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Player exodus due to lack of leadership

the wonger need food

the wonger need food

All Pro
Someone has finally stepped up and offered an explanation for the Texans late season collapse. Looks like Kubiak and his coaches have possibly lost the locker room and there is dissention amongst the troops. This would certainly explain why FA's are fleeing like rats off a sinking ship and why we aren't hearing of any players restructuring contracts to keep the team together.


"Before Barwin left, he told SiriusXM radio the Texans' defense lacked leadership late in the season, that the unit didn't do enough to take pressure off the offense."

Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...s-March-sadness-for-4360711.php#ixzz2NlW14h6K
 
the wonger need food said:
Someone has finally stepped up and offered an explanation for the Texans late season collapse. Looks like Kubiak and his coaches have possibly lost the locker room and there is dissention amongst the troops. This would certainly explain why FA's are fleeing like rats off a sinking ship and why we aren't hearing of any players restructuring contracts to keep the team together.


"Before Barwin left, he told SiriusXM radio the Texans' defense lacked leadership late in the season, that the unit didn't do enough to take pressure off the offense."

Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...s-March-sadness-for-4360711.php#ixzz2NlW14h6K
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Seriously?:cheese:
 
I can't read the article because apparently I'm not a digital subscriber to the chron rag, which I never will be. I don't think I'm missing anything.
 
Lacked leadership? I thought that's what the letterman jacket thing was all about? /sarcasm
 
the wonger need food said:
Someone has finally stepped up and offered an explanation for the Texans late season collapse. Looks like Kubiak and his coaches have possibly lost the locker room and there is dissention amongst the troops. This would certainly explain why FA's are fleeing like rats off a sinking ship and why we aren't hearing of any players restructuring contracts to keep the team together.


"Before Barwin left, he told SiriusXM radio the Texans' defense lacked leadership late in the season, that the unit didn't do enough to take pressure off the offense."

Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...s-March-sadness-for-4360711.php#ixzz2NlW14h6K
Click to expand...


Blah Blah Blah. Lacked leadership? Then step up and be a leader.
 
the wonger need food said:
Someone has finally stepped up and offered an explanation for the Texans late season collapse. Looks like Kubiak and his coaches have possibly lost the locker room and there is dissention amongst the troops.
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I will say that while I have no idea if this is true, I wouldn't be surprised.
 
eriadoc said:
I will say that while I have no idea if this is true, I wouldn't be surprised.
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I will say it's big of him to shoulder some of the blame for the collapse. It would be much easier to just point at Schaub and Kubiak's offense for not scoring and constantly putting them in a bad position with little rest.
 
Corrosion said:
Player exodus due to lack of $$$$ to keep them.
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^^^^
This, leadership starts at the top.

And terrible cap management.

Wonder who is at fault their? Rick/Olson? Blame whoever you want, but if Rick is the head of the org. Unless BoB and Cal handle this part of the org. Doubtful?

BoB sets the direction and hopefully Rick has done a terible job excuting BoB's vision. If this is so, it's time for Rick to go.
 
Injuries last year mandated many changes in the D that would have otherwise not have been implemented. Sounds like there may have been a little element of sour grapes that he was utilized in such a way that was to help benefit the team rather than his stats.

Connor Barwin Addresses Drop In Production
Posted by Tim McManus on March 15, 2013 at 6:13 pm

The stats may be deceiving when it comes to newly-acquired outside linebacker Connor Barwin.

The former Texan racked up 11 1/2 sacks in 2011, then saw that number dip to three this past season.

Meeting with local reporters for the first time Friday, Barwin filled in some of the blanks.

“I played opposite of Mario Williams two years ago, and then he got hurt and I took over Mario’s spot and played the open side outside linebacker and had a lot of success there,” he said. “Last year because of injuries we had at linebacker I bounced back and forth and played both positions and kind of had to move around. The sack numbers weren’t there but the pressures and the hits were all there and the tackles were more from the year before.”

On the open side, the outside linebacker was asked to rush the passer almost exclusively, whereas there are more coverage responsibilities at SAM. And according to Barwin, Houston linebackers had to change their overall approach in 2012.

“We had to drop more, we had problems at inside linebacker, we had to cover up certain things on the outside,” he said. “The year before we rushed every time. Last year we had to bump the tight end before we could rush, and anyone that rushes the passer knows that’s going to slow down your rush.”
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Barwin said:
“Last year because of injuries we had at linebacker I bounced back and forth and played both positions and kind of had to move around. The sack numbers weren’t there but the pressures and the hits were all there and the tackles were more from the year before.”
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I think I read recently that Pro Football Focus had Barwin 3rd from last in pressures among 3-4 OLBs. It certainly didn't look like they were "all there".
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Injuries last year mandated many changes in the D that would have otherwise not have been implemented. Sounds like there may have been a little element of sour grapes that he was utilized in such a way that was to help benefit the team rather than his stats.
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I will not lie, I was all for keeping Barwin here if we did not overpay. But the more I hear and read the more I am glad he is gone. What a doofus hipster!!
 
Thorn said:
I can't read the article because apparently I'm not a digital subscriber to the chron rag, which I never will be. I don't think I'm missing anything.
Click to expand...
Just "Google" it (or "Bing" it or whatever search-browser software you are using), with a few key words from the story and you'll get past the blockers the Chron has in place to the full content of the article.
 
I guarantee it wasn't hard for the players to take the first offer they got. They saw first hand on what direction this team was heading. I truly believe we have plateau'd. The writing is on the wall. Schaub not raising his game when the games were more important. Kubiak getting out coached in every single friggin phase against NE, TWICE! I'm sure money was the factor, but I bet these guys don't feel like they're leaving a team that has "something special" going on like some FA's like to say.
 
Exodus is because of money money money..


I am sure jj watt is shaking his head.

And I bet Cushing just did extra set on bench presses after hearing this


I believe our collapse defensively was losing Cushing and not having an inside backer that could rush inside effectively.

That and our OLB seemed to be a step late on getting to the QB.


Offensively I won't go ino that
 
Good riddance. The Texans defense is better off without that kind of cancerous attitude in the lockeroom. Cushing is the leader of the Texans defense. His infectious attitude is the kind that will make players want to run through walls. He gives everything he has on the field and in the weight room. Leads by example and vocally. So take your whiney attitude on up to Philly Mr. Barwin. The Texans don't need you here.
 
I'm as down on the Texans as anybody, but I will never understand a former player, of such low quality by the way, openly going on record with the media to take shots at the team.

You finally end up seeing the measure of those men when they leave and by what they say on their way out.

This is akin to leaving your employer and sending an all-staff email to tell everyone what's wrong with the company and how much better it is at your next job.

I'm glad to have confirmation that he's a worthless piece of dog ****.

The only downside is that he still ends up getting overpayed. I hope he sucks as bad as he did for us, then let him see how friendly Philly is toward him.
 
texan279 said:
I will not lie, I was all for keeping Barwin here...
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As was I. Connor has his feelings hurt because the Texans didn't try to keep him after his 2012 season. I think the key quote is, "There are conflicting reports on how aggressive the Texans actually were in negotiations."

I think they told Quin & Barwin to go get a competing offer, and then declined to make a counter-offer.

I guess you could say that the Texans lost their leader when Cush went down, but somebody has to step in and take that role. But Barwin's statement made me think this: "the cheerleaders didn't cheer hard enough for the defense, so we underperformed."

As for the "exodus": there are a lot of bad teams out there with tons of cap space who are in the position now of being forced to upgrade or lose their fans. I expect the majority of teams will be +/- close to the cap in another year or two. This is part of that process.
 
the wonger need food said:
"Before Barwin left, he told SiriusXM radio the Texans' defense lacked leadership late in the season, that the unit didn't do enough to take pressure off the offense."

Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...s-March-sadness-for-4360711.php#ixzz2NlW14h6K
Click to expand...

Wow...... sounds like Connor is willing to throw his friends (Cody) under the bus to defend Kubaik & Schaub.

That's got to count for something.


eriadoc said:
I will say that while I have no idea if this is true, I wouldn't be surprised.
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Jj Watt was a beast. If they can't get behind that guy, I don't know what to tell you.

If anything, sounds like he was saying they missed Brian back there.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Injuries last year mandated many changes in the D that would have otherwise not have been implemented. Sounds like there may have been a little element of sour grapes that he was utilized in such a way that was to help benefit the team rather than his stats.
“I played opposite of Mario Williams two years ago, and then he got hurt and I took over Mario’s spot and played the open side outside linebacker and had a lot of success there,” he said. “Last year because of injuries we had at linebacker I bounced back and forth and played both positions and kind of had to move around. The sack numbers weren’t there but the pressures and the hits were all there and the tackles were more from the year before.”
Click to expand...
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Uh... they didn't move him to SOLB until Brooks got hurt, late in the season. He had played on the open side all year & got nothing done. This is a poor excuse.
 
Exodus? Really? Barwin and Casey got overpaid, no way we match their offers. And according to GQ, we never even made him an offer.

The Ravens lost key starters too, is that an exodus as well?
 
I'm really not offended by Barwin's comments because I think he did express an
expectation and desire to remain in Houston and seemed genuinely surprised when it didn't happen. Re his comments about leadership, I don't take that as a cheap shot so much as a candid observation. And Barwin was actully an outstanding ambassador for the city of Houston, something that seemed very curious since he seems to be such a treehugger.
 
the wonger need food said:
Someone has finally stepped up and offered an explanation for the Texans late season collapse. Looks like Kubiak and his coaches have possibly lost the locker room and there is dissention amongst the troops. This would certainly explain why FA's are fleeing like rats off a sinking ship and why we aren't hearing of any players restructuring contracts to keep the team together.


"Before Barwin left, he told SiriusXM radio the Texans' defense lacked leadership late in the season, that the unit didn't do enough to take pressure off the offense."

Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...s-March-sadness-for-4360711.php#ixzz2NlW14h6K
Click to expand...


Just sounds like he was bitter we didnt make him a better offer. Whitney didnt even start and literally had twice the sacks he did. The only thing this does in the long run is keep Brooks on the outside, forcing us to find a MLB elswhere..........real classy Connor.
 
IDEXAN said:
I'm really not offended by Barwin's comments because I think he did express an
expectation and desire to remain in Houston and seemed genuinely surprised when it didn't happen. Re his comments about leadership, I don't take that as a cheap shot so much as a candid observation. And Barwin was actully an outstanding ambassador for the city of Houston, something that seemed very curious since he seems to be such a treehugger.
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Agreeed, I'm not offended either.

Leadership on the field = talent + Inspiration/work ethic and they lost alot when they lost Cushing leadership in the FO =doing what you say you're going to do, Rick said get an offer and bring it to me, Connor did that and Rick didn't respond.

Rick did the same with GQ, atleast that's what GQ said on his twitter. Somehow teams that are playoff teams are making moves left and right. The Texans appear to be sitting on their hands. Just look at the 2 main contenders for the AFC, Broncos/Pats models and then look at the Texans model and tell me loyal Texans fans do you feel closer or farther away from the SB? It's one of the reasons why loyal fans like She Texan have grown to dislike how Rick does business and sees the salary cap excuse for what it is. A mess of Ricks own making.

The Texans could move $$$$ around to sign Reed/Dumervil, they choose not to do this and frankly since the Texans aren't going to win a SB next yr anyway I kind of agree with saving the $$$$ and using it to re-sign Cushing (if healthy and proves it on the field for a full season, unlike Schaub.) and Watt. But remember the time when fans were saying when the Texans become a SB contentder that FA's will want to come to Houston and the Texans wont have to overpay for them? Well I guess that train of thought was a fallacy.

BTW, this draft is the most important draft since the 2006 draft. The Texans need to hit on 5 picks if they want to remain at the top of the AFC south for yrs to come. With 4 picks in the first 3 rds they've got the ammunition to do it. Lets hope Gary/Wade lock Rick in the bathroom for day 1/2 of the draft.
 
Completely agree. This team lacks leaders in the worst way. Watt did his best impression, but being a 2nd year player doesnt do much for veteran guys. Ed Reed would work wonders on this team due to that fact. A 4 star general amongst a bunch of privates.
 
steelbtexan said:
Rick did the same with GQ, atleast that's what GQ said on his twitter. Somehow teams that are playoff teams are making moves left and right. The Texans appear to be sitting on their hands. Just look at the 2 main contenders for the AFC, Broncos/Pats models and then look at the Texans model and tell me loyal Texans fans do you feel closer or farther away from the SB? It's one of the reasons why loyal fans like She Texan have grown to dislike how Rick does business and sees the salary cap excuse for what it is. A mess of Ricks own making.
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2 playoff wins in 7 seasons. If you're content with that there's a problem....
 
Not sure why folks are upset with him. He is saying exactly what many here have said. The lack of leadership was rather obvious and why some are okay with the idea of signing Ed Reed despite his loss in some skill. Leadership was obviously lacking in certain games and situations. So I have no issue with him stating the obvious.

I do think he is a bit delusional about his play. Plain and simple, it sucked. The pressures, the hits, none of it was 'there' as he put it. And when you have single blocking because Watt demands double team and even Antonio Smith got a bit of attention then something is wrong. Wish him luck in Philly but he was as much of the issues as the lack of leadership.

As for losing free agents, it has nothing to do with leadership and everything to do with money. This is a business after all and if someone is going to offer you more money then 9 times out of 10 you will leave. We do it as workers and so do they. Some of our free agents got overpaid so what do you expect?
 
the wonger need food said:
2 playoff wins in 7 seasons. If you're content with that there's a problem....
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If you have read my posts you would know I expect improvement every yr and a SB. If you dont expect a championship from your team then what the reason for rooting for them. It's why they keep score.

2 in 7 seasons is totally unacceptable.
 
infantrycak said:
OR Barwin is just talking out his ass at this point like his excuses on not getting sacks.
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Winner winner chicken dinner. He didn't have a good year and is making excuses. I can't wait for the day I hear an athlete say "I sucked last year, plain and simple"
 
ThaJokaa said:
No leadership? Well I guess no one stepped up after Cush got hurt
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They were one of the best defenses in the league prior to Cushing going down .... then fall apart down the stretch without him. Cant say we didnt see it coming ....
 
Sour grapes.

sour-grapes.jpg
 
steelbtexan said:
If you have read my posts you would know I expect improvement every yr and a SB. If you dont expect a championship from your team then what the reason for rooting for them. It's why they keep score.

2 in 7 seasons is totally unacceptable.
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2 in 2 seasons is. It's not like this team got a playoff berth five years back before last year. We've had two straight. If we don't get one this upcoming season, then yes, we've got cause for worry. But for now, I'm willing to reserve judgment until the draft. I expect improvement too. I want us to at least get to the AFC Championship, but I don't agree with that "2 playoffs in 7 seasons" stuff. I might if we don't make the playoffs this upcoming season.
 
Hey guys lay off Barwin. Sure he could have stepped up as a leader, but how can he do that while wearing blue footy pajamas??? Yeah see, it's not his fault.
 
It's not a coincidence we started losing once Brian Cushing went down. He was not just our defensive leader, but our leader as a whole.

JJ Watt is getting there too.
 
Dutchrudder said:
Hey guys lay off Barwin. Sure he could have stepped up as a leader, but how can he do that while wearing blue footy pajamas??? Yeah see, it's not his fault.
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Uggh!!! Why'd you have to bring THAT up??
:strangle:
Now it's going to take me another two weeks of therapy to get that image out of my head.
 
steelbtexan said:
Agreeed, I'm not offended either.

Leadership on the field = talent + Inspiration/work ethic and they lost alot when they lost Cushing leadership in the FO =doing what you say you're going to do, Rick said get an offer and bring it to me, Connor did that and Rick didn't respond.

Rick did the same with GQ, atleast that's what GQ said on his twitter. Somehow teams that are playoff teams are making moves left and right. The Texans appear to be sitting on their hands. Just look at the 2 main contenders for the AFC, Broncos/Pats models and then look at the Texans model and tell me loyal Texans fans do you feel closer or farther away from the SB? It's one of the reasons why loyal fans like She Texan have grown to dislike how Rick does business and sees the salary cap excuse for what it is. A mess of Ricks own making.

The Texans could move $$$$ around to sign Reed/Dumervil, they choose not to do this and frankly since the Texans aren't going to win a SB next yr anyway I kind of agree with saving the $$$$ and using it to re-sign Cushing (if healthy and proves it on the field for a full season, unlike Schaub.) and Watt. But remember the time when fans were saying when the Texans become a SB contentder that FA's will want to come to Houston and the Texans wont have to overpay for them? Well I guess that train of thought was a fallacy.

BTW, this draft is the most important draft since the 2006 draft. The Texans need to hit on 5 picks if they want to remain at the top of the AFC south for yrs to come. With 4 picks in the first 3 rds they've got the ammunition to do it. Lets hope Gary/Wade lock Rick in the bathroom for day 1/2 of the draft.
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Haha You really do despise Rick Smith and Kubiak. I don't disagree with everything you say, but you are blinded by dislike some of the time as well. In my opinion, Kubiak makes a lot of the offensive draft decisions and has since he got here. And a lot of the defensive picks have been by the different defensive coaches. Richard Smith loved Okoye. Frank Bush loved Cushing (reminded him of Romanowski) and also wanted Kareem. Wade wanted Aldon Smith badly but got another player he wanted badly as well in Watt who has turned out even better than Smith. I also believe the coaches dictate what they want in free agency. I guarantee you Sherman was the one behind Ahman Green. I also guarantee you Wade and Vance Joseph were behind JJo and Manning. Joseph ranked JJo as the best DB of that particular free agent class. I'm not even sure what Rick really does to be honest. He probably just helps gather information, seeks out opinions, and then goes with what the consensus is from the top coaches and scouts. When it comes to the cap, they probably rely on their "cap expert" Olson. They are being stingy now because they know Watt, Cushing, and Kareem are coming up. Good luck signing them if you're constantly after free agents.
 
bckey said:
Good riddance. The Texans defense is better off without that kind of cancerous attitude in the lockeroom. Cushing is the leader of the Texans defense. His infectious attitude is the kind that will make players want to run through walls. He gives everything he has on the field and in the weight room. Leads by example and vocally. So take your whiney attitude on up to Philly Mr. Barwin. The Texans don't need you here.
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I agree. I put very little stock into the words of former Texans players. I think the only one that I'd pay any attention to would be Demeco Ryans, and that dude said nothing but positive things about his experiences with the Texans.

Barwin is playing the blame game because he knows Philly fans will eat his lunch if he doesn't produce for them in 2013.

dream_team said:
Exodus? Really? Barwin and Casey got overpaid, no way we match their offers. And according to GQ, we never even made him an offer.
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I'm not seeing an "exodus", either. We have not lost anyone that is irreplaceable.

infantrycak said:
OR Barwin is just talking out his ass at this point like his excuses on not getting sacks.
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That's all I'm hearing, as well. People who wish to criticize the team will be all over his words, but they are empty to me. If this was JJ Watt or Brian Cushing, I'd put more stock into it. But Barwin? Give me a break.

I find it amusing that anyone believes fan discontent has even the slightest influence on front office decisions and team operations.
 
infantrycak said:
OR Barwin is just talking out his ass at this point like his excuses on not getting sacks.
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I really think Barwin was speaking of himself most of all. Really doubt he was throwing darts at anyone in particular. Probably tried to say what he thought was the least harmful to himself & his former team & we made a mountain out of it.
 
thunderkyss said:
I really think Barwin was speaking of himself most of all. Really doubt he was throwing darts at anyone in particular. Probably tried to say what he thought was the least harmful to himself & his former team & we made a mountain out of it.
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I think you are correct. Barwin is well aware of the fact that he had a down year & gave a few legit reasons for it IMO. The injury to Reed did have him moving around some & the ILB play was hardly what it was in 2011 after Ryans was traded & Cushing went down w/ injury. Sure, it's a bunch of excuses, but time will tell if those excuses were legit based on his future production in Philly & if he develops into a consistently productive player.

Personally I hated to lose him because I think he has potential, but overpaying for him wasn't an option that the Texans could afford. Good luck to him.
 
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