Tag: tremon smith

Report: Former Texans CB Tremon Smith agrees to 2-year deal with Broncos

Former Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith is signing with the Denver Broncos as free agency continues.

The Houston Texans won’t have the services of cornerback Tremon Smith anymore.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Denver Broncos are signing Smith to a two-year contract worth $5.5 million.

Smith had one of his better two-year stretches with the Texans, despite their abysmal on-field performance. The 5-11, 190-pound returner averaged 10.8 yards per punt return through 34 games along with 23.9 kickoff returns yards and a touchdown.

The former Kansas City Chiefs 2018 sixth-round pick demonstrated value as a cornerback in 2022 with 22 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions through 17 games, two of which he started.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross said on Dec. 29, 2022, that Smith was the best all-around athlete on the team.

““I’ll get some flack for this, but Tremon Smith is the best all-around athlete on our football team,” said Ross. “I’ll go ahead and start some debates with those guys in there if they hear me say that. Baseball player, hooper, can catch, can throw, can run, all that good stuff. The athleticism part is where he’s been able to take advantage.”

The Broncos hope to take advantage of that athleticism as the Texans retool their transition phase of the game.

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Broncos signing CB/KR Tremon Smith to 2-year contract

The Broncos are signing cornerback/returner Tremon Smith to a 2-year contract.

The Denver Broncos are adding more depth at cornerback and perhaps a new designated returner.

The Broncos have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million with cornerback Tremon Smith, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Smith (5-11, 190 pounds) entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick out of Central Arkansas with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He went on to spend time with the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts before joining the Houston Texans in 2021.

Smith has served as a rotational cornerback and special teams ace with his five previous teams. He totaled 22 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions in 17 games (two starts) with the Texans last year.

Perhaps more notable, Smith returned 19 kickoffs for 417 yards and five punts for 53 yards last season. He has averaged 24.7 yards per kickoff return in his career.

Montrell Washington, who handled most of the Broncos’ return duties last season, averaged 18.9 yards on kickoff returns in 2022. Washington now appears to have serious competition at returner, and Denver has more depth at cornerback.

We are tracking all of the team’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

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Texans’ Tavierre Thomas reminds Tremon Smith of a former Disney Channel original series

Houston Texans CB Tremon Smith says that Tavierre Thomas is similar to the title character from “That’s So Raven,” a Disney Channel original series.

NFL cornerbacks are regarded for their anticipation skills, not necessarily their clairvoyance.

Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas had a funny feeling about Tremon Smith, one of his closest friends on the team and a groomsman from his wedding.

It’s crazy, on Saturday [Dec. 10], I was in the sauna, that week he got two interceptions,” Thomas said. “I’m in the sauna, I got out of the sauna, and I called him. I was like, ‘Bro, I don’t know why, but I feel like you’re going to play.’”

Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley had been sidelined since Week 11 with a hamstring injury. The Texans were going with Desmond King in his place opposite of cornerback Steven Nelson. The plan was going to be the same against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.

“I called him, and I said, ‘I think you’re going to play this weekend,’” Thomas recalled. “And he was like, ‘I’m not going to play, bro.’ I said, ‘Yes you are, bro. Just stay locked in.’ And he said, ‘I’m always going to be ready.’ I was like, ‘I’m telling you Tre, you’re going to get in.’”

Nelson left the game in the first half with a foot injury, which meant the Texans had to delve into their reserve, and Smith, who normally returns punts and kickoffs, was playing in Nelson’s spot opposite of King.

“The first play, he made a tackle,” said Thomas. “The second play, he had a pick.”

With 3:21 to go in the second quarter, Smith caught a tipped pass and recorded his first interception of his career.

Said Thomas: “He came up to me and said, ‘Bro, you’re like “That’s So Raven.”’ I was happy about that.”

The premise of “That’s So Raven,” a Disney Channel sitcom from 2003-07, was that Raven Baxter, played by Raven-Symoné, would use her psychic abilities throughout her life as a teenager.

“I’m happy for him,” Thomas said. “I’m happy he’s balling out, and I’m happy he’s got his opportunity. Hopefully, he just keeps it up and keeps making plays.

“He’s going to have a big payday coming soon.”

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross relishes in teamers having success on offense, defense

Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says he enjoys it when one of his players is having success on offense or defense.

Frank Ross has a limited amount of players on the 53-man roster he can work with to form his special teams units which cover kickoffs, punts, returns, and field goal tries and blocks.

Typical Ross is working with reserves on the Houston Texans roster. When injuries hit, those reserves are tapped, as was the case in Week 14 when cornerback Tremon Smith was called upon due to cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Steven Nelson being out. Same went for receiver Chris Moore as Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins missed the game.

When the reserves start to have big games on offense and defense, as Moore and Smith did, it should worry Ross about losing two of his best special teamers. However, the Texans’ special teams coach is simply thrilled “his guys” are starting to make an impact in other phases of the game.

“We’re excited for any Texans making big plays, of course,” Ross told reporters Dec. 15. “It definitely has a special place for you, especially as a special teams coach when those guys are getting their chances and making the most of their opportunities. You know, I try to stay level-headed and just give them a high five or a pat on the helmet because I want him to go out there and keep playing ball. But man, I was raving.”

Smith had a big game in the 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys as he picked off quarterback Dak Prescott twice.

“I would say the only thing is my dry sense of humor, I walked up to him and said, ‘Don’t forget about us now. Please come back and play on special teams and stay hungry with that Texans special teams attitude,'” Ross said.

Ross was also impressed with Moore’s game. The 6-1, 200-pound wideout caught 10 passes for 124 yards on offense, but was pivotal in downing punter Cam Johnston’s punt inside the 1-yard line with 8:01 to go and Houston leading 23-20. The poor field position for Dallas led to Prescott throwing his second interception to Smith, and giving the Texans first-and-goal at the Dallas 4-yard line.

Said Ross: “Anytime guys like that go make plays, great, they are coming back. Like Chris Moore. How about that game on offense? Coming back, gloves off, put him right in the mud going running down on what ended up being a critical downing of a punt. Need to continue to have that throughout the entire core unit.”

The Texans will need to rely on Smith and Moore to have big games in special teams and the other phases again as the injury situation remains the same for Houston heading into Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says Texans’ Lovie Smith is running tons of quarters defense

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy says the Houston Texans are running lots of quarters looks on defense under Lovie Smith.

Mike McCarthy faced no one more in the NFL than Lovie Smith.

McCarthy was the coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18, and Smith manned the sideline for the Chicago Bears from 2004-12. The two former NFC champion coaches encountered one another 15 times during their stint together in the NFC North.

Smith is known for his Tampa 2 scheme, but McCarthy told reporters after the Cowboys’ 27-23 win over the Texans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington that Smith was running something else on Sunday afternoon.

“As far as the type of coverages, it’s more quarters than I’ve ever seen a lot of people play,” McCarthy said. “Lot of combinations to that.”

McCarthy explained that Smith excels as a “vision defensive coordinator.”

Said McCarthy: “I thought they played with good vision, and they were on our hip every time the ball was thrown and caught.”

The Texans entered Week 14 as one of the better teams in the NFL at limited yards after the catch with opponents compiling 1,182 over the first 12 games. Similarly the Cowboys’ big-play receivers such as CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup were limited to seven catches for 73 yards combined.

Cornerback Tremon Smith was a beneficiary of the Texans’ scheme against the Cowboys as he collected two interceptions of quarterback Dak Prescott.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross praises Tremon Smith’s return abilities

Ross has been familiar with Smith’s game for years and thinks he may have found the cornerback a niche on the #Texans’ special teams unit

The Houston Texans need all the help they can get to secure their second win of the season, and given the turmoil on their offense, it could come down to their special teams unit to put up points against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross spoke to reporters on Thursday about punt returner Tremon Smith, and the role his speed could play in the Texans’ pursuit of success.

“I’ve been with Tremon [Smith] for multiple years,” Ross said. “The guy can run. The most impressive thing, specifically to the Miami game, he had a nice little return there, even when we were getting into a little bit of traffic, the ball was tight and [he] showed good ball security. If you do that, that’s goal number one, that’s rule number one. Impressed with that because sometimes in traffic there’s a tendency to let that thing flair away from your body. We’re always coaching that. Been good, has good speed, so hopefully we’ll get another chance with him this weekend.”

No team wants to rely on punt or kickoff returns for touchdowns to win games, but for Houston, the abilities of their talented returner could be a deciding factor that inches them closer to respectability before the season concludes. Smith showed blazing speed in college at the University of Central Arkansas and could put it to use against Cleveland if given the opportunity.

He will continue to compete against fellow defensive back Desmond King for reps in the return game and has a chance to cement himself in the role if he can prove that he is the better option on a week-to-week basis. In a year where the Texans will take any positive momentum they can find, Smith’s contributions may end up being one of the more pivotal developments in the franchise’s failed 2022 campaign.

Texans coach Lovie Smith wants CB Tremon Smith to use returner skills on interceptions

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith says he would like to see CB Tremon Smith tap more into his returner skills after he comes up with interceptions.

The first takeaway of the Lovie Smith era — at least in the preseason — came when Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith picked off New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book.

Smith came up with the deflected pass with 3:03 to go in the first quarter and returned the free possession 12 yards to the Saints’ 34-yard line in Houston’s 17-13 win Saturday night at NRG Stadium.

The pick was another example of what Smith can provide for the defense. The 26-year-old from Central Arkansas is already an exceptional returner having posted a 25.6 yards per kickoff return last year along with a touchdown.

‘The more things you do, the better your chances, and Tremon is our returner,” Smith told reporters. “He’s gotten the ball in the end zone. We’ve seen him. We know what he can do in that role.”

What Smith would like to see from the fifth-year veteran cornerback is the activation of his returner skills after he has come up with a takeaway.

“When you say the more things you can do — to be able to do that and also play good ball at the cornerback position in a backup role is big for us,” said Smith. “And it’s always good when a cornerback will get his hands on the ball. What I expect when he got his hands on the ball, since he’s our returner, I was hoping he could maneuver and use some of those moves to get it into the end zone.”

In terms of a return, Smith’s interception return was three yards shorter than his lone punt return of the night. Smith also had a 25-yard kickoff return against the Saints.

If Smith were able to get at least 25 yards per takeaway recovery, it would help the Texans’ offense with favorable field position.

“We’ll work on that next week,” Smith said.

WATCH: Texans DB Tremon Smith intercepts Saints QB Ian Book in preseason

Houston Texans defensive back Tremon Smith intercepted New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book in the first quarter of their preseason tilt.

The Houston Texans have been preaching takeaways under new coach Lovie Smith, and they were able to find their first blessing, even if it was in a preseason game.

With 3:03 to go in the first quarter, defensive back Tremon Smith picked off second-year quarterback Ian Book on a deflection. Smith returned the pick for 12 yards up to the Saints’ 34-yard line.

The Texans were able to cash in on the extra possession with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn drilling a 49-yard field goal.

In 2021, Smith had 21 combined tackles and a fumble recovery through 17 games, two of which he started.

 

Texans CB Tremon Smith named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Houston Texans CB Tremon Smith won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in large part for his kickoff TD return against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his big performance to help beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-16 in Week 15 at TIAA Bank Field.

Smith had a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown that put Houston ahead 14-3 in the first quarter. On the game, Smith had 121 kickoff return yards, a touchdown, a special teams tackle, and even a tackle on defense.

The touchdown return was the first of Smith’s career and the first for a Texans player since Jacoby Jones on Oct. 4, 2009 against the Oakland Raiders.

Smith is the 16th Texans player to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, and it marks the 50th time a Texans player has been named player of the week.

The last player of the week was Deshaun Watson in Week 11 of 2020. The last special teams player of the week was Angelo Blackson in Week 15 of 2019.

Texans CB Tremon Smith says he asked for specific return that led to TD against the Jaguars

Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith says he asked for the specific return that led to the KO touchdown to be put into the playbook in Week 15.

When Tremon Smith was working with Houston Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross on the return playbook for the Week 15 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, there was one return that he wanted to try against their AFC South foes.

“If we got the right kick and I made a couple guys miss that it could go the distance,” Smith said of the return. “So, of course, I asked him to start off the game with it.”

The first return was a touchback, but the Texans’ offense mounted a 15 play, 75-yard drive that resulted in rookie quarterback Davis Mills connecting with receiver Brandin Cooks for a 22-yard touchdown to give Houston a 7-0 lead.

When the Jaguars kicked a 22-yard field goal and kicked off, Smith had his second chance.

“The second one, it was just — it was the perfect — just like practice,” Smith said. “We practiced all week. I told the guys you’re just getting in front of your guys, wall them off, do what you need to do. We’ll get to the end zone. They did a great job of that.”

Coach David Culley said after the 30-16 win that Smith getting to the end zone was a culmination of his potential throughout the season.

“He is so explosive back there and he’s been close before,” said Culley. “Our special teams this week did a nice job of preparation from the standpoint of understanding that if we took care of our business and we block well and gave our returners, punt returner and kickoff returner, an opportunity to get through the hole there that there’s a chance to score, and they did a really nice job of that.”

Smith joked that he has to buy his blockers on the kickoff return something for Christmas because their efforts led to the Texans getting their first kickoff return touchdown since 2009.

“I haven’t came up with it yet, but I’m going to get them something nice for just setting it up for me,” said Smith. “I couldn’t do it without my blockers. I don’t know, it’s just a good feeling. In 2018, I had something like that happen. And I got tackled on like the 3-yard line. So I can’t wait to get rid of that video.”

The Texans improve to 3-11 on the season while the Jaguars fall to 2-12.