The most difficult thing about his first season as G.M.,
Smith didn't hesitate when he answered "I've never been a part
of a season where we lost some many players to injury.
We lead the N.F.L. with 17 players on injuried reserve.
It became a real challenge to go out and find that many
quality replacements".

Right now Smith , coach Gary Kubiak and the entire staff is
in the process of evaluating the entire football .
They have some tough decisions ahead ,including what to
do about quarterback David Carr .

Is Carr part of the problem, or part of the solution for the Texans?
These are the type of question Smith and Kubiak will have to
answer soon.
When I talked to Rick about Carr's future he didn't run from
the subject . "We are in the process of evaluating the whole
team and that includes the quarterback. We were not pleased
with the play we got from the quarterback position this season.
David has improved in a number of areas , but he's also been
very inconsistent. Gary (Kubiak) will continue to work with him
on his development. Does that mean we won't go out and look
for competition at the position, no it doesn't .
Competition is good, and we will try to improve every phase
of the team through competition . But hopefully David will continue
to improve and become a more productive player.

Rick Smith looks like a player , and it really wasn't that long
ago he was playing at Purdue. He can relate to the modern
day football player and that's a good thing .
Smith is strong , confident , and eager to take on this challenge
of helping to turn the Texans into winners .