Great post! Also, it should be noted that Cushing was a Frank Bush pick (to play OLB in the 4-3), and Reed/Mercilus were Wade picks. It is funny that the rumor got out that the Coaches were on the hot seat because they had too much influence over the draft, but it seems like the more influence they have (2006 - all Kubiak and Casserly, 2008 - Alex Gibbs wanted Brown, 2009 - Frank Bush wanted Cushing, 2010 - not sure who was pounding the table for Jackson, and 2011-2012, Wade got to pick the guys to fill out his defense: Watt, Reed, and Mercilus) the better the player for the respective system. The real questions are what does Rick Smith do and has he done more harm than good? He got a seat on the influential competition committee as well; I'm guessing that was a favor called in by Uncle Bob. You also see him raising his profile by talking a lot with Peter King (back when the Texans meant anything to the NFL). I think he's one of those guys that likes the spotlight and will take credit for things that go well, but goes into big time CYA mode when the fortunes turn. That might sound like character assassination, but it really is the vibe I get from the way he operates. My dream scenario for the next GM would be to get Oliver Luck to come back to Houston, have him hire David Shaw away from Stanford, and then be the point person in bringing Andrew Luck back to H-town :grin:
Thanks Nick, it really has been maybe the biggest problem for this franchise. Each draft the team only adds an average of one player that contributes anything more than "just a guy".
Read pancakes' twitter feed. He's softening the blow on keeping Smith, and I'm afraid he's also softening the blow on keeping Kubiak. Could McNair be that stupid? To think the fans will settle for a new QB but not a new coach?
that's what I also mentioned in the bridgewater thread as well. the people in Seattle know how to evaluate talent.
Not that it appears Rick Smith is going anywhere but... http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...eral-managers-seattle-seahawks-depth-and-more Chris Ballard, director of player personnel, Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City GM John Dorsey plucked him from the Bears -- where he served as director of pro scouting -- just last year and might lose him quickly. Ballard's career started in coaching, and he has experience on both the pro and college sides of scouting. Whether it's now or in a couple years, he'll likely merit strong consideration soon. Nick Caserio, director of player personnel, New England Patriots: He seamlessly took the reins from Scott Pioli as New England's personnel maven. Although he's considered to be a little introverted, Caserio's known to be principled and strong in his evaluations. League-wide perception, though, is that he's not going anywhere. Eric DeCosta, assistant general manager, Baltimore Ravens: DeCosta was long considered the brightest prospect in the scouting ranks, which is why Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti has gone to great lengths to ensure he'll keep the 42-year-old in town as GM Ozzie Newsome's eventual successor. Brian Gaine, assistant general manager, Miami Dolphins: Gaine, who interviewed with the Rams and Jets the last two years, is from the Bill Parcells tree. He's a strong, connected evaluator who works on both the college and pro sides, but he could feel the effects of a difficult few months in Miami. Tom Gamble, vice president of player personnel, Philadelphia Eagles: An NFL legend, Gamble returned home in the offseason after helping bring the 49ers back to prominence and then interviewing for the Jets' and Jags' GM openings. You'll have trouble finding anyone who doesn't like and respect Gamble. Given another shot to go through the process, his experience likely will earn him a gig. Jason Licht, vice president of player personnel, Arizona Cardinals: Licht interviewed for the Jaguars' and Bears' GM openings last year, and Arizona's rise provides good reason to believe his time is coming. He worked for Andy Reid in Philly and Bill Belichick in New England, and has a sterling reputation as an evaluator. Ryan Pace, director of player personnel, New Orleans Saints: Hidden beneath GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton, Pace is known as a good communicator and scout who has experience being on the road and in the office, though he does face some of the same questions as any candidate who's worked with a dominant head coach. George Paton, assistant general manager, Minnesota Vikings: Paton came close to getting the job in St. Louis in 2012 and is considered the total package: smart, consistent, organized and communicative. The trouble for him is that Minnesota's on-field product has been so inconsistent. Jimmy Raye, vice president of football operations, Indianapolis Colts: A few years back, it seemed a forgone conclusion that he'd get his shot, but Raye's star dimmed with the Chargers' decline, and he was passed over by the organization last year. Still, Raye (a minority candidate) remains one of the most respected voices in the scouting community and has the personality to lead a department. Duke Tobin, director of player personnel, Cincinnati Bengals: The son of long-time personnel man Bill Tobin, Duke has made his mark in helping to build the Bengals into one of the NFL's most talented teams. A little reserved, but steady and principled, he probably has gone as far as he's going to in the Bengals' owner-centric structure. Additional risers: Blake Beddingfield, director of college scouting, Tennessee Titans; Ran Carthon, director of player personnel, St. Louis Rams; Scott Cohen, senior personnel advisor, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Lake Dawson, vice president of player personnel, Tennessee Titans; Ray Farmer, assistant general manager, Cleveland Browns; Scott Fitterer, director of college scouting, Seattle Seahawks; Brian Gardner, director of pro personnel, Houston Texans; Brian Gutekunst, director of college scouting, Green Bay Packers; Joe Hortiz, director of college scouting, Baltimore Ravens; Will McClay, assistant director of player personnel, Dallas Cowboys; Lance Newmark, assistant director of college scouting, Detroit Lions; Vince Newsome, director of pro personnel, Baltimore Ravens; Jon Robinson, director of college scouting, New England Patriots; Marc Ross, vice president of player evaluation, New York Giants; Eliot Wolf, director pro personnel, Green Bay Packers; JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel, San Diego Chargers.
For a guy who's first crack in the NFL was as a DB coach, Smith can't draft DBs for crap. Unless anyone's impressed that Smith found a "starter" in Keo in the 4th.
Keo should not be a starter on an average or good team. He's an above average special teams player and backup at best. His "best" move was finding Glover Quinn in the 4th (if we really believe he was involved enough in the draft to make that pick)... and he subsequently went above the coaches who wanted to keep him and signed Ed Reed.
Nothing special there imo. A number of NFL teams now are being held by the billionaire owners and passed down for their sons to run. Cowboys of course, Patriots, 49ers, Panthers, Colts, etc/
