Rick Smith Era Drafting

He was hired after the 2006 draft.

 

What about Arian being picked up as an UFA in 2009?

 

Honestly, it's pretty good. People expect multiple starters from each draft and it really doesn't happen.

Just look at the other teams and compare. Even the "good" drafting teams like the Patriots and Steelers have had crappy drafts.

 

He's improved significantly over time. Early on I wasn't confident in him at all but now I'm really glad we have Rick for the draft.

 

I often wonder the division of labor on these.
1. Does he make the pick or does the coaches
2. How a pick pans out is largely on the coaches as well

I have often felt Rick was about Cap Management and maybe some input but the final decisions were with Kubes and McNair

which is why I felt he would be either fired before kubes or with kubes

Rocket River

 

Getting a JJ watt makes the entire draft an A+ irrespective of anyone else, but I thought that was a wade pick.

 

Also need to factor in he dealt 2 2s ('07 and '08) for Schaub.

 

My impression has always been that Kubiak and the coaching staff make the call with heavy input from scouting. Rick is involved but I think his job priority is to deal with salaries.

 

Not much better off there.

 

Cush is an A- ?

 

read the post, read his clarifications, read his reasoning..

 

odd number years(exception year #1) have resulted in better drafting??? hmm...im excited...

 

How is Studdard a B- at 6 and Diles a B at 7? If Kasey is a B- Diles is an A+++++ and the 2007 draft is an F- at best. I don't understand why you give leniency for injury but not PED Cushing. Base it on production and production alone. I don't think your scale is at all consistent.

 

6/188: Brice McCain: A-

wont he be a starter then?

 

Your ratings are way too generous. Basically if they played meaningful snaps you gave them a B or better.

 

Draft wise, I love the Texans track record. I would not mind average haul that we've had since the Kubiak/Smith regime. Excellent track record.

Personnel wise, the only thing I have a problem with is

1. Plugging holes with cheap talent but not lose too much production. Basically the Texans are way too affected by injuries. You're not suppose to be be screwed when you miss an ILB(even Cushing's caliber) or your nickel corner. And if you run a ZBS where you develop all your linemen, you're suppose to know if they're developed or not. Not having to scramble once the season starts.

2. Settling for above-average QB. To be fair, this is a difficult problem for any team. Schaub isn't a world beater, but he's not bad enough that you have to replace him. He's like a Josh Smith, you are going to be worse without him, but can you really win with him?

Everything else? I'm good with.

 

That's a good way of boiling it down. Frankly, if they'd solve #1, then #2 isn't as much of an issue--I mean, I'd be ok with it. I guess that means I only think #1 is a problem since that's the one that needs to be solved for sure

 

Do you guys see a theme here? They draft pretty much the safe player and don't seem to either move up and get a stud or look to acquire the big superstar talents in the draft.

The getting Reed instead of keeping Quin move is the type of culture I want the Texans to start moving towards. If we had that mindset last season we woulda gotten Peyton Manning in the offseason. If we have a stud in sights in this draft we need to go get it done. We may just be 1 Superstar away now either side of the ball.