Quarterback Patrick Ramsey (left) and defensive end Antonio Smith (right) are both unrestricted free agents.
The Houston Chronicle's John McClain is reporting that the Texans have visited with Denver Broncos quarterback Patrick Ramsey and plan to visit Saturday with Arizona Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith.
Both players are unrestricted free agents and would fill glaring needs for the Texans at backup quarterback and defensive end, respectively. Earlier Friday, the Texans traded quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fourth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Ramsey (6-3, 225) is a seven-year veteran who started his career with the Washington Redskins as their first-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
He took a free agent visit with the Texans on March 6, 2007, following a season with the New York Jets. At the time, Ramsey explained part of Houston's appeal.
"It's certainly an attraction," Ramsey said. "My wife and I are both from North Louisiana, but at the same time, there have to be a lot of other factors that are also in our favor."
Ultimately, Ramsey chose to sign with Denver, where he spent the past two seasons as the backup to Pro Bowler Jay Cutler.
Smith (6-4, 285) is a highly coveted prospect coming off a stellar season with the NFC Champion Cardinals.
Ralph Vacciano of the New York Daily News reports that Smith has been invited to visit the New York Giants and also is "pondering visit offers" from the Philadelphia Eagles and Texans.
Smith had a monster postseason, totaling eight tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to help the Cardinals reach Super Bowl XLIII.
A fifth-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft from Oklahoma State, Smith has played in all 16 games the past three seasons. He had his best year in 2007 with career highs in tackles (37), sacks (5.5) and games started (13). He followed up that performance with a career-high two forced fumbles in 2008, along with 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries to help Arizona win the NFC West.
