Anyone think we need a new head coach???

[Vinny]

I'm happy with the current staff. We were plus or minus one game of .500 in our third year....and that's about where I thought we would be since we chose to stay away from chronic high cost free agents and decided to build a team via the draft as a foundation for our football club. This puts is at a point where we were as good or better than half the league going into year 4. People "expecting" a playoff run last year had their sights a bit high.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

People "expecting" a playoff run last year had their sights a bit high.

I guess I'm one of those fans, because I did think the Texans had a shot at a WC berth last season. I felt so because I thought that the Titans would slip back into the pack & I liked the Texans schedule at home. I thought that if the Texans could play .500 on the road (& they did), that a 6-2 home record would have them challenging for that last WC spot. And it would have.

Unfortunately, the Texans defense sputtered out of the gate (and all of the blame can't fall on the rookies) and the O-line was inconsistent all season. These are the same questions that the team entered the '04 season with. So if these aspects aren't improved in '05, someone will have to take responsibility.

I'm not saying that the Texans must be in the playoffs in '05 for Capers & Co. to get contract extensions. This is a very tough conference & even a 10-6 record won't guarantee a playoff berth. If the 3 problems areas show vast improvement (defensive & O-line consistency, protecting the home field) I think Capers will be back in '06 & beyond. Personally, I think the problems will be solved and Capers will be the Texans HC for many years.

[disaacks3]

Originally Posted by bckey

As far as improvement in year 3 it was bittersweet. The point has been made over and over again that something was missing this year vs. the previous 2. They played with less "heart". The offensive line took a step backwards by shuffling players to new positions and going to zone blocking. The offense looked flat and uninspired most of the time. TE's were under utilized. The defensive line is getting old fast and didn't look good or play well this year.

About getting off Capers. I don't think he is head coach material. Never have. He is an excellent dc. I won't even bring up Palmer and Fangio other than to say I don't care for them. Fangio has it a little easier because he can rely on Capers.

Almost exactly my thoughts (and more eloquently put). Our "record" may have improved, but it definitely seemed that was due to the pack falling back, rather than the Texans taking giant leaps forward.

I think Capers makes a great defensive coordinator. On a play-to-play basis, however, I believe he plays the game too conservatively when he's handed the 'full reins'. (Before anyone's knickers get in a twist over 4th down plunges and fake punts, please remember the play-calling and coaching decisions that sometimes led UP to those situations.)

And SOMEBODY, please save me from all the 5-year plan folks. If their "plan" included scrapping the entire offensive blocking scheme in the third year, they should all resign.

Despite everthing, I'm still in favor of letting Capers go AT LEAST for the 5 years, IF (and only if) he can somehow manage to get the team to play with fire in their belly again!

[Vinny]

The "plan" was to build a stable foundation for the team to have that were guys hand-picked from their very own drafts (as the teams talent core) so they don't have to redefine the team every few years like the Cowboys and Redskins (or the expansion Browns) do groping around in free agency with over priced guys injecting superficial hope into the home fan base. You can't build this type of foundation in two years because you just can't expect more than a couple of impact guys per draft year. A two year build and "expecting" the team in the playoffs is nice....storybook like, but kind of pie in the sky. I was hoping for this too...but not *expecting* it like some of you guys.

[bwatkinsiii]

I almost agree. I believe that he is too conservative with the deep ball. Carr is the goldenboy of houston and no one will say anything to hurt the ego of the young star but i feel that he has taken on Caper's conservative approach a little too far maybe even to the point of being so afraid to make a mistake that he won't ever "put it out there" in fear of making a mistake. If the texans never throw the long ball then defenses cheat on us and make it too hard to run and then we dink and dunk with the passing game and this is a loosing battle. However if you look at the number of times Capers elects to go for it on fourth down...he does not look so conservative, but we all know he is.

[bwatkinsiii]

Oh yea,
Amen to the under utilization of TE's

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by bwatkinsiii

Oh yea,
Amen to the under utilization of TE's

Hard to turn bologna into steak.

[rhc564]

As some of you get all kind of warm and fuzzy about what a great job
Capers and staff have done, just don't forget that every other 'new'
team of the modern era made the playoffs within their 4 th year...and,
please, spare me all the excuses why our situation is different. I suspect
that our chances of becoming a winning team will start at about the same
time the excuses stop, with the real question being will this happen during
the Caper's era? :woot

[BTAforlife]

I'm reading about how some of you are growing impatient about our head coach and it's bothersome to me. I love the fact that we, fans and the team, have kept improving from year one to now, inspite of injuries. This reflects our faith and love of our team and most of all reflects the coaching staff. Yes, there has been some head scratching decisions made by our coaches, but what team hasn't made you scratch your head. For example, the week before their first regular season game coach Bill Belichick cut their starting free-safety Lawyer Milloy, everybody including his own players were enraged by this. People were wondering if Bill could keep his own team from revolting against him, I think everything turned out fine there. Look we need to keep faith in our team and coaching staff that they will keep this ship a float and ride into a superbowl. I know that Dom Capers is the best coach for the Houston Texans. Let's not be like all the other fans and call for a firing of the head coach because we're impatient with him. Let's show our team and everyone else in the world that we are the best and most supportive fans in the world.!!

[TheOgre]

Answer me this: If we go 9-7 and miss the playoffs in 2005, have we failed as a team?

I'm sure the Browns fans are really excited about their one playoff game a couple of years ago. They really have built that team into a thing of beauty, huh?

I'm looking for progress. I want at least 8 wins this year.

[TexansTrueFan]

good post, but the problem is not all fans can be as patient as me and you. Some expected us to win the SB in our first season (so it seems) ! I like Dom Capers and think he is a very good coach, but i will personally give him to more year, so he can reach his 5 year plan, and if we havent done any damage in the post season by that time, i say he goes. The front office has done a nice job buliding this team !

[rhc564]

I'll be the first to admit that-after 3 years- I did not believe this team
would have so many holes on both sides of the ball. Being optimistic about
Capers being a defensive guru, I thought at least the defense would be
solid/stable. Foundation. What exactly does that mean? Is the DL set. NO.
Is the OL set. NO. Are we set at running back? NO. How about receivers?
NO. Defensive backs or line backers? NO. Tight ends. NO. Will be set next
year with the current players? How many players does it take to build a
foundation? And, what guarantee is there that-even if it exist- that core
will stay around for several years?

What is Capers going to do to solve the problems we have going into the
4th year?

[wiley2002]

The only guarantees in life are death and taxes.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by rhc564

How many players does it take to build a
foundation? And, what guarantee is there that-even if it exist- that core
will stay around for several years?

Players like David Carr, Andre Johnson, Dunta Robinson, Chester Pitts, and Jason Babin are 'core guys'. When you don't invest in high priced FA's as a Franchise model you put your money into developing and resigning the players you draft. Playoff teams have a core of players that can be built around. Once you have it you can change it, tweak it or whatever it, but they have always maintained that they will try to build a team from their own scouting dept, and try not to spend too much money on FA's so they can keep more of their own guys.

[Ibar_Harry]

Sorry, Vinny, but I will reiterate my feelings that we are going nowhere, because of the injuries two years ago and at the end of this season. Injuries have hurt this ball club far more than anyone thinks and I believe the Texans are going to have to retrench and that will take us a couple of more years down the road. Too many key people have suffered and not returned to form. Age is catching up with a number of key people and they are going to have to be replaced. Management doesn't want to do it and I know their hopes are high that some of these players can return to form. I just think people are blowing smoke. Quite frankly I don't think Capers is the coach we need to lead this team, but in all fairness no one is taking the injuries into account nor do most understand the impact that they have had on this ball club. We will be going into the 3rd year of recovery for some of these guys and there still doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes its just impossible to heal up and return to form. If we keep our current personnel and don't make changes, I believe next season will be a very long one and a bad one. If we are not going to use the FA market then we need to cut some of the Dead Wood and replace it with younger talent and that will cost us another year or two. We need an infusion of young talent. Having said that I just don't think it will happen, because management seems to be set on the status quo.

On the lighter side I see one of the top O-Line draftees is from Fresno State. I have a feeling their current O-line could out play ours. That's not really a joke either. They really do have some fine players. They have some very young, but extemely good defensive talent in addition. People are starting to pay attention to Pat Hill products.

Draft time is not that far away. I hope we are as successful as last year. It would be really be nice to pick up a couple of unexpected finds somewhere. I just wish we have about 15 draft picks with a couple of them being high 1st rounders. We have a lot of holes to fill. I hope the draft gives us some reasons to be optomistic about next year.

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by rhc564

As some of you get all kind of warm and fuzzy about what a great job
Capers and staff have done, just don't forget that every other 'new'
team of the modern era made the playoffs within their 4 th year...and,
please, spare me all the excuses why our situation is different. I suspect
that our chances of becoming a winning team will start at about the same
time the excuses stop, with the real question being will this happen during
the Caper's era? :woot

Yeah and what happened to those teams after their 4 year run?

If memory serves me correctly..
Carolina finally made it back after a long absence.
Jacksonville... I can't remember them making it back yet.
cleveland...well their drafting #3 this year.

[Wolf]

What is ironic is most people would love to have Jeff Fisher as a coach instead of Capers....

I think the coaching staff has done a good job.. about the only thing I wondered about (other than a play or two) is the changing of the blocking scheme ..but I am not there in the "war" room listening to the Coaches and their reasons for the scheme.

Oh and about Jeff Fisher for those that would love to have him.. I remember the same questions from people about his "keeping it close" style (ala Dom Capers style). And Jeff still plays it that way... good defense,good special teams and a running game..and an occasional air it out.. kinda sounds like the Texans philosophy yet we haven't got the talent/depth yet.

[rhc564]

"Yeah and what happened to those teams after their 4 year run?"

The point is that they all made it and the Ravens, Jags, Panthers are
looking pretty good though some of you are stuck on the Browns. And,
just think if Romeo works his magic in Cleveland and turns them around
quick. I can hear the excuses now!!

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by rhc564

"Yeah and what happened to those teams after their 4 year run?"

The point is that they all made it and the Ravens, Jags, Panthers are
looking pretty good though some of you are stuck on the Browns. And,
just think if Romeo works his magic in Cleveland and turns them around
quick. I can hear the excuses now!!

so what I am getting is that you where wanted a quick short term thing and then have the team sink into the NFL basement again.

[rhc564]

"have the team sink into the NFL basement again"

I don't want this project to become a long term one that never reaches
the point of winning, always lacking 'this' or 'that.' It does no one any
good to turn this team into a perpetual revolving door of 'we're almost
there, just wait until next year'.....

I'm perfectly content to let Caper's tenure as head coach play itself out.
Eventually, he'll either lead us to the 'promise land' or he won't. I'm hoping
we're on the right track and get there sooner than later...time--that,to
me, is the key to differing opinions.