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All encompassing Bill O'Brien thread

I'm glad Bill O'Brien is staying. I wanted him to at least finish out his contract in 2018. See what he can do with another year with Deshaun Watson, but now he may be here another three years if his contract is extended. It would be nice if he gave up his play-calling duties (we hire an OC) or at least learn from his mistakes and improve as a play caller.
 
Brisco_County said:
He was probably unaware of the Rick Smith situation. The news just broke, and coaches aren't paying attention to Twitter during a game.
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Or he was aware and took the opportunity to grab more power.

All the leaks saying O'Brien could easily find another job led to this. McNair was scared of being without a GM and HC.

It's disgusting.
 
Lucky said:
Good point. My best answer is that he works for an owner that hates chaos. Change is chaos to McNair. We can look back throughout the franchise history and see that is true.
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Exactly. McNair can't make a difficult decisions that needs to made: clean house and start over with a strong GM or coach
 
Won't matter who the coach is with a healthy Watson. More interesting will be the man who steps into a strange draft situation coupled with a ton of cap space in a mediocre free agent class. Who they end up picking as GM will speak volumes.
 
TheKDog said:
Exactly. McNair can't make a difficult decisions that needs to made: clean house and start over with a strong GM or coach
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To be fair to McNair, he's getting older and has had a bout with cancer, himself. Cleaning house probably doesn't seem like a short-term deal to him. The teams has star power when healthy. McNair probaly thinks they're close. Maybe everything comes together (rather than coming apart at the seams), and he's right for a change?
 
houstonhurricane said:
Reports indicate that Smith has been commuting to Arizona for last few weeks and had handed off some personnel duties already so he clearly knew this was underway.
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True. That considered, I've thought through it more, and the only speculation that makes sense is that Smith did not intend to take leave, but O'Brien's ultimatum has forced McNair to advise it.

This may be the most dramatic chapter in franchise history. The past 48 hours has included: O'Brien expected to be fired, then expected to be traded, then he's the hottest commodity on the coaching carousel, then he's only on the hot seat because of a "toxic" GM relationship, then he's expected to declare an ultimatum to McNair, then Smith is leaving indefinitely to take care of his wife.

I'm thinking O'Brien is making his case through leaks just as Smith has done.
 
Pagano already fired, Vance Joseph will reportedly be fired, but it appears butt chin will be back next season SMDH....
 
Well, giving O'Brien full control over the offense was a rousing success. We should give him full control over personnel as well, he's already done wonders building an offensive line.
 
I don't love keeping OB, and I only sort of understand it, but he should in NO WAY have any say in who is hired as GM. I would extend him 1 season, through 2019, but not long-term. Bring in a GM with experience and a solid resume (Ireland or Pioli)
 
amazing80 said:
I don't love keeping OB, and I only sort of understand it, but he should in NO WAY have any say in who is hired as GM. I would extend him 1 season, through 2019, but not long-term. Bring in a GM with experience and a solid resume (Ireland or Pioli)
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Exactly. Need an independent GM in case BOB doesn’t work out. He should have zero say in who is on the list or gets it.
 
The irony in this mess is that if Rick Smith hadn't drafted Watson, O'Brien would have zero leverage in negotiations with McNair. I wanted Rick Smith gone as much as anyone, but to see him go under these circumstances and for O'Brien to get exactly what he wants (more control over personnel decisions) is upsetting to see. The only right move this offseason was to clean house and find a new GM and head coach, but McNair doesn't know or care about running a successful NFL franchise which was proven by his willingness to tank the season instead of swallow his pride and sign Kaepernick. The Texans never make the right decisions on the most important matters that are so obvious to everyone but them.
 
I guys act like a bringing in someone with experience and a solid resume somehow guarantees success.

Those guys aren’t just readily available. It’s more likely that we’re gonna get someone who’s been fired before for the exact things Rick Smith should’ve been fired for 5 years ago.

Scott Pioli got fired as KC’s GM & now has a pretty good gig as ATL’s VP of player personnel. Jeff Ireland was fired in MIA as their GM and is now in NO’s front office.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
USA TODAY

Report: Texans will fire either Bill O'Brien or Rick Smith after season
By: Jeff Risdon | 8 hours ago

Two men enter, one man leaves. Bill O’Brien vs. Rick Smith.

That’s the decision for Houston Texans owner Bob McNair following Week 17, if a scathing report is true.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle cites numerous sources in his report of the blistering battle of egos between coach and GM. There has long been talk of animosity between the two men, clashing primarily over personnel choices. The most notable incident was Smith signing QB Brock Osweiler without consulting O’Brien prior to the 2016 season.

O’Brien is entering the final year of his contract. He coached the Texans to three straight 9-7 finishes before injuries ravaged this year’s team to the current 4-11 record.

Smith has been in charge of the Texans front office for 12 years. As Wilson notes, he is extremely close to owner Bob McNair. That could be his trump card despite a spotty history with the draft classes beyond the first rounds.

Stay tuned as the drama heats up following Sunday’s season finale.
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The Fates have stepped in and removed Rick Smith from the picture.
LINK

Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith has taken a leave of absence to take care of his wife, Tiffany, who has come down with breast cancer. Smith and his wife have been traveling to Arizona with his wife for treatments. Smith and his wife have three kids and during the stretch during the season has been tending to his wife and families needs.

Rick Smith released a statement through the team.
“Effective immediately, I have chosen to take an extended leave of absence to focus my attention and intention on my wife's complete recovery from her recent diagnosis of breast cancer. We are faithful and trust in God's promise of healing and Wholeness. I am eternally grateful to the McNair family for their unwavering support during this trying time. This was an extremely difficult decision for me to make as I love this organization and every member of this team both on and off the field. I remain committed to our quest to bring a championship to the city of Houston, yet my family needs me now and they are my priority.”​

With general manager Rick Smith leaving it is opening the door for a new era with Bill O’Brien and Jimmy Raye III or potentially an outside hire. Smith has been the general manager with the Texans for over 11 seasons and helped put teams together for two different head coaches, Gary Kubiak and O’Brien. This comes as a mild surprise for most but it has been in the works since the beginning of the season, with the hiring of Jimmy Raye III prior to the start of the season.

Since becoming the general manager, the Texans have gone 88-104 under Rick Smith, producing 6 winning seasons with four AFC South titles and three playoff wins coming in 2011, 2012, and 2016. Smith has put together a strong record in his first round selections since 2007 and has helped evaluate and draft some top-end talent like Whitney Mercilus, J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and most recently, he spearheaded the move to land Deshaun Watson.

The relationship between Smith and the ownership is still in good standing but Smith felt it was time to move on and handle bigger goals personally. The move ends a saga of rumors and discontent in a franchise that has the talent but not enough direction to push the Texans to bigger heights.

With the Texans moving on, the Texans new era will see O’Brien and Raye III could be an option or look outside the organization for a new general manager and try to find a new direction for the organization in 2018.
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infantrycak said:
I don't care about your rabbit trail superstar crap. This was your scenario:



Your article agrees with my assertion things were not restricted to free agency:





Learn to friggin' read. I said explore what trades may be available not that it was a certainty. And by the way Bradford was traded that off-season and Garoppolo was said to be on the market if the price was right.
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You’re cute when you start waffling.

All you had to say it’s possible the scenario I laid out because no one knows what happened no matter how much someone tries to assert themselves and pretend they know. The “facts” you say are out there haven’t appeared. You tried to spin quotes and timelines that didn’t happen. I am sure you just got confused. Happens to everyone from time to time.

Have a safe and happy new year.
 
Not trying to confuse anything. I was wrong in not remembering McNair had said that don't need a superstar line more than once.

But that was your attempt at distraction. The original topic was your assertion McNair limited the options to free agents. He did not.
 
Mr teX said:
I guys act like a bringing in someone with experience and a solid resume somehow guarantees success.

Those guys aren’t just readily available. It’s more likely that we’re gonna get someone who’s been fired before for the exact things Rick Smith should’ve been fired for 5 years ago.

Scott Pioli got fired as KC’s GM & now has a pretty good gig as ATL’s VP of player personnel. Jeff Ireland was fired in MIA as their GM and is now in NO’s front office.
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No one said it guarantees anything. That doesn't mean there aren't certain people who are more qualified and have good track records. Pioli was an amazing GM in terms of talent acquisition. He drafted more pro bowl players during his tenure as GM with the Chiefs than any other team in the league during the same time period. Not to mention his fingerprints are all over the Falcons defense. His problem was running a crazy environment and dysfunctional office, plus not constructing a very good coaching staff. He has learned from his mistakes, based on interviews and his recent success. I will concede that Ireland has less of a successful track record.

There are guys like Joe Douglas, Nick Caserio, George Patton and Scott Fitterer, with no GM experience but very successful player personnel guys.

Regardless, OB should not have a say in who Bob brings in.
 
infantrycak said:
Not trying to confuse anything. I was wrong in not remembering McNair had said that don't need a superstar line more than once.

But that was your attempt at distraction. The original topic was your assertion McNair limited the options to free agents. He did not.
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No my original point was that through McNairs orders of getting a qb in the off-season Rick Smith gave OB choices. OB didn’t like any of them but the best of the worst was Os. Then it became OBs choice and not Ricks because he was just following McNairs orders. That was Ricks CYA.

So even though OB, yes, was part of the selection for Os, it was a selection he never wanted.

But could I be wrong about the FA agency thing that apparently you say I said (but I have to reread my posts to see if I even said that as you say) - sure. The draft was out there but we realistically didn’t have enough to compete for Goff and Wentz. Bradford? Why? There weren’t many options as some would like to make out there were.
 
infantrycak said:
That was his statement when OB arrived not after the Hoyer meltdown.

And again you are restricting to FA. That's you, not McNair.
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I don't think McNair limited to FA, like you said that's not his style... but who was avaible in the draft or trade market? Lynch in the first? Cook or Hackenburg or maybe Brissett/Prescott in the 3rd? Weighed against fix it now from McNair. And who to trade for realistically?
 
IDEXAN said:
You are actually saying that Garrappolo would have been a better pick with the 33rd overall in the 2014 Draft than the X-man, wow SteelB thanks for the news flash !
Took you three years but you figured that out all by yourself ?
C'mon man you can do better than that, tell us something we don't know already.
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I wanted Jimmy G at the time and thought Ricky should trade back into the 1st to pick him. Check out some of my old mocks before posting this drivel.
 
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steelbtexan said:
I wanted Jimmy G at the time and thought Ricky should trade back into the 1st to pick him. Check out some of my old mocks before posting this drivel.
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Odd with your penchant for repetition you didn't mention it in the X thread.

But yes you have been a Garoppolo fan since before the draft.
 
I was talking about at the time.

It's odd at the time of the X selection your reaction wasn't "damn we should have taken Garoppolo there."
 
I've been accused of "trolling" O'Brien. I readily admit I want him fired and we can have a clean sweep. But, if McNair is bound to keep him, why not make him earn his extension. IE If the team wins in the divisional round next year, guarantee him at least a 3 year deal being one of the top 10 highest paid coaches in the league. If they win the AFC championship guarantee him at least a 5 year deal being one of the top 5 highest paid coaches in the league. So that there is finally accountability and no shifting the blame, let him make all draft picks this year and decide how all the money is spent for free agents and which trades are made. If you have to tear up his existing contract and write a new one year contract to do it... so be it. If O'Brien objects to being completely accountable, maybe even McNair would see he's not the right guy to lead his team.

If anyone can think of another scenario where we won't be sitting here again next year debating whose fault it really is and the organization hiding and shifting blame... I'd sure like to hear it.
 
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ColeThornton said:
I've been accused of "trolling" O'Brien. I readily admit I want him fired and we can have a clean sweep. But, if McNair is bound to keep him, why not make him earn his extension. IE If the team wins in the divisional round next year, guarantee him at least a 3 year deal being one of the top 10 highest paid coaches in the league. If they win the AFC championship guarantee him at least a 5 year deal being one of the top 5 highest paid coaches in the league. So that there is finally accountability and no shifting the blame, let him make all draft picks this year and decide how all the money is spent for free agents and which trades are made. If you have to tear up his existing contract and write a new one year contract to do it... so be it. If O'Brien objects to it being completely accountable, maybe even McNair would see he's not the right guy to lead his team.

If anyone can think of another scenario where we won't be sitting here again next year debating whose fault it really is and the organization hiding and shifting blame... I'd sure like to hear it.
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Seeing that the roster is talent deficient I think getting a new GM that works well with BOB and giving them a couple of yrs to rebuild the OL (Takes time) and the defense is the smart way to go. If we are sitting here having the same discussion after the end of yr 2 then I can get on board with what you're saying. In short I would give BOB a 2 yr extension which would be 3 yrs total and give myself an easy eject button/reset after 2 yrs if things dont go as planned.

After all McNair has done this for 11 yrs with Smith, a couple of yrs of patience for BOB isn't too much to ask.
 
steelbtexan said:
Seeing that the roster is talent deficient I think getting a new GM that works well with BOB and giving them a couple of yrs to rebuild the OL (Takes time) and the defense is the smart way to go. If we are sitting here having the same discussion after the end of yr 2 then I can get on board with what you're saying. In short I would give BOB a 2 yr extension which would be 3 yrs total and give myself an easy eject button/reset after 2 yrs if things dont go as planned.

After all McNair has done this for 11 yrs with Smith, a couple of yrs of patience for BOB isn't too much to ask.
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I agree with you that 2 years is fairer. But I do think O'Brien should own his portion of the responsibility for the state the team is currently in after 4 years. And just once I'd like to see McNair get a little riled instead of being so generous and fair. I think teams sometimes get a trickle down effect from their owner in the personality dept.
 
ColeThornton said:
I agree with you that 2 years is fairer. But I do think O'Brien should own his portion of the responsibility for the state the team is currently in after 4 years. And just once I'd like to see McNair get a little riled instead of being so generous and fair. I think teams sometimes get a trickle down effect from their owner in the personality dept.
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Why should he have to own his portion when there are so many people within the team, in the media, and in the fanbase willing to make excuses for him every single time anyone dare criticize him?
 
I mean when the texans had a good oline, brown,smith,myers,?,and winston, all were developed by the team. None were high paid free agents or even high draft picks. Its gotten worse with Obrien. Other than hopkins, who was drafted under kubes, who else offensively have been good?
 
ColeThornton said:
I agree with you that 2 years is fairer. But I do think O'Brien should own his portion of the responsibility for the state the team is currently in after 4 years. And just once I'd like to see McNair get a little riled instead of being so generous and fair. I think teams sometimes get a trickle down effect from their owner in the personality dept.
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Which parts do you consider OB's portion? I say it's an incomprehensible "system", an inability to coach players up (regression each season, except when DW4 was doing his thang)and some very questionable moments with game management and play calling.
 
ColeThornton said:
I've been accused of "trolling" O'Brien. I readily admit I want him fired and we can have a clean sweep. But, if McNair is bound to keep him, why not make him earn his extension. IE If the team wins in the divisional round next year, guarantee him at least a 3 year deal being one of the top 10 highest paid coaches in the league. If they win the AFC championship guarantee him at least a 5 year deal being one of the top 5 highest paid coaches in the league. So that there is finally accountability and no shifting the blame, let him make all draft picks this year and decide how all the money is spent for free agents and which trades are made. If you have to tear up his existing contract and write a new one year contract to do it... so be it. If O'Brien objects to being completely accountable, maybe even McNair would see he's not the right guy to lead his team.

If anyone can think of another scenario where we won't be sitting here again next year debating whose fault it really is and the organization hiding and shifting blame... I'd sure like to hear it.
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Who do you replace him with? I have no problem with your "earn it" scenario but OB might just decide to walk in that case. He'd have a job before he got his office cleaned out. OB has a lot of leverage in this case.

I'm very curious to know if Smith's leave of absence is because he can't give the Texans offseason the attention it needs and care for his wife or if he is being nudged aside as GM and will be kicked upstairs if/when he returns. The answer to that could shed light on who McNair is placing the most blame for the state of the roster.
 
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