[KTRK-TV] Texans Interested in DE Antonio Smith
 

I didn't make it home in time to catch this on the live broadcast, but apparently channel 13 had another story that the Texans were looking at signing DE Antonio Smith as the ying to Mario's yang (wait, that didn't come out right...).

Anyone else see this? As before withe Jacoby Jones news, the broadcast will re-air at 1:05am CT tonight.

If true I'm sure the Texans would save mucho dollars signing Antonio Smith over Julius Peppers.

2005 Arizona Cardinals 16 0 3 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 Arizona Cardinals 15 10 2.5 1.5 0 2 0 0 0 0
2007 Arizona Cardinals 37 7 5.5 5 1 3 0 0 0 0
2008 Arizona Cardinals 31 10 3.5 4.5 2 3 0 0 0 0
Totals: 99 27 14.5 13.5 3 8 0 0 0 0
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo.../players/6894/
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14.5 sacks total over 4 years ? And a stumpy 6'4" & 285 lbs. 28 years old this Fall. This is our big FA splash ? Not sexy enough !
I wanta see Kollar draft one of those tweener whippets who checks in at 'bout 245-255 on a rangy 6'4" - 6'5" chassy and who blurs when he comes off of the edge. You know, somebody that reminds you of Jevon Kearse when he first came into the league.
He's already done it with Schobel in Buffalo, I say give him the reins on that #15 this Draft like the Texans did with Gibbs last year on a OT in the first round.

Okay, I watched this on the DVR finally. Bob Allen did say "I'm hearing the one of the Texans free agency targets will be Arizona Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith. ..."

And yeah, getting him would definitely seem to be mutually exclusive with getting Julius Peppers.

Sounds a lot like replacing Anthony Weaver -with- Anthony Weaver (albeit, potentially cheaper).

If this happens I would think the Texans would look at a speed rusher in the draft, but probably not until the later rounds.

Or somebody we still have on our roster who's cheaper yet - Tim Bulman.

From checking out the Cardinals board it seems that Smith was a 5th round project that was drafted on raw potential. Over the past couple of seasons he has finally begun to realize that potential, recording 5.5 sacks in '07 and 3.5 in '08. He also came on very strong at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He is a high character, high motor guy, and has a working relationship with Frank Bush.

The match makes a lot of sense, so I wouldn't be surprised (or upset) to see him end up here. He's no Julius Peppers, but I wouldn't mind being the beneficiary of Arizona's developmental work so long as we don't have to pay too much for it.

I don't know how great that is......

Why not?

You're getting a "project" post-project. It's like us taking Amobi Okoye in the draft; spending years developing his strength, conditioning, and technique; and then losing him to another team once his rookie contract expires and his production starts matching his potential.

That's not necessarily a bad thing (for the signing team), depending on the contract numbers.

Because its the Cardinals..... I'm more or less making a joke about it, but even still, its the CARDINALS!!! I wouldn't trust any sort of "development" that they have made with a player. Players are so system oriented now as well but I'd rather go after Chris Canty if they were looking to go that route. Similar style of player that is a strongside end that could kick inside on 3rd down.

An avg. of 4.5 per year. That's about 4.5 more than we had been getting from that position. I realize sacks aren't the end-all of DE play but they are a pretty good barometer and sounds like the guy is coming into his prime....

If they pick him up, I'd say they'll go LB in the first round...

Sacks is what we need Arky. That's what our defense is missing most of all - sacks, or pressure on the QB as it were.
Jason Babin is a free agent this year, lets just get him back here if this joker is the best we can do. I dunno that Babin couldn't average 3-4 sacks a game
in pass situations ?

On the NFL Network, they had a list of potential FAs on the side of the screen last night. When I saw Antonio's name up there, I came to this conclusion.

1. Plays at a position of need.
2. Playoff experience last season.
3. Worked with Bush in Arizona.
4. Cheaper tier FA potentially.
5. LDE who keeps Mario at RDE.

Sounds like a legit speculation. It would keep the team from feeling forced to draft a DE like Robert Ayers in the 1st round. Perhaps the team is projecting guys like Everette Brown and Brian Orakpo won't be available at #15. Maybe Michael Johnson is too likely to be a bust to take that highly and Maybin is too small to play DE on every down. Signing FAs to address needs is what allows a GM to draft the BPA - which is very important in the 1st round.

That's the key, Super Bowl appearances tend to drive prices up, but assuming his cap number is lower than Weaver's would have been this year (possible) then they can still go after a DE in the draft. It would probably be less likely that it would be early, but they could be in just as good a position to take one in the first as they were before. It would all depend on the contract.The big names get the pub, but FA's should let you fill your holes before the draft so you don't have to reach, unless you want to, on draft day.

Pancakes could very well be right (and it pains me to say it). The team might not be looking for that light speed rushing RDE like we are....at least not early on.

OR maybe signing a 2 down DE like Antonio opens the door for us to draft a smaller speedy pass rush specialist like Maybin.

When I said, "Maybin is too small to play DE on every down" that was given as a reason to sign Antonio. So, I guess you are agreeing with me.

Ok after rereading youre post I see what you are saying. Sorry and yes I agree with you. :D

In one mock that I did, I drafted Sidbury to be my rush specialist and then drafted Derek Walker to be my 2 down DE later in the draft.

hmmm... among the teams interested in Smith - the Bucs and Eagles, both of which have more cap room than the Texans.

Anyone want to keep the Peppers fantasy alive, think of this... the Texans only went whole hog in a trade for Matt Schaub after other QB options seemed to fall through (Jake Plummer, etc.). That trade happened like around March 22, 2007.

With Anthony Weaver gone, the team needs a LDE (again, assuming they don't want to play Mario at the position). I'd be interesting in hearing Plan B if Smith isn't signed.

Oh, and anyone thinking Smith will come at some bargain will be sadly mistaken I think.