BREAKING NEWS: Texans Sign Antonio Smith

by Jake on Feb 28, 2009 3:47 PM CST in News Comment 26 comments

John McClain is reporting that the Texans have signed DE Antonio Smith, (now) formerly of the Arizona Cardinals. The Texans inked Smith to a five year, $35 million dollar contract which includes $12.5 million in guaranteed money.

Smith was drafted in 2004 by Arizona after playing his collegiate career for Oklahoma State. Smith was only active for 2 games his rookie year, but participated in 12 games in 2005, including 8 games started. In the last three years, he has played all 16 games and averaged 10 starts a season. Smith has 14.5 career sacks in four years.

Smith's sack totals may not be earth-shattering, but he played the role of LDE, which required less pass rush and more run stuffing. Smith has tallied 84 tackles, including 68 solo, in the last two years alone. Smith appears to fill the void that Anothony Weaver was originally supposed to occupy.

Smith's contract seems overly generous at first glance, and it may be, but not to the extent it appears. Defensive lineman are the third highest paid players in the league on average, following only QBs and OTs. Still, Smith will be making 7 million a year, which some of the Houston faithful will think is a little too much. Smith raised his stock by recording 5.5 sacks in the last 11 games of the season (including the playoffs), showing that he can play as a run stuffer by the standards of a 4-3 DE or pass rusher by those of a 3-4 DE.

This casts doubt as to whether the Texans will be targeting a DE in the first round because the total of that unknown rookie's, Smith's and Super Mario's salaries would be a significant amount of the Texans' cap. This brings about a lot of different questions to my mind regarding Frank Bush's defense. I'll start writing the post now; should be done soon.

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Like the move

With our supposed new emphasis on getting into the backfield, and having Mario on the other end from him (plus having Amobi play to his strengths) we could have a very aggressive d-line indeed.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Feb 28, 2009 4:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Love the move

The salary seems decently fair, though we may have overpaid just a tad bit. We don’t have to focus as much attention at DE in the first round where the value is low this year. Instead, we can truly go BPA on defense route.

Oh, I forgot, we’re going to draft Mark Sanchez.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3939151&action=login&appRedirect=http3a2f2finsider.espn.go.com2fnfl2fdraft092finsider2fcolumns2fstory3fcolumnist3dmcshay_todd26id3d3939151

"I'm just looking forward to something great happening in the city of Houston" - Tracy McGrady

Still waiting...

"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know." - The Dream #34

by DreKeem on Feb 28, 2009 4:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow,

well stops our play for Julius Peppers talks. I wonder how #59 and D-Rob are feeling right now hopefully Smith has the sense to lock them up long term in the near future. Now what do we expect to do with our first pick in the draft? Do we still grab a DE if he is the BPA? Do we target an OLB or S? What if the talent isnt there do we trade down and get an extra pick? Maybe with the extra picks we have now, we could be in position to move up for someone Smithiak feel we need for that next step? I am just to excited of what this means for us in the draft.

If you aint Texans then F@!# You!!!!

by houstonbola on Feb 28, 2009 4:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If I were to guess

…I’d say we’d go S or OLB in the first round. I also wonder if this makes it more likely that we trade down.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Feb 28, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember in 2006

We signed Weaver and everybody said that would take us out of picking Mario.

by b0ng on Feb 28, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hooray

i really like this move. now if manchild can step up and play like he did his rookie year, our d-line is going to be pretty nasty

by cubic on Feb 28, 2009 4:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like it.

We needed to fill that hole quick and with someone who can contribute this year. From the article, and coming off of playing the super bowl, he sounds like he has some heart. I’m proud of how this offseason has gone thus far.

I think the FO is worrying about what they need to make the playoffs first and will address DeMeco at a more appropriate (they already offered Dunta 23M guaranteed… I’d probably wait until the market died down a little to work on that deal..).

I don’t think that anyone can say the FO is not working to do what is best for the team first. these other things can be addressed later.

by WhiskeyR on Feb 28, 2009 5:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I really like this move for the reasons already stated

We don’t have to reach for a DE in the draft, we are more likely to trade down, we can go BPA with our first pick although we should still focus on OLB and S, and this has to mean that Rick Smith must now take care of DeMeco and OD. Dunta, who knows, but I hope we can work a deal with him too.

Antonio replaces Weaver in the lineup and is a major upgrade on both run D and QB pressure. If we can add an OLB with pass rushing skills with our 1st or 2nd pick we will have accomplished one our major offseason goals. Get more QB pressure.

Good to see us jump in quickly and grab a top tier FA that fills a need.

by oiler-texan diehard on Feb 28, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

love this move

now if we can get bj raji or cushing or jenkins id be happy…jenkins the most!

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Feb 28, 2009 7:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm Skeptical

I’ll expand upon that thought in a later post. I think we overpaid, though I’’ll readily admit (1) a player is worth whatever the market will tolerate and/or (2) Antonio Smith will not be less productive than The Corpse Formerly Known As Anthony Weaver.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 1, 2009 2:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

$$

You’re gonna have to pay for pass rushers, and from his position, Smith is just that.
As to us not targeting another DE in the draft, I think we still will, but this signing allows us to make a move on one of the tweeners or pure pass rushers. I say this because Smith apparenlty would often times, move down to DT on third downs to rush from the interior. If he does this for Bush, we can still get a Michael Johnson or somesuch in the draft, and allow him to do what he does best. I know it would be even more money at the Dline, but that’s life.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Mar 1, 2009 12:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah we still go for a DE in the draft but I would be a bit surprised if it were with the 15th pick

We can go OLB at 15 if we really like someone who we think we will not be there if we move down. I would like to see us move down and add a #3, but would be OK with waiting until 46 and hoping that Ayers or Kruger is still available. If we can add 2 good front 7 defensive players at 15 & 46, coupled with the Smith signing, we HAVE to be better at pressuring the QB.

Great to see Bruce Matthews come back to Houston. His experience has to be an asset to Alex Gibbs, Shanny Jr., et al. Would not mind seeing us add his nephew Clay Jr as our 1st draft pick. If he is anything like Bruce or Clay Sr he is going to be a solid player for 10+ years. He has improved steadily since walking on at USC to the point that he is now a lock to be a 1st round pick. His fellow LB’s got more pub, but he could be the one that turns out to be the gem of the bunch.

by oiler-texan diehard on Mar 1, 2009 10:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, there’s no such thing as NOT overpaying for a complimentary pass rusher in free agency.

I think it’s expensive (but really not that expensive) insurance in case they don’t get the guy they want in the draft. I mean, it would be a good problem to have if we get a guy in the draft that works out AND we have Smith in front of him on the depth chart.

Our pass rush isn’t bad – it’s pathetic. I can still totally see us going DE in the 2nd. (Never really thought they’d go there in the first unless Brown or Orakpo fall).

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Mar 2, 2009 2:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m excited! This is the kind of player who would flirt with the Texans, only to sign with another team. No doubt that 12.5 mil is tough to pass up ; surely he could’ve gotten a similar deal with another team. Apparently it’s not just H-town fans/players who have playoff expectations for our team. Gives me even more optimism about the 2009 season.

www.houstonsportsrule.blogspot.com

by instantrage on Mar 1, 2009 3:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dan Orlovsky

is your newest Texan. http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/01/orlovsky-lands-with-texans/

by Triple347 on Mar 1, 2009 1:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sweet

I like the move.

by WhiskeyR on Mar 1, 2009 2:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Beef up the D

That’s the key to getting to the playoffs, supplying the team with a defense that can adequately complement our new potent offense! I know it’s cliche, but it doesn’t make it any less true… DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!

by SkycatF14 on Mar 1, 2009 3:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

plus

smith 3 times as many sacks last season as Weaver has in 3 year.s!!!

GO TEXANS!!!!

www.houstonsportsrule.blogspot.com

by Texanmaniac on Mar 1, 2009 6:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Smith Will Be Better Than Weaver

If for no other reason than I hear Antonio Smith has a pulse.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 2, 2009 6:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a good move

I like this move as it proceeded the Sage Rosenfels deal. Recall, we have an extra 4th round pick, and I’m sure we have some guys on our squad that could be dangled for trade bait on draft day: (Travis Johnson, Fred Bennett) either way, I bring that up b/c if we can make some package to move up in the draft to get a player like Orakpo if available would be a draft well done for the Texans. Imagine if Orakpo slides all the way to 11 or 13 to the Bills or Redskins. The Redskins have two giant defensive free agents on the books which might prompt them to draft Jeremy Maclin or Moreno, a skill player to give Campbell some help and maybe they’d feel comfortable moving down to 15, save some money and get an extra pick while they’re at it. Or, the Bills who need help @ pass rush and TE, maybe they trade down to draft Pettigrew or maybe also draft a rb b/c of Lynch’s offseason problems. Either way, Smith gives us the ability to draft a tweener guy to mix up looks on defense. Recall, we still have Okam and Okoye, so we’re probably not going to draft a DT too high in the draft, and from what I hear Smith is a solid runstuffing DT at times. If Orakpo slides anywhere past 10, texans NEED to get him, even if it takes our 4th rounder from the sage deal and a switch of 1st round picks. Gosh, I hope the Texans are thinking the same thing…

by wiseonekms on Mar 2, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jason Taylor

Btw, Jason Taylor is a free agent, would u guys entertain this idea? and crabtree’s decision to take surgery has reportedly “hurt his draft stock,” if he reaches #15…is that a pick the Texans jump on?

by wiseonekms on Mar 2, 2009 4:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

in a word...

Nope.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Mar 2, 2009 6:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Crabtree is on the board at 15 I would be shocked. He is by far the best WR in the draft.

He would look so awesome opposite Dre, that I’m sure Smithiak would have to think about it. I think he would be tough to pass on.

by oiler-texan diehard on Mar 5, 2009 8:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

If Crabtree is there at 15, you almost HAVE to say damn the torpedoes and take him. He’d likely be so far and away the best talent on the board at that point that you would be nuts not to pull the trigger.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 5, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs