http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3359967 Chris Palmer, the Texans offensive coordinator since their inception in 2002, was fired this morning and was replaced by offensive line coach Joe Pendry. The beleaguered Palmer, under fire because the Texans offense has scored only two touchdowns in losses to Buffalo and Pittsburgh, got the word during a meeting with coach Dom Capers at Reliant Stadium. Contacted this morning, the Texans said they would not comment until Capers' regularly scheduled news conference this afternoon at which the head coach announced the move. Pendry takes over the play-calling responsibilities. Because the Texans have a bye week, Pendry has two weeks to prepare for the next game at unbeaten Cincinnati. Pendry, a long-time NFL coach who was previously offensive coordinator at Carolina and Buffalo, will try to develop some consistency in an offense that has been unproductive against the Bills and Steelers, the two best defensive teams in the NFL last season. Interestingly, Pendry was fired by Capers after the 1997 season at Carolina. Although, it was never confirmed, there was speculation that Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made Capers fire Pendry, who was under fire because his offense was too conservative and unimaginative. After being fired, Pendry was hired as Buffalo's offensive coordinator under Wade Phillips. In 1998 and 1999, Pendry's first two seasons with the Bills, Buffalo ranked sixth and 11th in offense and made the playoffs in both seasons. Pendry was part of the Phillips purge after the 2002 season. He was Washington's offensive line coach in 2001 and was out of the NFL in 2002 and 2003 before Capers hired him as offensive line coach last season. It's a start..
sounds like this guy is even more of a conservative play caller... anything to get the moral up and make these guys give a sh*t... if we are going to run power formations with 2 and 3 tight ends why did they cut billy miller and keep a 5th reciever?
That was quick, but not suprising. I think the Texans could use a real shakeup w/ the team, something needed to be done.
I think it's a good move to get rid of Palmer. The article said Pendry was fired with Carolina for being too conservative on offense. Isn't this the problem we are having? Two wrongs don't make a right.
"Interestingly, Pendry was fired by Capers after the 1997 season at Carolina. Although, it was never confirmed, there was specualtion that Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made Capers fire Pendry, who was under fire because his offense was too conservative and unimaginative." Fun.... Hopefully since he's worked with the OLine so much, he can find a way to exploit their meager strengths and hide some of their many weaknesses.
LOL at the pic! While something needed to be done, I dont think this is the solution. We need more heads to roll and other drastic changes to happen.
I like the firing of Palmer. Putting Pendry in as the replacement is idiotic. He should be fired as well. That demonstratos how dumb Capers is, so he should be fired, too.
I am all for this firing! That guy made the worse play call decisions... we looked like dookie against Pittsburgh.
I'm glad to hear this. I really like the move. Palmer needed to go, he was way too conservative and predictable. Not too sure about his replacement though.
Let Capers do what he feels is neccessary to turn this team around. Capers right now is fighting for his job, and if he doesn't perform he will be fired at the end of the year. There are no good options right now to replace Capers anyway.
... And in other news, Greg Davis and Dan Reeves have been named Co-Offensive Coordinators. HEY HOUSTON! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME "RUN, RUN, PASS... RUN, RUN, PASS... RUN, RUN, PASS"!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
You bring up an interesting question: What championship-quality coaches would be available to replace Capers? When the Texans were first built I felt strongly that they should make every effort possible to get Bill Parcells to coach. If they didn't get any other talent that year, I wanted them to get Parcells. Sadly, the Big Tuna went to our nemesis.
This reminds me of when RC Slocum fired Dino Babers to take the pressure off of himself, then later he got fired. This is just Capers buying his own time/pushing the blame.
