Texans Sign Antowain Smith

[Dr. Duran Duran]

HOUSTON (May 8, 2006) -- The Houston Texans agreed to terms with running back Antowain Smith, giving the team a backup for starter Domanick Davis.

Last season with the New Orleans Saints, Smith filled in for Deuce McAllister after he suffered a season-ending knee injury and ran for 659 yards and three touchdowns.

The 34-year-old unrestricted free agent, who attended the University of Houston, has 6,881 yards rushing and 54 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons. He has also played for Tennessee, New England and Buffalo.

After passing on Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush in favor of defensive end Mario Williams in the draft, the Texans were in need of another running back. Davis missed five games last season with knee inflammation.

Also, Houston re-signed offensive lineman Zach Wiegert.

Wiegert started five games at right guard and seven games at right tackle last season. The 6-foot-5, 296-pounder missed four games with an ankle injury. He has started 128 games in 11 NFL seasons and has been with the Texans since 2003.

Terms of the deals were not released.

[moonhead]

hmmm. who will be primary backup to DD?

[MrTwo94]

I would think Morency. He looked really good at OSU and in his few chances last year. Seems very similar to DD. But now Lundy and Smith are there. I think Smith will be the situational back even if DD gets hurt. Morency should step in a be quite productive as the starter in that scenario.

[Dadd]

I would think Morency. He looked really good at OSU and in his few chances last year. Seems very similar to DD. But now Lundy and Smith are there. I think Smith will be the situational back even if DD gets hurt. Morency should step in a be quite productive as the starter in that scenario.

Absolute stud in college, and he's looked good in the action he's gotten. I would think Houston would feel comfortable with him as the primary backup. Smith is on his last legs, situational runner at best.

[skibrett15]

this is how I see this situation and the fantasy relevance: Domanick Davis and Vernand Morency share similar skill sets and running styles. Antowain Smith is a downhill power runner, unlike DD and Morency. Because of this, I think Smith will get more carries while DD is healthy as a change of pace/style back or perhaps in short yardage/specific goaline situations. If DD were to get injured however, the more talented and versatile Morency assumes the feature back role with Smith serving a similar (perhaps mildly enhanced) role as change of pace/goaline runner.

Fantasy-wise: Morency is the handcuff to DD, but if in dire need of someone who will get some touches and is a longshot for a TD/40 yard performance Antowain Smith is the better bet while DD is healthy.

[terpfan]

Morency is the handcuff (but not really a necessary one outside of deep leagues) Smith might steal a few TDs, but Im not sure how many there will really be to steal.

[Horizons]

Houston
1
Williams, Mario
DE
6-7
294
North Carolina State

2
33
Ryans, DeMeco
OLB
6-1
235
Alabama

3
65
Spencer, Charles
OT
6-5
351
Pittsburgh

4
66
Winston, Eric
OT
6-6
311
Miami (Fla.)

5
98
Daniels, Owen
TE
6-3
243
Wisconsin

6
170
Lundy, Wali
RB
5-11
213
Virginia

7
251
Anderson, David
WR
5-10
193
Colorado State
It appears Houston is trying to mend both sides of the line, but something tells me to stay away from DD, AJ, etc.
Are injuries and offensive ineptness tainting my view or will the Texans be the same old fantasy disappointment?

[Sixxgunn]

DD's value takes a huge hit. Smith is one of the best backs around...WAIT...I can't do this. What a joke. Why is this guy still getting work? There has got to be a hundred guys out there that can produce better than Antowain, and they are just sitting on their couch. What a waste of cash.

[michaelavelli]

DD's value takes a huge hit. Smith is one of the best backs around...WAIT...I can't do this. What a joke. Why is this guy still getting work? There has got to be a hundred guys out there that can produce better than Antowain, and they are just sitting on their couch. What a waste of cash.

659 yards on 166 carries (4.0 ypc) and 3 TD's last year filling in for Deuce McCallister on a Saints team that was a friggin train wreck.

Start listing the 100 guys available in FA whom can produce better than smith. Smith also signed for 720k - hardly a waste of cash.

[Sixxgunn]

DD's value takes a huge hit. Smith is one of the best backs around...WAIT...I can't do this. What a joke. Why is this guy still getting work? There has got to be a hundred guys out there that can produce better than Antowain, and they are just sitting on their couch. What a waste of cash.

659 yards on 166 carries (4.0 ypc) and 3 TD's last year filling in for Deuce McCallister on a Saints team that was a friggin train wreck.

Start listing the 100 guys available in FA whom can produce better than smith. Smith also signed for 720k - hardly a waste of cash.

The point I was trying to make is I would rather take a shot on an undrafted unknown than pay a broken down never was 720,000 smackers to sit on my bench. The most this guy ever did was steal a ring in NE.