Kubiak for Coach of the Year?

by texanphil on Jan 4, 2009 10:12 PM CST Comment 7 comments

Here's an argument in favor of it.

I tend to agree, Kubiak is good for the Texans. He did a lot for this team both after the 0-4 start and at the 3-7 mark. The problem most people have is how/why did we get to the 0-4 point to begin with. Ike was a big deal, and I don't think it can be overstated. And as to the 3-7 mark, its a 3-3 record removing the 0-4 start.

Looking toward a less eventful 2009 and beyond, I think he'll do a lot with a little on offense, which is good.

The defensive side of the ball troubles me. His mentor didn't focus on defense, and apparently he's following right in the footsteps of Papa Shan. I understand he's involved in the offense, and that's where he's focused, but can we get a decent DC and a couple key players on that side of the ball and turn this defense around?

Just like the suggestion I saw in the game-day threads about just onside kicking every kickoff, since we're gonna let them run down the field at will anyway. How about we blitz on every down, and move Frenchy to free safety? This way he can at least LOOK in the right place (the ball), so we're half way to a decent player (if he just uses his arms we'd be all set).

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no

sparano shoulda won it

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Jan 4, 2009 11:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

not avery good argument so far!

I hate to say it, but you have not given me one reason to vote GK coach of the year! Not even a hummmm….. maybe next year!

by Fupa_Nation on Jan 4, 2009 11:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a HUGE Kubiak guy...

But – no. There’s nothing remotely compelling or insightful about that article. I think Sparano should have won it – but I can’t complain about Smith winning.

Kubiak’s not there yet.

www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Jan 5, 2009 12:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big Kubes fan too

But part of the reason for the 0-4 start is because the team wasn’t prepared to play (particularly against Pittsburgh), and that rests on Kubes’s shoulders. Ditto for the Oakland debacle.

Kubes deserves credit for keeping the guys playing even when they had nothing but pride to play for, and next year, with a good DC, this team could (and should) contend for the playoffs. But he still made some big time mistakes (worse than just poor clock/timeout/challenge management) that he’s going to need to correct.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Jan 5, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Definitely not

Especially in a season that had the brilliance of Mike Smith, Tony Sparano, and (unfortunately) Belichick.

by BigTexBD on Jan 5, 2009 12:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes you are all correct

He should not have won coach of the year. I guess what I meant by “I agree” was with the contention that he is good for the Texans, and he had a good year as a head coach.

I think he handles the ups and downs well and keeps them on an even keel. We know how he handles the team as an underdog. It remains to be seen how he prepares his team if we are ever 5-1 and expected to win every game. Hopefully we see next year.

But credit and blame. The 0-4 start and especially the 0-1 start and Oakland are on him. Absolutely. But so is the credit of the other 8 wins vs. 3 losses.

Through the magic of parity and the NFL (and Dungy retiring?) our division may be more competitive next year. I think this is where we’ll be in good shape with Kubiak. I don’t see a season collapsing like you saw out of a few teams (Jax, Cleveland, Green Bay).

But if Kubes came in in ’06 and took us to the playoffs after the disaster that was ’05 and some 8-8 teams coach won the coach of the year over him, I would be extremely pissed. So yes, Sparano and Smith, nice job.

Please draft some defensive stars for the next DC.

by texanphil on Jan 5, 2009 1:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Largely agree with this

For the criticism (often accurate) of his inconsistent clock management, use of timeouts and lack of success with replay challenges, the big picture is that under Kubes this Texans team has forgotten how to quit. They could easily have mailed it in at 0-4, against Miami, after the Minnesota loss or after the Raiders loss, and each time they responded with a great display of heart and tenacity. (For nostalgia’s sake, everyone should take a look at the footage of the two minute drill against Miami. It still gives me goosebumps.)

Kubiak has to get credit for that. Even if he never learns how to master the clock (and I suspect he will) or throw the challenge flag at the right time, the big picture looks good for Kubes and the Texans.

Hopefully he’ll have the team come out spitting fire in the season opener next year. I think this is the year that the team has to contend for the playoffs and win at least nine games.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Jan 5, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs