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Texans sign Antonio Smith, meet with Orlovsky
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Antonio Smith pumps his arm as he warms up prior to Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reported early Saturday that the Texans have signed unrestricted free agent defensive end Antonio Smith.
The terms of the deal are 5 years, $35 million with $12.5 million guaranteed.
Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com is reporting that Smith will earn $15.5 million in the first year, $19.4 million in the first two years, and $24 million over the first three.
An average salary of $8 million per year with $12.5 guaranteed and a lot of front loading makes Smith one of the highest paid Texans. I wonder what DeMeco and Dunta are talking about today?
Smith was a prime target for the Texans who obviously didn't want him to leave town without a deal. Smith was rumored to have visits planned with the Giants and Buccaneers and possibly other teams.
Smith is 6-4, 285 lbs. and will turn 28 years old this season. He was drafted by the Cardinals in 2004 and was a part-time starter but saw a lot of action. He played very well in the 2008 playoffs and is entering his sixth season.
Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush knows Smith from his days at Arizona so this isn't a shot in the dark.
Smith's signing could mean the Texans will go outside linebacker with their first pick in the draft in April. USC's Brian Cushing could be a prime candidate or the Texans could trade down a few spots and take Clay Matthews. Uncle Bruce would probably like to see that. So would Clay, I'm sure.
According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, the Texans also hosted Lions free agent quarterback Dan Orlovsky today.
Also, there's a lot of new stuff up in the news area of the Texans website. Here's some links:
MORE ON THE TEXANS AND THE NFL:
- Day one of free agency yields a mixed bag of news for the Texans
- Eight Texans players head for unrestricted free agency
- Are the stars lining up for Gary Kubiak and Stephen McGee?
- Texans release three players; RFAs due
- Weaver and Sage come and go together
- Sage to Vikes, part deux
- Memo to owners and NFLPA: Don't screw this up
- Kubiak: Texans flexible on where Mario lines up
- Giants running back Ward says Texans are a possible destination
- Texans number one need? How about talent and stability on defense
- Texans release of Green and Greenwood should come as no surprise
- Texans can't afford another free agent mistake
- Accused of violating NFL rules: What say you, Texans?
MORE ON DUNTA ROBINSON:
- Texans tag Robinson hours before deadline. Now what?
- Upcoming deals will continue to influence Robinson's asking price
- Hayden's new deal another benchmark for Texans Robinson
- Dunta watch: Expect more franchise tags on players this week
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