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Proper Rebuild

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
Every thread in here seems to have some type of side discussion about rebuilding or what the Texans should do to go about rebuilding. Trade this person to get a ton of draft picks...horde cap space so high priced FA "might" wanna come here...I wanna get a sense of what everyone considers a "proper" & "successful" rebuild. The topic is subjective based on what everyone considers a "successful" rebuild b/c everyone has different ideas about what success in that realm means. But if the success or failure of a rebuild is judged by what the ultimate goal is..which is to win and/or at least seriously contend for a championship for at least 3 years, well then most rebuilds are failures & the whole thing about rebuilding "properly" is a farce to begin with. There is no right way.

Look at the Jags in 2017...all the high draft picks...young talent....they were in serious competition for a championship 1 damn year before it all blew up. Versus a team like the Steelers who've never really undergone a true "rebuild" as everyone understands 1 to be...they just shored up here and there for the better part of 20 years.
 

sandman

Brexit Advisor
OB had 22 picks in Rounds 1-3 during his tenure. 9 are still on the team. Only two of those are 1st rounders. Of the 9 there is a solid chance that at least 3-4 are not on the team next year (Watson, Cunningham, Lonnie Johnson and possible Howard). The two best players on the team - Cooks and Tunsil - were added via trades for two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders, and some consider both as trade bait this year. I don't know you shore up a foundation that doesn't exist.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
OB had 22 picks in Rounds 1-3 during his tenure. 9 are still on the team. Only two of those are 1st rounders. Of the 9 there is a solid chance that at least 3-4 are not on the team next year (Watson, Cunningham, Lonnie Johnson and possible Howard). The two best players on the team - Cooks and Tunsil - were added via trades for two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders, and some consider both as trade bait this year. I don't know you shore up a foundation that doesn't exist.
This isn't relative to BoB or 1st round picks nor is it to imply that shoring up a foundation is the route to be taken b/c as you pointed out, there's not a whole lot there. The point is to show that every team's individual situation is different and as such there's no right or wrong way to approach a rebuild like folks want you to believe b/c they can point out 1-2 specific instances where what is being done isn't in-line with how they would do it.
 

sandman

Brexit Advisor
This isn't relative to BoB or 1st round picks nor is it to imply that shoring up a foundation is the route to be taken b/c as you pointed out, there's not a whole lot there. The point is to show that every team's individual situation is different and as such there's no right or wrong way to approach a rebuild like folks want you to believe b/c they can point out 1-2 specific instances where what is being done isn't in-line with how they would do it.
Understood. I was just expressing my opinion about why a shoring up wasn't an option for the Texans in 2021. Otherwise I am not sure what we are discussing here. I do agree with your overall premise though.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Every thread in here seems to have some type of side discussion about rebuilding or what the Texans should do to go about rebuilding. Trade this person to get a ton of draft picks...horde cap space so high priced FA "might" wanna come here...I wanna get a sense of what everyone considers a "proper" & "successful" rebuild. The topic is subjective based on what everyone considers a "successful" rebuild b/c everyone has different ideas about what success in that realm means. But if the success or failure of a rebuild is judged by what the ultimate goal is..which is to win and/or at least seriously contend for a championship for at least 3 years, well then most rebuilds are failures & the whole thing about rebuilding "properly" is a farce to begin with. There is no right way.

Look at the Jags in 2017...all the high draft picks...young talent....they were in serious competition for a championship 1 damn year before it all blew up. Versus a team like the Steelers who've never really undergone a true "rebuild" as everyone understands 1 to be...they just shored up here and there for the better part of 20 years.
Owner and GM have to have a vision that’s mutual. I’m hoping that Caserio has been given the reins to run the team and Cal has learned to stay out of the way….while still being the owner. To build any success with the assets coming down the pike, Caserio has to build a top scouting department.

Major cog has to be the HC, the staff he brings in, and the schemes utilized on offense, defense, and special teams. I believe that’s the biggest difference between Jags and their massive bounty of building assets versus the Steelers who continue to accomplish more with less while competing in a division that would make any team in the AFCS feel like the UT move into the SEC. HC and GM have to have a mutual vision. That might explain why the Steelers just don’t burn through HC’s.

I’ll start with these first two pieces.
 
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Mr teX

Hall of Fame
I don’t think Kirksey is long for the starting MLB position. I think we can upgrade there next year in FA. I wish we could afford to take a MLB prospect with a high pick next year. I just think secondary and/or o-line help is needed before that. Taylor and Collins i can see.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Build a top notch scouting dept

Then have 5 star level players that are paid as such.
20 solid vet level players that are paid as such
10 vet min guys
10 guys on their rookie deals
5 UDFA type guys.
P/K

The Texans have 2 guys that are well paid star level guys. (Tunsil/Cooks
They've got 5 vet min type guys Collins/Taylor/Martin/KGH/Kirskey

Hopefully their rookies deal guys work out, Howard/Heck/Thomas/Collins/Lopez/Greenard/Pharoh Brown.

What they're missing is 3/4 star level guys and the 20 or so solid vet guys, plus 5 or so guys on their rookie contracts.

If I'm Caserio I try to add a couple of star level players by trading down from a to 3 pick. Then anything I get from a potential Derrick trade is a bonus. Gotta start hitting on those rd 3-5 picks though.

Most of all you need a QB on his rookie deal or a QB that puts winning above money. (Fat chance of that happening. LOL)
 

powda

The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
I like the op's premise and acknowledging there is no one proven perfect method. It's purely subjective.

I like that we signed a lot of 1 year contracts oddly enough. It established competition from day one.

I don't like handing out 5th and 6th and 7th round picks for players we later cut like the greasy felon behind the knife kiosk at a gun show.

I guess I prefer a Sashi Brown approach building pick after pick after pick. Draft capital matters. Less if your scouting department sucks ofcourse. At least it's cheaper to lose that way.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
Owner and GM have to have a vision that’s mutual. I’m hoping that Caserio has been given the reins to run the team and Cal has learned to stay out of the way….while still being the owner. To build any success with the assets coming down the pike, Caserio has to build a top scouting department.

Major cog has to be the HC, the staff he brings in, and the schemes utilized on offense, defense, and special teams. I believe that’s the biggest difference between Jags and their massive bounty of building assets versus the Steelers who continue to accomplish more with less while competing in a division that would make any team in the AFCS feel like the UT moving into the SEC. HC and GM have to have a mutual vision. That might explain why the Steelers just don’t burn through HC’s.

I’ll start with these first two pieces.
Good post. Speaking of the Steelers. I've always felt that the McNairs should have looked at the Steelers model and their stability and success over an extended period of time. It starts with ownership, GM and HC being on the same page and sharing the same vision. Instead they looked at the Patriots and the greatest HC/QB combination in NFL history as the model to emulate. To this day, they are still trying to emulate the Patriots.

When you look at the Steelers and Patriots, which organizational model are you likely to replicate? The Brady/Belichick combination or establishing an organizational identity and sustained excellence with multiple HCs and GMs? To this day, when I think about the Steelers, I think of downfield passing, strong running games, hard hitting, blitzing and aggressive 3-4 defenses. Yes, they have down years, but that identity has been a constant throughout their history. With the Patriots it's all about Belichick and/or Brady.

After firing Kubiak, just think if the McNairs said "we are taking the foundation that Kubiak and Wade Phillips built, that will be our organizational identity and we will hire people who fit that identity". Knowing the number of successful WCO HCs (Shanahan, Stefanik, LaFleur, McVay) who have been hired in the past 5 years, I doubt the Texans would be in worst shape than they are today. It starts with leadership from the owners and them setting the vision.
 
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steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I don’t think Kirksey is long for the starting MLB position. I think we can upgrade there next year in FA. I wish we could afford to take a MLB prospect with a high pick next year. I just think secondary and/or o-line help is needed before that. Taylor and Collins i can see.
Agreed, Kirksey is a stop gap.

If the Texans can come out of next yrs draft FA period with upgrades at CB/Edge/OG/S I will be very happy. Hopefully Caserio can trade around in the draft and trade Derrick to help fill some of those holes. Trading Roby gives Caserio a chance to trade up and fill an extra hole with a quality player.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I like the op's premise and acknowledging there is no one proven perfect method. It's purely subjective.

I like that we signed a lot of 1 year contracts oddly enough. It established competition from day one.

I don't like handing out 5th and 6th and 7th round picks for players we later cut like the greasy felon behind the knife kiosk at a gun show.

I guess I prefer a Sashi Brown approach building pick after pick after pick. Draft capital matters. Less if your scouting department sucks ofcourse. At least it's cheaper to lose that way.
I like the 1/2 yr contract deals too.

It doesn't bother me to do pick swaps in later rds. It's all a crapshoot that late in the draft. I also like deals like the trading up to get Collins. (Go get your guy instead of sitting there and letting teams trade ahead of you and getting your guy)

Now isn't the time to do anything more than bargain shopping in FA and hope you find a KGH type young guy.
 

powda

The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
Good post. Speaking of the Steelers. I've always felt that the McNairs should have looked at the Steelers model and their stability and success over an extended period of time. It starts with ownership, GM and HC being on the same page and sharing the same vision. Instead they looked at the Patriots and the greatest HC/QB combination in NFL history as the model to emulate. To this day, they are still trying to emulate the Patriots.

When you look at the Steelers and Patriots, which organizational model are you likely to replicate? The Brady/Belichick combination or establishing an organizational identity and sustained excellence with multiple HCs and GMs? To this day, when I think about the Steelers, I think of downfield passing, strong running games, hard hitting, blitzing and aggressive 3-4 defenses. Yes, they have down years, but that identity has been a constant throughout their history. With the Patriots it's all about Belichick and/or Brady.

I love this post. I was making the same comment just today to a co-worker. The Steelers have been about as consistent as you can hope for over decades. Class top to bottom. Little turnover. They have a history and hardcore fans who show up no matter what stadium they play in.

They don't always have winning years, but even in the bad ones, they come to play and compete. Always.

I think any franchise modeling themselves after the Patriots dynasty is delusional. How many teams will couple the best coach in history with the best qb in history (who incidentally takes pay cuts to win?)

The steelers model is far more achievable.
 

powda

The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
Now isn't the time to do anything more than bargain shopping in FA and hope you find a KGH type young guy.
in reference to the earlier part of your post, we either have a mole in the draft room or we're so transparent teams know to leap frog us for the players we want. That sh*t needs to get fixed.

Big free agency moves are the last piece to the cap and talent puzzle imo. We shouldn't go that route until we're a playoff contender. Big signings ,as fun as they are, are reckless and usually more detrimental to a .500 or subpar team.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
I like the 1/2 yr contract deals too.

It doesn't bother me to do pick swaps in later rds. It's all a crapshoot that late in the draft. I also like deals like the trading up to get Collins. (Go get your guy instead of sitting there and letting teams trade ahead of you and getting your guy)

Now isn't the time to do anything more than bargain shopping in FA and hope you find a KGH type young guy.
the draft itself is a crapshoot…people try to act like there’s less risk with the 1st-3rd round picks b/c these guys are supposedly CANT MISS when we all know that’s the furthest thing from the truth. In fact there more inherent risk with those picks b/c of the expectations attached to the players taken in those slots. So I’m like you, it doesn’t bother me at all with losing late round picks. Those are developmental guys…gravy guys…guys that you can find on the street, other teams’ practice squads. They are plentiful and everywhere.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
First and foremost, you gotta bring someone else in here who can build a winning culture. Right now Texans are at ground zero because there is a lack of trust in Caserio/Easterby following O’Brian footsteps all from England system. Cal knows this, yet insists Texans are not Patriots South. Buck stops @ the top.
 

justmy2cents

All Pro
Contributor's Club
the draft itself is a crapshoot…people try to act like there’s less risk with the 1st-3rd round picks b/c these guys are supposedly CANT MISS when we all know that’s the furthest thing from the truth. In fact there more inherent risk with those picks b/c of the expectations attached to the players taken in those slots. So I’m like you, it doesn’t bother me at all with losing late round picks. Those are developmental guys…gravy guys…guys that you can find on the street, other teams’ practice squads. They are plentiful and everywhere.

I am re-amazed everytime I revisit one of these .... they seem impossible .... but regrettably accurate. I would have lost the farm .... thousands of times over the years. My late father-in-law, who coached for 35-40 years, used to just shrug his shoulders and say .... "you gotta expect losses .... if you play the game" ! Applicable to just about any facet in life ! "The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry" !1634744402186.png

1634744402186.png
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
I am re-amazed everytime I revisit one of these .... they seem impossible .... but regrettably accurate. I would have lost the farm .... thousands of times over the years. My late father-in-law, who coached for 35-40 years, used to just shrug his shoulders and say .... "you gotta expect losses .... if you play the game" ! Applicable to just about any facet in life ! "The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry" !View attachment 9216
nearly 20% bust potential for a 1st rounder & you basically add 10% to that for each round thereafter. I wonder what was constituted a bust in this data b/c that is also something that can be considered subjective. Example. Mario Williams clearly didn't live up to his draft status as the #1 overall pick, but he had a nice career and amassed around 100 total sacks for his career. So he's not a bust in my eyes, but he wasn't that stud everyone expected him to be either.
 

sandman

Brexit Advisor
First and foremost, you gotta bring someone else in here who can build a winning culture. Right now Texans are at ground zero because there is a lack of trust in Caserio/Easterby following O’Brian footsteps all from England system. Cal knows this, yet insists Texans are not Patriots South. Buck stops @ the top.
Honest question: who are you referencing when you say there is a lack of trust in Caserio?
 

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
OB had 22 picks in Rounds 1-3 during his tenure. 9 are still on the team. Only two of those are 1st rounders. Of the 9 there is a solid chance that at least 3-4 are not on the team next year (Watson, Cunningham, Lonnie Johnson and possible Howard). The two best players on the team - Cooks and Tunsil - were added via trades for two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders, and some consider both as trade bait this year. I don't know you shore up a foundation that doesn't exist.
A solid foundation is of course a good young QB.
Then all you gotta do is build around him or, depending on how good some of the other pieces around him are, then you just "shore up" positions of need.
It all centers around the key piece.
 

justmy2cents

All Pro
Contributor's Club
A solid foundation is of course a good young QB.
Then all you gotta do is build around him or, depending on how good some of the other pieces around him are, then you just "shore up" positions of need.
It all centers around the key piece.

Problem is, there's only a handful of those magic quarterbacks in the league at any given time .... Denver can't get over how hard it is to find one !
 

sandman

Brexit Advisor
The Belichick tree.
Yep, got that part. You said that Caserio has no trust because he is from the Belichick tree. I was asking who are the ones that have no trust in Caserio to build the right culture of winning with the Texans? People across the league? Within the Texans org? The coaches/players? Or are we talking the fans?
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
All the above. I’m sure GM’s see him as opportunity waiting, his no trade Watson stance out of the gate was a colossal barricade to first be able to move forward. His trades and acquisitions have largely failed and that’s just first trimester. The coaching choice says he wants total control and threats to his authority unquestioned. His relationship with Easterby is disturbing to say least. What players see Houston as a destination because of this culture? Everything has been mishandled from beginning let’s not forget tampering involving Caserio that put King Bill in charge the first place. Costing all the very best players this franchise has ever seen, Watt, Hopkins, Clowney soon Watson with very little value if any in return. He is partially responsible for everything. He should have known this if was any kind of leader of men and builder of NFL franchise.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
A solid foundation is of course a good young QB.
Then all you gotta do is build around him or, depending on how good some of the other pieces around him are, then you just "shore up" positions of need.
It all centers around the key piece.
if i were a GM i'd literally do it the direct opposite. Build your team from the OL/DL's out & the franchise qb should be 1 of the last pieces you add to solidify your foundation. This is for several reasons. A, its been shown that without proper protection, weapons and/or help on the defense, these guys aren't elevating your team all that much & in fact, you stand to ruin them before you've even had a chance to see what you have. The 2nd reason is because of how long your team's window is open largely depends on these guys' contracts. Too often HC/GM's pick their qb's first and realize they have their guy & then take too long to get a team built around them to compete. By the time they do amass the talent around them their window to compete has shrunk significantly & then they have to pay them...which in turn usually means they have to cut elsewhere on the team.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
if i were a GM i'd literally do it the direct opposite. Build your team from the OL/DL's out & the franchise qb should be 1 of the last pieces you add to solidify your foundation. This is for several reasons. A, its been shown that without proper protection, weapons and/or help on the defense, these guys aren't elevating your team all that much & in fact, you stand to ruin them before you've even had a chance to see what you have. The 2nd reason is because of how long your team's window is open largely depends on these guys' contracts. Too often HC/GM's pick their qb's first and realize they have their guy & then take too long to get a team built around them to compete. By the time they do amass the talent around them their window to compete has shrunk significantly & then they have to pay them...which in turn usually means they have to cut elsewhere on the team.
Perfect assessment…..and one that I’ve also posted about as well.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
All the above. I’m sure GM’s see him as opportunity waiting, his no trade Watson stance out of the gate was a colossal barricade to first be able to move forward. His trades and acquisitions have largely failed and that’s just first trimester. The coaching choice says he wants total control and threats to his authority unquestioned. His relationship with Easterby is disturbing to say least. What players see Houston as a destination because of this culture? Everything has been mishandled from beginning let’s not forget tampering involving Caserio that put King Bill in charge the first place. Costing all the very best players this franchise has ever seen, Watt, Hopkins, Clowney soon Watson with very little value if any in return. He is partially responsible for everything. He should have known this if was any kind of leader of men and builder of NFL franchise.
All of the above is certainly a stretch..this is just more fan b.s.

DW4's civil suits have been the colossal barricade to trading him, not NC's stance on not settling for peanuts for trading a premium player. We just had a "GM" who was roasted by fans all over the league for doing that with a premium player of ours and i would think that if GM's saw NC as an "opportunity waiting" to get over on, his hardline stance about what he wants in return for DW4 should've clued them in that he isn't as easy of a mark as they thought.

the coaching choice doesn't say anything other than he wanted a guy with a positive outlook, the right attitude for things that needed to happen within that FO (same page) & a guy who rightfully deserved a shot a HC gig. Just b/c you as a fan had never heard of Culley before doesn't mean that he was necessarily the wrong guy for the job at this particular time. Les Snead hired Jeff Fisher for 4 years when he initially took over for the Rams. In that time frame he patiently drafted premium talent & later brought in McVay. Further, NC doesn't even come off as "that" egotistical, total control guy. Again, we just had that guy here & i think we all know how to spot that dude.

His relationship and Easterby's role has already been addressed by him numerous times. Again, just b/c you as a fan aren't convinced doesn't mean anything. Since Caserio has been here, Easterby hasn't been seen or heard from. Its only fans playing this thing up at this point b/c they want him gone. Watt wanted out b/c he didn't want to be part of a rebuild at the end of his career, Clowney situation is pretty much totally unrelated..but really what has he done since being traded & what did we really lose? DW4 wanted out, but he likely was on his way out anyway due to the civil suits that came later even if he hadn't requested a trade. Nuk is literally the only guy who was jettisoned under mercurial circumstances...& NC had nothing to do with that either.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
All of the above is certainly a stretch..this is just more fan b.s.

DW4's civil suits have been the colossal barricade to trading him, not NC's stance on not settling for peanuts for trading a premium player. We just had a "GM" who was roasted by fans all over the league for doing that with a premium player of ours and i would think that if GM's saw NC as an "opportunity waiting" to get over on, his hardline stance about what he wants in return for DW4 should've clued them in that he isn't as easy of a mark as they thought.

the coaching choice doesn't say anything other than he wanted a guy with a positive outlook, the right attitude for things that needed to happen within that FO (same page) & a guy who rightfully deserved a shot a HC gig. Just b/c you as a fan had never heard of Culley before doesn't mean that he was necessarily the wrong guy for the job at this particular time. Les Snead hired Jeff Fisher for 4 years when he initially took over for the Rams. In that time frame he patiently drafted premium talent & later brought in McVay. Further, NC doesn't even come off as "that" egotistical, total control guy. Again, we just had that guy here & i think we all know how to spot that dude.

His relationship and Easterby's role has already been addressed by him numerous times. Again, just b/c you as a fan aren't convinced doesn't mean anything. Since Caserio has been here, Easterby hasn't been seen or heard from. Its only fans playing this thing up at this point b/c they want him gone. Watt wanted out b/c he didn't want to be part of a rebuild at the end of his career, Clowney situation is pretty much totally unrelated..but really what has he done since being traded & what did we really lose? DW4 wanted out, but he likely was on his way out anyway due to the civil suits that came later even if he hadn't requested a trade. Nuk is literally the only guy who was jettisoned under mercurial circumstances...& NC had nothing to do with that either.
This was before Watson scandal surfaced. But timing is…… very interesting:specnatz:
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
if i were a GM i'd literally do it the direct opposite. Build your team from the OL/DL's out & the franchise qb should be 1 of the last pieces you add to solidify your foundation. This is for several reasons. A, its been shown that without proper protection, weapons and/or help on the defense, these guys aren't elevating your team all that much & in fact, you stand to ruin them before you've even had a chance to see what you have. The 2nd reason is because of how long your team's window is open largely depends on these guys' contracts. Too often HC/GM's pick their qb's first and realize they have their guy & then take too long to get a team built around them to compete. By the time they do amass the talent around them their window to compete has shrunk significantly & then they have to pay them...which in turn usually means they have to cut elsewhere on the team.
I agree. Build from the trenches out, on both sides of the ball. If a team can control the line, they can control the game. Good linemen on both sides make skilled positions better.

From opening running lane holes to protecting the QB on the offensive side, to shutting down an opponent's running game to pressuring the other QB on defense, it all should start in the trenches.

But, unfortunately, our Texans are owned by human raccoons. Y'know, animals that like shiny things, so our ownership has tended to value skill positions over football fundamentals. I suspect it's simply because it's much easier to market a QB or WR than it is a left guard or center. Only exception is a pass rusher, which the Texans have obviously had some great success with, especially Watt.

But I'm all for "drafting ugly" and getting both lines heavily upgraded with talent and the best coaching you can buy.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
if i were a GM i'd literally do it the direct opposite. Build your team from the OL/DL's out & the franchise qb should be 1 of the last pieces you add to solidify your foundation. This is for several reasons. A, its been shown that without proper protection, weapons and/or help on the defense, these guys aren't elevating your team all that much & in fact, you stand to ruin them before you've even had a chance to see what you have. The 2nd reason is because of how long your team's window is open largely depends on these guys' contracts. Too often HC/GM's pick their qb's first and realize they have their guy & then take too long to get a team built around them to compete. By the time they do amass the talent around them their window to compete has shrunk significantly & then they have to pay them...which in turn usually means they have to cut elsewhere on the team.
Agreed, fix the trenches 1st then add the other pieces. Unless a franchise QB falls into your lap.
 

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
if i were a GM i'd literally do it the direct opposite. Build your team from the OL/DL's out & the franchise qb should be 1 of the last pieces you add to solidify your foundation. This is for several reasons. A, its been shown that without proper protection, weapons and/or help on the defense, these guys aren't elevating your team all that much & in fact, you stand to ruin them before you've even had a chance to see what you have. The 2nd reason is because of how long your team's window is open largely depends on these guys' contracts. Too often HC/GM's pick their qb's first and realize they have their guy & then take too long to get a team built around them to compete. By the time they do amass the talent around them their window to compete has shrunk significantly & then they have to pay them...which in turn usually means they have to cut elsewhere on the team.
Meh, didn't seem to affect Matthew Stafford too badly.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I agree. Build from the trenches out, on both sides of the ball. If a team can control the line, they can control the game. Good linemen on both sides make skilled positions better.

From opening running lane holes to protecting the QB on the offensive side, to shutting down an opponent's running game to pressuring the other QB on defense, it all should start in the trenches.

But, unfortunately, our Texans are owned by human raccoons. Y'know, animals that like shiny things, so our ownership has tended to value skill positions over football fundamentals. I suspect it's simply because it's much easier to market a QB or WR than it is a left guard or center. Only exception is a pass rusher, which the Texans have obviously had some great success with, especially Watt.

But I'm all for "drafting ugly" and getting both lines heavily upgraded with talent and the best coaching you can buy.
Totally agree and I've been preaching this for yrs.

Liked for the human racoon reference.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
This is what, 4th shot at it now, Cal should have learned something?
This is Cal's 1st shot at it when he's calling the shots.

What's the chance of him getting it right? As a fan hopefully he got it right with Caserio, it's what his daddy would've done. Winning the gene pool has its privileges.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Easiest place to start, which is what I thought he (Caserio) was doing by bringing in so many camp bodies, was to knock out special teams. Good special teams can win or lose a Championship, add much needed depth and establish field position. All the really good teams have elite special teams, like the Ravens, so much so they can withstand losing prime starting players and still beat your ass. Ask the Chargers.
 

Texian

Hall of Fame
Build from the inside out. It takes these guys a couple of years to mature to NFL standards.

Maximize your draft picks. Use as many draft picks to fill roster as possible. There is a reason why 4+ year vets are willing to sign a 1 year contract. Go for the 4 year rookie contracts instead.

Once you have established your core then begin adding your skill players.

You build thru the draft and supplement with free agency.

EXAMPLE OF MAXIMIZING THE TEXANS 2021 ORIGINAL DRAFT PICKS:
(7 of 9 made NFL rosters)
#67 - Quinn Meinerz OC
#109 - Bobby Brown III DL
#122 - Tommy Togiai, DL
#147 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR
#158 - Brenden Jaimes, OT
#195 - Tay Gowans, CB
#202 - James Wiggins, S
#212 - Jonathan Cooper, Edge
#233 - Cade Johnson, WR
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Owner and GM have to have a vision that’s mutual. I’m hoping that Caserio has been given the reins to run the team and Cal has learned to stay out of the way….while still being the owner. To build any success with the assets coming down the pike, Caserio has to build a top scouting department.

Major cog has to be the HC, the staff he brings in, and the schemes utilized on offense, defense, and special teams. I believe that’s the biggest difference between Jags and their massive bounty of building assets versus the Steelers who continue to accomplish more with less while competing in a division that would make any team in the AFCS feel like the UT move into the SEC. HC and GM have to have a mutual vision. That might explain why the Steelers just don’t burn through HC’s.

I’ll start with these first two pieces.
The first two pieces that you mentioned are owner and GM.

Well, Kyle play video games; I'm not sure what Janice does.
Think Caserio is aligned? :):brando:
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
The first two pieces that you mentioned are owner and GM.

Well, Kyle play video games; I'm not sure what Janice does.
Think Caserio is aligned? :):brando:
In this case….as long as they stay the duck out of his way and let him try to get this train back on track…..I’m fine and consider it a beautiful alignment b/c they don’t know shite about NFL football.

If Caserio was savvy, I hope he arrived at Kirby with a 2- Cases of Gin, 1- Case of Dry Vermouth, 2- Case of Olives, 1- Case of PS Video Games, and 1- Case of XBox Video Games.

Keep the both of them occupied for a while.
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
Yep, got that part. You said that Caserio has no trust because he is from the Belichick tree. I was asking who are the ones that have no trust in Caserio to build the right culture of winning with the Texans? People across the league? Within the Texans org? The coaches/players? Or are we talking the fans?
I don't trust him because of a couple of choices he made. Esterby still on board and hiring a clueless guy like Culley. You cant sell fans on this roster that is the 2nd in the nfl, you're trying to win but realize players aren't good enough.
 
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