The above YouTube is obviously NOT Gary Kubiak, but rather Jim Mora in the ever entertaining classic "playoffs?!" rant. (It is infinitely amusing to me so I thought I'd share).
Gary Kubiak in the April 9, 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated demonstrated a non-rantish frankness about the Texans playoff chances that isn't often seen in coaching ranks:
"Our supporting cast isn't good enough right now, and we're not going to put everything on [quarterback] Matt [Schaub]. We feel good about our recent drafts and our offseason moves, but we still need a couple more drafts and off seasons before we're a playoff caliber team. We see Matt as one piece of the puzzle."
Brutally honest in a season ticket holders just shelled out a bunch of jack for a team that its head coach says isn't going to be playoff caliber for a couple of years kind of way. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans in this great interview, and cornerback Dunta Robinson in this Texans TV interview both expect to be competing for the playoffs in 2007. Even if they are semi-delusional in thinking playoffs, both of the interviews are worth checking out if you are a Texan fan.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I was disturbed by Gary Kubiak's claim, "We feel good about our recent drafts..."
Talk about delusional. The selection of "Super Mario" Williams over hometown hero Vince Young may be one the worst decisions ever.
For Kubiak to keep touting that draft, after Vince was rookie of the year and went to the pro bowl, while Williams did not contribute in any meaningful way, disturbs me.
It is true DeMeco Ryans was defensive rookie of the year, so maybe that is what he is celebrating.
Art-
I really do think it is too early to tell with Mario. If you look at the entire 2006 draft class, it was a pretty good one--Rick Gosselin gave it an A in retrospect, so it isn't just me.
Ultimately, I think it takes about 5 years to really get a sense of a draft though.
Truth be told, if the Texans would have released Carr in February 2006, they would have been forced to take Young in the draft. At the time, that would have been a unconventional NFL move to make--given the poor job that Young's agent did in shepherding him through the draft process. Most of VY's biggest media supporters suggested he would be a project.
Thanks for commenting,
Steph
Steph,
I'm really happy to read your interesting comments on the Texans again, even when we do not completely agree. As I've said several times before, you do a great job of providing information that I don't see anywhere else.
In regard to Vince Young, Bud Adams immediately took him in the first round and then flew to Houston to celebrate. Obviously, Bud did not think Vince was a project--and he was absolutely right!
As for "Super Mario," maybe he will eventually make the pro bowl. Let's face it, when you're the #1 overall pick in the draft, you're expected to be carving out a place in Canton from the get go.
And guess what? The #2 and #3 overall picks in the draft are doing just that. The Texans could have had either one of them.
Art,
I think its really premature to be saying that the #2 and #3 picks in last year's draft are carving out a place in Canton. If you REALLY look at the #2's rushing yards he was the number 2 rusher on his own team. If you look at his receiving numbers he was the number 2 receiver on his team. He was the best returner though, but returners dont get to Canton.
In terms of #3, an average of 169 yards thrown, 13 ints as opposed to 12 tds, and a 51.5% completion percentage. He might very well become a HOFer but he is certainly not carving anything out right now.
And, for the record, Mario had plantar fascitis last year. In case you dont know what that means, the heal and bottom of his foot was in pain. Try playing as a DE when your foot is in pain. That being said, he was still disruptive in the backfield and had very few runs towards him. Makes you think, doesn't it?
If "Super Mario" had a bad foot, then Casserly, McNair, and Kubiak should NOT have made him the #1 pick!
There is no question Vince and Reggie won games for their teams. (To name one, a 39 yard run for a touchdown in overtime!) "Super Mario" did not.
Vince was Rookie of the Year and went to the pro bowl. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It has just been announced he will be on the cover of Madden 08.
"Super Mario"? Nada.