NFL Network's Brian Baldinger visited with the SportsRadio610 crew in Miami on Thursday (photo: philadelphiaeagles.com)
NFL Network's Brian Baldinger shared some tough love for the Texans and owner Bob McNair this morning during an interview with Marc Vandermeer and John Lopez on Houston's SportsRadio 610.
Like many of you, I watch NFL Network regularly but I can't recall 'Baldy' going off on McNair, Kubiak and the Texans like he did this morning.
Here's how it went down.
Vandermeer: "Houston Texans, your thoughts…"
Baldinger: (chuckles) "Obviously Bob Mc Nair is content with mediocrity. The playoffs must not be that important... they’ve had four years to get it right. And I don’t know if they’re any better. I mean, when Matt Schaub plays like he did this year, plays 16 games they’re a pretty good team, but … to me … I don’t think they’re ever going to get it right."
Lopez: "I’m sensing that you think extending Gary Kubiak was a mistake."
Baldinger: "Like I said, if you want to go 8-8 (or) 9-7 and kind of just be at the brink, if that’s good enough, then that’s what you do, you stay with him. I don’t understand. Four years to get it right in this league to get it right is twice the eternity (?) that anybody really should get because you can win in this league right now – the Jets showed you. All you can do is keep stockpiling talent – tell me how they’re going to get better?"
Baldinger's comments aren't revealing or new but it's always interesting to get an outsider's perspective - and in this case it's a perspective shared by some Texans fans. I think Marc and John were a bit surprised by his response.
Yes we've beaten this horse to death. One person's slow and steady progress is another's mediocrity. Will Gary Kubiak lead his team to the playoffs? Who knows. A tough schedule in 2010 looms.
I've said before that Kubiak isn't the type of coach that motivates his players directly. Some coaches motivate by fear, intimidation, reputation or swagger. Kubiak's brand of motivation comes from a different place.
Players see how badly Kubiak wants to win. They know he's a great offensive mind and a great guy and passionate for what he does. They all know they're treated well and treated fairly. So they want to win for the guy.
But given that leadership style, the "we're not going to lose" mentality and self-confidence needed to win in this league has to come from somewhere else - it has to rise up from the ranks of the players.
On-field leadership from the players (not talking about quietly going about your business making plays) seemed more evident in 2009 than in previous years. Let's hope that continues because I think that's one reason this has taken so long. Let's also hope that form of leadership and motivation is there every week and not just when the team's back is against the wall.
I don't think Bob McNair is content with mediocrity. I think he sees the good in Kubiak and because of it, believes that his team will continue to improve. We'll see. Kubiak's first draft class will be five year vets this year. Time's a wastin.'
I just wished someone would have reminded Baldinger that Rex Ryan's Jets had the exact same record in 2009 that Eric Mangini's Jets had in 2008.
Related: Kubiak agrees to new three year deal
Comments
Not to mention that they were gifted into the playoffs TWO (not one, but TWO) games in a row. Clearly coach Ryan gets it and Kubiak doesn't.
Give me a break.
Well, but, if you look at what he's saying minus the Jets comment, I think his overall point was that four years is a long time, and in the NFL these days, that's enough time to turn a team around.
I know people bring up Tom Landry and Jeff Fisher, but, realistically, four years is plenty of time.
If not the Jets, then the '08 Dolphins or Falcons, or a few other teams that have turned things around the past four years. Kubiak has certainly improved this team, but the question that must be asked now is if he is the coach that can take them to the next level.
It is pretty obvious that McNair is content with mediocrity, though, and I'm sympathetic to Kubiak. Content just means satisfied, and the simple fact that he's willing to stick with a .500 coach after four seasons and give him a two year extension is what it is at the end of the day. Discontent would be an owner that fires Kubiak and tries to find another solution. Baldinger is just calling like the majority of people see it.
normally i agree with Baldinger but i can't completely on this one... when it comes to maintaining a level of success, you have to give a coach time. successful coaches that turned franchises around successfully don't tend to do it in just 4 years.
if you wanna be like a Sparano, Smith, or Ryan and take a mediocre team and get em to the playoffs one year fine... if you're trying to get where the Indy's, Philly's, NE's have been for the last decade, you don't just scrap everything
just my 2 cents...
Those teams that got into the playoffs in 1 year had allot more factors in doing so than the Texans have had. What team should I start with...
NO - Drew Brees - nuff said. If Aaron Brooks was still the QB, do you really think they would be where they are today? They also had allot of quality starters and veterans to begin with. Brees is what brought it all together.
Miami - Had to implement a gimmick offense to catch teams off guard to go from 1-15 to 10-6, again good veteran presence on the team to begin with and had a good defense to boot but the gimmick didn't work this year.
Atl- Maybe the only team you could really argue but there again, had a good core of veterans. Plus having a running game that produces 1800+ yards doesn't hurt either to take the pressure off of a rookie QB.
Jets - 2 teams laid down at end of the year, otherwise they are not a winning team but I digress. Ryan built that team around defense and a running game. 4 of the Jets O-lineman are 1st round pi
I wouldn't put too much stock in anything Baldinger says, he wasn't the best player whoever put on a pair of cleats and he is at the bottom of the list when it comes to competent commentators.
It really comes down to philosophies. When you are building a team you have two ways to go. You can try and build through the draft, which can take longer but when you get the pieces in place you are good for a long time. Or, you can try and build your roster through free agency which you may do faster but success may be short lived.
The Jets have loaded up on free agents in order to win now; just look at their free agent signings. In addition to the failed Brett Favre experiment you have Kris Jenkins, Bart Scott, Calvin Pace, Brian Leonhard, Alan Faneca, and Damien Woody plus they traded draft picks for Lito Sheppard.
Rightly or wrongly the Texans have opted to build primarily through the draft. It is taking longer but I think that they could now have a good team for several years
Kubiak is 7-17 in our division in four seasons. This is well below mediocrity and wallows in the really suckage aspect of the spectrum.
His team has only beaten 8 teams with winning records in 64 games/4 seasons.
People can rationalize all day long, but it doesn't change the fact that Kubiak is a good OC and offensive talent evaluator (except for a consistent running game) but he's proving to be a mediocre (at best) head coach.
I think you are right on the money with the Kubiak leaderhip style angle. Its not talked about much but I dont think he's good at pressing players buttons so to speak at the right time to get them to play big when they need it. It always comes down to an empassioned plea from the heart when the teams back is agains the wall. And by then its usually too late to sace the season
Brian Baldinger knows little to nothing about what he speaks, he like most NFL Network talking heads. They all have little in fact and miles of worthless opinions (look at who they have Irvin, Sanders, Baldinger...hey Dallas Cowboy you retiring we want you on NFL Network, the stupider the comment the more we get mentioned)
Well lets see..
There were so many great coaches to choose from this year..lmfao
the last 2 games were given to the jets....remember?
Baldwanker needs to shut up a bring me a beer..lol
Thats what you get from people who spend most of their time analyzing without proof. Ive seen the steady increase over the four years.
Like the guy said. No coaches were out there to take over this team anyway. It wouldve been like starting over again.
"I've said before that Kubiak isn't the type of coach that motivates his players directly. Some coaches motivate by fear, intimidation, reputation or swagger. Kubiak's brand of motivation comes from a different place.
Players see how badly Kubiak wants to win. They know he's a great offensive mind and a great guy and passionate for what he does. They all know they're treated well and treated fairly. So they want to win for the guy."
If you wapped "defensive" for "offensive" this could describe Tony Dungy, especially in his first stint as a head coach. I'm not saying Kubiak is the next Dungy (for one thing, Dungy made the playoffs in his second season, although he inherited a better team than Kubiak did) but there are some similarities.
Interesting comparison Warren. Although I think Dungy's persona is more a quiet confidence, while Gary's is a fretful lack of confidence. I want Kubiak to succeed in the worst way but unfortunately the only similarity I see between him and Dungy at the moment is that both played QB in college.
Did the Jets not have an easier scedule and the same record as Houston?
I think the Texans will go 11-5 this season,They will surprise alot of people.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!