Baby Shan Leaving Texans / Search for a New OC

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Mike

Baby Shan turned out pretty good, little Gibbs seems to be a keeper and Frank Bush is a defensive genious compared to any prior DC we ever had. I am all for someone who Kubes trusts with the playcalling so he can concentrate on being a HC during the game.

According to the records of teams this season, the Texans and Titans have the toughest schedule next year. I think the Texans finally posting a winning record, secured Kubiak's job for one more season. Anything less than making the playoffs, may find us looking for a new HC.

Therefore, Kubiak is probably thinking about who is the "best person for the job" that will allow Kubiak to keep HIS job. So, I'm willing to give the HC all the slack he needs (hopefully he doesn't hang himself). It will be interesting to see if we draft another interior OL and if Kasey Studdard continues to get snaps next season. Do Little Gibbs and Frank Bush let it be known that there is a NEED for a FS? Perhaps desperation is what this team need.s

[Warren]

Here's Dennison's official bio from the Broncos. Interesting that he was a LB yet after starting out as a special teams coach his career as a coach has been on offense. I agree with the comments about Kubiak's comfort factor and there ought to be a seamless transition.

[HPF Bob]

Per Schefter, Dennison will be in Houston on Monday. I liked the idea of Musgrave (who also had a stint in Denver many years ago) but will be okay with Dennison.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Arky

Hey, there's also one Kevin Matthews (yep, son of Bruce), a very large center, graduating from A&M... Any opinions on him? I see on some draft boards that he's listed but not very high...

He came to A&M as a walk-on and started at center the last couple years. The Aggie OL was a mess in 2008 and had some rough games this past season but improved overall. Matthews isn't the athlete his father was so I don't think he'll wow anybody at the combine or pre-draft workouts. He seemed pretty solid when I watched him and should have been exposed to NFL-style coaching and technique under Mike Sherman.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I liked the idea of Musgrave (who also had a stint in Denver many years ago) but will be okay with Dennison.

Too bad we can't get Musgrave as the QB coach/Asst Off Cooord/Head Coach or some made up title like we gave Papa Gibbs and Bill Kollar.

[cland]

Well that was easy, and Dennison is a perfect candidate, and I'm sure he will be an an easy hire. The guy has been to 2 Superbowls as a Special Teams coach, coached Denver's formerly infamous line after Alex Gibbs left, and was promoted to Denver's OC in 2006. He is also one of Kubiak's good friends.

The only drawback, is that Dennison may be another short timer at the end of the day, as he was already under consideration to replace Mike Shanahan as a head coach. I'll be interested to see if this means the end of Alex Gibb's time here. Paying three former OL coaches seems to be a little unnecessary (Gibbs, Benton, Dennison).

2010 is Kubiak's year. He's finally got the staff he originally intended on, with Dennison and Bush as his two OC's. I give McNair a lot of credit for bringing in (and paying the salary of) all the coaches Kubiak has requested.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by cland

2010 is Kubiak's year. He's finally got the staff he originally intended on, with Dennison and Bush as his two OC's. I give McNair a lot of credit for bringing in (and paying the salary of) all the coaches Kubiak has requested.

Not to mention the general manager as well...

One does get the sense though that news of Alex Gibbs riding off to the sunset is forthcoming.

[nunusguy]

With Kubiak basically being a lame-duck HC, Dennison must be about the least attractive OC in the league if he ends up here ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

With Kubiak basically being a lame-duck HC, Dennison must be about the least attractive OC in the league if he ends up here ?

I'm not following the logic.

Kubiak isn't necessarily a lame-duck and this offense was pretty successful. If Dennison can come in and can have a 4,000 yard QB, that's not a bad thing to have on your resume' if the team gets blown up. Secondly, if the team makes the playoffs, then Dennison is sitting in the Catbird seat.

One man's trash is another's treasure. Dennison might not be as good of a fit for another team in the league than he would be here. They don't call us "Denver-South" for no reason.

[popanot]

The fact is you can pretty much plug anyone in at OC and this offense should function just fine. I think that's been prove since we've had about a gazillion OCs and change-over in the offensive coaching staff since Kubiak's been here. Familiarity with Kubiak and his system is just icing on the cake.

[Keith]

Worth noting.

The Broncos turned down Washington’s request to interview Dennison because he would have coached the Redskins’ offensive line, meaning it was a lateral move. Under league rules, they could have denied the Texans’ permission to interview Dennison, too. But they didn’t because it would be a promotion from his current position as offensive line coach.

And also this quote from earlier in the article:

“We’re going to interview Rick (Monday),” coach Gary Kubiak said. “I want him, but we have to let things run their course.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/6808207.html

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I'm not following the logic.

Here's my logic: NFL coachs are like employees in any industry in that they probably value job security more than monetary compensation or any other element when it comes to employment opportunities. So with that in mind and knowing the most talented get the best opportunities, going to work for regimes like Shanahans in Washington or Carrolls in Seattle would represent the top-range of job security while those where the HC has only a single year remaining on his contract would represent the other extreme.
Now of course if Kubiak gets an extension of time on his existing contract to reduce the uncertainy of his longevity here in Houston, that's changes things.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Here's
going to work for regimes like Shanahans in Washington or Carrolls in Seattle would represent the top-range of job security while those where the HC has only a single year remaining on his contract would represent the other extreme.

I could see the Seattle and the Washington jobs being considered more "high risk" than here. Also, Dennison wasn't going to beat out Mike's son as the OC in D.C. no matter how talented. As for Carroll, he probably wants somebody he has worked with before and shares his offensive philosophy.

In the NFL, there are no "safe jobs" so working with people you like where you feel free to "do your thing" with minimal intrusion, can be more important in job selection than having job security.

[Roy P]

Quote:
“We’re going to interview Rick (Monday),” coach Gary Kubiak said. “I want him, but we have to let things run their course.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/6808207.html


If we are to comply with the Rooney rule, who is our minority candidate to interview? Do we give Chick Harris an opportunity to interview to put a check in the box? Could we perhaps interview the Packers', Edgar Bennett? Maybe the Eagles' Ted Williams (who was a member of Ray Rhodes' staff) would be an interesting fit, considering how I'd like to utilize Slaton like the Eagles use Westbrook. When Kubiak says "we have to let things run their course." is he really saying, we have to make sure we don't get reprimanded by the league for not giving a minority a legitimate interview because we already have our guy?

This isn't even about racism. Kubiak obviously didn't let race preclude him from wanting Frank Bush as the D.C. Just curious if we have found a top minority candidate to interview for a "playcaller" position.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Here's my logic: NFL coachs are like employees in any industry in that they probably value job security more than monetary compensation or any other element when it comes to employment opportunities. So with that in mind and knowing the most talented get the best opportunities, going to work for regimes like Shanahans in Washington or Carrolls in Seattle would represent the top-range of job security while those where the HC has only a single year remaining on his contract would represent the other extreme.
Now of course if Kubiak gets an extension of time on his existing contract to reduce the uncertainy of his longevity here in Houston, that's changes things.

I think your logic is seriously flawed here. There is no way you can say the guy with the longest contract has the best job and is thus the best coach.

You have guys who are payed more for two years then another guy is for 4. It would be insane to say I have a better job making 500k for 4 years then you have making 2 million for 2 years. Not to mention buyout levels, bonuses, etc... These contracts are not simple things. They are also not concrete or permanent. You could be under contract for years when some crypt keeper takes out his overhead projector and explains why he isn't going to pay you anymore money.

Either way, Kubiak runs our offense and I am not extremely concerned about who the OC is, as long as Kubiak is comfortable.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by popanot

The fact is you can pretty much plug anyone in at OC and this offense should function just fine. I think that's been prove since we've had about a gazillion OCs and change-over in the offensive coaching staff since Kubiak's been here. Familiarity with Kubiak and his system is just icing on the cake.

If we could just plug in anybody, then why not Ray Brown of the Bufalo Bills? Perhaps Sean Kugler, since they are both out of a job. The Bills averaged 4.4 yards per carry (8th) while the Texans got 3.5 ypc (30th). The Bills also had a few rookies playing this season; Andy Levitre, Jamon Meredith, and Eric Wood. The Vets like Incognito and Scott have 5 and 3 years in the league.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorysta...M&d-447263-p=1

Taking a look at the combined starts for the Texans OL this season = 157
Then turn around and see just how inexperienced the Bills were = 91.

These coaches got more with less.
Fred Jackson : 237 carries 1062 yards 4.5 ypc
Steve Slaton : 131 carries 437 yards 3.3 ypc

[texan]

Originally Posted by Roy P

If we are to comply with the Rooney rule, who is our minority candidate to interview?

I'm pretty sure the Rooney rule only applies to the head coach and front office positions.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by texan

I'm pretty sure the Rooney rule only applies to the head coach and front office positions.

Then that's crazy. Just about every head coach has been a Coordinator at some point in time before they are considered to be a HC. I know that there are some examples of a position coach here or a Special Teams coach there that have been hired, but that's the exception rather than the rule.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Then that's crazy. Just about every head coach has been a Coordinator at some point in time before they are considered to be a HC. I know that there are some examples of a position coach here or a Special Teams coach there that have been hired, but that's the exception rather than the rule.

The rooney rule addressed the obvious issue of Minority candidates not getting head coaching shots. There was never much of an issue with minority candidates getting coordinator jobs, so they never made a rule for it.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

I think your logic is seriously flawed here. There is no way you can say the guy with the longest contract has the best job and is thus the best coach.

You have guys who are payed more for two years then another guy is for 4. It would be insane to say I have a better job making 500k for 4 years then you have making 2 million for 2 years. Not to mention buyout levels, bonuses, etc... These contracts are not simple things. They are also not concrete or permanent. You could be under contract for years when some crypt keeper takes out his overhead projector and explains why he isn't going to pay you anymore money.

Either way, Kubiak runs our offense and I am not extremely concerned about who the OC is, as long as Kubiak is comfortable.

Notwithstanding what happened to Carrolls predecessor in Seattle, Shanahan & Carroll are almost guaranteed atleast 2 years no matter how bad their first year turns out while I think the Texans are less likely to finish above .500 next year than they were this year, and if that scenario becomes reality Kubiak and his staff will have a very tough time sticking in Houston beyond 2010.