It Is Criminal Lovie Smith Might Be “One-and-Done” in Houston
NFL.com- Concerned that he'll be the second consecutive one-and-done Texans head coach, Lovie Smith has been meeting with owner Cal McNair to state his case for a second season in Houston, per sources.
People familiar with the dynamics in Houston believe Smith, like David Culley a year ago, could be out after just one season -- one in which the Texans enter Week 18 with the NFL's worst record. No decision has been communicated to any of the parties, however.
The Texans plan to evaluate Smith's future at the end of the season, with the entire body of work being considered. After a win over a depleted Titans team two weeks ago, the Texans were blown out 31-3 at home by the Jaguars to drop to 2-13-1. Another loss Sunday at Indianapolis, or a Bears win or tie against the Vikings, would secure the league's worst record and give the Texans the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As Jerry has meticulously documented over the past two years, the Texans are an absolute clusterfuck.
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Like most things, it starts at the top. Their ownership is a clown show, their front office is even worse, and as a result, the product on the field has been a disaster.
I don't want to say the Patriots destroyed the franchise when they embarrassed the Texans on their Varsity Team Picture Day years back, but all signs point to that being the case.
It was 2012, game was in Foxboro, and I'm pretty sure Brady and the boys beat the bag out of them 42-14.
Then there was the SWAT vest game in 2019.
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But that's irrelevant. Just something hilarious I felt like including.
The fact that Lovie Smith was able to get one of the shittiest rosters in the NFL to show up each week, and not only compete, but play their asses off for him, is commendable.
Like Dan Campbell last season, it deserves respect, and isn't something to be taken for granted.
As I wrote in my Plums of the Week blog in Week 16. (Where I missed predicting the upset score by 1 point, nbd)
This team not only fought week after week after week for 18 weeks long. They should have beat the one of the top three teams in the league, Kansas City.
They should have beat the Cowboys in Dallas.
They played the best team in the league, Philly, tough as nails, up to the wire.
And they went into Tennesee as dogs and won outright.
And in the last game of the season, a game they could have completely mailed in a tank job of all tank jobs, to secure the #1 pick in the draft, and not a soul would call them out for it, they came back to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat in the closing minutes.
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So for Lovie Smith to have to go into his owners office this week and ask them what the fuck their plan is for next season is embarassing.
This team is actually in a pretty great situation going forward.
They are LOADED with draft picks thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade. In addition to the #2 pick now, they also have two more first-rounders, as well as additional 2023 third and a 2024 fourth rounders.
They have a TON of cap space next year - $48 million, good for 8th most in the league.
They have some impressive young talent to build around, including running back Dameon Pierce , safety Jalen Pitre and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
And they have a GREAT head coach in Lovie Smith.
Sources say frustration has mounted in the locker room and elsewhere in the building over many aspects of Smith's program, including overall operational struggles. It has spilled to their best players, such as receiver Brandin Cooks being stripped of the captaincy after trying and failing to get himself traded before November's deadline.
General manager Nick Caserio hired both Culley and Smith while undertaking a major rebuilding operation -- one that now has the Texans set up well in virtually every area except for instability at head coach.
There is a reason Brandin Cooks has played for 20 teams in his career. Guy is talented as hell but give me a break with the cry baby shit. Nothing proves a lack of leadership ability more than being stripped of being a captain, and then polluting the water in the locker room over it.
If I'm the Texans ownership, and I'm getting rid of anybody, it's Nick Caserio based on his headshot alone.
Jeez man chill out.
Lovie deserves an extension, and a real shot at coaching a roster of professionals again in Houston.
Hopefully the team rallies together and voices their support for him.
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p.s. - never forget