Ok, so 2009 starts and Richard Smith is STILL the DC

[Hervoyel]

I know, I know, the thought of it makes you sick inside. Just typing that made my head spin and caused my mood to tip slightly to the "worse" side. I hope it doesn't happen. If I were a religious man I'd pray it didn't happen. I've spent the better part of the last year (two really) talking about how this guy has to go and declaring that he and this staff have failed to turn the players they've been given into a decent defense. Every year we all see the same thing. The man plays it totally vanilla until the team is no longer in contention and then turns on the burners and the Texans blitz their way into the offseason.

Actually I think it's sort of a coincidence that they come alive the moment the playoffs fall out of reasonable reach. I think he turns up the heat when he starts to feel the heat and no sooner. Then in fear of losing his job he suddenly gets desperate and starts doing what he should have been doing all along and that is taking some chances.

But assume he stays. The Texans somehow manage to finish the year 9-7 (or even 8-8) and the defense plays the rest of the year like they've suddenly seen the light. What happens when 2009 begins?

[Thorn]

Frankly, in the long run, I don't care who the coachs are as long as the team is winning games. If Richard Smith gives us a kick ass defense (which I seriously doubt he ever will) then I'll be glad to have him as a coach.

[Jackie Chiles]

http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootba..._and_play.html

"Has Richard Smith saved his job? Was it even in jeopardy? I would be shocked if his job wasn't in jeopardy, but the defense has played a much better brand of football the question now becomes whether or not this defense can help you get to the playoffs if the right personnel moves are made. My guess as of today is that Richard Smith will be back."

Hmmmm. This is disappointing to say the least.

[Brando]

Well I'm glad the defense has started playing better but they started playing better when Richard Smith started being more aggressive after the fact that our season was basically over. If he continues to be aggressive then fine but I have a feeling he will resort back to being timid when it counts. I could be wrong and I can be from time to time.

[76Texan]

Richard Smith stays unless the Texans can be sure of getting a proven or upstart DC!

The numerous mistakes early in the season were on the back seven (actually back six, DeMeco has always been the exception.)

Lately, with the arrival of Wilson, the emergence of Adibi, and Dunta's getting back in shape we make enough of good plays to make up for the mistakes in the defensive backfield.

When you rush 4, they have got to be able to cover for at least 2 secs, preferrably 3 secs.

[HJam72]

This wait until week 10 to get aggressive will happen every year until he is gone. It's not just a lack of blitzes, but also all this "read and react" with smallish DTs made for taking the initiative and avoiding all that unnecessary, head-on contact with bigger O-linemen. This team can get after the QB, but not if they are too busy running into O-linemen as designed.

[HOU-TEX]

The defense has done the same thing for 3 years now. The 1st half of the season they're a joke and the 2nd half they turn respectable. Personally, I'm tired of it. I was ready to dismiss him after last season and he has since proved he should've been.

He gone!! My .02

[HJam72]

For 3 years in a row we have waited until around week 10 to get aggressive on D. This time we should surely know that it will happen again....and again....and again.

[imatexan]

I think the better question is:

Who would be an upgrade?

[Ole Miss Texan]

I'm in agreement with most of yall. The D is always pathetic the first half and then steps it up. I think the CB's are making better reads and breaks on the ball, almost like they want to make a play on it. Wouldn't that be something? Reeves is close to being a really good starter- he really needs to work on locating the ball in the offseason.

We always get frustrated at a lot of the playcalling, myself included. But really it starts with just basic coaching for me. Most of these guys are so young, they need proper coaching. It seems like they are finally coming together and it's clicking... but is that just the same thing we've seen the last few seasons or is it different this time?

I still think we're a ways away from being a legitimate superbowl contender, but with this team- we're close to getting to the playoffs year in and year out. With a concentration on the defense early in the draft and a key FA here or there, our defense will be much better. Not great but much better. Another year of maturing, they'll be great. Schaubo needs to cut down on the turnovers, which I think will come as he matures as a starter and stays healthy and we need to work on our red zone offense.

Less turnovers on offense and one or two more playmakers on D and we're in the playoffs.

[Second Honeymoon]

you can't decide to show up Week 11 and expect to keep your job. smith is still the worst defensive coordinator in the league and nothing is going to change that.

bring back Smith and they can **** themselves for all I care.

teh fact that the defense is playing better now just shows you that it hasn't been personnel holding us back, its been scheme, preparation, and having a sack of testicles....something RS sorely lacks.

we need to get a hotshot defensive coordinator who will instill some fire and intensity 16+ games a year not just when its on National TV or when your season is over with nothing to play for or nothing to lose. RS is a loser.

[noxiousdog]

Originally Posted by imatexan

I think the better question is:

Who would be an upgrade?

I'm not a knee jerk guy, but pretty much anyone. The Texans have been horribly, horribly bad for 4 years now on defense. From 2005 to 2008 they have been 32, 25, 22, and 26 in points, and 31, 24, 24, and 20th in yards.

I don't care how bad the talent is, you can't put up that kind of performance as a coach and keep your job.

I had heard that some of the scheming has been taken away from Richard Smith. That would explain the improvement along with some of the personnel changes, but they should still be performing better.

[powerfuldragon]

Originally Posted by Second Honeymoon

smith is still the worst defensive coordinator in the league and nothing is going to change that.

Gunther Cunningham and Joe Barry agree with your post.

[gtexan02]

If our D starts out next year playing like they are right now, then I dont care who the coach is

[Second Honeymoon]

Originally Posted by powerfuldragon

Gunther Cunningham and Joe Barry agree with your post.

ok. 'one' of the worst defensive coordinators. still nothing worth keeping though especially after such a long and overall pathetic tenure.

get rid of the guy and upgrade. we spent money on quality coaching on offense in Gibbs and our offense, though flawed, is one of the most productive in the league.

Why not pull a Gibbs on the defensive front? If Kubiak and Smith can't find anyone better than Smith, they really aren't doing their job. some people think the defense's play recently could save Smith's job, I think the exact opposite. It just shows that we were playing too soft and vanilla for 3/4 of the season when we could have been playing at least somewhat aggressive like we are and not suck so bad.

I think the players deserve some new leadership on the defensive front. Smith needs to go and we need to do everything we can to bring in Haynesworth in Free Agency. If we can't get him we would at least force the Titans or possible other suitor to pay out the nose. I could care less about the perceived bad blood between Schaub and Albert. That would all go away and would really stick it to Bud Adams and the Titans really good. I think we need to make a call to Ray Lewis too because it would be nice to bring him into the fold as he ends his career and hopefully retain him in some defensive coaching capacity. he is going to make a fine DC, if not Head Coach, someday.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

The defense has done the same thing for 3 years now. The 1st half of the season they're a joke and the 2nd half they turn respectable. Personally, I'm tired of it. I was ready to dismiss him after last season and he has since proved he should've been.

He gone!! My .02

What he said....

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by imatexan

I think the better question is:

Who would be an upgrade?

My question is:

Who wouldn't be?

[Big Lou]

Obviousley Duante coming back was a big help, and getting some new blood in the LB Corp has helped.

However this last game was a diachotemy of the season. When the Texans blitz and the CB's are on the line they play tough defense. Then all of a sudden you see the Corners 10 yards off the Line of Scrimmage and poof they give up a big play!

Although Wilson has played well I think we need a big time safety.

If Smith stays and plays aggressive from the start fine, but if he plays vanilla he can hit the road.

Remember last year when because of injuries they had to dumb down the schemes. Thats when we got aggressive last year and it paid off.

[powerfuldragon]

Originally Posted by Big Lou

If Smith stays and plays aggressive from the start fine, but if he plays vanilla he can hit the road.

that's pretty much how i feel.

[HJam72]

So, we're going to give him ANOTHER year to prove he won't be aggressive and THEN....what?....fire him 4 games in next season? Or just wait until the end of ANOTHER season to finally get rid of him? But Wait! There's more! He will finally get aggressive in week 11 next year and we'll have this same discussion for ANOTHER offseason. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!