News: Texans defensive lineman Antonio Smith turned in a dominant performance during Sunday's contest against the Ravens at home in Week 7. Smith turned it up late as he brought down Joe Flacco twice for a pair of sacks on back-to-back plays in a 43-13 victory.
Analysis: Smith took over for that short period of time and suffocated Flacco late in the game. He is not viewed as a great source for tackles, with just 13 on the year, and should be considered as a low-end Fantasy option in deeper IDP formats heading into Week 9.
News: Texans defensive lineman Antonio Smith had one sack and one forced fumble Week 4 vs. Tennessee. Smith has five tackles (two solo) and two sacks through four games.
Analysis: Smith has at least 1/2 sack in three of four games this season. J.J. Watt is the star of the Texans' defensive line, but his presence does allow Smith to benefit at times from lesser coverage. Still, Smith is not a stat machine, so he has marginal Fantasy appeal in IDP formats.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith padded his sack total in the season's final week, as he recorded two sacks in a Week 17 loss to the Titans. He finished the regular season with 6.5 sacks. Smith also recorded two tackles in the game.
Analysis: Smith finished with a flourish, but his production over the course of the year was relatively modest. Going into next season, he will continue to be a low-end Fantasy DL option in IDP formats.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith (shoulder) is active for Week 10 at Tampa Bay. He was limited in practice during the week with his shoulder injury, but is able to play on Sunday.
Analysis: Smith is active, but Fantasy owners should probably look to healthier alternatives. Smith started the season with 4 1/2 sacks in his first five games, but he doesn't have a sack in his last four. He is a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Week 10 at Tampa Bay. He was limited in practice Friday.
Analysis: Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Smith was fine earlier in the week, but it seems he has changed his tune a bit. Fantasy owners should probably look to healthier alternatives. Smith started the season with 4 1/2 sacks in his first five games, but he doesn't have a sack in his last four. He is a low-end Fantasy DL when healthy.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith (shoulder) is expected to play in Week 10 against the Buccaneers, according to the team's official website. Smith had an MRI on his shoulder after suffering an injury in the first half of Sunday’s 30-12 victory over the Browns. “He’s fine,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “He’s just got a banged-up shoulder. He did take a shot going into the second half (on Sunday). I think he played eight or nine plays in the second half. Really, really sore today; he did not work out with the team. He stayed inside, but knowing Antonio, he’ll be ready to go. He just may miss some time this week in practice.”
Analysis: Smith did not register a tackle on Sunday, but now it is easy to understand why. Still, the good news is he should be able to play on Sunday against Tampa Bay, although Fantasy owners may want to keep an eye on his status throughout the week, just to be sure. Smith has just 16 tackles through nine games thus far, but also has 4.5 sacks to his name. Consider him a solid low-end end option in most IDP formats, if he is able to play against the Bucs.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith had one tackle Sunday against the Jaguars in Week 8. Smith now has 16 tackles on the season.
Analysis: Smith is a low-end DL in IDP leagues and is not worth using in most formats. He should only be started where needed in Week 9 against the Browns.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith (ankle) was active for Week 6 against the Ravens.
Analysis: Smith has played in all five games for the Texans this season, and recorded at least half a sack in each outing. His sack total of 4.5 is good for ninth in the NFL, and already eclipsed his amount from last year. Consider him a low-end option in Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Houston DL Antonio Smith is labeled probable for Week 6 at Baltimore after being limited by a minor ankle injury. Smith was limited in Wednesday's practice, but returned to the field in full on Thursday and Friday.
Analysis: Smith has played in all five games for the Texans this season, and recorded at least half a sack in each outing. His sack total of 4.5 is good for ninth in the NFL, and already eclipsed his amount from last year. Consider him a low-end option in Fantasy IDP formats when healthy.
News: With Wade Phillips joining the Texans as their defensive coordinator, Antonio Smith is expected to play as a 3-4 end, just as he did with the Cardinals before moving to Houston. Smith had some trepidation with the move before Phillips' hiring, but the coach thinks he can fit. “I like Antonio,” Phillips said. “He’s been in a 3-4. He’s got quickness off the ball. He’s tough and plays hard.”
Analysis: Smith isn't likely to produce big stats given the scheme. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith, who hadn't recorded a sack in five games, finally got one Week 15 at Tennessee. He also had three tackles, all solo.
Analysis: Smith has only four sacks on the season, and he's not that big on tackles either. He's just a last resort in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Texans DL Antonio Smith had four tackles, including two sacks in Week 4 against the Raiders in Week 4. He also forced a fumble, but it was recorded by the Raiders.
Analysis: Smith has eight tackles and 2.5 sacks through the first four games of the season. He doesn't produce consistently enough to be used in IDP leagues heading into Week 5.
News: Texans LB DeMeco Ryans (11 tackles), DB Bernard Pollard (seven tackles, sack), DL Antonio Smith (two tackles, half a sack) and DL Jeff Zgonina (two tackles, half a sack) all played well in a Week 16 win over the Dolphins.
Analysis: Ryans is a solid LB option in all IDP leagues, while Pollard is also a viable option. The other two aren't worth worrying about in Week 17 vs. New England.
News: Notable Texans defenders from Week 9 at the Colts include: SS Bernard Pollard (12 total tackles, two interceptions), LB Brian Cushing (12 total tackles), LB DeMeco Ryans (nine total tackles), DE Antonio Smith (two solo tackles, sack, forced fumble) and DE Mario Williams (solo tackle, sack).
Analysis: Cushing has earned his spot as at worst a top-end No. 2 Fantasy LB while Ryans remains a No. 1 with Williams a No. 2 DL and Smith a No. 3. The guy to watch is Pollard, who should continue to evolve with the Texans and might wind up as a No. 2 Fantasy DB before the season is through. The Texans play the Titans in Week 11 following their Week 10 bye.
News: Houston DL Antonio Smith picked up his first sack of the season in a Week 8 win at Buffalo on Sunday. Smith finished with two tackles and the sack.
Analysis: Smith has 15 tackles and a sack on the year in eight games. That is not enough production for him to be worthy of use in Fantasy IDP leagues. Leave him on waivers for Week 9 at Indy.
News: The Texans signed free agent defensive end Antonio Smith on Saturday. Smith appeared in each regular season game and started three of four playoff games for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals last season. The Texans needed someone to start opposite former No. 1 pick Mario Williams after releasing Anthony Weaver earlier this week. Weaver had just one sack in his three years in Houston.
Analysis: Smith had eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Smith had 41 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks this season and has 125 tackles and 14 1/2 sacks in his five-year career. He is a low-end option at best in IDP leagues.
News: Cardinals DL Antonio Smith sacked Falcons QB Matt Ryan in the end zone for a safety Saturday in a Wild Card playoff game at Arizona. He finished with three solo tackles.
Analysis: Smith recorded only 3 1/2 sacks during the regular season and is at best a low-end Fantasy option in Fantasy playoff formats.
News: Cardinals DL Antonio Smith totaled three tackles, one sack and one forced fumble during a Week 11 win against the Seahawks. It was his first sack and forced fumble of the season.
Analysis: The former Oklahoma State Cowboy had a career-high 5 1/2 sacks last season, but hasn't shown the same pass-rushing skill in 2008. Since he doesn't always get on the stat sheet, Smith has marginal Fantasy value.
News: Restricted free agent DL Antonio Smith has signed his one-year tender, reports SIRIUS Satellite Radio and the Arizona Republic.
Analysis: Smith had a decent 2007 and earned some credibility in Fantasy play but remains a low-end reserve in IDP leagues in 2008.
News: The Arizona Cardinals tendered one-year qualifying offers to DL Antonio Smith and DB Eric Green on Thursday. They are restricted free agents, which means they have until April 18 to sign the offer. In the meantime, they can negotiate with another team but the Cardinals have a right to match any offer or receive a draft pick as compensation. Green and Smith, starters last season, were tendered first-round offers of $2.07 million. The Cardinals would receive a first-round pick if they sign with another team and that offer is not matched by Arizona.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what develops with Smith and Green. Heading into 2008, both have minimal Fantasy value at this time.
News: Cardinals LB Calvin Pace (nine tackles, sack), DB Aaron Francisco (eight tackles), DB Antrel Rolle (seven tackles), LB Gerald Hayes (five tackles) and DL Antonio Smith (four tackles, sack) led the way in Arizona's 30-27 overtime win over the Falcons in Week 16.
Analysis: All of these players except Francisco have some minimal Fantasy value as backups in IDP leagues, but should not be starting in Week 17 against the Rams.
News: Cardinals DL Antonio Smith (hand) is listed as probable for Week 12 vs. San Francisco. He took full practice reps all week and has yet to miss a game this season. He has 28 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble.
Analysis: Smith, who was drafted out of Oklahoma State in 2004, came into the season with a career 41 tackles. He already has 28 through 10 games. If you are looking for a low-end Fantasy flier in IDP leagues, consider scooping up Smith.
News: Cardinals DL Antonio Smith forced and recovered a Jon Kitna fumble in Week 10 against the Lions. He finished with two total tackles and a sack.
Analysis: Smith has 4 1/2 sacks and 28 tackles this season. He's a low-end option in Fantasy IDP leagues. The Cardinals play at Cincinnati in Week 11.
News:The Sports Xchange reportsCardinals DL Antonio Smith has produced in his first year as a starter. He has 3 1/2 sacks, only two short of his career total. He also has hit the quarterback five times and done a decent job against the run.
Analysis: Smith, who was drafted out of Oklahoma State in 2004, came into the season with a career 41 tackles. He already has 21 through six games. If you are looking for a low-end Fantasy flier in IDP leagues, consider scooping up Smith.
News: Arizona DLs Antonio Smith and Darnell Dockett each had a sack in the Cardinals' 25-10 loss to the Panthers in Week 6. Smith added three tackles, while Dockery notched two.
Analysis: Smith has minimal value as a backup DL in IDP leagues, while Dockett is a solid starting DL who should start against the Redskinsin Week 7.
News: The Cardinals allowed 20 points and 370 yards of offense in Week 2 vs. Seattle. DL Darnell Dockett recovered a Matt Hasselbeck fumble for the only turnover forced by the Seahawks. DL Antonio Smith had the only sack of the game for Arizona.
Analysis: Despite the sack, Smith has minimal Fantasy value in IDP leagues. He doesn't put up enough statistics to help your team.
News: The Arizona Cardinals re-signed DL Antonio Smith to a one-year contract Wednesday. Smith was an exclusive rights free agent. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound player appeared in all 16 games last season, eight as a starter. He had 29 tackles, 20 solos, 2 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Smith was Arizona's fifth-round draft pick, the 135th selection overall, out of Oklahoma State in 2004.
Analysis: Smith has minimal Fantasy value in IDP leagues. He doesn't put up enough statistics to help your team.
News: The Cardinals DST scored a touchdown when DL Antonio Smith returned a fumble 4 yards for a score. DB Robert Griffith had eight tackles and an interception. DB Adrian Wilson had seven tackles. DB Antrel Rolle had 11 tackles. LB Gerald Hayes had eight tackles. LB Orlando Huff had 12 tackles. LB Karlos Dansby had eight tackles.
Analysis: Consider the Cardinals DST a No. 2 option for Week 16 against the 49ers and use all regular IDP players as needed.
News: Cardinals DB Adrian Wilson, DB David Macklin and LB Gerald Hayes all had interceptions in Week 13 against the Rams. The Cardinals defense yielded 394 yards and 20 points, but got to QB Marc Bulger four times (DL Chike Okeafor 2 1/2, DL Antonio Smith 1/2 and DL Chris Cooper 1).
Analysis: The Cardinals defense had a pretty strong day against the Rams. Despite giving up nearly 400 total yards, the three interceptions and four sacks made the day a whole lot better. Plus, the Cardinals won the game. However, it is not recommended you start the Cardinals DST in Week 14 against the Seahawks. Hayes and Wilson are high-end Fantasy options in IDP leagues, while Okeafor could be used as a low-end option.
News: Cardinals DE Bertrand Berry will miss the rest of the season after tearing triceps muscles in Sunday's victory over Detroit. An MRI exam Monday revealed the seriousness of the injury, coach Dennis Green said. Berry will undergo surgery to repair the tear, probably this week. "A big loss for us," Green said. "I've always said Bertrand is the No. 1 leader on our team." It is the second year in a row Berry had his season end prematurely. Last year, he missed the final eight games with a torn pectoral muscle. Berry leads the team in sacks with six, two of them against the Lions in Week 11.
Analysis: Antonio Smith, a third-year pro out of Oklahoma State, will replace Berry, as he did a year ago. Berry should be dropped in all seasonal IDP leagues.
News: According to reports, the Arizona Cardinals have re-signed DE Antonio Smithto a one-year contract.
Analysis: Smith has no value in Fantasy Football.
