Houston Texans: Bill O’Brien signals a notable change with training camp
Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has signaled that training camp is returning back home after two years up in West Virginia. What did he say? Look.
The Houston Texans ended their 2018 season with a loud thud after a excruciatingly painful 21-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round this past Saturday. The team was barely visible to indicate that they showed up to play while their opponent was ready for whatever challenge that was to be thrown at them.
It was extremely frustrating to watch after all what this team went through this season. Their franchise-record nine-game streak to couple with the NFL groundbreaking record turnaround after going 0-3 is not as important of a narrative as opposed to the performance of this team in the playoffs.
But, you know, that’s why you have to play the games and that one I’d like to erase from my memory quickly.
But any way, this team will have to start thinking about the off season with priorities such as re-signing Jadeveon Clowney and Tyrann Mathieu. They’ll have to make important decision on whether to retain free agent Kareem Jackson and whether or not to bring Demaryius Thomas, who ruptured his Achilles just before the end of the season at a lower contractual number.
The team also has major concerns on the offensive line as well as potential upgrades that are needed at the running back position.
There will be plenty of time for Brian Gaine to address all of that but one of the most important tidbits from Locker Cleanout Day this past Sunday was Bill O’Brien indicating that training camp is likely to return back to Houston.
He was asked in the form if he and Gaine decided that was the plan of action for the 2019 off season and here’s what he said at a recent presser:
"“I don’t want to make that announcement yet because I have to check with Cal (McNair) on that, but I can tell you that it’s trending in the direction of being in Houston, if that makes any sense to you. That’s not a confirmation but I do believe it’ll be here in Houston.”"
The Houston Texans have held the first month of training camp at the Greenbrier the past two seasons, an extravagant luxury resort that has been around for two centuries, nestled in the cozy Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.
I’d imagine that the Houston Texans wanted a distraction to all of media craziness that comes with holding training camp in their hometown with a change of scenery in addition to the cooler weather.
I’d imagine the late Bob McNair was able to broker an agreement with the Greenbrier, which is
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owned by West Virginia governor Jim Justice. Both had their hands hot and heavy in the energy industry and there’s no question that these men crossed paths within their emerging careers. In congruence to the aforementioned, the McNair family still owns a few power plants in the state as well.
Just a decade ago, the Greenbrier wasn’t doing well in terms of the influx of patrons using their facilities, having an impact on revenues, causing the business to go deep into debt. But a new strategy brokered by Justice, a major renovation and attracting NFL teams to practice there has proven to be a successful strategy, putting the resort back on solid footing.
Justice rescued the facility from going into bankruptcy when he purchased it back in May 2009.
Although O’Brien didn’t indicate that a decision was imminent, the news that this could happen is special for the fans, who have had to scurry within the last few weeks of training camp just to see their team in action before the season starts.
I’m sure the expense of traveling up there and back is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the earnings the franchise pulls in each season but the biggest cost incurred was the sense of disconnection from the fans and that could change if Cal McNair decides that it’s best for the organization.
We’ll have to see but this is actually terrific news to hear.
Next. Houston Sports: The three worst moments of 2018. dark
Let’s wish the Houston Texans the best of luck as they get ready to navigate through a busy and hopefully prosperous off season.