The Houston Texans want to make sure they are cautious with free agents this offseason in the face of no Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2010 campaign.
CBA should stand for "Could've Been Awesome", because after this upcoming season's potential disappointment from executive decisions justifying frugal cowardice as caution, we'll be left to ponder what could have been.
Because the Houston market and Houston Texans marketing bear no financial pressure whatsoever on sound personnel decisions, there is no excuse for not keeping in tact a swiftly improving defense that "has each other's back" and the chemistry-rich and talented receiving corp.
You're so close, Mr. McNair. Now is not the time to fall back on patronizing statements like, "Well, we did an analysis that shows spending money has no correlation to winning." Sir, bad teams that spend money badly skew that statistic in favor of the point that for some reason you want to make. There's no excuse to not keep what's working, and improve on it. You're so close.
This offseason is the watershed moment in your football ownership career. You can do what's necessary to right the ship after having stumbled with unfortunate decisions (Tony Boselli, David Carr, Ahman Green) , but gotten back up with smart moves.
Everyone's favorite commercial these days ends with, "Fortune Favors the Bold!" Share some of your fortune with some bold moves and we'll see you in the playoffs!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Balancing Act of Olympic Proportion
It's football. It's always been football. And it will always be football. Anything else is blatantly but mere filler. This week the NFL Combine takes place in Indianapolis to dissect the talent and project the potential of the country's best college football players who have declared themselves eligible for the 2010 Draft.
I know it's going to be difficult, but try to balance your excitement for the Olympics, anticipation of baseball, imminent March Madness, and the jostling for NBA playoff seeding with an appreciation for a real balancing act: The art of managing your emotional and visceral response to players at the combine with your cerebral recognition of what your team needs.
The business of football is one that calls for an exact science when there is none. That glaring deficiency is never more obvious than when reflecting on the results of the combine, upon which heavily rest decisions made in the Draft. Ultimately the question is, "Do we pick the best athlete, best football player, or best position player who fulfills our team's needs?"
It's enough to make your head swim. Example-based theories for all arguments abound, as does reasonable criticism of the eventual choice. But understand this: the foundation for success for a Houston Texans 2010 campaign begins this week. It's a balancing act of Olympic proportion!
I know it's going to be difficult, but try to balance your excitement for the Olympics, anticipation of baseball, imminent March Madness, and the jostling for NBA playoff seeding with an appreciation for a real balancing act: The art of managing your emotional and visceral response to players at the combine with your cerebral recognition of what your team needs.
The business of football is one that calls for an exact science when there is none. That glaring deficiency is never more obvious than when reflecting on the results of the combine, upon which heavily rest decisions made in the Draft. Ultimately the question is, "Do we pick the best athlete, best football player, or best position player who fulfills our team's needs?"
It's enough to make your head swim. Example-based theories for all arguments abound, as does reasonable criticism of the eventual choice. But understand this: the foundation for success for a Houston Texans 2010 campaign begins this week. It's a balancing act of Olympic proportion!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Jet Set Season
Forgive the poetic symmetry that the Houston Texans' season ended the same way it began: with a New York Jets victory.
The Houston Texans finished above .500 with a 9-7 record with their 34 - 27 victory over the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium. But to make the playoffs, they would also need the Jets to lose against the Bengals in the league's last game played on the last day of the regular season. It was not to be as New York trounced Cincinnati 37 - 0.
Ultimately, however, this organization can hang its hat on this: four players sent to the Pro Bowl in Miami, a winning record for the first time in franchise history, and a season where their final effort included a 4th quarter 21-straight-point "come-from-behind" victory over the New England Patriots.
I hope your bags are packed for a 2010 season playoff appearance. Please return your seat back and tray table to their stowed positions...I have a feeling this team is getting ready to take off!
The Houston Texans finished above .500 with a 9-7 record with their 34 - 27 victory over the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium. But to make the playoffs, they would also need the Jets to lose against the Bengals in the league's last game played on the last day of the regular season. It was not to be as New York trounced Cincinnati 37 - 0.
Ultimately, however, this organization can hang its hat on this: four players sent to the Pro Bowl in Miami, a winning record for the first time in franchise history, and a season where their final effort included a 4th quarter 21-straight-point "come-from-behind" victory over the New England Patriots.
I hope your bags are packed for a 2010 season playoff appearance. Please return your seat back and tray table to their stowed positions...I have a feeling this team is getting ready to take off!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Won More
One more game to complete the 2009 regular season.
When the Houston Texans host the New England Patriots Sunday at Reliant, much will be riding on a season finale against an opponent that all recognize has much more to gain by resting its star players than by risking injury prior to the start of what has shaped up to be the most challenging post-season of their gilded era.
The Texans can finish with a winning record for the first time in franchise history, save Coach Kubiak from being fired, and build upon the valuable experience of perseverance towards a season in 2010 that finally takes them to the post-season.
The playoffs for this year aren't a mathematical impossibility, they just require the two losses by the Jets, Ravens, or Broncos. Not likely, but certainly possible. And because all of the games these three teams play are after the conclusion of the Texans game, a win will mean that for the first time ever Houston will have completed a season still in the running for the playoffs. That's alot to play for.
Here's hoping the Texans resolve to play to their potential, and adhere to the principles of Texans Ethics:
1. Live each day with courage---don't be afraid to be your best.
2. Take pride in your work---it usually results in excellence.
3. Finish what you start---how about a full 60 minutes, fellas.
4. Do what has to be done---execute.
5. Be tough, but be fair---play with sportsmanship, but don't roll over.
6. If you make a promise, keep it---deliver on the potential of this team.
7. Ride for the brand---you're representing Houston, we're a proud city...
8. Talk Less, Say more---play between the whistles and get it done.
9. Know when to draw the line---aren't you tired of not being a winner?
10. Remember some things aren't for sale---leave it all on the field
One more win to have won more than ever.
When the Houston Texans host the New England Patriots Sunday at Reliant, much will be riding on a season finale against an opponent that all recognize has much more to gain by resting its star players than by risking injury prior to the start of what has shaped up to be the most challenging post-season of their gilded era.
The Texans can finish with a winning record for the first time in franchise history, save Coach Kubiak from being fired, and build upon the valuable experience of perseverance towards a season in 2010 that finally takes them to the post-season.
The playoffs for this year aren't a mathematical impossibility, they just require the two losses by the Jets, Ravens, or Broncos. Not likely, but certainly possible. And because all of the games these three teams play are after the conclusion of the Texans game, a win will mean that for the first time ever Houston will have completed a season still in the running for the playoffs. That's alot to play for.
Here's hoping the Texans resolve to play to their potential, and adhere to the principles of Texans Ethics:
1. Live each day with courage---don't be afraid to be your best.
2. Take pride in your work---it usually results in excellence.
3. Finish what you start---how about a full 60 minutes, fellas.
4. Do what has to be done---execute.
5. Be tough, but be fair---play with sportsmanship, but don't roll over.
6. If you make a promise, keep it---deliver on the potential of this team.
7. Ride for the brand---you're representing Houston, we're a proud city...
8. Talk Less, Say more---play between the whistles and get it done.
9. Know when to draw the line---aren't you tired of not being a winner?
10. Remember some things aren't for sale---leave it all on the field
One more win to have won more than ever.
Monday, December 14, 2009
I Told You So!
O.K., Texans Fans: Here goes nothing!
The next two weeks on the road for our Texans pose opponents whose total wins combined do not come close to what our lovable 6 - 7 underachievers should have tallied by now: This Sunday in St. Louis versus the 1 - 12 Rams, then on to Miami against the currently 7 - 6 Dolphins.
On the road this season is where this team has done its best job focusing on the task at hand. They can return home to Houston with an 8 - 7 record to host the by then likely AFC-East Division clinching Patriots who will have more to gain by resting their stars than by risking injury to them prior to what will be the most challenging post-season of their guilded era.
Think about it...9 - 7 ! It may not guarantee playoffs, but it will be the organization's best record in franchise history, clemency for our coach currently being fitted with comfortable shoes for the Green Mile, and hope that maybe, just maybe, they can build on their first winning season towards a season with its first playoff victories.
Like I said, "Aqui nada va!" It's fun to sing it to the tune of "Feliz Navidad". Go ahead, try it. I dare you. You'll be singing it all day long!
See...I told you so!
The next two weeks on the road for our Texans pose opponents whose total wins combined do not come close to what our lovable 6 - 7 underachievers should have tallied by now: This Sunday in St. Louis versus the 1 - 12 Rams, then on to Miami against the currently 7 - 6 Dolphins.
On the road this season is where this team has done its best job focusing on the task at hand. They can return home to Houston with an 8 - 7 record to host the by then likely AFC-East Division clinching Patriots who will have more to gain by resting their stars than by risking injury to them prior to what will be the most challenging post-season of their guilded era.
Think about it...9 - 7 ! It may not guarantee playoffs, but it will be the organization's best record in franchise history, clemency for our coach currently being fitted with comfortable shoes for the Green Mile, and hope that maybe, just maybe, they can build on their first winning season towards a season with its first playoff victories.
Like I said, "Aqui nada va!" It's fun to sing it to the tune of "Feliz Navidad". Go ahead, try it. I dare you. You'll be singing it all day long!
See...I told you so!
The Privilege of Practice
Congratulations to the Houston Texans, their coaching staff, and fans on being one game shy of .500, and not being offically mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
But let me tell you a little story that will illustrate the problem with the Texans:
Just so you know, Tuesday is the "day off" in the NFL. In certain situations, head coaches will reward stellar performances on Sunday with an additional "day off" for the team's players on Monday...meaning the team gets the next two days off before reporting to practice and offical meetings regarding the installation of strategy and schemes for the next opponent. It's a big deal for players, even if they do have to swing by the stadium and facilities for physical therapy and/or other incidental tasks and errands.
I recall in my youth seeing taped post-game locker room addresses to his team by Dennis Greene after a big win. The excitement in those young men upon hearing they would be given the next day off was amazing. But, one time, even after a big win, their coach said, "We got a big win today, but we've still got some things to work on. I'll see you tomorrow."
Why does this matter? Because after last week's loss to Jacksonville I read that "although the Texans are usually given the day off following a loss, they will be working hard on Monday preparing for Seattle." Are you kidding me? Championship and otherwise playoff-caliber teams relish the opportunity to improve, not seek shelter from hard work to make what's wrong right. What do you mean they customarily recieve the following day off as reward for poor performance? They haven't even earned "far and few between" additional days off following wins comprised of 60 minutes of effort and excellence. Not that there have been any.
The Paper Texan says, "The thrilling experience of victory in competition is necessarily preceded by the genuine satisfaction that comes from having prepared for it." Get the pads on fellas, and run the soreness out of your legs.
It's your privilege, afterall.
But let me tell you a little story that will illustrate the problem with the Texans:
Just so you know, Tuesday is the "day off" in the NFL. In certain situations, head coaches will reward stellar performances on Sunday with an additional "day off" for the team's players on Monday...meaning the team gets the next two days off before reporting to practice and offical meetings regarding the installation of strategy and schemes for the next opponent. It's a big deal for players, even if they do have to swing by the stadium and facilities for physical therapy and/or other incidental tasks and errands.
I recall in my youth seeing taped post-game locker room addresses to his team by Dennis Greene after a big win. The excitement in those young men upon hearing they would be given the next day off was amazing. But, one time, even after a big win, their coach said, "We got a big win today, but we've still got some things to work on. I'll see you tomorrow."
Why does this matter? Because after last week's loss to Jacksonville I read that "although the Texans are usually given the day off following a loss, they will be working hard on Monday preparing for Seattle." Are you kidding me? Championship and otherwise playoff-caliber teams relish the opportunity to improve, not seek shelter from hard work to make what's wrong right. What do you mean they customarily recieve the following day off as reward for poor performance? They haven't even earned "far and few between" additional days off following wins comprised of 60 minutes of effort and excellence. Not that there have been any.
The Paper Texan says, "The thrilling experience of victory in competition is necessarily preceded by the genuine satisfaction that comes from having prepared for it." Get the pads on fellas, and run the soreness out of your legs.
It's your privilege, afterall.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Kids Rock'd
Robert James Ritchie says,
"If it looks good, you'll see it. If it sounds good, you'll hear it. If it's marketed right, you'll buy it. But... if it's real, you'll feel it."
I got a real feeling it's time to fire Gary Kubiak. The Texans are a great bunch of guys with a whole bunch of football skills and athletic ability. But, they don't look good, and you can see it. The fans' reasonable complaints don't sound good, and you can hear it. They're certainly marketed right...Reliant continues to sell out, but critics are no longer buying that the Texans can get it done. And the real need to fire the coach and get the players motivated and the team on the path to success, well, you can just feel it.
The Texans either forfeit 17 - 0 leads for losses, or trail 17 - 0 unable to comeback due to a combination of poor play and worse playcalling. Sunday was an example of the latter. Their 23 - 18 loss to Jacksonville took them to 5 -7 on the season and all but mathematically eliminated them from playoff contention instead of putting them in the recliner for Monday Night Football rooting for Green Bay to defeat Baltimore to put them in a 6-way tie for an AFC WildCard spot.
Regarding the quote at the beginning of the article: Robert's stage name is Kid Rock. You got the energy to argue with him?
"If it looks good, you'll see it. If it sounds good, you'll hear it. If it's marketed right, you'll buy it. But... if it's real, you'll feel it."
I got a real feeling it's time to fire Gary Kubiak. The Texans are a great bunch of guys with a whole bunch of football skills and athletic ability. But, they don't look good, and you can see it. The fans' reasonable complaints don't sound good, and you can hear it. They're certainly marketed right...Reliant continues to sell out, but critics are no longer buying that the Texans can get it done. And the real need to fire the coach and get the players motivated and the team on the path to success, well, you can just feel it.
The Texans either forfeit 17 - 0 leads for losses, or trail 17 - 0 unable to comeback due to a combination of poor play and worse playcalling. Sunday was an example of the latter. Their 23 - 18 loss to Jacksonville took them to 5 -7 on the season and all but mathematically eliminated them from playoff contention instead of putting them in the recliner for Monday Night Football rooting for Green Bay to defeat Baltimore to put them in a 6-way tie for an AFC WildCard spot.
Regarding the quote at the beginning of the article: Robert's stage name is Kid Rock. You got the energy to argue with him?
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