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Casserly on 610 this morning

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
Said that 90 of the 95 in last years East-West Shrine game made
it on someones roster in the NFL in 2005. Pretty impressive. Very few, if any first day picks. I would guess the Senior Bowm has far more first day picks ?
 

Coach C.

Veteran
Let me tell you the senior bowl roster is stuffed full of high end talent. The east-west shrine game is solid talent that is not considered high end. It will be interesting though. I cant wait for Mork's reports from the Senior Bowl (if he can sneak away and go), but I am also looking forward to the small school all star game.
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
East-West game has 3rd to 6th round round talents. Of course, some will slip to the 7th and undrafted, but it is well worth watching if you are a draftnik type.
 

Spoda

Waterboy
so did anyone actually hear anything interesting out of casserly? i was in a meeting and missed it...or was it the usuall.."hey!!...i can't comment on that!! hey!!"
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
He said he hopes San Antonio will support the E/W game so it will stay here. He said CC Brown and Hodgdon came out of this game...he was gushing about Bush's extra gear....he said good things about Young. He said we need to resove the O-line jigsaw puzzle, the transition to a 4-3, and that it would take more than one year to do this fully.
 

TEXANS84

Moderator
Staff member
The most important thing that Casserly said this morning is that his show with Bob Allen two weeks ago was taped. Thus, him saying that there was no need for another quarterback in the draft because Vince Young hadn't come out yet.

Now that Vince had declared, they are re-evaluating. He also stated that Carr and the Texans have come to an agreement, but he can't make public just yet if its a 2 or 3 year deal.
 

Runner

Hubcap Diamond
Staff member
Vinny said:
He said he hopes San Antonio will support the E/W game so it will stay here. He said CC Brown and Hodgdon came out of this game...he was gushing about Bush's extra gear....he said good things about Young. He said we need to resove the O-line jigsaw puzzle, the transition to a 4-3, and that it would take more than one year to do this fully.
So it sounds like the move to a 4-3 is a done deal, or was he just "what-iffing"?
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
Runner said:
So it sounds like the move to a 4-3 is a done deal, or was he just "what-iffing"?
He never mentioned (or I didn't catch it) that it was any sort of done deal but he sure made it a point to talk about it, so I think it's gonna happen. He mentioned that Wong could play the Sam or the Mike but his injury was really bad so he may still be in the last stages of rehab when camp breaks. From my contacts and the cryptic information I get I think Jerry Gray will be the DC and we will install the 4-3 defense. From what I gather Gray was very impressive and the Texans gave him serious consideration for the HC job - Gray as the DC is speculation on my part but it's pieced together with tidbits from various people I've spoken with.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
TEXANS84 said:
He also stated that Carr and the Texans have come to an agreement, but he can't make public just yet if its a 2 or 3 year deal.
This may be a difference with no distinction but the way I heard it was the Texans had made a decision about Carr but it was not going to be made public yet. I thought the way he worded it left open them deciding not to keep Carr, but my impression is still that they are going to keep him.

On the 4-3 I didn't hear a direct statement that it would be the new defense, but he made a reference to working with the scouts to look for players who fit a 4-3 rather than a 3-4 which implied the decision had been made.
 

MorKnolle

All Pro
Vinny said:
He never mentioned (or I didn't catch it) that it was any sort of done deal but he sure made it a point to talk about it, so I think it's gonna happen. He mentioned that Wong could play the Sam or the Mike but his injury was really bad so he may still be in the last stages of rehab when camp breaks. From my contacts and the cryptic information I get I think Jerry Gray will be the DC and we will install the 4-3 defense. From what I gather Gray was very impressive and the Texans gave him serious consideration for the HC job - Gray as the DC is speculation on my part but it's pieced together with tidbits from various people I've spoken with.
I had speculated on that as well, I haven't heard anything direct about it, but Gray did seem to impress the Texans in his interview and was a hot head coaching prospect that kind of fizzled out of the news while other guys were scooping up all the positions, so I was wondering if he did reach some kind of agreement with the Texans but they are waiting for Kubiak to comment on it and that's why Gray hasn't been mentioned in the head coaching circle as much.

As for the bowl games, the East/West certainly does have a lot of talent in the 3rd-7th round range (it is often said that good teams are built in the mid rounds anyways) so that should warrant some attention from al the teams and their scouts and from any fans wanting better info on the draft. The Senior Bowl should have a lot more of the high-end talent though, as basically every one of the top seniors in the country will be there, and it looks like I will be able to head down for a couple days and see what's happening with all of them.
 

GP

Go Texans!
Yeah, I am hoping for Gray as our DC.

I was wanting Saunders for OC...but that might not have even been a consideration anyway. We need an OC who utilizes the TE position more effectively than we do. I swear we're the only team in the NFL that throws only one pass to the TE each game...if he even gets ONE thrown to him at all.

I am glad we're going to the 4-3. Always disliked "our" 3-4 as I felt we have the talent for a 4-3 but with 3-4 tendencies.

Kiper is projecting 'Brick at No. 4 to the Jets, and I would love to trade down to No. 4 with Jets so they can get Bush and we can get 'Brick.

Looks like we're getting Bush, however. And that's cool. Wouldn't be as if we "reached" like Casserly normally does in the mid-rounds.
 

Runner

Hubcap Diamond
Staff member
gpshafer_1976 said:
I am glad we're going to the 4-3. Always disliked "our" 3-4 as I felt we have the talent for a 4-3 but with 3-4 tendencies.
Yes, our 3-4 was - um - unusual. Unusually bad. However, everytime I watch Pittsburgh play I want their 3-4. It is fun to watch as it destroys offenses.
 
H

Headlights of a Carr

Guest
That would be awesome to have Jerry Gray as the defensive coordinator. Will he leave Buffalo? Going to a 4-3 has been a dream of mine since 2002. Never liked the 3-4.

:superman:
 

MorKnolle

All Pro
gpshafer_1976 said:
Yeah, I am hoping for Gray as our DC.

I was wanting Saunders for OC...but that might not have even been a consideration anyway. We need an OC who utilizes the TE position more effectively than we do. I swear we're the only team in the NFL that throws only one pass to the TE each game...if he even gets ONE thrown to him at all.

I am glad we're going to the 4-3. Always disliked "our" 3-4 as I felt we have the talent for a 4-3 but with 3-4 tendencies.

Kiper is projecting 'Brick at No. 4 to the Jets, and I would love to trade down to No. 4 with Jets so they can get Bush and we can get 'Brick.

Looks like we're getting Bush, however. And that's cool. Wouldn't be as if we "reached" like Casserly normally does in the mid-rounds.
Gray would be nice as a DC, although I don't think we'll be able to switch to the 4-3 very effectively this year, it seems as though they are going to target offense in the draft (I have been wanting them to do this the last couple months anyway) since they have a new offensive head coach coming in and are resigning Carr so they can finally fix the offense up and see what it is capable of doing. If we do end up concentrating the draft on offense I'm not sure how much defensive help we can get in there to transition to a 4-3, although if we can get a couple big pickups in free agency (i.e. John Abraham if the Jets can't resign him) then that would be fine with me. I'm still not a fan of D'Brick and I don't think he is the best fit as an OT for our team. I would prefer to see us trade down and either grab an OL somewhere in the 5-10 range or else go for defense with our 1st round pick and concentrate on offense after that, but drafting Bush would be fine with me too.

I can see good points to both a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense and if run properly I'd probably actually prefer a 3-4. Washington is spending some serious $$ though and locking down a nice coaching staff, Gibbs at HC, Saunders at OC, and Williams at DC, so they could be looking for a nice season as long as that's not too many head coaching minds on one team.
 

travfrancis

Waterboy
i really could cry right now about switching from the 3-4 to the 4-3, this was my worst nightmare after the coaching staff was fired, its a shame we never got to see what a REAL 3-4 can do first hand. :brickwall
 

HoustonFrog

Dallas Frog
My name is Earl said:
That would be awesome to have Jerry Gray as the defensive coordinator. Will he leave Buffalo? Going to a 4-3 has been a dream of mine since 2002. Never liked the 3-4.

:superman:
He said he will not be on the new staff in Buffalo so he is free.
 

Chance_C

All Pro
From my contacts and the cryptic information I get I think Jerry Gray will be the DC and we will install the 4-3 defense. From what I gather Gray was very impressive and the Texans gave him serious consideration for the HC job - Gray as the DC is speculation on my part but it's pieced together with tidbits from various people I've spoken with.
I sure do hope you are correct about this. I think he would be an awesome fit for us. It's hard for me to understand why he wasn't considered for the Buffalo HC job. Do you think Dennison (Broncos O-line coach) will come along with Kubes? If so, in what capacity? O-line coach or O-Coordinator? All I know is that with Kubiak as HC, and Gray as DC the future appears to be bright.
 

TheOgre

All Pro
I don't mind the 3-4. I just didn't like the version we ran and didn't think our personnel worked well with it. To run a 3-4, you need to be aggressive. We were way too passive.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
travfrancis said:
i really could cry right now about switching from the 3-4 to the 4-3, this was my worst nightmare after the coaching staff was fired, its a shame we never got to see what a REAL 3-4 can do first hand. :brickwall
its seemed to me the Texans used a 4-3 alingment somewhere between 20-30% of the time & when they did it helped with the pass rush, of course anytime they used a blitz with the corners or delayed linebacker (Polk) that was effective too. and that's the beauty of a 3-4 you can confuse, mix up coverages or bring the house. the best current example are the Pittsburgh Steelers, they kept constant pressure on Peyton & San Diego also used it to beat the Indianaplois Colts. Gray uses it in Buffalo too the problem has been lack of depth/injurys for the Texans DL & LB players. Therefore if the Texans do hire Gray (please, please, please) he should provide valueable input in this decision :cool:
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
Vinny said:
He never mentioned (or I didn't catch it) that it was any sort of done deal but he sure made it a point to talk about it, so I think it's gonna happen.
I was also left with that understanding, so one can only assume that's the
defense of preference for Kubiak, and as best as I can recall they've never operated out of the 3-4 in Denver. Atleast in the last 10 years or so since
Kubiak has been there ?
 

Porky

Hall of Fame
TheOgre said:
I don't mind the 3-4. I just didn't like the version we ran and didn't think our personnel worked well with it. To run a 3-4, you need to be aggressive. We were way too passive.
I agree with that as well from on the field practical viewpoint. Pittsburgh consistently runs an awesome 3-4. But, my biggest concern with a 3-4, any 3-4, is assembling the talent for it. At the LB positions, every draft we go out there and "project" that some DE at a podunk college like Western Cut-N-Shoot Jr. College can make the transition to OLB. Well to me I don't want to have to guess that a guy can change spots. In a 4-3, if you draft a DE in college, that is likely where he plays in the pros. I realize guys can and do change spots in any defense, but not with near the regualarity as a 3-4. I am just more comfortable drafting a guy who played linebacker in college, and playing him there in the pros. :twocents:
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Porky said:
I agree with that as well from on the field practical viewpoint. Pittsburgh consistently runs an awesome 3-4. But, my biggest concern with a 3-4, any 3-4, is assembling the talent for it. At the LB positions, every draft we go out there and "project" that some DE at a podunk college like Western Cut-N-Shoot Jr. College can make the transition to OLB. Well to me I don't want to have to guess that a guy can change spots. In a 4-3, if you draft a DE in college, that is likely where he plays in the pros. I realize guys can and do change spots in any defense, but not with near the regualarity as a 3-4. I am just more comfortable drafting a guy who played linebacker in college, and playing him there in the pros. :twocents:
this has clearly been Casserly's bugaboo projecting draftee's :stirpot:
 

TheOgre

All Pro
The other knock against the 3-4 is that it drains more of the cap. You really have to dedicate salary cap space to your front seven in a 3-4 or it won't be good. You don't have to spend nearly as much on a 4-3 front seven.
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
TheOgre said:
The other knock against the 3-4 is that it drains more of the cap. You really have to dedicate salary cap space to your front seven in a 3-4 or it won't be good. You don't have to spend nearly as much on a 4-3 front seven.
I've always heard just the opposite, the 3-4 is more cap friendly than the
4-3. Tackle type DL built for power and strength and not speed (used exclusively in the 3-4), are less expensive than 4-3 DL, especailly ends.
And tweeners used at OLB were relatively less expensive, atleast until the 3-4 got real popular and their bid price increaased.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
TheOgre said:
The other knock against the 3-4 is that it drains more of the cap. You really have to dedicate salary cap space to your front seven in a 3-4 or it won't be good. You don't have to spend nearly as much on a 4-3 front seven.
The general explanation has been the opposite--that the 3-4 is cheaper. 4-3 DE's are more expensive than DT's or LB's. By turning one DE into a DT and one into a LB the theory has been the team saves money. Whether that remains true today is questionable with the number of 3-4 teams.
 
TheOgre said:
I don't mind the 3-4. I just didn't like the version we ran and didn't think our personnel worked well with it. To run a 3-4, you need to be aggressive. We were way too passive.
I agree. I personally think the Texans need the 4-3.
 

TEXANS84

Moderator
Staff member
I found these comments from a Redskins fan on another message board that I frequent quite interesting about Casserly and his drafting:

The problem with Casserly is that he doesn't have a spine. His research and knowledge on players, whether college or pro, is unmatched by most, if not all, executives. But, he allows people to speak over him, and he won't stand up for himself. The same thing happened in Washington after Beatherd left, and the same thing is happening now. Unless Casserly can grow a spine and stick up for himself, it might be best for him to be replaced by Reeves.

In Washington, it was not his decision to draft Heath Shulder. It wasn't his decision to draft Desmond Howard. It was his decision to draft Gus Frerotte though, a great find in the 7th round. He lets people walk over him. He was much better with Bobby Beatherd, who had the GM swagger, the "I am better than you" aurora around him. He took Casserly's word on every players ability and talent, and basically, when Beatherd was the GM, Casserly was drafting. When Beatherd left, it basically turned into the coach saying he wanted someone, and Casserly folding. Mathis and Davis are traditional Casserly picks though. If he stood up to Capers, he'd definately found you guys more like them.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/forums/showpost.php?p=219174&postcount=2
 

Hervoyel

BUENO!
infantrycak said:
The general explanation has been the opposite--that the 3-4 is cheaper. 4-3 DE's are more expensive than DT's or LB's. By turning one DE into a DT and one into a LB the theory has been the team saves money. Whether that remains true today is questionable with the number of 3-4 teams.
Very true of course but I imagine that if you get more teams running the 3-4 then you find that the cost goes up and there's more competition for those players who fit into it. Then I think you get into a situation like Porky was talking about where now instead of 2-3 teams grabbing those "tweeners" you've got a bunch of teams having to project what guys who look kind of like they'll fit can do.
 

Kaiser Toro

Native Mod
TEXANS84 said:
I found these comments from a Redskins fan on another message board that I frequent quite interesting about Casserly and his drafting:


http://www.pigskinheaven.com/forums/showpost.php?p=219174&postcount=2
Interesting take. Granted Cass is a GM, and him getting to that position should be respected in itself. However, I encounterd many of these types of people, in basketball, that had a library of information and rattle off a player and all of their specifics at the drop of a hat. They are the junkies. But that piece of the job is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the job description. Thankfully we have Cass and Reeves and hope that they stay intact until the draft.
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
"The problem with Casserly is that he doesn't have a spine. His research and knowledge on players, whether college or pro, is unmatched by most, if not all, executives. But, he allows people to speak over him, and he won't stand up for himself. The same thing happened in Washington after Beatherd left, and the same thing is happening now. Unless Casserly can grow a spine and stick up for himself, it might be best for him to be replaced by Reeves."
********************************************
Interesting comments about Casserly, some pro and some con.
I dunno....this seems to describe Casserly as a passive type, but that's not
my impression. But that's all I have, an impression.
Very positive commet on Casserly's analitical skills.
 

Grid

All Pro
Word is that we will have Dennison(from denver) as OC.. and he will most likely handle Oline coaching as well.
 

A Texan

Waterboy
TheOgre said:
I don't mind the 3-4. I just didn't like the version we ran and didn't think our personnel worked well with it. To run a 3-4, you need to be aggressive. We were way too passive.
It's hard to run any defense when you give away some of your best players and you have DL's that can't stay healthy. They were very good for an expansion team their first year, 16th, I believe in the league.If they go 4-3, they may need to trade down in the 1st and get a good DE. Preferably with someone that will take Vince Young so Nashville wont get him.
 

HoustonFrog

Dallas Frog
I think what separates the great GMs from the ok ones or ones IMHO, like Charlie, is the ability to drop the numbers and stats and look at plays and desire. You could have the most chiseled, high jumping, 4.2 running guy in the world and he might have a bad attitude, but because of his attributes he dominated college. You might, and this is just a random example whether you like him or not, have an AJ Hawk who doesn't seem to be a guy who can handle big men or he gets blocked out but who somehow makes plays. Zach Thomas was like that. Emmitt was the 17th pick. There are guys that stats can't explain and I'd rather have a guy who made play after play in college who loves football than a stat guy who "projects" well.
 

bigTEXan8

Rookie
HoustonFrog said:
I think what separates the great GMs from the ok ones or ones IMHO, like Charlie, is the ability to drop the numbers and stats and look at plays and desire. You could have the most chiseled, high jumping, 4.2 running guy in the world and he might have a bad attitude, but because of his attributes he dominated college. You might, and this is just a random example whether you like him or not, have an AJ Hawk who doesn't seem to be a guy who can handle big men or he gets blocked out but who somehow makes plays. Zach Thomas was like that. Emmitt was the 17th pick. There are guys that stats can't explain and I'd rather have a guy who made play after play in college who loves football than a stat guy who "projects" well.
And that's why they play the game. I think the AJ Hawk analogy is a good one, because you can't watch a "Thee" Ohio St. highlight reel without at least once hearing his name. Sometimes talent his the hardest thing to see.
 

Runner

Hubcap Diamond
Staff member
swtbound07 said:
anybody else think AJ Hawk and DBrick Ferguson drop to the 2nd round if not for having really cool names?
Nice 1000th post.

I always wondered if D'Brick stuck out as the best o-lineman because we could all remember his name in the early going.

AJ Hawk is going early because he's from OSU. :challenge Upon further review I think I just showed my homerism - I was born a Buckeye.
 

swtbound07

Jackass of Day!
Runner said:
Nice 1000th post.

I always wondered if D'Brick stuck out as the best o-lineman because we could all remember his name in the early going.

AJ Hawk is going early because he's from OSU. :challenge Upon further review I think I just showed my homerism - I was born a Buckeye.
actually it was my 999th...my 1000th is in another thread in the no sports allowed section
 

Texans_Chick

Utopian Dreamer
TEXANS84 said:
He also stated that Carr and the Texans have come to an agreement, but he can't make public just yet if its a 2 or 3 year deal.
Am wondering if the verbiage CC gave was such that it could be a completely renegotiated deal?

The reason I ask is that it might be a win/win for the Texans and Carr to do that sort of thing.

Unless there is a salary cap thing attached to his current contract bonus situation,(which could be a likely possibility), I think it might be in both parties' best interests to give them flexibility to have Carr stay or leave. They could make it financially advantageous to create that flexibility.

Carr likes living here but he might decide that he might want a fresh start if they start thinking of the VY thing. I know that the Dolphins thing is probably BS, but if you were Carr, wouldn't you want to work with Saban for a team that seems to be on the rise??? If the $$$ part of it could work out for him, it could be advantageous for him to give the Texans some limited flexibility to deal.

Just wondering out loud. Would have liked to hear CC's show.
 

TheOgre

All Pro
infantrycak said:
The general explanation has been the opposite--that the 3-4 is cheaper. 4-3 DE's are more expensive than DT's or LB's. By turning one DE into a DT and one into a LB the theory has been the team saves money. Whether that remains true today is questionable with the number of 3-4 teams.
I think that used to be the case, but it seems to have changed. Just look at New England. They have first rounders invested in all three of their 1st round linemen, Ty Warren, Richard Seymour and Vince Wolfork. They also have Willie McGinest, Ted Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin. You look at that and it cannot be cheap.

The Chargers drafted two 1st rounders in Merriman and Castillo. They took Olshansky with a 2nd in 2004. Plus I would bet that Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey make a decent sum. Perhaps Jamal Williams (vastely underrated) and Steve "another smart Texan's move" Foley are on the cheap though.

The Cowboys have 1st rounders Spears and Ware. They have some money invested in Ellis and Glover. I'm not sure how much they spent on Fujita, but I cannot imagine it being much. They still have work to do, but they are already spending some $$'s on the front seven.

It seems like the Steelers are the only onces still getting bargains to play their 3-4 scheme. It appears that the days of "plugs" up front and 3rd-5th round tweeners is "old hat".
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
infantrycak said:
This may be a difference with no distinction but the way I heard it was the Texans had made a decision about Carr but it was not going to be made public yet. I thought the way he worded it left open them deciding not to keep Carr, but my impression is still that they are going to keep him.
The 610 update with David Deloti (sp?) just said that they won't resign Carr until February because of the way the NFL works it's accounting. According to him (and he named Casserly as his source), it is a "done deal" and they just have to wait because of the accounting situation. Take that update for what it's worth.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
TheOgre said:
I think that used to be the case, but it seems to have changed. Just look at New England. They have first rounders invested in all three of their 1st round linemen, Ty Warren, Richard Seymour and Vince Wolfork. They also have Willie McGinest, Ted Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin. You look at that and it cannot be cheap.
Actually I left out the 2nd rationale which was being able to take guys lower in the draft. As you point out, 3-4 teams seem very willing lately to spend top draft picks on players. That said, the savings I was describing still can take place. For the 1st contract a player has, we know draft pick # pretty much rules regardless of position. The big difference is on the subsequent contracts. On those contracts top 4-3 DE's get more money than top DT's or LB's--the franchise #'s last year went $6.6 mil for 4-3 DE's, $5.9 mil for LB's and $5.1 mil for DT's. At least in theory (of course reality is much more about the specific players and their contracts) a swap from a 4-3 to a 3-4 with the same franchise quality players would get rid of two DE's for $13.4 mil and replace them with one DT and a LB for $11 mil for a net savings of $2.4 mil.

Bottom line, IMO theortically you can save on a 3-4 but reality is pretty sketchy on it actually happening.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
TEXANS84 said:
I found these comments from a Redskins fan on another message board that I frequent quite interesting about Casserly and his drafting:

<snip> "When Beatherd left, it basically turned into the coach saying he wanted someone, and Casserly folding." <snip>
This take was very interesting, and this part even moreso. If true, it could/would explain a lot of the boneheaded personel decisions that we've seen the past couple of years.

It also goes in line with what I've generally heard, that Casserly goes out and gets the players his coaches want. P.Buch is a classic example of this scenario, because I remember Capers being high on him when we got him, and even McClain had mentioned this at the time. (maybe this explains Mr. McNair's comments about Casserly only watching four game of Buchanan, too. Who knows?)
 

TEXANS84

Moderator
Staff member
Double Barrel said:
This take was very interesting, and this part even moreso. If true, it could/would explain a lot of the boneheaded personel decisions that we've seen the past couple of years.
See, and that comment made me wonder the exact same thing that you are speaking. And I wish I could remember who was so high up on Babin that we traded all the picks to the Titans for. That seems like a Capers pick, IMO.
 
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