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Bill O'Brien's ego could ruin the Texans

Texans Bill O'Brien
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Texans head cooach Bill O'Brien

Yesterday 3 PM Central Standard Time came and went. It took any chance of the Texans signing Jadeveon Clowney to a long term extension with it. Well, for this year at least. This was the latest in a string of acts that appear to be attributed to Texans head coach Bill O'Brien. Ever since he was hired, O'Brien has attempted to replicate what his former mentor New England Patriots Bill Belichick has done in New England. As most that have followed the Texans would acknowledge, his hire and actions are consistent with this franchise's obsession with the Patriots. I guess the McNair's thought they were hiring the next Belichick and ended up hiring another withered branch from Belichick'scoaching tree. Over the years, O'Brien has shown numerous times in which his ego has cost this team. Here's a look at a few times in which I believe O'Brien's ego has cost the Texans:

The Clowney contract

Texans Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney

Houston Texans/Facebook

This is the most recent blip on the O'Brien ego radar. Clowney played very well last year under his fifth year option. He hasn't had injury concerns over the past three years playing in 45 games over that period. He's also put up comparable numbers to some of the top defenders he's asking to be paid like. However, I've contended that if they know they won't pay him, they should trade him. This has lead to the current situation they're in with Clowney, as well as...

The GM saga

Brian Gaine

Former GM Brian Gaine

Buffalobills.com

The Texans unexpectedly parted ways with general manager Brian Gaine this offseason. Reasons why they made the move are as mysterious as the move itself. We can only speculate as to why the team made such a drastic move at a point in the offseason in which they made it. It's widely believed they thought they could get another candidate hired away from the Patriots (Nick Caserio). Another theory/rumor is that O'Brien wanted Gaine to make the trade for Clowney instead of resigning him and that led to his exit. Either way, it's widely believed O'Brien pulled some of the strings here. Now the team is operating with a GM by committee until they hire someone next offseason.

Clock management

Bill O'Brien, Denver Broncos vs. Houston TexansPhoto by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

This so-called offensive/quarterback/guru can't even manage the clock or call plays properly. How can you call yourself an offensive coach when you fail to find a starting quarterback or call the right plays at the right times, much less manage the clock correctly? Knowing when to call a timeout, what plays to dial up, and what sequence of plays to have dialed up in a no-huddle situation factors into being prepared for these situations. O'Brien has consistently demonstrated that he isn't prepared and has shown a propensity at failing in these situations so far.

Arrogance

Bill O'BrienJoe Robbins/Getty Images

O'Brien has exhibited a real smug and arrogant attitude when it comes to the media. He acts as if he's doing them a favor to answer questions, or answers questions in a manner in which media members should feel honored he even answered. Last time I checked, a coach with a 42-38 record in the NFL shouldn't act like an arrogant A hole towards anyone. I don't know if O'Brien acts this way behind the scenes, but the smug encounters he's had with media members I've seen and his rumored actions have led me to believe he's the same guy he's been reported to be. A couple Super Bowl titles and better personnel decisions would lead to some leeway when he wants to be a jerk.

Belichick can do and act the way he does because he's won titles. He also has had the privilege of coaching one of the best quarterbacks of all time. O'Brien has done nothing to warrant the same treatment. Deshaun Watson isn't close to being one of the best ever, but he has potential. O'Brien needs to focus on building this team into a consistent contender. Clowney can be apart of that if O'Brien sets his ego aside and resigns him next offseason. He better at least franchise and trade him to get something more for him than a third round compensatory pick. Otherwise, this will be another notch in his ego.

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The Astros are cooking! Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.

In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.

It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.

Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?

Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.

Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.

If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.

As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.

And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.

There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.

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