Offseason Tidbits

[popanot]

Rich Cimini
‏@RichCimini For GM job: Confirmed that Jets have requested to interview Texans dir of college scouting Mike Maccagnan, as @BrianCoz said. #nyj

As I said before, I think you have to consider the whole Texans scouting department when looking the horrid draft history under Smith, so I would have to think Maccagnan is part of the problem and losing him might not be such a bad thing. In addition, if the Jets do hire him as GM, would it make Kubiak the frontrunner for HC? Good luck with that NYJ!!

[Keith]

That's what the Jets deserve for asking Charley Casserly to whisper in their ears.

[Nconroe]

So Casserly and Mccagnan dont exactly give us a sense of confidence in future. Just a consideration on draft picks , perhaps salary cap, injuries, and coaches have impacted Texans draft results. A lot of ex Texas players doing ok around the league.

[HPF Bob]

Can they find the guy who scouts the Virginia/Virgina Tech/NC State/South Carolina region we draft so many players from? We seem to take a lot of them and the results are a mixed bag.

[Keith]

^^^ Dale Strahm, a Bronco guy before he came to Houston. He has since retired, I think sometime between 2012-13.

In other news, the team granted permission for Brian Gaine (director of pro personnel) to interview for the GM position with the Bears. Gaine has only been here a year, but it sure seems to me that the Texans improved their pro scouting efforts this year with some of these diamonds in the rough they kept discovering during the 2014 season.

Gaine was hired from the Dolphins where he had been an assistant GM under Jeff Ireland. He's part of the Parcells tree. If the Texans were ever going to "promote" Rick Smith out of the GM position, Gaine seems like a good candidate to replace him.

[Keith]

Texans on short list of candidates for HBO's Hard Knocks this summer. From SI:

2. For fans of HBO’s Hard Knocks, here’s the list of NFL teams eligible to be drafted by the league should no team volunteer to take part in the series: Giants, Redskins, Vikings, Bucs, Rams, Browns, Texans, Jaguars and Titans. The exemptions include teams with first-year head coaches, teams that have made the playoffs the last two seasons, and teams that have been featured on the series in the past 10 years.

http://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/0...cetype=default

[HPF Bob]

Redskins and Browns would provide the most drama. Texans really aren't all that newsworthy after Watt.

If the Vikings still have that party boat, though, that would put them right to the top. HBO can provide the strippers.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by Keith

Gaine has only been here a year, but it sure seems to me that the Texans improved their pro scouting efforts this year with some of these diamonds in the rough they kept discovering during the 2014 season.

They definitely found some decent talent off the trash heap this year. I remember some of the NFL insiders/analysts on Twitter saying he was a good hire for the Texans when it happened. I'd take a chance on him as GM over Smith at this point.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by popanot

They definitely found some decent talent off the trash heap this year. I remember some of the NFL insiders/analysts on Twitter saying he was a good hire for the Texans when it happened. I'd take a chance on him as GM over Smith at this point.

The way the talking heads are making it sound, OB wants a puppet to replace Smith, and more or less total control over personnel. Not sure if McNair will give that to a 2nd year HC or not, but its something to watch.

Chip just got it in Philly....Just seems like too much on 1 guy, IMO. I'd bet HC's already working 80-100+ hours/week. What else can get squeezed in without something taking a side step? Belicheat is a great coach, but not a great personnel guy. If he didn't fall in to Brady, he probably wouldn't be held in the same regard, as they'd probably be the Browns..... Don't know of too many instances where there has been success with that framework.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by WMH

Chip just got it in Philly....

Heard the Eagles wanted to talk to Gaine next. Gaine reportedly had his interview with the Bears today.

I have a feeling Imma be real sad soon to learn he's somewhere else and Rick Smith is still here.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Keith

Heard the Eagles wanted to talk to Gaine next. Gaine reportedly had his interview with the Bears today.

I have a feeling Imma be real sad soon to learn he's somewhere else and Rick Smith is still here.

Rumor mill has Pioli coming in to GM spot......

[Arky]

Texans let go offensive line coach Paul Dunn. Going in a different direction..... bet they already have someone in mind...

[Keith]

Good news for the Texans - the Bears hired Ryan Pace to be their new GM, choosing not to hire Brian Gaine. Seems Gaine is still in the running in Philadelphia.

The Texans keep affirming that Rick Smith isn't going anywhere as their GM, so hopefully they are able to retain Gaine and keep him scouting for the team.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Arky

Texans let go offensive line coach Paul Dunn. Going in a different direction..... bet they already have someone in mind...

Yep. Quick hire.
@LanceZierlein: Can’t tell you how excited I am that Mike Devlin is the new offensive line coach for Texans. Huge upgrade w/ very sharp man taking over.

[Nconroe]

Interesting we changed Oline coach as I thought Oline improved and did ok last year. But thanks to outgoing and welcome to incoming. Maybe Dunn has something lined up as well.

[Nconroe]

Heard there will be a Veteran FA combine this year to help the older FA find a new team and compare their skills all at one place for all teams to watch. March 22 in St. Louis.

[Warren]

Texans reportedly promoting Gaine to director of player personnel: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...e-brian-gaine/

[Warren]

Not sure what his new job description is, but the position has been open since they fired Brian Gardner a year ago. This should make him the #2 guy in the football side of the front office behind Smith and he'll apparently now have responsibilities in both both the draft and free agency.

[HPF Bob]

Sounds like a promotion to keep him and perhaps have him as GM-in-waiting if Smith is ousted.

[Arky]

D-line coach Bill Kollar takes a job with Kubiak in Denver. He's got family in Denver so.....