It all sounds like the local media is piggy backing on an opinion made by Glazer because they don't like the fact that Brock is starting. Brock is only starting because Tom couldn't stay on the field. It seems like just yesterday Obrian was going to quit and go coach that small school in Maryland or Delaware, the locals were so sure of it. Just like they were so sure B.O.B's fingerprints were all over the 2014 draft because it was full of tough football players, until the moment Clowney suffered a tragic injury then the draft belonged to rick and rick only. I believe the coaching staffs are given their own reigns to get the players they envision for their system. Last year's Qbs all had ties to that team in the east so B.O.B has had more than a say at who plays qb. There will always be tension between GM and coach, unless you have the rare instance in which the coach brings in his own GM. And that's not even guaranteed as it backfired on kubes. The problem for O'brian is he is trying to run the Brady UGG nirvana offense without Brady. If Brian had wanted Baby Carr, Baby Carr would have been here. It's that simple. One, he wouldn't have taken the job if he had no say in the offense and it's clear he's been trying the uggs offense here since day 1.
The only thing I could see possibly is that McNair was so fed up from the QB carousel last year that he told Rick to just get someone and ignore Obrien. But that still doesn't excuse all the mess OBrien was making pre-Brock. And you're right the personnel decisions have had OBrien's fingerprints: -New England retreads -A big TE who would be the next Gronk -A big NT who would be the next Wilfork -Aggressive trade ups that rarely happened under Kubiak -Chicken and Shrimp had a good game against New England once -The "speed" draft we just had so OBrien finally could show his genius
CJ has actually had a good year. Rick choosing Brock is grounds for dismissal. GM's get fired for less.
Go ahead ...fire BOB. Maybe the only way to finally get rid of Rick Smith when his handpicked replacement goes south, a la Trent Baalke.
These guys legit? Never heard their show: Source also mentioned that Brock signing was all Rick, that he was thrown onto BOB, and that BOB wanted to start Savage from Day 1.
John McClain has now weighed in on this whole topic on SR610 this morning; he basically said that while the relationship between O’Brien and Rick Smith probably isn’t great, O’Brien isn’t going anywhere next season. He cited money as a major reason, as well as the fact that the timing would be terrible since replacement candidates would already be taken by other teams.
Well that's it. There it is. O'Brien is officially gone. RICK SMITH FOREVERRRRRRRRRR...FORRRREEEEEEVVVVVEERRRR....FORRRRRREEEEEEEEVVVVVVERRRRR
Pancakes also mentioned that BOB and Rick were on the sidelines talking and laughing before the game this past week, and that two guys who hated each other wouldn’t be doing that. Lastly, he mentioned how crazy it would be for BOB to just quit, since he has two years left on his contract and wouldn’t be able to take another NFL job, not to mention the lost salary.
I swear he is so stupid. OBrien isn't going to just "quit" and sit out. The parting would be a "mutual parting of ways." Not that I believe it is going to happen, but I do agree with Lance that the source of these leaks is Rick Smith. Smith is setting up the firing of Obrien.
Will Rick Smith be held accountable for the hiring of BOB if he needs to be fired? Of course not. In fact, none of us is even sure what Rick Smith does...or what he's accountable for...ever. Greatest job of all time. Your boss' son is your best friend. You have an amazing title working for a pro sports franchise. You sit with the owner and his son (your best friend) at every home game. And you aren't accountable for anything. Man, sign me up!!!
I posted this on this board years ago when I had a friend in the organization. People on the football ops side that were fired were pissed. They knew they were going to be (I posted weeks ahead of time that they would be) and they couldn't understand how Rick Smith could be detached from them in the blame game. I don't know if there has ever been a GM who has presided over three coaches, multiple football ops clean outs, etc. all while being a mediocre football team.
The Texans aren't that "mediocre" though, 4 division champions in 6 years. The majority of GMs in the league would kill for that record.
Houston and Bill O’Brien—you wouldn’t think there was a chance that would change. And it probably will not. But I keep hearing things are not great between O’Brien and GM Rick Smith, so stay tuned to the first post-playoff-loss day in Houston. http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/01/03/nfl-head-coach-rumors-candidates-black-monday-mailbag
The Texans are 88-88 since Rick Smith became the GM in 2006. Over the last 6 seasons they are 51-45 which is a winning pct of 53.13%. So during his entire tenure they are exactly mediocre and during that amazing "4 division champions in 6 years" run they are barely over .500.
82-78 during Smith's tenure, knocked down considerably by the 2-14 anomaly in '13. Overall, only two losing seasons in 10 years with four division titles. And he drafted the best player in football with the, what? 14th pick? I'm not offering an opinion, either way, and I understand a deeper dive undermines some of the accomplishments - but, on the surface, that's a fairly competent resume.
