlvoves signing a 1st round OL that makes the Foster/Myers signings as effective as possible. Whatever depth we had on the right side of the line just got promoted to starter roles.

Bob, Gary and Rick know the fans will CRUSH them (Bob, Gary, Rick) if they had cut Winston and then failed to have a quality, 1st round ZBS-style OL to help Butler/Caldwell. The health and depth of the line is paramount for 2012. Winston, IMO, was cut for piss poor pass pro. A statement is being made that the chances of this team hinge upon Foster/Myers and the quality of guys surrounding them.

Now is the time for us to grab a ZBS-style OL like we did when we grabbed Duane Brown.

Fleener is the wild card, like you and everyone else is saying, and for all the reasons you stated. I agree 100% on that.

I cannot see Wade being given a pick in round 1. I mean, it would have to be an exceptionally top-rated guy that they think every team before them failed to take and so we gotta' take him at #26. Kubiak needs groceries pretty bad.
 
badboy said:
Agree with your post but just for discussion, Zeitler #26 would give you a 10-12 year starter day one with a low 4-5 year contract. How could that not be wise?
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Zeitler would be tremendous value at 26, and for the money too.

He becomes an instant camp challenger to the veterans on the right side of the line...but can be better used as depth as he sits behind the vets and soaks up the pro game in year 1.

Kubiak's "background" guys (Butler, Caldwell) are now being transitioned into starters. Kubiak needs to put more background guys, like Zeitler, into the depth spots once held by Butler and Caldwell.

It's re-loading, and it makes the most sense with where we came from, where we are, and where we're headed.

Wade Phillips shows what happens when the front seven is (a) the RIGHT type of players, and when (b) you put enough in the cupboard to compensate for injuries to your starters. Mario dropped, and BAM! it was Next Man Up. Never before has a Texans team been able to withstand THAT amount of injury problems and still end up winning as much as it did in 2011.

Kubiak knows this. Wade got the groceries in 2011, and now Kubiak has a list of his own that is two years in the making. I think people better be prepared for an offense-heavy draft this year.
 
It's hard for me to imagine a ZBS team going for any O-lineman (except for LT) in the first round unless they are very set at other positions or in case of finding such good value at #26 they simply can't resist even when they know that they can improve the team NOW with another position.
 
GP said:
With the departure of Winston and Brisiel, I think there will be sufficient value at 26 for us to justify the pick on an OL. And by saying "value" I mean "need." LOL.

Signing Foster and Myers to new deals was the first half of a plan that inlvoves signing a 1st round OL that makes the Foster/Myers signings as effective as possible. Whatever depth we had on the right side of the line just got promoted to starter roles.

Bob, Gary and Rick know the fans will CRUSH them (Bob, Gary, Rick) if they had cut Winston and then failed to have a quality, 1st round ZBS-style OL to help Butler/Caldwell. The health and depth of the line is paramount for 2012. Winston, IMO, was cut for piss poor pass pro. A statement is being made that the chances of this team hinge upon Foster/Myers and the quality of guys surrounding them.

Now is the time for us to grab a ZBS-style OL like we did when we grabbed Duane Brown.

Fleener is the wild card, like you and everyone else is saying, and for all the reasons you stated. I agree 100% on that.

I cannot see Wade being given a pick in round 1. I mean, it would have to be an exceptionally top-rated guy that they think every team before them failed to take and so we gotta' take him at #26. Kubiak needs groceries pretty bad.
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The bolded and the "set your watch by" false start/holding penalties.
 
GP said:
Bob, Gary and Rick know the fans will CRUSH them (Bob, Gary, Rick) if they had cut Winston and then failed to have a quality, 1st round ZBS-style OL to help Butler/Caldwell. The health and depth of the line is paramount for 2012. Winston, IMO, was cut for piss poor pass pro. A statement is being made that the chances of this team hinge upon Foster/Myers and the quality of guys surrounding them.
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I think you're missing something... Derek Newton.

I think the reason they felt comfortable letting Winston go wasn't just about how comfy they felt with Rashad Butler but because of how comfortable they felt with Derek Newton. I think Smithiak is just fine with our OT situation.

If we go oline, I think we're going Guard. Caldwell didn't look good to me last season. Maybe it was because of his injuries, I don't know. But I don't feel great about Smith and Caldwell as our starters.

And I think Smith is laying down a smokescreen. Did he mention TE? I expect to draft a TE somewhere in the first 4 rounds and I doubt Fleener gets past us IF he falls to us.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
I think you're missing something... Derek Newton.

I think the reason they felt comfortable letting Winston go wasn't just about how comfy they felt with Rashad Butler but because of how comfortable they felt with Derek Newton. I think Smithiak is just fine with our OT situation.

If we go oline, I think we're going Guard. Caldwell didn't look good to me last season. Maybe it was because of his injuries, I don't know. But I don't feel great about Smith and Caldwell as our starters.

And I think Smith is laying down a smokescreen. Did he mention TE? I expect to draft a TE somewhere in the first 4 rounds and I doubt Fleener gets past us IF he falls to us.
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I do not know much about Newton, so yeah that explains it.

Now I'm re-thinking things. Dammit. LOL.
 
GP said:
I do not know much about Newton, so yeah that explains it.

Now I'm re-thinking things. Dammit. LOL.
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Newton was our swing tackle all last season.

Butler got hurt early on and Newton was the guy. He even played some.

He played in some regular sets, but he also played in short yardage situations when we went heavy.
 
GP said:
I do not know much about Newton, so yeah that explains it.

Now I'm re-thinking things. Dammit. LOL.
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:)

When Newton was drafted, I expected him to be sent to the PS. He's just another late round guy.

But even with all the injuries and everything they had last year, they kept Newton on the squad (iirc). I kept expecting him to be waived or shuffled about somehow but they didn't even try to sneak him onto the PS.

In the little bits I've heard from Kubiak about him, he's sounded really impressed with Newton. He's gone out of his way to mention him in some press conference during the season.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
:)

When Newton was drafted, I expected him to be sent to the PS. He's just another late round guy.

But even with all the injuries and everything they had last year, they kept Newton on the squad (iirc). I kept expecting him to be waived or shuffled about somehow but they didn't even try to sneak him onto the PS.

In the little bits I've heard from Kubiak about him, he's sounded really impressed with Newton. He's gone out of his way to mention him in some press conference during the season.
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I think a lot of people missed when he came into the games...

I don't know how often it was but I noticed him in the game a few times when we went to heavy formation in short yardage.
 
Rey said:
I think a lot of people missed when he came into the games...

I don't know how often it was but I noticed him in the game a few times when we went to heavy formation in short yardage.
Click to expand...

I have to admit, I didn't notice him in there. But I noticed him suited up on the sideline quite a bit instead of walking around in sweats.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
:)

When Newton was drafted, I expected him to be sent to the PS. He's just another late round guy.

But even with all the injuries and everything they had last year, they kept Newton on the squad (iirc). I kept expecting him to be waived or shuffled about somehow but they didn't even try to sneak him onto the PS.

In the little bits I've heard from Kubiak about him, he's sounded really impressed with Newton. He's gone out of his way to mention him in some press conference during the season.
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I think I'm the only one here with a couple of Newton's college tapes.
And I did watch him coming in from time to time in a few games.
Nothing was really answered except I haven't written him off, which is not bad for a guy in his place.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
I think you're missing something... Derek Newton.

I think the reason they felt comfortable letting Winston go wasn't just about how comfy they felt with Rashad Butler but because of how comfortable they felt with Derek Newton. I think Smithiak is just fine with our OT situation.

If we go oline, I think we're going Guard. Caldwell didn't look good to me last season. Maybe it was because of his injuries, I don't know. But I don't feel great about Smith and Caldwell as our starters.

And I think Smith is laying down a smokescreen. Did he mention TE? I expect to draft a TE somewhere in the first 4 rounds and I doubt Fleener gets past us IF he falls to us.
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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.
 
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 :)
 
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.
 
steelbtexan said:
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.
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steel, do you think Adams will really be considered? Have the Texans gone that far from their MO? I idonno: . 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.
 
drs23 said:
steel, do you think Adams will really be considered? Have the Texans gone that far from their MO? I idonno: . 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.
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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.
 
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 said:
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
Click to expand...
I was all over Holtee, too.
 
Norg said:
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
Click to expand...

STOP!!!! Just please, stop!!!
:wadepalm::kubepalm:

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'!
 
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