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Hallelujah - we have a Real GM

i know some of you are not too happy with what GM Rick Smith has done thus far into the offseason, but i am sitting on the opposite end of that spectrum. The job our gm has done (in my eyes) has been solid and rational.. from finding key street free agents last season to signing (and lets not forget, convincing) ahman green to come play here for a fair (on both sides) contract, he is proving himself again & again. in addition, he seems to be very heady and conscious of the importance of maintaining a healthy salary cap; in which, will serve him well in the future by resisting those 'splashy' moves that end up biting us in the rear a couple years down the road. the gm is so crucial in professional sports this day and age (with mass scouting, media, etc..) and i think smith can potentially be one of the best. Rick Smith is the youngest gm in football, and without a doubt one of the most competent. He has a bright, bright future in the NFL as a GM... and once he gets this ship turned around, he will be nationally & locally touted as one of the saviors of h-town football. Lets do this...

Which end of the Rick Smith 'spectrum' do ya'll stand?
 

jdm12

Practice Squad
I am right with you! I use to cringe at the deals Charlie Cass. use to make. Most of them were for people past their prime and/or injured in some fashion. I just did not understand it.

At any rate I give an AMEN on this one. I knew the FA market was not going to be huge for us. However, getting Green in here for a fair price, resigning AJ which actually gave us cap room, and cutting other players to get more cap room.... Rick Smith gets an A+ from me so far. If he can draft the way he picks them off the street, WOW!!!

Oh and lets not forget opening targeting other QB's to get rid of Mr. Untouchable (off the field that is). I applaud the job he has done so far and look forward to more moves that he may pull off.

J
 

mikey21

Lifer
what i have noticed is he is doing what needs to be done to fix the cap problem the texans have, the great teams in the nfl are built through the draft so i am waiting to see how he does with his first draft calling the shots with kubiak, if he does it right this ship can be turned around in no time and with cap room to spare in2008 we can make a run at one or two big time free agents next year to help put the texans over the top, it seems that this front office has it's act together and i am looking forward to the moves that are yet to come
 

O.G.

Waterboy
Dude I think I luv our GM
I have to follow suit. I love our GM as well. He makes rash, calculated decisions and sticks with them. No going to the front office and demanding anything. I also like him for the fact that he, like Kubiak is an ex player.
 

Capster67

Waterboy
I agree. He does the so called little things right. I noticed, for instance, that while the Travis Henry deal was comparable to Green's in overall dollars, Green only got half the guaranteed dollars that Henry got. This says that he's smart enough to make the players work for their money. I'm sure the team will greatly benefit from such an approach.
 

texans83

Rookie
He is doing a great job, what he accomplished last year by bringing guys in from the street was amazing, reminded me of the replacements. I cant wait to see what he is giong to do in the draft.
 

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
Looking ahead to 2008, if you factor in AJ's new deal, we have about $45 million or more in cap space without many free agents. I think we will need to rework Dunta and maybe Demeco going into his third year. That being said, other than about $1.5 million of dead money if DD/DW gets cut post June 1st, I don't see much on the books next season. It's real early, but with a good draft this year, we may be sitting pretty darn good next year!
 

aj.

All Pro
We also have a new badass cap guy named Chris Olsen. He will deserve much of the credit if the Texans recover quickly from the contracts/dead money mess that CC and Ferens left behind.
 
S

SESupergenius

Guest
Looking ahead to 2008, if you factor in AJ's new deal, we have about $45 million or more in cap space without many free agents. I think we will need to rework Dunta and maybe Demeco going into his third year. That being said, other than about $1.5 million of dead money if DD/DW gets cut post June 1st, I don't see much on the books next season. It's real early, but with a good draft this year, we may be sitting pretty darn good next year!
I actually like that. Sacrifice a a year to recover from bad deals and bad players, all the while draft really well and not sell off your valued draft picks. Grow the team.
 
I'll second your statements. While we may not agree with all of the players being brought aboard, at least it looks like we have a logical plan in place to get us headed in the right direction.
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
I think we will need to rework Dunta and maybe Demeco going into his third year.
I expected to see a restructure announcemnet of Babins contract this year
in lieu of possibly being cut ? He was afterall in the same Draft class as
Dunta and also a first rounder.
 

humbleone

Waterboy
I expected to see a restructure announcemnet of Babins contract this year
in lieu of possibly being cut ? He was afterall in the same Draft class as
Dunta and also a first rounder.
A restructure would be nice but I don't see that being in the cards this year. This is the pivotal year for him on the Texans IMO. He could be a "person of interest" as they say for Smith to work with other teams on. And, with Peek now gone, his value to team just went up a bit.
 

kcwilson

Rookie
Looking ahead to 2008, if you factor in AJ's new deal, we have about $45 million or more in cap space without many free agents. I think we will need to rework Dunta and maybe Demeco going into his third year. That being said, other than about $1.5 million of dead money if DD/DW gets cut post June 1st, I don't see much on the books next season. It's real early, but with a good draft this year, we may be sitting pretty darn good next year!
More importantly, Rick Smith seems to not be over anxious in bringing in Free agents too quick. They have talked to quite a few it seems, but aren't scared of saying "No Thanks" or losing out in price.

The Green deal will work out well in my opinion over the next two years, and I think this year's draft will provide a lot of depth to marginally help the offense, but really allow the defense to make significant leaps from last year.... and our defense improved towards the latter half of the year.
 

clandestin

Waterboy
The most impressive move so far has been the deal we didn't make. There is no doubt in my mind that the last regime would have panicked over the QB situation and shelled out at LEAST a 4th round pick to Denver.

These guys value their draft picks.
 

Trenches

Waterboy
I like the approach so far.

take the hit this year and have close to a clean slate to start next year. whats one more year to sacrifice? we've written off 4 years already. we should be used to it.
 
i know some of you are not too happy with what GM Rick Smith has done thus far into the offseason, but i am sitting on the opposite end of that spectrum. The job our gm has done (in my eyes) has been solid and rational.. from finding key street free agents last season to signing (and lets not forget, convincing) ahman green to come play here for a fair (on both sides) contract, he is proving himself again & again. in addition, he seems to be very heady and conscious of the importance of maintaining a healthy salary cap; in which, will serve him well in the future by resisting those 'splashy' moves that end up biting us in the rear a couple years down the road. the gm is so crucial in professional sports this day and age (with mass scouting, media, etc..) and i think smith can potentially be one of the best. Rick Smith is the youngest gm in football, and without a doubt one of the most competent. He has a bright, bright future in the NFL as a GM... and once he gets this ship turned around, he will be nationally & locally touted as one of the saviors of h-town football. Lets do this...

Which end of the Rick Smith 'spectrum' do ya'll stand?
I think Cass did a great job with his last draft, and it was probably affected by good communications between him and Kubes.

I disagree about the Green signing. I don't think it was much of a stretch. Green wanted to continue playing, and GB didn't want to pay him to stay. So he went to his former coach, Sherman. Sherman has always liked Green - he took him to Green Bay when Green was having trouble in Seattle (where Sherman was a coach). They are looking for the same kind of magic to be made now later in his career. I suspect Smith had little to do with the coaxing of Green to Houston, but I credit the FO with a pretty decent signing.

With some of the mid-season pick-ups that Smith made, like Maddux, I think he will do well. I look forward to seeing what happens in the draft.
 

texans83

Rookie
I agree. Alot of guys on this blog are win now mode or im gone!! They dont seem to understand how much C and C put us in a tuff spot. Smith is doing a great job addressing all the dead money we have invested in that are no longer either on this team or put up the kind of numbers they would have liked. People need to realize next year we may be able to aquire a big name free agent or give up a draft pick for someone we really want but, we cant do that this year. All championship teams build through the draft and for the first time in 5yrs thats exactly what we are doing. Last year was the begining for us in the draft and it was a great one. Mario will come around and he will be fantastic. We just need to look at the big picture and realize what they are doing is the right thing and it will show in the near future.
 
The most impressive move so far has been the deal we didn't make. There is no doubt in my mind that the last regime would have panicked over the QB situation and shelled out at LEAST a 4th round pick to Denver.

These guys value their draft picks.
I couldnt agree with you more... i am a true believer in building a team (no matter what sport) through the draft. I think developing players gives them a better sense of unity and teamwork, and we definitely need that on our texans squad. We'll be there soon, the blueprint is in place, and we have the gm/coach/owner with enough sense to stick by it so we can finally make some serious noise in the AFC.
 

The Pencil Neck

Hall of Fame
I think he's doing a great job. I can't wait to see how this offseason progresses and how the draft goes. I want to see what we're going to do to improve our lines (both sides of the ball). I think we're going to be a much better team next year than we were last year. I'm not sure if that's necessarily going to translate into a lot more wins next year but in the years to come, I think we're going to be a good team.

I'm not sure about the Ahman Green move. AG was the "best" FA running back out there but his age worries me a bit. I like the contract, though.

Moulds being let go really hurt. But I think/hope there's more going on behind that than I see.

But overall, I think things are moving in the right direction.
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
Rick Smith is still in "benefit of the doubt" mode for me...when you hire a guy, it takes a few years to see it come together. I've seen a few moves I don't care for but I like the direction of the team in the larger picture, so I still feel good about Smith as of right now.
 

texans83

Rookie
Letting go Eric Moulds was a good move he carried to much cap space he would of really hurt the team next year. Dont quote me on this but I think it woudl have been nearly 7 million just on him for next year. He just didnt put up the numbers he used to and he didnt pull off enough DB for Aundre to get open. I think it was a great move only time will tell. He obvioulsy wasent happy here bc he wasent the go to guy anyways. Hopefull we can use the money we saved on him next year to get a younger and more athletic WR.
 
Rick Smith is still in "benefit of the doubt" mode for me...when you hire a guy, it takes a few years to see it come together. I've seen a few moves I don't care for but I like the direction of the team in the larger picture, so I still feel good about Smith as of right now.
Great point,.. although he might be in the 'benefit of the doubt' mode, Smith appears to have a better grasp on what needs to be done (i.e. fixing the salary cap, keeping draft picks, etc..) than casserly ever had. I think the best aspect of Smith's management pertains to the 'long-term' outlook in building a successful football team. He knows we are not going to win the superbowl next season, so he has put a logical plan in place for us to be successful for the long haul, instead of just one fluke year.
 

Meloy

Veteran
I am not ready to write 2007 season off. If the injury bug eases up & we have another good draft, this season could be very positive. Regardless of us getting another LT, I see Spencer playing a large role this season if only as a backup. This guy is a hoss that I can see us hitching our wagon to.
 

humbleone

Waterboy
I am not ready to write 2007 season off. If the injury bug eases up & we have another good draft, this season could be very positive. Regardless of us getting another LT, I see Spencer playing a large role this season if only as a backup. This guy is a hoss that I can see us hitching our wagon to.
I agree with this except the part about getting another LT because I believe we are in real trouble if we don't pick up 2 OL (including one legitimate LT prospect) this year.

In my perfect world:

(1) Landry - now we got a safety boys!
(2) Staley - he competes with Spencer, who hopefully makes it back and moves to RT with Winston sliding inside.
(3) Satele - Now we have a great C/G prospect
(4) BA between WR and CB
(5) BA WR with speeed if CB was the pick at 4
(6) Punter (I like the Baylor kid btw)

What I don't like is no new OLB prospect in the above but this year is not very deep with those guys and we have too many holes to fill in one year anyway.
 

humbleone

Waterboy
I am not ready to write 2007 season off. If the injury bug eases up & we have another good draft, this season could be very positive. Regardless of us getting another LT, I see Spencer playing a large role this season if only as a backup. This guy is a hoss that I can see us hitching our wagon to.
I agree with this except the part about getting another LT because I believe we are in real trouble if we don't pick up 2 OL (including one legitimate LT prospect) this year.

In my perfect world:

(1) Landry - now we got a safety boys!
(2) Staley - he competes with Spencer, who hopefully makes it back and moves to RT with Winston sliding inside.
(3) Satele - Now we have a great C/G prospect
(4) BA between WR and CB
(5) BA WR with speeed if CB was the pick at 4
(6) Punter (I like the Baylor kid btw)

What I don't like is no new OLB prospect in the above but this year is not very deep with those guys and we have too many holes to fill in one year anyway.
 

kcwilson

Rookie
I agree with this except the part about getting another LT because I believe we are in real trouble if we don't pick up 2 OL (including one legitimate LT prospect) this year.

In my perfect world:

(1) Landry - now we got a safety boys!
(2) Staley - he competes with Spencer, who hopefully makes it back and moves to RT with Winston sliding inside.
(3) Satele - Now we have a great C/G prospect
(4) BA between WR and CB
(5) BA WR with speeed if CB was the pick at 4
(6) Punter (I like the Baylor kid btw)

What I don't like is no new OLB prospect in the above but this year is not very deep with those guys and we have too many holes to fill in one year anyway.
The Texans are definitely in the mode of asking themselves, "since we can't address all the holes, which holes can we afford not to fill?" And it seems based on last year, that we can probably get by without addressing the OLB situation. Orr isn't long term, and Greenwood tackles, but isn't a playmaker. Anderson isn't the solution, so we will have to wait and see what transpires there.

CB/S/DL/OL/QB are must address situation to give all parties time to develop into every day contributors.
 

afcman

Waterboy
Rick Smith is still in "benefit of the doubt" mode for me...when you hire a guy, it takes a few years to see it come together. I've seen a few moves I don't care for but I like the direction of the team in the larger picture, so I still feel good about Smith as of right now.
Yeah, this is where I am too. Not bad so far really. I'm really looking forward to the draft. I just hope we can find us a young QB with great potential for our future real soon. I'm a believer in the "build around the QB" style. We need a strong leader in that position, one that has the respect of the players.

I am glad that Smith isn't just throwing money around and seems to be cutting fat. I'm more than willing to let this season slide if I see that the team is heading in the right direction. Look at where the Titans were 2-3 yrs ago and now they've turn their team around. Now they're (mostly) young and have experience and can make a good run at it again. I can see us in that situation in 2 yrs at least if we stay on track.
 
I like that with the low guaranteed dollars for Green he can be a player that can be cut in 2 years and will save money since his cap hit would only be a little over $3 million then. Obviously if he's performing well they wouldn't look at that, but it's nice to have that option. Imagine what Miami is going to be facing in 2 years if Porter has lost more steps. Cutting him would cost them $12 million. The same can be said for Kerney in Seattle. A smart GM will help this team go a long way towards becoming very good.
 
I like that with the low guaranteed dollars for Green he can be a player that can be cut in 2 years and will save money since his cap hit would only be a little over $3 million then. Obviously if he's performing well they wouldn't look at that, but it's nice to have that option. Imagine what Miami is going to be facing in 2 years if Porter has lost more steps. Cutting him would cost them $12 million. The same can be said for Kerney in Seattle. A smart GM will help this team go a long way towards becoming very good.
or $18.75 million in guaranteed money, and a $16 million signing bonus for an underachieving OT. cowgirls ha!
 
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