Of Houston Texans And Negative Articles

by TexansDC on Feb 4, 2011 12:00 PM CST in News

A chip on the shoulder attitude worked for Arian Foster, so what would happen if this organization had the same kind of attitude?

Author's Note: There won't be a Super Bowl preview/Pick 'Em Update this week. There were only two games last time and one this time. I'll be back with an End of Season wrap-up though after Sunday's game. Don't forget to get that last pick in, Pickers.

I have to say it's pretty hard to get motivated to write a post about your Houston Texans these days. The lack of motivation doesn't have anything to do with the off-season being so dry on the news side of things either.

By nature, I try to be optimistic. I try to look for the lessons learned in tough situations. I try to keep plugging away. Generally, I try to avoid a lot of negativity. I find it draining, off-putting, and something that isn't necessary. This is a huge part of the reason why I decided to not be a journalism major in college - I just couldn't stand writing about all the negative and bad, day in and day out.

Why do I bring this up? As of this point, all Houston Texans news is negative. Bob McNair? Getting ripped for pretty much every comment he makes. Gary Kubiak? Getting ripped for not being able to crack the glass ceiling with a bad defense. Rick Smith? Getting ripped for being a poor talent evaluator. Matt Schaub? Getting ripped because...uhhh...he doesn't JUST WINZ! It's so bad that I'm sure someone out there is thinking bad thoughts about the waterboy because he doesn't keep Andre Johnson well hydrated with H2O. That last part is an exaggeration, maybe, but the picture looks pretty bleak.

Yet, I can't help but think what a golden opportunity this is for McNair, Kubiak, and the Deep Steel Blue Gang for 2011 (or 2012 if there's no football). The groundwork for motivation has been handed to them on a sizzling-hot platter. They should be clipping every article, printing every web page, and recording every talking head segment on-air and on television to place all over Reliant Park. Kubiak, McNair, and everyone associated with the Texans should embrace this barrage of rage as opposed to hiding from the media's crosshairs.

What's a more uniting experience than to know that no one believes in you? What will light a fire under someone more to know that people are doubting and mocking you at every turn? Why not accept this and play up an "us against the world" theme for 2011?

Is this the style of Gary Kubiak? Not really. However, if I were them, I'd definitely ride this wave of cynicism for as long as I could. Perhaps it's just me and how I'm seeing things right now, but I'd hate to be standing on the other side of a football player with a chip on his shoulder - let alone a team with a chip on their collective shoulders.

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Comments

I hope you are right and the team "uses" the doubt

But I do hate the feeling of the organization and the fans being on opposite sides of the fence. Jake mentioned the negativity flowing so fruitfully now will only cause pain later. No one WANTS to be able to say “I told you so” if a part of the team is unsuccessful next year and everyone wants to feel good when we hoist the trophy one day soon.

by theSpaceCityKid on Feb 4, 2011 12:22 PM CST reply actions

I don't look at it as fans and the franchise on opposite sides of the fence....

I look at it as an attitude thing.

Fans were in a honeymoon with this team because it was new and mending hurt Oiler wounds. Now, fans are starting to raise their expectations and demand more. These “negative” feelings are proof that having a team won’t cut it, now it’s about results. Hopefully, the attitude lights a fire at Reliant Park (especially this offseason where its so obvious that everyone is demanding more from the Texans), so they’ll have that chip on the shoulder, in a manner of speaking.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Feb 4, 2011 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

How does Kubiak respond to negativity?

From my observations:

He says, and I paraphrase, “I don’t think about it. All I can look at is how I can game plan and make this team better.”

So, I think you bring up a very good point TDC. My advise to Kubiak and the entire Texans organization is to use this and stand up against the “cynicism,” as you call it. What rallies the troops better than finding a common enemy and working to defeat it? If this team were to do that, I think we as fans, would rally behind them!!!

….so long as it turned into winning.

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

by Rip Jersey on Feb 4, 2011 12:32 PM CST reply actions

Priceless

….so long as it turned into winning.

I’m pretty sure that you could put whatever you want in front of that and it would make a lot of fans rally behind the team. Unfortunately.

I mean seriously… I’ve seen everything on here from “Let’s get Albert theteamdoesntmeanadamnthingandiliketostomphelmetlessheads Haynesworth” to “We should get Braylon seehowmanywideopenthrowsicandropandthengoboozinganddrivingsoicanemulatemybuddyDonte Edwards”. Some people just don’t care about the means.

And just for the record, that was not a dig at Stallworth.

by NWestTexan on Feb 4, 2011 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Soooo rec'd...

Some people just don’t care about the means.

Sadly, that’s not going to change… There’s a lot of folks that don’t see anything wrong with the “Just win, baby” philosophy and I’ve accepted that I’m always going to be at odds with some portion of the “fan”-base.
But… until the Texans make some moves that give us cause for optimism again, I can’t really begrudge folks being pissed off right now. This was the first season that we’ve entered with legitimate reasons for “expectations” and the results were correspondingly disappointing.
Adding Wade Phillips was a real bright spot and communicated to me that the organization realized that the Defense was a huge gap that just needed to be FIXED. Now if they’ll just make a couple of decent player moves, I think that the only folks left harping on the negatives will the folks that just enjoy whining… and there are people that do just live to complain.

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 4, 2011 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Lots of negativity out there lately. Can’t wait for the season to start up again so the Texans can raise everyone’s spirits again with some Ws.

Here’s hoping that you continue to find positives to write on. I may disagree with you on some facets of the game and the organization, but I do enjoy reading your articles and debating them.

by NWestTexan on Feb 4, 2011 1:07 PM CST reply actions

I have a FT job now, so work definitely throws a wrench into writing

but it’s less fun when everything’s so negative. I get the disappointment and understand it, but season’s been over for a month….time to turn the page and get going again. The joy of being a sports fan: there’s always tomorrow/next week/next year.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Feb 4, 2011 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

rec'd

Because I wish more people had the “we’ll get ’em next year” attitude.

by NWestTexan on Feb 4, 2011 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

I've been more

optimistic since the season ended. Maybe it’s the new staff additions, or the change in defensive scheme, but i feel quite confident about the team.

Maybe, i’m just falling in love with the same woman again, but with a new dress. Hopefully without all the same imperfections. Who knows..

by Ivan A on Feb 4, 2011 2:20 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, but she went out and bought that slutty dress with the slit up the side... grrrrrOOOOwwww...

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 4, 2011 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

I just hope she's going to escalate from the occassional HJ

If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?

by Shake on Feb 4, 2011 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

Nope, she's still a tease, but if you walk around with her...

…you get the “Hey! He’s dating a hottie! I think I’ll break them up!” effect…

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 4, 2011 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

Can ya blame 'em?

That was about as great a collapse as humanly possible: losing eight of their last ten, with the only two wins coming against back-up QBs. We haven’t seen a whole lot of winning lately (or at all, for that matter). It’s a far-cry from the usual off-season, where we’re all optimistic coming off of a meaningless December run.

by Nashmeister on Feb 4, 2011 2:24 PM CST reply actions

The Bills have done worse

recently

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for an hour. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

by nolander on Feb 4, 2011 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

I don't blame 'em.

It stems from a point, but griping about 2010 gets a little stale after a month of it.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Feb 4, 2011 2:59 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

We also usually have a competitive basketball team to hold us over. Oh, what a lousy year to be a Houston sports fan…

by Nashmeister on Feb 4, 2011 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Texans 2011 motto

“as long is it turns into winning…”

by AllenOU on Feb 4, 2011 2:45 PM CST via mobile reply actions

If we still have a losing record or fail to make the playoffs in 2011

Will we be allowed to be negative then?

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

by Hydroshock on Feb 4, 2011 3:34 PM CST reply actions

There's lots to be negative about right now

This is the perfect place to express yourself. Wishing people would magically be positive about the Texans and the Texans earning it are two different things. Bob McNair expressed his opinion that the team is just a few tweaks away. He has said a few other things. That opens him to criticism. This is a blog. If you can’t criticize here, where can you do it? Just do it with respect for other’s opinions and I believe this blog welcomes you.

I believe there is no time limit on griping. To some, one month may be plenty. But, while the team is not playing any games, they are doing things that are out there for us to witness. When they do or say something, we notice, and since this is a blog of opinion, we should be able to comment on it. If it is Bob McNair answering questions in the press, players making statements, the media putting the players in the news, the draft, whatever. We are a blog. Commenting is what we do. If Bob McNair speaks and we respond as if it’s all rainbows and candy canes, well, how would that be possible? So, stale? If we were to lament on the Q-Tip incessantly for the entire off-season, I would agree. But, other stuff is going on around us. We are in the middle of it, because our trusty writers barrage us with links almost on a DnD daily basis. We click, we read, we comment. And, our comments are all over the place.

Let’s all live with that.

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

by Rip Jersey on Feb 4, 2011 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

KOOOOm bye yaaaaahhhh!!!!

SING IT RIP!!!

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 4, 2011 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

I think people who choose to be negative certainly are entitled to feel this way

Me? Not my cup o’ tea…nor do I just want to add more hate on the burning pile of logs.

The point of this whole thing was to hope the Texans embrace the flames and develop a chip on their shoulder thanks to the mediastorm….take this and become motivated to shut up people like Justice and McClain.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Feb 4, 2011 4:34 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah I get that

But at the same time, the opposite can easily be misconstrued as putting more lipstick on the pig. Personally, I’m not overly negative when it comes to the Texans, but it’s getting harder and harder to convince myself that next year is our year, ya know?

I was a big defender against the “sky is falling” crowd a few years ago, because logic dictated that it takes a lot of time and hard work to build a new NFL franchise. I constantly argued that we were making strides and heading in the right direction, which we were. I don’t begrudge anyone for wanting to stay positive because that’s how I’ve always been, but going into the 10 year mark my expectations have changed, much like a majority of the loyal fan base. Now I want to see bonafide results, and I’m tired of hearing the same rah rah shit.

I hope you’re right. I hope the entire organization comes out with a chip on their collective shoulders next season and shows everyone the Texans can be a true contender. But they’ll have to show us because their words have worn thin, and in all honesty, they haven’t added anyone to the staff that automatically instills a sense of confidence that anything will be different.

Will Wade’s defense be enough to overcome Gary’s head coaching short comings? I certainly hope so. Will Rick Smith finally pursue some big name free agents and strike gold in the draft? We’ll see. We’ve got a very important off season coming up that will tell us a lot more. Until then I’ll approach the future with restrained optimism, and I’ll leave it up to them to prove the naysayers wrong.

.02

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

by Hydroshock on Feb 4, 2011 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

rec'd

learned new phrase today “restrained optimism”

by b0wse on Feb 5, 2011 12:54 AM CST up reply actions

I prefer "optimistic pessimism"

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid

by The Night Owl on Feb 5, 2011 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

If anyone is to have a chip, I'm thinking it will have to be Wade's D-unit

I’m just not feeling it coming from Gary; you know, promoting any kind of chip. It’s just not in his make-up. Dang, now that sounds like I’m being negative. Should I be saying that Gary will instill the chip feeling amongst the players? I guess I should. But, I can’t. Sorry.

It will have to be the D. Wade and his assistants will have to be the ones that remind the players of the overall negativity and transfer it into a chip on their collective shoulders. Tell them that no one thinks they’re any good. It was the D that cost the team a winning record last season. I think Wade can develop that “chip on the shoulder” feeling.

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

by Rip Jersey on Feb 5, 2011 12:56 AM CST up reply actions

Man I really hope you're right

But I dunno if Wade has ever been a coach that fires up his players. I honestly think he will be a major upgrade for our defense, which could be good enough to get us into the playoffs, but I’m still not convinced he has the personality to motivate our stars to find their next levels of greatness. Instead, I think it’s going to be up to the players themselves to find that chip on their own shoulders.

Instead of telling them no one thinks they’re any good, tell them we know they aren’t. If that doesn’t piss them off nothing will.

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

by Hydroshock on Feb 5, 2011 1:28 AM CST up reply actions

You know what Rip, it you think about it...

…that kinda’ fits.

Offense is a “creative” and rational process. You KNOW what you are going to do and you need to keep a level head and execute. Getting all pissed off and out of control is counter-productive to being effective.

Defense is a “destructive” and reactive process. Passion and adrenaline is much more useful on the defensive side.

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 5, 2011 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

That fits

Except for the Vonta Leaches of the NFL…

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

by Rip Jersey on Feb 5, 2011 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed...

…a truly example of a human shaped-charge.

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 5, 2011 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

[language fail]

“… a truly GREAT example of a human shaped-charge.”

"In conclusion, I’d like to say that Dicky Justice is an assclown."
"...your in-house hirings on the defensive side suck donkey balls..."
- tehGrindCrusher

by DilloTex on Feb 5, 2011 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

I just don't see a lot to being negative for an extensive period of time

I am pretty much a positive guy – and I have said the Texans suck more than once this past year.

I don’t mind people being negative – it does get old though.

I do not see a real reason to be negative (other than about the players agreement) before the season starts again

I am totally optimistic about the Texans new season - at least until the first of the 4 or 2 (if any) preseason games

by Barryfromtexas on Feb 4, 2011 4:30 PM CST reply actions

It's all in the perspective

It would be odd to not experience even a little negativity when disappointed, and Texans fans have had more than their portion of disappointment. Hope springs eternal with every draft, free agent signing, and coaching change. Our hopes are built up, and the more we see fulfillment of what we want to see, the more we believe that they CAN beat the ****ing colts, they can run the ball, they can win overtime games. And the greater the belief, the greater the disappointment when things get rough, the greater the negativity when we KNOW they can do so much better.

I’m a lifetime Oiler fan, lifetime Texans fan, and fan of any team that begins with the name “Houston.” And through all of my off-season disappointment, boredom, and endless review of mock draft boards and available free agent lists, I still can’t shake the memory of the days not that long ago after Lucifer moved the ****ing columbia blue and scarlet out to BFE. For 6 long years the only team I followed and rooted for was “WPAD” (Whoever’s Playing Against Dallas). Even without rings, without playoff appearances, even 2 and ****ing 14, I’d rather have my team that sucks than not have a team at all.

Being a Texans fan is character-building. We definitely have that going for us.

by Ezekiel 25 17 on Feb 4, 2011 5:17 PM CST reply actions 6 recs