NFL Journey: Michael Smith's Path from Texas to the Texans and Beyond

Embark on a heartfelt odyssey through the cleats of Michael Smith, former Houston Texans wide receiver, as we trace his path from a young Texas boy with dreams of gridiron glory to the intense battlegrounds of professional football. It's a tale of unwavering determination, the remarkable shift from linebacker to wide receiver, and the collegiate grind at the University of Connecticut that sculpted a student-athlete adept at juggling textbooks with playbooks. Michael doesn't shy away from the realities of discipline and accountability that fortified his journey to the NFL, offering a raw and honest perspective on the life of an athlete striving for excellence on the field and in the classroom.

As Michael dons the headset, he transports us into the throes of NFL rookie training camps, where dreams are both made and deferred. The draft day that didn't call his name, the surge of hope upon signing with his beloved hometown Texans, and the hard-hitting truth of adjusting to the NFL's ruthless speed and strategy all unfold in vivid detail. His stories of camaraderie, the bittersweet farewell to his playing days due to injury, and reflections on the current NFL landscape are as gripping as they are enlightening, revealing the flesh and bones of a game often veiled by the stadium lights.

Together, we dissect the strategic intricacies that define recent Super Bowl showdowns and the sage advice Michael imparts to aspirants of the sport, including his own son. Amid the tactical missteps and triumphs of coaches on football's grandest stage, we uncover the significance of rule awareness and the incredible ascent of underdog players seizing their moment. It's a discussion that transcends the playbook, touching the very core of passion, opportunity, and the indomitable spirit of football. Join us for an episode that stitches together the narrative of a player’s career with the fabric of a game that unites us all.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to Lacey's lineup. Football season might be over, but Lacey's lineup is just heating up To kick off the off season. I have my brother Shawn here. We are so excited to announce former wide receiver Houston Texans Michael Smith. Welcome to the show, michael.

Speaker 2: 0:23

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1: 0:27

Well, thanks for coming on. Like, I am so excited to have you here and I just have so many questions, so we're just going to dive right into it.

Speaker 2: 0:37

Yes, yes, I'm ready.

Speaker 1: 0:38

So let's just start right away. What started your love of football?

Speaker 2: 0:43

Well, my love of football started at a very young age. If you live in Texas, football is almost a real life, and so I started that very early, from the age of four. I started playing padded football at the age of four years old and I was kind of just ingratiated to it from the time I was able to truly run and talk.

Speaker 1: 1:02

Being here in Texas and I have a son who's doing football and it's like if you don't start when you're two, you're behind. But it's very true. Did you play any other sports to start with? Yes, football, kind of thing.

Speaker 2: 1:16

So I played football mainly until I got to high middle school and then I did also run track, also in the springtime obviously, when football is out of season for high school and middle school. So I did do track in the off season.

Speaker 1: 1:33

I saw some of your pictures from when you played. Did you high jump? Because your vertical was awesome.

Speaker 2: 1:40

I did a long jump and triple jump. I was very, very good at those. In high school I did have a district record at one point. I'm sure it is broken now, but I did have that at one point.

Speaker 3: 1:54

So, Michael, let's start with your college career. I'm interested in going to Connecticut, so I'm just curious can you tell us what was your journey and what was the decision maker for you to go to Yukon?

Speaker 2: 2:06

Yeah, that's a great question, Sean. You know, starting out my junior year I wasn't highly recruited because I switched positions my junior year from quarterback to wide receiver in the middle of the season and so going into my senior season I didn't have any scholarship offers. I did have some people looking at me but there were no true scholarship offers until the end of my senior season. I mean, I did have some smaller offers outside of Yukon, like Louisiana, lafayette and Louisiana UTEP, texas, el Paso, and then I also had a few looks from like TCU, but I didn't get an offer from them because I committed to Yukon as soon as they offered me in December of 2007.

Speaker 3: 2:52

Nice. And it's funny because when people think of Yukon I'll just be transparent I think, wow, that's a basketball school, but y'all had a great season, I mean especially when y'all were there. I mean even making it to the Fiesta Bowl, so that's great. How was that dynamic?

Speaker 2: 3:08

Yeah, it was a great opportunity. So when I actually went on my visit to Yukon, they were a top 17 team in the nation. Yukon is by far can't get a miscarriage. There's 100% of basketball school men's and women's basketball but for about a good 10 to 12 year run Yukon was very, very prevalent in the Big East Conference. At that time and this was back when we did the BCS there wasn't no college football playoff or anything like that, right? So if you were in a BCS conference, that was a big time deal. Now everybody wants to be in the SEC, big 10, acc and conferences like that.

Speaker 1: 3:50

Yeah and so okay, I played volleyball and basketball in college and I know it took a lot of time. I played D2 because I played two sports. But I would love to hear kind of what a day in the life of a student athlete at Yukon Like in season. Take us through your day.

Speaker 2: 4:07

Yeah, you know, in season it's tough so you kind of limit it. I hate to say it is. You know, people always ask me what I majored in in college. That was like, hey, it's a football major, right, which is? It normally means sociology or economics or something along those lines.

Speaker 1: 4:22

Kinesiology, yeah, Kinesiology something along those lines. Yeah.

Speaker 2: 4:26

And the reason that is is because, you know, most of the times those classes can fit the football schedule. And this was before. You know most classes are online. Now, you know, I think they do, 80% of the classes for the football team are not done online, so it gives them a little bit more flexibility nowadays. But you know, back in 2008, when I my freshman year, you know we were kind of limited as far as what we could choose. But you know I started as early as 6am, you know, with with morning workouts. You go in, you get your morning workout from 6 to 730. You get, you know, 10 minutes to shower. You got to be at class by 8. Then you got to come back for afternoon for your afternoon classes, that I mean for your afternoon practice at about 330 to 530. Then you have child at 630 to 730. Then you have study hall, you know. Then you got to go back to your door room to get it all started again.

Speaker 1: 5:19

So tell me, on game day, did your teachers let you kind of ease up, did they let you stay home, focus on the game, or did they hold you accountable?

Speaker 2: 5:28

Oh no, so. Yeah, so on game days we normally travel, so we normally get there the day before, even in college. So that's in the NFL you do the same thing. But even in college at UConn we were still traveling the day before. The teachers were definitely understanding, they obviously knew who were football players and who were athletes alike in their classrooms. But, yeah, we were definitely held accountable. Coaches did classroom checks, you know, before and after class.

Speaker 1: 5:54

First or second row.

Speaker 2: 5:56

To make sure that you are in that class. You know you're not here, you know, just to play football, you know. So you're here to do both, which is tough, but you know it is what we signed up for.

Speaker 3: 6:09

So I'm curious, Michael, out of all the games in your time at UConn, which one would you consider the most memorable?

Speaker 2: 6:17

Oh man, the most memorable we would have to be Michigan. We played Michigan and at the time it was in front of the largest crowd in the history of college sports it was 115,000 people. It was done just when they did the extension to their stadium and, like I said at the time, it was a record for the most amount of people at the college football game. So that's probably the most memorable game and that game was what in September of 2010. So it was definitely a great, great atmosphere up in Ann Arbor. So it was a great, great, great, great game. We did lose. I did have a pretty good game, but unfortunately we did leave Ann Arbor with a loss.

Speaker 1: 6:57

Yeah, that sounds amazing. I mean, so tell me on pumping up for that game, like kind of what was your routine to get you ready to play?

Speaker 2: 7:06

Like was there a song or something you know? For me, actually it was no song. I almost didn't play that game because I thought I had a concussion. A teammate of mine was catching pots when I was doing my warm-ups and ran smack dabbing to me while I was looking up for a pass. So I was literally in concussion protocol right up into the game, kicked off. So I was still fortunate to play in that game.

Speaker 1: 7:32

I'm glad you remember the game yeah.

Speaker 2: 7:34

I was going to say yeah, I was in concussion protocol right up until the opening kickoff and I was cleared and I was able to play. I never forget.

Speaker 1: 7:43

Oh wow, that's exciting. Well, it sounds like such a fun time. I mean I loved hearing the college kind of leading up. But now let's kind of get to the NFL process.

Speaker 2: 7:55

Yes.

Speaker 1: 7:56

How did you like? How did that begin? College is over. Your dream is to play the NFL. Like, what was your next steps in that moment?

Speaker 2: 8:05

Yeah. So you know most colleges, even when you're like doing your senior year or doing your junior year, depending on how good of a player you are agents at this time they weren't supposed to reach out to you, but they would still reach out to you. They'll catch you walking in the student union and talk to you or slide your card and things of that nature. But you know, after my senior season was completed, I had a few agents reach out to me wanting to sign me and send me places to train.

Speaker 2: 8:32

The ultimate idea signed with the number of sports agencies called OSMGs a pretty big not pretty big, but it's a pretty decent size agency now with about 30 NFL players. But at the time I was one of their first clients and so they were Houston based and I wanted to kind of train in Houston so they were able to give me the training. So that's where it kind of started. You first signed that agent and then you start training, you know, for your pro day or your draft or your. You know your extra curricular activities after college, like the bowl games, senior bowl, east West Ryan game At the time that was the Texas First Nation, which was pretty big, you know, for about 10 to 15 years. So yeah, there was a lot going on.

Speaker 3: 9:17

So I'm curious to, like you know, obviously, leading into the draft and, like you know, draft times coming after you're going through all this, like what, what did you have to do? Or like how were your thoughts and basically actions, what was going through your mind, like leading up through draft night and beyond.

Speaker 2: 9:32

Wait. So you know, draft night. I wasn't really worried about the first and second days Because I figured if I were gonna be drafted I would be looking at. You know, cast six or seventh around and I did have a couple teams telling me that, hey, I may be looking at you in the six or seven round before the draft. So when that time came, you know that there, david, the draft came, I was pretty excited. Just waiting around to hit my name called Unfortunately right, I did not, I wasn't undrack the free agent, but fortunately I did have a few offers decent amount of teams contacting my agent, cori Williams, at the time In regards to getting me signed and getting me in getting ready for Ricky Minicamp.

Speaker 1: 10:11

Man, that just has to be an awesome feeling, like I'm such an NFL fan and I like feel your excitement, like as you're talking about it.

Speaker 2: 10:19

Oh yeah, it was definitely an amazing time, man. It was such an amazing time.

Speaker 1: 10:23

I mean that feeling when you, you know, hear that you're going to be drafted. I mean that that just has to be a moment. Hopefully you didn't have a concussion that night.

Speaker 2: 10:34

I did it. But funny story Well, actually not funny, it's kind of. It's funny now. But at the time of the draft it was like the seventh round and the receivers coach from the Texans called me. His name was Larry. He's from his Larry Kirksie. We're a great, great guy, great, great coach. And so I'm thinking I'm getting drafted. So I answer the phone, I'm like hello. He's like hey, my, this is coach Kirksie with the with the Texas. I was like yes, sir, he's like man, listen, I just want to tell you Unfortunately we don't have a seventh round pick, but we want to sign you right after the dress. I was. I'm happy you call it, but I'm also disappointed you.

Speaker 1: 11:16

Yeah, that is so. Was there leading up to it, though, like I know you said, you kind of had some talks, but was there a specific team you were hoping to be drafted by?

Speaker 2: 11:26

just curious, oh of course, yeah, definitely want to be in my hometown team. You know I wasn't necessarily the biggest Texas fan, but you know I wasn't. You know what. It's fortunate, you know, for you know, to put my mom to be able to travel to, you know, a lot of my college games, or family to be able to travel to a lot of my college games, with me being up in the northeast To actually see me play a person. So I kind of wanted to make sure that, hey, I'm now, once I get the opportunity, the next level I would. I would love for my, you know, my family To be able to see me play.

Speaker 3: 11:58

And that's got to be awesome too, like being in the hometown, getting into the NFL, like that I was actually gonna be what I was gonna ask you. But I mean it pretty much speaks for itself. You know it feels great to be at home and then do what you love and having that opportunity. But what I am curious about too, I mean coming in, you know, when you did like I'm sure like training camp was probably a unique experience. I mean, compare that to college and like what you went through and like how was it like when you first went to training camp with the Texans in the NFL?

Speaker 2: 12:28

Well, yes, it's a little bit different. You know, when you get to the NFL, especially Because it's kind of like a non-stop deal, the rookie season is one of the longest you know preparations or longest periods of time of just straight football, because you go straight from the end of your college season straight to training for your pound on pro days and then more stands done, you go straight to rookie minigame. Right, you go directly to rookie minigame and so you know there's gonna be players that were drafted. Then you got your priority free agents that were signed and then normally means priority free agent means you were given a signing bonus, right, when they signed you as an undirected free agent, that you have your your rookie minicamp tryout players.

Speaker 2: 13:08

So you know you, just the grind did not stop. So, unless you were at the rookie minicamp, you know. You know you got to prove yourself all over again Because you could easily be cut right in rookie minicamp. Right, especially as an undirected free agent. Even if they gave you know, one thousand, five thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand dollars, you can still be cut at that point, especially if they see someone else. You know I'll perform.

Speaker 3: 13:31

Yeah, I bet it was going through, like I imagine the preseason was For, like it was. Like, do you have that feeling, like you know every time, like, oh, I hope I did good enough, I don't have to get my playbook, you know, did it? What were you? How was that?

Speaker 2: 13:46

Man the verbiage. So when it comes to like winning the NFL play, at the time the head coach was Gary Kubiex, so he runs a true, you know, pro style West Coast offense and so the verbiage of it is absolutely insane. So, as a guy coming from college even though you know we did run a very similar post office to verbiage and everything was so long and so so you know, to get all those plays down to make sure that you know, you know aligned in the right place, you know when you're supposed to motion, know we know your assignment. It was definitely tough so it definitely was a lot of hours Stint, you know, studying the playbook in the film room With other rookies, right with the veterans, with the coaches. That was definitely a lot of time spent making sure we were very well prepared.

Speaker 1: 14:33

So tell me, is it the truth, though? Like from college to NFL, is the game that much faster? Like, is it night and day difference, or is it?

Speaker 2: 14:43

Yeah, I wouldn't say it's night and day difference, but I would say that the preparation of professional athletes is so much better Because you got a thing from you know, from the time they wake up to the time they leave, right there, paid to be there, okay, in college, right, you have class and you have other things on your mind. But in the NFL, right, there's one goal and there's one focus, right in that. Football, okay, preparation, right, game planning, right, maintaining your body, there's a lot that goes into it, but just it's all football. So that's what really separates it to me. We didn't ultimately write.

Speaker 2: 15:22

Obviously, the police are the best of the best. When you get to college, you know you get, especially if you're the power five is what they call it. Now You're playing in one of those power five conferences, or or even just the vision, won't football itself, but you play it against, right, the very, very best of the college world that they have to offer love. What they said like one percent of all high school kids play division one football, right, that's even less than the NFL. Okay, a lot of great players don't even get the opportunity to play in the NFL. All right, whether it's injuries or a character or whatever the case may be. I missed the absolute best of the best. When you get to that level.

Speaker 3: 15:58

That has to be a great experience too. I was going to say, when you come in the dynamic of how would your teammates reception of you? Did you have some of the veterans that helped you? I took you under their wing. Did you have people that you looked up to? Can you just give us some sense of how the environment was at that point?

Speaker 2: 16:19

Sure, just the environment to start. It was pretty seamless for me. Fortunately for me, the Texas Axie drafted two players from UConn. They drafted Chevardo Williams, who was the defensive end in the fourth round, and then they drafted Ryan Griffin, I think, who just recently retired. Last year a tight end in the sixth round.

Speaker 2: 16:40

I came in with some familiar faces that I've been with for the previous four or five years in college and so we all came in together. Then that's the year we drafted Deandre Hopkins. We came in with a big-time prospect, that receiver in Deandre Hopkins, obviously right again to see him in rookie mini-camp. It was awesome to see. I'm like, well, I see why they take him in the first round. Like you can see it pretty quickly, you can go out there and that's why they take that guy in the first round. But all the vets were pretty welcoming to us. They were always there to help.

Speaker 2: 17:15

At the time the rookie room was pretty young. Since we drafted Deandre Hopkins they also drafted a receiver in the sixth round named Allen Bonner. Then they brought in myself and a receiver named Alec Lemon. Another guy named Andy Chrisill was us seven guys in their receiver room. He did obviously write the great most recently Hall of Fame. Rj Johnson was the leader of that room. He's just a stoic, just professional guy. He comes to work, do his business. That's how we had to follow his most, since he was the leader of that room.

Speaker 1: 17:48

Man, that's awesome. I mean to say that you were in there with Deandre Hopkins and stuff like so cool I love that yeah. So tell me now you know the same as the college, like what was one of your greatest moments memories in the NFL.

Speaker 2: 18:02

Oh man, I found. Truthfully, for me it was the first away preseason game we played in Minnesota. And you know, just strapping up your pads and at a way wide locker room you put that jersey over the pads. You know, you see that number 86 with your last name on it. You get that. You know you get that game pamphlet that they hand out the game brochure. You know, you flip through you see the away team and you see your picture with your name. You know, just a surreal feeling finally being able to say hey, you know, I'm one of the very best to be here, you know, at this particular point in time, playing football with the very, very best in the world.

Speaker 1: 18:40

Yeah, it's kind of like you know you made it type thing right, like that feeling.

Speaker 2: 18:44

Oh for sure, yeah, definitely a surreal feeling. Man, it's crazy, it is crazy.

Speaker 3: 18:49

Did you get your own football card? Because that's what I would be thinking.

Speaker 2: 18:53

Do I have a couple of them? Yes, I do have a couple of them left. Yeah, I do have a couple.

Speaker 1: 18:58

Man, that's awesome. So who did you? I guess, what did you enjoy? Like, what matchup did you like the best in the NFL? Like, who do you remember like playing so yeah, so in the NFL.

Speaker 2: 19:11

I did get hurt in my third preseason game when I tore my knee up, but my favorite matchup was definitely in preseason would be mainly from the practices versus AJ Boye. He was a part of our rookie class. He was one of the top corners for the Texans, you know, back in 2016, 17. He didn't went on to Jacksonville to do very, very well, make a couple of pro goals out there. So matching up with him, you know, all the way from rookie mini cap all the way through my time in completion with the Texans was fantastic.

Speaker 1: 19:46

That's awesome man. I love hearing these stories. I love. But OK, so you hurt your knee and you leave the NFL Like is football still a big part of your life even after oh absolutely, absolutely.

Speaker 2: 20:02

I love talking football, you know, especially when I get the opportunity to. I don't necessarily do it as much, but, you know, with my former teammates college teammates, nfl teammates you know we still reach out, talk. But you know I love football, I watch it all the time. You know, obviously I don't break it down as much as I did in college and in scouting and things of that nature. It's more of a, you know, just being a true fan of the game. But I definitely still watch football, love football. It will always be a part of my life.

Speaker 3: 20:31

Do you, do you still miss playing like as a career, like through college? You ever have those times where you just think about it.

Speaker 2: 20:39

So when I was about like 25 or 26, I was like man. You know, I'm still in great shape, I probably could still play. But now, at 33, I don't think I've missed it as much right now. But but the camaraderie man of all locker rooms is always the best part. I don't.

Speaker 2: 20:55

I don't know if you have seen a ton of interviews, but most players or most former players at any level of football, even all the way down to high school football, college, can I feel professional football right. When they leave the game they mostly miss, not necessarily playing the game, but just to come right up and you have with your teammates. Right, you got to understand that winning is hard to do in college and high school and the NFL especially, right. So everybody on that roster has to be on the same. You know mindset. No one person can be thinking outside of that one mindset or you won't be successful. That's the best thing about football. It takes everybody to do their part, do their job to bring the energy for any team to be successful. So that's what I love most about football and that's what I miss the most about it.

Speaker 1: 21:41

Yeah, I mean it's definitely like a brotherhood, right. I mean, do you still keep up with some of your former teammates or?

Speaker 2: 21:47

Oh, absolutely Absolutely. You know, a friend of mine just got married in Atlanta last year and you know you all are cowboys fans. So you know Byron Jones, you know, was one of my former college teammates. I used to give him the business all the time and he was at the World Cup Cowboys.

Speaker 2: 22:04

Yeah, it was good, it was good to you know, talk to him and catch up with him. You know he's doing well. And another one of my former teammates his name Bleedy Wilson you know, 10 year in, a veteran, just retired a couple of years ago. You know he's doing very, very well. But, yeah, I definitely, we definitely reach out, we talk, you know, a few times a week. I talk to Bleedy a little bit more, but you know we definitely communicate and make sure we stay in touch.

Speaker 1: 22:27

So if the Texans called you today to come work out with them, would you go?

Speaker 2: 22:32

No, I wouldn't go work out. If they wanted me to help them work out somebody else, I would, but no, I wouldn't be a part of the workout. That's a great question.

Speaker 1: 22:43

No, I feel like if the cowboys called me, I would probably say yes.

Speaker 3: 22:47

Right, just go give it a shot huh. Yeah she'd already have her shoulder pads on.

Speaker 1: 22:50

Yeah, I'd be ready to go.

Speaker 2: 22:51

Oh, larry, go give it a shot. That's awesome.

Speaker 1: 22:54

So I love hearing about your journey. I mean what a great accomplishment. I mean congrats to all your success. You know the NFL college, everything Like. It's just truly an unbelievable journey that you went on and I appreciate you sharing all that with us.

Speaker 2: 23:11

Yes, ma'am, Of course Lacey.

Speaker 1: 23:13

But before we let you go, let's kind of go to the current NFL season, and I would love to hear kind of your thoughts on it. What did you think of the 23-24 season?

Speaker 2: 23:26

It was a great season, you know, a fantastic year. I thought Lamar Jackson would be able to get over the hump this year versus the Chiefs, but ultimately right. He felt short, didn't get the job done, you know, didn't put enough points on the board to allow his team to win. And Patrick Mahomes? You know he's the guy.

Speaker 1: 23:46

I really thought they were vulnerable this year, like what Was it? Taylor Swift? Was that it? Yeah, was that what?

Speaker 2: 23:52

happened. They were definitely vulnerable, but you know it's kind of that. You know Belichickie and Tom Brady type. You know synergy that they have around that team right now. Once you get that winning culture around you, there's never a doubt in your mind that you can win any game and that's kind of what they have. So even when they're down, you know 10 points, 14 points, heading into that fourth quarter, you can see other teams kind of get tense, get tight and not play as well, and that's kind of what we saw in the Super Bowl.

Speaker 1: 24:17

Yeah, I knew it was bad when they said that he has to go on the road and play and he can't do it. You saw that, look and I was like oh man, y'all shouldn't have said that.

Speaker 2: 24:27

And that's another Texas kid too. You know another high school Texas guy, patrick Mahomes. You know there's a lot of great Texas tech guy, a lot of great talent. But yeah, Patrick Mahomes, the guy know he's the. He holds the mantle until someone comes and takes it. So they have to either be Joe Barrow or, you know, Lamar or Josh Allen to go and take you from.

Speaker 3: 24:50

So, out of last season, what team, would you say, disappointed you the most?

Speaker 1: 24:57

Don't play the. Cowboys don't do it.

Speaker 3: 24:59

No, not just the playoffs, just the whole season.

Speaker 2: 25:02

No, I won't say the Cowboys, they won the division. So you know, I can't say that they were necessarily a disappointment. They did lose a game or two that I thought they should perform better in. But I think the biggest disappointment for me would probably have to be Jacksonville. I thought that they had a great opportunity to build off for the previous season that they had, especially bringing in a veteran receiver like Calvin Ridley to bolster the offense. I thought he should have been a little bit more explosive, but it was his first game back, you know, after being suspended for a season due to the. You know the allegations of gambling and things of that nature. So Jacksonville probably was the most disappointing team to me because of that and a team that I also should have performed a little bit better, in my opinion.

Speaker 2: 25:48

The Philadelphia Eagles. You know they started out the season with 6-0, 7-0. I think, got to 10-1, yeah, yeah, got the 10-1, and you know they just completely collapsed. But that just goes to show you, once you know somebody gets hurt or once you know the synergy around the team starts to change, you start pointing fingers, no matter how good or how talented the team is. Right, things will fall apart, you know.

Speaker 3: 26:14

But Dallas, playoff-wise, dallas probably was the most disappointing Just just, I think we could all agree with you on that. It's too soon, Michael.

Speaker 1: 26:21

I'm not ready to talk about it yet. Yeah, just to put that in there. I will say Green Bay surprised me, though, even the way they played against the 49ers, though I think a lot of people took them for granted. I mean they definitely were gelling at the end.

Speaker 2: 26:34

No, for sure. They definitely hit the stride at the right time. But Dallas was also, you know, playing some of their best footballers.

Speaker 2: 26:40

And at home At home At home, and you know the Superstars didn't play like Superstars, unfortunately. So that's what Dallas needs the most their best players to be the best when they need it. So you know, michael would have to be better this year. Hopefully getting Travon Diggs back helps. I don't know if I don't know if Staphan Gilmore is a free agent or not, but you know, hopefully. Oh, he is okay, he is. So hopefully, you know, they could bring him back and they can keep DeRion Bland in the slot, which is where he's better. He can take a little bit more chances there in the slot versus being on the outside. He has to be a little bit more disciplined.

Speaker 1: 27:19

Do you pay Dak Prescott, though Do you pay him?

Speaker 2: 27:22

You have no choice, truthfully, because whether you like him or not, who's gonna replace him? That's the main question.

Speaker 1: 27:30

You have to start all over right.

Speaker 2: 27:32

Yeah, who's gonna replace Dak? And, based off the roster, the roster is ready to win. It's a win now, roster.

Speaker 1: 27:38

It's been ready.

Speaker 2: 27:40

I think. Now, though, I think that they have to probably try to find it running back. I was a little bit disappointed in Tony Pollock because he was on my fantasy team and he had not a so good season, but I think they should look to. If they're gonna bring Pollock back, look, for you know, have a dynamic one-two punch.

Speaker 1: 27:57

There's talk of Saquon Barkley. What do you think of that, Saquon? You know what?

Speaker 2: 28:01

He probably a little bit too big of a name.

Speaker 1: 28:03

I don't see, I don't.

Speaker 2: 28:05

I think I need anybody that you're gonna have to pay a ton of money to, I think somebody, because Tony Pollock is still, I think, a very, very good back. I just don't think he needs to be out there. You know every single down of every single series, so I think I don't know if they're gonna do it in the draft, maybe Blake Corm out of Michigan, you know, in the mid-round 34-pound pick. Maybe you make a little splash signing with Derek Henry. Give him, you know, three, four, five million a season, but I, like Saquon's, gonna command you know, 10 to 12 million dollars, and I don't necessarily think Dallas should commit that much.

Speaker 3: 28:39

Yeah, and I agree with your assessment on that. I was actually thinking more like the lungs of lines of like Derek Henry look, we need a power back in Dallas because that's the other thing. That Pollock, like he's more of an edge rusher. I mean if he hits a gap he's gone, but we showed that he can't really like get through the line, you know, with power. You know, and that's why that goal line offense kind of struggled there because they knew it. But like someone like Henry or someone you know, someone that comes in it's like a full back slash, running back that can just get those like hard nose downs. I think that's what the answer is for him.

Speaker 2: 29:10

I agree, man. I agree Derek still has a little bit left in the tank too. So I think, definitely getting behind in Dallas the whole line and definitely help him. You know, obviously you know Dak and CD and Michael Gallup. You know the receiver room is not the problem. You know, I don't think Dak is the problem either. I just think they all got to be on the same page at the same time. I don't know if I would have brought Michael McCarthy back, especially with Jim Harbaugh being out there, being available, but you know that is exactly what we want to go.

Speaker 1: 29:40

Yeah, that was a lot of good coaches. I mean it's different if you don't like even Billichick, right Like you know You're still an employed. I mean they did oh, you're actually like that man.

Speaker 2: 29:48

I will say Jimmy Johnson, back on the advisory board I'm not mad about.

Speaker 1: 29:52

He was the only thing that pumped me up in that wild card game. Jimmy, Jimmy, that happened another time.

Speaker 2: 29:59

Finally, jerry acknowledges Jimmy huh.

Speaker 1: 30:01

Well, I appreciate you talking cowboys for me a little bit, but let's talk about your Houston Texans. I mean CJ Stroud.

Speaker 2: 30:09

CJ.

Speaker 1: 30:09

Stroud man.

Speaker 2: 30:10

You can't say he's a surprise. Right, he was the one there picking the drought, but he's definitely not a surprise. But even you know the expectations he may have had for himself. You know, coming into his rookie season he definitely outplayed those and out and definitely rose the expectations a lot faster for the Texans that I, even I think they would have liked. Because I mean, now you go from hey, we got a great young quarterback, let's build around him.

Speaker 2: 30:35

To know when you win 10 and seven, win win now mode. So you know there's a lot of pressure on the Texans now to make sure that you know they continue to build around CJ so they can protect them. You know, continue to build around that old line with Jeremy Tunzel and hopefully, you know they get Tankdale back to full strength. And you know Nico Collins, who was the leading receiver, is a free agent. I'm not sure if they're going to be able to pay him or willing to pay him. You know top dollar. But you know everything was great for the Texans, especially with a guy like CJ Stroud at the helm.

Speaker 1: 31:08

Yeah, that's what. Talking in fantasy football, I felt like I was picking up Texans every week. I was like man, where did he come from?

Speaker 2: 31:14

Like yeah.

Speaker 1: 31:14

I'm telling you I said on the waiver.

Speaker 2: 31:17

I was like, well, let me go get Nico Collins. I didn't think he was going to be that explosive this year, but hey, he's having a fantastic year. So, but now this is the pressure, though, man. Now it's the pressure not only for CJ but also for, you know, the Nico Reigns to deliver, you know, not only another Carpers Championship, but to continue to, you know, win playoff games, or to continue to try to win playoff games. The Texans, as a franchise, has had a ton of playoff success since they assist the Inception. So I think we have what? Three playoff wins in the history of Texans football. So our work is cut out for us, but we do have the pieces around to make it happen.

Speaker 3: 32:01

So what do you think like that Texans need to do, like make the Super Bowl run next year.

Speaker 2: 32:08

Like what would you improve on Super Bowl man. That's tough. So to make a Super Bowl, yeah, to make the Super Bowl obviously right. Keeping CJ Anderson, that's a running back. Keeping CJ Stroud healthy is the most important part for the Texans. As long as he's healthy, they will have a chance. But outside of the healthy CJ, I think they should definitely target a solid running back, making sure they have a decent running game. I think they're running back who was in Singletary last year I think he was previously in Buffalo. He did a solid job. I don't know if they're going to bring him back, but making sure they have a dependable running game. So everything is not on CJ's shoulders.

Speaker 2: 32:49

I would think I would want one more receiver. I'm not necessarily who tanked the elk and manned the slot. If you bring Nico Collins back, you still probably need a Z receiver, since Nico Collins is probably an X. So I definitely would look for a solid Z receiver in the free agent market. And then, right, you know D'Amico. He's a defensive guy and you know, so he's going to continue to build that defense. We have Will Anderson at right outside linebacker. We have some very, very good corners. So the sky is the limit for the Texans, right, but it's all about protection, getting that ground game going. So CJ doesn't feel the pressure of having to throw them off 30, 40, 50 times a night and then giving them another weapon. So he doesn't have to be perfect Somebody that can go out there and win and make his job a little easier.

Speaker 3: 33:39

And so, speaking of Super Bowl runs, I have to tell you, like, what do you think of Super Bowl 58? And who were you rooting for?

Speaker 2: 33:48

Oh man. So I didn't necessarily have a rooting favor. I thought the 49ers had a good chance to win the game. So if we're going into the game, if I had to put money, you know, if I had to put money on the game, I would have taken the 49ers. I thought they had the more complete team with Brock Purdy Obviously Brock Purdy and my homies match up right in my home, just got to win that matchup every time.

Speaker 2: 34:09

But then you go to the running back, christian McCaffrey, offensive player of the year, one of the best all-purpose years of all time. Christian McCaffrey had a fantastic year. So Christian McCaffrey was outside of. Patrick McCaffrey was the best player on their football field. So I thought they had a very, very good chance. But ultimately, you know, the greatness of Patrick McCaffrey was in Travis Kelsi and then the coaching of Steve Spegnolo on the defensive side, calling up the right Blitzers at the right time, zoning up at the right times. It all culminated in them getting the win and you know that's why they were back-to-back champions and what they've won three of the last five champions, super Bowl. So fantastic job. Fantastic For Andy Reed right, who was known as a guy proud to get into KC who couldn't get over the hump. Right, he was him and McNabb. They made five straight NFC championship games and only made it to the Super Bowl. It's best to hear that Torello was playing the.

Speaker 2: 35:02

Super Bowl with the Brookes League and they lost. But you know, andy Reed has definitely changed his legacy in KC and you know, now they have one of those franchises that are seen as one of those elite championship-winning franchises.

Speaker 3: 35:14

They're the new dynasty. Yeah, it's like out with the Patriots and with the Chiefs. I mean, they did it in style.

Speaker 2: 35:19

It's crazy man. I didn't. I don't think anyone's seen this with Patrick Mahomes. I mean the guys that drafted them at number 10 from KC. I don't think they foresaw, you know, the moment he took over they would go to six straight NFC championship games and you know, playing five Super Bowls, or four Super Bowls in the last six years is simply amazing. He's on a great run and ultimately, right. I don't necessarily see him stopping anytime soon, especially, you know, if they get him another weapon for that offense this offseason. You know, look at it, it could be a low run.

Speaker 1: 35:54

Well, they released Valdez scantling today, so it looks like they are ready to make that move for you. Oh yeah.

Speaker 2: 36:01

I saw that freed up 12 million in cap space by releasing NBS. You know fantastic move. There's a lot of talented free agency class out there. You know guys like Mike Evans and you know a few other guys that are out there that are going to be available and maybe even you know they can make a trade. You know they have to catch this move. You know to make a trade to land one of those big time receivers to go along with Patrick Mahomes. Rashi Rice was the rookie receiver that they had. That was very, very good for him.

Speaker 1: 36:31

He came along for sure.

Speaker 2: 36:32

Yeah, he came along very well. Great opportunity for him. People were dropping passes early in the season. You know a mid-round pick. I don't know where Roundy rejected him Every third or fourth round pick.

Speaker 1: 36:42

He came out of nowhere too. It was like no one could catch. And then all of a sudden, here this guy comes and like oh, we do have someone that could catch the ball.

Speaker 2: 36:50

Rashi Rice, fantastic man, fantastic player, and he's only going to get better. You know he's only going to get better, especially now with the confidence of one of your Super Bowl and your rookie season. I can't imagine that feeling.

Speaker 1: 37:01

Wow, I know, but I do have to ask over time. Super Bowl can you believe that the 49ers did not know the new rules? I can't believe it.

Speaker 2: 37:11

I really can't, because it is different. So, going from regular season to player, I think the NFL should probably try to win. I think the NFL should probably try to work on that, to make sure that the rules are the same for the regular season and playoffs. So the Josh Allen rule, right, doesn't kick in into the playoffs. So if you go to overtime at the NFL, I believe if you score first in the regular season the game is over. But in the playoffs that's when the Josh Allen rule kicks in and everybody gets the opportunity to get the ball. But you know it's crazy. You would think that they would have been prepared for everything, especially in the game of that nature, of that magnitude. But it was definitely difficult to see. You know, even the head coach, you know, not necessarily understand the rules at that juncture of the game. So it definitely wasn't a good look for Mr Shanahan.

Speaker 1: 37:57

No and it's surprising, because he's normally on all that, but they have fun with their memes, though, for sure, right, right.

Speaker 2: 38:05

But you know he's ultimately on the high seat now, more so than any other coach. I believe that team is great, he's done a great job with them, but ultimately they have to get over the hump. They made it to the Super Bowl twice, first with Jimmy G, now with Brock Purdy, and you know Brock Purdy is in the last year of the Ricky contract and he was a seventh round pick. You know, mr Irrelevant, he's not making a lot of money, maybe six, seven, eight hundred thousand dollars.

Speaker 3: 38:32

They're going to. They're going to probably have to pay him next.

Speaker 2: 38:36

And that's what I'm saying. This is he's going into the last year of the Ricky deal and they may. Are they going to pay him this season, next off season? So you know, now's the time, you know, and the pressure is on Cassianahan to get the job done, because that roster is definitely well constructed on both sides of the football. So it'll be interesting to see how they bounce back this coming season.

Speaker 1: 38:56

Yeah, I think he's going to tell his roommate he'll be leaving soon, for sure.

Speaker 2: 39:03

Absolutely. That is crazy, you're right.

Speaker 1: 39:05

But I will say I really did think his composure all year. I mean for him. I think he's going to be a great player. I did see some, like you know, they always say weapons around him, but for him to play the way and I'm an OU fan, me and Sean are, and you know we had to play against him at Iowa State and he was like our kryptonite there. I can't get rid of this guy.

Speaker 2: 39:26

Yeah, oh, brock man. Brock is good man. Everybody. Every great player has great players around him. You know I don't necessarily buy into. You know he's being carried by the players around him, but he's the quarterback. He's ultimately the most important person on the field. Because those great players aren't successful especially a receiver in tight end right, they aren't successful at. The quarterback doesn't put the ball in the place for them to catch it, run after the catch or even give them the opportunity to catch the ball. So he's definitely tied into their success. Ultimately great. It is helpful to have great receivers that are able to get open and create a lot of separation, but ultimately he has to get the ball there and he did the better than almost any other quarterback this season. So shout out to Brock. He did a fantastic job.

Speaker 3: 40:13

Yeah, one thing that I have to say I thought it was ironic that those two teams were the ones that ended up at the Super Bowl because, speaking of fantasy football, I'm a team. This year, the first time I've ever picked up my homes, and I benched him in the middle of the season when they were just having, like you know, the drops, and it didn't look like their season was going to turn out well for him, and I played Purdy in place of him and that's the finish the season out for me. So, like in a million years, I would have never thought about that, right. And then look what happens and they come back to the end and I have to like well, I guess both of my quarterbacks are playing, but of course, fantasy was over, yeah that's right.

Speaker 2: 40:48

But you know what man there goes to show with Brock Purdy. It doesn't matter where you get drafted or if you get drafted at all. You know he was Mr irrelevant, right.

Speaker 2: 40:56

You know the last person drafted in the seventh round. All you got to have is the opportunity. You get the opportunity to. You know, show your talent right. The NFL does not care right, they don't care if you were drafted last or you were drafted first. Those coaches will play the best players. You know they started him over trade lands According to make. They, you know, pretty much sold the French house for to move up in the draft for and they started a guy that was drafted in the seventh round last pick over somebody that they traded, you know, mortgage their future for and trade lands.

Speaker 2: 41:25

So you know, with the draft coming up and the combines, you know it just goes to show that you know whether you're drafted last, whatever round you're jacked in, or whether you're not jacked at all. The opportunity presents itself. The NFL is all about the best and the NFL is all about winning. So, as long as any players can, you know, go out there and, you know, put good film on tape. Coaches will put you on that field.

Speaker 1: 41:50

Yeah, that's awesome. Um, well, I appreciate all your time. I just have one final question for you and then we'll let you go. But I have a 12 year old son who is starting football. Well, he's been playing some flag, but he'll start his school football and, like, what advice would you give him and other kids his age who dreamed to one day play in the NFL which, by the way, he's so excited that I'm talking to you tonight? Oh, yes, awesome, I got some mom cool points today because I'm talking that's awesome.

Speaker 2: 42:23

But yeah, what advice would you give?

Speaker 2: 42:26

At 12,. Man, you just want to have fun with it. So ultimately, like the love for the game comes from right, the more you play it, the more you get to enjoy it. But at 12 years old he just goes out there, he has fun, he competes and he just tries to get better. That's really all he wants to. He should all be focused on. You don't necessarily know a position you're going to play at 12. Right, your body changes All right. Between 12 and 15, your body will change. So you don't necessarily know a position you're going to play. I remember when I was 12 years old I was playing linebacker at 15. I was like, wait, I'm five, 10, 165 pounds. There's no way I'm playing linebacker now.

Speaker 2: 43:02

So so, so right. So you know things will change, but ultimately right, just have fun playing the game. It is a great game, enjoy the time with his teammates, but ultimately right, just try your best. But if he continues to try his best and he listens to his coaches and he can establish fundamentals and techniques right, that's the most important part, especially at the age of 12. If he can master fundamentals, techniques and just love playing the game and having fun right, ultimately, when you get to that next level, you get to high school. That's when you can start grooming and looking at hey, what's my potential? Can I go to college Right? D1, d2, d3 really doesn't matter. As long as you get the opportunity to grow right and still play right, the NFL will find you as long as you put that work in. So in 12 years on, I was just telling him to have fun, do the best that he can and obviously right If he's playing defense, keep your head up while you're tackling.

Speaker 1: 43:56

Thank you, that's awesome. Well, I appreciate you coming on taking the time, loved hearing. You know your journey and everything that you did. Congrats again and again. I just appreciate you being here and talking with us and you're welcome on the show anytime.

Speaker 2: 44:13

Awesome. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you having me. It was fun. Definitely a fun interview, Thanks.

Speaker 3: 44:17

Michael, I appreciate it too Good talking to you. Thanks for talking to us.

Speaker 2: 44:20

I appreciate the sign. Yes, thank you so much Go.

Speaker 1: 44:22

Cowboys. Are we ending with go Cowboys? No, no, no, definitely not, I think we have to give a go.

Speaker 3: 44:27

I think we have to give a go. Text in the studio. I'm just joking Congrats.

Speaker 1: 44:31

Thanks, michael. Thank you, yes. Have a good evening you too. Bye Again. That was former Texans wide receiver Michael Smith coming on the show Lacey's lineup. More things are to come this off season and I can't wait. So stay tuned for more exciting guests, more breaking news, and until then, your girl is signing off.