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Texans hire Bill O'Brien as HC
- Thread starter Playoffs
- Start date
Letting it go.
Schaub was a stud until Fat Albert fell on his foot. That was a SB team.
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
speedfreek
All Pro
BoB did better than I expected last year. But I want to see improvement
next year.
No more going backwards -- he's clearly making personnel
decisions now, and that means it's going to be on him
if we take two steps back..
next year.
No more going backwards -- he's clearly making personnel
decisions now, and that means it's going to be on him
if we take two steps back..
TheMatrix31
Hall of Fame
The best thing about Bill O'Brien is how prepared his teams are. Surprise onside kicks and other trick plays? Would never work. Playcalling late in games and in overtime? Immaculate. Sees his player injured and struggling in a must-win situation? Makes the right call and makes a substitution. We never saw any of those costly three minute lapses before halftime that we saw all the time before. I really loved how he used all his offensive players including his tight ends. That was sorely missing in years past too. To take a team that had three straight 2-14 seasons and make the jump to 9-7 in one year is nothing short of breathtaking.
He's such a motivator and his Xs-and-Os are amazing. It's really night and day from every other coach. I don't think he can be questioned. He's unquestionably the right man and we should all be creaming ourselves and excited going forward.
He's such a motivator and his Xs-and-Os are amazing. It's really night and day from every other coach. I don't think he can be questioned. He's unquestionably the right man and we should all be creaming ourselves and excited going forward.
TheMatrix31
Hall of Fame
Vitriol?
TheMatrix31
Hall of Fame
I don't get what's wrong. I posted a positive message about Bill O'Brien and y'all are still on me.
Very interesting.
Very interesting.
I'm impressed, you went an entire post without cursing.
Progress
What would BOB have to do to win you over? I really am curious.
TheMatrix31
Hall of Fame
Actually, this post I'm making right here is my 22nd in a row without cursing. Go look for yourself.
Bill O'Brien doesn't have to "win me over." See that's the thing that bugs me the most here about him. This is why I refer to this whole thing as a cult. "You either join us and love him unconditionally or you're against him and you're still in love with the guy who was here before and the vision that was here before even though you've made ample criticisms when they need to be made."
"What does he have to do to show you that he is the light?"
It's not about "winning me over" or "losing me." It's about doing things that don't bother me. So far, he's conducted himself in a fashion which I don't like, given my proclivities. I don't think that'll ever change, given his inclinations. I don't think he's been all that impressive thus far and I think the heaps of adulation and cloak of infallibility that he has received is hasty at best. I think he's shown quite a bit of what people criticized all day every day about the previous guy in charge, and I think unadulterated praise regarding his game preparedness, playcalling, other game management management is hilarious given his failings thus far in the Dallas game, the Colts games, the Steelers game, and the Bengals/Mallett injury game. And of course, the fact that he was touted as a tight end/offensive/QB guru and all that yet didn't nearly use the tight end enough given our terrible situation at quarterback. Bad quarterbacks need security blankets. It baffles me how someone touted as a tight end/offensive/QB guru could have done so poorly in utilizing the position over an entire season.
And I think it's hilarious that everyone touts the turnaround to 9-7 as if 2-14 was the average for the two years prior. I realize that all of us wanted to win a Super Bowl in the first ten years of our existence and the numerous frustrations emanating from the Kubiak/Schaub-led years clouded everyone and made us feel like 2-14 was the norm, but people forget that the team was division champs for two years despite unbelievable injuries and luck and that it took the perfect storm of ridiculous to craft the 2-14 year. This is what I kept saying all last offseason. You people were coming from the idea that 2-14 was what we actually were and that 9-7 is MINDBLOWING because you expected 4-6 wins in 2014. I was coming from the idea that 2-14 was a *complete* abberation and I expected AT LEAST 8-8, 9-7 in 2014. This is why Bill O'Brien didn't impress me that much, even past the numerous and repeated specific in-game failings. This team did what it was SUPPOSED to do and the fact that the team let numerous games go that they should have won to put us back into the playoffs where we belonged to begin with angered me so much. And considering all this, when I see him get so much adoration, it bothers me that much more.
You people like the fact that he's turning us into the Patriots. I'm fine with turning into the Patriots in terms of winning. I'm not fine with turning into the Patriots in terms of how they conduct their business, their attitudes and personalities, and worst of all, their fanbase. You can be a successful franchise and organization without being morphed into an insufferable collection. The Green Bay Packers somehow do it. The Denver Broncos are not detestable. The Pittsburgh Steelers are highly respectful, tactful, and the picture of stability and loyalty. The St. Louis Cardinals are a model of class and dignity. The San Francisco Giants are smart, savvy, scrappy, and adaptable. And so on and so forth. Not only are there franchises that are successful, stable, iconic but respectable, so too are there players who are the same way. There are lovable and venerable players and there are repugnant players.
But of course, hating the New England Patriots (and all Boston Sports Teams and Fans) has to be reduced to hating them because they're successful, right? No. If we only hated teams and people because they're successful (as stated by you, Barackxecutioner, Kanye West, and society in general) then we wouldn't hate the Jaguars and Titans and I wouldn't hate the Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Raiders, and so many other countless examples. If I only hated teams and people because they're successful, I would LOVE the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant right about now. But I don't. Why? Because there *are* other reasons to find something or someone detestable. When the New England Patriots are broken and busted, I'll still be there with a profound hatred for the team. It's because my hatred isn't based on superficial nonsense like success.
I abhor the fact that the franchise I adore is slowly morphing into the franchise I loathe the most. The Andre Johnson fiasco only confirms this trend. Not that they cut him, mind you. But how it went down. Again, you people only see it as morphing into a winning franchise, but to me, it's more than that because above all, that's where I formulate my deep love for the franchises I choose to root for. I look into personalities, attitudes, the way business is conducted, etc. I look for reasons beyond success. I look for ties to my character. It helps me fall in love more. For a long time, I used to be proud that all four of the teams I root for somehow, someway were a reflection of my strongest qualities. Integrity and honor. Not so much anymore. The Suns have been taken over by an owner, general manager and players who have ruined the very fabric of what I loved about them. The Sabres are straight up losing on purpose for draft picks. Maybe I shouldn't do this, but hey, that's what I do. What good is success if you don't like the people who are achieving the success?
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That was very well written and I have no problems with what you stated, except for the lumping of all people into "you people". We don't all agree with anything about anything. Yes there are a few sunshine pumpers that denounce any negative word, but most of us realize it's a work in progress. OB hasn't done a whole lot different than the previous regime, other than clearing out the previous regime and asserting his own control. Kubiak had a LOT of great qualities, and some poor ones too. Same with OB. Time will tell if his method works or not, but I do like that the team seems to have a direction now. As far as NE goes, the only thing I want to emulate from there is the winning tradition they've had the last dozen years or so. I despise Pittsburgh more than any other, but I want 6 rings like they have. I grew up a Cowboy fan but can't stand Jerry Jones... I do want a history like they've had with what is it, 4 rings now? 5?
But no matter how I feel about a subject, I don't hate on those that think differently. I don't think everyone is out to "get me" or is "against me". They can believe what they want and I'll believe what I want. And if I think they spout unsubstantiated BS I'll say so. You want your opinion to be perceived as fact? Back it up.
Dude none of us is happy with the past. Some of us hope for a better future because it makes for better entertainment. You do and believe what you think is right and don't worry about what others say. But if you need to call someone out, be respectful so you get respect. If you weren't a Texans fan wanting us to be perennial contenders, you wouldn't be as passionate as you are. Hell, you wouldn't be here at all.
Peace bro
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
OK. I snickered...
Scooter
Funky
Yup, in 2 years Kubiak will be here with a 15-1 team, probably attempting his second Superbowl as a Manning farewell. But hey we've got Josh McBrien crapping our drafts and cutting a Hall of Fame receiver in order to sign leftovers and maybes. Dude's a Bele****ingchick disciple, he can do no wrong ... except for history. I mean we signed a head coach who's only NFL experience is as a TE coach - and he cant find the TE's. He spent his last 2 years at Penn State and should be the best evaluator of talent this season ... WHAMMY! I love how in love TEX is with O'Brien. I've got the moron on ignore, but as selfish as it is, I've got 'I told you so' written in 15 different languages.
Coaching guru - only NFL experience is 'Brady's *****'.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Why are you even a fan if the most important event you are waiting for is to say "I told you so"? In 15 difference languages no less. Sounds like you are rooting hard against the Texans.
Those words aren't new. If you knew me you would understand.
I was just having a little fun.
Brisco_County
Apples and roadmaps
You know how Occupy protesters and radical leftists will go out and start riots, break things, crap on cop cars, then when they're arrested scream about how the cops are brutalizing them?
Yeah...
Great post, even though I disagree with a lot of it. (Shocking)
The main difference is our personalities are different. You want your favorite teams to be some sort of moral beacon/set some type of example for all to see. I just want a winner (Like all of us do) and really don't care how it's done. I will leave all of the moral compass stuff up to pastors/police/firefighters etc.... After all as DB said it's just entertainment.
I want you to know that I do respect your thoughts though. Other than Pats fans, what is it that you dislike about the way they are run? Same with the Lakers? I see them as orgs that will do whatever it takes to win and admire that about them and wish the Texans org was more like them.
What's weird is we do have things in common, I'm conservative by nature.
Peace Man
I'm sorry to hear that you think your 'beloved' Texans fell off your little morality pedestal. I'm curious as what it was that had you put them up there to begin with.
Honoring Earl 34
Something Witty !
I felt this way when they took The Wacky Races off the Saturday morning cartoons and replaced it with Land of the Lost .
Me too
It may as well be the way they're acting now. Cut the starting center, cut the starting OLB, cut a starting WR,
Kinda like a certain someone around here who thinks you win with cap space, not looking at what your dollars bought you.
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
What OLB was cut?
Pretty much what I see so far as well. The only difference, is I think OB adds a bit of, "my sht don't stink" to it all.
Just curious, do you think Miami will break .500 next year since they just signed the NFL's biggest bad boy?
Honoring Earl 34
Something Witty !
Texans were 2-14 with JJ Watt .
I personally perceive Kubiak's main failing as a HC was his inability to bring in a quality defensive coordinator for many years.
He wasted his best offenses - 2009 & 2010 (when Schaub had back-to-back 4000+ yard seasons) - with craptacular defenses run by Frank Bush.
Nothing. Matrix would never allow a former Patriot coach to be seen in a positive in his mind.
His #80 Colts jersey is being ordered as we chat.
What bothers me about the Pats is the same thing that irked people about Barry Bonds or A-Rod; if they have to break some rules to win, they do it. I was taught that sports wasn't about cheating to win; it was supposed to be winning on the up-and-up. But obviously cheating to win is all well and good with you.
So be it. Each to his own.
Now you're just playing with words. Brooks Reed will be allowed to walk.
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
Is it cheating to design pass plays based around offensive pass interference but executed to avoid getting caught?
Is it cheating to teach OL how to get away with holding?
Competition brings out creativeness and pushing the boundaries of rules. I just haven't seen anything from New England that breaches the code of ethics among competitors. Perhaps it is because i grew up a baseball fan, when stealing signs and rubbing a baseball with petroleum jelly was celebrated.
I don't condone everything they have tried in New England, but I expect it from highly competitive people looking for that edge/advantage.
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
They tried to negotiate a deal with him- almost certainly a deal worth more than he was making in 2014... So, i don't think i am playing with words when i differentiate being outbid on a free agent with cutting a player.
michaelm
vox nihili
I agree, and adding to your point, the difference between him being cut, and him not being re-signed is significant related to how and when other teams can negotiate with him and sign him.
What's funny is the apparently very short memory of pro football fans.
The things that NE got caught doing were standard operating procedure for football teams in the 1960's and 1970's. There are plenty of football history books that reveal the details, but apparently the Morality Police can only look a the past 15 years and expect competitive professional sports teams to be the paragons of virtue.
The Broncos cheated the salary cap during their two championship years.
Jerry Rice admitted to cheating with Stickum during his entire career when it was illegal.
Jimmy Johnson (among other former NFL coaches) admitted to stealing playbooks and filming opponents whenever possible.
Deacon Jones admitted to putting steel bars inside his arm casts so he could knock linemen upside the head, basically trying to give them mini-concussions on each play.
We could go on and on about cheating in the NFL's history, and it still goes on today, but apparently the Patriots are the only team held to any sort of high standards these days.
michaelm
vox nihili
I saw an interview with a player from the Pittsburgh Pirates commenting on some accusations of a pitcher cheating. He said, "If I hear that a player on my team has a chance to cheat and not get caught and doesn't do it, I'm going to be pissed".
I hadn't heard about that one. But I found it
And I don't doubt the thing about Deacon Jones; hell, he's the main reason the head slap was outlawed (still love him though
)But still, aren't we supposed to be above that in this Modern-Day NFL??
Oh and the Saints paid the price for their transgressions so it's not just the Pats.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
I rarely know. Sometime I get facetious mixed up with ignorance. Glad you are the former.
That's funny. Fans do not want to admit it, but many players probably have this attitude.
I don't know. I do not hold professional sports teams to be the flag bearers of our culture's morality. They merely reflect it.
When the league itself gets caught red-handed in withholding and even hiding scientific information about the long-term effects of the sports on players, I'm just not sure that this is an organization that we should be holding to any standards other than the entertainment medium that it is at the end of the day.
We do not expect rock stars or movie stars to be held to high ethical standards. And football is no different in the role it plays in our society, and that would be one of the court jester entertainer.
What the Saints did was very common in the 1960's, '70's, and even '80's. Had that story come out in 1977, nobody would have blinked a eye. Read some of the biographies of the old football players. Speaking of Deacon Jones, he openly admitted that his primary motivation for playing football was being able to legally knock the crap out of white people. And those guys openly admit to trying to INJURE other players, not just 'hurt' them.
The Saints situation was magnified by today's social media instant reaction culture mixed with the on-going CTE saga (the one the NFL had actively covered up for years). They got caught at the wrong moment in time and that's why they paid the price. But the incentive system and attitude behind it happened for decades in the NFL. The old NFL that we all lament is gone now. Go figure.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
This is why I've been consistently for performance enhancing drugs.
Athletes are going to look for any edge they can get. If they can push the boundaries, they will. If it's going to cost them years off the end of their lives, they think it's worth it.
They have enough money and connections to do a lot of bizarre things that may or may not work. Especially with drugs.
Many of the drugs that are banned or illegal are actually really good in terms of helping players heal faster and get stronger and/or faster. I'd prefer that the athletes take those drugs under a physician's supervision than on the recommendation of some guy in the gym or some strength coach on the down low.
Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock
There it is in a nutshell.
That's about the best we can hope for now, I guess.
bah007
Hall of Fame
I'm on the same side of this as you are. But I also fear that athletes will always look for any edge that they can get. So if you allow performance enhancing drugs then that's where the level playing field will be. So the guys who want an edge are going to have to go to something more drastic to get it.
I'm not sure that is an argument against PEDs, but it's pretty much the only thing holding me back from saying that we should go there. Some guys will literally kill themselves trying to find an edge.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
I do not expect the Godless to have any moral compass, but simply what we see. Everything is permissible for ME and Nothing is permissible for YOU if it affects ME.
I am not surprised at the World with the path it has chosen.