Frank Bush Presser

[Texans_Chick]

There should be a transcript soon, but here are a few high points based on what you could hear (not a lot of the questions).

The key points are that he wants to motivate more and get the players working together. And simplify to allow the defense to play more reactive and aggressive.

He was asked about specific reasons why the team has been ranked in the 20s for the last couple seasons. He said that there were many reasons but declined to say. He also declined to be specific about the types of players he would like to see in a dream draft.

He likes referring to the players as kids. So he has that going for him.

There was not much to be taken from the interview.

 

[Texans_Chick]

He also talked about coaches that influenced him.

Buddy Ryan for the aggression.
Gregg Robinson from their Super Bowl years.
Jerry Glanville for motivation.

 

[Polo]

Is he talking about agression on an individual level, or is he talking about blitzing/gambling ?

 

[Wolf]

He also talked about coaches that influenced him.

Buddy Ryan for the aggression.
Gregg Robinson from their Super Bowl years.
Jerry Glanville for motivation.

Elvis tickets!!


I am anxious for the presser, I don't know why because everything will be hush hush about plans (understandably so)

 

[Texans_Chick]

Is he talking about agression on an individual level, or is he talking about blitzing/gambling ?

At different times in the presser he was talking about both.

When he spoke of Buddy Ryan, he spoke of playing with a mean streak.

But in general, he was talking about having a more aggressive defensive style that made plays.

 

[TexansFanatic]

I like the sound of the word "reactive" as long as the words "read and" aren't in front.

Defenses should be less intricate schemes and more about unbridled aggression. Looking forward to seeing more blitzing and disruptive play.

 

[da Bull]

What I heard before my feed cut out was not necessarily "reactive". I thought he said that the defense would be simplified so that it could be a more aggressive and play with speed.

 

[dalemurphy]

The most telling thing he said is:

"everyone will be playing upfield. we won't be playing sideways".

His emphasis made it sound like we played a lot "sideways" the past 2 seasons. I assume this is referring to the concept of read and react. Sounds like he wants to blitz and to shoot gaps.

 

[GP]

The most telling thing he said is:

"everyone will be playing upfield. we won't be playing sideways".

His emphasis made it sound like we played a lot "sideways" the past 2 seasons. I assume this is referring to the concept of read and react. Sounds like he wants to blitz and to shoot gaps.

Yeah, Richard Smith's philosophy was like herding cats: Trying to contain everything while it streaks past you in a blur.

 

[Insideop]

Well, so far, I like what he is saying. He's using all the right words like "aggressive" and "attacking" and "passion." Just hope he can translate that to the players on the field. Saying it is one thing and doing it is another.

Here's a link to the Texans News site. http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5099

 

[Thorn]

I'm liking what I'm reading and hearing from that Houston Texans link. As to whether it translates into a better defense or not, we have a long time to wait and see. I think he knows what the fans want to hear, and he said it. Now it will be up to him to come though with it.

 

[Texans_Chick]

I'm liking what I'm reading and hearing from that Houston Texans link. As to whether it translates into a better defense or not, we have a long time to wait and see. I think he knows what the fans want to hear, and he said it. Now it will be up to him to come though with it.

Another thing that he mentions a lot is getting everyone together on the same page. The offense looks like they play together well but often the defense has looked like pieces and parts. Here's a Brooks Bentley HT.com interview with Bush. Lots of generalities.....

video link

 

[GP]

Getting a new guy, from the outside, might not be the best thing anyways. You're going to get someone who wasn't there through the first three years of Kubiak's era. You're going to get someone who might not understand why Kubiak feels the way he feels, or does what he does. You might get someone who clashes with Gary, creating a distraction & tension.

And at this stage, I think Kubiak needs someone who was here. Frank Bush saw everything from a rooftop view. He probably has Gary's pulse on what to do.

Gary Freaking Kubiak might just pull this thing off, after all. I know I had him pegged for being a goner before the big season-ending wins. And I'll be dadgummed if he hasn't gone and POSSIBLY turned this thing around.

Should be interesting to see.

And I agree that this move is going to make or break Gary's career here.

 

[False Start]

He likes referring to the players as kids. So he has that going for him.

LOL! These kids!! I hope he can make them into one mean bunch of kids.

 

[painekiller]

The most telling thing he said is:

"everyone will be playing upfield. we won't be playing sideways".

His emphasis made it sound like we played a lot "sideways" the past 2 seasons. I assume this is referring to the concept of read and react. Sounds like he wants to blitz and to shoot gaps.

Jethro wanted TJ playing from side line to side line, your NT should be moving upfield to disrupt the play in the backfield, not covering up for bad safety and Linebacker play.

 

[Wolf]

he said everybody needs to know what the others are doing.. that is one thing the announcers said about the Ravens defense against miami.,everybody knew where everybody was

 

[hookinreds]

Getting a new guy, from the outside, might not be the best thing anyways. You're going to get someone who wasn't there through the first three years of Kubiak's era. You're going to get someone who might not understand why Kubiak feels the way he feels, or does what he does. You might get someone who clashes with Gary, creating a distraction & tension.

And at this stage, I think Kubiak needs someone who was here. Frank Bush saw everything from a rooftop view. He probably has Gary's pulse on what to do.

I'll second that.

 

[dalemurphy]

he said everybody needs to know what the others are doing.. that is one thing the announcers said about the Ravens defense against miami.,everybody knew where everybody was

Yes, that's an excellent point. One major problem I had with Richard Smith is that his philosophy seemed a bit of a mystery. It seemed that even players and assistants would say contrarian things about what they're doing. More to the point, on a good defense, any coach or player could quickly sum up what their defense is about. I've never heard anything like that under Smith.

 

[gtexan02]

The words "Simplify" and "reactive" sound like the same words Smith chose to use when coming to the Texans in the first place.

I'm pretty excited about a change in scenery from the DC spot, but I've learned my lesson about getting excited from coachspeak before. I can't wait to see it on the field

 

[TexansSeminole]

I'm pretty sure when he said he wants a more up the field defense rather than sideways defense he was talking about the difference between him and Smith.

He used the word "attacking" very often, and I also think that was him differentiating himself with Smith.

I found it interesting when he said that he would like the defense to be more aggressive at the start of the play.

 

[nunusguy]

Is he talking about agression on an individual level, or is he talking about blitzing/gambling ?

I don't think that just stepping up blitzing activity is the panacea to our defensive problems, though many seemed to blame the shortcomings of the defense on game day strategy/play-calling (under DC Smith) that lacked consistant and frequent blitzing. That analysis is too simplistic IMO.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

I don't think that just stepping up blitzing activity is the panacea to our defensive problems, though many seemed to blame the shortcomings of the defense on game day strategy/play-calling (under DC Smith) that lacked consistant and frequent blitzing. That analysis is too simplistic IMO.

I don't really know how to explain it from a technical football point of view, but aggression does not automatically equal blitzing. My best example of an aggressive defense that does not blitz a ton is the Tacks. My belief is that when fans call for blitzing what they often want is aggression as blitzing is an obvious attack mode.

 

[GP]

I don't really know how to explain it from a technical football point of view, but aggression does not automatically equal blitzing. My best example of an aggressive defense that does not blitz a ton is the Tacks. My belief is that when fans call for blitzing what they often want is aggression as blitzing is an obvious attack mode.

RS's defense was like some sort of weird "zone" where it felt like people had spots on the field that they were responsible for. It felt like there was a clear dividing line from the DL to the LB and then from the LB to the DBs. Like there were levels or something, and so you watch the DL and if it gets through the DL, the LBs are to stop it at their level, and if it gets past there the DBs are coming up. That's what it felt like to me. But, this froze the players and offenses were zipping past the levels...the defense was then BEHIND the play.

An Eagles defense, or a Ravens defense, or a Steelers defense is the type where the players all want the ball. They all want to flow to the action. They even believe that they are somehow going to take the ball away or stop the ball carrier in his tracks on every down. It's an off-the-leash style of saying "Who can make it happen? Who wants it?"

 

[Wolf]

An Eagles defense, or a Ravens defense, or a Steelers defense is the type where the players all want the ball. They all want to flow to the action. They even believe that they are somehow going to take the ball away or stop the ball carrier in his tracks on every down. It's an off-the-leash style of saying "Who can make it happen? Who wants it?"

y'all can correct me if I am wrong, back when Glanville started out, didn't he say something along the lines of he wanted to see at least 5 guys around the ball carrier when the tackling was done? and if I remember that was a problem before he took over and Glandville demanded "gang tackling"? or am I too old and lost too many brain cells over the years to remember it correctly?


on another note, and I doubt any specifics were involved in the presser.. (and I realize we don't exactly have a DB coach) but wondering if the CB's are going to continue to play a side and that side only during the game (seems RS liked to not keep the best CB on the Best WR or so) and so teams could easily dictate where to move their best WR around so they could get the matchup they wanted

 

[Texans_Chick]

Here's the presser link. Much better than me trying to remember what was said with the video clicking in and out.

Also includes Kubiak quotes.

Like this one, my emphasis:

(on why defensive coordinator Frank Bush is the right guy) “Well, doing my homework, studying the guys that are out there, trying to go through things with (owner) Bob (McNair) and with (general manager) Rick (Smith), all my homework kept coming right back to Frank. I just think we’ve got something started here. We don’t want to venture away from our 4-3 scheme and what we’re doing. I love Frank’s ideas and identity and what he sees us being as a football team, a defensive football team. I know he’s a great teacher and a great motivator and a fit right away with the coaches here. So, I think we’re heading in the right direction and Frank keeps us heading in that direction.”

(on how long of a process it was) “It’s kind of been going on for the last couple of weeks, since we got finished. I talked to various coaches and studied the people that are out there available and what’s going out around the league. But at the same time, you have to look out for your staff and what’s happening right here in your building. So, just kind of putting all of those things together kept leading right back to (defensive coordinator) Frank (Bush) and really a credit to (owner) Bob (McNair) for us to put it together here today.”

We have something started here???? Three years of garbage defenses?

I truly hope that this ends up working out. Because I do think that in generality terms, some of the things that Bush talked about are problems...consistent motivation, getting the team on the same page, using more athleticism and less overthinking.

But it is one thing to talk about these things, and another to be able to make that translate to the field.

 

[mussop]

Am I the only one that thinks Bush and Kubiack talked about this before Smith was let go? Just a feeling.

 

[barrett]

I don't think that just stepping up blitzing activity is the panacea to our defensive problems, though many seemed to blame the shortcomings of the defense on game day strategy/play-calling (under DC Smith) that lacked consistant and frequent blitzing. That analysis is too simplistic IMO.

excellent point!

i don't think you can read anything into the presser technically. after that and then the interview with miss "awkward" bentley it's all buzz words and phrases. we'll have to wait and see.

 

[dalemurphy]

excellent point!

i don't think you can read anything into the presser technically. after that and then the interview with miss "awkward" bentley it's all buzz words and phrases. we'll have to wait and see.

Barrett, you ignorant sl*t...

I learned plenty today. "Violent", "downhill", "not sideways". That sounds better. I like it!!

 

[TimeKiller]

The key points are that he wants to motivate more and get the players working together.

Sound it out "kids"...
Teee....T...Teee....Teeeaamm...woorrrk?
Very good, now go tackle that mofo...

He was asked about specific reasons why the team has been ranked in the 20s for the last couple seasons. He said that there were many reasons but declined to say.

Boo on that. I would've listed the things I saw wrong that I wanted to change if I were in his position. "Oh, there were some things that didn't work" is a bullshit answer. Name them. What do you plan to do as the new guy to fix these problems that you see? It's alright, we won't start holding him accountable until the season starts....

He also declined to be specific about the types of players he would like to see in a dream draft.

How f-ing hard is this question? There is no wrong answer. "Uh, we want big, fast, mean-streak havin' tackling machines." I suppose you could ask for weak midgets who can only tackle a ham sammich...

 

[Specnatz]

Sound it out "kids"...
Teee....T...Teee....Teeeaamm...woorrrk?
Very good, now go tackle that mofo...

Boo on that. I would've listed the things I saw wrong that I wanted to change if I were in his position. "Oh, there were some things that didn't work" is a bullshit answer. Name them. What do you plan to do as the new guy to fix these problems that you see? It's alright, we won't start holding him accountable until the season starts....

How f-ing hard is this question? There is no wrong answer. "Uh, we want big, fast, mean-streak havin' tackling machines." I suppose you could ask for weak midgets who can only tackle a ham sammich...

So you want him to throw players under the bus by saying that we sucked at stopping the run and the screen pass. Kubiak does not do that and you know that a coach under him will not do that. Nothing ever is learned in a Kubiak presser.

 

[El Tejano]

I'm not sure but didn't Mario say in a game at halftime he once told Bush he wasn't going to read and react but was going to react and then read? I know this doesn't sound important but that may be that thing they were talking about when he said "we are going to communicate". Perhaps at that time Mario was confiding in Bush more than Smith and it was an indication of how the defense had two different views on how to play defense. Just speculation.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Jethro wanted TJ playing from side line to side line, your NT should be moving upfield to disrupt the play in the backfield, not covering up for bad safety and Linebacker play.

Yeah, TJ and Okoye might be two of the happiest people in Houston this morning.

 

[TEXANS84]

I think it's safe to say that the "impeach Bush" signs should be at a hold for the first 5 games until we can actually see a consistant (or lack thereof) defense.

 

[InterestedJeff]

Am I the only one that thinks Bush and Kubiack talked about this before Smith was let go? Just a feeling.

I'm sure they did. To me, it sounds like Bush has been DC in waiting ever since he left Arizona for us. His prior role for our team was to oversee the defense. Richard Smith had to know that Bush was breathing down his neck. I'm excited for Bush and our team. One thing that doesnt sit quite right with me is how Kubes just had Bush around the team with no role except to put some heat on Richard Smith for the last 2 years.

There has been a lot of talk about moving up the field instead of sideline to sideline. Players usually move sideways when they are beat off the ball. Most of what Bush said seems to be a typical DC hiring speech. Be more aggressive, attack, simplify, be on the same page. I bet if you look at every DC in the league they have used the exact same words.

I have been a faithfull Texans koolaid drinker from the get go and I dont see that changing any time soon. Kubiaks decissions have paned out thus far and I have no reason to believe that this one wont. I just want the same thing we all do.... to bring a championship home to Houston!

 

[DexmanC]

I'm not sure but didn't Mario say in a game at halftime he once told Bush he wasn't going to read and react but was going to react and then read? I know this doesn't sound important but that may be that thing they were talking about when he said "we are going to communicate". Perhaps at that time Mario was confiding in Bush more than Smith and it was an indication of how the defense had two different views on how to play defense. Just speculation.

Uh.. Mario said JETHRO!!!
Jethro was the main coach of the d-line, and the coach that
Mario mentioned in the presser.

 

[Brandon420tx]

(about Bush's answer regarding his dream draft

How f-ing hard is this question? There is no wrong answer. "Uh, we want big, fast, mean-streak havin' tackling machines." I suppose you could ask for weak midgets who can only tackle a ham sammich...

you never EVER EVER answer this question. Unless your picking like 32nd and the guy you say is pretty much garunteed to go in the top 3. You can be 1 pick away from getting the guy you want but the team directly behinds you leapfrogs to snatch him because you answered this question.

Keep them guessing.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

There has been a lot of talk about moving up the field instead of sideline to sideline. Players usually move sideways when they are beat off the ball. Most of what Bush said seems to be a typical DC hiring speech. Be more aggressive, attack, simplify, be on the same page. I bet if you look at every DC in the league they have used the exact same words.

The thing is, the first three years of Smith's defense, it started out slow and then there was a big deal made about "simplifying" it. And then the defense played better.

At least from what Bush is saying, we'll skip that first stage of suckage and go straight to the simplified version.

 

[TimeKiller]

So you want him to throw players under the bus by saying that we sucked at stopping the run and the screen pass. Kubiak does not do that and you know that a coach under him will not do that. Nothing ever is learned in a Kubiak presser.

Throwing players under the bus? No, that's not what I want. Something more to the point of why Smith was fired and what Bush is going to do differently. Calling plays to the strengths of the players, running different coverages, who is the focal point of his defense, there are things he could've said that aren't general responses without dogging anyone.

you never EVER EVER answer this question. Unless your picking like 32nd and the guy you say is pretty much garunteed to go in the top 3. You can be 1 pick away from getting the guy you want but the team directly behinds you leapfrogs to snatch him because you answered this question.

Keep them guessing.

Man, it's not like he has to outline the height and size, along with the 40 times of specific people without naming them. I suppose teams could do that, but it's not like people are at a total loss for where guys are going to go in the draft. Look at how many mocks get...mocked....I don't even watch college football and I got like 8 or 9 right last year, I'm sure people who are paid to keep up with this have more insight than me.

Really I'm just concerned with how much he sounds like Smith, using vague generalities about "aggressive 4-3" and so on...

 

[painekiller]

Throwing players under the bus? No, that's not what I want. Something more to the point of why Smith was fired and what Bush is going to do differently. Calling plays to the strengths of the players, running different coverages, who is the focal point of his defense, there are things he could've said that aren't general responses without dogging anyone.

Richard Smith is a close personal friend of Frank Bush, they have worked together before, and might again. Bush was not going to publicly blast Smith.

 

[Texans_Chick]

Richard Smith is a close personal friend of Frank Bush, they have worked together before, and might again. Bush was not going to publicly blast Smith.

Even if they weren't friends, it would be an uncool thing to do.

 

[GP]

Even if they weren't friends, it would be an uncool thing to do.

Agreed.

You just don't do that. You CAN'T do that.

Because some day you might be the one getting fired, and you don't want the new guy to do that to you. Plus, it makes your players wonder if it will happen to them. It's just common courtesy, IMO.

You have to separate your own passion from the situation.

 

[Texecutioner]

Well I wasn't happy about the Bush hiring for D coordinator, but I after reading the article today in the chronicle I did like what I read. He has been talking a lot about wanting to develop a defense that attacks and pressures teams a lot. If he does that, then I'll be pretty happy. I like aggressive style coaches.

If we can make some really good picks, get a good free agent to fill a need or two, and Bush implements what he says he wants to implement then I can feel optimistic.

 

[painekiller]

Even if they weren't friends, it would be an uncool thing to do.

Very true, Buddy Ryan is about the only guy I can think of that would do something like that.

 

[Marcus]

He has been talking a lot about wanting to develop a defense that attacks and pressures teams a lot. If he does that, then I'll be pretty happy. I like aggressive style coaches.

Hmmm. Are there any DC's in the NFL that don't want to develop a defense that attacks and pressures teams a lot.?

I'm reasonably sure that answer is . . . NO!

The key words here are "want to develop". Goes back to Kubiak saying he didn't give Smith the tools to succeed. "Want to develop" implies still a need for those tools.

I'm not looking for any drastic improvement right out of the gate next season, no matter who got hired.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

Reading some of Bush's quote reminds of something I heard during the Ravens/Titans game. They were saying that the Ravens defensive philosophy was to 'Hit them really hard till they turn it over'.

As for saying the pieces weren't there for Smith to be aggressive isn't necesarily the case, some coaches prefer to bend not break, play the percentages, not give up the big play.

I think it depends whether your talking about an aggressive scheme, or aggressive attitude in the individual player. You can play aggresively within a conservative scheme, or be passive in an aggressive scheme.

I think what people around here want is aggressive attitude in an aggressive scheme.... not my preference but that is what I sense people want.

 

[Lucky]

I don't really know how to explain it from a technical football point of view, but aggression does not automatically equal blitzing.

Right. Aggressive could mean having the d-linemen shoot the gaps. Or playing the corners in press coverage. Or bringing 8 defenders to the LOS. Or some combination, along with blitzing, thereof.

For me, the end result of an aggressive defense is that you've forced your opponent to be reactive, and you are dictating the game. I thought the Texans defense was aggressive in that manner in the victory over the Titans, forcing Kerry Collins to go downfield.

 

[Grams]

Hmmm. Are there any DC's in the NFL that don't want to develop a defense that attacks and pressures teams a lot.?

I'm reasonably sure that answer is . . . NO!

The key words here are "want to develop". Goes back to Kubiak saying he didn't give Smith the tools to succeed. "Want to develop" implies still a need for those tools.

I'm not looking for any drastic improvement right out of the gate next season, no matter who got hired.

Of course Kubiak said he did not give the tools Smith needed to succeed. He would never throw anyone under the bus. He always takes resonsibilty for whatever goes wrong with the team. Always says it was his fault for whatever reason.

 

[TimeKiller]

Richard Smith is a close personal friend of Frank Bush, they have worked together before, and might again. Bush was not going to publicly blast Smith.

See how you are disagreeing with me, but not "blasting" me?

Something like that is what I'm talking about. You guys are acting like I said Bush needed stomp the floor, cross his arms like a 3 year old and hit a rant with all the fury of Dennis Miller. There is no secret about how well Smith performed, after all he was just fired about a week ago. Never were his defenses ranked in the top 2/3rds of the league. Something was not working about it. These DC's are diagnosticians, what did he find schematically unfit to use? What does he plan to do differently?

BECAUSE HE PRETTY MUCH SAID THE SAME BUZZ WORDS AND PHRASES THAT SMITH DID

 

[Specnatz]

See how you are disagreeing with me, but not "blasting" me?

Something like that is what I'm talking about. You guys are acting like I said Bush needed stomp the floor, cross his arms like a 3 year old and hit a rant with all the fury of Dennis Miller. There is no secret about how well Smith performed, after all he was just fired about a week ago. Never were his defenses ranked in the top 2/3rds of the league. Something was not working about it. These DC's are diagnosticians, what did he find schematically unfit to use? What does he plan to do differently?

BECAUSE HE PRETTY MUCH SAID THE SAME BUZZ WORDS AND PHRASES THAT SMITH DID

It is called coach speak for a reason, and most guys say the same thing without saying anything.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

See how you are disagreeing with me, but not "blasting" me?

Something like that is what I'm talking about. You guys are acting like I said Bush needed stomp the floor, cross his arms like a 3 year old and hit a rant with all the fury of Dennis Miller. There is no secret about how well Smith performed, after all he was just fired about a week ago. Never were his defenses ranked in the top 2/3rds of the league. Something was not working about it. These DC's are diagnosticians, what did he find schematically unfit to use? What does he plan to do differently?

BECAUSE HE PRETTY MUCH SAID THE SAME BUZZ WORDS AND PHRASES THAT SMITH DID

Here's my take...

Years ago, Kubiak decided what he wanted in a defense. Kubiak wants a defense that gets pressure with the 4 down linemen. He wants a defense that's aggressive and swarms to the ball and comes with a vengeance.

He talked to Smith and told Smith that. So, to get the job, Smith said that's what his defense was going to be... not really having any intention of setting the defense up that way. But in the press conferences, that's what he built his defense up to be.

Now, Bush has the job. Kubiak wants pressure and aggression and violence. And Bush knows that. So that's what he's telling Kubiak and everyone else that his defense is going to be.

Is it going to be that?

Dunno. Mebbe, mebbe not. We'll have to wait and see if he can pull it off. Would McDermott or Gray or Williams been able to give us a defense like that? Dunno.

I'm not for or against the Bush promotion. I won't know if it was a good hire or not until I see his product. If he doesn't give us a good defense, then I won't be calling for Bush's head. I'll be calling for Kubiak's. To me, this is the make or break decision for Kubiak.