Rumors

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Arky

McClain (if you believe him)

You'd be an idiot to believe anything he says.

Originally Posted by barrett

He would never report anything the Texans didn't want reported because his employment depends on access.

It shouldn't be like this. Despite being an idiot he has, as BOB would say, a lot of juice. Before the Texans came along to ruin all of our lives Pancakes was the NFL reporter for what passes as the local newspaper. And unless I am very mistaken for the first few years of the Texans' existence he was not in fact the beat reporter; he remained the NFL at-large guy. Then the paper reigned him in, or, possibly, demoted him, and he became a Texans beat reporter.

It pains me to say it but he knows something about football and his rolodex is incredibly impressive. If he wanted to he could be a real journalist and maintain his access to the team. Plenty of real journalists push back against the people and entities they cover and find themselves continuing to cover their beat well. But, of course, he doesn't want to, and the media culture in Houston is such that consumers do not demand it.

This is not a chuck-Bob spat, though. I mean, sure, I dangled a worm and he took the bait. Big deal. It's easy to make him dance, especially after all these years. (He did call me a bigot. That was cool. Getting called a bigot by Bob makes me tingly all over.) As Arky points out this story is everywhere. And whatever our differences Bob and I aren't even disagreeing about the main points in the story line, at least not as far as I can tell. As barrett mentioned, the central thrusts of Bob's narratives can be challenging to unpack.

But you have to admit, this is fun, right? (It reminds me of the 1993 Oilers in a way. Team Turmoil. Of course the '93 Oilers had a quarterback.) The Texans are lining up for the firing squad. We all know it. If they get by Oakland (and if they don't that will be hilarious and the aftermath great fun to witness) they will be summarily executed by New England. My guess is that Belichick will show no mercy at all. And none will be warranted. At least now we have something entertaining to talk about. And it might even be real.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Warren

If BOB and Smith can't coexist then Smith needs to go. I must admit, though, that I thought Smith should've been shown the door at the same time as Kubiak. I agree that if BOB goes then there's no way any coach with options or long-term career aspirations comes here and we'll be looking at the Dave Campos of the world. BOB hasn't been perfect but I think he's gotten as much out of this roster as almost anyone could, particularly given the injuries.

I agree with all of this. It's clear to me, though, that Rick Smith is GM For Life. He should print his business cards in bronze.

[HPF Bob]

Where to start? One thing I pointed out is that Rick Smith is anything but a redneck. Here I am defending the black guy that Chuck refers to as a tool and an idiot but that's because Chuck has a blinding, seething hatred of any businessman not from California or the Northeast. He thinks the rest are like Big Enos and Little Enos from Smokey and the Bandit.

From there, I pivoted to a salient point. The Texans got Bill O'Brien because he was somehow applauded for mediocre results at Ped State and had never been an NFL head coach. Still they rolled out the red carpet for O'Brien and gave him almost whatever he wanted.

They later signed Brock Osweiler and the way they went about it is the exact same way they went about acquiring their head coach. "We had to sign him NOW before another team got him." Osweiler, like O'Brien, didn't have enough NFL experience to be given such a huge reputation but at least Smith and McNair were consistent. They're impulse shoppers who gotta have what they want no matter the cost.

I think O'Brien wanted desperately to be out of the shadow of Joe Paterno in Happy Valley. Osweiler wanted desperately to be out of the shadow of Peyton Manning in Dove Valley and here came the Texans to generously overspend on both of them.

Was it stupid not to consult O'Brien before signing Osweiler? Naturally. Was that Osweiler's fault? No. He was told to come here and be the savior. He hasn't lived up to it but it doesn't mean he can't. Alex Smith, anyone? I didn't love the guy in Houston or in Denver. He comes across at times as a nerd and a crybaby. But he does have the tools to be a top-half NFL quarterback if he is developed properly. One season is not enough time to take him down to the dumpster.

And I'll agree that Northeasterners have an arrogance and rudeness that is very offputting. And their women are ugly. And they talk funny. That doesn't mean their opinions are superior or correct.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

One thing I pointed out is that Rick Smith is anything but a redneck.

Who the hell said he's a redneck? RIF, neck.

He thinks the rest are like Big Enos and Little Enos from Smokey and the Bandit.

I'm afraid your parochial reference does not resonate with me. Sorry about that.

The Texans got Bill O'Brien because he was somehow applauded for mediocre results at Ped State and had never been an NFL head coach. Still they rolled out the red carpet for O'Brien and gave him almost whatever he wanted.

Etc, etc.

You're criticizing the team's reckless impulses while you criticize me for criticizing the team's reckless impulses.

...and gave him almost whatever he wanted.

ALMOST. Apparently he also wanted a competent GM. And who knows, maybe a QB.

And their women are ugly.

I'm sure this is of imperative operational importance to you in your world, Baubles.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Was it stupid not to consult O'Brien before signing Osweiler? Naturally. Was that Osweiler's fault? No. He was told to come here and be the savior. He hasn't lived up to it but it doesn't mean he can't. Alex Smith, anyone? I didn't love the guy in Houston or in Denver. He comes across at times as a nerd and a crybaby. But he does have the tools to be a top-half NFL quarterback if he is developed properly. One season is not enough time to take him down to the dumpster.

You must be trolling us all. There is no way you believe this stuff.

You think he was brought in to be a savior? He was paid $18 million to takeover a playoff team who had just suffered through Brian Hoyer. There was no expectation on him. I remember countless people posting preseason "He can't be worse than what we had last year." It was the cushiest starting gig ever. Throw to a 1500 yard WR who made Brandon Weeden and TJ Yates look good, and score 20 PPG and win the easiest division in football. And he managed to ruin a WR the worst QBs in football couldn't ruin. He managed to lose a job that his contract guaranteed him. And he managed to be the worst of the 8 QBs we have had start a game in the past 3 years. And you want to say he hasn't gotten enough time yet? You want to say he can be a top half QB? You're going deep into the bizarre here Bob. He's just a bad player and a worse signing.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

You must be trolling us all. There is no way you believe this stuff.

You think he was brought in to be a savior? He was paid $18 million to takeover a playoff team who had just suffered through Brian Hoyer. There was no expectation on him. I remember countless people posting preseason "He can't be worse than what we had last year." It was the cushiest starting gig ever. Throw to a 1500 yard WR who made Brandon Weeden and TJ Yates look good, and score 20 PPG and win the easiest division in football. And he managed to ruin a WR the worst QBs in football couldn't ruin. He managed to lose a job that his contract guaranteed him. And he managed to be the worst of the 8 QBs we have had start a game in the past 3 years. And you want to say he hasn't gotten enough time yet? You want to say he can be a top half QB? You're going deep into the bizarre here Bob. He's just a bad player and a worse signing.

But he was a Bronco.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by chuck

You'd be an idiot to believe anything he says.

Oh, come on. He at least has the broke clock thing working for him. I think he and I are about the same age and when he starts rambling about childhood, sports, growing up in Texas in 60's and the names he drops, I know exactly what he is talking about. Difference was, I grew up in Houston (Oiler fan), he grew up in Waco (Cowboy fan). I think I've heard and read him enough to know when he's BS'ing and when he's not.

It shouldn't be like this. Despite being an idiot he has, as BOB would say, a lot of juice. Before the Texans came along to ruin all of our lives Pancakes was the NFL reporter for what passes as the local newspaper. And unless I am very mistaken for the first few years of the Texans' existence he was not in fact the beat reporter; he remained the NFL at-large guy. Then the paper reigned him in, or, possibly, demoted him, and he became a Texans beat reporter..

Yep, started out as the Houston Aeros reporter in the 70s then, (foot firmly in door), moved on to Oiler coverage. When the Oilers left, he became the NFL guy. I believe it was Chronicle cutbacks and the arrival of the Texans that grounded him (no more flying around the country every weekend for you, meester).

............
But you have to admit, this is fun, right? (It reminds me of the 1993 Oilers in a way. Team Turmoil. Of course the '93 Oilers had a quarterback.) The Texans are lining up for the firing squad. We all know it. If they get by Oakland (and if they don't that will be hilarious and the aftermath great fun to witness) they will be summarily executed by New England. My guess is that Belichick will show no mercy at all. And none will be warranted. At least now we have something entertaining to talk about. And it might even be real.

No kiddin', I started to bring that up earlier in the thread. That there have been a few teams in the history of sports that are outwardly a wreck, that go out and win despite all the obstacles. The Billy Martin Yankees come to mind, the Chuck Finley A's.....there' more.... Could our boys finally be showing some personality and identity? Might be too late..... Today's athletes are programmed behind the scenes (hello, Hard Knocks) and don't really talk to the media the way they use to.....

Should the Texans get by Oakland, there only hope (1% chance?) against New England is that defense. I'd like to see them cover the spread, at least - but yep, it might be a slaughter. Obviously, they've got to get by Oakland, first...

[HPF Bob]

Far lesser teams have succeeded using the "us against the world" mantra to pull off the unthinkable. There could be some method behind all this madness.

Oh, and just for you, Chuckster, a clip of Big Enos and Little Enos. This is what I imagine you think all Texas businessmen are like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIgGZA4qQoc

I can just see them now offering a contract to Osweiler. "What you need is a REAL challenge!"

[nunusguy]

A surprising new name has been added to the Rams’ coaching wish list: Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel, the Texans’ linebackers coach, will interview with the Rams next week, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reports.
Vrabel is best known to football fans for his 14-year career as a linebacker for the Steelers, Patriots and Chiefs. After retiring as a player he spent three years on the coaching staff at Ohio State, and then spent the last three years on the Texans’ staff.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ching-vacancy/