It's official: Sherman HC at Texas A&M

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Gotta love learning on the job at the expense of the fan base. How long will it take Shanahan to learn to be an OC? How long will this team keep selling out the stadium?

Probably as long as you can get a good seat for $34 a game. That's a hell of a deal, even for a team that only wins 4 home games. I certainly got my $34 worth against Tennessee last month.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Probably as long as you can get a good seat for $34 a game. That's a hell of a deal, even for a team that only wins 4 home games. I certainly got my $34 worth against Tennessee last month.

So did all those Saints fans....It was almost like I saw more Saints gear than Texans gear at the stadium last week.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I don't think we will lose the team in any shape or form but when I go to the Saints game and 1/4 of the fans are in Gold and Black....it makes me wonder how long this franchise will keep selling out games going forward.

After going 2-14 year before last, then passing on VY (and little Reggie),
then keeping David Carr and then still selling out again last year and this year, I don't think we have to sweat blackouts. In other words, I dunno how
it could get worse than the stretch I just described which is in the rear-view mirror ?

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Gotta love learning on the job at the expense of the fan base. How long will it take Shanahan to learn to be an OC? How long will this team keep selling out the stadium?

Well, anyone starting a new job has to have the "hands on" training in order to become acclimated to the position. I don't really mind the on the job training as long as we're building the team at the same time.

I mean honestly, who realistically thought we'd be in the playoffs this year? I sure didn't. Kubiak doesn't have the personel he wants yet. Rick Smith said as much before the season started. Now that we're clearing dead cap space we can bring in respectable talent rather than the patch fillers.

Only time will tell, but I think we're moving in the right direction. Maybe not at the rate some will like, but we are moving.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

After going 2-14 year before last, then passing on VY (and little Reggie),
then keeping David Carr and then still selling out again last year and this year, I don't think we have to sweat blackouts. In other words, I dunno how
it could get worse than the stretch I just described which is in the rear-view mirror ?

Blackouts don't happen overnight. No way we would see them in the first years and when the regime changed the fans were not in the mood to stay home when the team finally admitted they were the Emperor's New Clothes Regime. I'm not so confident that the fans are going to continue to be patient enough to fill a 70k stadium endlessly if we can't ever make a playoff run. It was still shocking to see that much Saints gear on so many fans last week....it was revealing.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Well, anyone starting a new job has to have the "hands on" training in order to become acclimated to the position. I don't really mind the on the job training as long as we're building the team at the same time.

I mean honestly, who realistically thought we'd be in the playoffs this year? I sure didn't. Kubiak doesn't have the personel he wants yet. Rick Smith said as much before the season started. Now that we're clearing dead cap space we can bring in respectable talent rather than the patch fillers.

Only time will tell, but I think we're moving in the right direction. Maybe not at the rate some will like, but we are moving.

Parcells took a 3 win Giants team to the Super Bowl in 3 years...so did Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys. I guess our 10 year plan is on course.

[bigbrewster2000]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Parcells took a 3 win Giants team to the Super Bowl in 3 years...so did Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys. I guess our 10 year plan is on course.

Well Kubiak's 3rd season is next year so I guess I will see you in the Super Bowl Vinny.

[TEXANRED]

Thank the Baby Jesus!

Originally Posted by Marcus

LOL at all of you who actually think that Mike Sherman was the reason why the team is not playing well.

Not surprised though.

When we first hired Sherman there were a lot of Packer fans who said that while Sherman was a good line coach but not a very good HC and his talent evaluation stunk.

I wonder how much we would have to pay Flannagen to leave with him?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Blackouts don't happen overnight. No way we would see them in the first years and when the regime changed the fans were not in the mood to stay home when the team finally admitted they were the Emperor's New Clothes Regime. I'm not so confident that the fans are going to continue to be patient enough to fill a 70k stadium endlessly if we can't ever make a playoff run. It was still shocking to see that much Saints gear on so many fans last week....it was revealing.

We are not now in the "first years" of the existance of the franchise, we're in the "sixth year". The franchise is not brand spanking new anymore. And we still are selling out. Granted, the same spirit is not there as was in the "first years" of the the team (to turn your argument around), and many fans are probably jaded by now as you say. But this is till Texas, and Houston is a 4-5
million metro area. Its football. NFL football.
And wouldn't we expect to see a lot of fans from the other 2 NFL teams in the region when their team is in Reliant ?
Now if we spiral downward again, 2 or 3 win seasons, that's a totally different scenario which could have a hugely adverse effect upon attendance
and season-ticket sales.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Parcells took a 3 win Giants team to the Super Bowl in 3 years...so did Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys. I guess our 10 year plan is on course.

Touche', point taken. Riddle me this though. What was the talent level compared to what Capers & Co left us? We've had mediocre players from the beginning with the exception of a few. What's the percentage of ex-Texans becoming starters for a different team? Without doing a search I'd reckon it's pretty low.

Rick Smith has done well with what he was given to deal with. We'll see what he can do with a little cap room to play with.

[Hottoddie]

I forget what station I heard it on, but one sportscaster stated that his sources said Johnny Holland will follow Sherman as his defensive coordinator.

So, I guess we'll be needing a new linebackers coach as well.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Touche', point taken. Riddle me this though. What was the talent level compared to what Capers & Co left us? We've had mediocre players from the beginning with the exception of a few. What's the percentage of ex-Texans becoming starters for a different team? Without doing a search I'd reckon it's pretty low.

Rick Smith has done well with what he was given to deal with. We'll see what he can do with a little cap room to play with.

I donno, but if the expansion Browns can make the playoffs in year 4 with a worse expansion draft and initial draft than we had, we should be able to make the playoffs in our first decade I figure.

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Well, anyone starting a new job has to have the "hands on" training in order to become acclimated to the position. I don't really mind the on the job training as long as we're building the team at the same time.

I mean honestly, who realistically thought we'd be in the playoffs this year?

(Raises hand)

Originally Posted by IHOU-TEX

sure didn't. Kubiak doesn't have the personel he wants yet. Rick Smith said as much before the season started. Now that we're clearing dead cap space we can bring in respectable talent rather than the patch fillers.

That is a slippery slope that this team has been down and are still paying for.

Look at what San Fran did this past off season, and look at how great they are.

The only two that I would like us to take a look at in FA is Samuel and Briggs then cut off the FA spending.

Throwing money at a problem does not solve any problems......Isnt that right Washington?

[Marcus]

Do you all remember back when the Texans' W-L was 2-0, and and everyone was all giddy, waiting in line to buy Super Bowl tickets and all that??

And at the same, both Kubes and Smith were saying, (repeatedly) that we are still a couple of drafts away from being a good football team??

Do you all remember that? Guess not.

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Blackouts don't happen overnight. No way we would see them in the first years and when the regime changed the fans were not in the mood to stay home when the team finally admitted they were the Emperor's New Clothes Regime. I'm not so confident that the fans are going to continue to be patient enough to fill a 70k stadium endlessly if we can't ever make a playoff run. It was still shocking to see that much Saints gear on so many fans last week....it was revealing.

Its not that shocking, even when the Oilers were here it was like that, Steelers, Browns, Cinci, KC, virtually every team we play had a large following. Its Houston, this is the town were no one is from here, everyone is from somewhere else.

Maybe not a quarters worth but still a good amount of other teams fans.

[Vinny]

I was here then too (I'm 43)....I just wasn't expecting that many Saints fans. I just thought our fans had more of a chunk of the season tickets.

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I was here then too (I'm 43)....I just wasn't expecting that many Saints fans. I just thought our fans had more of a chunk of the season tickets.

I think a lot of our season ticket holders only bought them for profit and sell them to the highest bidder.

My guess is there are not as many die hard fan season ticket holders as you would imagine.

Like myself, I cant afford season tickets so I usually go to ebay.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by TEXANRED

(Raises hand)

That is a slippery slope that this team has been down and are still paying for.

Look at what San Fran did this past off season, and look at how great they are.

The only two that I would like us to take a look at in FA is Samuel and Briggs then cut off the FA spending.

Throwing money at a problem does not solve any problems......Isnt that right Washington?

I was more or less speaking of the ability Rick Smith has shown in evaluating talent with limited room to deal with. Now that he might have a little more room to wiggle in I would assume the talent level would increase as well.

IMO, Smith has been a god compared to our previous GM.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I donno, but if the expansion Browns can make the playoffs in year 4 with a worse expansion draft and initial draft than we had, we should be able to make the playoffs in our first decade I figure.

If we haven't made the playoffs by 2012, I may be as bitter as many of you are already. I was bitter in 2005. Right now, I'm a little disappointed but feeling quite hopeful. Why don't others feel that way?

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

If we haven't made the playoffs by 2012, I may be as bitter as many of you are already. I was bitter in 2005. Right now, I'm a little disappointed but feeling quite hopeful. Why don't others feel that way?

If you are going to wait till 2012 till you give a darn about our record then God bless you my Son....I enjoy the NFL so I'm not bitter. I just wish my local team was a better product.