Often had the feeling in those days the team was winning in spite of its owner, not because of it.
Two key actions from Bud contributed to the mayhem, both highlighted by the program: (1) hiring Buddy Ryan and not involving HC Jack Pardee in the process, further demoting Pardee into a figurehead for the team, and (2) setting an ultimatum that the team would be broken up if they failed again.
Ryan had no obligation to report to Pardee. This is a model that fails beyond just the realm of football. And while threatening players' and coaches' jobs if they do not perform is really not a crime in the NFL, doing so when the mental state of the team was so fragile following the Buffalo loss was just classic Bud with his poor timing.
Bud obviously lacked the PR/media sheen the Texans now possess in spades. Talk about an over-correction.
What's interesting in looking back, as a fan, is watching how the fan base reacts... the Oilers had seven straight playoff years and zero AFC Championship game appearances. In some ways, the team was a victim of its own moderate success.
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12-11-2013, 09:31 AM
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