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Are you guys still on board with hiring Nick Caserio as GM?

Mangler

Toro de España
Well, I'll be....

Once the preseason was done and over with, I was nervous and anxious fearing the worst was upon us. Fast forward to the end of week 6:

Record at 4-2, offensive line is doing a hell of a job, bunch of fire power at WR and TE, running game has been stout, play calling has gotten better. What a pleasant surprise! I had my doubts about the O'Brien-Easterby tandem, but man! This is probably the best offense we've had in a while! O'Brien the GM is looking kinda competent right now. Who would have thought?

Do you guys think Nick Caserio would bring that extra something needed to make us that complete team we have not been able to be? Or, should just continue rollin' with O'Brien as GM/HC?

By the way, I stand by all the things I've said about O'Brien over the years.
 
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badboy

Hall of Fame
I wanted him before and I want him even more now. I think we have yet to see how important easterby has been to this team. I still think he has changed O'Brien approach to the media with his kinder and more open persona. We will then have two of the three of the Patriots Trinity. O'Brien does not have to equal Belichick to give us a Super Bowl contender annually. With former GM Gaine gone I anticipate O'Brien doing more with information and suggestions from The Scouting team.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
I would be but then I'm on board with hiring a GM period even as good as things have been if for no other reason that I think BoB is wearing to many hats and as the season keeps going all the extra work is going to take his focus away from the actual games. I believe that's one reason he is so bad on challenges and time outs. People are to hung up on the Patriots thing both for and against, you could bring the entire roster and F/O over but without Brady and BB it won't mean a thing. Likewise just because someone was on the Pats is no reason to say we don't want them, BB doesn't put up with people that can't do their job so if he has been there for that long he must be doing something right.

I couldn't say if he would be the magic bullet that wins it all for us but then outside of the Brady/Bb combo show me any magic bullet that wins it all. Hell even the Mahomes/Reid combo is starting to look mortal. As Cak once said at least for once it looks like the Texans have picked their guy and aren't willing to settle, that alone kind of makes me think there is a different mind set on Kirby for better or worse.
 

TexansFight

Veteran
We definitely need a GM for long term planning and roster construction. My preference is to look at other organizations like the Ravens, Eagles and Seattle for GMs and front office staff rather than the Patriots because I think it is easier to copy them than the Patriots since their greatness is from just one man. Still, we shouldn’t dismiss Caserio’s value because of it
 

Dejaview

All Pro
Does anyone actually know anything about Caserio? I sure don’t. IMO the most important change has been Cal. The Bob-Smith combo just seems now to have been a problem for years. Bob just didn’t like change and seems to have held a low level of accountability throughout the organization. Cal has changed this team’s direction overnight. It’s early but the culture looks to be changing for the better. I like how he streamlined the FO making all departments an end in themselves to be the best at what they do with full accountability. We see it on the field, weight room, facilities, etc. now we just need the right GM to fine tune all the parts. From what I read, Caserio could be the right guy. The thing about pulling from a common culture is that everyone is on the same page so what needs to get done gets done quicker.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Does anyone actually know anything about Caserio? I sure don’t. IMO the most important change has been Cal. The Bob-Smith combo just seems now to have been a problem for years. Bob just didn’t like change and seems to have held a low level of accountability throughout the organization. Cal has changed this team’s direction overnight. It’s early but the culture looks to be changing for the better. I like how he streamlined the FO making all departments an end in themselves to be the best at what they do with full accountability. We see it on the field, weight room, facilities, etc. now we just need the right GM to fine tune all the parts. From what I read, Caserio could be the right guy. The thing about pulling from a common culture is that everyone is on the same page so what needs to get done gets done quicker.
About as much as we'd know about most other first time GM candidates.

What we know:

Miami was ready to hire him in 14 but he turned it down apparently because they wouldn't let him fire the HC and that was a deal breaker for him.

He has been with the Pats since 2001, started as a Personnel assistant, became a Area scout in 03, Director of pro personnel in 04, left in 06 and came back in 08 as Director of player personnel which is what he currently is.

The Pats blocked us from interviewing him which breaks their usual MO of if a person wants to leave then let him leave.

He and BoB are really close, not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing but it is what it is.

The two biggest knocks people seem to have against him are "He's never been a GM" and "He's another transfer from NE". The first would be the case with most people we brought in if we want to bring someone in that might be what we need. Most former GM are former GMs for a reason, either they don't want it or, more likely, no one wants them. Hell by that line of thinking we should rehire Smith. The second is just people's bias and is not looking at him as a candidate but through the lens of "I don't like O'Brien/NE".

Here is an interesting article, apparently the whole thing with Caserio has got some people thinking about the bottleneck that is NE and how Brady and BB fight tooth and nail to keep anyone from threatening their spots on the throne. That's fine while they are winning but there will be a life after Brady and a life after BB and that is going to be a hard road for NE.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/06/25/downside-patriots-system-evident-nick-caserio-case/weyQL9CPI8hZFnqS0OjfcI/story.html

Again I don't know if he would be the right guy or not but if the only argument is "He's from NE" then that's a really weak argument.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I would be but then I'm on board with hiring a GM period even as good as things have been if for no other reason that I think BoB is wearing to many hats and as the season keeps going all the extra work is going to take his focus away from the actual games. I believe that's one reason he is so bad on challenges and time outs. People are to hung up on the Patriots thing both for and against, you could bring the entire roster and F/O over but without Brady and BB it won't mean a thing. Likewise just because someone was on the Pats is no reason to say we don't want them, BB doesn't put up with people that can't do their job so if he has been there for that long he must be doing something right.

I couldn't say if he would be the magic bullet that wins it all for us but then outside of the Brady/Bb combo show me any magic bullet that wins it all. Hell even the Mahomes/Reid combo is starting to look mortal. As Cak once said at least for once it looks like the Texans have picked their guy and aren't willing to settle, that alone kind of makes me think there is a different mind set on Kirby for better or worse.
Great Post

I dont get why people like Matrix dont want anything to do with anything Pats related. BOB's made alot of progress these last 2 yrs and I see the future as bright. You're right BOB has too much on his plate and I'm glad he's seeded some of the OC duties to Kelly. In addition to the job duties on his plate everybody should remember he has a very ill son who probably wont be with us in another 5 yrs. Thoughts and Prayers go out to BOB and family.

I'm all for bringing a bright guy like Caserio on board.
 
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badboy

Hall of Fame
Great Post

I dont get why people like Matrix dont want anything to do with anything Pats related. BOB's made alot of progress these last 2 yrs and I see the future as bright. You're right BOB has too much on his plate and I'm glad he's seeded some of the OC duties to Kelly. In addition to the job duties on his plate everybody should remember he has a very ill son who probably wont be with us in another 5 yrs. Thoughts and Prayers go out to BOB and family.

I'm all for bringing a bright guy like Caserio on board.
Kudos to you for bringing up the child of The O'Briens. When my 12 year old was shot, work as did other things became a 'daze' to stumble through. It is hard to imagine Bill having a pressure of being an NFL coach in addition to the health of his son.

The team a person plays or works for is to be looked at but quality of the production of that person is what I'm interested in. If Texans like easterby I can see why they would be interested in Caserio.
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Why should that matter? By that criteria we can't hire anyone who hasn't been a GM before.
Well I'd rather hire someone who either has good experience or shows the potential. It appears caserio is more of an organizer who handles several things, doesn't really do the scouting or personnel decisions
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Well I'd rather hire someone who either has good experience or shows the potential. It appears caserio is more of an organizer who handles several things, doesn't really do the scouting or personnel decisions
That's a load of BS based on your own personal bias. He was area scout for 2003 and his job title since 2008 has literally been "Director of player personnel" yeah he may not have final say on the roster but that SOP for most teams, HC does. Also there is a reason they say you don't get a second chance to be a GM and its because if you are fired from the GM spot it means that you didn't do a very good job or at least didn't take the team anywhere. Finally what the hell does "shows the potential" even mean? What exactly would "shows the potential" be in your book other than answering yes to the "Would you fire Bill O'Brien" question.
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
That's a load of BS based on your own personal bias. He was area scout for 2003 and his job title since 2008 has literally been "Director of player personnel" yeah he may not have final say on the roster but that SOP for most teams, HC does. Also there is a reason they say you don't get a second chance to be a GM and its because if you are fired from the GM spot it means that you didn't do a very good job or at least didn't take the team anywhere. Finally what the hell does "shows the potential" even mean? What exactly would "shows the potential" be in your book other than answering yes to the "Would you fire Bill O'Brien" question.
He has bounced around between scouting and coaching. When the previous gm left, he wasn't given the GM title, they brought in floyd reese instead.

What has he done that makes you think he'd be a great GM? Is he a personnel wizard or analytics guru or a salary cap genius? Look at the Astros and Texans, we need a big picture guy who can be build a contender over a large window, not someone who will be a yes man to OBrien when he wants to trade all future picks to be good for one year imo.


Caserio joined the Patriots in 2001 as a personnel assistant. In 2002, he served as an offensive coaching assistant coach for the team, while in 2003 he moved to the scouting department as an area scout. Caserio served as the Patriots' director of pro personnel from 2004 to 2006 prior to spending the 2007 season as wide receivers coach.

In 2008, he returned to the personnel department, as director of player personnel. He remained in that position even after Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli departed in 2009 to become general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs; former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese was brought in as a "senior football advisor."[1] Throughout the 2009 preseason, however, Caserio assisted the offensive coaching staff, which included new wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea and tight ends coach Shane Waldron. Caserio also continued to assist the coaching staff from the press box during games along with football research director Ernie Adams.[2] Caserio's position does not give him final say over the roster; that power is held by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.[3]
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
He has bounced around between scouting and coaching. When the previous gm left, he wasn't given the GM title, they brought in floyd reese instead.

What has he done that makes you think he'd be a great GM? Is he a personnel wizard or analytics guru or a salary cap genius? Look at the Astros and Texans, we need a big picture guy who can be build a contender over a large window, not someone who will be a yes man to OBrien when he wants to trade all future picks to be good for one year imo.


Caserio joined the Patriots in 2001 as a personnel assistant. In 2002, he served as an offensive coaching assistant coach for the team, while in 2003 he moved to the scouting department as an area scout. Caserio served as the Patriots' director of pro personnel from 2004 to 2006 prior to spending the 2007 season as wide receivers coach.

In 2008, he returned to the personnel department, as director of player personnel. He remained in that position even after Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli departed in 2009 to become general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs; former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese was brought in as a "senior football advisor."[1] Throughout the 2009 preseason, however, Caserio assisted the offensive coaching staff, which included new wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea and tight ends coach Shane Waldron. Caserio also continued to assist the coaching staff from the press box during games along with football research director Ernie Adams.[2] Caserio's position does not give him final say over the roster; that power is held by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.[3]
So what do you think Caserio has been doing for the last decade? Maybe overseeing day to day operations as well as overseeing personnel? Kinda like a GM would except GM's make the final call and everybody must know BB makes the final call on personnel decisions in Foxboro. BB fighting so hard to keep Caserio should tell you how valuable Caserio is to the Pats org. I mean he didn't fight to keep Pioli/Dimitroff/Robinson but he fought to keep this guy.

Yep, give me Caserio as GM any day.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
He has bounced around between scouting and coaching. When the previous gm left, he wasn't given the GM title, they brought in floyd reese instead.

What has he done that makes you think he'd be a great GM? Is he a personnel wizard or analytics guru or a salary cap genius? Look at the Astros and Texans, we need a big picture guy who can be build a contender over a large window, not someone who will be a yes man to OBrien when he wants to trade all future picks to be good for one year imo.


Caserio joined the Patriots in 2001 as a personnel assistant. In 2002, he served as an offensive coaching assistant coach for the team, while in 2003 he moved to the scouting department as an area scout. Caserio served as the Patriots' director of pro personnel from 2004 to 2006 prior to spending the 2007 season as wide receivers coach.

In 2008, he returned to the personnel department, as director of player personnel. He remained in that position even after Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli departed in 2009 to become general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs; former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese was brought in as a "senior football advisor."[1] Throughout the 2009 preseason, however, Caserio assisted the offensive coaching staff, which included new wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea and tight ends coach Shane Waldron. Caserio also continued to assist the coaching staff from the press box during games along with football research director Ernie Adams.[2] Caserio's position does not give him final say over the roster; that power is held by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.[3]
People need to stop trying to compare the Astros and Texans, they operate under entirely different sets of rules. You might as well try and compare a car to a boat. As far as what he has done I never said I thought he would be a great GM, I said I don't know but you are basing your opinion solely on your hate for Bill O'Brien. That long paragraph you cut from Wikipedia is just the longer version of the same break down I did and doesn't help your argument at all. In fact go to the Patriots website and he is the ONLY person they list in their front office not named Kraft.

https://www.patriots.com/team/front-office-roster/

From the Pats own website.

Caserio is also credited as one of the architects of the Super Bowl XLIX, Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots, the Super Bowl wins in his current position.

https://www.patriots.com/team/front-office-roster/nick-caserio


Also hate to break it to you but in the NFL going for "one good year" is pretty much par for the course unless you are the Pats. Name me one other team that has stayed a true contender for more than 2 maybe three years in a row. Its not the Rams, they are looking horrible, Saints are looking good but that was only a recent development. Steelers haven't made any real noise since their last SB trip same with GB. So what teams are out there that "build a contender over a large window"?

Just admit that your entire argument for not wanting him here is that he's friends with Bill O'Brien and most likely won't fire him as soon as he walks through the door.
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
So what do you think Caserio has been doing for the last decade? Maybe overseeing day to day operations as well as overseeing personnel? Kinda like a GM would except GM's make the final call and everybody must know BB makes the final call on personnel decisions in Foxboro. BB fighting so hard to keep Caserio should tell you how valuable Caserio is to the Pats org. I mean he didn't fight to keep Pioli/Dimitroff/Robinson but he fought to keep this guy.

Yep, give me Caserio as GM any day.
From that post he is somewhere between a coach and a scout. Nice guy to have but for gm I want more
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
People need to stop trying to compare the Astros and Texans, they operate under entirely different sets of rules. You might as well try and compare a car to a boat. As far as what he has done I never said I thought he would be a great GM, I said I don't know but you are basing your opinion solely on your hate for Bill O'Brien. That long paragraph you cut from Wikipedia is just the longer version of the same break down I did and doesn't help your argument at all. In fact go to the Patriots website and he is the ONLY person they list in their front office not named Kraft.

https://www.patriots.com/team/front-office-roster/

From the Pats own website.

Caserio is also credited as one of the architects of the Super Bowl XLIX, Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots, the Super Bowl wins in his current position.

https://www.patriots.com/team/front-office-roster/nick-caserio


Also hate to break it to you but in the NFL going for "one good year" is pretty much par for the course unless you are the Pats. Name me one other team that has stayed a true contender for more than 2 maybe three years in a row. Its not the Rams, they are looking horrible, Saints are looking good but that was only a recent development. Steelers haven't made any real noise since their last SB trip same with GB. So what teams are out there that "build a contender over a large window"?

Just admit that your entire argument for not wanting him here is that he's friends with Bill O'Brien and most likely won't fire him as soon as he walks through the door.
The Astros and rockets both operate different sets of rules yet both gms use similar principles that the best nfl teams also use. I'd say pats, eagles, Seattle and now chiefs and Packers have maintained a contending window over several years. Saints and 9ers look set to do that moving forward.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Yep, bring him in. He knows the kind of players O'Brien wants for his team and the type of good work ethic Cal wants for his franchise.

Houston Texans, Inc. runs their front office like a boardroom, and he would be another solid football perspective at the round table.

I don't get the concept of shying away from the most successful dynasty in sports history. Love them or hate them, it's hard to deny that the Patriots are simply the best in the past two decades.

"yeah, let's not be like that" :boogereater:
 

markn

All Pro
Turn the question around... is Caserio still on board with us? Are we still an attractive landing spot for a GM now that we've decimated our 2020 and 2021 draft collateral? Top priorities will be negotiating new contracts for some expensive players. It's difficult to see how we keep everyone happy, and allow ourselves the room to maneuver for the free agents we'll need to augment the team given our limited draft assets.

I still think we're a healthy organization, but perhaps not as appealing as we once were to someone who wants to come in and shape the roster.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
The Astros and rockets both operate different sets of rules yet both gms use similar principles that the best nfl teams also use. I'd say pats, eagles, Seattle and now chiefs and Packers have maintained a contending window over several years. Saints and 9ers look set to do that moving forward.
Pats already agreed with.

Eagles are struggling to just win their division and 3 weeks ago it looked like the Cowboys were going to crush them.

Seattle hasn't made any noise before this year since they forgot how to run the ball in the SB.

Chiefs are falling apart and you are basing it off one good season last year.

GB hasn't made any noise since they won 1 SB and they should have lost to Detroit last night.

Saints had a good year last year and are on course to repeat so that is one possible example but before that they were also not doing anything of note even as weak as the NFC was overall.

49ers are having one good run and you hold them up as an example for teams to follow? Hell even in this run the only team of note they beat were the Rams because the Steelers are dead without Big Ben and the other teams were Bengals, Bucs and Browns. average to slightly above average teams when their players aren't making stupid mistakes. Next they have the skins, Pants and Cards. Pants might give them trouble but they have a very easy schedule the first half. Lets see what they look like in the second half.

In other words you can't name any team other than the Pats that have consistently been real contenders for more than 2 years.
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Turn the question around... is Caserio still on board with us? Are we still an attractive landing spot for a GM now that we've decimated our 2020 and 2021 draft collateral? Top priorities will be negotiating new contracts for some expensive players. It's difficult to see how we keep everyone happy, and allow ourselves the room to maneuver for the free agents we'll need to augment the team given our limited draft assets.

I still think we're a healthy organization, but perhaps not as appealing as we once were to someone who wants to come in and shape the roster.
It will be an interesting and busy off-season.

-Watson and Tunsil extensions need to be done
-Reader and Mercilus need to be resigned (hopefully)
-we have additional free agents at both starting corners, starting te and starting RB
-$87-$92 million of capspace for next year
-lower draft capital next couple of years

And doesn't Caserio contract run through next year's draft?
 
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maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Turn the question around... is Caserio still on board with us? Are we still an attractive landing spot for a GM now that we've decimated our 2020 and 2021 draft collateral? Top priorities will be negotiating new contracts for some expensive players. It's difficult to see how we keep everyone happy, and allow ourselves the room to maneuver for the free agents we'll need to augment the team given our limited draft assets.

I still think we're a healthy organization, but perhaps not as appealing as we once were to someone who wants to come in and shape the roster.
I actually don't think that will be an issue. Everything I've read it seems its more about the chance to work with people he is friends with as much as it is how attractive we are as a team. He's got a sweet gig in NE and after 19 years you know he has roots there. The question I think will more be does he want to uproot and move here. Is the chance to work with Easterby and BoB plus to be the guy running the building worth it? We have in no way decimated our draft capital. We still have everything, except a first in 2020, plus a few extras and if we do well enough those 1sts were basically just high seconds anyway. Moving up to take a stud LT like people were talking about doing in 2020 would have cost us that anyway and we may have also been looking for a new QB because ours had been broken in half. Gaine was willing to come in and be GM when we didn't have a first for his draft so don't see why Caserio wouldn't.
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Pats already agreed with.

Eagles are struggling to just win their division and 3 weeks ago it looked like the Cowboys were going to crush them.

Seattle hasn't made any noise before this year since they forgot how to run the ball in the SB.

Chiefs are falling apart and you are basing it off one good season last year.

GB hasn't made any noise since they won 1 SB and they should have lost to Detroit last night.

Saints had a good year last year and are on course to repeat so that is one possible example but before that they were also not doing anything of note even as weak as the NFC was overall.

49ers are having one good run and you hold them up as an example for teams to follow? Hell even in this run the only team of note they beat were the Rams because the Steelers are dead without Big Ben and the other teams were Bengals, Bucs and Browns. average to slightly above average teams when their players aren't making stupid mistakes. Next they have the skins, Pants and Cards. Pants might give them trouble but they have a very easy schedule the first half. Lets see what they look like in the second half.

In other words you can't name any team other than the Pats that have consistently been real contenders for more than 2 years.
Well the chiefs have won at least 10 games every year with Reid except one. 11 except two. I seriously doubt they are falling apart and are set up for a long time.

Seattle as well has won at least 10 games every year except one since 2012.

Eagles won the super bowl 2 years ago, made it to the second round last year and they are still good.

The Packers had a couple down years after a long stretch of contending and appear to have reloaded.

The saints are set to have their third 11+ win season in a row and got screwed out of a super bowl last year.

In contrast, the Texans have one 10+ win season since 2013 and have gotten curbstomped every year they made the playoffs. And it looks like next year they might very well get worse rosterwise due to short term moves.

I'm not a fan of "well other teams suck too" arguments
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Well the chiefs have won at least 10 games every year with Reid except one. 11 except two. I seriously doubt they are falling apart and are set up for a long time.

Seattle as well has won at least 10 games every year except one since 2012.

Eagles won the super bowl 2 years ago, made it to the second round last year and they are still good.

The Packers had a couple down years after a long stretch of contending and appear to have reloaded.

The saints are set to have their third 11+ win season in a row and got screwed out of a super bowl last year.

In contrast, the Texans have one 10+ win season since 2013 and have gotten curbstomped every year they made the playoffs. And it looks like next year they might very well get worse rosterwise due to short term moves.

I'm not a fan of "well other teams suck too" arguments
What happened to all the "regular season doesn't matter its all about the post season" talk?

:uprights:
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
This is a do or die season for this team all around. They have made some very bold moves this offseason. And to justify those bold moves they have to win now.

They also have to win now so that they can look even more enticing for Caserio to still want to come here.


4-2 is a big surprise to me.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
And doesn't Caserio contract run through next year's draft?
Good point.

When is the deadline to sign the players we want to keep and free agents? How does that correspond with Caserio’s availability? It sounds like we will still need help signing current players and free agents.

If we aren’t going after him, then who is the other solution. You can’t shut down this guy if you don’t have another option in the works. And don’t name people like Ron Wolf who aren’t leaving their current team.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
From an article I have posted before. Many around the league view him as more of an organizer
No it said sources around the league, not many and not even what kind of sources. I got a buddy that works the Texans souvenir stand at NRG. Hey he works for the Texans and in the NFL, guess what he now qualifies as a source within the league.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
I don't know much about Caserio, but I'm all for hiring a GM. I don't want to continue w/ the current org. The JD and Nick Martin moves appear to be made with emotions, not brains. I also think someone with smarter negotiation skills could have gotten a better return in the Tunsil deal.

I'm a big believer in a coach & GM should be different people.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Good point.

When is the deadline to sign the players we want to keep and free agents? How does that correspond with Caserio’s availability? It sounds like we will still need help signing current players and free agents.

If we aren’t going after him, then who is the other solution. You can’t shut down this guy if you don’t have another option in the works. And don’t name people like Ron Wolf who aren’t leaving their current team.
It does so I doubt he cares as much about next years draft anyway. As far as deadlines go draft day starts April 23rd and ends April 25th and the signing deadline for a tagged player is July 15th and the other deadlines fall in the later part of July. Lets say his contract is through the month of April that stills leaves plenty of time for him to be a part of signing new players or extending current players if the ground work has been laid and there is no reason to think it won't be. Even if he's not fully ready we don't have the big names coming up in 2020

https://nfltraderumors.co/2020-nfl-free-agent-list/

Mercilus, Reader, Hyde, Miller and the two back up QBs are the main ones. JoJo and Roby as well but that maybe a moot point depending on how they do and we maybe looking to upgrade there anyway. None of the rest do I see teams knocking down their door to sign though it would be nice to keep the Oline as intact as much as possible.


2021 is going to be the big one not just for us but most teams. Look at this list, its like a who's who of the NFL.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2021/all/
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Good point.

When is the deadline to sign the players we want to keep and free agents? How does that correspond with Caserio’s availability? It sounds like we will still need help signing current players and free agents.

If we aren’t going after him, then who is the other solution. You can’t shut down this guy if you don’t have another option in the works. And don’t name people like Ron Wolf who aren’t leaving their current team.
I think the free agents will sign quick.i don't think they're gonna hang around waiting until the draft.

Extensions can wait but I would hope they do then early because they are gonna be big and we need to know how much money is available for free agents
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
If the choices are OB or anyone else negotiating Tunsil’s contract I’ll take anyone else.
Free agency begins March 13. They will need to hire someone soon after the season ends. As mentioned above caserios contract runs through the draft
 

Seegara

Guitar Picker, Dog Lover, Woodworker
Every team needs a GM. We're no exception. I don't know if they're going to let us get Caserio.
 

Rich Schmidt

Myopicone
AND, we have real offensive firepower. The defense just needs a little tweaking, nothing too hard for Caserio to fix.
I think the defense needs quite a bit. Reader, Roby and Mercilus are all free agents, JJo probably last year, Watt's replacement needs to be found.... The offense needs RB sorted in the offseason, so assets can be focused defensively. Wonder if Warring can play defense (sarcasm).
 

eriadoc

Texan-American
I'll wait until the impact of trading away all those picks is felt to judge O'Brien on this phase. If he can keep the team on track without drafting, then good for him (and us). There are things O'Brien does well. I just don't happen to think roster management, screen plays, or clock management are among those things.
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
I think the defense needs quite a bit. Reader, Roby and Mercilus are all free agents, JJo probably last year, Watt's replacement needs to be found.... The offense needs RB sorted in the offseason, so assets can be focused defensively. Wonder if Warring can play defense (sarcasm).
Reader and Mercilus are the two big ones that need to be decided on. Roby I'm still on the fence about, lets see how long he's out and what he looks like if/when he comes back. JoJo its time to put him out to pasture. I think they will resign Hyde and Johnson, baring injuries or such, and they are really all we need at RB. Just a couple of guys that can pick up some yards and give Watson some breathing room. Draft ,yeah we should focus on defense and even without our 1st we still have what, like two in the 2nd round and two in the 3rd? Plenty of capital to move up if there is a stud in the later part of the first or get some nice pieces in the 2nd and beyond. As far as Watt's replacement......yeah that's a tough one.
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I'll wait until the impact of trading away all those picks is felt to judge O'Brien on this phase. If he can keep the team on track without drafting, then good for him (and us). There are things O'Brien does well. I just don't happen to think roster management, screen plays, or clock management are among those things.
It is hard to see how the team will be better next year. Maybe they can keep everybody or replace them in free agency/draft. We'll see.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
It is hard to see how the team will be better next year. Maybe they can keep everybody or replace them in free agency/draft. We'll see.
You dont see how the young OL can improve?

Reader can't keep improving?

Reid?

They do need to re-sign Roby/Reader/Watson/Tunsil next offseason. But with the cap going up 20 mil after the new CBA is done they should be 100 mil under the cap. There's enough $$$$ to go around. I think Mercilus is going to command more on the open market than I would be willing to pay, even though he's having a really good yr.

That means going into the draft the have to find a CB or 2 and a Edge. With 4 picks in the top 100 they should be able to accomplish this.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Who handles the contract - I.e. the numbers for guaranteed, non-guaranteed dollars, years etc for the contract? The one who plans how much will go against the salary cap this year and future years? Has it been Rick Smith/Brian Gaine or is there someone behind the GM crunching the numbers?
 

TheKDog

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
You dont see how the young OL can improve?

Reader can't keep improving?

Reid?

They do need to re-sign Roby/Reader/Watson/Tunsil next offseason. But with the cap going up 20 mil after the new CBA is done they should be 100 mil under the cap. There's enough $$$$ to go around. I think Mercilus is going to command more on the open market than I would be willing to pay, even though he's having a really good yr.

That means going into the draft the have to find a CB or 2 and a Edge. With 4 picks in the top 100 they should be able to accomplish this.
Yes they will have to count on young guys getting better. No guarantee Reader, Roby and Mercilus resign here.

The cap has not gone up $20m in the past 8 years, it's been around $10m increase and reports so far are that it will increase modestly. But that could change.

There is no guarantee you can just fill holes at CB and edge in the draft especially without a first round pick. It's a crapshoot. And reaching for need just puts them in a bigger hole
 
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