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All encompassing Rick Smith thread

Do we really want a team that's always one injury away from being abysmal? I like winning and I like watching Watson but I don't want to see the Texans become the Peyton Manning led Colts with one guy making it all work and the moment he get hurt you can't even get to .500 with the same cast of characters. You don't have to have a team full of All-Pro's but there's got to be some kind of happy medium here (particularly on offense and where the secondary is concerned).
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This is most of the NFL. Take a key player (see Green Bay) an assistant coach or two (see Atlanta) or just different year (Raiders, Cowboys) and the fortune of a team turns on a dime.
 
Watson trade does not happen w/o the Brock O salary dump, imo.

The inherent problem is the two jackasses whose PROFESSIONAL collective opinions were that Brock was worth signing to begin with.

It doesn't matter what fans thought about the deal. None of us are professional general managers and head coaches. Those two should be shown the door and kicked to the curb for being so sorry at their jobs. I feel like Watson was their blind squirrel finally finding a nut. Without his dynamic play, this is clearly one of the worst teams in the NFL right now.
 
The inherent problem is the two jackasses whose PROFESSIONAL collective opinions were that Brock was worth signing to begin with.

It doesn't matter what fans thought about the deal. None of us are professional general managers and head coaches. Those two should be shown the door and kicked to the curb for being so sorry at their jobs. I feel like Watson was their blind squirrel finally finding a nut. Without his dynamic play, this is clearly one of the worst teams in the NFL right now.

Hindsight is 20/20 a lot of loved the signing of Brock at first


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Hindsight is 20/20 a lot of loved the signing of Brock at first

We are just stupid fans. We don't get paid millions for our decisions. Where is the accountability? If you suck this bad at your job, you will probably get fired.

Did you miss this part that you quoted? It doesn't matter what fans thought about the deal. None of us are professional general managers and head coaches.
 
We are just stupid fans. We don't get paid millions for our decisions. Where is the accountability? If you suck this bad at your job, you will probably get fired.

I rather we take the shot and miss instead of not taking a shot and giving my team a chance to hit. I don't hold that against them, I hold off loading his contract for draft picks then failing to use the free cap space to resign players......


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I rather we take the shot and miss instead of not taking a shot and giving my team a chance to hit. I don't hold that against them, I hold off loading his contract for draft picks then failing to use the free cap space to resign players......

I'd rather the owner hire competent football minds, instead of an accountant GM and lackluster HC, that doesn't make boneheaded Brock decisions and then have to cover up their bad decisions with more bad decisions that cost the team a high draft pick that they obviously desperately need.

And it's not just the Brock decisions. They completely wasted three seasons on shitty QBs. They have allegedly "developed" Tom Savage to reveal that he's just another shitty QB. That is a horrible track record. This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of an utter lack of depth at just about every position (not to mention a horrible starting o-line).

At some point, you just scratch your head and say "WTF?".

But, that's just me. I want more than just the award-winning NRG Texans Gameday Experience®.
 
We are just stupid fans. We don't get paid millions for our decisions. Where is the accountability? If you suck this bad at your job, you will probably get fired.

Did you miss this part that you quoted? It doesn't matter what fans thought about the deal. None of us are professional general managers and head coaches.
Good thing we haven' stooped to the 49ers level where they asked fans if winning was important :/
 
I'd rather the owner hire competent football minds, instead of an accountant GM and lackluster HC, that doesn't make boneheaded Brock decisions and then have to cover up their bad decisions with more bad decisions that cost the team a high draft pick that they obviously desperately need.

And it's not just the Brock decisions. They completely wasted three seasons on shitty QBs. They have allegedly "developed" Tom Savage to reveal that he's just another shitty QB. That is a horrible track record. This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of an utter lack of depth at just about every position (not to mention a horrible starting o-line).

At some point, you just scratch your head and say "WTF?".

But, that's just me. I want more than just the award-winning NRG Texans Gameday Experience.

Dude, I with you on the seasons they have wasted on bad QB play. I seriously thought Brock was going to be good when signed him. But that didn't work out. I am glad they cut their losses with Brock quickly. I hate the fact gave up a 2nd round pick to cut their loses from Brock. That hurts. Anyways, I am not even upset, the Astros got their World Series, and I have too much going on with life to even get upset about the Texans boneheaded decisions.


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Dude, I with you on the seasons they have wasted on bad QB play. I seriously thought Brock was going to be good when signed him. But that didn't work out. I am glad they cut their losses with Brock quickly. I hate the fact gave up a 2nd round pick to cut their loses from Brock. That hurts. Anyways, I am not even upset, the Astros got their World Series, and I have too much going on with life to even get upset about the Texans boneheaded decisions.

I understand, my friend. We are both fans, and we go into new seasons optimistic. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, because that's what makes it fun and entertaining for us.

I'm just ready to see the Texans step up to the next level, and I'm not convinced that our current GM and HC are the men to take them there.

But yeah, thank God for the Houston Astros!!! Nothing can steal that joy, and it is nice to finally have some hope restored in one of our local teams.
 
We lost watt, mercilus, cushing, fiedorowicz, brown, watson. This season seems over, but I do believe we were setup pretty good at the beginning of it. Does anyone else think the turf might have something to do with the increase in injuries? I think we should bulldoze the Astrodome and turn that area into a turf farm so we can have a retractable field similar to Arizona. Perhaps they could do it in 50-foot wide segments that could be rolled in.
 
We lost watt, mercilus, cushing, fiedorowicz, brown, watson. This season seems over, but I do believe we were setup pretty good at the beginning of it. Does anyone else think the turf might have something to do with the increase in injuries? I think we should bulldoze the Astrodome and turn that area into a turf farm so we can have a retractable field similar to Arizona. Perhaps they could do it in 50-foot wide segments that could be rolled in.

The turf had nothing to with Watson ACL, Merci torn Pec, Watts leg injury, Fiedo concussion, Cushing fail drug test, Brown hold out lol


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We lost watt, mercilus, cushing, fiedorowicz, brown, watson. This season seems over, but I do believe we were setup pretty good at the beginning of it. Does anyone else think the turf might have something to do with the increase in injuries? I think we should bulldoze the Astrodome and turn that area into a turf farm so we can have a retractable field similar to Arizona. Perhaps they could do it in 50-foot wide segments that could be rolled in.

There was a whole NRG turf thread before they installed the artificial stuff. Different options were discussed in great detail there. But short version - roll out field as they have in Arizone is not possible with NRG stadium.
 
I'd rather the owner hire competent football minds, instead of an accountant GM and lackluster HC, that doesn't make boneheaded Brock decisions and then have to cover up their bad decisions with more bad decisions that cost the team a high draft pick that they obviously desperately need.

And it's not just the Brock decisions. They completely wasted three seasons on shitty QBs. They have allegedly "developed" Tom Savage to reveal that he's just another shitty QB. That is a horrible track record. This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of an utter lack of depth at just about every position (not to mention a horrible starting o-line).

At some point, you just scratch your head and say "WTF?".

But, that's just me. I want more than just the award-winning NRG Texans Gameday Experience®.

Quoted for truth

It's kinda like this as we get older.

If the Texans do everything right in FA/Draft. (Doubtful) I sitll look at this team as being 4-5 yrs away from being a true contender. Good news is a 3-13 season probably gets Ricky/BOB both fired. (With all of the injuries I can see both of them surviving.)
 
We have seen the team Rick and BOB have built less Watson. I think it is probably the worst in the NFL. Ok maybe we have competition from Cleveland for worst. Past time for a change.

Just add QB & the team can compete with NE, Seattle, & KC. We were poor coaching decisions away from winning those games.

I don't mean to defend Ricky or Billy, I'm just saying.

We love Will Fuller, DeAndre Hopkins, Jj Watt, some of us wanted us to get Lamar Miller. I mean...
 
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It seems to me that we are starting a lot of street free agents that were not on the team during training camp. Bad luck or poor planning? Both? idonno:


:coffee:

Who we talking about? Bruce Ellington?

Gilchrest & Giacomini were with us for training camp.


I think.
 
When the Osweiler signing happened, my only real concern was the money. It was crazy, stupid money. I was assured that it was the price required for a QB and challenged with "not your money, why do you care?"

Well, what you saw yesterday is a result of that. So much money spent on Osweiler that they had to give up draft picks just to get someone to take him off their hands. So they do a good job going after Watson, but they are hamstrung by that crappy decision. So the rest of the roster suffers. Watson is good enough to mask it, but once he's gone you see how poor this team is.

And yeah, I know every team suffers without their QB, but last year's TEAM with Osweiler at QB was better than yesterday's crap.
 
I'd rather the owner hire competent football minds, instead of an accountant GM and lackluster HC, that doesn't make boneheaded Brock decisions and then have to cover up their bad decisions with more bad decisions that cost the team a high draft pick that they obviously desperately need.

But even the guys who do this for a living don't get it right. I mean, Elway couldn't wait to get Brock back. Ted Thompson's team isn't all that without Rodgers. Not saying this to defend RS, that's just how it is. It's not as easy as saying let's get competent people in here and everything will be fine.

And it's not just the Brock decisions. They completely wasted three seasons on shitty QBs. They have allegedly "developed" Tom Savage to reveal that he's just another shitty QB. That is a horrible track record. This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of an utter lack of depth at just about every position (not to mention a horrible starting o-line).

At some point, you just scratch your head and say "WTF?".

That I agree with wholeheartedly. Where Rick Smith has failed as a GM is not realizing that you won't win consistently in this league without a quality QB. He addressed it early on going and getting Schaub, but then never did again. He never planned for life after Schaub and that put this franchise back 5, 6 years, wasting a damn good defense in the process.

Say what you want about missing on draft picks or whatever. ALL GMs do, so I'm not going to rail on him too much for that. To me, Rick Smith fails in his lack of vision. It's one thing to draft QBs and have them not work out. It's another to not even try, and instead bring in the scrubs they have the last 4 years.

That said, it's kind of hard to get the talent your HC wants to fit his system when I don't think even the HC knows what the hell his system is. But that's on RS too. He hired the guy.
 
No team is 4-5 years away. That's just sour grapes.

Instead of just a comment, how long do you think it will take If and this is a big IF in my mind Watson can stay healthy?

I think it will take atleast 2 yrs to fix the OL, so that's 3 yrs before they have a chance to become a true contender. Then you have the secondary issues which hopefully McNair will open up his wallet and get some veteran help there this offseason, unlike last offseason.

This doesn't even take into account a probable regime change. Man it feels like this team has been treading water for the last 7-8 yrs and will continue to tread water for atleast the next 3-5 yrs.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE?
 
Instead of just a comment, how long do you think it will take If and this is a big IF in my mind Watson can stay healthy?

I think it will take atleast 2 yrs to fix the OL, so that's 3 yrs before they have a chance to become a true contender. Then you have the secondary issues which hopefully McNair will open up his wallet and get some veteran help there this offseason, unlike last offseason.

This doesn't even take into account a probable regime change. Man it feels like this team has been treading water for the last 7-8 yrs and will continue to tread water for atleast the next 3-5 yrs.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE?

Also depends on who the GM is.

The rebuild starts when Ricky gets fired, which might not be for another 5 years
 
It won't take 3 years to rebuild the OL. They can do it in an offseason. They have the cap space to do it. You get rid of Allen, Xavier, Lamm, Clark, and that RT. You can sign atleast 3 OLinemen in Free Agency. Draft another 1. You still have Davenport, Mancz and Martin.
 
That I agree with wholeheartedly. Where Rick Smith has failed as a GM is not realizing that you won't win consistently in this league without a quality QB. He addressed it early on going and getting Schaub, but then never did again. He never planned for life after Schaub and that put this franchise back 5, 6 years, wasting a damn good defense in the process.

mostly agree, but we got Schaub before RS Iirc
 
It won't take 3 years to rebuild the OL. They can do it in an offseason. They have the cap space to do it. You get rid of Allen, Xavier, Lamm, Clark, and that RT. You can sign atleast 3 OLinemen in Free Agency. Draft another 1. You still have Davenport, Mancz and Martin.

Kyle Fuller may be able to play.

LT, Fuller, Mancz, Martin, Davenport.
 
The turf had nothing to with Watson ACL, Merci torn Pec, Watts leg injury, Fiedo concussion, Cushing fail drug test, Brown hold out lol


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Oh....don't forget the no OL depth or basically the only 2 guys that should be listed on the OL, Martin and Mancz, then the 2 other developmental guys, Davenport and Fuller who both could've been stashed on the PS for a season had the current depth not been so awful.
 
No team is 4-5 years away. That's just sour grapes.

Let's just say....with RS at the helm the Texans could be in that 15-20 years away mode. That's not trying to be sour, these are the words of a frustrated Houston football fan. Only b/c the Astros, Rockets, Comets, Dynamos, and Aeros have taken care of their part. The crazy part is how Crane and Luhnow implemented and executed a re-building plan that ended in the ultimate success but also set the table for a serious 5-7 year run.

With RS handling things...how does Chris Berman say it? Fumblin, stumblin, mumblin, etc or something along those lines which more than sums up RS's effort at building a Championship caliber team much less a team that could sustain that type of success.
 
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It won't take 3 years to rebuild the OL. They can do it in an offseason. They have the cap space to do it. You get rid of Allen, Xavier, Lamm, Clark, and that RT. You can sign atleast 3 OLinemen in Free Agency. Draft another 1. You still have Davenport, Mancz and Martin.

This is a bad yr for FA OL.
 
Oh....don't forget the no OL depth or basically the only 2 guys that should be listed on the OL, Martin and Mancz, then the 2 other developmental guys, Davenport and Fuller who both could've been stashed on the PS for a season had the current depth not been so awful.

All part of Ricky's plan to run BOB out of town on a rail. Sad thing is it looks like Ricky's plan is working. BOB will be gone after this yr, but Ricky lives on.
 
Let's just say....with RS at the helm the Texans could be in that 15-20 years away mode. That's not trying to be sour, these are the words of a frustrated Houston football fan. Only b/c the Astros, Rockets, Comets, Dynamos, and Aeros have taken care of their part. The crazy part is how Crane and Luhnow implemented and executed a re-building plan that ended in the ultimate success but also set the table for a serious 5-7 year run.

With RS handling things...how does Chris Berman say it? Fumblin, stumblin, mumblin, etc or something along those lines which more than sums up RS's effort at building a Championship caliber team much less a team that could sustain that type of success.

Amen
 
It won't take 3 years to rebuild the OL. They can do it in an offseason. They have the cap space to do it. You get rid of Allen, Xavier, Lamm, Clark, and that RT. You can sign atleast 3 OLinemen in Free Agency. Draft another 1. You still have Davenport, Mancz and Martin.

Are there gonna even be 3 good OLs that are available? Then we have to beat other teams in signing them
 
It won't take 3 years to rebuild the OL. They can do it in an offseason. They have the cap space to do it. You get rid of Allen, Xavier, Lamm, Clark, and that RT. You can sign atleast 3 OLinemen in Free Agency. Draft another 1. You still have Davenport, Mancz and Martin.

Exactly. An OL is 5 guys not 20. And the poofooers, 'not a great FA year' ''who says we can sign them' are classic sour grapes - give up before even trying. If our guys suck then you don't need great replacements to improve.

And a key OL improvement would be dumping Devlin.

mostly agree, but we got Schaub before RS Iirc

Schaub came in 2007. That was RS's first move, or at least one of them.

RS came right after the 2006 draft. Kubiak picked Schaub and told RS to fetch in 2007.
 
All part of Ricky's plan to run BOB out of town on a rail. Sad thing is it looks like Ricky's plan is working. BOB will be gone after this yr, but Ricky lives on.
If Rick Smith had the control/power some of you say he does, he could just straight up fire O'Brien not implement some tin-foil plan to "run him out of town".

But Smith doesn't make head coaching hires.
McNair does that little chore himself.
Always has.
Get it right people, geezus, we've been over this before.
 
Really ? I mean I dunno and I'm not disagreeing with you , I just didn't realize that Devlin was considered a failure as our OLine coach ?
Think about when Alex Gibbs was here. Gibbs specified which type of guys he needed for his zone blocking scheme to be successful - mobile guys who could make the first block, get off it, and get to the second level and make another block. He told Smith those were the kind of guys to go get and Smith made it his business to go get them.

THEN, he coached them up. I remember when linemen were interviewed they'd tell the media how hard Gibbs would drill them and how much he would stay in their face until they got it right. During the open practices, back in those days, you could hear Gibbs reading guys the riot act when they missed blocks.

Maybe Devlin does this too but I've not heard, from anywhere, what kind of guys Devlin looks for. Should they be mobile, ZBS guys (like Gibbs brought in) or big road grader guys (like the Cowboys have) or guys who excel at pass-blocking....

I just haven't heard what Devlin looks for. Has anyone?
 
If Rick Smith had the control/power some of you say he does, he could just straight up fire O'Brien not implement some tin-foil plan to "run him out of town".

But Smith doesn't make head coaching hires.
McNair does that little chore himself.
Always has.
Get it right people, geezus, we've been over this before.

Agreed,

But Smith is going to make it where McNair has to fire BOB. BOB wants out anyways. Yes, we have been over this before and no minds are going to be changed, along with the W-L record.
 
I sometimes wonder if Rick is more of a figure head and Bill is making more of the decisions. Do we know how much power Rick even has?
 
I sometimes wonder if Rick is more of a figure head and Bill is making more of the decisions. Do we know how much power Rick even has?

Yep I've always believed Rick just gets guys the coaches want.

OBrien said in an interview after the draft that Rick wont get them someone they don't want.

And that they've never taken a disagreement to McNair.

So we can only conclude that they both are responsible for a roster that may be the worst in the NFL without Watson.
 
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