[Official] Texans Offseason 2011

J.R. · Jul 31, 2011

Haha only a short amount sleep.

Bob McNair BS below

After seeing his team blow five games in the fourth quarter or overtime and finish 6-10 in what became the most exasperating and disappointing season in Texans history, owner Bob McNair vowed he would no longer tolerate losing.

"It's a good thing there aren't any cliffs in Harris County, or I would have found one," McNair said, looking back at last season. "I expect to win. When we lose, I'm so devastated I don't want to see anybody. It kills me because I'm so competitive. It's just very disheartening."

Now that the NFL lockout is over and the Texans are starting training camp and preparing for coach Gary Kubiak's sixth season, McNair's frustration has turned into unmitigated optimism. He has higher expectations than at any time during his first nine years as owner.

"I want to see us do more than just make the playoffs," he said. "That's what I expect. I think we have the talent to do it. I think we've got the coaching staff to do it.

"We've got to be as good as we can be. If we do that, we're going to be in the playoffs. Not only are we going to be in the playoffs, but we're going deep into the playoffs."Sitting in the library of his River Oaks home, McNair, 74, looks comfortable and sounds confident. He has recovered from hip-replacement surgery and has returned to the golf course.

He has plenty of time to devote to his NFL team — and more than a few opinions on how this season will unfold:

On coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith
McNair won't say it's a playoffs-or-bust season for Kubiak and Smith, but no one knows better than they do what's at stake.

At the same time, Kubiak and Smith are not joined at the hip when it comes to their job evaluations.

"I view them separately," McNair said. "They each have a job. They have to work together just like a lot of our people. Each has their own individual responsibility. One doesn't pull the other one down, and one doesn't pull the other one up. Both have to efficiently manage (their responsibilities) and get results based on the circumstances.

"If they don't do that, then we have a problem. If they do that, they're going to be here a long time.

"The key for anyone running an organization is you have to evaluate how your executive team has done under the circumstances. If you've determined they have done a good job under the circumstances, that's all you can ask of anyone."

Smith and Kubiak are coming off an excellent offseason. Wade Phillips was added as defensive coordinator. The Texans had an impressive defensive draft, and they added free-agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning.

But now it's time to play, and results on the field are how a coach and general manager are judged.

McNair has shown a lot of patience with Kubiak and Smith. The Texans are 37-43 in their five seasons.

Another losing season, and that patience is expected to run out.

"We're all accountable," McNair said. "If we don't deliver value for our fans and make for a happy experience when they come to Reliant Stadium, they won't be there. But Gary and Rick? (The jobs of) everybody in the organization (are) on the line. They all know that.

"We'll be patient and give people the resources and give them enough time to get the job done, but if they don't do it, then we have to get somebody else."

McNair doesn't want to fire Kubiak.

"Nobody wants to win more than Gary does," he said. "He's from Houston. He's a good person. He's a good coach. His players like him. He's never lost control of the locker room - a lot of things fans don't take into consideration.

"Generally speaking, when a coach is not doing well and he loses control of the locker room, it goes from being bad to being a disaster. Gary has never lost control of the locker room because the players have confidence in him as a leader. He's a stand-up guy who always defends his players."

McNair wishes Kubiak wouldn't be so hard on himself after defeats. When the Texans lose, Kubiak, 49, blames himself.

"Every time we lose, he can't just say, 'It's my fault. That's on me.' The players appreciate that, but that's not being candid," McNair said. "You don't have to throw individual players under the bus, but if it's obvious our defense let us down, there's nothing wrong with saying, 'I'm really disappointed with the way we played. I thought we had the game won, but our defense didn't step up when they needed to, and we've got to improve on that.'

"The fans read, 'It's my fault,' so they're more critical of Gary. And they don't appreciate that he's as good a coach as he really is."

On the team's management vision
Despite last season's record and the lockout, the Texans have sold the second-most season tickets in team history. McNair said sponsorships have increased. The team has sold out every game in franchise history. Forbes ranks the Texans as the ninth-most valuable sports franchise in the world.

Smith runs the personnel side of the organization; team president Jamey Rootes runs the business side.

"We give them a vision, and we allow them to execute that vision," McNair said. "If they can't execute it, we'll replace them with someone who can. That's what business is all about.

"They know what I expect. They know that I'm patient, but at the same time, I expect people to perform. I don't go in and beat up on them. I don't think that gets you the best results. I don't want people beating up on me all the time. I want them focused, and I don't want to distract. But if I've got something to say, I don't hesitate to tell them. I expect them to pay attention, and they do. It's up to them to make sure they perform."

On the defense

The Texans performed poorly last season, and many fans and members of the media howled for Kubiak's job. Instead, the team fired three defensive coaches, including coordinator Frank Bush, after finishing 30th on that side of the ball, including 32nd against the pass.

"I've never been impetuous when some people, just by nature, are impetuous," McNair said. "They make decisions before they have all the facts. They just do what their emotions tell them to do at that point in time. That's just not my style.

"If you're not performing the way you want to perform, you have to determine what the problem is. (Last season) was a terrible letdown for all of us.

"We analyzed the season and what the problem was. Well, our defense was the problem, so we decided it was time to make changes.

"We needed to get a top-flight, highly qualified defensive coordinator, and we've done that."

McNair told Kubiak he wanted him to hire an experienced defensive coordinator. Phillips was the only coordinator interviewed.

"One thing I like about Wade is that his defense is very simple," McNair said. "He'll say, 'I want my players to understand what they're doing, what's expected of them, what they're supposed to do. When the ball is snapped, they don't have to think, so you be very aggressive.' "

On free agents and players
McNair has the coaches he wants. He approved giving Joseph and Manning a combined $32.5 million guaranteed. He leaves it up to Smith and Kubiak to determine which players they want to pursue.

Talking about the free-agent acquisitions and re-signing their free agents, McNair focused on the need at cornerback.

"We wanted to strengthen that position," he said. "We did what we have to do. We also wanted to strengthen our safety position, and we did."

McNair's philosophy is to build through the draft. He is not shy about paying his players, but it's usually not his style to spend millions on players from other teams. This free-agent period was different, though, because the Texans had desperate needs that McNair, Smith and Kubiak thought could help the team make the playoffs for the first time.

Joseph and Manning signed deals totaling $68.75 million.

"It's how you spend the money, not how much money you can spend," McNair said. "Generally speaking, when you sign the really high-priced players, what you're doing is overpaying. And very often you're overpaying at a time that they've already peaked. You're taking money away from other positions that would have allowed you to strengthen your team.

"The key is to get a number of quality players. We've had good luck with the free agents that weren't the most high-profile."

Now the Texans have the second-highest rated cornerback in free agency in Joseph, who also was one of the top free agents overall.

On making the playoffs
This is the Texans' 10th season. Because they never have made the playoffs and have finished with only one winning record, McNair has nothing to promote for their 10th anniversary - no catchy slogan.

"I wish we had a championship and we could celebrate something of that nature," he said. "Obviously, it's taken more time than I anticipated.

"We've got the best fans in the league. We can celebrate that. I think our fans deserve a winner and a championship team, and that's what I'm committed to deliver. That's why I take care of myself (physically), so I can live a long time and deliver on that promise."

And if the Texans don't deliver?

"I'm going to be extremely disappointed," he said. "We're just like the fans. I'm tired of not being in the playoffs. The players are tired of not being in the playoffs. The coaches are tired of not being in the playoffs."

The past, though, is not McNair's focus. He is riveted on the dream of a playoff future.

"I'm determined that's where we're going to be," he said. "I'm never going to give up. That's why I've been successful (in business). I just never give up. I'm going to make it happen, one way or another."
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Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7677086.html#ixzz1TfwCe5Mg

Raven · Jul 31, 2011

"It's a good thing there aren't any cliffs in Harris County, or I would have found one," McNair said, looking back at last season. "I expect to win. When we lose, I'm so devastated I don't want to see anybody. It kills me because I'm so competitive. It's just very disheartening."
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Ha ha, sure whatever, actions speak louder than words, and your pet is still coaching the team, so I'm not convinced you care as much as you want us to think.

Joe Joe · Jul 31, 2011

Raven said: ↑

Ha ha, sure whatever, actions speak louder than words, and your pet is still coaching the team, so I'm not convinced you care as much as you want us to think.
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The offense works. The action of trying to fix the problem was done.

DonnyMost · Jul 31, 2011

ferrari77 said: ↑

How is he a bust just because he got cut? He's barely 25, put up average numbers last season(which we all expected to be better but the entire defence was shiit anyways). Now if 3-5 years from now he's out of the league with the same average numbers then yeah, it'd be fair to call him that.
I'd call Vernon Gholston a bust since he's shown ZILCH his entire time in the league. Amobi on the other hand has shown something and I don't think that's fair to label him a bust right now. No one's calling Jason Babin a bust at the moment are they?

Well let me correct myself, if it's in the sense of "draft bust for the Texans" then sure. If it's in the general sense that he's a bust as a player then I got a problem with that since like Babin, the story isn't over w/regards to the rest of his career.
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Oh FFS.... 10th overall pick... barely produced.... cut from the team after 4 years.... he's a bust until he shows otherwise.... and even if he magically pulls one good season out of his butt a la Babin.... he's still a bust based on his career expectations vs performance.

rockets934life · Jul 31, 2011

McClain_on_NFL John McClain

Texans agreed with OLB Brooks Reed (2nd round), CB Brandon Harris (2) and QB T.J. Yates (5th). Only DE J.J. Watt (first) remains unsigned
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codell · Jul 31, 2011

Raven said: ↑

Ha ha, sure whatever, actions speak louder than words, and your pet is still coaching the team, so I'm not convinced you care as much as you want us to think.
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Do you really think that someone who has hundreds of millions of dollars invested in something doesn't care a whole heck of a lot?

jtotheb · Jul 31, 2011

Kinda strange that Watt hasn't signed yet. Never thought he would be the last of the top 15 picks to sign.

J.R. · Jul 31, 2011

ProFootballTalk ProFootballTalk
J.J. Watt expected to sign today http://t.co/7L4mcM3

NickScurfield Nick Scurfield

Andre Johnson said he talks to FB Vonta Leach every day and his gut feeling is that Leach will be back with the Texans
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th3tak3ov3r · Jul 31, 2011

@NickScurfield
Andre Johnson said he talks to FB Vonta Leach every day and his gut feeling is that Leach will be back with the Texans

rikesh316 · Jul 31, 2011

jtotheb said: ↑

Kinda strange that Watt hasn't signed yet. Never thought he would be the last of the top 15 picks to sign.
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Texans are the last team to open training camp. No need for him to sign early. He will sign by today.

J.R. · Jul 31, 2011

NickScurfield Nick Scurfield
Johnson called J. Joseph and Manning "the biggest signings that we've had since I've been here. I'm very excited."

J.R. · Jul 31, 2011

NickScurfield Nick Scurfield
Johnson and Joseph were both at Fred Bennett's wedding this offseason. Andre said J-Jo stressed how badly he wanted to play for the Texans

rezdawg · Jul 31, 2011

rezdawg said: ↑

I saw Barwin at Roak tonight...the guy was wasted.
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I just realized that today is team meetings only and that practice starts tomorrow.

ron413 · Jul 31, 2011

bye bye Leach, per Vonta's own twitter comment few minutes ago

@vleach44- "My time in Houston was great, thank my teammates, my fans."
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http://twitter.com/#!/@vleach44

J.R. · Jul 31, 2011

Damn. Well, hello James Casey

rikesh316 · Jul 31, 2011

Bye Leach. Hello hopefully Lawrence Vickers. I don't know if Casey can be the blocker you need in a fullback.

Egghead · Jul 31, 2011

rikesh316 said: ↑

Bye Leach. Hello hopefully Lawrence Vickers. I don't know if Casey can be the blocker you need in a fullback.
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Leron Mclain from Baltimore would be a good pick up too.

rikesh316 · Jul 31, 2011

Egghead said: ↑

Leron Mclain from Baltimore would be a good pick up too.
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Nah. He doesn't want to be a fullback. He wants to carry the ball not block.

Egghead · Jul 31, 2011

Fullback Vonta Leach has agreed to a Three-year $11 million contract with Baltimore.

rikesh316 · Jul 31, 2011

Egghead said: ↑

Fullback Vonta Leach has agreed to a Three-year $11 million contract with Baltimore.
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Damn that is a lot of money for a fullback. Glad the Texans didn't pay that much.

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