Hard Knocks

The Patriots-Texans connection certainly is interesting (O'Brien/Vrabel/Crennel/Wilfork/Mallett/Hoyer). But I must say, I am unimpressed by O'Brien's coaching style. His incessant negativity appears to filter down through assistant coaches to the players and on top of it he can be a volatile hothead. No wonder he butted heads with Brady. I wonder if his departure from Penn State was more mutual than was let on.

Otherwise, it's been interesting seeing the inside bits on Watt (a true beast) and Brian Cushing (self-destructive idiot).

Cushing comes off as a real jerk to his teammates. If there are a lot of guys like that across the league, you can understand all the training camp fights we are seeing.

jj watt is a hardo to the highest order

I couldn't disagree more. I think Bill O'Brien comes off as stern but nice and positive simultaneously. It's clear he doesn't take any BS. He is business strictly but he's got his work cut out for him with that team. Their defense is going to be tough....but still no QB. Hoyer and/or Mallett are not the answer what so ever.

Christian said:

I couldn't disagree more. I think Bill O'Brien comes off as stern but nice and positive simultaneously.

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Remember this? lol

Christian said:

I couldn't disagree more. I think Bill O'Brien comes off as stern but nice and positive simultaneously. It's clear he doesn't take any BS. He is business strictly but he's got his work cut out for him with that team. Their defense is going to be tough....but still no QB. Hoyer and/or Mallett are not the answer what so ever.

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If Houston's OL and RBs stay healthy Hoyer/Mallett won't be asked to do much but to complete a few passes to some tall WRs, TEs, and a good possession receiver in Nate Washington. I'm excited to see them play, especially since they are in the same division as the Dolts.

I just hope they stop being doormats and actually give the Colts a fight.

BingoBrown said:

I just hope they stop being doormats and actually give the Colts a fight.

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No way. We kick the Luck-led Colts arse every time we play them. I say, let the Colts in the playoffs with no real stiff competition.

Christian said:

I couldn't disagree more. I think Bill O'Brien comes off as stern but nice and positive simultaneously. It's clear he doesn't take any BS. He is business strictly but he's got his work cut out for him with that team. Their defense is going to be tough....but still no QB. Hoyer and/or Mallett are not the answer what so ever.

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You don't think he has a temper problem? I'm no choirboy myself, but every other word out of his mouth is f*ck and he flies off the handle over little things. I haven't seen this week's segment yet, though -- perhaps he's turned over a new leaf becoming "stern but nice."

My only recollections of Bill O'Brian as a coach are negative. The 3 years he was involved with the offense I saw 3 of our worst playoff losses. Not saying it was his fault only, but the offense didn't perform well in the playoffs during his time here.

Mallet is a dink for his butt hurt comments after losing the QB battle. It wasn't outrageous but the whole "disagree" thing rubs me the wrong way. He ought to shut up and prepare to play if Hoyer stinks the bed.

Mallet has been underwhelming his entire career...as a backup.

1960Pats said:

My only recollections of Bill O'Brian as a coach are negative. The 3 years he was involved with the offense I saw 3 of our worst playoff losses. Not saying it was his fault only, but the offense didn't perform well in the playoffs during his time here.

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Maybe not but the offense was certainly potent as hell in 2010 and 2011 overall. We had great weapons which helped but those were two dominant years. Sadly we did **** the bed in the playoffs...

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Remember this? lol

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I remember that play, I was at that game. Underwood rounded off his route in the end zone which allowed the defender to get in front of him and make an interception. Brady was carping at him afterward on the bench and then O'Brien steps in to give Tom grief for whatever reason. I really like Brady dishing it back to him. "No ****!" You can tell O'Brien has a hard time controlling himself.

Tunescribe said:

You don't think he has a temper problem? I'm no choirboy myself, but every other word out of his mouth is f*ck and he flies off the handle over little things. I haven't seen this week's segment yet, though -- perhaps he's turned over a new leaf becoming "stern but nice."

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i don't mind it. not my cup of tea, but i see it more as 'passion'. i do prefer more cerebral approach.

but his temper won't get him nowhere if he doesn't win. it will wear down players and players will stop listening.

wolverinejoe80 said:

i don't mind it. not my cup of tea, but i see it more as 'passion'. i do prefer more cerebral approach.

but his temper won't get him nowhere if he doesn't win. it will wear down players and players will stop listening.

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Remember Belichick's exhortation to the Defense at the end of the SB? No F-Bombs. Now, imagine O'Brien in that same huddle.

“Look fellas, it’s the same thing we talked about in the Baltimore game. We just need everyone to do their job! All right? There are no new plays. We have to contain the quarterback and get to his level. We’re getting high-armed because we’re not playing with our hands. We have to step up and challenge the line of scrimmage. We have to wrap [Marshawn] Lynch up. We have to do a good job in our man-to-man coverage. There is no mystery here, fellas. It’s trusting each other and everybody doing their job!”

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BTW, anyone have a link to a video of that? It's got to be one of the all time coaching classics.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Remember this? lol

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There are actually some people who think because of this right here, that O'Brien is a great coach.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Remember this? lol

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I had forgotten how much I hated Dierdorf

I think Bob is an above average coach and I respect his work last season. He went thru a few QBs and didn't whine. His team played hard till the last game. He must be doing something right, right? I'm not saying he's perfect by id take bob over a lot of coaches. Let's see, HCs of the

Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Browns, Bengals, Colts, Jacksonville, Titans, Raiders, Broncos, Panthers, Falcons, Bucs, Lions, Vikings, Bears, 49ers, Rams, Cowboys, Redskins.

That's quite a lot of HCs that I think are worse than Bob.

I was really unimpressed with his handling of naming hoyer the starter. after watchign that I felt like neither guy was really getting much of a confidence boost.

hes the starter but hes not on a long leash, brian you need to produce, ryan, your not consistent enough, but the consistency was so close, and we need to you to be ready, brian dont **** up.

Kdo5 said:

Maybe not but the offense was certainly potent as hell in 2010 and 2011 overall. We had great weapons which helped but those were two dominant years. Sadly we did **** the bed in the playoffs...

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They were dominant offensively in 2012. The inability to stop teams on 3rd down and no Gronk prevented Super Bowl titles.