Quote:
Originally Posted by papabear
I'm also starting to seriously question John Hoke. He has been our DB coach from the beginning...and we seem to be having the same problems there over and over again. Robinson's best season was his rookie year. I'm not basing that on interceptions number, or anything like that I just don't think he has gotten any better since he got here. Fred Bennet looks to be on the same path. Kubiak has some culpability here too because Hoke's on his staff. I've heard before what a great coach Hoke is, but why hasn't anyone tried to hire him away, or the Texans given him some meaningless title to keep him around? There may be nothing there, but it's just curious to me.
|
I'd actually been mulling about Hoke's performance as well in recent weeks, especially in light of how Fred Bennett has done versus expectations this year. It doesn't speak well to Hoke, and pointing the finger at him seems appropriate at first glace. (fyi, Hoke had been pursued for college jobs during his tenure with the Texans. Not sure if anyone tried to hire him from another NFL team though.)
But a couple things... Bennett probably over-achieved in the second half of 2007, setting the bar higher than it should have been this year. Also, Hoke is sharing a significant portion of his responsibilities with Ray Rhodes. Is Rhodes cramping his style?
It's something to consider for the defense as a whole since Richard Smith has had Frank Bush around (breathing down his neck?) as a "senior defensive assistant". Is there not enough unilateral authority here for key defensive coaches?
And if Hoke and Smith are not getting the job done, having Rhodes and Bush at the ready seems to make it easier for Kubiak to make a change midseason if he wanted to.