Smith addresses combine

[GT]

Texans general manager Rick Smith was one of a handful of GMs to take the podium at the combine. He talked about what the Texans are looking for as they head into the draft and how the combine helps the front office evaluate talent.

(on who will be the Texans’ starting quarterback) “Our starting quarterback is Matt Schaub. Sage (Rosenfels) did a outstanding job in the opportunities that he had last year. If you look at the league, there were 60-some different guys playing starting quarterback position last year. It is very, very important to have a good backup that can go in the game, that your team feels comfortable with, that you don't feel like you miss a beat when he's in the game. And we certainly feel fortunate we got a guy like Sage in that position for us.”

Heres the link to the rest of the story. (http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4196)

(on his template for evaluating talent) “There are any number of combinations of things you look for. I think, obviously, when you talk about the various positions, you have athletic quality and things you look for. You look at character. The most important thing is his body of work on the football field

[HydrOshocK]

Smith is quickly becoming my hero. I love what he's done since coming to Houston and I'm pretty optimistic that he has a pretty solid game plan in place for free agency and the draft......we'll find out soon! :D

[ObsiWan]

This was my fave part...

I think it is important that you draft well. I stood up here last year and said we are going to try to build through the draft. What does that mean? To me, that means is you do a good job in your draft, you select players that are a good fit for your system, and then you recognize that and get those guys under contract for the long term. And you continue to build that way. You supplement through free agency, and maybe add a player here and a player there, but by and large you build with good young players through the draft and get those guys under contract.

Given his not-so-hot luck with Green and Black last year, I'll bet he's even more cautious about picking up guys thru F/A. And he'll be especially careful when it comes to giving up our draft picks for F/As.

Casserly, he's not.
:)

[Matt_in_KW]

I agree Smith is smart and very smooth guy. He knows what he is doing...what are we down to...3 days? Before FA signing starts?

[GT]

Smith is quickly becoming my hero. I love what he's done since coming to Houston and I'm pretty optimistic that he has a pretty solid game plan in place for free agency and the draft......we'll find out soon! :DSo very true....as for me the days are dragging.I am so looking forward to FA to see what rabbits they pull out of the hat.

[Texan Naija]

I'm hoping we lock up Andre Davis within the first week. That or he goes to a team outside of the AFC South, the man could be to dangerous a weapon to give to our neighbors.

But yeah, Smith sounds like a really intelligent guy, who I hope continues to help build our organization into one of the better ones in league.

[dallas_texan]

Thanks to Mathis we will retain Davis...no doubt in my mind...I'd bet on it! Mathis could be the unsung hero in this one...:D

Unless of course Davis's agent has any intelligence at all, and he now realizes he has Smith and Kubes by the cojones now!

[zanth91]

Thanks to Mathis we will retain Davis...no doubt in my mind...I'd bet on it! Mathis could be the unsung hero in this one...:D

They had better, I'm getting nervous now....it's taking too long.

[Texan Naija]

Unless of course Davis's agent has any intelligence at all, and he now realizes he has Smith and Kubes by the cojones now!

Not completely, Jacoby is pretty much being groomed to play the same positions we are all expecting Davis to play as a receiver and kick returner. The only problem is that he hasn't had as many receptions that Davis has had over last season and he may lack the confidence and experience to just gun it down the field like Davis has been able to.

Davis agent no doubt is shopping him to teams in need of quality receivers as a solid No. 2 (or even No. 1) guy and sadly, there are a good number of those. Thankfully though even with the loss of Davis we still have at least two proven WR in AJ and Walter, with Jacoby Jones showing signs of promise.

[O.G.]

Not completely, Jacoby is pretty much being groomed to play the same positions we are all expecting Davis to play as a receiver and kick returner. The only problem is that he hasn't had as many receptions that Davis has had over last season and he may lack the confidence and experience to just gun it down the field like Davis has been able to.

Davis agent no doubt is shopping him to teams in need of quality receivers as a solid No. 2 (or even No. 1) guy and sadly, there are a good number of those. Thankfully though even with the loss of Davis we still have at least two proven WR in AJ and Walter, with Jacoby Jones showing signs of promise.

Totally agree. The Texans want him back and he quoting his agent wants to be back, but him being back with the Texans will totally depend on the price at hand. His agent also stated that he wants to be a starter and has been a starter in the league before.

[El Tejano]

To me, it's not going to hurt to make Davis the #2 but that is another thread.