RICK SMITH - Your up.

Is anyone else here eager to see how he performs this off season? Ok, stupid question. You do have to give the guy credit simply for what he accomplished during the season filling our never ending list of injury holes. He wasnt perfect... but overall, a job well done.

Looking back at what Casserly did to our franchise as a whole....simply getting rid of him alone is an improvement imo. I honestly think most of us here could have done a better job than him. He was a great salesman, and I bought it. I have though, been confused with whom was more responsible for our last draft. Take out the bush and VY equation please... and it was an outstanding one. I have to default it to Kubiaks presence.

Back to Smith. Its a crucial offseason for us. He MUST come thru for this franchise. Again, due to his hard work that paid off this reg season, I have GREAT TRUST in him heading into the offseason.

Now if I were Rick Smith. I think signing a top FA would set the tone for us this offseason. We have to eliminate as many holes as possible via starters BEFORE the draft. That said, of course there are many factors involved in landing a player...but a starting CB would be huge. I would then have no problem drafting a DE early in the draft. Pair two solid CBs, take the heat off a HEALTHY mario, anchored by pro bowler and possible defensive player of the year Demeco Ryans. THE HOUSE OF PAIN??? A tough tough D, with an offensive system past its rookie year. Thats a great situation with an offensive minded coach. I would use the rest of the picks on O, create depth and competition. Of course, many other factors... but that sounds like a decent blue print.

Bottom line... thing are going to interesting. I think we NOW have the GM/Coach we need to take us to the next level. Kubiak is another thread... but he is our man. How bad do the names Dom and Charlie sound about now??? Rick Smith... Your up.

I think we NOW have the GM/Coach we need to take us to the next level.

Your next level is from "laughing stock" of the NFL to "joke of a team"...

Excited.... yes I am.

I think we did great last off season and if we can keep up that level of operations we will build a great franchise.

I must admit this year I am comfortable with what is going to happen, there is a level of trust that was absent in the Capers/Casserly era.

I wish it was March now...I love the free agency period. I'm excited to see who we can get. And anyone we get (high profile or low profile), I'd watch out for, because after everyone Rick Smith's gotten so far has turned out so go, I'm going to be thinking that every signing is a great one.

I hope they don't go early and over pay. The teams who seem to do the best are ones that are patient and get good value for their dollar.

I think we need a FS more then anything on defense, followed by a linebacker and possibly a DLineman, depending on how Dalton, Maddox, TJ, Weaver and Babin play out. But the question remains...if AP is there at 8, do we pull the trigger?

run-david-run said:

I think we need a FS more then anything on defense, followed by a linebacker and possibly a DLineman, depending on how Dalton, Maddox, TJ, Weaver and Babin play out. But the question remains...if AP is there at 8, do we pull the trigger?

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I think so...unless someone truly unexpected falls that they have rated higher. Once you get out of the top 8 prospects, it seems like value drops considerably. The real variable is whether Kubiak will take a RB that high.

run-david-run said:

I think we need a FS more then anything on defense, followed by a linebacker and possibly a DLineman, depending on how Dalton, Maddox, TJ, Weaver and Babin play out. But the question remains...if AP is there at 8, do we pull the trigger?

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I'd pull the trigger on that. I agree that we need a solid FS in the secondary, but guys like AP don't come around alot. Just my opinion, but AP reminds me of Terrell Davis in a way, but taller.

If Peterson does fall, Houston WILL and SHOULD take him. As mentioned, HB like Adrian Peterson don't come around often, and I think he'd be not only the perfect HB for this offense but he'd also be the defined face of the franchise.

Looking at the depth of the FS position in both Free Agency and in the draft, I have full confidence that Smith will fill this hole one way or the other. However, in the meantime I'm eagerly anticipating the draft and hoping that Peterson's the man.

We need to come up big this year in both Free Agency and the Draft, and I think we'll have a pretty good idea about where Rick Smith and Co are heading as a whole come April. We have some major holes to fill (CB, FS, OL, OLB, DT) but if they're careful, ambitious and a little creative then I think we can realistically fill all of them. I'm hoping we take care of CB and at least one OL in FA. And this draft is pretty strong in all the other spots.

And if we do draft a RB, I suspect it will be late - someone who's slipped under the radar or a Mike Bell type magic acquisition. I'll be surprised if we take AP. I like him a lot, but we have bigger problems and his hands aren't that great. I wouldn't be too upset though - he is pretty special.

Toro said:

If Peterson does fall, Houston WILL and SHOULD take him. As mentioned, HB like Adrian Peterson don't come around often, and I think he'd be not only the perfect HB for this offense but he'd also be the defined face of the franchise.

Looking at the depth of the FS position in both Free Agency and in the draft, I have full confidence that Smith will fill this hole one way or the other. However, in the meantime I'm eagerly anticipating the draft and hoping that Peterson's the man.

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I think that we often project what we want to happen rather than what should happen. Yeah, Adrian Peterson is a great player. So, if he ends up falling to #8, the value of our 8th pick is greatly increased. More than likely there will be many people contacting us to see about a trade adn thus, the competition will help us get a very good trade down. At this point, more picks in the first and second would be ideal than one seeming superstar. Especially since next years running back class is supposed to be better. I like Adrian Peterson as much as the next guy, and I sincerely hope that he falls to us. Mainly because it gives us a great situation to either draft him or IMO trade down and npick up some really good extra picks.

leachmtb said:

I think that we often project what we want to happen rather than what should happen. Yeah, Adrian Peterson is a great player. So, if he ends up falling to #8, the value of our 8th pick is greatly increased. More than likely there will be many people contacting us to see about a trade adn thus, the competition will help us get a very good trade down. At this point, more picks in the first and second would be ideal than one seeming superstar. Especially since next years running back class is supposed to be better. I like Adrian Peterson as much as the next guy, and I sincerely hope that he falls to us. Mainly because it gives us a great situation to either draft him or IMO trade down and npick up some really good extra picks.

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If we go out and get Turner from San Diego, that eighth pick is that much easier to move and stockpile picks. Then the RB position is not an issue. We need a difference maker on our offense next year.

I think if Peterson is not there at #8 we need to trade down and acquire some extra picks because we have alot of holes to fill and need depth at many positions. Rick Smith has done a great job this past season getting replacements for injured players but I don't expect him to hit a home run everytime he's at the plate.

coachdent said:

If we go out and get Turner from San Diego, that eighth pick is that much easier to move and stockpile picks. Then the RB position is not an issue. We need a difference maker on our offense next year.

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If we go out and get Turner then the #8 pick is VERY easy because we wont have it!

They will put either a 1st or 1st&3rd round tender on him. That means those are the draft picks you give up to sign him. Makes no sense for a team picking high in the draft.

Bottom line: I trust Rick Smith and Gary Kubiak...which is something I couldn't say for the previous regime.

valleytexfan said:

Bottom line: I trust Rick Smith and Gary Kubiak...which is something I couldn't say for the previous regime.

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I agree. Put it this way, if we improve for next season as much as we did this past offseason. We will have 12 wins.

But yes this offseason is crucial, do we keep improving, or do we have one more setback and will it make us start from scratch...again...something we should have only done once.

yourfavoritetexan42 said:

I agree. Put it this way, if we improve for next season as much as we did this past offseason. We will have 12 wins.

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Wow. I think that is a little optimistic. I would believe in us chasing 7-9 or 8-8 if we have another good offseason.

We were chasing 7-9 or 8-8 THIS year. We didn't catch it, but there were at least two VERY winnable games that we left on the table this year. And the defense was just attrocious the first three games. I don't think we'll win 12 games next year, but I don't think it's impossible.

leachmtb said:

I think that we often project what we want to happen rather than what should happen. Yeah, Adrian Peterson is a great player. So, if he ends up falling to #8, the value of our 8th pick is greatly increased. More than likely there will be many people contacting us to see about a trade adn thus, the competition will help us get a very good trade down. At this point, more picks in the first and second would be ideal than one seeming superstar. Especially since next years running back class is supposed to be better. I like Adrian Peterson as much as the next guy, and I sincerely hope that he falls to us. Mainly because it gives us a great situation to either draft him or IMO trade down and npick up some really good extra picks.

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perfectly said. i agree with it all.

He seemed to find solid players in the thin FA field during the season. I can't wait to see if he can do the same thing with "real" talent during the offseason and draft.

Keith posted a link to this on HPF. It is from the Chronicle.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/4481890.html


In other news
• Texans can't talk to Cardinals assistant — For the second year in a row, the Texans were denied permission by the Arizona Cardinals to interview Frank Bush, the team's assistant head coach/linebackers.

The Texans had hoped to talk to Bush about joining the team as an assistant head coach/defense. It would have been a defensive coaching position similar to the one Mike Sherman held last season when he was the assistant head coach/offense and primarily focused on the offensive line.

More important than signing big name free agents and using high drafts picks, is having the right system and filling the spots out accordingly. This is necessary due to limited talent pool for top players and a salary cap.

TheOgre said:

He seemed to find solid players in the thin FA field during the season. I can't wait to see if he can do the same thing with "real" talent during the offseason and draft.

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We have to remember he is limited by the cap, and from what I hear we don't have much room. Unfortunately, throwing a lot of money at the top flight FA's is about the only way we will get any of them to play down here, unless they have ties to this area and are willing to take less money. So, I'm interested to see how Smith and Kubes will approach this. Do we go after 1 or 2 big name FA's, or do we use more of a "shotgun" approach and go after more of the 2nd tier FA's? However they go it will dictate who we draft, what we draft, and how we draft. Should be fun! JMHO!

I think that in such areas as FS, just getting an average player would be an upgrade. Same can be said for OLB and maybe O-line. I think we should stick to lower end players that fit our team, then invest in the high priced guys when we are ready to make the leap.

This may be a dumb question and by no means is it meant to be racist, because I love Rick Smith as our GM. But do you guys think black athletes will be more inclined, even slightly, to play for us since we are one of the few teams with a black GM? Just curious on your thoughts.

Ckw5814 said:

This may be a dumb question and by no means is it meant to be racist, because I love Rick Smith as our GM. But do you guys think black athletes will be more inclined, even slightly, to play for us since we are one of the few teams with a black GM? Just curious on your thoughts.

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I doubt it. Most are simply interested in the Almighty $$$. Those players that aren't, usually want to play for a "contender", which we're still a little distance from being.

There are positions of need and positions of luxury. DB is a need (Possibly double need), Peterson in the 1st would be a luxury. We need help on both lines.

Insideop said:

Do we go after 1 or 2 big name FA's, or do we use more of a "shotgun" approach and go after more of the 2nd tier FA's? However they go it will dictate who we draft, what we draft, and how we draft. Should be fun! JMHO!

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I'm more in favor of the latter (second) approach. That way we cover our weaknesses and potentially have one of these lower priced guys suprise. Meanwhile it gives us the flexibility to go more for BPA rather than to fill major needs.

Still, the second tier FA's we would sign should be superior to the guys Smith had to choose from during the middle of the season when injuries plagued us. He shows (at least a gimpse of) an eye for FA talent that was sorely lacking in the last regime.

bckey said:

Keith posted a link to this on HPF. It is from the Chronicle.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/4481890.html


In other news
• Texans can't talk to Cardinals assistant — For the second year in a row, the Texans were denied permission by the Arizona Cardinals to interview Frank Bush, the team's assistant head coach/linebackers.

The Texans had hoped to talk to Bush about joining the team as an assistant head coach/defense. It would have been a defensive coaching position similar to the one Mike Sherman held last season when he was the assistant head coach/offense and primarily focused on the offensive line.

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Nice post. Wasn't Bush the one who got bit by the spider in San Marcos with the Oilers. Got a nasty infection or something and prety much ended his career.

LCROD said:

There are positions of need and positions of luxury. DB is a need (Possibly double need), Peterson in the 1st would be a luxury. We need help on both lines.

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Agreed. Looks like Clemments is making a push to be here. What inquiring minds want to know: Is he saying he will play here with #6 money? Or Is he saying he will paly here if we give him top five money ? I think Smauels is an option. But both of those guys...there's going to be a bidding war. And it isn't going to be cheap. I'm with Ogre on this. We need one of the two. That, landing an upgrade at corner, frees up the draft to go in any direction they wish. But like the Highlander move quote...on the free agents , with our cap..."there can only be one." Anything else we get in free agency will be the bargin guys plugging holes untill we can fill those holes with our super bowl run guys of the future.

Tailgate said:

Is anyone else here eager to see how he performs this off season?

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I'm more excited about hiring Smith than any other moves we made including hiring Kubiak and drafting Mario.

From what I've heard, he has a talent for finding underrated players. Can't wait to see what he does in the offseason.

threetoedpete said:

Agreed. Looks like Clemments is making a push to be here. What inquiring minds want to know: Is he saying he will play here with #6 money? Or Is he saying he will paly here if we give him top five money ? I think Smauels is an option. But both of those guys...there's going to be a bidding war. And it isn't going to be cheap. I'm with Ogre on this. We need one of the two. That, landing an upgrade at corner, frees up the draft to go in any direction they wish. But like the Highlander move quote...on the free agents , with our cap..."there can only be one." Anything else we get in free agency will be the bargin guys plugging holes untill we can fill those holes with our super bowl run guys of the future.

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I agree with you on all that. We desperately need a star corner, and I'd happily take either Samuels or Clements (my preference would be for the former, and I don't think his price tag will be quite as high). But we do need to be careful with Free Agency because we can't afford to go there for all our pressing needs. It would be outstanding if we could pick up Max Starks or Leonard Davis at LT, and even better if we could grap Lance Briggs at OLB, but one of those two corners is more important and I think that there can indeed be only one of the big names coming our way.

I'd be inclined to go for whichever one of them we can get the best deal on, then maybe pick up Kris Dielman to start at RG and then go down to lower key options to build some depth at other positions. That would free up the draft to pick up people at FS, OLB, DT, C, G/T.

I think the RB question is going to be left till another year. And I don't see DDW staying.

Just my

Max Starks and Leonard Davis do not fit the zone blocking scheme. They are both bigger tackles that aren't as athletic. Why do people on this board continually bring up Davis as an option in FA??? He is not and will not be coming here! He couldn't even get it done blocking for the Cardinals in a straight ahead blocking scheme, why would we bring him here when smaller more athletic linemen are needed??? I do like the idea of bringing in Kris Dielman though or maybe even Eric Steinbach or Dwayne Carswell as a veteran who knows Kubiaks zone blocking scheme. I would also like us to take a look at Michael Lewis or Ken Hamlin, but Lewis only at the right price, and I would be more willing to pay Hamlin a bit more because I think he is a better safety.

Ckw5814 said:

But do you guys think black athletes will be more inclined, even slightly, to play for us since we are one of the few teams with a black GM?

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It could definitely be a factor.

threetoedpete said:

Looks like Clemments is making a push to be here.

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Where did you see or read this???

the wonger need food said:

Where did you see or read this???

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Good question Wonger, I was scrolling down to ask the same question.

the wonger need food said:

Where did you see or read this???

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This board. As soon as people found out that Clements is a free agent, they started calling for the Texans to sign him. It's just gone on so long now that people are starting to think that he actually wants to play in Houston.

Or the poster could be confusing Clements with Michael Lewis whose agent said something about him wanting to play at home.

Either way, I don't think there have been any reports out of the Clements camp claiming that he wants to come to Houston. He'll probably go to the highest bidder.

Clemments if pos & Ashanti if not. Cap room estimated $10- 13 million without salary adjustments expected for other players and some to be dropped.Has anyone mentioned asking Carr to readjust his cap hit for next two years? He should be open to that if we keep him? !/2 of avail cap now allows $5 to 6 1/2million for a CB. That seems possible to land one. A solid corner across from DR allows Petey to drop to nickle where he should excell. L/backers would not be as stressed to cover that side making that spot stronger. Remember, when Jubes thought P Buch was going to work out, the coach chose not to go after a safety saying he was ok with Earl & CC. With Clemments or Ashanti, why would not the same theory apply?

F/agency: CB as listed above & another solid p/up on OL Total cost $10m leaving $5-6 million cap room for draft pool.

1. AP as I do not think Joe Thomas falls
2. QB Kolb from UH I disagree with those saying he can't run vertical offense
3. Best L ot avail. No more guards trying to play left tackle. Spenser back!!
4. Best DT (we have lots but lots got hurt)
5. Best linebacker
6. Best Half Back. I hope Lundy & Taylor are great but not enough carries yet
7. Best punter

Trenches said:

If we go out and get Turner then the #8 pick is VERY easy because we wont have it!

They will put either a 1st or 1st&3rd round tender on him. That means those are the draft picks you give up to sign him. Makes no sense for a team picking high in the draft.

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You go get Turner the burner, you're not going to have an eight pick. Or a two in next years draft. San Deigo's going to pay him. He's not going any where.

Ckw5814 said:

This may be a dumb question and by no means is it meant to be racist, because I love Rick Smith as our GM. But do you guys think black athletes will be more inclined, even slightly, to play for us since we are one of the few teams with a black GM? Just curious on your thoughts.

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No. For the players it's about getting their money and putting themselves into a position to show case their tallents increasing thier oportunities for more money. I think the major factor with players is green not white or black.
Most only have five years or less. The lucky ones get to solidfy their families finacial future by making into the free agent market. Would you think any differently ? I wouldn't. If the situation had a great coaches and a chance at a ring the would definalty tip the scales. I think Warren Sapp went to the Raiders for a reason. And that reason had nothing to do at the time whether Art Shell was the HC or not. It was about his families finacial future. He knew what the Radiers were going to be when he signed with him. Sapp is not a dummy.

the wonger need food said:

Where did you see or read this???

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He's building a home in the Woodlands. And I'm doing no more projecting here than the All Day guys projecting that the collection of injuries are merely a fluke. If that's good enough for them, projecting Clemments would want to stay close to home should be good enough for me too ? Again the only question I possed, does that mean he will take less money to play here ?

threetoedpete said:

He's building a home in the Woodlands. And I'm doing no more projecting here than the All Day guys projecting that the collection of injuries are merely a fluke. If that's good enough for them, projecting Clemments would want to stay close to home should be good enough for me too ? Again the only question I possed, does that mean he will take less money to play here ?

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Weird that he's building a house here since he's from Ohio. Then again, a lot of pro athletes live here because it's so cheap.

I would rather have Samuel... but Clements would be nice too.

If Clemments comes to Texans he can drive down 45 south & I'll give him a ride on 1 Bad Boy. Show him what a "cat" boat will do. WOuld be nice if he offered to help pay fo gas.