DeAndre Hopkins traded to Arizona for David Johnson

[HPF Bob]

Don't forget CareBear. We didn't have enough to keep Hopkins or Reader but, goshdarnit, O'Brien wasn't *about* to part with CareBear.

[barrett]

Michael Irvin is on ESPN telling Hopkins' side. Hopkins said BOB called him into a meeting and said the last time he needed a meeting like this was with Aaron Hernandez. BOB then went on to share that he didn't like Hopkins having his 'baby mamas' around the team. I'm sure that will play great in locker rooms around the league.

[Warren]

I listened to John Granato and Lance Zierlein yesterday morning, before Irvin's report, and they had both heard a story last summer (I believe) about how BOB called Hopkins in for a meeting and ripped him for not being a leader, missing too much practice, etc. They didn't mention or hint at the baby mama or Hernandez stuff but said that Hopkins came away from it wanting out.

As for Hopkins wanting his contract redone, the new CBA is much harsher towards holdouts, so he wouldn't have had a whole lot of leverage. If a player under contract holds out, the daily fines can't be waived anymore and he loses credit for the season after only five days.

I've also seen/heard a few places that a trade for David Johnson should have been like the trade of Osweiler to the Browns -- his contract was so bad, that the Cardinals should have given up a draft pick to get somebody to take it.

[HPF Bob]

Aaron Wilson of the Chron reports the Texans also talked to the Patriots, Eagles and Bengals about a deal for Hopkins whom they were actively shopping. On Hopkins' end, when you are making $16 mil, how bad is your need to get paid $20 mil? Are the child support payments that onerous? But the blame largely goes on O'Brien.

In the hilarious movie "My Favorite Year", the producer of a tv comedy show suggested to the star that he, for his own safety, cut out a skit lampooning an organized crime figure. The comedian objected saying "That bit is funny, and in my business, you never cut funny."

Well, Hopkins was All-Pro production, and in O'Brien's business, you never trade away All-Pro production. At least until they turn into Antonio Brown. Randall Cobb might have made a nice compliment to Hop but he's going to get booed out of the stadium if fans believe he's a replacement for Hopkins.

It's a darn shame O'Brien didn't talk to the Bills before pulling the trigger. We could have had a first-rounder and more picks.

[Arky]

There is a major need for someone to keep OB in check. The radio guys (who have been crucifying OB lately) have suggested that OB got emotional and did something stupid and they are probably right. Anyone recall the story of how OB wanted to let Mallet go in Jacksonville but somebody (Rick Smith?) talked him out of it? The Texans could save face with fans if they bring someone in to do just that (keep OB in check)..... Nick Caserio, maybe?

I'm not sure what to think of Cal McNair at this point other than his being an enabler..... Is he not aware of the mass discontent or realize the consequences?

[chuck]

There will be no consequences until people stop buying tickets.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by chuck

There will be no consequences until people stop buying tickets.

Coronapocalypse 2020 could cause that to happen. Imagine if the pre-season were wiped out or they played in empty stadia?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

There is a major need for someone to keep OB in check. The radio guys (who have been crucifying OB lately) have suggested that OB got emotional and did something stupid and they are probably right. Anyone recall the story of how OB wanted to let Mallet go in Jacksonville but somebody (Rick Smith?) talked him out of it? The Texans could save face with fans if they bring someone in to do just that (keep OB in check)..... Nick Caserio, maybe?

I'm not sure what to think of Cal McNair at this point other than his being an enabler..... Is he not aware of the mass discontent or realize the consequences?

It's not just him being emotional. We haven't made a reasonable trade since he took over GM duties. We get fleeced in every deal. We gave up the best WR in the league and got back an injured RB who is getting paid double what we could have paid Gurley or Gordon on the open market without giving up assets.

We wildly overpaid for Duke Johnson and Tunsil. We got pennies on the dollar for Clowney and Hopkins. This is an unmitigated train wreck. The whole league is getting RB for free while we surrender assets for the right to overpay them. We wildly overpaid for an above average OL who then played above average (except for his league leading penalties).

Charlie Casserly would have fleeced O'Brien. He simply has zero feel for the value of assets. He is so arrogant that when he sees things different he just assumes everyone else is wrong. These deals would get vetoed and get a guy kicked out of a fantasy league.