AFC South: Bob McNair
Gary Kubiak had me back in early December. After he took a beaten up team, won the division and assured the Texans of their first playoff appearance, this skeptic pivoted and said the coach had earned an extension.
There was little doubt he’d get one, but little has happened on that front either.
Monday, owner Bob McNair said he will soon talk to Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith, who are both heading into the final years of their current contracts, about new ones.
“We’ll start working on that,” McNair said at the team’s charity golf tournament, per comments distributed by the team. “We’ve just had a lot of other things on our plate, but yeah, we’ll get around to that … I think they’ve done an outstanding job,” McNair said. “... I’m pleased with them, and if that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t be extending them.”
He said he typically sits down with his coach first, then his general manager.
Asked how important it is to take care of their contracts, he said “Well, it’s hard to play if you don’t have a coach and general manager, so I guess I need to take care of it.”
There have been times when I may have wondered if McNair was being too patient with his top two football people.
Now I agree they're deserving.
There was little doubt he’d get one, but little has happened on that front either.
Monday, owner Bob McNair said he will soon talk to Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith, who are both heading into the final years of their current contracts, about new ones.
“We’ll start working on that,” McNair said at the team’s charity golf tournament, per comments distributed by the team. “We’ve just had a lot of other things on our plate, but yeah, we’ll get around to that … I think they’ve done an outstanding job,” McNair said. “... I’m pleased with them, and if that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t be extending them.”
He said he typically sits down with his coach first, then his general manager.
Asked how important it is to take care of their contracts, he said “Well, it’s hard to play if you don’t have a coach and general manager, so I guess I need to take care of it.”
There have been times when I may have wondered if McNair was being too patient with his top two football people.
Now I agree they're deserving.
Reading the coverage ...
Houston Texans
Jacoby Jones had some big moments with the Texans, but they were too infrequent, says Jerome Solomon.
Bob McNair talks draft with Drew Dougherty of the Texans’ website, showing particular interest in receiver Keshawn Martin.
What to expect from Whitney Mercilus in the rookie year of the Texans' first-round outside linebacker, from Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report.
Indianapolis Colts
The average rookie-year production of first- and second- round tight ends sets a relatively low bar for production from Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Dunlevy breaks down the recent history.
A Jim Irsay comment about Indianapolis needing another big hotel to get another Super Bowl prompted this piece from Anthony Schoettle of the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars released a long list of workout players who will get a look in minicamp, says Vito Stellino.
The story of Long Ding, a Chinese kicker hoping to make the Jaguars, from Michael Preston of the International Federation of American Football.
What to expect from first-round receiver Justin Blackmon and second-round defensive end Andre Branch, in more Dunlevy projection pieces.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans added veteran linebacker Zac Diles and fullback Collin Mooney who spent the last three years fulfilling his service commitment to Army, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. With Quinn Johnson and Mooney on the roster, it doesn't look good for Ahmard Hall to return.
What to expect from Kendall Wright, from Dunlevy.
Houston Texans
Jacoby Jones had some big moments with the Texans, but they were too infrequent, says Jerome Solomon.
Bob McNair talks draft with Drew Dougherty of the Texans’ website, showing particular interest in receiver Keshawn Martin.
What to expect from Whitney Mercilus in the rookie year of the Texans' first-round outside linebacker, from Nate Dunlevy of Bleacher Report.
Indianapolis Colts
The average rookie-year production of first- and second- round tight ends sets a relatively low bar for production from Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Dunlevy breaks down the recent history.
A Jim Irsay comment about Indianapolis needing another big hotel to get another Super Bowl prompted this piece from Anthony Schoettle of the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars released a long list of workout players who will get a look in minicamp, says Vito Stellino.
The story of Long Ding, a Chinese kicker hoping to make the Jaguars, from Michael Preston of the International Federation of American Football.
What to expect from first-round receiver Justin Blackmon and second-round defensive end Andre Branch, in more Dunlevy projection pieces.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans added veteran linebacker Zac Diles and fullback Collin Mooney who spent the last three years fulfilling his service commitment to Army, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. With Quinn Johnson and Mooney on the roster, it doesn't look good for Ahmard Hall to return.
What to expect from Kendall Wright, from Dunlevy.
RTC: Kubiak wants emotional team today
January, 7, 2012
Jan 7
11:32
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage …
Houston Texans
Owner Bob McNair is relishing the time as his team prepares to face Cincinnati in a playoff game, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
A win would do a lot for the Texans’ national profile, says Steve Campbell of the Chronicle.
Patience has paid off for Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith and they deserve to take a bow, writes Jerome Solomon of the Chronicle.
Kubiak wants his team playing with a lot of emotion, says McClain.
Wade Phillips has made things simple and effective for the thriving Texans defense, says McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay will have interviewed seven general manager candidates by the end of Monday according to his Twitter account, says this Star report. He revealed a dark horse: Jim Popp, general manager of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union pieces together the latest in the Jaguars’ coaching search as the team interviewed Brian Schottenheimer of the Jets and Rob Chudzinski of the Panthers.
Tennessee Titans
Chris Hope is heading for free agency, but the safety says he’s going to help some team in 2012, writes Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The Rams have received permission to talk to Ruston Webster and Lake Dawson about their open GM job, says Wyatt.
Houston Texans
Owner Bob McNair is relishing the time as his team prepares to face Cincinnati in a playoff game, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
A win would do a lot for the Texans’ national profile, says Steve Campbell of the Chronicle.
Patience has paid off for Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith and they deserve to take a bow, writes Jerome Solomon of the Chronicle.
Kubiak wants his team playing with a lot of emotion, says McClain.
Wade Phillips has made things simple and effective for the thriving Texans defense, says McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay will have interviewed seven general manager candidates by the end of Monday according to his Twitter account, says this Star report. He revealed a dark horse: Jim Popp, general manager of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union pieces together the latest in the Jaguars’ coaching search as the team interviewed Brian Schottenheimer of the Jets and Rob Chudzinski of the Panthers.
Tennessee Titans
Chris Hope is heading for free agency, but the safety says he’s going to help some team in 2012, writes Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The Rams have received permission to talk to Ruston Webster and Lake Dawson about their open GM job, says Wyatt.
RTC: Dwight Freeney tops 100 sacks
December, 12, 2011
12/12/11
8:46
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage…
Houston Texans
After clinching their first playoff spot, the Texans celebrated and talked of feeling like a team of destiny, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Andre Johnson got a game ball without even playing in a nice gesture by Gary Kubiak.
“When T.J. Yates and Kevin Walter finally connected for the game-winning score with two seconds remaining to silence the small crowd at Paul Brown Stadium, this never-say-die team from a so-often-dead organization had delivered a victory for the ages,” writes Jerome Solomon of the Chronicle.
Johnathan Joseph’s return to Cincinnati was largely uneventful and he allowed A.J. Green to make some plays, says Jeffrey Martin of the Chronicle.
The final drive brought out the best in Yates and the Texans, says Martin.
Defensive adjustments by Wade Phillips and his staff played a big part in things, says McClain.
Dale Robertson of the Chronicle ranks it the second-biggest NFL win in Houston history.
Owner Bob McNair thinks Kubiak should be a prime coach of the year candidate, writes McClain.
Yates’ parent has bad seats, says Shutdown Corner.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts got nowhere against the Ravens vaunted defense, says Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star.
Two sacks mean Dwight Freeney is just the 26th player in NFL history to top 100 in his career, say Mike Chappell and Richards of the Star.
Phillip B. Wilson of the Star saw the same old, same old.
The terrible Colts are one of the worst teams in NFL history so they didn’t tell the Ravens much about themselves, says Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun.
If the Colts have talent beyond Peyton Manning, why are they so terrible? Nate Dunlevy of 18to88 examines the question. I particularly like point three about the coaches being arrogant and uncreative.
It’s getting awkward in Indy, says Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars absolutely rolled Tampa Bay, says Tania Ganguli of the Times-Union.
On a monster day, Maurice Jones-Drew broke his mentors Fred Taylor’s franchise record for touchdowns, says Vito Stellino of the T-U.
This was no monumental breakthrough, but the Jaguars will take the glimpse of sunshine, says Gene Frenette of the T-U.
Blaine Gabbert delivered a better effort, says Ganguli.
An unlikely pair -- tight end Colin Cloherty and defensive end Nate Collins -- found the end zone for the Jaguars, says Vito Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans hope this loss isn’t one that ultimately kills their playoff chances, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The Titans now have no margin for error in their playoff bid, says David Climer of The Tennessean.
Injuries to key players piled up, says John Glennon of The Tennessean.
A third-down discrepancy meant the Saints were able to control the ball, says Glennon.
Jake Locker showed the Titans a big glimpse of the future, says Wyatt.
Don’t grade the Saints on aesthetics, this is the sort of gritty win they needed, says Don Banks of SI.com.
Houston Texans
After clinching their first playoff spot, the Texans celebrated and talked of feeling like a team of destiny, says John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Andre Johnson got a game ball without even playing in a nice gesture by Gary Kubiak.
“When T.J. Yates and Kevin Walter finally connected for the game-winning score with two seconds remaining to silence the small crowd at Paul Brown Stadium, this never-say-die team from a so-often-dead organization had delivered a victory for the ages,” writes Jerome Solomon of the Chronicle.
Johnathan Joseph’s return to Cincinnati was largely uneventful and he allowed A.J. Green to make some plays, says Jeffrey Martin of the Chronicle.
The final drive brought out the best in Yates and the Texans, says Martin.
Defensive adjustments by Wade Phillips and his staff played a big part in things, says McClain.
Dale Robertson of the Chronicle ranks it the second-biggest NFL win in Houston history.
Owner Bob McNair thinks Kubiak should be a prime coach of the year candidate, writes McClain.
Yates’ parent has bad seats, says Shutdown Corner.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts got nowhere against the Ravens vaunted defense, says Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star.
Two sacks mean Dwight Freeney is just the 26th player in NFL history to top 100 in his career, say Mike Chappell and Richards of the Star.
Phillip B. Wilson of the Star saw the same old, same old.
The terrible Colts are one of the worst teams in NFL history so they didn’t tell the Ravens much about themselves, says Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun.
If the Colts have talent beyond Peyton Manning, why are they so terrible? Nate Dunlevy of 18to88 examines the question. I particularly like point three about the coaches being arrogant and uncreative.
It’s getting awkward in Indy, says Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars absolutely rolled Tampa Bay, says Tania Ganguli of the Times-Union.
On a monster day, Maurice Jones-Drew broke his mentors Fred Taylor’s franchise record for touchdowns, says Vito Stellino of the T-U.
This was no monumental breakthrough, but the Jaguars will take the glimpse of sunshine, says Gene Frenette of the T-U.
Blaine Gabbert delivered a better effort, says Ganguli.
An unlikely pair -- tight end Colin Cloherty and defensive end Nate Collins -- found the end zone for the Jaguars, says Vito Stellino.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans hope this loss isn’t one that ultimately kills their playoff chances, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The Titans now have no margin for error in their playoff bid, says David Climer of The Tennessean.
Injuries to key players piled up, says John Glennon of The Tennessean.
A third-down discrepancy meant the Saints were able to control the ball, says Glennon.
Jake Locker showed the Titans a big glimpse of the future, says Wyatt.
Don’t grade the Saints on aesthetics, this is the sort of gritty win they needed, says Don Banks of SI.com.
RTC: No plan to turn to Jake Locker
November, 8, 2011
11/08/11
8:03
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage…
Houston Texans
If the Texans truly are the real deal, Bob McNair will deserve all kinds of credit for staying the course with Gary Kubiak and seeing a larger picture, writes Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle. He believed in Kubiak when almost no one else did.
The Texans have surrendered only 2,466 yards, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Through nine games last season, they had allowed 3,687. That's an improvement of 33 percent.
Indianapolis Colts
As the Colts sink deeper, it’s misery revisited for Dan Orlovsky, writes Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
The Colts signed blocking tight end Anthony Hill, a one-time Texans draft pick, says Chappell. We don’t know the corresponding roster move yet, but it could be Dallas Clark or Brody Eldridge to IR.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars' new wide receiver, Brian Robiskie, is convinced he can be great in the right situation, writes Vito Stellino of the Times-Union.
Gene Smith names Paul Posluszny, Maurice Jones-Drew and Josh Scobee as team MVPs to this point, says Tania Ganguli of the T-U.
Tennessee Titans
Mike Munchak says Matt Hasselbeck is his man and there is no plan to turn to Jake Locker, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The Titans are preparing for their second rookie quarterback in a row, but Cam Newton is a lot different than Andy Dalton, says Wyatt.
Houston Texans
If the Texans truly are the real deal, Bob McNair will deserve all kinds of credit for staying the course with Gary Kubiak and seeing a larger picture, writes Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle. He believed in Kubiak when almost no one else did.
The Texans have surrendered only 2,466 yards, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Through nine games last season, they had allowed 3,687. That's an improvement of 33 percent.
Indianapolis Colts
As the Colts sink deeper, it’s misery revisited for Dan Orlovsky, writes Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.
The Colts signed blocking tight end Anthony Hill, a one-time Texans draft pick, says Chappell. We don’t know the corresponding roster move yet, but it could be Dallas Clark or Brody Eldridge to IR.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars' new wide receiver, Brian Robiskie, is convinced he can be great in the right situation, writes Vito Stellino of the Times-Union.
Gene Smith names Paul Posluszny, Maurice Jones-Drew and Josh Scobee as team MVPs to this point, says Tania Ganguli of the T-U.
Tennessee Titans
Mike Munchak says Matt Hasselbeck is his man and there is no plan to turn to Jake Locker, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The Titans are preparing for their second rookie quarterback in a row, but Cam Newton is a lot different than Andy Dalton, says Wyatt.
Texans, Foster show toughness vs. Steelers
October, 2, 2011
10/02/11
7:05
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
AP Photo/Eric GayArian Foster had 30 carries for 155 yards in his first full game of the season.When the Houston Texans had held off the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 17-10 win at Reliant Stadium Sunday, outside linebacker Mario Williams limped slowly onto the field for postgame handshakes. He looked more like a beaten man than a winner.
“I’m tired man, I was tired,” he said. “I had nothing left. I was so tired. I’m a big dude.”
One game doesn’t do away with a reputation, but after this one it’s hard to question the Texans’ toughness. The big dude had two sacks as he and his defense swarmed a patchwork offensive line to drag quarterback Ben Roethlisberger down five times. The offense did its part too, making room for Arian Foster to churn out 30 carries for 155 yards and a score.
“[Pittsburgh] is one of the most physical teams in the NFL,” Foster said. “They’re known for their defense, they pride themselves on their defense and they played well today. They’re a tough group of guys. I’m sore. But we believe we’re a good team, we really believe that. We don’t need anybody else on our side, just the 53 guys and coaches in that locker room. And it’s going to be a fun year.”
Said Antonio Smith, the defensive end who’s playing as well as anyone in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 front: “Their O-line, I love playing against them. They’re dirty. They fight. They want to finish you after every play. They want to talk to you. They want to act mean. And that’s why we give it right back to them.”
Behind the swarming defensive front, the Texans put their top cornerback, Johnathan Joseph, on the Steelers’ most dangerous receiver, Mike Wallace. Wallace had four catches for 77 yards, numbers the Texans could survive while limiting Big Ben to 16-for-30 passing for 206 yards with no touchdowns and a game-sealing pick.
“Our front seven were eating,” safety Danieal Manning said.
Roethlisberger rolled out of collapsing pockets like usual, but on the snaps where he bought time he didn’t find any back-breaking plays. On the ground, meanwhile, the Steelers managed 5.4 yards per carry using three different backs, but never really found a run rhythm.
Houston had its chances to come apart. Nine penalties for 64 yards hurt, handing the Steelers two first downs, eliminating 33 yards of Houston offense on undone plays, making moot a field goal block returned for a touchdown, and washing away an interception.
Foster was only the third back since 2001 to top 150 yards against the Steelers, joining Curtis Martin (174 in 2003) and Priest Holmes (150 in 2001).
“He was a challenge for us and he won,” Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley said.
Foster played his first full game of the season after dealing with hamstring issues and took more than a full load. Kubiak said he was surprised the back was able to take 30 carries. His backup, Ben Tate, left the game with a groin injury, which meant Chris Ogbonnaya got some snaps and his first two NFL carries.
Being able to run as Foster did meant the Texans could stay on schedule and keyed a game in which Matt Schaub wasn’t sacked, was hit only once and survived the loss of Andre Johnson to a hamstring injury.
As good as Tate had been in Foster’s place, Foster is simply a better combination of power, speed and an understanding of the team’s scheme.
“Arian’s a special player,” right tackle Eric Winston said. “Arian’s a special player now.”
Big wins have prompted big belief before, and people who’ve jumped on the bandwagon have then been bruised when dumped off it. Owner Bob McNair said after the win he doesn’t know if the team’s had a bigger victory, but players hardly echoed the sentiment. They know they should beat these Steelers right now.
They talked about the fun they’re having, which made you want to believe they can keep having it.
“We’ve been talking about it the three years since I’ve been here, but the belief is finally happening,” said Smith. “The swagger is finally starting to come around. We believe when we come into games we’re not the underdog. We come in here to beat each and every team we play, no matter who it is.
“There is no wishing. … I think we have every component that we need to be a championship team and the only thing we need to keep working on is ourselves and believing in ourselves.”
The AFC South is the Texans' for the taking
September, 15, 2011
9/15/11
12:17
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Bob Levey/Icon SMIAndre Johnson and Matt Schaub help lead a Texans team that has a clear path to the division title.But I’m joining the chorus and saying it anyway: If this team can’t win this division, it’ll be time for owner Bob McNair to crumple up the plan and aim it for the closest trash can.
The Texans have a championship-caliber quarterback, receiver, tight end and running back (maybe two or three of those) all working with a smart and skilled offensive line that understands how it needs to work.
Mindset is the only question mark on offense, starting with Matt Schaub’s ability to rise to big moments. Even if he’s only average in that category, with Peyton Manning out for at least the bulk of the season, Schaub is the best signal-caller in the division by a wide margin.
The Schaub-Andre Johnson-Arian Foster combination is among the league’s best. Who has a better trio?
Philadelphia perhaps, with Michael Vick-LeSean McCoy-DeSean Jackson. Maybe Matt Ryan-Roddy White-Michael Turner in Atlanta. If we sub tight ends for running backs, San Diego with Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson is in the conversation as is Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley.
[+] Enlarge
Troy Taormina/US PresswireThe Texans' defense had an outstanding performance in its first game under coordinator Wade Phillips.
Troy Taormina/US PresswireThe Texans' defense had an outstanding performance in its first game under coordinator Wade Phillips.One can see swagger and confidence in the body language of guys thrilled to be working under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. I think he’s too low key, but it can clearly work for him as a coordinator. He has a way of keeping things simple and keeping the mood light, and players have bought in. I never sensed a similar feeling when Richard Smith or Frank Bush manned the post, though they obviously didn’t have the same quality of personnel Phillips will enjoy.
On special teams, Neil Rackers has a big leg that will make a lot of touchbacks and long field goals. Jacoby Jones and Danieal Manning can provide a jolt in the return game. Rookie punter Brett Hartmann isn’t proven yet but has a big leg.
The schedule is hardly a breeze, but look at the quarterbacks they could face: Collins twice, Chad Henne, Matt Hasselbeck twice (or maybe rookie Jake Locker), Luke McCown twice (or maybe rookie Blaine Gabbert), Colt McCoy, Andy Dalton and Cam Newton.
Houston’s been called a soft team, a finesse franchise. Not too many soft teams produce the NFL rushing champion the way this team produced Foster last season.
If the Texans' offensive blocking scheme amounts to a finesse one, so be it. The Colts have won the division eight times in nine seasons with a lot of finesse. They’re fine with you insulting them over it while admiring their success.
The Texans can show their toughness this season in how they stand up to Pittsburgh on Oct. 2 and at Baltimore on Oct. 16 and in how they fare in their games with the Jaguars.
If the Texans can make it through the first three-fourths of the season with a good record and in good health, they should be golden with a home stretch against Cincinnati (away), Carolina, Indianapolis (away) and Tennessee.
It sets up for success.
If this team folds under the expectations, if it cannot go get what’s so attainable, it’s going to have to be dismantled. It will require no more Mr. Nice Guy from McNair, who will have to part ways with a lot of nice guys he truly admires, starting with GM Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak. McNair will have no choice but to look for a different tone after a house cleaning.
I don’t think that’s how things will play out. I think Manning’s injury is a big break that opens the door, a door the Jaguars and Titans are not ready to approach. The Texans are more than talented enough to storm through it if they don’t complicate things. Run the ball. Work the play-action and bootleg game off of it. Rush the passer. Build from there as the season goes on and finish strong.
Watch pundits pick you to be a team that can do damage in the playoffs, and respond to it.
It sounds simple.
It just might be.
Bob McNair thinks the time for the Texans to win is now. John McClain sat down with him for a story in Sunday’s Houston Chronicle.
That sounds like a familiar refrain, doesn't it?
I found the stuff he said about coach Gary Kubiak of particular interest.
That Kubiak has always maintained control of the locker room is a big part of why the owner backs him so steadfastly, McNair said.
But he would like to see his coach be more candid when assessing what’s gone wrong when things go off track, rather than jumping on the grenade so often.
I agree with McNair on this point, though the fans recognizing or not recognizing how good Kubiak may be is not the reason why.
Kubiak is definitely hard on himself.
While his tendency to want to shield players and take the blame when things go wrong is admirable and scores him huge points in the locker room, it can also have a bad side effect.
Without more public accountability, some players know they can botch stuff and not suffer the sort of consequences that come with being called out. That can be a good thing for some guys. Others would be better off having those buttons pushed.
Will Kubiak change the way he works in this area? It depends on how strongly McNair has expressed these thoughts to his coach, and how willing Kubiak is to stray from what seems to be a hard line tenet of the way he operates.
That sounds like a familiar refrain, doesn't it?
I found the stuff he said about coach Gary Kubiak of particular interest.
That Kubiak has always maintained control of the locker room is a big part of why the owner backs him so steadfastly, McNair said.
But he would like to see his coach be more candid when assessing what’s gone wrong when things go off track, rather than jumping on the grenade so often.
"Every time we lose, he can't just say, 'It's my fault. That's on me.' The players appreciate that, but that's not being candid. You don't have to throw individual players under the bus, but if it's obvious our defense let us down, there's nothing wrong with saying, 'I'm really disappointed with the way we played. I thought we had the game won, but our defense didn't step up when they needed to, and we've got to improve on that.'
"The fans read, 'It's my fault,' so they're more critical of Gary. And they don't appreciate that he's as good a coach as he really is."
I agree with McNair on this point, though the fans recognizing or not recognizing how good Kubiak may be is not the reason why.
Kubiak is definitely hard on himself.
While his tendency to want to shield players and take the blame when things go wrong is admirable and scores him huge points in the locker room, it can also have a bad side effect.
Without more public accountability, some players know they can botch stuff and not suffer the sort of consequences that come with being called out. That can be a good thing for some guys. Others would be better off having those buttons pushed.
Will Kubiak change the way he works in this area? It depends on how strongly McNair has expressed these thoughts to his coach, and how willing Kubiak is to stray from what seems to be a hard line tenet of the way he operates.
RTC: Players preaching patience on CBA
July, 22, 2011
7/22/11
10:25
AM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage ...
Houston Texans
Plaxico Burress has expressed interest in the Texans. But according to Pro Football Weekly's Arthur Arkush, citing a source close to the team, Burress signing with the Texans is unlikely.
Speaking to reporters Thursday night, Bob McNair said the owners and players will have to make sacrifices in the new labor deal. "We didn't get everything we wanted and the players didn't get everything they wanted," McNair said. "We got enough modifications in there so that we have a business model that works for the next 10 years."
Indianapolis Colts
Owner Jim Irsay is looking forward to team doctors being able to meet with Peyton Manning. Irsay: "We haven't seen him, and we haven't seen the medical records. We need to get that information as quickly as we can." Irsay said he already has made an offer to Manning that tops Tom Brady's contract, and he expects a five- or six-year deal to be completed shortly after a new CBA is ratified.
If the Colts cannot reach a long-term deal with Manning, the team could theoretically retain Manning with the franchise tag -- but that would be very costly. It's worth $23.1 million in 2011 and would cost the team $27.72 million in 2012 and $33.264 million in 2013.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebacker Kirk Morrison says the players can't rush
into a new CBA deal until they understand all of the aspects of it, especially since it would be a 10-year agreement. Maurice Jones-Drew also stressed that players have a lot at stake in a 10-year deal.
More caution urged by Jaguars players. Uche Nwaneri: "Honestly, I just feel like with any situation there has to be diligence about what it is that you want to do. You have to go through a process understanding where you stand as a group."
Tennessee Titans
Guard Jake Scott isn't buying the owners' stated concern over player safety. "For us, player safety was a massive issue and is a massive issue. And to the owners, honestly, I really don't think that they care that much because it doesn't affect their bottom line, you know, whether we do two-a-days or one-a-days or how many OTAs we have," Scott told SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Thursday.
As the lockout appears to be winding down, several Titans players expressed an eagerness to get back to work.
Houston Texans
Plaxico Burress has expressed interest in the Texans. But according to Pro Football Weekly's Arthur Arkush, citing a source close to the team, Burress signing with the Texans is unlikely.
Speaking to reporters Thursday night, Bob McNair said the owners and players will have to make sacrifices in the new labor deal. "We didn't get everything we wanted and the players didn't get everything they wanted," McNair said. "We got enough modifications in there so that we have a business model that works for the next 10 years."
Indianapolis Colts
Owner Jim Irsay is looking forward to team doctors being able to meet with Peyton Manning. Irsay: "We haven't seen him, and we haven't seen the medical records. We need to get that information as quickly as we can." Irsay said he already has made an offer to Manning that tops Tom Brady's contract, and he expects a five- or six-year deal to be completed shortly after a new CBA is ratified.
If the Colts cannot reach a long-term deal with Manning, the team could theoretically retain Manning with the franchise tag -- but that would be very costly. It's worth $23.1 million in 2011 and would cost the team $27.72 million in 2012 and $33.264 million in 2013.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebacker Kirk Morrison says the players can't rush
into a new CBA deal until they understand all of the aspects of it, especially since it would be a 10-year agreement. Maurice Jones-Drew also stressed that players have a lot at stake in a 10-year deal.
More caution urged by Jaguars players. Uche Nwaneri: "Honestly, I just feel like with any situation there has to be diligence about what it is that you want to do. You have to go through a process understanding where you stand as a group."
Tennessee Titans
Guard Jake Scott isn't buying the owners' stated concern over player safety. "For us, player safety was a massive issue and is a massive issue. And to the owners, honestly, I really don't think that they care that much because it doesn't affect their bottom line, you know, whether we do two-a-days or one-a-days or how many OTAs we have," Scott told SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Thursday.
As the lockout appears to be winding down, several Titans players expressed an eagerness to get back to work.
Adam Schein’s franchise ratings list is a good conversation starter. I imagine the conversations in Jacksonville and Nashville will be laced with complaints.
Schein uses six categories and a scale of 1-10 to come to his conclusions.
The Colts rank sixth with 51.5 points, the Texans 18th (35.5), the Jaguars 27th (22.5) and the Titans 30th (17.5).
A look at some specifics on each:
Indianapolis got three 10s (quarterback, front office, intangibles) and a 9.5 (owner). But the 6s for Jim Caldwell and his staff held the team out of the top five. I don’t have any major arguments here. I thought a 6 for Caldwell might be high, but then saw it’s the same mark as Pete Carroll and rookie Jim Harbaugh. He lines up with his staff in a way we don't see in the rest of the division. The Colts are just behind Philadelphia and just ahead of the New York Giants.
Houston got the lowest mark for a head coach with a 2 for Gary Kubiak. The gap between that and a coaching staff 6 seems odd. I‘m puzzled how a team lacking an identity -- and in many cases, fortitude -- scores a 7 in intangibles. I am completely comfortable saying the Texans have the worst intangibles in the division and could contend with anyone in the league. And an 8 for owner Bob McNair is too high. His convoluted logic in sorting out praise from fellow owners for an overtime loss to Baltimore took a lot of shine off for me.
Jacksonville scored a 2 for owner Wayne Weaver. I’m unclear what Weaver’s done outside of owning a small-market team, to fare quite this poorly. He deserves blame for sticking so long with personnel chief Shack Harris and for being wishy-washy on Jack Del Rio. But he’s spent money (did people expect Aaron Kampman?) and hasn't meddled with GM Gene Smith. The staff is better than the boss, I believe. The ratings say otherwise, though the write-up seems to agree with me. A 2 in intangibles for a team being built with Smith’s patient, smart blueprint seems small, too.
Tennessee is going through a lot of turnover. I’m not sure the Titans are the third-worst franchise in the league, however. Owner Bud Adams gets a 1. He’s eccentric and can do dumb stuff (like flipping the bird to the Bills). But he left Jeff Fisher, who's well respected around the league, alone to do his thing for a long time, and outside of the Vince Young pick, he has stayed out of things. The front office deserves better than a 4. And I wonder again about the gap between the head coach (a 3 for Mike Munchak) and the staff he’s assembled (a 5.5).
Schein uses six categories and a scale of 1-10 to come to his conclusions.
The Colts rank sixth with 51.5 points, the Texans 18th (35.5), the Jaguars 27th (22.5) and the Titans 30th (17.5).
A look at some specifics on each:
Indianapolis got three 10s (quarterback, front office, intangibles) and a 9.5 (owner). But the 6s for Jim Caldwell and his staff held the team out of the top five. I don’t have any major arguments here. I thought a 6 for Caldwell might be high, but then saw it’s the same mark as Pete Carroll and rookie Jim Harbaugh. He lines up with his staff in a way we don't see in the rest of the division. The Colts are just behind Philadelphia and just ahead of the New York Giants.
Houston got the lowest mark for a head coach with a 2 for Gary Kubiak. The gap between that and a coaching staff 6 seems odd. I‘m puzzled how a team lacking an identity -- and in many cases, fortitude -- scores a 7 in intangibles. I am completely comfortable saying the Texans have the worst intangibles in the division and could contend with anyone in the league. And an 8 for owner Bob McNair is too high. His convoluted logic in sorting out praise from fellow owners for an overtime loss to Baltimore took a lot of shine off for me.
Jacksonville scored a 2 for owner Wayne Weaver. I’m unclear what Weaver’s done outside of owning a small-market team, to fare quite this poorly. He deserves blame for sticking so long with personnel chief Shack Harris and for being wishy-washy on Jack Del Rio. But he’s spent money (did people expect Aaron Kampman?) and hasn't meddled with GM Gene Smith. The staff is better than the boss, I believe. The ratings say otherwise, though the write-up seems to agree with me. A 2 in intangibles for a team being built with Smith’s patient, smart blueprint seems small, too.
Tennessee is going through a lot of turnover. I’m not sure the Titans are the third-worst franchise in the league, however. Owner Bud Adams gets a 1. He’s eccentric and can do dumb stuff (like flipping the bird to the Bills). But he left Jeff Fisher, who's well respected around the league, alone to do his thing for a long time, and outside of the Vince Young pick, he has stayed out of things. The front office deserves better than a 4. And I wonder again about the gap between the head coach (a 3 for Mike Munchak) and the staff he’s assembled (a 5.5).
Routinely, when asked about the Houston Texans making the playoffs, I say I will pick it to happen the year after it finally happens.
There is one thing that might change my stance there.
If Texans owner Bob McNair opened his vault and landed cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha when free agency arrives, I think it would be a transformative move for the franchise.
The top free agent can often fall through. But Asomugha is more of a sure thing than most. He’d bump every cornerback the team has down a peg, he’d make bad or average safeties better, he’d hold up if the pass rush continues to take too long to force the quarterback to throw and he'd make many teams simply avoid the guy he covers.
I don’t think Houston will be bold enough to make it happen, and I suspect some other team will jump out and overwhelm the free-agent prize.
I do not, however, enter as a factor the idea that Asomugha wouldn’t go to Houston because he wants to join a winner. I believe he’ll do like most guys and go where the money is, and I believe he’d believe Houston can be a serious contender with his services.
John Clayton makes the Houston argument in the Hot Button debate on Asomugha’s ultimate landing spot and it’s a good one.
It’s all about McNair’s willingness to spend.
There is one thing that might change my stance there.
The top free agent can often fall through. But Asomugha is more of a sure thing than most. He’d bump every cornerback the team has down a peg, he’d make bad or average safeties better, he’d hold up if the pass rush continues to take too long to force the quarterback to throw and he'd make many teams simply avoid the guy he covers.
I don’t think Houston will be bold enough to make it happen, and I suspect some other team will jump out and overwhelm the free-agent prize.
I do not, however, enter as a factor the idea that Asomugha wouldn’t go to Houston because he wants to join a winner. I believe he’ll do like most guys and go where the money is, and I believe he’d believe Houston can be a serious contender with his services.
John Clayton makes the Houston argument in the Hot Button debate on Asomugha’s ultimate landing spot and it’s a good one.
It’s all about McNair’s willingness to spend.
Irsay is seventh in owner Power Rankings
May, 10, 2011
5/10/11
1:15
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Colts owner Jim Irsay was named on seven of eight ballots in our NFL owner Power Rankings and placed seventh, the lone representative of the AFC South.
Irsay got three sixth-place votes (including one from me), two seventh-place votes and two eighth-place votes. He didn’t make the list for AFC West blogger Bill Williamson.
Here are the voting results and Tim Graham’s write-up.
My standard was pretty simple: Does an owner maximize his team’s chances to win? Has he enabled the creation of an atmosphere where players want to play?
I score Irsay well on both fronts. He’s done well getting out of his dad’s shadow and establishing a stable organization. He got a new stadium built. He’s interactive with his teams fans via Twitter, if a little heavy on the song lyrics.
Tennessee’s Bud Adams (whose recent highlights include giving the Bills the finger and forcing his front office to draft Vince Young) is too eccentric to make the list. Jacksonville’s Wayne Weaver is on the hook for hiring a (since-fired) head of personnel who spent first-round draft picks on Byron Leftwich, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Reggie Nelson and Derrick Harvey in a six-year span.
Houston’s Bob McNair got three votes -- a seventh and two 10ths to finish 12th overall.
I think he weakened his case in the past year. My image of him as a strong and well-reasoned owner took hits with this and this.
McNair is a good businessman. He might turn out to be a great owner. But I don’t think he’s got a good enough understanding of how to win or what it takes to win to warrant a vote right now.
Here’s my ballot:
Irsay got three sixth-place votes (including one from me), two seventh-place votes and two eighth-place votes. He didn’t make the list for AFC West blogger Bill Williamson.
Here are the voting results and Tim Graham’s write-up.
My standard was pretty simple: Does an owner maximize his team’s chances to win? Has he enabled the creation of an atmosphere where players want to play?
I score Irsay well on both fronts. He’s done well getting out of his dad’s shadow and establishing a stable organization. He got a new stadium built. He’s interactive with his teams fans via Twitter, if a little heavy on the song lyrics.
Tennessee’s Bud Adams (whose recent highlights include giving the Bills the finger and forcing his front office to draft Vince Young) is too eccentric to make the list. Jacksonville’s Wayne Weaver is on the hook for hiring a (since-fired) head of personnel who spent first-round draft picks on Byron Leftwich, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Reggie Nelson and Derrick Harvey in a six-year span.
Houston’s Bob McNair got three votes -- a seventh and two 10ths to finish 12th overall.
I think he weakened his case in the past year. My image of him as a strong and well-reasoned owner took hits with this and this.
McNair is a good businessman. He might turn out to be a great owner. But I don’t think he’s got a good enough understanding of how to win or what it takes to win to warrant a vote right now.
Here’s my ballot:
- Bob Kraft
- The Rooney Family
- The Packers executive committee
- John Mara/ Bob Tisch
- Jeffrey Lurie
- Irsay
- Steve Bisciotti
- Woody Johnson
- Jerry Jones
- Arthur Blank
Reading the coverage ...
Houston Texans
Bob McNair supports the rules changes that are being discussed, says John McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay says Tom Condon needs to answer for why Peyton Manning isn’t signed, writes Ian Rapoport.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are built to play good special teams, so they have questions about the possible changes, writes Tania Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
Three Titans are working out together and expecting more guys to join them, says John Glennon. I’m glad to hear Cortland Finnegan is in an organizational mode. But I suspect a lot of teams have small groups of guys gathering.
Houston Texans
Bob McNair supports the rules changes that are being discussed, says John McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay says Tom Condon needs to answer for why Peyton Manning isn’t signed, writes Ian Rapoport.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are built to play good special teams, so they have questions about the possible changes, writes Tania Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
Three Titans are working out together and expecting more guys to join them, says John Glennon. I’m glad to hear Cortland Finnegan is in an organizational mode. But I suspect a lot of teams have small groups of guys gathering.
RTC: No pay cuts for Texans at this point
March, 21, 2011
3/21/11
9:41
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Reading the coverage ...
Houston Texans
Bob McNair says there will be no pay cuts or furloughs for the Texans for now, writes John McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
The team website reviews the middle linebackers.
Are AFC South running backs great or fortunate? Nate Dunlevy researches.
Jacksonville Jaguars
A bit late getting to this interesting recap of Maurice Jones-Drew on health-care issues during the lockout, from Tania Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
Drew Hill of run-and-shoot fame passed away.
The Titans have plans to work out Colin Kaepernick, says John Glennon.
Chris Palmer’s replacement as head coach of Hartford of the UFL is Jerry Glanville, says Greg Garber.
Houston Texans
Bob McNair says there will be no pay cuts or furloughs for the Texans for now, writes John McClain.
Indianapolis Colts
The team website reviews the middle linebackers.
Are AFC South running backs great or fortunate? Nate Dunlevy researches.
Jacksonville Jaguars
A bit late getting to this interesting recap of Maurice Jones-Drew on health-care issues during the lockout, from Tania Ganguli.
Tennessee Titans
Drew Hill of run-and-shoot fame passed away.
The Titans have plans to work out Colin Kaepernick, says John Glennon.
Chris Palmer’s replacement as head coach of Hartford of the UFL is Jerry Glanville, says Greg Garber.
Spin zone: Time for some owner-speak
March, 15, 2011
3/15/11
11:34
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Jim Irsay says there is no animosity between the two sides in the NFL labor fight.
That’s great if it’s the case for him with his strong players -- Jeff Saturday is a big player in the NFLPA, Peyton Manning is a plaintiff in the players’ suit against the league -- but I sure hope he realizes that on a bigger scale, player anger is a huge issue here.
It appears to me that it’s the biggest issue right now, and until emotions settle, there is no hope of new talks.
I’m glad Irsay had a news conference. I really wish I was there, because I would have liked to ask him if he didn’t think it made him look out of touch to be doing some of his wacky tweeting about a contest Friday evening as the union was decertifying and the league was preparing for a lockout. I was embarrassed for him and the timing, frankly.
I do appreciate Irsay’s stance on the potential for furloughs at Colts headquarters.
"I just don't anticipate that sort of thing," Irsay said. "I look at someone who's making $40,000 or $50,000 a year, who has rent to pay ... and I just can't see it for me as an owner asking them for anything."
I’d sure like to hear Bud Adams (and Wayne Weaver and Bob McNair) echo that.
Adams, instead, will hide on the issue. A team spokesman told Jim Wyatt that any such moves are “between the team and its employees.”
I’m not looking to name names. I don’t seek to embarrass anyone. And I am completely sympathetic to anyone who suffers such a fate.
But furloughs and layoffs are, allegedly, arriving for some owners because of their economic struggles. Doing them in secret doesn’t do much to illustrate this grand plight that is forcing the lockout, does it?
If Adams is laying people off or putting them on furloughs, he should suffer the public PR consequences of doing so.
Like Adams, Weaver has chimed in with a cookie-cutter letter to fans that reveals little. He emphasized that there is no risk in buying season tickets because “our promise continues to be that fans will not pay for games that are not played.”
How generous!
The thing he and his colleagues seem to be missing out on is the part where, if I am a season-ticket holder, I get to give them my money well ahead of scheduled games and don’t get it back until a long while off if they aren’t played.
Much as these guys like to think of themselves as a bank, I’d prefer to put my money in one that has ATM machines.
It’s reasonable that I don’t want to pay until I know you’re going to play.
Also, I’d advise against playing fans for fools by steering around the term “lockout” and instead writing messages about the “CBA development process,” as Texans president Jamey Rootes did.
That’s great if it’s the case for him with his strong players -- Jeff Saturday is a big player in the NFLPA, Peyton Manning is a plaintiff in the players’ suit against the league -- but I sure hope he realizes that on a bigger scale, player anger is a huge issue here.
It appears to me that it’s the biggest issue right now, and until emotions settle, there is no hope of new talks.
I’m glad Irsay had a news conference. I really wish I was there, because I would have liked to ask him if he didn’t think it made him look out of touch to be doing some of his wacky tweeting about a contest Friday evening as the union was decertifying and the league was preparing for a lockout. I was embarrassed for him and the timing, frankly.
I do appreciate Irsay’s stance on the potential for furloughs at Colts headquarters.
"I just don't anticipate that sort of thing," Irsay said. "I look at someone who's making $40,000 or $50,000 a year, who has rent to pay ... and I just can't see it for me as an owner asking them for anything."
I’d sure like to hear Bud Adams (and Wayne Weaver and Bob McNair) echo that.
Adams, instead, will hide on the issue. A team spokesman told Jim Wyatt that any such moves are “between the team and its employees.”
I’m not looking to name names. I don’t seek to embarrass anyone. And I am completely sympathetic to anyone who suffers such a fate.
But furloughs and layoffs are, allegedly, arriving for some owners because of their economic struggles. Doing them in secret doesn’t do much to illustrate this grand plight that is forcing the lockout, does it?
If Adams is laying people off or putting them on furloughs, he should suffer the public PR consequences of doing so.
Like Adams, Weaver has chimed in with a cookie-cutter letter to fans that reveals little. He emphasized that there is no risk in buying season tickets because “our promise continues to be that fans will not pay for games that are not played.”
How generous!
The thing he and his colleagues seem to be missing out on is the part where, if I am a season-ticket holder, I get to give them my money well ahead of scheduled games and don’t get it back until a long while off if they aren’t played.
Much as these guys like to think of themselves as a bank, I’d prefer to put my money in one that has ATM machines.
It’s reasonable that I don’t want to pay until I know you’re going to play.
Also, I’d advise against playing fans for fools by steering around the term “lockout” and instead writing messages about the “CBA development process,” as Texans president Jamey Rootes did.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
