FALCON POINTS

Is Bill O'Brien going full Rocky IV before our eyes?

Fred Faour
Jun 17, 2020, 6:55 am
Photo by Getty Images.

Bill O'Brien may finally be getting some self-awareness. The Texans coach has at long last realized he has an image problem, not just locally, but nationally.

After a year in which he blew a big lead in a playoff game, went off on TV at the draft, traded away key players like DeAndre Hopkins and Jadeveon Clowney for pennies on the dollar and became the star of the infamous "you suck, too!" video, O'Brien is trying to change the narrative.

First, he had a truly heartfelt and emotional reaction to George Floyd's death. It showed a rare human side to a man who has appeared anything but publicly.

Next, he announced he would take a knee with his players during the national anthem. It showed a change of direction for the entire organization, and it again made O'Brien look human.

Finally, he hosted a roundtable off-the-record chat with several Houston media members. (I must have misplaced my invite, but good for him). A few people there said it was nothing earth shattering, but at least trying to open communication is a step in the right direction.

Is he really changing? Or is it just a desperate attempt to clean up an ugly image? Believe it or not, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. These times we live in are changing all of us. Some for the better, some for worse. There is no "normal" anymore. We will simply have to adjust to whatever is the new normal.

O'Brien is at least making an effort, and listening to others for a change. Maybe that translates to his in-game coaching skills as well, because he could afford to make some changes there.

The media meeting was an attempt to maybe erase some of his terseness with that group in press conferences. Most press conferences are useless, but O'Brien's are next level worthless. "Best interest of the team. We have to coach better, we have to play better. I have to look at the tape."

No one expects that to really change. It doesn't help when half the questions are softballs and the other half O'Brien takes as personal attacks. But getting to know the media that covers you outside of doing business with them is always smart. Listening to each other and getting a sense of what makes us tick is essential in life, especially in the wake of current events.

O'Brien has a long way to go, no question. But he seems to be making an effort, and hopefully it will translate to the field next season as well, if there is a next season.

I'm reminded of the words of Rocky at the end of Rocky IV.

"If I can change and you can change, everybody can change."

Maybe it's just O'Brien's turn. Finally.

Related Articles Around the Web
texans o'brien nfl

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

Houston's magic number stays at 2

Astros drop series finale to Mariners after rough start by Greinke

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

With their magic number at 2 to secure their spot in the 2020 MLB postseason, the Astros returned to T-Mobile Park in Seattle for this three-game series' finale and rubber game. Here are the highlights from the game:

Final Score: Mariners 3, Astros 2.

Record: 28-28, second in the AL West.

Winning pitcher: Nick Margevicius (2-3, 4.57 ERA)

Losing pitcher: Zack Greinke (3-3, 4.03 ERA).

Greinke unable to complete five innings

While the Astros were being held scoreless, the Mariners were putting up runs on Zack Greinke. They took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles followed by an RBI-double with one out. Greinke would stop the damage there, then looked to settle in over the next few frames.

He allowed just one baserunner in the second through fourth innings, a one-out single in the bottom of the fourth. Then, in the fifth, the Mariners would knock him out of the game by getting a one-out single that would come around to score on a two-out RBI-double, followed by an RBI-single to extend the lead to 3-0. Greinke faced one more batter, allowing a single before Dusty Baker would take the ball and move to the bullpen. His final line: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR, 92 P.

Astros try a late rally, come up short

On the other end, the Astros were unable to break through against Nick Margevicius, getting just one hit and two walks through the first four innings. They had a chance to get on the board in the top of the fifth, starting the inning with back-to-back singles before a walk loaded the bases with one out to turn the lineup over. They'd come up empty, though, with George Springer striking out before a long flyball to center by Jose Altuve to end the inning.

After finishing the fifth for Greinke, Andre Scrubb returned for a scoreless sixth, working around a one-out walk. Still 3-0, Blake Taylor took over on the mound in the bottom of the seventh, erasing a leadoff single and two-out walk to keep Seattle from extending their lead. Houston had another chance to score in the top of the eighth, getting two runners in scoring position, but again would strand them.

Cy Sneed was the next reliever out for the Astros, working around a two-out walk to send the game on to the ninth. The Astros would avoid the shutout, getting a two-RBI single by pinch-hitting Josh Reddick in the top of the ninth to make it a one-run game at 3-2. That's as close as they'd come, though, as the Mariners would eventually get the final out to take the series and keep the Astros' magic number stagnant at 2.


Up Next: There is one series left in the regular season for Houston, and it awaits them in Arlington with a four-game series against the Rangers, who are well eliminated from playoff contention. The first of the four games will start at 7:05 PM Central on Thursday with a pitching matchup of Lance Lynn (6-2, 2.53 ERA) for Texas and Cristian Javier (4-2, 3.33 ERA) for the Astros.

astros recap astros vs mariners astros score mariners score mariners recap mlb mlb recap zack greinke astros

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome