Bob McNair says Texans have more pieces in place than ever before
Owner believes 'we've got morepieces in place than we've had'
By
John McClain
July 26, 2016 Updated: July 26, 2016 7:38pm
Entering his 15th season as the Texans' owner, Bob McNair has learned the power of three P's: patience, perseverance and prayer.
With lots of prayer.
Whether it's because of divine intervention, talent, coaching or a combination of all three, McNair is confident the Texans have their best team.
Experience, however, has taught McNair to keep the reins tight on his expectations because where the Texans stand going into training camp might have nothing to do with how they finish the season.
"There's good reason for all the excitement and enthusiasm," McNair said. "I'm especially excited this year because it looks like we've got more pieces in place than we've had. But I'm also a realist. I recognize just having it on paper isn't what counts. You have to get results on the field, and I think we're in position to do that."
With 10 of 11 starters returning on the NFL's third-ranked defense, the signings of quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller, and the addition of impressive speed on an offense that should have five new starters, it's easy to see why Texans fans, as well as McNair, are pumped about the season
Owner Bob McNair is trying not to get carried away about the Texans' prospects for 2016 after a productive offseason.
"It's easy to get too carried away," McNair said. "I'm optimistic because I like our roster, but we still have to perform. You can be wrong about what the ultimate result will be because there are factors, like injuries, that are beyond your control.
"I think we've gotten to the point where we're always competitive, and I think we'll remain competitive. As long as we're in that position, we've got a chance to make the playoffs. Once you make the playoffs, it's a new season."
McNair knows too well how disappointing that "new season" can become. He found out last season when the Texans were destroyed 30-0 by Kansas City in a wild-card game at NRG Stadium.
"It was horrible to not perform better than that," he said. "We worked so hard for that opportunity, and then to go out there and play that way was totally unsatisfactory."
Quarterback Brian Hoyer committed five turnovers, including four interceptions, in the loss to the Chiefs.
"That made it so obvious we didn't have the performance at quarterback we'd have to have to compete at that level," McNair said. "We were determined to do something about it."
Osweiler is a big reason for McNair's enthusiasm. The owner told general manager Rick Smith to do what it took to sign Osweiler, who got a four-year contract worth $72 million, including $37 million guaranteed.
Coach Bill O'Brien told Smith and McNair he wanted Osweiler in January.
To get beyond their 9-7 record, including the AFC South title in O'Brien's second season, the Texans had to improve at the most important position on the team.
"We went two years with uncertainty at quarterback," McNair said. "We knew how we'd done under those conditions. Now we have a quarterback. We certainly feel like we should do better with all the components in place."
McNair believes he also has the components in place in his front office and coaching staff.
Smith is in his 11th season as general manager.
"Rick has become a student of the game who's gotten better every year," McNair said. "He and the scouts have a better understanding of what the coaches want for their systems.
"Rick understands that even though he's responsible for personnel, he's got to have (O'Brien) buy into what he's doing. He's got to buy into what the coach wants to do. That requires a consensus on their part."
O'Brien improving
Since O'Brien's hiring in 2014, McNair has watched him grow into the position as a first-time NFL head coach.
"I don't think there's any question that Bill's a better coach going into his third year," McNair said. "Everybody feels they know what the NFL is all about, but until they're in that position as a coach, they really don't. He'll tell you he's learned a lot.
"There are a lot of things I like about him. I like his passion and love for the game. I like his compassion for his players. He relates to them and feels for them, but he also understands this game demands the very best from all of us, and anything less than our very best is unacceptable."
When the Texans started 2-5 last season, there were reports of discord between Smith and O'Brien.
"They're working well together," McNair said. "They know each other better and understand each other better.
"The way our contracts are set up, Rick calls the shots (on personnel), but if Coach disagrees with him, they can come to me. They haven't come to me. I haven't have had to resolve a dispute with them yet."
Smith and O'Brien are full of praise for McNair. He allows them to do their jobs. When they need money for something, whether it's for a player, coach, project or new department, he provides it. McNair wants to know what's happening in his organization, but he's not a dictator about anything except making sure they bring in the right kind of people - meaning nobody with a pattern of bad behavior.
"I've said many times how much I appreciate working for him," Smith said. "He's been a great resource for me as I try to do my job. He's such a good sounding board and provides wise counsel.
"Bob deserves a winner. The city of Houston deserves a winner. Over the years, one of the things I've learned to appreciate is that it's so important to him because it's so important to the city."
Striving for Super Bowl
It didn't take O'Brien long to discover how much McNair wants to win.
"When we go to work - Rick, the coaches, scouts and players - one of our motivating factors is to win for Bob McNair," O'Brien said. "The longer we're here, the more we realize all the things the McNairs have done for Houston.
"All he wants is to win a championship for Houston. He gives us everything we need to succeed. I've learned a lot from him. He's an easy guy to communicate with. He wants it done the right way."
McNair won't mention Texans and Super Bowl in the same sentence this season, but everyone knows what his goal is.
"The Super Bowl would be the ultimate achievement in terms of this endeavor," he said. "You want a strong team that's exciting and in the playoffs and competing for the Super Bowl every year.
"The city has been very supportive of my efforts. I think Houston represents so many of the traits that we like to see in a community. We have great sports fans. They haven't had the opportunity to experience a Super Bowl champion, and they're deserving of that opportunity. I'd love to see it happen.
"I think our city deserves a Super Bowl victory. The city would go absolutely crazy."
