Kubiak officially out, Smith staying?

[Joshua]

Well, I'm now convinced that Kubiak is staying after hearing that Bum and Pastorini were at practice yesterday and voiced their support for him. If you think it is just coincidence that those guys showed up at practice yesterday and had a microphone shoved in front of them, you're crazy. The Texans (and more importantly, McNair) tightly controls all access. This was clearly the first orchestrated PR step by McNair before he announces Gary is returning.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Well, I'm now convinced that Kubiak is staying after hearing that Bum and Pastorini were at practice yesterday and voiced their support for him. If you think it is just coincidence that those guys showed up at practice yesterday and had a microphone shoved in front of them, you're crazy. The Texans (and more importantly, McNair) tightly controls all access. This was clearly the first orchestrated PR step by McNair before he announces Gary is returning.

The guy is not a billionaire for nothing....he knows how to work a customer, and the masses. I told my wife when we saw it last night, this was a total PR sham to appeal to the "good ole days"......

Whatever Bob. I will still buy your stupid tickets, your $8 dollar beer, and your crappy $20 T-shirts...... Just freaking win.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by WMH

The guy is not a billionaire for nothing....he knows how to work a customer, and the masses. I told my wife when we saw it last night, this was a total PR sham to appeal to the "good ole days"......

Whatever Bob. I will still buy your stupid tickets, your $8 dollar beer, and your crappy $20 T-shirts...... Just freaking win.

Yeah, but I don't have to like being condescended to and clearly McNair thinks we're too stupid to recognize when someone is blowing smoke up our ass.

I've been a season ticketholder since day 1. By my calculation, I've missed about 5 home games in the franchise's existence. Not only that, I've been eating 1 ticket most weeks for the past 2 years because I added a 3rd seat so I would have one for my son when he gets older. Now, I'm really torn over whether to renew. While I had never really believed some people's complaints that McNair didn't care about winning (I thought he just didn't know what he was doing or had hired the wrong guys, neither of which is uncommon for owners), I now truly think there may be something to this. If winning is priority no. 1, I don't see how you can arrive at McNair's decision (assuming he keeps Kubiak). I've pretty much come to the conclusion that McNair would like to win, but running the business his way, having employees (i.e. coaches and players) that meet his off-the-field criteria, all the while making a tidy profit is more important. Winning would just be gravy.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Joshua

While I had never really believed some people's complaints that McNair didn't care about winning (I thought he just didn't know what he was doing or had hired the wrong guys, neither of which is uncommon for owners), I now truly think there may be something to this. If winning is priority no. 1, I don't see how you can arrive at McNair's decision (assuming he keeps Kubiak). I've pretty much come to the conclusion that McNair would like to win, but running the business his way, having employees (i.e. coaches and players) that meet his off-the-field criteria, all the while making a tidy profit is more important. Winning would just be gravy.

I am in complete agreement with everything you say here. Excellent post.

[cadams]

i just threw up a little in my mouth. completely sick over this whole situation.

and here's the problem, if you do keep you tickets next year it will basically be just to preserve your tickets for future use. if kubiak is back they will not be a playoff team next year. i don't care who the dc is. the offense will sputter if the defense keeps them in games because kubiack won't have to go off of his gameplan to get back into the game.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

Welcome back 3-4 defense!

I wonder what the guys who wear Mario's jersey every night for pajamas are gonna say now!

Will he be a DE still or...oh no...a LB?

Probably a DE and hopefully Wade will teach him how to play against the run. Yeah I said governor...he sucks against the run.

I see the 3-4 lineup this way with the current guys, of course free agency and the draft will change some of this.

Mario DE, Damione Lewis NT Smith DE

Cushing & Barwin at OLB, and Ryans & Sharpton at MLB

We will need to draft some NT types and add some more OLB talent but in the type 3-4 Wade Phillips runs guys like Marion and Antonio seem to fit the the DE position perfectly.

[NBT]

IF Wade is hired as the DC (HC in waiting?), there is nothing that says he cannot run a 4-3D for awhile. He can then have time to get the 3-4 personnel he wants.

[Fonz the Boss]

No way... If Wade comes in I don't want him to be experimenting with a 4-3. I want him to stick to what he does best and that is to establish a competent 3-4 D. That is the main reason why I wouldn't mind having him here if Kubiak is not fired.

[Nconroe]

I was just listening to 610 at 8 PM on Sean Berjani and Barry Warner show and Dan Pastorini came on and basically shot down everything you guys are imagining on his and Bum's visit.

Dan said he was out Quail hunting at a friend's Ranch Monday, or maybe it was Bum's ranch. So, in the evening he mentioned he'd like to go to a Texans practice sometime, no one with Texans had contacted him. And then Bum chimed in he had business in Houston anyways this week and hadn't been to a practice for a while, so they just showed up on the sidelines in the morning.

Said hi to Kubiak before practice, watched from the sideline. Dan said he had been on both winning and loosing teams, so he was glad and surprised to see Texans practicing hard just like a winning team should.

Dan also said he thought Schaub is an excellent QB, its tough as Schaub has been hit hard a lot and seems to always get up and keep playing, maybe insinuating OL should do a better job.

Then McNair did invite them to lunch, but they never once brought up or discussed the subject of Wade Phillips as a future DC by anyone.

Those topics came up latter when the press did interview them. They just answered questions, they did not make a speech.

Dan said Kubiak had been a ball boy for him earlier, they were good friends, and he felt he was real good friends with Wade and Bum and Bob McNair. They were all good people and he supported them fully.

One of the surprising comments, he said Bum told him if he was coaching a 3-4 he would take a look at Amobi as a LB.

I think Dan came on with Barry to refute comments like you guys are making above, without saying so. Well, that is how I recall and interpret the conversation.

Before that interview, Amobi Okeye was interviewed around 7:30 PM. He was saying the negativity by fans really didn't help them,but understood, he is hoping everyone comes out and supports them for this upcoming game.

He said he thought biggest problem in losses was seemed like on the big plays someone had missed the call and was out of position. And just bad luck on a few plays such as against Jags or a few other examples. Amobi sounded like he had a cold. Said he hoped to get a chance to continue improving and contribute next year, whatever the system is. Of course he supported his coaches and knew the losses were tough for everyone.

Happy New Years to everyone,

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

I was just listening to 610 at 8 PM on Sean Berjani and Barry Warner show and Dan Pastorini came on and basically shot down everything you guys are imagining on his and Bum's visit.

Dan said he was out Quail hunting at a friend's Ranch Monday, or maybe it was Bum's ranch. So, in the evening he mentioned he'd like to go to a Texans practice sometime, no one with Texans had contacted him. And then Bum chimed in he had business in Houston anyways this week and hadn't been to a practice for a while, so they just showed up on the sidelines in the morning.

Said hi to Kubiak before practice, watched from the sideline. Dan said he had been on both winning and loosing teams, so he was glad and surprised to see Texans practicing hard just like a winning team should.

Dan also said he thought Schaub is an excellent QB, its tough as Schaub has been hit hard a lot and seems to always get up and keep playing, maybe insinuating OL should do a better job.

Then McNair did invite them to lunch, but they never once brought up or discussed the subject of Wade Phillips as a future DC by anyone.

Those topics came up latter when the press did interview them. They just answered questions, they did not make a speech.

Dan said Kubiak had been a ball boy for him earlier, they were good friends, and he felt he was real good friends with Wade and Bum and Bob McNair. They were all good people and he supported them fully.

One of the surprising comments, he said Bum told him if he was coaching a 3-4 he would take a look at Amobi as a LB.

I think Dan came on with Barry to refute comments like you guys are making above, without saying so. Well, that is how I recall and interpret the conversation.

Before that interview, Amobi Okeye was interviewed around 7:30 PM. He was saying the negativity by fans really didn't help them,but understood, he is hoping everyone comes out and supports them for this upcoming game.

He said he thought biggest problem in losses was seemed like on the big plays someone had missed the call and was out of position. And just bad luck on a few plays such as against Jags or a few other examples. Amobi sounded like he had a cold. Said he hoped to get a chance to continue improving and contribute next year, whatever the system is. Of course he supported his coaches and knew the losses were tough for everyone.

Happy New Years to everyone,

No offense but did you really expect him to come on and admit it was all part of a PR campaign?

Doesn't this all just seem a little too convenient? I'm honestly asking, when was the last time you can remember Pastorini or Bum at a Texans practice? I certainly can't remember when but they both just happened to turn up and then they conveniently support Kubiak at the height of controversy over whether he should be fired. And next Pastorini happens to turn up on a radio show a day later to again proclaim, "Honest, it was all an impromptu trip to practice, we were just sitting around shooting the bull and then we realized, 'Heck, we haven't been to a Texans practice in a while, let's saddle up and ride!' and nobody from the Texans put me up to it, I promise. And Bum most certainly didn't do it to try and help his son land a job." Sorry, but if he was willing to come to practice and pretend he just showed up, I'm pretty sure he would be willing to go on the radio a day later and keep up the charade.

And last time I checked, it's pretty tough to just wander onto the sidelines of practice no matter who you are. Somebody has to approve this sort of thing. And exactly how did they end up at lunch with McNair? And how did lunch culminate with a press conference where they were answering questions?

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

I was just listening to 610 .........

Ya, I heard these interviews too .... Bum said he would use Amobi as a "standup linebacker". Kinda weird, but Pastorini said (paraphrase) "if Bum says he could be a linebacker, I don't doubt it"....

I've heard all the "theories" and one aspect that doesn't jive is that McClain wasn't even there. McClain was at/going to the Baylor game.... I mean, if you're going to "leak" something, why not make sure Little John is there?

[Nconroe]

not defending, just trying to take the other side for sake of discussion and it is what i thought i heard. I was with you till I heard the interview.

well, suspicious sure, but I think Dan Pastorini was telling the truth, and sounded from the heart as I listened. I don't think he or Bum would play charades with us.

I think he called into the radio as he also knows Barry Warner well and wanted to set straight the misinterpretation of sequence of events he was hearing. This just fed one of our suspicions of what might occur. we won't know that till Monday or latter, but soon.

I think Pastorine said it had been last year since he was at a practice, so it is plausible, he could have wanted to go again.

If asked, wouldn't any Dad support his son, I think that is what Bum did, support his son when questioned. heck, many of us already speculated separately that Wade might be a good DC for future.

I think it turned into PR willingly as a circumstance of the current situation, but not planned in advance, to help his friends. That is being a good friend.

If a friend turned up at my workplace unannounced, I would invite him to lunch as well, so that doesn't really surprise me. At lunch we likely would talk about friend things, family, remember when stuff, not work.

And we have a fair bit of security where I work, but if a friend showed up, security would stop them, call me, then I would say , yes, let them in.

Not sure about press conference happening, didn't hear it personally, seems reasonable to have two supporters answer questions if available even if spur of the moment.

[Arky]

Here's the podcast. Judge for yourselves.

If you believe Dante, sounded to me like Bum and Pastorini got together to make an appeal for Gary..... I'm pretty sure Bum has connections with the Texans and probably called first to say he wanted to visit.... And that, Oh BTW, Bum just happens to have an unemployed son - though Pastorini denied any discussions about this. Speculation about Wade as a new DC has been going on for a while thus, I think the reporters that were there questioning him about it (Wade as DC) could have been a natural thing to ask.....

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Arky

Ya, I heard these interviews too .... Bum said he would use Amobi as a "standup linebacker". Kinda weird, but Pastorini said (paraphrase) "if Bum says he could be a linebacker, I don't doubt it"....

A "standup linebacker" ? Is there any other kind ?
But what the hell, Bums 87, if he wants to make Amobi a reciever and run him out of the slot, I'm down with that. I just hope I'm still upright when I'm 87, so congrats to Bum for walking around, going to football practices, etc.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

not defending, just trying to take the other side for sake of discussion and it is what i thought i heard. I was with you till I heard the interview.

well, suspicious sure, but I think Dan Pastorini was telling the truth, and sounded from the heart as I listened. I don't think he or Bum would play charades with us.

I think he called into the radio as he also knows Barry Warner well and wanted to set straight the misinterpretation of sequence of events he was hearing. This just fed one of our suspicions of what might occur. we won't know that till Monday or latter, but soon.

I think Pastorine said it had been last year since he was at a practice, so it is plausible, he could have wanted to go again.

If asked, wouldn't any Dad support his son, I think that is what Bum did, support his son when questioned. heck, many of us already speculated separately that Wade might be a good DC for future.

I think it turned into PR willingly as a circumstance of the current situation, but not planned in advance, to help his friends. That is being a good friend.

If a friend turned up at my workplace unannounced, I would invite him to lunch as well, so that doesn't really surprise me. At lunch we likely would talk about friend things, family, remember when stuff, not work.

And we have a fair bit of security where I work, but if a friend showed up, security would stop them, call me, then I would say , yes, let them in.

Not sure about press conference happening, didn't hear it personally, seems reasonable to have two supporters answer questions if available even if spur of the moment.

Wasn't trying to bust your chops and I appreciate you passing on what you heard. Misplaced anger stemming from me being completely fed up with this team. Horrible management, horrible coaching, horrible everything, and everyone who has the power to do something about it is just fine with all of it. McNair is fine with Kubiak, Kubiak is fine with Frank Bush, Bush is fine with Kareem Jackson, Eugene Wilson and every other crappy defensive player he trots out there. I'm just sick of it all and the idea of either giving up my tickets or paying to watch another year of the same next year infuriates me.

As I said above, I've now come to the conclusion that McNair is not a "win at all costs" guy, but a "win my way" guy. He wants people he personally likes and respects running the team. He wants guys he enjoys being around and that represent the team and the community well. Same goes for the players. There is nothing wrong with this and it is even admirable in a way. However, he should have the courage of his convictions and tell his shareholders (i.e., fans and ticketholders) the truth. Tell them we may not always put the best product on the field, but we will always have the best product off the field and that he is willing to make this trade off. If McNair's morals are this important to him, he should show some honesty and integrity himself by being truthful, open and honest to the people who are shelling out their hard earned money for this team. Once everyone knows where he stands, then people can decide whether they wish to support it. For a guy who constantly promotes the importance of having the right kind of people, to me, basically lying to your customers for 9 years is considerably more duplicitious than any backup player getting a DWI.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

not defending, just trying to take the other side for sake of discussion and it is what i thought i heard. I was with you till I heard the interview.

well, suspicious sure, but I think Dan Pastorini was telling the truth, and sounded from the heart as I listened. I don't think he or Bum would play charades with us.

I think he called into the radio as he also knows Barry Warner well and wanted to set straight the misinterpretation of sequence of events he was hearing. This just fed one of our suspicions of what might occur. we won't know that till Monday or latter, but soon.

I think Pastorine said it had been last year since he was at a practice, so it is plausible, he could have wanted to go again.

If asked, wouldn't any Dad support his son, I think that is what Bum did, support his son when questioned. heck, many of us already speculated separately that Wade might be a good DC for future.

I think it turned into PR willingly as a circumstance of the current situation, but not planned in advance, to help his friends. That is being a good friend.

If a friend turned up at my workplace unannounced, I would invite him to lunch as well, so that doesn't really surprise me. At lunch we likely would talk about friend things, family, remember when stuff, not work.

And we have a fair bit of security where I work, but if a friend showed up, security would stop them, call me, then I would say , yes, let them in.

Not sure about press conference happening, didn't hear it personally, seems reasonable to have two supporters answer questions if available even if spur of the moment.

honestly, i don't believe their story. like josh said, it is a bit too convenient. and as also discuseed, if it was a PR stunt (which i honestly believe it was) no way he would have said anything different on the radio. there is likely a lot of truth in what said, hunting, etc, but i don't buy for one minute that this wasn't an orchestrated deal by the texans.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Joshua

McNair is fine with Kubiak, Kubiak is fine with Frank Bush, Bush is fine with Kareem Jackson, Eugene Wilson and every other crappy defensive player he trots out there. I'm just sick of it all

Fully understand. It's like dealing with government. God forbid somebody in government actually loses their job over their wasteful spending or overall incompetence.

At least in football, most incompetence is not rewarded for long. Heads do roll eventually although McNair is awfully slow on the trigger. In some ways, it shows he isn't prone to panic, which is a good thing, but it also is exasperating when fans see something they think needs to be removed or corrected and nothing is done.

If it helps you at all, most front offices tell you everything is okay until the boom is lowered. They're going to tell you Kubiak is safe until the day he's fired. Speaking of Wade Phillips, Jerry Jones was singing his praises right up to the day he was fired. That's how it works.

One thing that's true about the NFL. You try not to burn bridges because there are only 32 of those jobs and only a few come up every year so they all have a way of talking nice to each other because they just may need a job from them further down the line. It doesn't mean they don't see what you're seeing.

[painekiller]

If you caught Bob McNair on the Texans show with Bob Allen and you read between the lines, Kubiak is coming back.

McNair said in a nutshell he does not think blowing up the team is necessary, the offense is top 5, but the defense is bottom 5, so that should be addressed.

If you blow up the coaching staff then you set the team back 2 years, and he sounds like he does not want to do that.

He did say we will have an answer this week, but most likely not today.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

If you caught Bob McNair on the Texans show with Bob Allen and you read between the lines, Kubiak is coming back.

McNair said in a nutshell he does not think blowing up the team is necessary, the offense is top 5, but the defense is bottom 5, so that should be addressed.

If you blow up the coaching staff then you set the team back 2 years, and he sounds like he does not want to do that.

He did say we will have an answer this week, but most likely not today.

I know you are quoting/paraphrasing McNair but this is not a top 5 offense. Last I checked, games are decided by points scored, not yardage. By points scored, the Texans are 9th. Behind the Oakland Raiders. Is there anyone on the planet saying the Raiders coaching staff should be retained because you don't want to screw up the incredible offense they have in place?

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorysta...seasonType=REG

And the difference between being top 10 and No. 20 is basically a field goal a week, as almost half the league averages somewhere between 21 and 24 points. While I do think it is a solid offense, I'm growing weary of the notion that we have some offense that is so spectacular it cannot be touched. We have a slightly above average offense when it comes to what matters and who also benefitted from getting to play from behind a lot.

[popanot]

McNair came across as a total boob. He actually believes this is potent offense. Replacing the HC only sets you back if you hire the wrong one (which I'm nearly certain he would do). Hey, Boob, look at this year's record...!!! Didn't we already step back 2 years? Nice to see he had the guts to fire Bush, but we've been here before...