Professor

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/3844809.html

Texans have eye on Antowain Smith
Veteran RB would add depth to backfield

By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

The Texans' search for depth at running back likely will end early next week.

The team is in talks to sign free-agent Antowain Smith, a former University of Houston standout.

Smith, a nine-year veteran, is coming off a solid season with the New Orleans Saints. He filled in for the injured Deuce McAllister and rushed for 659 yards.

The Texans are in need of an experienced backup. Domanick Davis returns as their starter, but he has missed time in each of his three NFL seasons with injuries. Last season, inflammation in his knee sidelined him for five games.

Behind Davis, the Texans have Vernand Morency, who is entering his second season, and rookie Wali Lundy, coming off an ankle injury in college.

Smith, who spends his offseasons in Houston, is a powerful back who would fit well in the Texans' new offensive scheme. He is ideal in short-yardage situations, but showed last year he can shoulder more of a load. He rushed for a season-high 110 yards on 17 carries against the Chicago Bears in November.

Smith was a first-round draft pick out of UH in 1997. He spent his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and the next three in New England, joining the Tennessee Titans in 2004 and the Saints in 2005.

BigOrangenation33

i dont think smith brings much to the table for the texans...ive watched him play for awhile especially in nashville and he didnt impress me at all....they might use him as a backup or short yardage back but thats all cuz dominack davis is a young and powerful back who has a great future ahead of him...also wut happened to their back up rb wells? he did a good job last year when davis got hurt

J-Unit

iunno...Antoine Smith showed great flashes last year backing up Duece while he was hurt. Average 4.0 yards per carry which averaged more than Duece while he was hurt. Has great veteran leadership. Has had plent of playoff and superbowl experience with the Pats.

Professor

Wells is still on the team and so is morency. Smith is 4th string right now and might not even make the team on final cut day.

BigOrangenation33

thats wut im sayin i dont think smith can bring much to the team besides experience i think he will retire pretty soon...

J-Unit

yeh but he brings the veteran leadership and experience...besides its not like hes gonna start or anything. Its just added depth, and I think he fills it perfectly.

Professor

he should retire soon, LOL he stinks

BigOrangenation33

lol well if they needed depth in the rb slot i could think of no one better then reggie bush..lol the texans dont know wut they are doing...

J-Unit

leave it up to the texans to ruin everything. Poorest organization ever besides the Lions and Matt Millen lol

Professor

how does signing smith say that they are a poor organization. I think that their draft was excellent and hiring kubiak was a perfect decision. They made the perfect picks, including passing on bush for williams. They may have been a poor organization, but they are definitely on the upswing.