Kubiak officially out, Smith staying?

[Joshua]

LZ tweeted about 15 minutes ago that the word he is getting is that Kubiak is gone and Smith will be retained. I guess we'll find out shortly.

[WMH]

LZ tweeted about 15 minutes ago that the word he is getting is that Kubiak is gone and Smith will be retained. I guess we'll find out shortly.

He got that from an agent.....who knows if its accurate.

Here's the tweet:
@LanceZierlein: The word on the agent grapevine is that Rick Smith will remain as GM and be in charge of hiring a new head coach for the Texans

[Joshua]

Clearly rumor mill material at this stage, but I would put LZ at the top of the list of knowledgeable, informed and reliable sources. I doubt he would tweet this unless he thought there was a very good chance that it is correct.

[chuck]

I've always thought that Rick Smith was secure in his job. Of course, I thought that Kubiak was, too. Being wrong about one of those is better than being right I suppose.

I guess even McNair can't overlook the fact that his team is in an endless death spiral.

[Warren]

What has Smith shown to deserve being retained? Almost all of their personnel successes have been on offense, where I assume Kubiak had significant input. I have no confidence in his ability to hire a head coach and I don't see the top candidates wanting to be in a position where Smith's in charge of the roster.

[TexanJedi]

I've got a bad feeling about this.

[Fonz the Boss]

Mortensen of ESPN said that if Kubiak were to be fired that they may look into Mike Sherman. I certainly hope not because we need a defensive minded head coach. Also, I agree that keeping Rick eliminates our chances of getting a high profile coach.

[Keith]

Bob McNair, other owners approve since it means one less team fighting for a playoff spot.

If Kubiak goes, Smith has got to go too. And Grier too for godsakes.

I'd be curious to see who Sherman would like to run the defense...

[WMH]

I still see the status quo at the top spots, Kubiak stays, Smith stays.
O Staff stay fairly in tact.

D is a complete overhaul.
I see a higher end DC coming in, maybe a M Lewis, J Fox, W Phillips type that could be plugged in with the interim tag if/when it comes crashing down next year, again.....

Not saying I agree, just my hunch.

[NBT]

Mike Sherman is not going to leave the Aggies now that they are beginning to turn around. At least I hope so, not because I'm anti-Aggie, but because I think we need one of the take charge types like Cower or Gruden. The lack of a rah-rah (if you will) type of guy is the reason laid back Kubiak wasn't more of a success. And if it is a take charge type of guy we get, Rick Smith will have to go. Come on McNair, be the answer, not the problem here.

[HPF Bob]

If Rick Smith is choosing the next head coach, can we presume the new choice will not be a high profile WHITE head coach? Keep these names in mind: Tony Dungy and Romeo Crennel.

[barrett]

Rah-Rah is not a must.

Guys win with that style, and guys win without it. Accountability is what Kubiak lacks. Accountability is not a personality trait. Dungy was a calm guy who you never saw yelling on the sidelines, but nobody wanted to disappoint him. That is a character trait, not a personality one. And there are plenty of yellers that don't hold there team accountable (singletary with his nobody knows what to expect rants and mood changes). NFL players are professionals about there job, and they need to be treated with respect, but they crave to be held to a high standard as well. Bellachik has no personality and no rah-rah. He walks around in sweaters with a blank stare. But he calmly demands the best of everyone he works with. That is what matters to me. Not whether a guy can eat glass or take charge. And a take charge guy likely comes with an ego that won't want to win with someone else's offense.

So I am fine with laid back or intense, just so long as they demand excellence from every coach and player in the organization.

[NBT]

If Rick Smith is choosing the next head coach, can we presume the new choice will not be a high profile WHITE head coach? Keep these names in mind: Tony Dungy and Romeo Crennel.

While I admire what Rick has tried to do since he has been here, that was only in draft evaluation, not the coaches. I think it would be a mistake to put all of the responcibilities of coaching evaluation too. Mcnair should hire an experienced football administrator to head up the whole organization, not pile it on the GM for the football players.

[HPF Bob]

There's a lot of "dead coach walking" talk going around Houston but I've found nothing "official", certainly not from the Texans.

In one way, Kubiak might find the timing right to get out of town. The talk in Denver is that John Elway is going to join the Broncos inner circle as Director of Football Operations and, possibly, as part owner. He would have power over the GM and will be involved in the search for a new head coach.

Dollars to donuts, Elway would want his old roommate and best buddy Kubiak as either head coach or offensive coordinator and who is going to tell John "no"?

So, my belief is that a coaching gig is likely for Kubiak in Denver if he becomes available. Next year at this time, the head coach job won't be available.

[chuck]

What has Smith shown to deserve being retained?

From what I know, nothing. But I have heard whispers that Kubiak has more input on personnel decisions, especially draft decisions, than Smith does. Smith denies this, of course, but if it's true that many or all of the shit picks were Kubiak picks then I am potentially less bothered by Smith's staying.

I would love to see him replaced by a seasoned GM or personnel guru, anyone not named Casserly, but once Smith joined the Competition Committee I assumed that he would outlast this coach and probably future coaches as well.

[nunusguy]

If Rick Smith is choosing the next head coach, can we presume the new choice will not be a high profile WHITE head coach? Keep these names in mind: Tony Dungy and Romeo Crennel.
I think because Rick Smith is not white, you can presume the new HC he hires (if Smith is the one who leads that process), will be white though I dunno about his "profile".

[Arky]

I'd say keep an eye on what goes down right after Sunday's game. If there's no word by Monday night, then things might get interesting. If McNair dismisses Kubiak, I think he'll do it with some class and integrity and maybe not as fast as a disgruntled fanbase wishes.... Maybe I'm wrong.... I think if Kubes had been able to win a couple of these last few games, he may have been able to salvage his job but the team is too banged up and there aren't any horses left in the stable and that's partly his doing, too... A year that started off with much promise and sky-high expectations turned into a disaster...

Perhaps they really will go through the whole SOP of "evaluation" that they do with staff every January or perhaps they announce something to that effect. (Note, no comments from McNair lately. I woudn't talk either if I had tried to say something a little positive about the team and the entire fan base had thrown it back in my face.)

As far as Rick Smith goes, isn't he on the NFL competition committee? My understanding is that McNair thinks highly of him and I really don't see him going anywhere...

[coloradodude]

Replacements that I would love...

Schottenheimer

Gruden

Dungy



Miss Jerry Jones made an astute observation recently. She said "No head coach has ever gone to another team and won a SB." Something to think about.

Who am I kidding? I just want consecutive double digit winning seasons!!!!!

[barrett]

Replacements that I would love...

Schottenheimer

Gruden

Dungy



Miss Jerry Jones made an astute observation recently. She said "No head coach has ever gone to another team and won a SB." Something to think about.

Who am I kidding? I just want consecutive double digit winning seasons!!!!!

I heard that. Very interesting and it gives some pause to hiring a big name coach.

But how many coaches have won a superbowl total? Maybe 25. How many went on to coach in other places? About a dozen maybe.

And how many coaches total in the superbowl era? Hundreds? A Thousand? I really have no idea.

But the point is the sample size of superbowl coaches who move on is tiny and you really can't draw any conclusions from it.

[HPF Bob]

Well, Schottenheimer has never been to a Super Bowl, much less won one. He has John Elway and Tom Brady to thank for that.

[chuck]

Well, Schottenheimer has never been to a Super Bowl, much less won one. He has John Elway and Tom Brady to thank for that.

Elway and Brady, both white. It must be a conspiracy. Of course, they're both quarterbacks.

[HPF Bob]

May I remind you, Chuck, that Smith didn't hire Kubiak. Smith came later, even though they both came from the Broncos. He has no track record for hiring head coaches so it's all speculation at this time. It's just that the overall track record of minority GMs is that they hire fellow minorities as their head coaches/managers. It's not always the case (Ozzie Newsome, for one) but it is a trend - one that I think means we should not dismiss minority HCs in the speculation.

FWIW, if the Vikes are dumb enough not to keep Leslie Frazier, I'd be thrilled to give him a shot here. I think he has potential to be the next Jeff Fisher (if we can't get Fisher).

But if Smith is staying, that will make it harder to reel in the big names circulating in the media because most of them want a lot of control and a sitting GM is not likely to give it.

[chuck]

May I remind you, Chuck, that Smith didn't hire Kubiak. Smith came later, even though they both came from the Broncos. He has no track record for hiring head coaches so it's all speculation at this time. It's just that the overall track record of minority GMs is that they hire fellow minorities as their head coaches/managers.

Sure, please remind me. You know, I am simply a casual fan with no real recollection of or interest in the team's history, so, please, yes, remind me that Smith came after Kubiak.

That makes your claim that minority GMs hire minority head coaches all the more absurd. Reese? His HC is Coughlin. WHITE. Newsome? His HC is Harbaugh. WHITE.

I mean, seriously. WTF planet are you on? Why do you think that Smith would be more inclined to hire an AA head coach than any other? Your world view is pathetic. Seriously. I actually feel sorry for you knowing that you think that the BLACK folk are out to steal your tax dollars and that the GM of your second favorite football team (third favorite?) is going to hire a BLACK head coach simply because he himself is BLACK.

Really, Bob. I don't mean to be patronizing; I say this to you as a friend. This is 2011, not 1961. Race has faded as an issue. It is still an issue, sure, thanks largely to attitudes such as yours. But please, let that shit go and let's move on to relevant matters. We're witnessing and even participating in the decline of an empire and rather than confront that you want to resurrect George Wallace. It's crazy. It really is.

Kenny Williams? Guillen. Not BLACK, but close enough for you I guess. BROWN. And he speaks SPANISH.

OK. I'll give you that one.

[cadams]

while i would prefer that mcnair fire everyone and start over, if they get rid of kubiak and keep smith, that will at least show me he really wants to win. i don't know whether smith is any good or not. given kubiak basically hired him i don't know how much power he actually had. if smith does hire the new hc, then i at least hope it is someone he has never worked with, even if it is a coordinator.

[Warren]

My preferences:

1. Blow it up -- fire both. Both have had ample opportunity and neither has gotten the job done. Bring in a consultant with experience in building a winning franchise to advise how those organizations are structured and provide significant input on a short list of GM and head coach candidates. Ron Wolf would be at the top of my list for this role; Dan Reeves wouldn't be on it. With his input, hire a GM who will have authority to hire the head coach, subject to veto by McNair.

or

2. Bring in the consultant and with his input hire a GM, who would have authority to fire or retain Kubiak and/or Smith, although if retained Smith would have a reduced role. If Kubiak is retained the new guy would "help" him hire a new defensive coordinator. If not, the new GM would hire the head coach subject to veto by McNair.

[coloradodude]

Chuck,

I have to respectfully disagree with you on one point.

Racism is alive and well in the good ol US of A. While it's not sheeky sheeky, the media and governmental laws force regular folk to act like racism is non-existent. Nothing could be further from the truth.

You should get to know several black guys that date white chicks and find out their real motivation. You will be shocked. They don't date Mexican (Spanish) chicks on a large scale like the targeted white women despite the serious natural beauty of a Latino woman. (and please don't try the 'white women have lower morals angle' because that would be a form of racism even though you may be white yourself despite Hank Hill's dead on observation)

The anger runs deep.

[chuck]

...although if retained Smith would have a reduced role.

As I've said elsewhere I'd really like to establish exactly what his role has been. I don't think we know how much if any influence he had on draft day. I'm not trying to excuse him for his missteps, just trying to gather information.

CD: While there are certainly individuals and institutions that deliberately or unwittingly continue to make race a divisive issue in our society it seems clear to me that our society is evolving, slowly, into a society where race is less and less relevant. As to the "real motivation" behind black guys dating white girls, well, I'm all ears.

[HPF Bob]

I mean, seriously. WTF planet are you on?

The one where we don't flee the country and only occasionally return to cheer a team with the most porous defense this side of the U.S. Border Patrol.

But I didn't mean to turn this thread into yet another argument on race. We'll see if Smith brings in more than the Rooney Rule token for HC candidates. Right now, it's just too early to draw a conclusion.

[WMH]

The latest Twitter rumor is that Kubiak stays, and Wade Phillips comes in as DC.....Doesn't mention about Smith.

@JasonLaCanfora: Speaking to coaches and executives today, hearing rumblings of Wade Phillips possibly landing as coordinator in HOU w/ Kubiak as head coach

@JasonLaCanfora: Many, myself included, figured the Texans collapse, including an on-field fight, would lead to a taskmaster taking over as head coach...

@JasonLaCanfora: But from what I've heard this morning, that might not be the end result there.

IE, who the hell knows what Bob is gonna do......including Bob.
SCARY!

[Keith]

IE, who the hell knows what Bob is gonna do......including Bob.
SCARY!

Enough is enough... time for Janice to step in and call the shots on Kirby.

[mojox]

Chuck,

I have to respectfully disagree with you on one point.

Racism is alive and well in the good ol US of A. While it's not sheeky sheeky, the media and governmental laws force regular folk to act like racism is non-existent. Nothing could be further from the truth.

You should get to know several black guys that date white chicks and find out their real motivation. You will be shocked. They don't date Mexican (Spanish) chicks on a large scale like the targeted white women despite the serious natural beauty of a Latino woman. (and please don't try the 'white women have lower morals angle' because that would be a form of racism even though you may be white yourself despite Hank Hill's dead on observation)

The anger runs deep.
I know several black guys. Grew up with them, attended college with them. Even work with many as both colleagues and court mates. And yes, about half the black men (and women) I know date white people. Their real motivation springs not from anger, but from their loins and hearts. From the ones I know, this post is bull**** and an example of the virulent, pc, under the radar racism prevalent in society.

[mojox]

The one where we don't flee the country and only occasionally return to cheer a team with the most porous defense this side of the U.S. Border Patrol.

But I didn't mean to turn this thread into yet another argument on race. We'll see if Smith brings in more than the Rooney Rule token for HC candidates. Right now, it's just too early to draw a conclusion.

I certainly hope Smith brings in more than token candidates. Just bring in the qualified, whatever color they may be. Dungy ain't the only good not white coach out there.

[Arky]

This is interesting:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5966936

HOUSTON -- Texans coach Gary Kubiak has two Houston football icons in his corner as he faces his uncertain future.

Former Oilers coach Bum Phillips and ex-Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini attended Wednesday's practice and urged Texans owner Bob McNair to retain Kubiak despite the team's nosedive this season.

......

[mojox]

Bum Phillips weighing in on the situation:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7357738.html

FWIW, I can live with Kubiak/Wade. But Kubiak/"some guy still learning the job" won't do.

[chuck]

The one where we don't flee the country and only occasionally return to cheer a team with the most porous defense this side of the U.S. Border Patrol.

You can make fun of me for "flee(ing) the country" if you want to, but I assure you I will always have the last laugh on that deal. And don't worry, dude, a couple more years of a shit economy around here and no brown person in his or her right mind will want to sneak in. You can sit around and enjoy a feeble, decaying economy with nothing but fellow citizens with whom to commiserate.

How anyone cannot see that Kubiak's offense is also a serious problem I just don't know. There is just no possible justification for keeping him as the head coach. If McNair does keep him I will be utterly dumbfounded. And correct in my thinking - I guess there's always a silver lining.

[NBT]

So welcome to the good 'Ol U.S of A., even if it is only online Chuck. Here's one justification for Kubiak - he is a good OC! Problem is he is not a motivator. You would think with the salaries these jocks make, they wouldn't need "ol MO", but just like most people, they do.

If Bob (haven't a clue) McNair was smart, he would leave Kubiak as OC, hire a hell-fire DC, and kind of let the situation simmer a while longer. After all isn't that what he has been doing?

[chuck]

So welcome to the good 'Ol U.S of A., even if it is only online Chuck

I'm actually in Houston right now, which reminds me - I'm up for a tailgate before this final game Sunday. The 3:15 start is a rare blessing and I intend to make full use of it. I've floated this before and have been met with deafening silence but I thought I'd try again. I'm in the Blue Lot.

[Nconroe]

Bum Phillips weighing in on the situation:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7357738.html

FWIW, I can live with Kubiak/Wade. But Kubiak/"some guy still learning the job" won't do.

Yeah, I think this is a strong indicator what is likely to happen, but who knows.

If it turns out to be Kubiak HC and Wade the new DC, I'm ok with it.

Wade has a pretty good track record as DC, although mostly using 3-4 alignment.

I'll be in SA on Sunday.

[Warren]

As I've said elsewhere I'd really like to establish exactly what his role has been. I don't think we know how much if any influence he had on draft day. I'm not trying to excuse him for his missteps, just trying to gather information.I see your point and maybe I'm assuming too much. My understanding is that Kubiak has to signs off on the Texans' moves (which would mean that Smith would likely be the one initiating those moves), but unless Kubiak nixed some moves that would've been significant I think Smith has to be held responsible (along with Kubiak). I have a hard time believing that Kubiak and Smith disagreed all that much, though.

[coloradodude]

Welcome back 3-4 defense!

I wonder what the guys who wear Mario's jersey every night for pajamas are gonna say now!

Will he be a DE still or...oh no...a LB?

Probably a DE and hopefully Wade will teach him how to play against the run. Yeah I said governor...he sucks against the run.

[Joshua]

Well, I'm now convinced that Kubiak is staying after hearing that Bum and Pastorini were at practice yesterday and voiced their support for him. If you think it is just coincidence that those guys showed up at practice yesterday and had a microphone shoved in front of them, you're crazy. The Texans (and more importantly, McNair) tightly controls all access. This was clearly the first orchestrated PR step by McNair before he announces Gary is returning.

[WMH]

Well, I'm now convinced that Kubiak is staying after hearing that Bum and Pastorini were at practice yesterday and voiced their support for him. If you think it is just coincidence that those guys showed up at practice yesterday and had a microphone shoved in front of them, you're crazy. The Texans (and more importantly, McNair) tightly controls all access. This was clearly the first orchestrated PR step by McNair before he announces Gary is returning.

The guy is not a billionaire for nothing....he knows how to work a customer, and the masses. I told my wife when we saw it last night, this was a total PR sham to appeal to the "good ole days"......

Whatever Bob. I will still buy your stupid tickets, your $8 dollar beer, and your crappy $20 T-shirts...... Just freaking win.

[Joshua]

The guy is not a billionaire for nothing....he knows how to work a customer, and the masses. I told my wife when we saw it last night, this was a total PR sham to appeal to the "good ole days"......

Whatever Bob. I will still buy your stupid tickets, your $8 dollar beer, and your crappy $20 T-shirts...... Just freaking win.

Yeah, but I don't have to like being condescended to and clearly McNair thinks we're too stupid to recognize when someone is blowing smoke up our ass.

I've been a season ticketholder since day 1. By my calculation, I've missed about 5 home games in the franchise's existence. Not only that, I've been eating 1 ticket most weeks for the past 2 years because I added a 3rd seat so I would have one for my son when he gets older. Now, I'm really torn over whether to renew. While I had never really believed some people's complaints that McNair didn't care about winning (I thought he just didn't know what he was doing or had hired the wrong guys, neither of which is uncommon for owners), I now truly think there may be something to this. If winning is priority no. 1, I don't see how you can arrive at McNair's decision (assuming he keeps Kubiak). I've pretty much come to the conclusion that McNair would like to win, but running the business his way, having employees (i.e. coaches and players) that meet his off-the-field criteria, all the while making a tidy profit is more important. Winning would just be gravy.

[chuck]

While I had never really believed some people's complaints that McNair didn't care about winning (I thought he just didn't know what he was doing or had hired the wrong guys, neither of which is uncommon for owners), I now truly think there may be something to this. If winning is priority no. 1, I don't see how you can arrive at McNair's decision (assuming he keeps Kubiak). I've pretty much come to the conclusion that McNair would like to win, but running the business his way, having employees (i.e. coaches and players) that meet his off-the-field criteria, all the while making a tidy profit is more important. Winning would just be gravy.

I am in complete agreement with everything you say here. Excellent post.

[cadams]

i just threw up a little in my mouth. completely sick over this whole situation.

and here's the problem, if you do keep you tickets next year it will basically be just to preserve your tickets for future use. if kubiak is back they will not be a playoff team next year. i don't care who the dc is. the offense will sputter if the defense keeps them in games because kubiack won't have to go off of his gameplan to get back into the game.

[painekiller]

Welcome back 3-4 defense!

I wonder what the guys who wear Mario's jersey every night for pajamas are gonna say now!

Will he be a DE still or...oh no...a LB?

Probably a DE and hopefully Wade will teach him how to play against the run. Yeah I said governor...he sucks against the run.

I see the 3-4 lineup this way with the current guys, of course free agency and the draft will change some of this.

Mario DE, Damione Lewis NT Smith DE

Cushing & Barwin at OLB, and Ryans & Sharpton at MLB

We will need to draft some NT types and add some more OLB talent but in the type 3-4 Wade Phillips runs guys like Marion and Antonio seem to fit the the DE position perfectly.

[NBT]

IF Wade is hired as the DC (HC in waiting?), there is nothing that says he cannot run a 4-3D for awhile. He can then have time to get the 3-4 personnel he wants.

[Fonz the Boss]

No way... If Wade comes in I don't want him to be experimenting with a 4-3. I want him to stick to what he does best and that is to establish a competent 3-4 D. That is the main reason why I wouldn't mind having him here if Kubiak is not fired.

[Nconroe]

I was just listening to 610 at 8 PM on Sean Berjani and Barry Warner show and Dan Pastorini came on and basically shot down everything you guys are imagining on his and Bum's visit.

Dan said he was out Quail hunting at a friend's Ranch Monday, or maybe it was Bum's ranch. So, in the evening he mentioned he'd like to go to a Texans practice sometime, no one with Texans had contacted him. And then Bum chimed in he had business in Houston anyways this week and hadn't been to a practice for a while, so they just showed up on the sidelines in the morning.

Said hi to Kubiak before practice, watched from the sideline. Dan said he had been on both winning and loosing teams, so he was glad and surprised to see Texans practicing hard just like a winning team should.

Dan also said he thought Schaub is an excellent QB, its tough as Schaub has been hit hard a lot and seems to always get up and keep playing, maybe insinuating OL should do a better job.

Then McNair did invite them to lunch, but they never once brought up or discussed the subject of Wade Phillips as a future DC by anyone.

Those topics came up latter when the press did interview them. They just answered questions, they did not make a speech.

Dan said Kubiak had been a ball boy for him earlier, they were good friends, and he felt he was real good friends with Wade and Bum and Bob McNair. They were all good people and he supported them fully.

One of the surprising comments, he said Bum told him if he was coaching a 3-4 he would take a look at Amobi as a LB.

I think Dan came on with Barry to refute comments like you guys are making above, without saying so. Well, that is how I recall and interpret the conversation.

Before that interview, Amobi Okeye was interviewed around 7:30 PM. He was saying the negativity by fans really didn't help them,but understood, he is hoping everyone comes out and supports them for this upcoming game.

He said he thought biggest problem in losses was seemed like on the big plays someone had missed the call and was out of position. And just bad luck on a few plays such as against Jags or a few other examples. Amobi sounded like he had a cold. Said he hoped to get a chance to continue improving and contribute next year, whatever the system is. Of course he supported his coaches and knew the losses were tough for everyone.

Happy New Years to everyone,

[Joshua]

I was just listening to 610 at 8 PM on Sean Berjani and Barry Warner show and Dan Pastorini came on and basically shot down everything you guys are imagining on his and Bum's visit.

Dan said he was out Quail hunting at a friend's Ranch Monday, or maybe it was Bum's ranch. So, in the evening he mentioned he'd like to go to a Texans practice sometime, no one with Texans had contacted him. And then Bum chimed in he had business in Houston anyways this week and hadn't been to a practice for a while, so they just showed up on the sidelines in the morning.

Said hi to Kubiak before practice, watched from the sideline. Dan said he had been on both winning and loosing teams, so he was glad and surprised to see Texans practicing hard just like a winning team should.

Dan also said he thought Schaub is an excellent QB, its tough as Schaub has been hit hard a lot and seems to always get up and keep playing, maybe insinuating OL should do a better job.

Then McNair did invite them to lunch, but they never once brought up or discussed the subject of Wade Phillips as a future DC by anyone.

Those topics came up latter when the press did interview them. They just answered questions, they did not make a speech.

Dan said Kubiak had been a ball boy for him earlier, they were good friends, and he felt he was real good friends with Wade and Bum and Bob McNair. They were all good people and he supported them fully.

One of the surprising comments, he said Bum told him if he was coaching a 3-4 he would take a look at Amobi as a LB.

I think Dan came on with Barry to refute comments like you guys are making above, without saying so. Well, that is how I recall and interpret the conversation.

Before that interview, Amobi Okeye was interviewed around 7:30 PM. He was saying the negativity by fans really didn't help them,but understood, he is hoping everyone comes out and supports them for this upcoming game.

He said he thought biggest problem in losses was seemed like on the big plays someone had missed the call and was out of position. And just bad luck on a few plays such as against Jags or a few other examples. Amobi sounded like he had a cold. Said he hoped to get a chance to continue improving and contribute next year, whatever the system is. Of course he supported his coaches and knew the losses were tough for everyone.

Happy New Years to everyone,

No offense but did you really expect him to come on and admit it was all part of a PR campaign?

Doesn't this all just seem a little too convenient? I'm honestly asking, when was the last time you can remember Pastorini or Bum at a Texans practice? I certainly can't remember when but they both just happened to turn up and then they conveniently support Kubiak at the height of controversy over whether he should be fired. And next Pastorini happens to turn up on a radio show a day later to again proclaim, "Honest, it was all an impromptu trip to practice, we were just sitting around shooting the bull and then we realized, 'Heck, we haven't been to a Texans practice in a while, let's saddle up and ride!' and nobody from the Texans put me up to it, I promise. And Bum most certainly didn't do it to try and help his son land a job." Sorry, but if he was willing to come to practice and pretend he just showed up, I'm pretty sure he would be willing to go on the radio a day later and keep up the charade.

And last time I checked, it's pretty tough to just wander onto the sidelines of practice no matter who you are. Somebody has to approve this sort of thing. And exactly how did they end up at lunch with McNair? And how did lunch culminate with a press conference where they were answering questions?

[Arky]

I was just listening to 610 .........

Ya, I heard these interviews too .... Bum said he would use Amobi as a "standup linebacker". Kinda weird, but Pastorini said (paraphrase) "if Bum says he could be a linebacker, I don't doubt it"....

I've heard all the "theories" and one aspect that doesn't jive is that McClain wasn't even there. McClain was at/going to the Baylor game.... I mean, if you're going to "leak" something, why not make sure Little John is there?

[Nconroe]

not defending, just trying to take the other side for sake of discussion and it is what i thought i heard. I was with you till I heard the interview.

well, suspicious sure, but I think Dan Pastorini was telling the truth, and sounded from the heart as I listened. I don't think he or Bum would play charades with us.

I think he called into the radio as he also knows Barry Warner well and wanted to set straight the misinterpretation of sequence of events he was hearing. This just fed one of our suspicions of what might occur. we won't know that till Monday or latter, but soon.

I think Pastorine said it had been last year since he was at a practice, so it is plausible, he could have wanted to go again.

If asked, wouldn't any Dad support his son, I think that is what Bum did, support his son when questioned. heck, many of us already speculated separately that Wade might be a good DC for future.

I think it turned into PR willingly as a circumstance of the current situation, but not planned in advance, to help his friends. That is being a good friend.

If a friend turned up at my workplace unannounced, I would invite him to lunch as well, so that doesn't really surprise me. At lunch we likely would talk about friend things, family, remember when stuff, not work.

And we have a fair bit of security where I work, but if a friend showed up, security would stop them, call me, then I would say , yes, let them in.

Not sure about press conference happening, didn't hear it personally, seems reasonable to have two supporters answer questions if available even if spur of the moment.

[Arky]

Here's the podcast (http://kilt.cbslocal.com/2010/12/30/a-descent-into-dantes-inferno/#more-29466). Judge for yourselves.

If you believe Dante, sounded to me like Bum and Pastorini got together to make an appeal for Gary..... I'm pretty sure Bum has connections with the Texans and probably called first to say he wanted to visit.... And that, Oh BTW, Bum just happens to have an unemployed son - though Pastorini denied any discussions about this. Speculation about Wade as a new DC has been going on for a while thus, I think the reporters that were there questioning him about it (Wade as DC) could have been a natural thing to ask.....

[nunusguy]

Ya, I heard these interviews too .... Bum said he would use Amobi as a "standup linebacker". Kinda weird, but Pastorini said (paraphrase) "if Bum says he could be a linebacker, I don't doubt it"....


A "standup linebacker" ? Is there any other kind ?
But what the hell, Bums 87, if he wants to make Amobi a reciever and run him out of the slot, I'm down with that. I just hope I'm still upright when I'm 87, so congrats to Bum for walking around, going to football practices, etc.

[Joshua]

not defending, just trying to take the other side for sake of discussion and it is what i thought i heard. I was with you till I heard the interview.

well, suspicious sure, but I think Dan Pastorini was telling the truth, and sounded from the heart as I listened. I don't think he or Bum would play charades with us.

I think he called into the radio as he also knows Barry Warner well and wanted to set straight the misinterpretation of sequence of events he was hearing. This just fed one of our suspicions of what might occur. we won't know that till Monday or latter, but soon.

I think Pastorine said it had been last year since he was at a practice, so it is plausible, he could have wanted to go again.

If asked, wouldn't any Dad support his son, I think that is what Bum did, support his son when questioned. heck, many of us already speculated separately that Wade might be a good DC for future.

I think it turned into PR willingly as a circumstance of the current situation, but not planned in advance, to help his friends. That is being a good friend.

If a friend turned up at my workplace unannounced, I would invite him to lunch as well, so that doesn't really surprise me. At lunch we likely would talk about friend things, family, remember when stuff, not work.

And we have a fair bit of security where I work, but if a friend showed up, security would stop them, call me, then I would say , yes, let them in.

Not sure about press conference happening, didn't hear it personally, seems reasonable to have two supporters answer questions if available even if spur of the moment.

Wasn't trying to bust your chops and I appreciate you passing on what you heard. Misplaced anger stemming from me being completely fed up with this team. Horrible management, horrible coaching, horrible everything, and everyone who has the power to do something about it is just fine with all of it. McNair is fine with Kubiak, Kubiak is fine with Frank Bush, Bush is fine with Kareem Jackson, Eugene Wilson and every other crappy defensive player he trots out there. I'm just sick of it all and the idea of either giving up my tickets or paying to watch another year of the same next year infuriates me.

As I said above, I've now come to the conclusion that McNair is not a "win at all costs" guy, but a "win my way" guy. He wants people he personally likes and respects running the team. He wants guys he enjoys being around and that represent the team and the community well. Same goes for the players. There is nothing wrong with this and it is even admirable in a way. However, he should have the courage of his convictions and tell his shareholders (i.e., fans and ticketholders) the truth. Tell them we may not always put the best product on the field, but we will always have the best product off the field and that he is willing to make this trade off. If McNair's morals are this important to him, he should show some honesty and integrity himself by being truthful, open and honest to the people who are shelling out their hard earned money for this team. Once everyone knows where he stands, then people can decide whether they wish to support it. For a guy who constantly promotes the importance of having the right kind of people, to me, basically lying to your customers for 9 years is considerably more duplicitious than any backup player getting a DWI.

[cadams]

not defending, just trying to take the other side for sake of discussion and it is what i thought i heard. I was with you till I heard the interview.

well, suspicious sure, but I think Dan Pastorini was telling the truth, and sounded from the heart as I listened. I don't think he or Bum would play charades with us.

I think he called into the radio as he also knows Barry Warner well and wanted to set straight the misinterpretation of sequence of events he was hearing. This just fed one of our suspicions of what might occur. we won't know that till Monday or latter, but soon.

I think Pastorine said it had been last year since he was at a practice, so it is plausible, he could have wanted to go again.

If asked, wouldn't any Dad support his son, I think that is what Bum did, support his son when questioned. heck, many of us already speculated separately that Wade might be a good DC for future.

I think it turned into PR willingly as a circumstance of the current situation, but not planned in advance, to help his friends. That is being a good friend.

If a friend turned up at my workplace unannounced, I would invite him to lunch as well, so that doesn't really surprise me. At lunch we likely would talk about friend things, family, remember when stuff, not work.

And we have a fair bit of security where I work, but if a friend showed up, security would stop them, call me, then I would say , yes, let them in.

Not sure about press conference happening, didn't hear it personally, seems reasonable to have two supporters answer questions if available even if spur of the moment.

honestly, i don't believe their story. like josh said, it is a bit too convenient. and as also discuseed, if it was a PR stunt (which i honestly believe it was) no way he would have said anything different on the radio. there is likely a lot of truth in what said, hunting, etc, but i don't buy for one minute that this wasn't an orchestrated deal by the texans.

[HPF Bob]

McNair is fine with Kubiak, Kubiak is fine with Frank Bush, Bush is fine with Kareem Jackson, Eugene Wilson and every other crappy defensive player he trots out there. I'm just sick of it all

Fully understand. It's like dealing with government. God forbid somebody in government actually loses their job over their wasteful spending or overall incompetence.

At least in football, most incompetence is not rewarded for long. Heads do roll eventually although McNair is awfully slow on the trigger. In some ways, it shows he isn't prone to panic, which is a good thing, but it also is exasperating when fans see something they think needs to be removed or corrected and nothing is done.

If it helps you at all, most front offices tell you everything is okay until the boom is lowered. They're going to tell you Kubiak is safe until the day he's fired. Speaking of Wade Phillips, Jerry Jones was singing his praises right up to the day he was fired. That's how it works.

One thing that's true about the NFL. You try not to burn bridges because there are only 32 of those jobs and only a few come up every year so they all have a way of talking nice to each other because they just may need a job from them further down the line. It doesn't mean they don't see what you're seeing.

[painekiller]

If you caught Bob McNair on the Texans show with Bob Allen and you read between the lines, Kubiak is coming back.

McNair said in a nutshell he does not think blowing up the team is necessary, the offense is top 5, but the defense is bottom 5, so that should be addressed.

If you blow up the coaching staff then you set the team back 2 years, and he sounds like he does not want to do that.

He did say we will have an answer this week, but most likely not today.

[Joshua]

If you caught Bob McNair on the Texans show with Bob Allen and you read between the lines, Kubiak is coming back.

McNair said in a nutshell he does not think blowing up the team is necessary, the offense is top 5, but the defense is bottom 5, so that should be addressed.

If you blow up the coaching staff then you set the team back 2 years, and he sounds like he does not want to do that.

He did say we will have an answer this week, but most likely not today.

I know you are quoting/paraphrasing McNair but this is not a top 5 offense. Last I checked, games are decided by points scored, not yardage. By points scored, the Texans are 9th. Behind the Oakland Raiders. Is there anyone on the planet saying the Raiders coaching staff should be retained because you don't want to screw up the incredible offense they have in place?

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&statisticCategory=SCORING&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2010&seasonType=REG

And the difference between being top 10 and No. 20 is basically a field goal a week, as almost half the league averages somewhere between 21 and 24 points. While I do think it is a solid offense, I'm growing weary of the notion that we have some offense that is so spectacular it cannot be touched. We have a slightly above average offense when it comes to what matters and who also benefitted from getting to play from behind a lot.

[popanot]

McNair came across as a total boob. He actually believes this is potent offense. Replacing the HC only sets you back if you hire the wrong one (which I'm nearly certain he would do). Hey, Boob, look at this year's record...!!! Didn't we already step back 2 years? Nice to see he had the guts to fire Bush, but we've been here before...

[coloradodude]

Okay, let's get level headed for a minute.

This team does have a very decent offense. When you force the QB to win the game, somewhere down the line, stress breaks talent and preparation.

If we had a defense we would have won many games. Probably would have gone 10 and 6. Matter of fact, if we had held all teams to 20 points or less then we would've gone 10 and 6. That Baltimore game was a fine example, or even better, the Jets game.

Address the defense and tweak the offense and we are division winners.

Here's to next year again.

[cadams]

Okay, let's get level headed for a minute.

This team does have a very decent offense. When you force the QB to win the game, somewhere down the line, stress breaks talent and preparation.

If we had a defense we would have won many games. Probably would have gone 10 and 6. Matter of fact, if we had held all teams to 20 points or less then we would've gone 10 and 6. That Baltimore game was a fine example, or even better, the Jets game.

Address the defense and tweak the offense and we are division winners.

Here's to next year again.

i am not so sure on this. the offense has been good for the entire game twice this season. the rest of the time they have sucked in the first half (when the game is close), been outstanding when coming back from way behind, and then when they got close again at the end of games didn't get it done (usually) the defense was clearly terrible all year and was the major problem, but i think kubiak calls games differently when the game is close rather than when trying to get back in. also, he has failed to use arian foster enough in a lot of games after forcing chris brown all year last year.

maybe everythign will turn around next year and i will be wrong, but i think we will finish somehwere between 7 and 9 wins next year and be out of the playoffs again.

[NBT]

On the other hand, Kubiak knew he had a problem in his defense, so he stayed pretty conservative on offense to counteract his weak defense. Then he had a ton of injuries to some pretty key people, both offense and defense. However having said that, Indy had 17 people on IR this year and they are still 10-6, winning the Div.

What we lacked, and what was shown to us very graphically in the Denver game, is that even a rookie QB can beat you when he has the "leadership" thing in his pocket". Neither Schaub nor KUbiak have that quality. In several of the close games we lost this year, we could have won had we had someone on the team with that "leadership" quality.

Kubiak will be with us for another year, so let's figure out who is going to turn that defense around.

[cadams]

well, the texans have finally done it. i am no longer mad, i am just apathetic. going to give some serious consideration as to whether to renew my season tickets for next year. if the owner is going to continue to give us the finger like this i don't know that i will give him my money anymore.

[coloradodude]

I would like to disagree with something.

I do think that both Koobs and Shaubb have the it factor. We clearly have developed into a dominant run team That speaks volumes about the coaches mentality. Dominant run teams are known as physical teams which usually do well in the playoffs, cold weather, and on the road.

It also says we can dominate the line of scrimmage.

Now Schaubb. He is Capt Cool. Sure he has thrown the interception at the wrong time. But if you go back to the Baltimore game he orchestrated 2, TWO, major league drives...one was 94 yards and the other was 98 yards IIRC.

Then he blew it. But before he blew it, the defense killed us and Special Teams pinned us on both of those long drives.

I like the guy alot.

[cadams]

the "it" that kubiak has is the same "it" factor that a basset hound has.