Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

All encompassing Rick Smith thread

A time to chill said:
What does a VP of operations do and why would the Texans need 2 people to handle the responsibilities that 1 person usually does?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure but it sounds like a jam up job .

21743046_1608798555837031_6520992880045534026_n.jpg
 
A time to chill said:
What does a VP of operations do and why would the Texans need 2 people to handle the responsibilities that 1 person usually does?
Click to expand...

overseas day-to-day operations to support the growth and add to the bottom line of an organization. They focus on strategic planning and goal-setting, and direct the operations of the company in support of its goals.

He will also have his hands on the draft as well.
 
infantrycak said:
Sure why not? Never worked together but you like him so he must be OB's idea. Cuz hiring scouting staff is on the HC's plate.
Click to expand...

I mean do you want to look at sources? Obrien was here for 3 years with gaines. apparently they got a long as has been reported recently. but I guess googling something before criticizing is difficult
 
Texansballer74 said:
overseas day-to-day operations to support the growth and add to the bottom line of an organization. They focus on strategic planning and goal-setting, and direct the operations of the company in support of its goals.

He will also have his hands on the draft as well.
Click to expand...
But Rick Smith was handling both responsibilities so I don't see why they would still need him if they found someone to replace him. I really don't think Rick would be stepping away for a year if the Texans were doing well this year. It seems like a convenient way for the Texans to make a change at the GM role while not hurting Rick Smith's feelings. It just doesn't seem like the right way to run a successful franchise. McNair is leaving the door open so that Smith can return and continue the feud with Bill O'Brien and his camp (assuming he's still there a year from now).
 
Shishkabob said:
I mean do you want to look at sources? Obrien was here for 3 years with gaines. apparently they got a long as has been reported recently. but I guess googling something before criticizing is difficult
Click to expand...

Do try to keep up. The subject was when Gaine came to the Texans, i.e. 2014 from Miami.

Being a RS hire was disqualifying to steelbtexan for Raye.
 
TheKDog said:
The same guys who reported there would be a showdown and ultimatum today
Click to expand...

And a way was figured out how to avoid the showdown.

Doesn't mean the reports weren't true.

Over all going back to last season I would say their reports have been pretty accurate.

We aren't going to agree because you dont trust the media.
 
A time to chill said:
But Rick Smith was handling both responsibilities so I don't see why they would still need him if they found someone to replace him. I really don't think Rick would be stepping away for a year if the Texans were doing well this year. It seems like a convenient way for the Texans to make a change at the GM role while not hurting Rick Smith's feelings. It just doesn't seem like the right way to run a successful franchise. McNair is leaving the door open so that Smith can return and continue the feud with Bill O'Brien and his camp (assuming he's still there a year from now).
Click to expand...


He won't technically have full control but he will more and likely a voice in it.
 
infantrycak said:
Lol - yeah OB was going to do a him or me grandstand against a guy missing time due to his wife's cancer.

They got the story wrong and their 'inside info' sucked goat gonads.
Click to expand...

When I said they, I meant the McNair's.

God I bet your hating things today.

Best to going back to the Cowboys being your #1 team.
 
A time to chill said:
But Rick Smith was handling both responsibilities so I don't see why they would still need him if they found someone to replace him. I really don't think Rick would be stepping away for a year if the Texans were doing well this year. It seems like a convenient way for the Texans to make a change at the GM role while not hurting Rick Smith's feelings. It just doesn't seem like the right way to run a successful franchise. McNair is leaving the door open so that Smith can return and continue the feud with Bill O'Brien and his camp (assuming he's still there a year from now).
Click to expand...
I'm choosing to take the whole leave of absence at face value. There's no way McNair is going to fire Smith because of this leave of absence, just like he didn't ditch DQ. I wish Smith's wife a full and speedy recovery and really hopes this gets a great GM in the building. I have no real problem with Smith retaining his VP of Operations, as long as that keeps him out of the personnel side of things.
 
A time to chill said:
I don't know all the internal details behind the Texan's decision making, but it really rubs me the wrong way that O'Brien seems like he's getting rewarded with more control coming off a 4-12 season. When Kubiak was coach, we were mediocre but we never heard reports of infighting between the head coach and GM. When O'Brien comes, there's a report out there almost every year about this stuff and how Bill O'Brien could leave. The same thing happened when he was the coach at Penn State and he made that rant about the Paterno faction. He threatened to leave then and he ultimately did when the Texans hired him.

I'd prefer the Texans look for both a new head coach and GM this offseason, but if I had to keep one and let the other go....I'd prefer for Rick Smith to stay and O'Brien to leave. I don't know who was behind each and every personnel decision, but I do recall reports that O'Brien had a lot of control over personnel selection for the offense when he first came to town. This is why I put most of the blame on O'Brien for having to start 9 different QBs. I think Rick Smith allowed him to have this control early in his tenure and when things didn't work out, Rick Smith started to take more ownership of personnel decisions which frustrated O'Brien. It's always been reported that O'Brien is used to how things work in New England where Bill Belichick is both the head coach and GM and wants to have the same power structure in place for the Texans. I really think Bill O'Brien or his camp have been behind most of the leaks to the media to gain more leverage in the power struggle he's been waging. The problem is...I really don't trust O'Brien as a talent evaluator, coach, or offensive coordinator. I think he's been mediocre at best and at times terrible at all three roles. I hope that whatever GM comes in to replace Smith is not just a yes man to O'Brien and vetoes any questionable decision that Bill O'Brien wants to make. The head coach needs to answer to the GM - not the other way around. The new GM should start by forcing O'Brien to hire an offensive coordinator.
Click to expand...

You would prefer mediocrity then.

I just want a GM who's single focus is bringing in the most talented players possible and is willing to put in the scouting work himself to make it happen. Also it should help if the GM/BOB are on the same page.
 
steelbtexan said:
You would prefer mediocrity then.

I just want a GM who's single focus is bringing in the most talented players possible and is willing to put in the scouting work himself to make it happen. Also it should help if the GM/BOB are on the same page.
Click to expand...
You are the one actually preferring mediocrity. McNair should clean house this offseason since they are coming off a 4-12 record and there is infighting between the head coach and GM. But he's not releasing either of them. Smith is going on a temporary leave of absence while O'Brien seems like he's going to get more control over personnel. Getting a GM on the same page as O'Brien isn't going to change a damn thing when you realize that O'Brien had a say in personnel decisions from the beginning.

The only hope next season is that Watson returns healthy and remains healthy all next year. If that doesn't happen then you're looking at another disastrous season with no real progress at making the team better.
 
steelbtexan said:
When I said they, I meant the McNair's.

God I bet your hating things today.

Best to going back to the Cowboys being your #1 team.
Click to expand...

Things turned out the way I expected, neither fired.

Not even sure what you think I would be hating but as is common your powers of perception are off.
 
Hervoyel said:
Well, no Rick means no one to point fingers at if this upcoming draft doesn't work out well. We're about to get some clarification on what value Rick Smith brings as compared to Bill O'Brien. We just have to interpret the signs to see what it means.
Click to expand...

3 rd rd picks means the new GM will be trying to make chicken salad out of cicken sh!t. An annual Texans org tradition.

Thanks Ricky
 
A time to chill said:
You are the one actually preferring mediocrity. McNair should clean house this offseason since they are coming off a 4-12 record and there is infighting between the head coach and GM. But he's not releasing either of them. Smith is going on a temporary leave of absence while O'Brien seems like he's going to get more control over personnel. Getting a GM on the same page as O'Brien isn't going to change a damn thing when you realize that O'Brien had a say in personnel decisions from the beginning.

The only hope next season is that Watson returns healthy and remains healthy all next year. If that doesn't happen then you're looking at another disastrous season with no real progress at making the team better.
Click to expand...

I wanted them both gone too.

But if BOB was going to stay I want a GM who's on the same page with him. With the draft mess Ricky left this isn't going to be a one yr turn around unless the Texans get very lucky.
 
Getting past the rhetoric, RS has essentially stepped down for whatever time frame he deems necessary. I do hope his wife has a full recovery and yes, I do understand this since I lost my mom to the ravages of breast cancer. The biggest news in regards to this conversation, RS will not be here to oversee the Texans 2018 NFL Draft. Now this draft would've been a tough one for RS to hang his hat on since it begins and ends within the rounds that fall outside his history of success. If McNair's goal is to have any kind of success next season, or should I say, make the best out of an otherwise bad situation....is a tandem of Raye and O'Brien the group to rest your hopes on? Damn, I think that pill would even be too big for Bob and Cal to swallow.
 
infantrycak said:
Things turned out the way I expected, neither fired.

Not even sure what you think I would be hating but as is common your powers of perception are off.
Click to expand...

My powers of perception are just fine.

You dont like BOB and aren't happy with what has transpired.
 
DocBar said:
I'm choosing to take the whole leave of absence at face value. There's no way McNair is going to fire Smith because of this leave of absence, just like he didn't ditch DQ. I wish Smith's wife a full and speedy recovery and really hopes this gets a great GM in the building. I have no real problem with Smith retaining his VP of Operations, as long as that keeps him out of the personnel side of things.
Click to expand...


He will have a say in that as well.
 
Honoring Earl 34 said:
Anybody listen to the Rick Smith press conference ?

Maybe it's just me but they are f^% up over there . RS is leaving for a year and when he comes back he may or may not be GM . He'll still be executive vp , whatever that is but not GM if Bob wants to hire a GM . He did kind of defend the young talent and put some lack of execution blame on Bill but in the end , he's like a guy working for a relative and knows he's going to be taken care of .
Click to expand...

Nope you're correct, they are messed up over there. Have been for yrs. You didn't expect Ricky to take any blame for 4-12 on his way out the door did you? That would be out of character for the sociology major.

Agreed about the talking like a made man comment.
 
TheKDog said:
Exactly this.

O'Brien has been bad as a HC, OC, and talent evaluator. Now he is getting more power to shape the front office by picking his own GM. Should end well!

And yes I believe the leaks are from him trying to change the power structure especially when you look at his history.

It is shameful that the media reported his lies through anonymous sources. Constant bashing of Rick Smith (who I'm not a fan of), shifting blame (Rick made him start Watson), excuses (he didn't want Osweiler or any pick that turned out to be a bust).

O'Brien basically waged a war through the media including leaking some showdown and ultimatum demanding Rick get pushed out WHILE RICK WAS TAKING CARE OF HIS SICK WIFE!

Wow. Not only is he a terrible QB guru, terrible OC, bad with clock management, bad with challenge flags, bad with talent evaluation, and can't handle criticism, he's also an awful person.

And the media is scared of a bottom 5 coach because he's a bully.
Click to expand...

I don't believe BOB is the person you're making him out to be. Have you seen him with his son and at various charities?

With that said, if that's what it takes to affect change within the Texans org so be it. It's a business.
 
infantrycak said:
You already wasted enough. The words were used prior to 1992 but were meaningless until then.

Whoohoo free agency in 1947. So popular not one player changed teams until 1962. Then Rozelle would assign compensation at his discretion until the courts said no bueno. Then teams were allowed to protect 37 players.

1992 - that's your start date for teams being substantially impacted by free agency.
Click to expand...

Yep, Judge Doughty screwed up the NFL.
 
infantrycak said:
One more time for the learning impaired - teams could protect 37 players. So sure bottom of the roster guys moved a little.

Classic examples of the new free agency with difference makers.

Charles Haley going from winning SBs in San Fran to winning them in Dallas in 1992.

Ken Norton going the other way in 1994.

Deion Sanders going Niners to Cowboys 1994.

I'm done. You're looking ridiculous on this.
Click to expand...

Haley was traded.
 
TexansBull said:
https://twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl/status/947585570410254343

I thought Gaine interviewed for GM position, didn’t get it, but decided to stay even though it was a lateral move.

McClain wrong? Again?

Edit:
Ha! I went through the comments and someone pointed out he wasn’t fired per an article McClain reported that he wasn’t fired.

Silly McClain.

http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/...ayer-personnel-Brian-Gaine-Bills-11147617.php
Click to expand...

Gaines was never fired by the Texans. He just wanted the heck out of here. He is a good scout/talent evaluator/recruiter..........but I don't know that he owns all the skills required for a GM position. In prior years, he actually repeatedly interviewed with various teams for the GM position with no takers. We need a smart and strong GM, whoever that ends up being.
 
Texansballer74 said:
Just got through listening to Rick's presser. He said he will be back. Might not be the GM but he will have a major role in this organization.
Click to expand...

I hope McNair and Ricky's definition of major are entirely different.

Is janitor a major role within the Texans org?
 
steelbtexan said:
Haley was traded.
Click to expand...

Whoops.

DocBar said:
I would say that Reggie White was the original big name FA.
Click to expand...

That's a good example. 1993.

Point remains free agency changed from searching for hidden gems from the bottom 16 on a roster to shopping for superstars & starter upgrades.

steelbtexan said:
Yep, Judge Doughty screwed up the NFL.
Click to expand...

Don't think free agency screwed it up at all. In any event, it was a jury in Judge Doty's court.
 
In times of rapid change, experience could be your worst enemy.
j_paul_getty

This is what I think ab
infantrycak said:
Whoops.



That's a good example. 1993.

Point remains free agency changed from searching for hidden gems from the bottom 16 on a roster to shopping for superstars & starter upgrades.
Click to expand...

Bart Starr was a 15th round pick .
 
Who cares that O'Brien will have more say so come this season? It’s not like we have a bunch of early picks anyway. If anything, O’Brien better make some moves during free agency or we will have the useless Rick Smith wearing the nice and shiny GM hat all over again.
 
Rick Smith is not the GM anymore. When he comes back, he will either leave or stay in the Executive VP role. Rick Smith has done some very good things with the Texans. No issues with him staying in the executive role.
 
Mr.Scarface said:
Rick Smith is not the GM anymore. When he comes back, he will either leave or stay in the Executive VP role.
Click to expand...
I listened to the press conference earlier today and here's what I took away from it:

RS is stepping away for one year. OB is going to get a chance to pick his own GM like Kubiak did and if he fails, OB and the new GM are out. RS will come back and serve as GM.

If OB succeeds, then RS comes back as an Executive VP and won't be involved in football operations. I'm thinking Cal wants to keep him around as a right-hand if/when Bob steps down.
 
infantrycak said:
Whoops.



That's a good example. 1993.

Point remains free agency changed from searching for hidden gems from the bottom 16 on a roster to shopping for superstars & starter upgrades.



Don't think free agency screwed it up at all. In any event, it was a jury in Judge Doty's court.
Click to expand...
We def see eye to eye on this. Before 1992 a team pretty much had exclusive rights to star players. Hence the transition and franchise tags. To me that's a pretty fair system.
 
Mr.Scarface said:
Rick Smith is not the GM anymore. When he comes back, he will either leave or stay in the Executive VP role. Rick Smith has done some very good things with the Texans. No issues with him staying in the executive role.
Click to expand...

What does an Executive VP do?
 
With RS on the sideline, the Texans coming off 4-12 season, no highly rated GM available to sign, and a tough draft situation...it could be time for McNair to hire a Consultant once again. He's done this in the past with Dan Reeves so this move wouldn't be foreign to him.

As much as I like some of the ideas mentioned for GM (e.g.: Wolf, Gaines, Pioli, etc) a stable Consultant with a successful NFL history could be the answer to get any of these new GM options off to a successful start, especially with an uphill battle facing them in their first season. This is where I will insert Bill Polian's name once again. I like that he's available, has a tremendous track record at assembling talent and the fact he's in the HOF b/c of his work as an NFL GM. The biggest question could be if he'd be willing to tackle an undertaking like the Texans.
 
Mangler said:
Who cares that O'Brien will have more say so come this season? It’s not like we have a bunch of early picks anyway. If anything, O’Brien better make some moves during free agency or we will have the useless Rick Smith wearing the nice and shiny GM hat all over again.[/QUOTE

Because if he blows next season too we need someone in. Str
Click to expand...
CloakNNNdagger said:
Aaron Wilson‏@AaronWilson_NFL 5h5 hours ago

Rick Smith on Bill O'Brien: 'I think he has grown over the four years as a head coach in this league and I think he will continue to grow.'
Click to expand...

I can’t think of any/many times he has actually complimented his coach over the last few seasons.
 
Mr. White said:
If OB succeeds, then RS comes back as an Executive VP and won't be involved in football operations.
Click to expand...

TheKDog said:
What does an Executive VP do?
Click to expand...

His title is Executive VP of Football Operations so no he will not be out of football operations.

In RS's case it has just been an extra title since he got a raise and extension.

If you want to see a separate one look at Tom Coughlin in Jax. He oversees both the HC & GM as an extra step before getting to the owner. If that sticks as RS's role he likely becomes the tie-breaker.

In addition the role typically involves being the team ambassador. So imagine stripping everything but scouting away from the GM and adding an extra layer above HC & GM.
 
houstonhurricane said:
I can’t think of any/many times he has actually complimented his coach over the last few seasons.
Click to expand...

Seems like a backhanded compliment too.

The way he insisted his leave wasn't a judgment on his tenure and that he WILL be back sounds to me like his influence will still be there.

We need a new owner
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top