McNair maybe tired of losing?

[gtexan02]

Texans had zero runs that were tackled for a loss against the Ravens. They only had 15 RB runs though.

Texans had zero runs that were tackled for a loss against the Vikings. They only had 16 RB runs, all by Slaton.

Their running game has actually improved this year, and compares favorably to first year running games of teams that Alex Gibbs has coached. Just not as many attempts.

Name me all the QBs in the league who can succeed when they are passing way more than they are throwing the ball.

Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Jay Cutler
Kurt Warner
Drew Brees
Tony Romo

These are the guys I would say can operate with zero running game on a consistent, week by week basis.

 

[Runner]

The problem is really easily identified, actually. It's just that very few people on this board want to acknowledge it, because that means it isn't fixable, and people just want a sacrifice.

The players are making mistakes and/or they aren't good enough. 99% of our offensive woes fall on TWO players - Schaub and Sage. It's really that simple. People keep wanting to blame Kubiak, but there is only so much coaches can do. One position is betraying this offense.

These are Kubiak's hand picked QB's, of course.

Oh, I agree. We just don't have a running game. Slaton has done well, but he's the kind of back that will get stuffed several times and then bust a long one. So his stats at the end of the day look good, but the sustained running game that is necessary just doesn't happen. Furthermore, when we absolutely have to run the ball, we just can't.

This is the running offense that Kubiak installed and brought in players for.

Even leaving out the lousy defense, why do you think Kubiak is such a top notch coach?

 

[eriadoc]

Texans had zero runs that were tackled for a loss against the Ravens. They only had 15 RB runs though.

Texans had zero runs that were tackled for a loss against the Vikings. They only had 16 RB runs, all by Slaton.

Their running game has actually improved this year, and compares favorably to first year running games of teams that Alex Gibbs has coached. Just not as many attempts.

Well, when I say stuffed, I don't necessarily mean a net loss of yardage. 0, 1 or 2 yards are all pretty well stuffs, in most instances (not all).

At any rate, I looked this up after the Titans game, when everyone was going gaga about how well Slaton did. His runs in that game were (in order): 1, 50, 1, 3, 6t, 25, 0, 11, 7, 3, 0, 4, 2, 2, -2, 3, 1, -1. That's 13 of his 18 carries that went for 3 yards or less. I love the big play potential, but I prefer a consistent running game to complement it. We're just not there yet.

Against the Ravens, Slaton had four carries for 7 yards. I'll just say he didn't have enough carries in that one and leave it at that. Against Minnesota, he had 16 carries for 62 yards. 9 of those carries were for 3 yards or less. That's better. 9 of his 15 runs against the Bengals were for 3 yards or less. 17 carries for 80 yards against the Lions, and 37 of them came in one run. As I said, I love the explosiveness, but we don't have a steady run game to complement him. Furthermore, as I said above, when we absolutely need to run the ball, like to run the clock out against the Colts, or to punch it in for a TD, Slaton's not the guy, and we really have no one else at this point.

So yeah, the running game has improved, because you have to take into account big plays. What I'm referring to is the ability to consistently run the ball. We do well between the 20s in down-distance situations that aren't obvious running situations. We don't run well when it's 3rd and short, or near the goal line, or at the end of a game to preserve a lead.

None of this should be construed as anything against Slaton. I think he's a valuable guy, and he would be the perfect complement to a back like what DD used to be.

 

[eriadoc]

I think that is a little simplistic and you are taking ALL responsibility out of a coaches hands.

No, I'm just saying the offensive issue so painfully obvious that the Kubiak concerns rank pretty far down the list. It's like going out and buying a $200 tennis racket when you can't even volley. Go learn to play tennis first before you worry about that stuff.

Even leaving out the lousy defense, why do you think Kubiak is such a top notch coach?

See above. I don't think Kubiak is a top notch coach. I have serious questions about his clock management, his acquisition of free agents, and who he's chosen to surround himself with, for starters. Those things are just so far secondary to why we're losing games at the moment that it doesn't make sense to overlook the obvious. Turnover margin is the #1 stat in determining wins and losses, and we just have QBs that turn the ball over. Kubiak bears some responsibility for choosing those guys, sure, but if we fire him, we're still left with those QBs.

I also don't think there is a very long list of coaches that started from scratch being a top notch head coach. It takes time, something that isn't easily given in the salary cap era. The part that most people overlook is the player turnover that usually accompanies a coaching change. How many players did Miami bring in over the offseason? I heard it was close to 30. That's a complete team overhaul. I'm not saying the prior coach was any better than the current one in Miami, but why not give that prior coach 30 new players?

Kubiak has not done such a massive turnover (and maybe he should have), but over the three years he's headed things up, it's been almost a complete turnover. McNair is just less willing to do that through free agency, it seems.

Anyway, there's a lot that plays into it, obviously, but to me, the turnovers so far surpass any other consideration that it's silly to overlook them.

 

[Mr teX]

kubes is a nice enough guy & knowledgeable, but his main problem is that he's constantly getting outcoached. when this was going on in his 1st year i'm like "Ok he's new at it + he's working with David Carr..". 3 years in though, we're still seeing the same crap & that's not a good sign.

As i've said in other threads, whether mcnair keeps him 1 more year or goes in another direction wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Thorn]

I for one want Kubiak to stay, I think he'll be a great coach someday. On the other hand, if he's gonna go, he needs to go after this season. Our youngsters are getting older and if they have to go through another playbook change, the sooner the better for everyone.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

I for one want Kubiak to stay, I think he'll be a great coach someday. On the other hand, if he's gonna go, he needs to go after this season. Our youngsters are getting older and if they have to go through another playbook change, the sooner the better for everyone.

I think that this is an important point. Yes, there have been repeated poor decisions and poor choices all along the way. What few potentially half way descent "midlife" players have been on previous Texans rosters have outlived their prime just waiting for a reasonable team build. Some of our previously considered "young" players may not outlive the present regime......whether you wish to blame it on inadequate time or inadequate minds, the result remains unchanged.

 

[Vinny]

quote from article in the first post...

McNair is remaining optimistic with seven games remaining in the season. He talks to Kubiak almost daily, and is often around the team, either in practice or in the postgame locker room.

Every year Bob McNair is optimistic with seven games remaining while his team is out of the hunt. Most of us have bought into at least some part of this optimism for 7 years but it's very hard as a fan to be excited about the last 7 weeks of the season when your city hasn't seen a playoff game since 1993 and the team currently has 3 wins with 2 of them coming against winless teams.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

quote from article in the first post...

Every year Bob McNair is optimistic with seven games remaining while his team is out of the hunt. Most of us have bought into at least some part of this optimism for 7 years but it's very hard as a fan to be excited about the last 7 weeks of the season when your city hasn't seen a playoff game since 1993 and the team currently has 3 wins with 2 of them coming against winless teams.

It's kinda like watching reruns .

I think the subplot is Rick Smith and Kubiak . Does Rick believe he's getting the right guys and Kubiak and staff aren't coaching them up . If so does he get in Bob's ear and get Kubiak fired before he looks incompetent .

 

[Runner]

It's kinda like watching reruns .

I think the subplot is Rick Smith and Kubiak . Does Rick believe he's getting the right guys and Kubiak and staff aren't coaching them up . If so does he get in Bob's ear and get Kubiak fired before he looks incompetent .

Do you think Smith is the driver behind player identification? I think Kubiak is the main decision maker on who to pick-up, and Smith just handles the details. Kubiak was given a lot of power when he signed; I don't know that he has relinquished any.

Opinions?

 

[ObsiWan]

Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Jay Cutler
Kurt Warner
Drew Brees
Tony Romo

These are the guys I would say can operate with zero running game on a consistent, week by week basis.

Two reasons:
(a) Look at how few times these guys get sacked. So far this year:
Denver - 7 sacks
New Orleans - 8 sacks
Indy - 11 sacks
Arizona - 16 sacks (Warner is the exception - we all know he holds the ball a bit long) Last year AZ only gave up 24 sacks.
Dallas - 17 sacks (8 of those are on Brad Johnson - what's he played two games? Two were on Brooks Bollinger - what's he played, half a game? In the six games Romo has finished, he's been sacked 7 times)

If our O-line kept Schaub's uni clean all game we could throw at will too. Our two-headed Rosen-Schaub thing has already been sacked 22 times. We're on pace to give up nearly 40 sacks.

(b) And most of those teams DO have a running game. They may not be "run-first" like Tennessee and Pittsburgh but they have guys that have to be respected. IMHO, Denver is the only team that doesn't have a legit RB.
New Orleans - Deuce (when healthy), Aaron Stecker, and some would say RB.
Dallas - Marion the barbarian and (before he got hurt) Felix Jones.
Indy - Joseph Addai and Domanic Rhodes
Arizona - E. James and T. Hightower don't really scare anyone. But they can burn you if you play them cheap. And with the two stud WRs they have starting, do they need to run?

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

Do you Smith is the driver behind player identification? I think Kubiak is the main decision maker on who to pick-up, and Smith just handles the details. Kubiak was given a lot of power when he signed; I don't know that he has relinquished any.

Opinions?

I'm not real sure but I do think time hasn't been kind to the Texans draft in the Kubiak era . Smith was there for two drafts along with the Schaub trade which was probably more Kubiak but he made the deal .

Kubiak had alot of power for someone who hadn't been in that position . Smith was hired because he knew the type of player Kubiak wanted/needed so it goes back to is ... Okoye , Jacoby , Molden , Bennett , Brown , Adibi , and Slaton bonafide talent or our coaching or schemes stink or maybe both .

Brown was hand picked by Gibbs to be in a ZB scheme . He may be a waisted pick if Kubiak gets fired ... who let Gibbs hand pick him ? Who let Capers hand pick Babin ? Who's at fault if these guys don't pan out ? I think this is why GM's manage the personel and coaches coach with some input .

 

[Lucky]

Do you Smith is the driver behind player identification? I think Kubiak is the main decision maker on who to pick-up, and Smith just handles the details.

Absolutely. Rick Smith owes his job to Gary Kubiak's recommendation. Smith plays Scott Pioli to Kubiak's Belichick. Without the wins.

 

[The1ApplePie]

Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Jay Cutler
Kurt Warner
Drew Brees
Tony Romo

These are the guys I would say can operate with zero running game on a consistent, week by week basis.

Most have modern offensive systems to play out of. The Patriots spread offense hasn't been great with Kassell but it certainly helped out Brady

Most of those teams have young and brazen OCs calling plays

Meanwhile we are stuck with Kubes calling plays and running things like its 1998. Little Shanny might be a good OC but I think he basically holds a clippboard at this point

 

[Texans_Chick]

Well, when I say stuffed, I don't necessarily mean a net loss of yardage. 0, 1 or 2 yards are all pretty well stuffs, in most instances (not all).

At any rate, I looked this up after the Titans game, when everyone was going gaga about how well Slaton did. His runs in that game were (in order): 1, 50, 1, 3, 6t, 25, 0, 11, 7, 3, 0, 4, 2, 2, -2, 3, 1, -1. That's 13 of his 18 carries that went for 3 yards or less. I love the big play potential, but I prefer a consistent running game to complement it. We're just not there yet.

Against the Ravens, Slaton had four carries for 7 yards. I'll just say he didn't have enough carries in that one and leave it at that. Against Minnesota, he had 16 carries for 62 yards. 9 of those carries were for 3 yards or less. That's better. 9 of his 15 runs against the Bengals were for 3 yards or less. 17 carries for 80 yards against the Lions, and 37 of them came in one run. As I said, I love the explosiveness, but we don't have a steady run game to complement him. Furthermore, as I said above, when we absolutely need to run the ball, like to run the clock out against the Colts, or to punch it in for a TD, Slaton's not the guy, and we really have no one else at this point.

So yeah, the running game has improved, because you have to take into account big plays. What I'm referring to is the ability to consistently run the ball. We do well between the 20s in down-distance situations that aren't obvious running situations. We don't run well when it's 3rd and short, or near the goal line, or at the end of a game to preserve a lead.

None of this should be construed as anything against Slaton. I think he's a valuable guy, and he would be the perfect complement to a back like what DD used to be.

Colts destroyed the Ravens. They kept running even though it didn't work well except for one big run. You have to keep good run stuffing teams honest or they will bring the house.

 

[ObsiWan]

I hope this "tired of losing" thing doesn't translate into McNair becoming a Gulf Coast Jerry Jones or Al Davis.

 

[BigBull17]

I'm of the mind that if it is broke...you deal with it now. Who really cares about how your franchise looks to the media and the fans if you make a move in the middle of the season? Newsflash....they are laughing at you Bob. Waiting till the end of the season to get rid of RS isn't making you look any classier. Firing RS right now does two things. It sends a message to the players that we won't put up with mediocrity and once you fire RS you go into the locker room and tell everyone your game is on film and YOU are next if you don't get it in gear. That's how you motivate these rich players who are just going thru the motions trying to avoid injury so they can cash their lofty paychecks. You don't run a football team like the accounting department Bob. Football seasons are a sprint...not a marathon.

We arent that highly thought of anyway. We are a "joke", change it now. Damn, Im tired of sucking.

 

[Wolf6151]

Hey Uncle Bob you'll be the hero of the town if you do it now and get it over with.

 

[cowbellm00]

"I'm impatient," McNair said. "I have been patient, but I'm impatient. I thought we would be doing better at this point in time and we're not and I'm disappointed about it. So then the next question is, what are you going to do?

Hopefully this spells "see ya Smith".

 

[Vinny]

The problem is really easily identified, actually. It's just that very few people on this board want to acknowledge it, because that means it isn't fixable, and people just want a sacrifice.

The players are making mistakes and/or they aren't good enough. 99% of our offensive woes fall on TWO players - Schaub and Sage. It's really that simple. People keep wanting to blame Kubiak, but there is only so much coaches can do. One position is betraying this offense.

We have no real feature back, our center position is a liability vs any team that has a strong inside Tackle situation and our Guard play is mediocre and inconsistent with Pitts being the better of the two and our Tackle play this season has been below average...just wanted to take issue with the 99% thing since that has been bugging me.

 

[nflnutswife]

Smith hasn't done us any favors,and he wouldn't be missed. My own opinion is we don't have any team leader, none. Johnson is an awesome player but too quiet to be a motivator. Matt is no leader, Mario might be someone for the team to look to but he doesn't project authority.
We have no uniformity, or that charismatic confidence of a winning team.
Every winning team needs a TEAM leader. We've never had one. I'm growing impatient too. Will I go anywhere? NO!