I just don't get how anyone can back Kubiak at this point anymore. What has he done that would even give you small hope that he can right this ship. People always use the "do you want to wait three years with a new regime excuse?" You see it all the time in the NFL where a new regime can turnaround a mediocre/average team to a playoff team in 1 or 2 years all the time. A new regime isn't going to blow up this team and start from scratch.
maybe. but it sure is nice to have an NFL franchise in H-town, ain't it? The guy's not Jerry Jones or Al Davis.
I'll ask again, how many players currently starting for us would be starters for other teams, what pieces other than Mario do we have to build around defensively? Please list them or better yet please defend them. Antonio Smith A Rotation player at best on a good line, run stopping DE. Amobi Okoye Once again a back end rotational guy at best Shaun Cody Being a Lions cast off says all you need to know about him Mario Would probably start most everywhere Zac Diles Probably a backup anywhere else Demeco Ryans Probably starts anywhere else last year, a huge question mark for us next year though Brian Cushing Has not been the player he was pre-suspension Glover Quinn Nickle guy at best anywhere else Kareem Jackson Willing to give him time but I'd say his ceiling is probably somewhere around average Eugene Wilson Most of the times when our corners are burnt deep he was supposed to be there because we don't play man to man with our corners; he's not starting anywhere else. Bernard Pollard Horrible in coverage, absolutely horrible. That's it folks, no smoke and mirrors, we are a bad defense because our players on that side of the ball stink.
A team generally gets 60+ plays in each game. 2-3 WTF plays matter little relatively speaking. I mean, would you feel better if the Texans keep losing because they can't move the ball? Ala the David Carr days? Not really. A team's offense and defense are more or less independent of each other. Statistically it matters of course, due to how one calls the game. But Foster isn't going to be a worse runner if the defense sucked more. He'd just get less opportunities. So yes, I can say that the Texans is fine on offense and still believe the overall team is horrible.
BREAKING NEWS: head coach is fired, defensive coordinator to take the reins. It could always be worse.... :grin:
@Adam_Schefter Packers have become coach killers: Brad Childress and Wade Phillips both fired the day after their teams played GB. Oh if only we had GB on our schedule this year...
You are right, we don't have a lot of guys who would start on defense for other teams. But that is on Kubiak. He's the one who made the decision to go with this young secondary. He thought he could get let Robinson walk and it's blowing up in his face right now.
why ask again? you answered your own question with your own list. ...and you said the same thing I did, only much more verbose: "quite a few average guys that would perform a lot better under coaching that actually has a clue". well done. Do you really think we have a good defensive coaching staff??
Except the WTF plays are not just random plays in the middle of the game. They are memorable as WTF plays because they tend to be game-changing plays. For example, the half-back pass cost the Texans points. The middle-of-the-field pass against Jacksonville pass gave Jacksonville the opportunity to win in regulation. Why are those the two options? Why not strive for an offense that can move the ball but doesn't make the WTF plays?
Bottomline, Bob McNair gave too much power and control to a n00b Head Coach, he's doing OTJ training on a team that was to be expected to make a playoff push. And the results have been on par to what a n00b new to the job that has been overwhelmed. Kubiak is simply in over his head with the expectations that came along with this job.
Neither 'it's all the defense's fault' or 'we don't want to have to take time to rebuild/adjust to a new coach' are in any way a defense of Kubiak. The defense was better last year, same result. Regardless, Kubiak is in no way somehow immune to criticism of the defense. He's the head coach. That's his DC. That's his players. The whole team is his responsibility. As for the time it would take? Well, we aren't on a fast track to anywhere right now, are we? You don't solve a problem by just doing the same thing over and over and over again. I'd rather make some changes, and actually have hope that things will turn around than keep dancing to this ****ty song year after year. I really really really want to believe we can turn it around. i do. Hell, I'd love it if suddenly we became a different team and reeled off a winning streak and got into the playoffs this year. But it's a little hard to believe that is going to happen. Instead we are mired in another midseason losing streak on our way to another mediocre season. .... ?? "He makes good playcalling decisions...well, except for the weird crap and WTF decisions at the worst times. Also, we could live with those mistakes if we were good. But we suck." Sorry man, but it sounds more like you are agreeing with me than disagreeing.
IMO: Williams - high profile starter on virtually any team Okoye - bust Cody - backup Smith - low profile starter on most teams Ryans - was a key starter anywhere, but who knows now Cushing - high profile starter on any team Diles - starter on a fair number of teams Quin - with real help from coaches or vets, he'd at least be a nickel guy on most teams, #2 CB on a handful Jackson - special teams at least for now Pollard - starter on some teams, special teams on others Wilson - would be forced into retirement I think Okoye, Quin, and Jackson could have all improved tremendously under good position coaching, which we don't have on the lines or in the backfield. I think you can say that Bush has cultivated a good LB corps that knows how to play. There's no retooling here, especially if Ryans can't get all the way back (it is possible but not especially likely). There's no less than 4 and as many as 7 positions that need to be overhauled with new starters at a noticeable upgrade. Damning indictment on Kubiak's chosen and hotly defended staff and their personnel decisions.
If Bill Cowher comes here (like everybody wants), he will convert to a 3-4 defense and that will take time. If the Texans can re-tool on the fly, does that indicate that Rick Smith did a good job? You people are talking out both sides of your mouth at once.
I'd be ecstatic if we saw McNair: Fire Gibbs today Bring in a high profile "consultant" today Task the "consultant" with replacing Gibbs Replace the majority of the college scouting department based on the recommendations of the consultant Have a come to Jesus meeting with Kubiak and Smith and let them know they are being evaluated starting now and if they insist on keeping embarrassments like Gibbs on staff or overwhelmed players as starters, that will be on them. Jan. 2nd at 3:16 PM: fire Rick Smith and the entire Defensive coaching staff Jan. 3rd - Feb 7: hire a high profile president of football operations and GM, based on the advise of the consultant (Jimmy Johnson, Bill Parcells, other). Strip Kubiak of input outside of offensive personnel. Let the new President restock the defensive coaches, possibly with an heir apparent to Kubiak (unless the president is the heir). Give Kubiak the chance to resign if he doesn't want to stay on as a "head" coach. Play one season with Kubiak running the offense, allowing transition. Decide at the end of the year whether or not Kubiak should be kept on board as a name-only head coach. Honestly, I'd most love to see a Cowher or Gruden take over, but I'm pessimistic that McNair is willing to do that.
Honestly, Rick Smith hasn't done a HORRIBLE job at all but IMHO Smith is Kubiak's puppet to often. If you gave me the option Kubiak or Smith, Kubiak is gone but if anything Bob will do the opposite. If he does then bring someone in with the balls to tell Kubes "NO and LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT".
More realistic option for a consultant is Dan Reeves. He was going to take on a similar role with the Cowboys but for the fact that Jerry is Jerry and things fell apart. I doubt Parcells will be moving back to Texas and Jimmy is fine with LA and Florida.
