Owners of NFL franchises, like most other human beings, can generally be placed along a spectrum of sorts for the purpose of analyzing a specific trait. For the purpose of this exercise, let's put Jerry Jones and Al Davis at one end of the spectrum, with Robert Kraft and the late Wellington Mara at the other end of the spectrum. I'm not questioning any of the aforementioned owners', or any owner's, desire to win; every owner ultimately wants his team to win the Super Bowl. At the risk of simplifying the analysis too much, I do think, however, that there are significant differences in what path owners believe is the best way to grab that brass ring.
Some, like Jones and Davis, believe involvement in the day-to-day operations of the organization is the key. They have their fingerprints all over every facet of their franchise. They have the final say in everything, from what's served at the concession stands to who gets the start at free safety, if they so desire.
At the other end of the continuum is the owner who believes the best way to lead is by getting out of the way. Owners like Kraft are more prone to install a chain of command; they hire the folks at the very top (e.g., the general manager, coach, etc.) and let them run the show as they see fit from there. From what we've seen since Bob McNair brought professional football back to Houston, he's much closer to this model of owner than the Jerry Jones-Al Davis vintage.
With that in mind, I've recently found myself wondering if Bob McNair is too far removed/trusting/disengaged for his own good. He's made it abundantly clear that the coaching staff will not be evaluated until the end of the season. Having seen what Richard Smith has done with the defense throughout his time in Houston, this is maddening. Do you think a Jerry Jones or Al Davis would keep Richard Smith around? I don't.
So shouldn't Bob McNair step in and make a change if Kubes won't? Doesn't the situation scream for that kind of leadership?
Or would you rather have an owner who lets his football people make the football decisions? An owner who realizes that football is not his area of expertise, and that others may be more knowledgeable and thus better equipped to make those kinds of decisions?
What say you, BRB? I happen to think the latter is the type of owner I'd prefer, but that's cold comfort when your defensive coordinator can apparently do everything short of getting caught with a farm animal without fear of unemployment.