What's new for 2018

[Arky]

About a day late but:

Texans move on from assistants Larry Izzo, John Butler, Charles London

"It was too inconsistent," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said of the special teams Monday shortly before Izzo was dismissed. "We have to look at it schematically, we have to look at it from a coaching standpoint. We've got to look at every facet of special teams because in order for us to get to where we get to, we have to improve that area. We've got to be better on special teams."

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Texans' wide receiver Will Fuller to have minor knee surgery

Fuller was injured three times last season, missing most of training camp, all of preseason and six starts. The first-round pick in 2016 finished with 26 receptions for 406 yards and seven touchdowns.

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Texans expect Romeo Crennel to return

If Vrabel leaves to become a head coach as he's being sought after by the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions for jobs and O'Brien remains in place in Houston, the Texans' in-house candidates to replace him include Crennel, if he's interested in resuming those duties, and secondary coach John Butler.

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Colts request permission to interview Texans' Mike Vrabel


Lions ask permission to interview Texans' Mike Vrabel

[chuck]

I would love to know what Mike Vrabel has ever done to demonstrate he deserves a coordinator job never mind a head coaching position.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by chuck

I would love to know what Mike Vrabel has ever done to demonstrate he deserves a coordinator job never mind a head coaching position.

I don't know anything, but I do know that the Texans Defense was the worst in the league in terms of who they played against. I am a Vrabel fan and realize that he was dealing with injuries to Watt & Merciless. Jonathan Joseph took a step back, maybe due to age. That being said, I would have a difficult time hiring Vrabel to be a head coach when all he has on his resume is being in charge of the worst defense. I like Keith Butler and James Bettcher of the Steelers and Cardinals, respectively. As I look around the league, maybe a DC who runs the 4-3 Defense would be a better choice. But for continuity, I would hire Bettcher tomorrow.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by chuck

I would love to know what Mike Vrabel has ever done to demonstrate he deserves a coordinator job never mind a head coaching position.

I think it’s a combination of three factors:

1. Sean McVay turned the Rams around in his first year and it’s a copycat league. Teams are looking for another young, energetic guy.

2. Apparently teams are willing to excuse Vrabel’s performance as DC due to personnel shortcomings, especially the losses of JJ, Mercilus, and Bouye. But even taking that into account, I don’t know how they could conclude that he got the most out of what he had.

3. I heard or read someone (it might have been MMQB’s Albert Breer) say that many teams are taking the mindset that if they feel a guy could be a great head coach one day but may not be quite ready, they need to hire him, even if that involves taking some lumps early while he learns on the job, because he’s unlikely to be available the next time they’re looking for a coach.

[barrett]

People love a football coach that looks the part. If Vrabel looked like Andy Reid he'd have to actually know how to coach. Instead he'll get a job based on fitting the idea that some owner has of what a football coach looks and sounds like. It's the same reason guys like Blake Bortles get drafted to play QB. All things considered football is run by very inside the box thinkers.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by barrett

People love a football coach that looks the part. If Vrabel looked like Andy Reid he'd have to actually know how to coach. Instead he'll get a job based on fitting the idea that some owner has of what a football coach looks and sounds like. It's the same reason guys like Blake Bortles get drafted to play QB. All things considered football is run by very inside the box thinkers.

Many Broncos watcher were stunned that Elway jumped up and grabbed Vance Joseph to replace Gary Kubiak as Head Coach even though the Dolphins defense he was coaching was stinking up the joint despite having Ndonkeykong Suh and others. Elway defended his decision by claiming Joseph was a "leader of men". Broncos supporters have used that "leader of men" comment as a punchline ever since.

So, if somebody grabs Vrabel and defends him as a "leader of men", watch out.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

So, if somebody grabs Vrabel and defends him as a "leader of men", watch out.

Let's hope it's the Titans.