Bill O'Brien to become coach of Houston Texans

Texans are expected to introduce Bill O'Brien as their new head coach by Saturday, per sources.

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https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/418221856479399936


Just as an aside, here's a question for all the people who were demanding first or second round picks for Mallett before:


Would you take the first pick of the 3rd round for Mallett, knowing that he's in the last year of his contract? How about the first pick of the 4th round?

im happy for BOB and wish him the best of luck, and yes if he wanted Mallett for a 4th I would take it but if BOB is smart he would trade a 4th to the Vikings for vet QB Matt Cassel and take a QB first over all

ausbacker said:

You know TBS, I was just having a discussion with an Aggies and Texans supporting friend who is hoping against hope that the Texans use it to take Johnny Football after passing on Vince Young. He's finally conceded to me that it's more than likely the Texans will trade out of first and accumulate picks (which is the smarter move in my humble opinion).

The Texans are a good team who had a horrid 2013 (much like the Falcons). They can set themselves up (draft wise) for the next 5 years if they get it right in 2014 (mind you, so can the Falcons).

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This subject brings to mind the Raiders paying Jamarcus Russell about 33 million in guaranteed money. That's a commitment of somewhere around 7 percent (approx. guess) of their cap for 4 years. That's quite a disadvantage for a team to have that much cap committed over that many years to a player that never even reaches average NFL caliber quality.
Of course this kind of dramatic bust isn't the norm and a #1 also can become a superstar, yet is the reward potential worth that kind of serious financial risk??? Especially when the option of trading that pick for 2 high-ish picks that require markedly less risk is, IMHO from a generic POV, makes using the #1 pick an unsafe play comparatively.
With that said, I'm not up on the new rules surrounding the financial limitations on top pick contracts. If a Jamarcus Russell sized financial bust has been lessened quite a bit by these rules, I like the generic value more than previously.

Of course this disregards the marketing side to the #1 pick. Using the pick on a beloved college superstar can be a boost to fanbase enthusiasm. If a team has not been selling out or is seeing downward trending $$$ from the fanbase, the #1 can help turn that trend around.

I feel bad for the kid, but there are plenty of examples of coaches "giving their word" at the college level and then being left disappointed. While the right coach can certainly set you in the right direction, he needs to focus on what he can do and go from there *whether that's another school or just being the best he can be".

If he has NFL-type talent, then he just got his first lesson in "It's just a business decision"

Deus Irae said:

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/418221856479399936


Just as an aside, here's a question for all the people who were demanding first or second round picks for Mallett before:


Would you take the first pick of the 3rd round for Mallett, knowing that he's in the last year of his contract? How about the first pick of the 4th round?

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Yes to a top round third, no to the fourth.

- What happens if TB is out for an extended period of time in 2014? Patriots need decent backup QB play else they risk tanking a season that could otherwise be SB caliber. Since losing Mallett to FA might garner a compensatory 4th (???), why trade him for a fourth?
- To get a pick that is almost a 2nd? IMHO that's a lot of value to pass up. Only way I would say no to that is if BB is convinced Mallett is a top quality starter ready to happen. If that is the case then hold onto him until the last possible minute (in case he is needed) and take the compensatory pick when he leaves.

This is a good opportunity for BOB, however it remains to be seen how he will do.. many folks became enamored with him after his screaming match with Brady on the sideline, however to be a successful HC you need more than that.....

Wrath Mania said:

For whatever it's worth, here's a pretty good article that illuminates some of O'Brien's frustrations at Penn State this year. Kind of puts his decision in better light.

Bill O'Brien, the outsider, arrived at the perfect time; maybe he's leaving at the right time, too | PennLive.com

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Thanks for the link. This offers a lot of insight.

Deus Irae said:

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/418221856479399936


Just as an aside, here's a question for all the people who were demanding first or second round picks for Mallett before:


Would you take the first pick of the 3rd round for Mallett, knowing that he's in the last year of his contract? How about the first pick of the 4th round?

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Although I wasn't a member of the crowd demanding a 2nd rounder, I wouldn't want Mallet traded for a 4th. The only way I'd want him to be traded for the first, 3rd round pick is on draft day if there was a player left that BB really coveted. I think there is value to having Mallet as a backup.

His success/failure will be determined by how well he develops a qb. I think he'll draft Bridgewater. I'd prob draft Clowney and trade up from 33 for a qb. They have talent and have two crap organizations in their division; Jax and Tennessee. They play the NFC East next year which really isn't that good. The AFC North. OK but not spectacular. Oakland and Buffalo. I can see 8-10 wins.

Deus Irae said:

Just as an aside, here's a question for all the people who were demanding first or second round picks for Mallett before:

Would you take the first pick of the 3rd round for Mallett, knowing that he's in the last year of his contract? How about the first pick of the 4th round?

Click to expand...

My stance all along has been that his value to the Patriots is greater than his value to another team as an unproven commodity. It's still true. For another team I think a 3rd or 4th is fair but if I'm the Pats is that worth it to lose your backup who's really cheap money? Lets say Brady has a concussion next year and has to miss two games. If Mallet comes in and is able to just go 1-1 that might be enough to keep them in a bye situation for the playoffs vs being forced to start a rookie or scrub veteran.

I think for it to work for both teams it would have to be something like a 3rd with a conditional 1st or 2nd in the 2015 draft. It protects the new team if Mallett sucks but gives the Pats the upside if he's what they're saying he is and they still get some value in dealing him vs his leaving in the walk year.

Fencer said:

So who is he likely to raid from the Pats and take with him? Daboli, Pepper, and/or the WR coach whose name I'm forgetting to be coordinator? Edelman at WR?

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Chad O'Shea? We were HS classmates, so I've enjoyed following his progress.

Deus Irae said:

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/418221856479399936


Just as an aside, here's a question for all the people who were demanding first or second round picks for Mallett before:


Would you take the first pick of the 3rd round for Mallett, knowing that he's in the last year of his contract? How about the first pick of the 4th round?

Click to expand...

1st of the 3rd w/o regrets. Probably the 1st of the 4th too, depending on the following.
I'm figuring that we'd sign a developmental rookie and maybe look at an Orton type vet.

patsinthesnow said:

So as Sciz pointed out in the draft forum, this may be our last chance to trade Mallett. Will BoB bite?

#1 Clowney
#33 Mallett

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Where would O’Brien be if not for Belichick? I think it is only fair that he repay his debt and trade us JJ Watt and #33 for Ryan Mallett.

In all seriousness I wish there was a way we could gain knowledge to the common opinion of Mallett amongst other teams and scouts in the NFL. Is Mallett highly sought after or is he a non-factor in the minds of other organizations?

Brady’s last 2 backups were Hoyer and Cassel, they both were their team’s starter for portions of this season and neither of them offered the talent level of Ryan Mallett. I know that doesn’t make him automatic to be a successful starter but it does indicate 2 things – 1. The Patriots do a good job developing QBs behind Brady over the past decade. 2. The Patriots thought Mallett was the better QB than Brian Hoyer who prior injury this season was 2-0 as a starter on a team that finished 4-12.

Wrath Mania said:

For whatever it's worth, here's a pretty good article that illuminates some of O'Brien's frustrations at Penn State this year. Kind of puts his decision in better light.

Bill O'Brien, the outsider, arrived at the perfect time; maybe he's leaving at the right time, too | PennLive.com

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Very illuminating article, but ... my goodness! Word of advice to Bill O'Brien. If you need to let your feelings overflow, don't do it to the media. They are NOT there to be your friends.

His QB options reportedly just increased by one:

Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater has decided to enter NFL Draft source told @ESPN

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https://twitter.com/McMurphyESPN/status/418450021474762752

Not surprising responses from Penn State fans:

BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Message Boards

Too bad for them and the players. Such is the nature of football. A lot of money will do that.

Deus Irae said:

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/418221856479399936


Just as an aside, here's a question for all the people who were demanding first or second round picks for Mallett before:


Would you take the first pick of the 3rd round for Mallett, knowing that he's in the last year of his contract? How about the first pick of the 4th round?

Click to expand...

I would be amazed if we were offered the 1st 3rd rounder.

patriot lifer said:

Not surprising responses from Penn State fans:

BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Message Boards

Too bad for them and the players. Such is the nature of football. A lot of money will do that.

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Money are a specific section of people who are obsessed with joe paterno making B'Ob's life miserable.

Here's a Texans fan board full of reaction; seems pretty positive:

Texans hire Bill O'Brien as HC - Houston Texans Message Board & Forum - TexansTalk.com


Not backing down from Brady is seen as a bug thumbs up characterwise. Example:

I have never been this excited as a Texan fan. We finally have a HC that ignites a lot of fire and life on the sidelines. A guy who has a reputation for holding guys accountable. I can't wait to see the direction he takes this team from a rebuild perspective to be able to execute his systems.

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An aside: The so-called "Uncle Rico" you see on the thread is not me. Swine stole my name and my photo. He (or she) is a copy cat, a pale imitation of an authentic original.

chasa said:

I would be amazed if we were offered the 1st 3rd rounder.

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It's just a hypothetical. BOB has the 1.1, Schaub and Keenum. He'd have to had a world of confidence in Mallett as not just a starter, but as an elite QB, to skip over Bridgewater & Co..