Gaine’s drafting helps turn 4-12 to 11-5
From his vantage point at the top of the Texans’ personnel department, general manager Brian Gaine has watched his team overcome an 0-3 start, compile a nine-game winning streak, win the AFC South, and prepare to host Indianapolis in the wild-card round on Saturday.
Gaine was hired in January to replace Rick Smith and has worked closely with coach Bill O’Brien to help transform a 4-12 team into an 11-5 division champion. He’s eager to see how the Texans play in their third matchup against the Colts, the first time in team history they’ve played a team three times in one season.
“Bill and I both know the season’s not over yet,” Gaine said Thursday when the Texans continued to prepare for the Colts. “The second season has started, and we’ve got a very competitive game Saturday.”
Gaine wishes Bob McNair could be part of the experience. One of the last major decisions McNair made as owner was to hire Gaine as general manager and sign O’Brien to a four-year extension before waging another battle with skin cancer. McNair, who promoted his son, Cal, to chairman this season, died in late November when the Texans had a seven-game winning streak.
“It’s a wonderful accomplishment for our organization,”
Gaine said about winning the division and hosting a playoff game. “The season was dedicated to Bob, and I’m very happy for Janice and Cal and their family to have that sense of accomplishment under the circumstances.”
Looking back at the regular season and what the Texans were able to achieve after the 0-3 start, Gaine gives a lot of credit to O’Brien and the way he steered his team through some turbulent times.
After losing by 7, 3 and 5 points to begin the season, the Texans won games by 3, 3, 7, 2, 3 and 7. They also lost by two points in their last road game at Philadelphia.
“I think Bill’s done a tremendous job,” Gaine said. “With the way the season started and the adversity we had to deal with — overcoming injuries, plugging in players, putting together winning game plans and finding ways to win in the fourth quarter and overtime — I’m very happy for Bill.
“We were able to win a division title and get a playoff game at home to give ourselves an opportunity to play in front of our fans. I’m very proud of that.”
As the executive who oversees personnel, Gaine took on double duties — working on this season and preparing for an offseason in which he’ll have one pick in the first round, two in the second and enough salary-cap space to improve weaknesses.
As the top dog in the scouting department, Gaine heads college and pro scouting. He spent a lot of time on the road during the season. He evaluated players and put together scouting reports. But as much as he loves preparing for the draft and free agency, Gaine never loses sight of his team and possible upgrades to the roster.
Gaine was disappointed in the 0-3 start but excited when the Texans rebounded and turned around their season. With players coming through a revolving door, the roster was a juggling act, primarily because of injuries. Going back to training camp, Gaine was always churning the bottom of the roster.
“What I’m most proud of this season is how the players and coaches kept a singular purpose and were able to focus week to week on the task at hand,” Gaine said. “When you think back to where the season started and where it ended, what I’m the most proud of is winning the AFC South, because that’s one of our first goals.”
Their next goal is to defeat Indianapolis and advance into the division round at New England, where they have never won.
First, there’s the matter of beating the Colts. There’s no reason not to expect a third exciting game fueled by quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck.
The Texans won at Indianapolis 37-34 in overtime. The Colts won 24-21 at NRG Stadium.
Whenever the season ends, Gaine will devote all of his work time to scouting. The April draft will be different than last year because he’ll have three picks in the first two rounds.
In his first draft in charge of personnel, Gaine showed he and his staff know what they’re doing. He was unable to select a player until the third round. That first pick turned out to be safety Justin Reid, who has been outstanding.
Texans fans should be enthusiastic about this year’s draft based on what Gaine was able to accomplish in his first one: Reid, offensive tackle Martinas Rankin, tight end Jordan Akins, receiver Keke Coutee, outside linebacker Duke Ejiofor, tight end Jordan Thomas, outside linebacker Peter Kalambayi and cornerback Jermaine Kelly.
“Not having first- and secondround picks presented some challenges,” Gaine said. “What I like most about our draft is what the young players are showing us.
“That’s what I reflect on the most: how we made those decisions and how the process put us in position to make the right ones. That’s a coordinated effort between scouts, coaches, football administration and the medical side.”
And it bodes well for the offseason. But first, of course, is Saturday’s game against the Colts and how much a victory would mean to the franchise.