I think as a fan base we have to come to grips with the fact that we were all wrong on the Dunta situation. Sure he acted immature and greedy, but he was an above average starting cornerback on a team that couldn't afford to give up secondary talent. We knew at the time our secondary would take a huge hit and in hind sight it was worse than anyone predicted. The Texans should have sucked it up and paid him. I'd pay Dunta $10m a year over paying a fullback $5m a year anytime. And yes Kubiak is a moron. A battlefighting moron.
Agreed. Given our need at that position and our inability to bring in ANYONE else, Dunta was worth far more to the Texans than what he signed for with the Falcons. But the problem was not merely that they didn't bring Dunta back...but that they had no Plan B for that, aside from throwing Kareem Jackson in there.
Here's a piece on Owen Daniels: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/06/03/te-daniels-healthy-eager-to-get-back-to-work
Like both of those linked pieces, good reads. OD's, to me, really stands out in contrast of Dunta's attitude his final year here. And I personally hold firm in my opinion - Robinson was awful his last two years in uniform with us and that six year, $57M contract he signed would have been an albatross in a hard cap league. At the time, I was open to resigning him for less than $5M a year total....no way would I or do I want him at $10M per. We all knew they needed to replace him, I and many others were uneasy with the Jackson pick the night it happened. They needed to bring in at least an average starting CB to pinch hit for a year. In an UNCAPPED year. Heck, we saw instant improvement when they finally caved and signed Jason Allen off of waivers. They needlessly went cheap regarding Schobel in August and allowed him to get out of shape before bringing him back and lowballing him all over again. The "stickin' with our guys" arrogance killed them with the defensive coaching staff and refusing to seek help for the secondary. None of that means it was a mistake to let Robinson walk. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7598744.html I know I'm quick to slam things I don't like, so I want to be sure and throw praise in Schaub's direction. I'll be honest and say I hadn't seen strong leadership qualities from him previously, but this impresses me. I think it's something that should improve the already good chemistry on the field and off it.
Oh, I think we came to an entirely new understanding of the word "awful" as it relates to corners and secondary, generally, upon his departure.
It's been a sucky few years here in H-town. By June we're saying, "Football season can't get here fast enough." Then the Texans fumble a few times, forget to cover half the field, forget that there's a game clock, and we're saying "Yeah but the Rox start in just a couple weeks!" Then by late November/early December we're saying, "Come on, Spring Training!"
"Allowed him to get out of shape"? That was *their* fault? And come on, BBS! This was posted a week ago and no one bothered to call emjohn out? Do I have to do everything around here?! Even if we concede the Texans “allowed him to get out of shape” – doesn’t that underscore how (not) committed Schobel was to playing this year? It’s not like they kept him on the hook for months and months – this was September. You don’t get “heavy” (his word) in a month – that’s an indication that he was done with football and had been packing on the weight for some time – more than 10 pounds by his own admission, and I’m guessing it was 25+ - guys that size don’t generally count 5-10 pounds as weight loss. So that he’d lost some, and had another 10-ish to go, makes me think he was, well, “heavy.” I won't begrudge your disappointment over not signing what I believe was a marginal player - but to blame the Texans for him being out of shape? (insert eye roll icon)
Starting to read more and more about the possibility of the lockout coming to an end soon. Getting pretty desperate for ANY football talk about the upcoming season rather than seasons past.
He made CRYSTAL CLEAR when the Bills released him: sign me now or I'm going to retire. Texans lowballed him, stayed millions off the number he wanted....so he RETIRED. Why do you continue to act like Schobel needed to keep himself in game shape in retirement just in case the Texans changed their minds? I have no major issues with the Texans not signing him in the final days of September....which is why I specifically said August (and you, naturally, danced away from because it doesn't help your argument). There was ZERO reason in an uncapped year to refuse former Pro Bowl help (who was rock solid the previous year) offering his services to your franchise specifically. McNair wouldn't pay him, so he retired. Holding it against him for not staying in shape during retirement is beyond weak. Sign him in August, and you don't waste over half the season cycling through the likes of Ogunleye and Denney.
I love when people act shocked that so very few people are chomping at the bit to defend Kubiak/McNair.
My biggest issue this year is . . .they will go 10-6 make the playoffs and lose in the 1st round [wildcard?] and will basically park there [at 10-6] or around it for the next 4 yrs [best case] I have no faith in Kubiak. I have a vote of No confidence. I think he basically cost the Texans several games last year [Blame the Defense. . but uhm . . head coach is over that too] Generally speaking. . I think of Kubiak as a - coach. I feel like he will cost you 1~2 games a year. Wade Phillips will help. But I fear the playoffs this year will extend Kubiak's tenure another 4~5 years [10-6 this year . .. and then 8-8 and 9-7 . .does McNair fire him? NO!!!] I guess I am saying . . . I don't think Kubiak can win the big one [meaning playoffs much less anything beyond] Rocket River
LOL. Schobel later most certainly did not add, "Unless the Texans sign me, of course. So in anticipation of that happening, I'm going to keep working out as hard as ever - despite admitting that the passion is gone. But man, if they jerk me around, I'm gonna put Papa John's on the speed dial. Am I being CRYSTAL CLEAR, people??! Meat lovers: nightly. Book it." That's simply not true. He *stayed* retired. They didn't, so far as I know, meet with him until September, more than a month after he retired. That’s when Schobel said this: “It would have been hard for my ego to be a role player.” So "low ball" is a matter of perspective. For a role player, I'm guessing they offered him a competitive salary. He just didn't think he was a role player - why is that undeniably McNair's fault?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7141743.html Your arguments are great when you omit what really happened. Sort of like how you like to say it was "one month" when we're actually talking about Aug 4th to Sept 29th.
wait -- your source is the Chronicle (*ouch*). I didn't catch the source Ric used -- but do you think it may be more credible than the local rag?
Any chance to live past week 17 is fine by me. I was too young to attend any Oilers postseason games but I know for damn sure I'll make the most of the Texans first ever playoff game no matter where it is. 10-6 could be good enough to win this division for the next few years (unless the titans/jags new qbs are ORoY good), and once they're in the playoffs it's any given sunday. Sadly we can all agree Kubiak isn't a super level head coach, and probably whatever fatal mistake that costs us that playoff game will be a direct consequence of one of his decisions. McNair will chalk it up to being green or maybe even nervous about his job security, and like you said, give Gary a fat extension.
