Plenty of questions to the head coach were answered by the organization's statement according to him

O'Brien leans on McNair's statement for Gaine answers

O'Brien leans on McNair's statement for Gaine answers
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Bill O'Brien faced the media for the first time since the organization fired general manager Brian Gaine. While O'Brien appreciated the questions, he leaned primarily on the statement by Cal McNair about the team.


The statement covered that

This is the statement Bill O'Brien referenced when he was asked a multitude of questions. He declined to explain what his conversation with McNair covered but that McNair made his vision and expectations for the organization clear.

He also declined to discuss the reported interviews the Texans have already had and his role in the future interviews of this team.

The list of questions O'Brien used the statement as an answer

Here is a list of the questions O'Brien was asked that he used the statement from Cal McNair as his answer.

There was a report your relationship with Brian Gaine eroded is that true?

Did you believe Brian Gaine needed to be fired to move this organization forward?

What changed in your relationship with Brian Gaine when you were working with him?

Were you worried about losing your job based on this evaluation?

The Texans won 11 games, won the division, and hosted a playoff game. Why do you think there is this much change after that?

Has he talked with Nick Caserio?

Bill O'Brien was asked if he had contact with Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio.

"I would say that the answer to that is no. Relative to contact about anything having to do with the Houston Texans, no."

O'Brien on Gaine

O'Brien's comments directly on Brian Gaine were short and sweet and to the point.

"Man of high character. Great family man and good football person."

Impact on Clowney

When asked if the firing of Gaine and the eventual hire of a new general manager would affect Jadeveon Clowney O'Brien said "no" and pointed to Clowney's franchise tag designation and confirmed Clowney was not present for the mandatory workout on Tuesday.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Mariners beat the Astros, 7-6. Photo by Getty Images.

Randy Arozarena hit a grand slam in the eighth and drew the game-winning walk in the ninth as the Seattle Mariners rallied for seven runs over the final two innings to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Wednesday.

Arozarena's slam trimmed Seattle's deficit to one before the Astros made it 6-4 when Jeremy Peña scored on a wild pitch by Casey Lawrence (1-0) in the top of the ninth.

Julio Rodríguez delivered a two-run double in the bottom half to tie it, and a walk to Mitch Garver loaded the bases. Houston got a forceout at home before Bryan Abreu (0-1) walked Arozarena on a full count.

The Astros seemingly had the game in hand after Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball over six shutout innings. They took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of eighth against a Mariners team that went 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position during a 2-1 loss in 12 innings Tuesday night.

Lawrence, called up from the minors Wednesday to provide relief for an overtaxed bullpen, pitched the final three innings, giving up two runs and four hits. Luis F. Castillo started for Seattle and threw 100 pitches in four innings, allowing four runs — three earned — in his second major league start.

The Mariners were without infielder Ryan Bliss, put on the 10-day injured list with a left biceps tear. Seattle also called up infielder Leo Rivas, and pitcher Jesse Hahn was designated for assignment.

Key moment

A replay review determined Seattle’s Donovan Solano got back to third base just in time to avoid a tag by Isaac Paredes on a fielder’s choice grounder in the ninth. Rodriguez followed with his bases-loaded double to tie it.

Key stat

Arozarena went 2 for 3 with a double, two walks and five RBIs in the cleanup spot to raise his batting average to .191.

Up next

Houston had not announced a starting pitcher to face RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-0, 3.27 ERA) and the Angels at home Friday night.

Mariners RHP Bryce Miller (0-2, 5.73) pitches against Texas RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, 3.38) on Friday night.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome