I'm interested to know who between the two has the final say on player personnel decisions as in the draft selections-Karreem Jackson for example.
It takes 2 moves to institute a working 3-4: Get a serious NT Get a edge rushing LB-DE hybrid. Really, get that NT and you're good to go. This isn't like Phil Jackson implementing the triangle or Kubiak developing a ZBS. We've got two DTs that need to be replaced anyway, so a NT would literally kill two birds with one stone. You have faith that Kubiak can find a way to bring in two above average starting interior lineman this offseason? Getting a NT is a lot harder to do than saying it, but that's the majority of the conversion. They can't even tool over a 5 year period. Kubiak/Smith/Bush pick good LBs and have been disastrous selecting and teaching DBs and DTs. 5 years. They've failed.
Well, the so-called "people in the know" have always said Kubiak has the final word on all personnel soooo.....
This makes the strong case for a new DC. I really do not know what type of players the Texans got. A better DC would get better play on the field and may also get better player development off the field. It is hard to know which of the Texans are keepers. A competent DC can sort that out.
When you're top-3 historically incompetent on defense, it's a combination of lack of talent and lack of coaching. The staff has to go. Over half the starters have to be replaced.
Oh my. Another strike for Kubiak right there. Really the title for the thread should be changed as there is no case for keeping him.
At this point, so what if it takes time? I'd rather be terrible for 3 years while we build a great team than suffer through another era of mediocrity and poor decision making like we have for the last 5. It's not like we just have a bunch of guys on the defense that we can't live without. Mario, DeMeco, and Cushing -- our only 3 players really worth anything -- would all be able to make a transition to 3/4 IMO. And frankly, the defense can't go anywhere but up anyway. All this being said, I think it's a longshot that Cowher considers us, and maybe an even bigger longshot that we actually fire Kubiak AND make him an offer before he goes off the market.
I pretty much agree with this. Aside from losing Dunta, this is pretty much the same defense we had last year and that was the best defense we have ever had. I think many of our players would be starters on at least a few, if not most, other teams. It's not like we have the worst starters in the league at every single position other than DE and MLB.
I think the real question is . . . for me at least. IF THEY HAD COMPETENT DEFENSIVE COACHING COULD THEY BE BETTER? If Belicheat had this squad . . . would they be better? I have to say yes. . yes they would. Rocket River
I think better coaches would also make better decisions as to which defensive players play and what guys to draft and/or sign. What if the Texans hard Mike Nolan as DC in the offseason? I have no doubt they wouldn't be dead last.
Quin, Okoye, Cody, Pollard, and Jackson (plus Nolan, McCain) would benefit (or would have) from a good position coach. Wilson's just at the end of the line. The Backers are decent and decently coached. As mentioned, Belichick wouldn't keep obvious failures like Okoye and Jackson in the lineup. You can bet he'd have Nolan in there forever ago and wouldn't have let Schobel spend 6 weeks getting out of shape before giving him a call. It's a perfect storm of failure.
No. This is the one thing Kubiak has going in his favor: The players have obviously NOT quit on him. With the Titans suddenly looking impotent, two losses should now be two wins. It quite possible the Texans could finish up 4-2 and end up 8-8 again. That is, IF the players don't quit on Kubiak starting next week or later in the season now that it's clear as the blue sky they won't make the playoffs.
Belichick is the perfect example of a coach that can get the most out of nothing. I don't see his defense being littered with first round picks or high-priced free agents. He's also one of the best coaches of all-time (and maybe the best defensive coordinator turned head coach ever...), but everybody has to give the "we don't have any talent on defense" mantra a rest. Honestly... the only way this team is going to improve its defense is with COACHING. They can't (won't) use another high draft pick on a secondary starter... and even if they do, he's going to be a rookie with a high learning curve, and we all know what can happen with that. Hell, KJ had the endorsement of Saban as being "NFL ready". He may be NFL ready eventually, but he's not #1 CB ready by any means. They also won't be out there trading away picks and giving up $$$ to any FA cornerbacks... not unless Deion Sanders is available again (remember all that drama?). The only way they're going to get better is with better coaching, and maybe signing some veterans who can help get the better coaching across to the younger players.
I won't give it a rest, the coaches stocked the cupboard but they stocked it with Ramen noodles and government cheese. There are three maybe four legitimate league wide starters on this defense and one may not ever play at that level again. Make no mistake I am not arguing with you on the coaches, they have been horrible and have undoubtedly cost the team multiple wins this year. That said, I do not believe any coach could get this defense, Kubiak's defense, to be anything better than slightly below average statically speaking. They have invested the resources but those have not panned out and coupled with pretty poor weekly scheming you have the 2010 Texans defense, it is on the coaches absolutely but the personnell need's upgrading as a result of the COACH. Fire Kubiak.
PRECISELY!! This staff isn't even getting *that* out of these guys. THAT is the point!! Thanks for stating it so well. Don't disagree with this, either.
Not many elite defensive teams have studs at every position. In fact, can you name (off the top of your head) the Steelers or the Patriots secondary? In fact, the Patriots secondary was a well-known (and still is) WEAKNESS going into the season, but they've been able to put together enough of a defensive gameplan to remain respectable (and they cause their fair share of turnovers as well). Nobody is saying they should stand pat with what they have. They should always look to improve at any area of need, and right now that includes the secondary as well as the pass-rush. However, I'm not expecting much to come by way of the draft or free agency... that's just the nature of this league. Chances are, an established coach with a firm ideology/system will do more for this team than adding more high round rookies or high priced free agents.
Yet they insist on putting sub par players in a position to sit back and let the offense pick them apart. When you have as many holes as the Texans defense, you can't sit back and play vanilla defense 90% of the time. You have to attack and make things happen. If the offense reacts properly and beats you, tough cookies. Keep trying. I figure the other team will still have as many scoring drives as they do now, but you will increase the number of offensive drives and give your good offense more of a chance. But sitting back in a plain jane defense will not get the other offense off the field. You will just get your defense worn out and those dropped passes on 3rd down by our guys hurt more due to limited chances. Newsflash, the other team now treats the Texans offense like the Colts or Chargers. Keep them on the sideline.
I think with Schaub and Foster, and Johnson on offense and Fisher's ability to get an attacking defense going....he would be a much better fit in Houston. DD
