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Front office shake-ups: Texans

axman40

axman40

Hall of Fame
Long-time Texans general manager Rick Smith, who has had a great run solidifying the franchise and leading its personal department, is likely to have an expanded role in the organization in 2015, beyond football operations, with someone else taking over the GM title, according to numerous league sources. And a general manager change is possible in Buffalo and Tennessee as well, sources said.
Houston coach Bill O'Brien, who has already tripled last season's win total in his first season as an NFL head coach, is expected to have a significant say in who takes over the general manager position should this transition take place, with sources pointing to Eagles personal man Tom Gamble and Patriots college scouting director Jon Robinson (who worked with O'Brien in New England) as top external candidates who have ties to O'Brien. Patriots personnel man Nick Caserio would also be the top choice of O'Brien's, sources said, though if he were to leave that premier organization it likely wouldn't be unless they won another Super Bowl.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...exans-titans-and-bills-likely-to-make-changes
:tiphat:
 
So what role would Rick Smith have? Either way I like idea. Give BOB more control and bring in a fresh face.
 
I want to hear this story from the Texans.
It's not that I don't think it's time for new blood, I want to know why this isn't a straight out firing.
Is McNair sort of stepping aside (given his recent health issues) and splitting the running business side of the club between Smith and Cal McNair?
 
Texans Vice-Chairman Cal McNair said no truth to a report GM Rick Smith could be promoted with new GM brought in. He said Rick is our GM.

From Mark Berman's Twitter feed.
 
This probably was a plan agreed upon when OBrien was hired... Blowing up coaching staff and personnel dept all at once is a mess that can lead to confusion in the aftermath. It is a popular axiom that new leadership is wise to listen and observe their first year... And be slow to act.
 
MistaRed said:
Texans Vice-Chairman Cal McNair said no truth to a report GM Rick Smith could be promoted with new GM brought in. He said Rick is our GM.

From Mark Berman's Twitter feed.
Click to expand...

It could look reactionary now... They want to wait for their 2014 self-assessment before announcing any restructuring. Right now, it can't be sold as a promotion. After the season, it can.
 
Adam SchefterVerified account
‏@AdamSchefter Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, has signed a contract extension with NE that runs through 2020 season, per NFL sources.
Click to expand...

Is rumored to be on the Texans short list for GM. Just a coincidence?
 
axman40 said:
Patriots personnel man Nick Caserio would also be the top choice of O'Brien's, sources said, though if he were to leave that premier organization it likely wouldn't be unless they won another Super Bowl.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...exans-titans-and-bills-likely-to-make-changes
:tiphat:
Click to expand...

Caserio just signed a deal with the Patriots through 2020.



So Rick Smith is getting promoted... interesting. 'ole Teflon Rick must have driven that blade deep into Cal's back or something.
 
Dear God, please don't let the coach pick the GM.
This is the mistake we made with Kubiak..

McNair is a businessman, GM is a management position.
McNair should know how to interview and hire a GM on the
basis of his prior accomplishments.

The GM makes the decision on the coach -- not vice-versa.

I am totally against letting BoB bring in a guy to be _his own boss_.
History repeats itself..
 
speedfreek said:
I am totally against letting BoB bring in a guy to be _his own boss_.
History repeats itself..
Click to expand...
How about not having a GM? Have a personnel director in charge of player acquistion. O'Brien's boss could be Bob McNair. Wait...O'Brien's boss is already Bob McNair. McNair made the decision to hire O'Brien and will be the one to fire him (if that ever happens).
 
pirbroke said:
Wow, didn't see that coming,
Click to expand...

If true, it would be a good solution to a lingering problem. From a post last week: :)

Runner said:
... If he (Rick Smith) has no GM authority/responsibility, then the Texans are operating without a GM and are at a disadvantage to the well run NFL teams. In that case the Texans should acknowledge his contributions to the team, promote him to a harmless Vice President of Staying Out of the Way position, hire a real GM, and try to be more than a .500 franchise....
Click to expand...
 
MistaRed said:
So what role would Rick Smith have? Either way I like idea. Give BOB more control and bring in a fresh face.
Click to expand...

Based on his track record the only job rick smith is qualified for is to be 2nd string Toro the back up mascot.
 
speedfreek said:
Dear God, please don't let the coach pick the GM.

This is the mistake we made with Kubiak..



McNair is a businessman, GM is a management position.

McNair should know how to interview and hire a GM on the

basis of his prior accomplishments.



The GM makes the decision on the coach -- not vice-versa.



I am totally against letting BoB bring in a guy to be _his own boss_.

History repeats itself..
Click to expand...


Agree with you. But, it's time for a change at the GM spot, so, something has to be done.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I believe the original story.........it will be confirmed after the season ends for us and before the Draft.
Click to expand...

I do not. I believe it is speculation on the part of an anonymous reporter or source and will be thoroughly debunked. Perhaps someone on that short list need to motivate their current owner? Creating a sense of urgency is marketing 101.
 
Marshall said:
I do not. I believe it is speculation on the part of an anonymous reporter or source and will be thoroughly debunked. Perhaps someone on that short list need to motivate their current owner? Creating a sense of urgency is marketing 101.
Click to expand...

I'd bet it's partially true. We need change at the GM position, I can't see McNair firing Rick Smith. He'll be promoted, & moved out of the way.
 
thunderkyss said:
I'd bet it's partially true. We need change at the GM position, I can't see McNair firing Rick Smith. He'll be promoted, & moved out of the way.
Click to expand...

I believe that is where the SPECULATION spawned the report. How would you get the Texans to need a new GM without firing Rick? I believe this report is nothing more than speculation by uninformed sources.

But I could be wrong. Cal disputing the story gives less credence than Bob denying it and giving Rick his 100% support. The last part almost assures you it's true. In the last thirty years, it (lying) is an almost unbroken pattern in management changes. Bob staying silent makes it unlikely to be true.
 
speedfreek said:
Dear God, please don't let the coach pick the GM.
This is the mistake we made with Kubiak..

McNair is a businessman, GM is a management position.
McNair should know how to interview and hire a GM on the
basis of his prior accomplishments.

The GM makes the decision on the coach -- not vice-versa.

I am totally against letting BoB bring in a guy to be _his own boss_.
History repeats itself..
Click to expand...

Not in football.

I think the best GMs in football listen to the coach. The coach may want a one skilled guy in a certain position and it's the GMs job to get that guy. I think in NFL a lot of times the coach has a lot more GM duties than people realize. No one knows the value of a player to his team than the coach.

What I want is a GM that understands the cap because obviously Rick Smith does not.
 
Have been discussing this rumor for a few weeks now... know the source. I do believe O'Brien desires a management team with a common vision and exceptional capabilities. I don't think Rick fits.

You have to understand how difficult a decision this will be for the McNairs. Bob will essentially have to overrule his son Cal, whose children Rick Smith is godfather to. Bob and Rick are very much aligned in their personal values and beliefs. The relationship is that of family -- brother to Cal and son to Bob. So it will be a very difficult decision for Bob. Hence, the scenario of reducing Rick's input on the 53 and draft while giving him an honorary title. I'm skeptical McNair is willing to address this at this time. We'll see.
 
houstonspartan said:
Agree with you. But, it's time for a change at the GM spot, so, something has to be done.
Click to expand...

Why do you feel this way? I know majority in TT feel this way... but it kind of stuns me how we're patting ourselves on the back over a successful season, but at the same time we need to make a significant change in the FO.
 
I'd be willing to do almost anything to get Smith out of the GM chair. He never should have been hired in the first place.
 
Texecutioner said:
I'd be willing to do almost anything to get Smith out of the GM chair. He never should have been hired in the first place.
Click to expand...

Before Rick
Losing record EVERY season
ZERO playoff appearances
24 - 56 record

After Rick
Only two (out of 8) losing seasons
Two playoff appearances
64 - 64 record

I can't believe we brought in a guy that took us out of the bottom and made us relevant in the league.

*** Didn't count Rick for 2006 since he joined late and didn't even conduct the draft.
 
dream_team said:
Before Rick
Losing record EVERY season
ZERO playoff appearances
24 - 56 record

After Rick
Only two (out of 8) losing seasons
Two playoff appearances
64 - 64 record

I can't believe we brought in a guy that took us out of the bottom and made us relevant in the league.

*** Didn't count Rick for 2006 since he joined late and didn't even conduct the draft.
Click to expand...

From the day that Rck Smith arrived up to today, Rick has ONLY been an assistant to Head Coach and Bob McNair. The reason Rick Smith hasn't been fired is because he has no real responsibility or does anything to be held accountable for.
 
just fire him why downgrade him fire him and get it over with

his 9+ year resume speaks for itself just fire him and rid more of the Failed Kubes regime

and while your at it blow up the astro dome and lift this curse and fix or upgrade the field on NRG
 
Texian said:
From the day that Rck Smith arrived up to today, Rick has ONLY been an assistant to Head Coach and Bob McNair. The reason Rick Smith hasn't been fired is because he has no real responsibility or does anything to be held accountable for.
Click to expand...

If that's the way the owner wants his organization to function, what makes you - or any of us - think that the next GM will have a different set of responsibilities or more power than O'Brien?? We already know (or we believe based on the little info we get) that O'Brien will have veto power during the draft and personnel moves... I mean who was it that ordered the Mallett trade or went out and got Demaris Johnson?
Do you think O'Brien will give up that power?
Do you think McNair will take it from him after a successful season under 4 different QBs?
I don't.

...but I've been wrong before.
 
speedfreek said:
Dear God, please don't let the coach pick the GM.
This is the mistake we made with Kubiak..

McNair is a businessman, GM is a management position.
McNair should know how to interview and hire a GM on the
basis of his prior accomplishments.

The GM makes the decision on the coach -- not vice-versa.

I am totally against letting BoB bring in a guy to be _his own boss_.
History repeats itself..
Click to expand...

I actually feel that it is a good idea to have the coach pick or have a say in the GM, because they need to work together and most importantly, have the same vision of what the team needs, and value the same qualities/talents.

I don't think McNair was wrong in giving Kubiak that power, I just feel that Kubiak did a piss-poor job of picking his guys, and stayed too loyal too them (not just GM, but DC's and just about everyone else as well)
 
dream_team said:
Before Rick
Losing record EVERY season
ZERO playoff appearances
24 - 56 record

After Rick
Only two (out of 8) losing seasons
Two playoff appearances
64 - 64 record

I can't believe we brought in a guy that took us out of the bottom and made us relevant in the league.

*** Didn't count Rick for 2006 since he joined late and didn't even conduct the draft.
Click to expand...

This highlights the problem with Smith in that he is more non-bad than actually good...that is assuming that he is mostly the party responsible for the roster and salary cap. If the seemingly blurred lines are real for the Texans organization then the problem is that we after 7/8 years don't know if he is truly good or not.
 
dream_team said:
Why do you feel this way? I know majority in TT feel this way... but it kind of stuns me how we're patting ourselves on the back over a successful season, but at the same time we need to make a significant change in the FO.
Click to expand...

To answer your question, I'll refer to a text I got from a buddy of mine, who is a total logical, unemotional person about things.

His text said: "At least we have a decent head coach. Now we just need a good draft."

Exactly.

We have what looks to be a solid coach, that is creative and smart and sharp, and 100 percent different from our last head coach. In order to implement his vision, we are going to have to get a new set of eyes in at GM. We have to. It's time for a fresh look.

Of course, this is only the first year of Bill O'Brien, and he could crash and burn over the next two years. But, so far, the early look is that O'Brien has potential as a coach.

He needs a GM that has the same amount of potential he has.
 
Texian said:
Clearly you must not be aware of Pioli's disaster in KC.
Click to expand...

I know he left them with Pro bowlers and tons of cap. His only real demise is the HC he brings in. Hiring Haley followed by keeping RAC as HC ruined that tenure
 
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houstonspartan said:
To answer your question, I'll refer to a text I got from a buddy of mine, who is a total logical, unemotional person about things.

His text said: "At least we have a decent head coach. Now we just need a good draft."

Exactly.
Click to expand...

I could have sworn the vast majority of us were absolutely giddy about our last draft, before the injuries took it's tole.
 
houstonspartan said:
To answer your question, I'll refer to a text I got from a buddy of mine, who is a total logical, unemotional person about things.

His text said: "At least we have a decent head coach. Now we just need a good draft."

Exactly.

We have what looks to be a solid coach, that is creative and smart and sharp, and 100 percent different from our last head coach. In order to implement his vision, we are going to have to get a new set of eyes in at GM. We have to. It's time for a fresh look.

Of course, this is only the first year of Bill O'Brien, and he could crash and burn over the next two years. But, so far, the early look is that O'Brien has potential as a coach.

He needs a GM that has the same amount of potential he has.
Click to expand...

Thanks for a logical response. I don't agree with it, but still logical.

TBH, I wouldn't care less if the Texans moved on from Rick... but at the same time, I don't think it's a MUST. I think we can win with a BOB + Rick tandem.
 
houstonspartan said:
Agree with you. But, it's time for a change at the GM spot, so, something has to be done.
Click to expand...


that would work but the thing is o brein is the only person with the talent around here

Smith is a JAG just another guy so him picking anything or doing anything is pretty much worthless we kinda have no choice but to give all the power to O brein
 
Family and biz nas don't mix not when it comes to the NFL and football

and a winning culture and the ultimate goal Winning a Super bowl
 
If Smith is a yes man why wouldn't the HC want that? These are the guys I want. Go get them.
 
PapaL said:
If Smith is a yes man why wouldn't the HC want that? These are the guys I want. Go get them.
Click to expand...

That's what I was saying on the previous page. Whoever the new guy is will still go get the guys that O'Brien and Crennell tell him to go get.
 
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