Bob McNair:
(skip to 2:05)
Bob, How's it going today?
Very well. Thank you. Doing well.
...
A lot of things going on. Also wanted to look back a little bit with it being the 10th anniversary as far as being on the field. It goes back a lot longer than that.
I got the franchise in '99. We didn't start playing until 2002. For several years there, we had everything but players. ... Once we started playing, boy, that 10 years has gone by fast.
Yesterday, Eric Winston was released. Just part of the reality though. What can you share?
I was talking to Rick last night. I commented to him, "This is a tough part of the business," and he said "Boy, it really is." It is. Just due to the circumstances of the salary cap, you have to make that kind of a decision and its difficult to do.
What's your favorite part of gameday?
End of the game when we win.
Do you have a morning ritual?
I do. I get there 2 hours before the game. I like to go out on the field and talk to some of the players and see how they're feeling and go into the locker room and check the mood. One of the most difficult things to do prior to the game is determine how the team is going to play emotionally once they go out on the field. ... You really don't know how your team will play. You feel you're well prepared but there is a little anxiety there. The talent level is so equal that, the team that is up and playing a little harder is the team that usually wins.
Coming off your greatest season ever. I want to hear what your experience was?
It was exciting because we had so many obsticles to overcome and to see our team come together and put the team first, not be concerned about individuals and the mantra of next man up, it was absolutely amazing. And to see TJ Yates come along. He went out and performed and did a great job. Then we got to Baltimore, it was an exciting game but had a couple of errors that really cost us. The team played well and played hard and we were in it until the end. It was a disappointment because I thought we really had a good shot to go all the way.
Does Brooks Reed success hinder the type of offer you present to Mario?
No, not really. Wade would love to have three guys that he can rotate at both OLB spots. That doesn't enter into it at all. I hope we'll have 3 this year. We'll have to wait and see what the market tells us.
Going back to 2006 draft and Mario - thoughts on that?
We never had any doubt about it. Even when we made the selection, though many said you were doing what? That was because they had not followed Mario. He hadn't been on the big screen. They knew about Bush. It was between Bush and Mario. At that point, our coaches thought they could salvage David Carr. We weren't in the market for a QB. The question was, which player would give us the strongest team, Bush or Mario? Conclusion was, we'll be stronger with Mario, we gotta beat Indy. If we had Bush, would we outscore the Colts? The answer was no. For me, it was an easy decision.
...
Cowboys game, 19-10 that night, you beat the Cowboys, I always thought you had to replace that game as the greatest game in Texans history. We could talk about many games but the win over Cincy on the road this year I thought did it. Your thoughts?
I would agree with you. We were down in that game and TJ brought us back and drove us down the field. It was an exciting moment. To see that young QB perform the way he did under tremendous pressure and seal it for us, was exciting. We then watched the end of Saints/Titans game in the locker room and of course a lot of excitement when the Saints won.
We were talking about Mario and you stuck with your guns. In 2010, Texans lose to the Raven in OT on MNF. After the Ravens game, you said your co-owners thought we were close. Media thought what? Really? How hard is it for you to stand your ground and to think you're on the right track and have faith in that?
There is a lot of pressure on you. You care about your fans and want them to be interested and passionate. But the fans dont have opportunity to go to practices, be in the film room, and have the info we have. We have to make decisions based on what we know. Ultimately I'm the one accountable and no one else. If all you do is listen to the fans and react based on that,, you'll be sitting in the stands with them. Thats not where I want to sit. I want to sit in the owners suit. We have to make tough decisions. I've been a long-term player. I dont do things for short term gains. I make decisions based on what I think helps us win long term. Our whole goal has been to put together a good team and maintain that level of talent and thats what we're going through now. It makes it challenging but we want to keep our core players. Thats what we want to do. As long as we do that, we'll be good for a long time.
Talking about the core players, Schaub coming off surgery, where do you feel as far as comfort with him?
He is right on schedule. I'm confident that won't be an issue. Foot speed is not his long suit so were not worried about him losing a step. He is capable, our coaches think he is capable of leading us to a Super Bowl victory. We believe in him and think he'll be ready to go.
Thoughts on 2 or 3 QBs on the roster?
Gary has always been a believer in drafting a young QB and bringing him along. Look at last year. I suspect that same thing could happen again this year. If one with some good talent falls into 5th, 6th round, I suspect we'll be looking at him.
What's going on in the building right now? How crazy is it?
They're working hard. Talking to a lot of people and talking to our own players. Just waiting for some of these issues to develop. In some cases, we'll have to see what the market does. We want to bring Mario, Myers, Briesel back. We'd love to have all of them and we'll make every effort. We have some good players out there but there are some things beyond our control. They need to see what the market says they're worth and hopefully they'll give us a chance to sit down with them and see if we can work something out that makes sense for them and for us. Thats the way we progress.
Thoughts on Peyton Manning and reaction when you hear reports linking your team to him?
Thats not surprising. He played in our division. He knows our club. If there was an ideal club and it was only his decision, it would be the Texans. They'd give him the best chance to win but we have a QB we're happy with. The teams he's talking to are the ones that don't have a QB and they're taking the risk of bringing a player in that they haven't worked out. Thats a stretch. I hope Peyton is gonna fully recover but he says hes not at 100% now. 80-85%, something like that. It remains to be seen. Teams will have to deal with that.
How did the news in 99 come to you and your feelings?
We were in Atlanta and were still negotiating up to the last minute. One group from LA already had jerseys already made up. We stole one of the jerseys. We were up until 3 or 4 in the morning negotiating until we were able to close the deal.
Did you ever say it's not worth it? Most frustrating point?
Actually, if you recall, the NFL awarded the franchise to LA on a contigent basis, on the basis of them putting a stadium deal together. I told the commissioner this thing has been drawn out and that we could meet the deadline, they couldnt. I told them, look I wont continue this if we dont have a firm deadline. At that point, they set a firm deadline of 6 months and awarded it to LA on the contingent of them getting a stadium within that time. People said after, you must be disappointed. I said why? They said you lost the franchise. I said I didnt lose it, I just won it. I said they could never meet the deadline and we could. It was a victory for us.
(skip to 2:05)
Bob, How's it going today?
Very well. Thank you. Doing well.
...
A lot of things going on. Also wanted to look back a little bit with it being the 10th anniversary as far as being on the field. It goes back a lot longer than that.
I got the franchise in '99. We didn't start playing until 2002. For several years there, we had everything but players. ... Once we started playing, boy, that 10 years has gone by fast.
Yesterday, Eric Winston was released. Just part of the reality though. What can you share?
I was talking to Rick last night. I commented to him, "This is a tough part of the business," and he said "Boy, it really is." It is. Just due to the circumstances of the salary cap, you have to make that kind of a decision and its difficult to do.
What's your favorite part of gameday?
End of the game when we win.
Do you have a morning ritual?
I do. I get there 2 hours before the game. I like to go out on the field and talk to some of the players and see how they're feeling and go into the locker room and check the mood. One of the most difficult things to do prior to the game is determine how the team is going to play emotionally once they go out on the field. ... You really don't know how your team will play. You feel you're well prepared but there is a little anxiety there. The talent level is so equal that, the team that is up and playing a little harder is the team that usually wins.
Coming off your greatest season ever. I want to hear what your experience was?
It was exciting because we had so many obsticles to overcome and to see our team come together and put the team first, not be concerned about individuals and the mantra of next man up, it was absolutely amazing. And to see TJ Yates come along. He went out and performed and did a great job. Then we got to Baltimore, it was an exciting game but had a couple of errors that really cost us. The team played well and played hard and we were in it until the end. It was a disappointment because I thought we really had a good shot to go all the way.
Does Brooks Reed success hinder the type of offer you present to Mario?
No, not really. Wade would love to have three guys that he can rotate at both OLB spots. That doesn't enter into it at all. I hope we'll have 3 this year. We'll have to wait and see what the market tells us.
Going back to 2006 draft and Mario - thoughts on that?
We never had any doubt about it. Even when we made the selection, though many said you were doing what? That was because they had not followed Mario. He hadn't been on the big screen. They knew about Bush. It was between Bush and Mario. At that point, our coaches thought they could salvage David Carr. We weren't in the market for a QB. The question was, which player would give us the strongest team, Bush or Mario? Conclusion was, we'll be stronger with Mario, we gotta beat Indy. If we had Bush, would we outscore the Colts? The answer was no. For me, it was an easy decision.
...
Cowboys game, 19-10 that night, you beat the Cowboys, I always thought you had to replace that game as the greatest game in Texans history. We could talk about many games but the win over Cincy on the road this year I thought did it. Your thoughts?
I would agree with you. We were down in that game and TJ brought us back and drove us down the field. It was an exciting moment. To see that young QB perform the way he did under tremendous pressure and seal it for us, was exciting. We then watched the end of Saints/Titans game in the locker room and of course a lot of excitement when the Saints won.
We were talking about Mario and you stuck with your guns. In 2010, Texans lose to the Raven in OT on MNF. After the Ravens game, you said your co-owners thought we were close. Media thought what? Really? How hard is it for you to stand your ground and to think you're on the right track and have faith in that?
There is a lot of pressure on you. You care about your fans and want them to be interested and passionate. But the fans dont have opportunity to go to practices, be in the film room, and have the info we have. We have to make decisions based on what we know. Ultimately I'm the one accountable and no one else. If all you do is listen to the fans and react based on that,, you'll be sitting in the stands with them. Thats not where I want to sit. I want to sit in the owners suit. We have to make tough decisions. I've been a long-term player. I dont do things for short term gains. I make decisions based on what I think helps us win long term. Our whole goal has been to put together a good team and maintain that level of talent and thats what we're going through now. It makes it challenging but we want to keep our core players. Thats what we want to do. As long as we do that, we'll be good for a long time.
Talking about the core players, Schaub coming off surgery, where do you feel as far as comfort with him?
He is right on schedule. I'm confident that won't be an issue. Foot speed is not his long suit so were not worried about him losing a step. He is capable, our coaches think he is capable of leading us to a Super Bowl victory. We believe in him and think he'll be ready to go.
Thoughts on 2 or 3 QBs on the roster?
Gary has always been a believer in drafting a young QB and bringing him along. Look at last year. I suspect that same thing could happen again this year. If one with some good talent falls into 5th, 6th round, I suspect we'll be looking at him.
What's going on in the building right now? How crazy is it?
They're working hard. Talking to a lot of people and talking to our own players. Just waiting for some of these issues to develop. In some cases, we'll have to see what the market does. We want to bring Mario, Myers, Briesel back. We'd love to have all of them and we'll make every effort. We have some good players out there but there are some things beyond our control. They need to see what the market says they're worth and hopefully they'll give us a chance to sit down with them and see if we can work something out that makes sense for them and for us. Thats the way we progress.
Thoughts on Peyton Manning and reaction when you hear reports linking your team to him?
Thats not surprising. He played in our division. He knows our club. If there was an ideal club and it was only his decision, it would be the Texans. They'd give him the best chance to win but we have a QB we're happy with. The teams he's talking to are the ones that don't have a QB and they're taking the risk of bringing a player in that they haven't worked out. Thats a stretch. I hope Peyton is gonna fully recover but he says hes not at 100% now. 80-85%, something like that. It remains to be seen. Teams will have to deal with that.
How did the news in 99 come to you and your feelings?
We were in Atlanta and were still negotiating up to the last minute. One group from LA already had jerseys already made up. We stole one of the jerseys. We were up until 3 or 4 in the morning negotiating until we were able to close the deal.
Did you ever say it's not worth it? Most frustrating point?
Actually, if you recall, the NFL awarded the franchise to LA on a contigent basis, on the basis of them putting a stadium deal together. I told the commissioner this thing has been drawn out and that we could meet the deadline, they couldnt. I told them, look I wont continue this if we dont have a firm deadline. At that point, they set a firm deadline of 6 months and awarded it to LA on the contingent of them getting a stadium within that time. People said after, you must be disappointed. I said why? They said you lost the franchise. I said I didnt lose it, I just won it. I said they could never meet the deadline and we could. It was a victory for us.
