[popanot]

Part of Mario's problem was that he was a #1 overall draft pick in the years prior to the new rookie wage scale and his salary/contract payout was already astronomical. I doubt there was anyone within the organization who really wanted Mario to go, but when you factor in his salary level at that the time vs. his production (and injury issues), there was no way the Texans could justify signing him to another monster deal. Had he been drafted #1 post-rookie wage scale, I firmly believe he would've gotten a second contract from the Texans.

As for the Joseph or Manning signings, I don't see how anyone can question those. They both were good deals and good players at the time and those signings greatly upgraded two positions in serious need of upgrade. It's easy in hindsight to look back and say they should have done this or that, but other than Coach Reed, I don't recall anyone on this board having a big problem with any of the FA moves Smith has made over the years at the time they occurred.

Looking back, the Carr deal was bad (can't recall if Smith was here then or not), the Ahman Green deal was bad (think that was Casserly), the Reed deal was bad (and thus letting Quinn walk), the last Schaub deal was bad, the Foster deal is looking bad, the Cushing deal might turn out bad... Ugh!