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
Jun 11, 2019, 2:38 pm
Plenty of questions to the head coach were answered by the organization's statement according to him
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.
Statement from #Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair: pic.twitter.com/MmhWYGtCiU
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 7, 2019
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.
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?
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'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."
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.
Astros GM Dana Brown has recently discussed how the club is going to approach free agency on the team's flagship station, and based on his comments, it doesn't sound the Astros are going to spend a lot of money.
He mentioned being “creative” with their strategy and maybe exploring some trade possibilities. Which is why we were surprised to hear from Jon Heyman that the Astros may have interest in Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, or another “elite” starting pitcher.
Phillies are still looking at top starters after bringing back Aaron Nola. They have company, as at least the Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers and Astros are looking for an elite starter (and many more than just those teams are on Yamamoto, who’s only 25).
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 20, 2023
With the team right up against the tax threshold, a signing like this would certainly push them over, unless they find a way to dump some salary that's already on the books.
But the report that Houston is looking for an elite starter, certainly caught our attention. Mainly, because Dana Brown's comments about backup catcher and bullpen help being the priority, with starting pitching being more of a pipe dream considering the budget constraints.
A move like this would likely require someone like Alex Bregman being traded to make the money work. So is Jon Heyman off the mark with this report, or is Dana Brown quietly looking to add an elite starter?
Plus, just this week the Phillies signed Aaron Nola to a 7-year $172 million contract. Framber Valdez is looking for a long-term deal with 2 years remaining of club control. Will Framber's agent use this contract as a benchmark for what is client is looking for?
Don't miss the video above as we make sense of these recent reports!
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