HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have named former Denver Broncos assistant general manager Rick Smith as the team's second general manager, it was announced today. Smith replaces Charley Casserly, who resigned June 1.
Smith joins the Texans after being promoted to assistant general manager on March 16, 2006 with the Broncos. Prior to his promotion, Smith was the director of pro personnel for six seasons.
"We looked long and hard, and we have found the right man for the job," said Texans owner Bob McNair. "Rick was a candidate that coach (Gary) Kubiak was familiar with during his time in Denver. Rick has a wonderful knowledge of the NFL and he has a plan in place to make the Texans a winner."
Smith began his career with the Broncos as a member of their coaching staff, working with the defensive backs his first four seasons with the organization. Denver's defense was a consistent force that led them to back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997-98, ranking fourth in 1996, fifth in 1997 and seventh in 1999.
He moved to the personnel department in 2000, where he has worked closely with
current general manager Ted Sundquist to mold the Broncos into a perennial contender.
The Broncos won the AFC West this past season with a 13-3 record on their way
to the AFC Championship Game. Smith was instrumental in acquiring defensive linemen
Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren from the Cleveland Browns along with free agent
signing Ian Gold from Tampa Bay, who led the Broncos in tackles.
Smith has experience in evaluating NFL free agents, negotiations, and has worked
closely with director of college scouting Jim Goodman in preparing office reports
for the college draft and was the primary contact on the Broncos draft-day trades.
On draft day this year, Denver moved up four slots to draft Vanderbilt QB Jay
Cutler with the 11
th overall pick. The Broncos also pulled a draft-day trade that yielded Pro Bowl WR Javon Walker from Green Bay for a second-round selection.
"We got one of the brightest football minds in the business," said Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. "Rick was instrumental in a lot of the moves we made in Denver and I know he will bring the same work ethic to the job here in Houston."
Smith, who worked with Kubiak for the past ten seasons, was instrumental in getting the former Broncos offensive coordinator the tools to gain 36,354 yards from scrimmage, which ranks 4
th in the NFL from 2000-2005. During that same time, the Broncos offense rushed for a league-high 13,955 yards. Denver had four different runners to lead the team in rushing over the past six seasons.
Smith is the second-youngest general manager in the NFL and the fourth African-
American. Smith and wife Tiffany have a three-year old son Robert LaMar.
