Every-Thing Sports

Here's who really deserves the credit for O'Brien getting fired

Texans Bill O'Brien
Give credit where credit is due. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Did you hear those cheers all over the city around 3-4pm? They were loud, joyous, and audible from anywhere in the Houston metro area. Word on the street is they could be heard as far east as Beaumont and Lake Charles, as far north as Huntsville and Livingston. Hill Country and Galveston were able to hear them as well. Bill O'Brien is no longer employed by the Houston Texans!

This has been a long time coming and way overdue in most people's opinions. He's set this franchise up for failure. Now he's left a flaming hot dumpster fire of a mess behind for the next regime to come in and attempt to clean up. But why now? Why was he finally fired after an 0-4 start this season when there were so many other reasons and opportunities to get rid of him before? I'll tell you why. More importantly, I'll tell you who I believe is responsible! Me! That's who!

Recently, I started writing a series of articles titled Not my job. It was named after one O'Brien's infamous soundbites saying "it's not my job to do that." In games, and losses, against the Ravens, the Steelers, and the Vikings, O'Brien demonstrated his lack of coaching acumen. There were things that worked that he'd go away from inexplicably, strengths that he wouldn't or couldn't accentuate, and basic football 101 things he'd fumble at the most crucial times. I tried to be fair and honest without crushing the poor sap, but he was such an easy target, I couldn't help but take shots.

Then there was the time I compared him to that one uncle or friend we all have. You know who I'm talking about. The uncle who talks a lot of crap, but can't take it when he's the one getting roasted (Exhibit A: yelling back at a fan at halftime who tells him he sucks). Or that one friend who thinks they know everything and will stubbornly struggle instead of asking for help (Exhibit B: hiring an offensive coordinator, but foolishly choosing to call plays yourself). At the end of March, I appealed for my candidacy to replace O'Brien and the following week I laid out a plan for his exit.

I would like to take this time to tell the city of Houston and Texans fans thank you very much since I feel personally responsible for the removal of the cancerous tumor known as Bill O'Brien. I have it on good authority that team ownership, the McNair family, happen to be big fans of my work and hardcore fans of Gow Media in general. Sources have told me they pay close attention to this website, as well as ESPN 97.5, and more recently 92.5 when they're out at their ranch. These sources have also told me that there will be an exhaustive search for the new head coach and general manager.

My name was tossed into the ring, but because they appreciate my opinions in the realm I'm currently in, they'd hate to lose my valued contributions on this end of things. I'd like to thank the McNair family for alleviating this city and franchise of the infected boil on the butt cheek of this city/franchise. They managed to lance and drain it before it became too cancerous. Too bad that it spread, or else it would be easier to overcome. Now we'll have to wait until the new hires are made to see what's next. Fortunately, things can't get any worse right? Let's look forward to what is to come and not what was.

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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