Rumor: Texans trying to Trade DJ

[popanot]

Originally Posted by WMH

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26 3m3 minutes ago
Texans release DJ Swearinger

Incredible! I don't give crap what any of these "expert" NFL writers, talking heads, or front office people say, Rick Smith is an incompetent nincompoop when comes to being a NFL GM - certainly as it pertains to college talent evaluation and the draft. We basically have one, yes one, usable player out of that draft now. Granted, no one could have predicted what happened to David Quessenberry (at least I HOPE Rick Smith didn't know about it), but it's not like he was a sure fire starter before he went down. Laughingly, the other decent player out of that draft, Chris Jones, we cut and he just won a Super Bowl.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by popanot

Incredible! I don't give crap what any of these "expert" NFL writers, talking heads, or front office people say, Rick Smith is an incompetent nincompoop when comes to being a NFL GM - certainly as it pertains to college talent evaluation and the draft. We basically have one, yes one, usable player out of that draft now. Granted, no one could have predicted what happened to David Quessenberry (at least I HOPE Rick Smith didn't know about it), but it's not like he was a sure fire starter before he went down. Laughingly, the other decent player out of that draft, Chris Jones, we cut and he just won a Super Bowl.

Definitely not a good look for the '13 class, that's for sure.

There's GOT to be something behind the scenes that will surface soon. With the lack of depth at the S position, you would think they'd put up with mediocrity for another season rather than just cut him loose. Is he really worse than anything they'd pick up off the street right now? Can't imagine so. That's why I think there's more to the story, but time will tell.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by WMH

Definitely not a good look for the '13 class, that's for sure.

There's GOT to be something behind the scenes that will surface soon. With the lack of depth at the S position, you would think they'd put up with mediocrity for another season rather than just cut him loose. Is he really worse than anything they'd pick up off the street right now? Can't imagine so. That's why I think there's more to the story, but time will tell.

I agree there's probably more to it than what he does on the field. The thing that bothers me is they and everyone else knew DSwag was a loose cannon as far as his personality and his playing style, yet, they still decided to use a high pick on him.

[chuck]

I tell you what, 2012 was a draft for the ages! Why, the Texans hauled in six guys who have actually seen the field on a fairly regular basis! None of them is particularly good, mind you, but at least they suited up and got on the field. That is a banner year for the Godfather.

[barrett]

Regime changes result in moves like this. Swearinger was a Kubiak/Phillips/Smith pick. He had a year to win this group over and he didn't. He played OK (created lots of turnovers but gave up big plays), but he also acted like an idiot. Now he is gone. It is not the least bit surprising.

NFL HCs like to have "their" guys. O'Brien appears to be taking 2-3 seasons to clean house instead of doing it all at once. In most places guys like Foster, AJ, Joseph would have been gone as soon as the new coach showed up. That and the lack of urgency at QB says O'Brien is super confident he has 4-5 years minimum. With McNair's slow trigger that is probably a safe assumption.

[HPF Bob]

I'm just waiting for 1) the vote of confidence McNair gives Rick Smith and 2) the cries of racism if he's ever fired.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I'm just waiting for the cries of racism if he's ever fired.

Nice try, but no. If Quanell X happens to be a Texans fan he will join the conga line like everyone else.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

Regime changes result in moves like this. Swearinger was a Kubiak/Phillips/Smith pick. He had a year to win this group over and he didn't. He played OK (created lots of turnovers but gave up big plays), but he also acted like an idiot. Now he is gone. It is not the least bit surprising

I don't disagree with this. I just wish that if you're drafting a guy in the 2nd RD and then jettisoning him 2 years later, that he SOME redeemable value you can get in return (useable aging vet, 4th/5th/6th RD pick - something). This is all Smith, and I wish I could say I'm shocked McNair puts up with it.

Originally Posted by barrett

That and the lack of urgency at QB says O'Brien is super confident he has 4-5 years minimum. With McNair's slow trigger that is probably a safe assumption.

All he has to do is look at McNair's tolerance for incompetence at GM and past HC's to know he has a boatload of time. Finish average or above average and he has the golden goose in hand.

[Nconroe]

fwiw, I think DJ created the situation where he had to be let go , couldn't wait, once he sent out his texts.

Sounds like perhaps DJ started his own downfall last year during OTAs by not wanting to be on special teams.

I also think McNairs patience is a positive overall.

Now we need to replace our top 3 Safeties of last year who did fairly well, but are not back.

They surrendered only 19.6 points a game (7th best in 2014), were first in the NFL in takeaways with a safety position that created 6 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, 14 pass deflections and 1 touchdown.

[popanot]

Rick Smith drafted players still on the team per/draft year:
2007 - 0
2008 - 1 (Duane Brown)
2009 - 1 (Brian Cushing) - They let Barwin and Quinn walk.
2010 - 1 (Kareem Jackson)
2011 - 2 (JJ and Derek Newton) - They let Reed walk.
2012 - 5 (4 if KMart gets cut) - Granted, they got some usable player in 2012. Nothing great, though.
2013 - 2 (Nuk Hopkins and Ryan Griffin - DQ not on the team, really)
2014 - TBD, but we all know what a disaster it was as far as productivity out of that rookie class last year. Not looking good.
2015 - TBD

Almost all of the above picks were taken in the 1rst Round, where you're supposed to at least get a productive player. The 2nd Round on down has been atrocious as far as drafting and retaining players. Just awful. Hate to say it, but people kill the Jags, Titans and Browns for being awful franchises, but the Texans are not far behind.