So O'Brien waged a war of leaks through the media trashing Rick while he was dealing with his wife's cancer?
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All encompassing Rick Smith thread
- Thread starter djohn2oo8
- Start date
So O'Brien waged a war of leaks through the media trashing Rick while he was dealing with his wife's cancer?
How is it sick?
Does she really have cancer? Yes.
Did she have cancer in September? Yes.
Could it have been done a week from now? Yes.
Could the reins have been handed over earlier in the season to better prepare for college scouting? Yes.
Does it defuse a BoB showdown (if one existed)? Yes.
Does this particular timing help avoid potential embarrassment for the McNairs? Yes.
It's not sick, it's more along the lines of "take all the time you need". I ascribe no ill intent to it, rather it makes for a rather elegant way of handling it. It's not as if this would be the first time in history folks have given reasons for stepping down that may contain half-truths.
I honestly don't care that much either way.
I'm not that invested in how we got here, rather that we're here now and whoever the new GM is, he'll have his plate full in Free Agency.
Yeah, it looks even weirder viewed through that lens.
Nope, this is just another case of Slick Rick timing his leave so that he doesn't have to deal with the consequences of his screwing of the pooch. I will bet you if the Texans went 12-4 and had a full compliment of draft picks we wouldn't be having this discussion.
What the timing of his leave of absence tells me is, 1. Ricky is full of crap and there's more going on behind the scenes than he's letting on.
2. His wife is doing poorly and most likely his wifes cancer has metastasized to her bones.
I truly hope #1 is what's going on here.
I should delete my above post.
You said everything I wanted to say much more eloquently than I ever could have.
How did Rick screw the pooch?
Didn't they undo everything they built under Kubiak?
With BOB's history with his kid, I doubt this happened.
Lack of depth/no draft picks/4-12 etc.....
While I agree Rick should be gone, it's not clear to me who was making those calls especially since Gaine was here and it was opposite of what Rick did with Kubiak
No paranoia here.
I'm not the guy who decided to intentionally sit out FA. If I was going to try to get my HC fired the 1st thing I would do would sit out FA.
But looking back on Ricky's tenure he let his previous HC get an elective surgery during the scouting combine, so nothing really surprises me when it comes to Tricky Ricky.
That's because Kubiak had more control over what Ricky did because Kubiak got Ricky his job.
BTW, I didn't know Gaine was a member of the Texans org last offseason. You know the one where Ricky let Bouye/Simon walk and decided not to participate in FA.
Seems to me like Gaine was pretty smart when he took the lateral job with the Bills.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Gaine is from rural New York. Not everything is a machination.
Bouye signed with Jax in March and Gaine left in May, after the draft.
So Rick Smith gained control and immediately started getting rid of Kubiak guys and bringing Patriots guys over the objection of bill OBrien?
Are you saying it wasn't a smart move?
Also, he's willing to interview for the GM job, so going home was probably just convenient excuse for taking a lateral job.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I'm saying it isn't odd or requiring any further explanation to see someone move to their hometown team. No excuse needed. And lateral doesn't mean same pay.
Duh, GM would be a giant promotion.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
I'll take that bet. Some of you really need to get over yourselves. You've been bitching about wanting RS gone for years now. He's finally gone and you're bitching about how it was done?? You're just pissed that you didn't get to bask in the glow of him being fired. Get a life.
Wrong
I'm glad he's gone, I'm just not buying the timing of his story.
Not that it matters at all unless Ricky comes back and resumes his power regardless of title.
Now that we know Smith told the McNairs and others in September. Was the media trashing about Smith or Jimmy Raye who replaced Gaines?
Inquiring minds want to know.
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
Thing is, missing on middle round picks hurt, but you know what hurts worse? Missing on 1st rd picks. Think about choosing Justin Hunter or Patterson over Nuke. Think about Kyle Wilson over Jackson. What about JJ at 11? See, the if the gm chooses talented players the coach doesnt want, who fault is it? Alex Collins was drafted by Seahawks but didnt play. He goes to Ravens and outperforms anyone in Seattle. Ozzie is a great gm in your words, look at the b talent on that team. Look at post superbowl success. Did Ozzie all of sudden forget how to evaluate talent?
Shishkabob
All Pro
unfortunately though you can't build a team just on first rounders. you don't have to hit every mid round pick, but you have to hit enough to fill out the roster and provide depth.
Agreed, but if you have a track record like Ricky does in the middle rds you're never going to be a contender, because when injuries inevitably hit there's no depth behind them. Also ST's are 1/3rd of the game and they will always be weak.
I think you're underrating Ozzie's draft class. their OL/RB's/DB'sated by injury which lead to a guy like Collins getting a shot. They still almost made the playoffs even with Flacco playing hurt.
Compare what happened to the Texans vs the Ravens when injuries hit.
Kind of weird that there's interest in wanting to know the behind the scenes drama with this. To much interest in other peoples personal business. RS bowed out gracefully; it suited him and the McNairs with out having to get fired. Guess this is what we get in the voyeuristic world we live in now with Facebook, Twitter, sh*tty reality tv shows, TMZ, Instagram, sports radio with drama queen dj's, etc, etc, etc. Think it's conditioned a large part of the population (seems like more dudes are doing this these days) to be like nosy gossip women at the salon.
Rick Smith might be gone for good, he might be back in a year as GM or in another capacity. Don't need to know his personal relationships with BOB, Mcnairs, when he announced to them about his wifes cancer, if he cries at the movies, or whatever other bs drama crap people yearn for. If someone wants that stuff go watch E!, Lifetime Network, or Hallmark to fill that need.
To be clear I don't need to know the behind the scenes stuff.
I do need to know how much power the new GM has and who he answers too, in the event Ricky comes back. If Ricky comes back will the new GM have to answer to Ricky in addition to the McNairs?
With what the McNairs said in that interview it sounds like the new GM will be answering to them even if/when Ricky comes back. I hope Ricky doesn't weasel his way into the McNair's ears.
I do need to know how much power the new GM has and who he answers too, in the event Ricky comes back. If Ricky comes back will the new GM have to answer to Ricky in addition to the McNairs?
With what the McNairs said in that interview it sounds like the new GM will be answering to them even if/when Ricky comes back. I hope Ricky doesn't weasel his way into the McNair's ears.
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Good luck on satisfying your “need to know” stuff.
Question - if you don’t get the “need to know” stuff does that make you disapprove of the franchise?
McLain says new GM will have full control like Rick did
PatDStat says the new GM will have to work with OBrien, not the other way around
As clear as it's always been
dwight pugoy
Waterboy
Why even hire a GM give all the power to BOB and if he fails.......... off with him next season.
Bob needs to step down, Cal need to take ownership and Rick needs to be VP as it should be. Its gonna go that way anyways.
Bob needs to step down, Cal need to take ownership and Rick needs to be VP as it should be. Its gonna go that way anyways.
No it doesn't
But if next yr Ricky has anything to do with the personnel decisions, including who stays/goes or gets paid in FA then yes, I will disapprove.
Well considering RS is Cal's kids god-father, I think that ship has sailed (a long long time ago) on if he talks to the McNair's. Unless RS completely steps away from his GM duties and the Texans organization I think you may be disappointed in that regard.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
If Smith returns in ANY capacity, he will still have the ear the McNairs in personnel decision-making...........in a system as I see it, where the GM makes the "FINAL" decisions........... after which Cal McNair makes the "FINAL, FINAL" decisions..............after which Bob Mcnair makes the "FINAL, FINAL, FINAL" decisions............
Me too, however reality is usually a kick in the nuts.
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Ok. We all then expect a happy SteelBlueTexan this year.
Very sad news about Tiffany Smith, and I wish her, Rick and their family all the best through this very terrible disease. He has always seems like a stand-up guy and I truly hope they have positive news in the future.
Now, within the ~football bubble~ (that place where we act like this game matters beyond just entertainment), I think this is a 'convenient coincidence' to allow Rick Smith to bow out gracefully and return as Cal's BFF at some future point. I would not be surprised at all if the McNairs wanted to go a different direction but are close to Smith and his famly and did not want to burn a bridge. Plus I'm not sure if Little Enis has what it takes between the ears to run an NFL franchise on his own, so Rick Smith returning at some future point is most likely a business decision to ensure all goes well when Bob eventually steps down.
It does reveal to me that the power struggle was most likely real between O'Brien and Smith to some extent, and O'Brien came out on top. O'Brien is probably on a short leash, which is why McNair is so adamant about publicly explaining the new GM's duties and role with in the organization. Yeah, he needs to be "aligned" with O'Brien, but it does appear that they want a counter-balance to O'Brien of some sort so the power doesn't go to the coach's head. And I expect that short leash will get quickly pulled if 2018 ends up with only 4 wins.
2018 will be interesting because O'Brien will be out of excuses. He clearly has a QB with elite potential and it showed in 2017. I wasn't against firing O'Brien, but there is a part of me that wants to see if the chemistry they had in 2017 was real and if it can be consistent through 16-19 games.
Now, within the ~football bubble~ (that place where we act like this game matters beyond just entertainment), I think this is a 'convenient coincidence' to allow Rick Smith to bow out gracefully and return as Cal's BFF at some future point. I would not be surprised at all if the McNairs wanted to go a different direction but are close to Smith and his famly and did not want to burn a bridge. Plus I'm not sure if Little Enis has what it takes between the ears to run an NFL franchise on his own, so Rick Smith returning at some future point is most likely a business decision to ensure all goes well when Bob eventually steps down.
It does reveal to me that the power struggle was most likely real between O'Brien and Smith to some extent, and O'Brien came out on top. O'Brien is probably on a short leash, which is why McNair is so adamant about publicly explaining the new GM's duties and role with in the organization. Yeah, he needs to be "aligned" with O'Brien, but it does appear that they want a counter-balance to O'Brien of some sort so the power doesn't go to the coach's head. And I expect that short leash will get quickly pulled if 2018 ends up with only 4 wins.
2018 will be interesting because O'Brien will be out of excuses. He clearly has a QB with elite potential and it showed in 2017. I wasn't against firing O'Brien, but there is a part of me that wants to see if the chemistry they had in 2017 was real and if it can be consistent through 16-19 games.
Cal/Ricky McNair running a NFL franchise? Comforting.
BOB needs Watson to stay healthy and continue to improve very badly.
We will be able to see when his contract is extended. It bothers me that BOB needs to win so bad that he will throw caution to the wind and call plays that would increase the chances of Watson getting hurt. It would be a fitting way for BOB to go out and would probably be great entertainment.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I don't realistically see anyone (including the McNairs) feeling that the 2018 season is expected to miraculously make a total turnaround, given the entirety of the mess left behind regarding the player personnel (poor talent, questionable talent, no depth, need for much more than key additions in most positions.........in addition to big question marks concerning injured players [many of whom fans unrealistically expect to return "as good as ever".] The "new crew" is going to be given at least 2 full years to show what they can do with this presently sorry mes of a franchise.
dream_team
Hall of Fame
What do you consider a “total turnaround”? I can easily see 10-12 wins and playing in the AFC championship game. Pending good health to our main guys of course.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
That would never happen with the same personnel at, OL, TE, RB, DB....even if Watt, Mercilus and Clowney were spotted their best seasons. This would indicate that a "Total Turnaround" will be required...not to mention, with no draft picks in RD1, RD2 and RD5, achieving a "TT" quickly is going to be quite a bit tougher. Making the quick "TT" even more challenging, the lack of quality 2018 FA's in the areas of need. This is definitely a 2 season process with the best results possibly coming in 2020. My concern, will Watt and Clowney still be the same dominant players during or after this process?
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Suddenly the Texans read and take your prognosis' seriously? With injuries a prime consideration, there's plenty of excuses.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I will not be looking at "numbers" to determine what needs to happen in the next 2 years......I will be looking at "direction." I will be looking at what the Texans do with their players/player make up (upgrade through Draft, FA, trade), what they do with their player development with those they decide can be developed. I will be looking at if philosophy has changed about the importance of depth. I will be looking at if they've become any more realistic as to how to handle and react to injured players and players with a history of extensive or major injuries. I will be looking at how smartly the GM handles the salary cap. I will be looking at if the GM and HC indeed begin on the same page, and in time continue on the same page. I will be looking at how much independence the GM and the HC have from the McNairs, and if Smith returns in any capacity to the Texans organization. Over the next 2 years, I will look to my eyes, my brain and my common sense...........not numbers........to realistically evaluate where this franchise is going and where it will likely be at the end of this transition.
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You know McNair will believe the team is on the 'right track' ...
The question is always which direction they're going
bOODRO87
Time Consumer
“He is who we thought he was and we let him off the hook!”
frethack
Rookie
For all the "you can't have too many corners" talk, this is the most egregious FA walk of the RS era. A guy we built from the ground up is gonna make life difficult for a few years...all to save a million a year.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
That's a good list. All really good to have. And I concur with all of them.
However...
very little on that list is measurable. I'd like to see some metrics attached to those talking points. Otherwise, Dr. J, what is the point of a list like that if it's all subjective? How can you objectively tell if they're getting worse or better?
Don't forget that Bouye was an UDFA who the Texans basically put on the map. Also, the Texans tried to sign him to a multi-year extension the last year of his rookie contract but his agent talked him out of it. That tells me he, on the advice of his agent, was out to get paid. And Bouye took the biggest contract he was offered. Like someone said, we were only a mil/year behind but he felt no loyalty to the team that gave his shot (remember Smith picked out of the UDFA heap) and made him the effective CB he turned out to be (he should send Wade and RAC a Christmas card every year).
No, I don't see it as us letting Bouye walk. I see as him going someplace where he would get paid big and be the star on the team.
I guess the efficient thing to have done would have been to send some feelers out to see what we could get by way of trade for K-Jax or J-Jo and go ahead and pay the younger Bouye. Although I'm not sure how RAC would have felt about that.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
This is the same situation as Oz & Denver. We have no idea how high Denver would have gone, Oz never gave them a chance to counter. We have no idea how high the Texans/RS were willing to go, Bouye never gave them a chance to counter.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
When McNair said we are "on the right track," I didn't have any difficulties seeing that we were not..........and, in fact, were going the opposite direction quickly.........without looking at numbers. For me, the first 2 years can be subjectively evaluated...........after that, the numbers will tell the final story.That's a good list. All really good to have. And I concur with all of them.
However...
very little on that list is measurable. I'd like to see some metrics attached to those talking points. Otherwise, Dr. J, what is the point of a list like that if it's all subjective? How can you objectively tell if they're getting worse or better?
Of course, I realize that some find the need to be more concrete in their evaluations in order to reach their conclusions.
cuppacoffee
Resident Grouch
So who is it on the stool, Obrien or the godfather. 
You're a doctor. You have to deal with subjective evidence all the time (even though you use X-rays, MRIs, and other OBjective data to support itWhen McNair said we are "on the right track," I didn't have any difficulties seeing that we were not..........and, in fact, were going the opposite direction quickly.........without looking at numbers. For me, the first 2 years can be subjectively evaluated...........after that, the numbers will tell the final story.
Of course, I realize that some find the need to be more concrete in their evaluations in order to reach their conclusions.
)I'm an engineer. There's a saying in engineering: Any estimates/evaluations not supported by verifiable data is just a GUESS.
I will say I trust your eyes more than most.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
SWAG