The best teams in the league would argue otherwise (Chiefs, Saints, Patriots, Ravens, Rams all dominated by their head coach). There is less division between NFL team head coaches/GM's than any other sport. The Texans worst years came when they had such a division (Casserly/Capers). Kubiak was the official GM until he hired (hand-picked) Smith to come in and manage his cap. And if it truly doesn't work, you fire the coach/regime and bring in an entire new one.
Ravens? I think they had a strong GM. The Broncos, Packers, and Seahawks won with powerful GMs. I think it all depends on the coach. If you prove you can coach well, the GM will defer to you. The question is whether O'Brien has earned that right. I think one of O'Brien's weaknesses is in his hiring of staff and delegating. He values his "alignment" so much and often hires people who he likes, has worked with in the past, or have worked with the Patriots. Just hire the best man for the job. The Carl Smith hire really excited me because it doesn't seem like he fits the "alignment" category. This will be a great time to remind everyone that Mike Devlin is still the offensive line coach.
Could also flip it around... if you have a proven GM (which is less and less common in the NFL), then they've earned the right to call all the shots. Its rare that you have two strong/controlling guys co-existing. O'Brien has command of the locker room, and for the most part seems he runs a tight ship in terms of player off-the-field transgressions, or just behavior issues in general. Yes, his in-game decisions deserve to be questioned (and then some), and ultimately, he'll lose his job if he and Watson don't continue to win at a decent rate. I brought up the Ravens because now that Newsome is gone, its clear that Harbaugh has final say.
The ravens have brought in different offensive minds, bellicheck has brought in different guys and gives them play calling. Rams brought their offensive coordinator from different organizations, etc. I don’t know if there is another example of a mediocre offense where the head coach if the play caller and he refuses to bring him an outside coordinator. The Smith addition this offseason was super exciting and gives me hope.
Of course Bellicheick gives another guy play calling... he's a defensive specialist. Same goes for Harbaugh and the Ravens (he was a special teams coach). Meanwhile, you have Andy Reid and Sean Payton calling all the plays. Mike McCarthy was the same in Green Bay. After Watson's electric debut, I was on board with whatever got the most out of him. Last year was somewhat of a set-back, but its clear their offensive ability was limited by the crap-tastic O-line (for which if you want to blame BOB for that, fine). Again, its whatever it takes to get the absolute most out of Watson, regardless of who's truly calling the plays.
The difference between us and the other teams that are dominated by the head coach is they actually have good head coaches.
Bellicheck gives defensive play calling to his coordinator, Payton used to let his coordinator do it. Harbaugh doesnt call any side of the plays. Reid and Payton have years of demonstrated offensive prowess. O’Brien doesn’t. Even his one good stretch with Watson the year before last it was mostly Watson breaking plays down and making stuff happen. I’m 100% on board with O’Brien as a leader of men. I think his game day coaching has issues and that is problematic because he doesn’t bring in someone who he empowers
If you're going to simplify it to that, why not apply it to every other "elite" coach.... Reid was only great this year because Mahomes was making stuff happen. Payton is only good when Brees is making stuff happen... I'm not saying BOB was entirely 100% responsible, but after that electric debut, you don't bring in another coordinator to take over Watson's development. Granted, if they truly cared about Watson's development, they should have fixed the O-line going into last season... and doesn't seem like it will be fixed going into this season.
Agreed about two controlling minds usually causes clashes. I think the closest might be in Seattle where both seem to be strong and good at their jobs. But it doesnt look like they clash a lot. We will see about the Ravens sans Newsome to see how well it works out. I actually liked the "idea" of the Rick Smith and Bill O'Brien relationship where if there was a disagreement the owner would be the deciding vote. Neither the GM nor the coach is too powerful or too arrogant. Obviously it won't work unless both aren't too power hungry or too arrogant.
For those thinking the #Jets panicked for Joe Douglas because of the #Texans, that was never the case. #Texans were never in the race for Douglas, per @RapSheet — LoyalNYJetFans (@loyalnyjetfans) June 10, 2019 At this point it should be Nick Caserio or BUST for the #Texans as GM. I’m starting to believe him coming here is why Gaine was let go in the first place. If he’s not the guy then stuff could hit the fan, but I like what he brings and think he’s the right guy for the gig. — Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) June 10, 2019
Im relieved to hear that folks feel good about the draft and that this looks like a case of, "our dream guy has become available." Sucks for Gaine and it does look a little shady from the outside, but it sounds like they have a plan. Thats what i was most scared of....no plan
I can't bother to fight about this. In real time during that season multiple people here were commentating how plays were breaking down and Watson was making magic happen. I can't comment on the Chiefs because I didn't watch them much, but Andy Reid has a proven productive system. Sean Payton calls plays. They've routinely been creative in how they use running backs and tight ends. They scheme guys open. There are serious questions about whether the Texans have been successful scheming an offense.
Texans fired him because O'Brien/Cal wanted him out. What's next: O'Brien, if he has his way, will bring his next Patriot puppet.
I mean there's not much more to it than that lol. The relationship changed, Obrien didn't like Gaine as a GM anymore and now they'll bring in a new guy that he'll be aligned with. But we can't let the excitement about a Caserio let them change history. When the Texans went after Gaine he was the favorite from day 1 and the talk was about how close he and OBrien were. We got all of the talk about alignment. Now the relationship had "eroded" and he needs a new guy he's "aligned" with. Keep that in mind when it's all sunshine and roses at the intro press conference.
