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For those up in arms over Texans' headset gate, consider this
Dec 22, 2021, 2:16 pm
Culley's comments made national news. Composite image by Jack Brame
texans-coaches
The Texans managed to lose even when they won. Not only did they beat the Jags 30-16, but they also lost out on the driver's seat for the number one overall pick (thanks to the Lions upsetting the Cardinals), but they also created a bit of a stir with coach David Culley's comments after the game.
In his postgame presser, Culley made mention of general manager Nick Caserio being on the headset during the game and giving his input on things. People all over lost their minds and acted as if this was some grand violation of the integrity of the game of football. Well, maybe not that extreme, but you get my point. There was a ton of overreaction. I've seen or heard things running the gamut, from some equating this to Caserio bringing the New England culture of cheating down south, to others acting as if nothing is wrong.
Any time there is something going on that seems like it's underhanded or shady, people will react extreme these days. A lot of the reactions I saw online were fairly meh, but a decent enough number felt like this was a bad look. Not only from Culley spewing too much inside info, but the fact that Caserio was on the headset helping him coach basically. "BIG DEAL!" (In my best Gilbert voice.)
When will we (not only as sports fans, but also as a society) get over the fact that some things can push the envelope or blur the lines of right and wrong, yet still be okay? We're always so wrapped up in a perception of something we think is wrong, that we often fail to look at the circumstances. For example: it's okay for Caserio to be on the headset. This isn't the Ray Farmer/Hue Jackson text message-gate from a few years ago. One is a league-approved form of gameday communication, the other is a clear violation of league rules. Caserio was also noted to have been on headsets during his time in New England. While he didn't have input, Bill Belichick found him important to their operation enough to have him listening in on things.
We can obviously see this isn't giving them an unfair advantage. At 3-11, the Texans need all the help they can possibly muster up. Remember, Culley has never been a head coach. He's never even been a coordinator. Caserio probably wants to have as much input as possible to help Culley through all the decisions on gameday. Sure, there are former coordinators and head coaches on staff. But when you want to establish a certain culture and control over a rebuilding franchise, you tighten the strings and tend to hold things more closely to the vest. After all, Culley isn't the long-term answer at head coach, so, why so serious?
I'm sure there are other instances of team employees crossing boundaries and blurring lines elsewhere. Think about your own jobs. Do you or any of your coworkers ever do other people's jobs, or at least help out other departments with their tasks? Does anyone say you're cheating, and that type of stuff can't be tolerated and should be punished? Since when did this become so taboo? Would we penalize a team if the defensive coordinator noticed the opposing defense do something and told the offensive coordinator to run a certain play?
Bottom line: I see people making mountains out of mole hills here. Does it seem fishy? Yes. Is it illegal? No. Should this be the norm? That depends on the organizational structure. Would this have been a bigger story if this took place in New England a few years ago? You're damn right it would! The Texans' record, as well as the fact that this is allowed, makes this a non-issue that people want to make an issue. It's similar to other non-issues people choose to make big issues out of these days. The sooner we stop doing that foolishness, the better off we'll all be.
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The phrase most associated with the late former Oakland-Los Angeles-Oakland Raiders’ owner Al Davis was “Just win baby.” One has to think Al would strongly approve of the Houston Astros. Going to the fifth inning Sunday against the Mariners the Astros were facing a 3-0 deficit and staring at the prospect of being swept out of Seattle and having their American League West division lead slashed to just two games. Now after roaring from behind with 11 unanswered runs to take the series finale in the Emerald City, and then sweeping three games from the Diamondbacks in Phoenix, the Astros stand six games up with 60 games to go. So, if the Astros play just .500 ball the rest of the way (which would have them finish with 90 victories), the Mariners have to play .600 ball to catch them. If somehow the Astros are to maintain their season long win pace to the finish line they’d close with 95 wins, and the race is already over unless someone thinks the M’s are poised to uncork a finishing kick of 41-19 or better. It’s quite a pleasing perch from which the Astros survey the standings. Coupled with the freefalling Detroit Tigers having dropped nine of their last ten games, the Astros amazingly start this homestand sporting the best record in the entire American League. On the homestand they follow four games against the team with the second-worst record in the American League (Athletics) with three versus the team with the second-worst record in the National League (Nationals). I know, I know. There is fear of the Astros playing down to the competition, but that is not the way to look at it. A bad Major League team can beat a good team in a series at any time. If it happens it happens, but it wouldn’t mean it happened only because the Astros didn’t take their opponent seriously. This isn’t the NBA.
Trade deadline looming
Of course, It hasn’t been all good news with Isaac Paredes badly injuring a hamstring Sunday. Paredes could be back in three weeks (doubtful), he could miss the rest of the season. GET WELL SOON JEREMY PENA! Lance McCullers’s latest Injured List stint could be considered addition by subtraction for the Astros’ starting rotation. Whether impacted by his blister issue, Lance was lousy in four of his last five starts. So, one week from the trade deadline, if general manager Dana Brown has the ammo to get one deal done, where does he make the upgrade? The left-handed hitter everyone knows the Astros can use regardless of Yordan Alvarez’s status is a natural priority. With the Astros’ weak farm system it would seem difficult for Brown to put forth the winning offer for the top bats that could be in play. That probably rings even truer now, since if he wasn’t already untouchable, Brice Matthews may have cemented untouchable status by darn near winning the first two games of the Diamondbacks series by himself. Matthews is going to struggle mightily to hit for a good average if he can’t make notable improvement in the contact department, but the power is obvious, as is the athleticism in the field. The 23-year-old Matthews and 22-year-old Cam Smith (though presently mired in a three for 36 slump) are the clear (and right now only) two young shining beacons for the lineup’s future.
You can't have enough pitching
While Brandon Walter has been a revelation, a starting pitcher would make sense unless the decision is to hope Spencer Arrighetti and/or Cristian Javier can contribute meaningfully upon return to the big leagues, likely sometime next month. Going after a reliever or two may make more sense in terms of availability and transaction cost. Overall the Astros’ bullpen has been excellent, but Bryan Abreu is the only trustworthy right-handed option for Joe Espada. Back to Walter. Barely two months ago no way Walter himself would have believed he’d be where he is now. Nine starts since being summoned basically out of desperation, Walter has a 3.35 earned run average, and a stunning 13 to one strikeout-to-walk ratio with his 52 strikeouts against a measly four walks allowed in 53 2/3 innings. Walter has pitched fabulously in seven of his nine starts. He only has two wins, but that’s because in five of the six Walter starts the Astros didn’t win the game they failed to score more than two runs. Walter turns 29 years old in September. His only prior big league experience was 23 innings in relief with a 6.26 ERA for the Red Sox two years ago. The Bosox released him last August, the Astros signed him basically as minor league depth. Look at him (and the Astros) now.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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