The Season Is Over - Now What?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 21, 2010 9:32 PM CST

Well, first of all, Matt Schaub should be on the bench in street clothes come Sunday. Matt Leinart and Dan Orlovsky should be taking every snap. Why? Matt Schaub has a bad knee. Do you want to jeopardize hurting it more than it already is? And, isn't Matt Leinart trade bait? He has to be showcased in this offense for other teams, to whet their appetites. He's worthless, sure, if he comes in and falls on his face. But, what's more important? Draft picks and Matt Schaub's health is, that's what is more important. Schaub is the future, so why risk it? How about Dan Orlovsky? Isn't he the insurance? Yes. He's the insurance that needs some snaps in real games, not practice games. Hell, give anyone who's injured time off. Sit Owen Daniels. Sit Arian Foster. Forget about winning the rushing title. He's already going to the Pro Bowl. No fear there. The smart moves need to be made. There's no pride on the line, only moves and mending.

So, if the the Texans follow through with this prudent plan, does this impact Bob McNair in the pocketbook. Do less people show for the last game of the season at home against the Jags? What if Schaub plays, against my advice, does that look bad on Kubiak if he gets hurt? So many questions....

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I like it....

…and I have a feeling that McNair’s pocketbook has enough green linings to be okay. Get Leinhart in, get Ward in, sit AJ down, give Slaton the ball and let him salvage any kind of value someone might want a towelboy, Garret Graham, all of them.

I 2nd the motion.

Add ammonia to your bleach, it goes down smoother.

by CowboyH8ter on Dec 21, 2010 9:55 PM CST reply actions

About Bob's pocket book

5th most profitable sports franchise despite only having 1 winning season since it’s inauguration. So yeah, I think his pocket book has enough green. Maybe it’s time he starts re-investing that cash into the team and via big name free agents and coaches.

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Dec 22, 2010 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

To be honest...

I want to see Andre get 1500+ for the third consecutive year. That’s my justification for starting Schaub. He’d be on an easy pace if he hadn’t missed a game, but it’s gonna take some serious production to do it again at this rate (140ish per game). It ain’t gonna happen with Leinart taking the snaps.

by Nashmeister on Dec 21, 2010 10:50 PM CST reply actions

Nashy, thats a bit selfish

And I know its being considered. But, think about Leinart’s situation. He has to throw the ball to be noticed. Playcalling and need add up to plenty of balls getting into AJ’s hands. I think they can get 200 on the Broncos!

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 21, 2010 11:33 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Certainly couldn't come against two worse pass defenses.

Unless of course we were playing ourselves.

Leinart’s on a one-year contract, though. No real reason to give him reps… Orlovsky still has another year, but I’m not sure two games is going to fool anybody. I’d like to see what he can do out of purely academic interest (and comedy value), but he has received pretty much the lowest form of Kubiak praise since joining the team.

by Nashmeister on Dec 21, 2010 11:40 PM CST up reply actions

sounds like you are looking at both as being worthless

But I see Leinart as having trade value leading up to the draft for picks. I suppose the downfall is that the draft is deep at the QB position, possibly. As you said, he has a one year contract. I don’t see him coming back, unless there is zero interest. The, Orlovsky maybe becomes expendable, because I don’t see the Texans keeping both. Ut, the Texans need draft picks. I think they may even discount Leinart even if all they can get is a 4th rounder. The only way to boost his value is to put him on display.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 7:01 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

What trade value?

Leinart was on a one year contract. As in this year. He has no value to us after January 2nd. Leave him on the bench, give Orlo a chance to play half of each game left.

by Big T33 on Dec 22, 2010 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

Come on

When Kubes goes to Denver he takes the big O with him

I believe that the Texans need to score 40 points in every game to be competetive because of efense.

by Barryfromtexas on Dec 22, 2010 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

Kubiak is coaching for his job. No way he benches anyone....unless we're up by 30 in the third.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU

by TexansForever on Dec 22, 2010 7:02 AM CST reply actions

They better be up by 30 if he wants to keep his job, IMO

The Broncos should be a rollover opponent, as in they should just lay down and take it….buns up kneeling. How can anyone take the Broncos seriously? How can the Texans beat the Broncos and save Kubiak’s job for him? Just beating them is no victory for Kubiak.

The smart thing to do is not risk further injury to the wounded players.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 8:25 AM CST up reply actions

The Broncos will be starting Tebow

which means we have to defeat the Knight on the white horse descending from the sky through a swarm of locusts looking for the mark of the beast.

Choo Choo! Get on board the Marvin Lewis train for 2011 Defensive Coordinator.

by DaGoaT on Dec 22, 2010 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

Haha! That, I would like to see....

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 8:41 AM CST up reply actions

bingo

mailing in these last two games poorly could cost him his job.

Choo Choo! Get on board the Marvin Lewis train for 2011 Defensive Coordinator.

by DaGoaT on Dec 22, 2010 8:30 AM CST up reply actions

Did you hear Kubiak the other day on the Kubiak Show on 610?

He was already beat down. I think the handwriting is on the wall. I truly think he is already gone and he knows it. This team has regressed to levels that they were at before he came here and the player talent is double what it was back then. How in the Hell can these last two games save his ass? Last season, the last four games of the season saved his ass and gave the fans hope. This year, the last two games mean nothing. A game against the Broncos? That is like playing the Rams last season. It means nothing except padding the win column, which is meaningless. There is no progress going on here. There is no saving a job here. There is only moving on. Anyone who thinks a win over the Broncos means anything has already made up their mind that he’s coming back. That is all it means.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 8:37 AM CST up reply actions

I didn't say it made sense

but I think McNair has a short memory and is looking for any reason to keep him.

Choo Choo! Get on board the Marvin Lewis train for 2011 Defensive Coordinator.

by DaGoaT on Dec 22, 2010 8:53 AM CST up reply actions

Unfortunately, there is the potential for truth there

That is what I meant with my final thought. McNair seems to be leaning towards keeping Kubiak and any last ditch effort might or should provide the reasonable doubt that saves him from the executioner’s chair.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

I think with the Jags' season on the line

they will eat us alive on the last day thus destroying any warm feelings McNair might have from the expected Broncos win.

"You don't have bad luck. Bad things happen to you because you are a dumbass" - That 70's Show. Fire Frank Bush!

by RocketsAstros on Dec 22, 2010 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

I am trying to feel this out

Denver should be a meaningless win. If they win that one and go on to lose against Jacksonville, at home, is that the nail in the coffin? Or, is the decision to keep Kubiak for one more season already made? And, let’s say they beat Denver and beat Jacksonville. Does that save Kubiak and guarantee another season? Or, do these two games have no meaning, as I maintain. The season is done. It’s a loser. Guaranteed. Why does Bob McNair need two more games to make a decision? What will he see in these last two games that he hasn’t seen in five seasons?

If it’s a new DC that the team needs, there’s some darn good DCs on the street right now that should be interviewing. I haven’t heard anything about any DCs interviewing. I’m repeating myself now, but in the Kubiak Show this week, Kubiak sounded like a defeated man. He sounded like he was just going through the paces with the interview and with his game plan. He said he’s not going to change anything. That is not someone who is trying to turn it around. It is someone who is resigned to just let the rest of the season play out and accept the consequences…. as in, it’s too late to do anything about it and he has done all he can do.

Part of me believes that Kubiak will resign, because that is the kind of guy he is. He IS a nice guy. He is the kind of guy that will resign and take the burden of firing him off of McNair’s shoulders. That allows McNair to continue to say nothing but nice things about Kubiak, as he always has.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

McNair isn't going to interview any DCs

this early. We still need to get into the new year and see how a new CBA is progressing, and we need for a few of the DC candidates to get fired. Lewis and Fox aren’t out of a job yet.

Choo Choo! Get on board the Marvin Lewis train for 2011 Defensive Coordinator.

by DaGoaT on Dec 22, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Shouldn't the GM be interviewing and not McNair?

McNair has not been real hands-on with these things. It is up to Rick Smith. Then again, maybe HE should be the one changed first.

I believe that the Texans need to score 40 points in every game to be competetive because of efense.

by Barryfromtexas on Dec 24, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Kubiak risks making Bob look like a total chump

After that bullshit rah rah speech he gave to the team about other owners praising us, you would think that indicates Kubiak’s job is safe. That is, until we came out and played like a Pop Warner team against our most hated rival. That had to leave a bit of a sour taste in Bob’s mouth. Now I think Kubiak is really coaching for his job. If we lay and egg and lose to the Broncos I could see his support for Kubiak going down the toilet faster than our season did. That’s why I doubt we sit anyone.

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Dec 22, 2010 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

“There is no progress going on here. There is no saving a job here. There is only moving on.”

Kind like when Cowher went, 11-5, 7-9, 6-10, but kept his job? You mean that kind of progress?

"Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway" - Ancient Chinese Proverb

by Hugh Jarce on Dec 22, 2010 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

CONTEXT....IT'S A BITCH.

If Kubiak had SURROUNDED his failing seasons with TONS OF WIN, then he would get he same respect Cowher does.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU

by TexansForever on Dec 22, 2010 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd for throwing down the context card

Seriously, those losing seasons came AFTER 5 division titles in 6 years. And Kubiak has won what?

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Dec 22, 2010 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

He beat the Colts this year in the first game of the season!

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 4:42 PM CST up reply actions

yep, and according to all of the media honks

“It was their Super Bowl”

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Dec 22, 2010 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

It was......sure felt like the Super Bowl, but without the trophy, the parade, no rings.....

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 22, 2010 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

Does this mean we'll have the usual post SB hangover season next year?

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Dec 22, 2010 8:55 PM CST up reply actions

That's right

and where were the Colts in 1992? Talk about context…

"Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway" - Ancient Chinese Proverb

by Hugh Jarce on Dec 23, 2010 9:00 AM CST up reply actions

Please explain what context you are trying to imply

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

Send Vonta Leach to the Beach! http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?

by Rip Jersey on Dec 23, 2010 9:12 AM CST up reply actions

This is true.

The above reference to his losing seasons were a bit absurd. But if we’re talking context, Kubiak does have this on his side:

Texans under Kubiak: 36-42.

Texans without Kubiak at the helm: 18-46.

This whole argument is really getting a bit absurd, though. I’m fine with Kubiak staying on, but it’s amazing the lengths people go to in order to discredit a coach who has had nothing but success. Has he replicated it with another organization like Dungy has? No. But Dungy probably isn’t an option. Cowher took a team that had faded into mediocrity by the end of the Noll era and turned it into a great team. He didn’t do it in a vacuum, but he proved that he can win in a good organization.

Head coach is a cog in the machine. Hiring Cowher won’t change the fact that we probably have a bad GM and scouting department, but you’d have a pretty good idea what the real issue was if he came in and didn’t succeed. If he comes in and fails, we can at least dispel the myth that we have a ton of talent.

by Nashmeister on Dec 22, 2010 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd

Excellent post

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Dec 22, 2010 8:57 PM CST up reply actions

Kubiak has taken the Texans from Horrible to Heart-Breaking.

While commendable, 5 years is enough,

If you can’t make the playoffs in five years, it is time to try something else.

Kubiak was the best coach we have had, but that doesn’t make him good.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU

by TexansForever on Dec 22, 2010 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

The scale isn't so black-and-white, though.

With the greatest coach of all time, how much success would you have expected over that time? I agree, they should have been there last year. 10-6 or even 11-5 was very achievable. But outside of that… 2006? First year as a head coach with an awful team. 2007? Second year of rebuilding; starting QB injuries. 2008? Now we’re getting to the good stuff: this team should take the next step; yet, we had a 13-win team and a 12-win team in the division, and an 11-win team didn’t even get a wild-card spot that year.

Just how much disappointment has there been, really? Would Indy not rolling over last year for NYJ, thus putting us in the playoffs, have made everybody content with the job he did?

Ultimately, I think he has 2-3 seasons under his belt in which he met or exceeded expectations given the talent he had to work with, and two in which he fell short. It probably gets harder to meet expectations as the talent level goes up, but I still think it’s too small a sample size to really pass a judgment on him.

by Nashmeister on Dec 22, 2010 11:10 PM CST up reply actions