That is absolutely, positively a fair question and a giant black mark against Kubiak. I would rank it his greatest failing. The Texans were going to hire an experienced DC; it’s not like they had any intention of bringing Frank Bush back. That Phillips was available worked out well, as he certainly fit the profile – but I’m at a loss why we’re discrediting the hire. Seems akin to the “yeah but” argument always thrown at Drayton when he re/signed Bagwell, Biggio, Kent, Clemens, Pettitte – “Yea, but - HOWETOWN DISCOUNT! Doesn’t count.” Kubiak drafted Williams, Ryans, Cushing, Quinn, Barwin; signed Smith, Cody… He’s not, nor has he ever been the defensive coordinator – but he has supplied the defense with plenty of talent (as well as terrible coaching). The exact same thing could be said for Sean Payton. Mike McCarthy… He’s not here to run the defense; never has been. His job was to hire someone competent to do so. Until this year, he had failed at that. That very rarely happens. Most head coaches are former assistant coaches who specialized in one side of the ball. Smart head coaches and/or organizations find an equally competent person to run the side they don’t have experience with. I promise you – Mike McCarthy has almost nothing to do with Dom Capers’ defense in Green Bay.
Dumb ish like being too conservative, which has played a part in 2 of our losses this season. I believe Kim already gave you examples of this in post #33. Of course, you disagreed. Do you agree that things are easier to mask when facing worse competition?
Generally speaking, Kubiak is a p***y when it comes to trying to be aggressive at opportune times. He plays scared and his play calling reflects that. However, I think he has done a better job this season compared to previous years. Just like players need time to develop and grow, coaches need the same thing. As Kubiak gets more experienced, Im hoping he continues to learn and improve on things.
It's different insofar as, due in part to sample size, there's a lot stronger correlation to support the argument regarding unsuccessful coaches remaining unsuccessful than there is between super bowl winning coaches not being more successful.
Yeah, and it made absolutely no sense to me. We had the lead in all 3 games mentioned. How did playing conservatively *cost* us the game? It's not, so far as I can fathom, a defensible position. Against the Saints, we had :35 left starting at our own 20. Against the Steelers, we had a 5.5-minute drive that ended on 2 incompletions and a FG with 2.5 minutes left in the half. The final first half drive against Oakland ended on three shotgun incompletions from Schaub. Yes. What is he masking, though?
but why?? why would you extend him when he still has another year left on his current contract? Short of making the super bowl there's no way i extend kubiak's contract. he isn't going anywhere, no one is going to make such a strong push for him that he would leave bob mcnair and the city of houston. the guy has been a medoicre coach for damn near his entire career here. make him do it again before you lock him up for absolutely no reason whatsoever.
What was one of the biggest (and justified) complaints about Kubiak last season? That we didn't run the ball enough. Remember the loss to the colts? Do you think he's shown improvement in that area? Hint: We're 2nd in the league in rushing yards and have had 2 RB's rush for 100+ yards in the same game twice this season.
Well, it makes sense to others. Rezdawg appears to have the same beef (see post #103). No need to argue in circles about it, but I feel pretty confident saying we aren't the only ones who still see Kubes doing stuff we don't like, winning record and all. That's why I keep asking "what have you seen him do better this year". His coaching defencicies, which some aren't convinced have changed. This is relevant if you are discussing other coaches that you would prefer. Some posters are pointing to the record to support that coaching is no longer an issue for this team. Personally, I'm not sold that his coaching won't be an issue when we start facing the big boys. When MadMax mentioned that he would rather have Cowher, whom he feels is a better coach, there were responses pointing to our record. It's quite possible to face worse teams and have a better record but some of the issues still exist.
For me the bottom line is this: Would I rather have Bill Cower over Gary Kubiak as head coach? Yes. Would I rather have Bill Cower over Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips? I'm not so sure. With the former, we have a defensive guy running the team. With the latter, we have an offensive guy running the offense and a defensive guy running the defense. To me, that is a better formula. Look at the Packers with Capers having full control of the defense.
Why wouldn't you assume Cowher could hire a great offensive coordinator? He gets the reputation of a boring running team, but they had a pretty big mix of styles depending on personnel and had success with a variety of QB styles in Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox, and Big Ben.
I'll take our current offense over any offense Cower's ever overseen. #2 in the league in rushing yards (with our 2 best weapons missing serious time with injuries). I just don't understand why the Cower talk is going on NOW. While the team is playing the best football in the history of the franchise. I was on the Cower bandwagon back in December. Check my posts in this forum. But at some point, you have to forget about 2010 and move on. Personally, I haven't had this much fun as a Houston football fan in almost 20 years. I just wish people would stop over-analyzing every single negative play and enjoy the ride. Lord knows it's been a long time coming.
The problem I have is that too many of these "others" (yourself included) refuse to give an inch; and if presented with overwhelming contradictory evidence, they just move the target. Or make something up (ie he's too conservative) that can't actually be defended, or proven, because it's a figment of someone's imagination (this includes the numerous people holding Kubiak responsible for blowing future playoff games and/or regressing next year). Where has he improved? Each and every year, offensively, the Texans have entered a season with very specific concerns; and each and every year, they have successfully addressed those concerns. Last year, it was red zone efficiency - they ranked 13th in 2009, leaving too many points on the field. In '10, they improved to 5th. This year, it was slow starts. In '10, they ranked 25th in 1Q scoring and 24th in first half scoring. They currently rank 3rd and 2nd in those categories. When the running game faltered in 2009, they improved it. When the kicking game faltered in 2009, they improved. When the punting game faltered in 2010, they improved it. When the special teams return and coverage faltered in 2010, they improved it. When the defense historically imploded in 2010, they improved it. Everyone whined about Phillips' hiring; whined about the Texans never doing anything in free agency; whined about their draft choices; whined about the easy schedule; whined about them not trading for/signing (insert name of every single available NFL player)... Now, people are whining about future playoff losses and regression - It's an endlessly moving target. They never get credit for accomplishments because everyone is too busy trying to find the next thing to whine about. If you want to criticize Kubiak for his ignorance, with regards to building an effective defensive system - have at it. I've been on that point for a loooooooong time. But I would also hold the owner and GM to the same fire; they allowed him to make the same mistake twice. And it took him a year, maybe two, longer than it should have to get to where they are today. But griping about that, now, seems so silly to me. They're 6-3, first in their division, first in the conference in wins with a top 5 offense and #1 defense. And there's a thread about how great it'd be if Bill Cowher were our coach............... I almost hope they implode. Too many people here are inexplicably spoiled fans who deserve a perrennial loser. I think you're all f'ed in the head. We're seven games from the f'ing playoffs and you want to post about Bill Cowher. Well I'll tell you something. This is no longer an NFL season. It's a quest. It's a quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun and you're gonna have fun. We're all gonna have so much f'ing fun we'll need plastic surgeory to remove our godamn smiles. You'll be whistling 'Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah' out of you're a'holes! I gotta be crazy! I'm on a pilgrimage to see a bull. Praise Torro! Holy Sh**! DON'T TOUCH!
It was a great post until he stole my Vacation quote shtick. You know what the penalty for that kind of thing is on this forum? Well....it's probably pretty stiff.
This post is a perfect embodiment of my frustration. First, RR sets an impossibly high standard - a 10-game win streak or a 9-1 finish. He's expecting, nay - demanding that a team with one winning season in its 10-year history reel off a double-digit win streak. Now comes the moving target.... And just like that (snaps), RR has set-up a platform in which he can continue to whine EVEN IF THEY REEL OFF 10 STRAIGHT WINS. Because even THAT won't be enough if they lose their first playoff game. etc., etc., etc.
