Texans sign DE Antonio Smith from Cards (AP)

Meh, he's average.

 

Texans land Smith to bookend with Williams

<p><em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em></p> <p>The Texans have landed their primary target on the defensive line in free agency, former Cardinals end <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5660" target="_new">Antonio Smith</a>. ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton reports it is a five-year, $35 million contract that will pay Smith $15.5 million in the first year, $19.4 million through the first two years and $24 million through the first three.</p> <p>Houston's top goal in the offseason was to upgrade opposite <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9587" target="_new">Mario Williams</a>, and the Texans cut unproductive <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3580" target="_new">Anthony Weaver</a> before free agency opened.</p> <p>Smith finished strong and is regarded by many as an improving and solid all-around end who can hold up well against the run with his size -- 6-foot-4, 285 pounds. Paired with the 6-6, 286 Williams, the Texans will bring a lot of size on the outside.</p> <p>How effective Smith will be at rushing the passer remains to be seen. He has 14.5 sacks in 62 career games, and took down the quarterback once in each of the Cardinals first two playoff games en route to the Super Bowl.</p> <p>I expect the Texans think he will be a more productive pass rusher working with Williams, especially if the team adds to the interior defensive line as well.</p>

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+1

Reminds me of "Phins sign Randy Starks". Or "Cincy signs Atwan Odom". Or maybe even Arizona signs Travis LaBoy".

 

He was average, now he's a Texan....

 

aka "now he sucks"

 

The Houston Texans have signed free agent defensive end Antonio Smith. Smith appeared in each regular season game and started three of four playoff games for the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals last season. The Texans, who announced the deal Saturday, needed someone to start opposite 2006 top overall pick Mario Williams after releasing Anthony Weaver earlier this week.

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He is not a Pro Bowler or anything... but he is an IMMEDIATE upgrade over Anthony Weaver whom we cut last week. Weaver came from a 3-4 in Balt and just couldnt hack it in a 4-3 here. We had to flip flop Mario around to try and create any sort of pressure. Weaver was invisible. A. Smith is coming from a 4-3 and will play his same posish... is familiar with our new DC... and fits the athletic LDE we were looking for. On a Defense that was not loaded with talent or anything he was very disruptive and stood out for the Cards last year. In his last 11 games he had 5.5 sacks. He is now paired with Williams (who can now sit in at RDE and let loose) who should only make him better.

Not only that... we dont have to target a 4-3 DE in the draft at pick 15. It was a horrible spot for that especially with all the "hybrid" DEs available. Best LB available? We get lucky and Maualuga falls to us? Cushing? Pair one of those with Demeco? Much more flexibility now.

 

Whatever you have to tell yourself.

 

$35 million for a player who averages 3.5 sacks a year. What a signing.