NFL Combine 2013: Texans Gary Kubiak Transcript

[CloakNNNdagger]

Question about what it will take to overtake the Patriots and elite teams?

"I don't think there is one answer to that next step if that's what you're asking me. I think we have to stay committed as an organization and a football team to get ourselves in that position. You can never go to that championship game or win that Super Bowl unless you continue to put yourself in that position. And obviously, we're going to have to be better once we get there.

"We have a young football team. But we have a lot of guys who have experienced four playoff games.

"That's a good thing. Our quarterbacks have now experienced two playoff games.


"We have to continue to grow from that. We have to stay committed to our program if we do that, keep putting ourselves in that position, than I think we'll find a way to get that done.''

On Andrew Luck:

"I remember standing up here last year and knowing what I knew about him and watching this process, I thought this guy had a chance to be tremendous right off the get go. He was exception. I was very impressed with what he did as well as some other young quarterbacks in the league, but the job he came in here and did and he took this football team over, and the job the coach did as a whole with him leading the way was very exceptional.

On finding a second WR:

"I think that continues to be right now a big focus for us as an organization. We drafted a few young guys last year. I do have a young guy in Lestar Jean that I think a lot of. DeVier Posey was making big, big progress and now we're dealing with a significant injury that is going to take some time

"So I think its important that we continue to strengthen our team in that area. Andre is in year 11 or something like that now so weve got to find some other guys to continue to produce alongside of him.

Question on James Casey…

"I think he was very much involved with what we did. I think he had a 30-plus catch season playing the fullback position for us. If there's one thing that maybe kept that from getting bigger is the fact that (TE) Garrett Graham was such a fine player for us in training camp. We took a risk going with two tight ends going into the season, if you counting James it was three. OD (Owen Daniels) and Garrett played exceptional for us. James did a good job. He played all over the place. He starts at fullback for us. He's grown a lot as a player. He's in a free-agent situation but we think the world of him. He's done a good job."

(On Keyshawn Martin)

"I'm real excited for him to come back. There's another level for this young man to reach. He gained a lot of confidence. He probably had the best training camp of any young player that we had. Was contributing early in the season. I think the season got a little long on him, the rookie wall whatever they want to say. I think he'll come back and be an even better contributor for our football team and has a chance to be an excellent returner.He's small from a stature standpoint. But when he learns to play through the bumps and the holds of this league, which he can do a better job of he'll be more productive.''

(Question about penalties)

"We're a big penalty team in special teams. That's a big concern of ours. If I'm looking for a reason why we fell off a little bit, our inside linebacker situation got very thin when we lost Cush. When you're having problems at linebacker in the NFL, you're probably going to suffer on special teams. We're not going to use that as an excuse. But it's something we have to do better.''

"It was young players for the most part. But that's not an excuse. You're going to play with young players. We've got to do a better job of not having it happen. And if they do, find a way to overcome them. It's just something we have to continue to work on especially when you're at a point in the season when we're not putting the pads on anymore and you can't beat on anymore late in the season, you have to maintain your focus."

(Brooks Reed)

"He's very capable of being a stack player, playing inside in our 3-4. Yes, that could happen. But we'd liked him as a SAM, he's a heck of a SAM player. But you've always have to have some flexibility with one player or two players in various situations when you come across like what we did last year. Depending on what happens with our football team moving forward right now with Connor (Barwin) and some other things we're always looking for some flexibility.''

(Does Matt Schaub need more flexibility audibiling at line)

"He does do a lot for us. We do a lot more than you may think. We do a lot of at the line of scrimmage. Matt probably does as much for me as I've had anybody do in a while. Matt's played a lot of football for us. Yeah, if we keep going I trust him to do a lot of things. We're built a certain way, so we're going to teach our system. But he's very capable of getting us in the best play possible. And I think we're doing that most of the time anyway."

(What gets you better at coming from behind in two minute situations)

"It's about making plays. You look at last year, you look at Jacksonville and Detroit, we were exceptional. We won two shootouts back to back where we had to come from behind, had to throw the ball every time. So theres a lot of good going on there. We got caught in some situations in New England where obviously the first time we were in a really bad situation. Probably not as bad in the playoff game.

"I just think it's experience. It's the experience of the quarterback and the weapons he has around him. Being able to function when everybody around him knows he has to throw.

(Developing the QB depth in draft)

"You're always looking to do that. I have a young player in T.J. (Yates) who I think a lot of. He goes from playing a lot of football, starting a playoff game to basically not doing much of all this year, having maybe 10 snaps, that was tough. I have a young player from the Univ. of Houston in Case Keenum, I think a lot of who came a long way for me last year. I feel good about those guys pushing Matt. And then we did sign McGee here a couple of weeks ago.

In this business, you better be looking for young quarterbacks you think have a chance to be a 10, 12-year guy. This year will be no different."

How important is Glover Quin?

"He's very important. First off, he's not only a heck of a player for us. He's a leader in our locker room. A class act. He played very well for us. It's very important, Rick and I talked about it and as a staff, obviously, we want him to continue to be there for our football team. We have to go through the process. But he's very important to what we're doing.''

(Question about being in favor of eliminating low blocks)

REST OF THE STORY

[badboy]

Interesting comment about Schaub but I am sure I am reading too much into it.


Yeah, if we keep going I trust him to do a lot of things

[tru80texan]

Kubiak's answer concerning Schaub & audibles was ho hum imo. He didn't explain what Schaub is allowed to do as far audibles, only that he does a lot for him w/ out specifying. A vague answer, imo, that really doesn't explain much other then kubiak trying to convince others that they do more then meets the eye & he trusts Schaub. Obviously some don't believe that or else he wouldn't be questioned amongst the fans & media. When the Texans line up against stacked fronts & still run the ball for minimal gain or a lose tells me Schaub doesn't have as much latitude as Kubiak wants us to believe. Scenarios like that slim to never happen against the likes of P.Manning, Brees, or Brady. Why....because their coaches trust them to get out of doomed plays.

I know some will believe Kubiak is this master offensive mind that now has had added undetectable audibles to his arsenal, but I have my doubts & others do to it seems by the article.

I am glad that he is finally acknowledging that #2 WR needs to be addressed instead trying to fill us w/ the same ole BS of how Walter is a great asset that does more then we believe & that he is an adequate #2. It's a shame that the owner had to guide him, yet again, on what needs to be done, but whatever it takes I suppose.

[Playoffs]

I felt that way about KeyMart, he kinda disappeared.

Sounds like he had trouble navigating we he wasn't clean. I hope he figures it out & comes back stronger next year. How hard he hits the weights will be telling on whether he's going to be a football player or not, imo.

[Brisco_County]

(Brooks Reed)

"He's very capable of being a stack player, playing inside in our 3-4. Yes, that could happen. But we'd liked him as a SAM, he's a heck of a SAM player. But you've always have to have some flexibility with one player or two players in various situations when you come across like what we did last year. Depending on what happens with our football team moving forward right now with Connor (Barwin) and some other things we're always looking for some flexibility.''

This tells me that if Brooks ends up playing inside, it means that he is not being used optimally or how Wade prefers, which means that the defensive unit has taken a step back.

(Should there be a total ban?)

"Me? No. I think you know that answer. That's part of what we do. It's part of football. We teach it the right way.

"Hopefully that part stays with us. But I do understand the issues going on as far as going back towards your particular goal line.''

This emphasizes something that gets under my skin. Fans and media of other teams describe cut blocking as dirty and dangerous, therefore Cushing received the Texans' own medicine. I have to question how many opposing players have ever been injured by a Texans cut block. I've never seen it.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

This tells me that if Brooks ends up playing inside, it means that he is not being used optimally or how Wade prefers, which means that the defensive unit has taken a step back.

This tells me if we resign Barwin, we've got three high round draft picks tied up in two spots. Brooks' flexibility would give him the opportunity to stay on the field on some 3rd downs, whether he's dropping in coverage, or rotating in as an outside rusher.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Kubiak's answer concerning Schaub & audibles was ho hum imo. He didn't explain what Schaub is allowed to do as far audibles, only that he does a lot for him w/ out specifying. A vague answer, imo, that really doesn't explain much other then kubiak trying to convince others that they do more then meets the eye & he trusts Schaub.

Name all the HC interviews (especially at the combine, but go ahead and open it up) where they discuss in any detail their audible system.

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Name all the HC interviews (especially at the combine, but go ahead and open it up) where they discuss in any detail their audible system.

They don't discuss them, but please tell me how many other HC's are questioned throughout the season & in the offseason on why they don't allow or seem to allow their QB to audible more. There aren't that many. Walking straight up to line scrimmage, glancing around & still running a play that seemed doomed from the beginning is hardly an "audible system". I don't nor do most others need Kubiak to discuss a system that to most seems very limited & thus comes under fire. If it walks like a duck....

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

They don't discuss them, but please tell me how many other HC's are questioned throughout the season & in the offseason on why they don't allow or seem to allow their QB to audible more. There aren't that many. Walking straight up to line scrimmage, glancing around & still running a play that seemed doomed from the beginning is hardly an "audible system". I don't nor do most others need Kubiak to discuss a system that to most seems very limited & thus comes under fire. If it walks like a duck....

Except we still have a top 10 offense, in yards, & points. Our RB leads the league in rushing TDs.

I know they're just stats, but shouldn't a limited offense quack like a duck?

[tru80texan]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Except we still have a top 10 offense, in yards, & points. Our RB leads the league in rushing TDs.

I know they're just stats, but shouldn't a limited offense quack like a duck?

Lol! It should, but we aren't talking about the offense as a whole now are we? We are talking about Schaub & the so-called "audible system"...or lack thereof. That's an aspect of the offense that some believe is lacking & exactly why kubiak is questioned, which is hardly a surprise to most.

I normally stand by stats as they do normally tell the tale, but isn't that why the Texans were referred to as "frauds". They looked good on paper w/ the pretty record & stats, but when it came down to crunch time...they folded & many weren't surprised despite all of those wonderful things you listed.

[Brisco_County]

Cushing expresses his support of tightening up the rules on low blocks, and gives his opinion of Slauson's play. Wait for media to imply hyprocrisy because he plays for the Texans.

"I'm happy they're taking the initiative to look at this," Cushing said. "To me, it's an acknowledgement that defensive players have to be protected, too. I wasn't the first guy to go down like this; there have been similar injuries. What happened, that's a play that can be eliminated. You look at the play, it doesn't need to be done. So for them to go back and really acknowledge that guys need to be protected, that's moving in the right direction."

"I can understand if you're 180 pounds and trying to block a 300-pound guy, and you know you have no chance," Cushing said. "But I'm not looking, we're behind the ball, and it's low. And he specifically, with a purpose, went for the knee. There was nothing clean about it. There's no debate on whether it was clean. The league fined him $10,000, so they had a problem with it; they felt there needed to be a fine, which means they agreed it wasn't a clean play."

Asked about having heard from Slauson, Cushing quickly responded, "No. But I didn't expect that. It's how he wanted to go about that. I don't have a relationship with him, nor am I looking for one. It doesn't bother me. It wasn't gonna help me come back, and I don't really care what he thinks."

"I'm not the first; a lot of people have spoken up," he said. "If it saves other guys from things like this and prevents future injury because we spoke up about it, that's great. If that means football is safer going forward, and more people feel comfortable playing, even better."

Link.

[deucetx]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Except we still have a top 10 offense, in yards, & points. Our RB leads the league in rushing TDs.

I know they're just stats, but shouldn't a limited offense quack like a duck?

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Except we still have a top 10 offense, in yards, & points. Our RB leads the league in rushing TDs.

I know they're just stats, but shouldn't a limited offense quack like a duck?

Our RB may have led the league in rushing touchdowns but does it matter who gets in the endzone as long as someone does? We didn't lead the league in rushing touchdowns in other words. We were fourth. Ironically the Patriots led in rushing touchdowns and their backs hit the endzone more than ours.

Plus let's be honest...we can grab the end of the year stats all we want but down the stretch this was limited. Just like we were top 10 in scoring. Yeah, but it breaks down like this:

First 7 games

216 points = 30.9 avg. per game

21 Offensive Touchdowns

Last 9 games

200 points = 22.2 avg. per game
*77 of those 200 points came in two games vs Jaguars/Lions for 39% of the complete total

20 Offensive Touchdowns

Sorry, that is an unimpressive way to finish the second half of your season and speaks of some issues. Can't count on always having Jaguars and Lions defenses in the playoffs, heh. It was like we reversed it. First 7 games we scored our most TD's on the Broncs and Ravens. Last 9 we scored our most on Jags and Lions. So from top caliber teams to only scoring on the bottom barrel. We couldn't even score on the Colts/Vikes...playoff teams but medicore defenses.

Can we get yards? Yes. But prolific offenses get touchdowns which down the stretch we seemed foreign to. We scored SIX freaking points against the medicore defense of the Viqueens. No one scored that low against them. At home no less.

Let's look even more so...there was a stretch during the end of the year we didn't score an offensive toucdown for 9 freaking quarters. And we weren't playing some elite teams...we were playing the darn Colts and Vikings. So we take this into the playoffs and once again we're gaining yards and no touchdowns against the Bengals though at least they are a good defense and the Patriots...well...we all remember that TKO from every facet of the game except (ironically) special teams.

So yeah, this offense was limited. They need to develop a way to get the ball in the endzone. We were 18th in passing touchdowns despite Schaub's 4k yards so again...yards and seldom touchdowns.

Another point of limitation is the deep game. Can't remember precisely as I put it in another thread but of the quarterbacks going in the postseason we threw 20+ the least other than Kap (who was right behind Schaub with far less games so he'd surpass him), Ponder and RG3.

So yeah...limited. This baby is quacking lol.

[GP]

(Does Matt Schaub need more flexibility audibiling at line)

"He does do a lot for us. We do a lot more than you may think. We do a lot of at the line of scrimmage. Matt probably does as much for me as I've had anybody do in a while. Matt's played a lot of football for us. Yeah, if we keep going I trust him to do a lot of things. We're built a certain way, so we're going to teach our system. But he's very capable of getting us in the best play possible. And I think we're doing that most of the time anyway."

"We're built a certain way, so we're going to teach our system."

Your "system," Gary, is inferior vs. better defenses. They know what you're doing in various scenarios, and they know how to nullify your best-made plans.

Maybe focus more on adaptability and formation/style uniqueness instead of just sharpening your beloved system. Because you're screwing this team right out of the gate when we face better defenses.

GROW.

[Double Barrel]

Kubiak is channeling his inner Belichick of saying a whole lotta' words while saying a whole lotta' nothing.

(Does Matt Schaub need more flexibility audibiling at line)

"He does do a lot for us. We do a lot more than you may think. We do a lot of at the line of scrimmage. Matt probably does as much for me as I've had anybody do in a while. Matt's played a lot of football for us. Yeah, if we keep going I trust him to do a lot of things. We're built a certain way, so we're going to teach our system. But he's very capable of getting us in the best play possible. And I think we're doing that most of the time anyway."

Kubiak and Schaub have both admitted on their radio shows that the QB gets three options at the LOS, but none of them offer the flexibility that we see with QBs like P. Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers. I believe this is what the question was about, but Kubiak avoided a real answer.

And what does this mean? "if we keep going I trust him to do a lot of things"

IF? What does he mean "if"? There is no "if". Schaub is our QB for at least two more seasons and I honestly doubt that the position is open to competition.

(What gets you better at coming from behind in two minute situations)

"It's about making plays. You look at last year, you look at Jacksonville and Detroit, we were exceptional. We won two shootouts back to back where we had to come from behind, had to throw the ball every time. So theres a lot of good going on there. We got caught in some situations in New England where obviously the first time we were in a really bad situation. Probably not as bad in the playoff game.

"I just think it's experience. It's the experience of the quarterback and the weapons he has around him. Being able to function when everybody around him knows he has to throw.

I'm sorry, those two games, while certainly exciting to watch, were indicative of a team that struggled to beat two teams with a combined 6 win record for the season. These teams are cellar dwellers in 2012, so let's not delude ourselves that these performances are indicative of a team on the cusp of winning a Super Bowl.

And the two New England games? You mean the team that beat the Texans twice with a combined score of 83-42? Did the Texans ever have a lead in either of those games? Oh wait, we did lead 3-0 at the beginning of the second game, so we've got that to be proud of, I guess.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by tru80texan

Lol! It should, but we aren't talking about the offense as a whole now are we? We are talking about Schaub & the so-called "audible system"...or lack thereof. That's an aspect of the offense that some believe is lacking & exactly why kubiak is questioned, which is hardly a surprise to most.

I normally stand by stats as they do normally tell the tale, but isn't that why the Texans were referred to as "frauds". They looked good on paper w/ the pretty record & stats, but when it came down to crunch time...they folded & many weren't surprised despite all of those wonderful things you listed.

I'm just thinking if our lack of audibling (if that is true) is limiting our offense, shouldn't our offense look limited on the stat sheet. If we're consistently in situations where the called play is doomed.. we shouldn't be in the top 10 of as many offensive stats as we are.

I'm just wondering if our stats show that we were hardly stopped as often as other teams (because the stats, if nothing else, show a relative position) then maybe Schaub is doing more than we're giving him credit for, or Kubiak is more creative & keeping defenses off balance than we're giving him credit for.

I'm not saying either is the case, just saying that the "limited offense due to lack of audibles" argument isn't supported by the production we do get on offense.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by deucetx

Our RB may have led the league in rushing touchdowns but does it matter who gets in the endzone as long as someone does? We didn't lead the league in rushing touchdowns in other words. We were fourth. Ironically the Patriots led in rushing touchdowns and their backs hit the endzone more than ours.

Yeah, where I come from, 4th is still pretty good.

Originally Posted by deucetx

Last 9 games

So yeah...limited. This baby is quacking lol.

I agree we have limitations, none of you stats show we are limited because of our audible system. Which is what we're discussing at the moment.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I'm just thinking if our lack of audibling (if that is true) is limiting our offense, shouldn't our offense look limited on the stat sheet. If we're consistently in situations where the called play is doomed.. we shouldn't be in the top 10 of as many offensive stats as we are.

I'm just wondering if our stats show that we were hardly stopped as often as other teams (because the stats, if nothing else, show a relative position) then maybe Schaub is doing more than we're giving him credit for, or Kubiak is more creative & keeping defenses off balance than we're giving him credit for.

I'm not saying either is the case, just saying that the "limited offense due to lack of audibles" argument isn't supported by the production we do get on offense.

You can fall into the deep end of pool and look good climbing out or you can learn to swim and do a butterfly stroke to shallow end and bow to the oohs by the pretty girls.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by badboy

You can fall into the deep end of pool and look good climbing out or you can learn to swim and do a butterfly stroke to shallow end and bow to the oohs by the pretty girls.

Since we had the lead in most of part until week 10 or so...... I think we were doing the back stroke where the pretty girls are. At least until Newton got hurt. From there we struggled.

The two games we played without Newton, we were playing without the guy we planned to start the season with at RT, or the guy who beat him out of the job. We were down to our third option, a street FA. When Newton got back, he struggled. With that & Ben Jones's struggle with bigger DTs & defenses blitzing him..... we went to quick passes & never bought us any room.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Since we had the lead in most of part until week 10 or so...... I think we were doing the back stroke where the pretty girls are. At least until Newton got hurt. From there we struggled.

The two games we played without Newton, we were playing without the guy we planned to start the season with at RT, or the guy who beat him out of the job. We were down to our third option, a street FA. When Newton got back, he struggled. With that & Ben Jones's struggle with bigger DTs & defenses blitzing him..... we went to quick passes & never bought us any room.

If this is the case for the offensive ineptitude then my vote goes to Newton for MVP.

[badboy]

I think where we disagree is you seem to focus on saying how good we were and I am focusing on how much better we could have been.