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2023 TEXANS DRAFT DISCUSSION

Report: Anonymous GM says 'there's a lot of bad blood' between Texans, CJ Stroud's agent

To an anonymous GM and a scout, that relationship is absolutely playing a role in their evaluation of Stroud. If not for that ‘elephant in the room’, the Ohio State quarterback would be the selection. Instead, it has become a point of contention as Houston’s owner isn’t certain he wants to do business that way again.

“There’s a lot of bad blood there,” the GM said in the article. “I don’t think (Cal) McNair could stomach having Mulugheta’s next top quarterback be the next face of his franchise. I think that’s a non-starter there.”

“If Stroud has a different agent? He is the second overall pick,” the well-connected agent added.

The author is right. The bad blood between the Texans and Stroud's agent has always been the elephant in the room. But Caserio swore up and down that Mulugheta representing any player would not be an issue. "That's not the way we do business", Nick said.

One problem. Nick Caserio has never been the guy making the decision. And it is not totally unreasonable for Cal and the rest of the McNair clan to hold a grudge. So if all of that was known, this has always been a one QB draft. From the Texans perspective. And not trading up to be in position to take that QB looks pretty shortsighted, now.
 
The author is right. The bad blood between the Texans and Stroud's agent has always been the elephant in the room. But Caserio swore up and down that Mulugheta representing any player would not be an issue. "That's not the way we do business", Nick said.

One problem. Nick Caserio has never been the guy making the decision. And it is not totally unreasonable for Cal and the rest of the McNair clan to hold a grudge. So if all of that was known, this has always been a one QB draft. From the Texans perspective. And not trading up to be in position to take that QB looks pretty shortsighted, now.

So you won't work with an agent who is starting to home the best players in the league? I don't believe this at all. It actually sounds ridiculous.
 
So you won't work with an agent who is starting to home the best players in the league? I don't believe this at all. It actually sounds ridiculous.
Me? I don't think I would ever be in that situation. The McNairs are. And it is not a good one. Will the top QBs next year be represented by Mulugheta? Will they too be off the board? When does this end? Not a good situation. But neither is signing a franchise QB , then having him demand a trade 3 months later.
 
You say that’s not the way you do business because it’s what you have to say. That statement has nothing to do with how you do business.
Caserio didn't just say that off hand. He went into a tirade.

Caserio has stated for the record that he does not have an issue working with Stroud's agent, David Mulugheta. From an article in Houston Press by Sean Pendergast:



Transcribing Caserio's comments from the audio:

Caserio: Philosophically, my belief has always been to just try to maintain a consistent relationship with agents and representatives. Understanding that there's going to be players each year and you really don't allow one situation to affect future decisions. It's not really a good way to do business.

So, I have a lot of respect for David. David's got a lot of good players, has had a lot of good players for a number of years. So, you really can't make decisions based on off of that. Like, you really have to look at the player, evaluate the player. Are you comfortable, when the player comes into the building? And at some point you're going to have a dialogue with the representative. So the draft is a little bit different because when you draft a player, especially in the 1st round, contracts are pretty much slot, you kinda know what that is. But as you move forward to free agency...my philosophy has always been never let one situation impact future situations. I think that's just the right way to do business. So, that's certainly not going to dissuade us, you know, looking at a player.

Honestly, it's not fair to that player, to eliminate that player based on what some other factor might be perceived. Again, I've had dialogue with David. We had dialogue last year in free agency about some different players. He's had multiple players. We've asked him about a corner, various players we were actually talking about during the Deshaun trade negotiations. So, conversations are always fluid. So, I've always has a lot of respect for David and the job that he does and he has really good players.

So, our responsibility is to look at everything and not let any individual dissuade you from making a decision. So, I've never approached business that way, not going to approach business that way. People that know me know that's how I operate. So, I've tried to be consistent in that respect.
 
But like you said, he’s never been the one making the decision right? So he agrees 100% with the company line.
And I'm sure there would be no problem with a player represented by DM on his part. But no QB drafted high as far as the McNairs are concerned
 
Cmon. Can you name 5 players from the dolphins squad or Cincy prior to Burrow? Remember, the dolphins traded tunsil and Fitzpatrick in the same season. C
I personally can't name 5 players from the Texans of 2021. Tell me what years you are talking about for the Bengals and the Dolphins and I'll research it
 
I’ve heard another point of view that the Texans are thankful to Mulughetta, the top agent in the league right now, because he worked with them to secure the blockbuster trade that got Watson away during a tiny window of opportunity (more charges were dropped on him shortly after the trade).

He had the contract ready worked out and the partner team ready and waiting for them just when his legal issues seemed the least all offseason.

I’m not subscribing to the opinion necessarily but it’s interesting to have another perspective in the discussion.
 
I’ve heard another point of view that the Texans are thankful to Mulughetta, the top agent in the league right now, because he worked with them to secure the blockbuster trade that got Watson away during a tiny window of opportunity (more charges were dropped on him shortly after the trade).

He had the contract ready worked out and the partner team ready and waiting for them just when his legal issues seemed the least all offseason.

I’m not subscribing to the opinion necessarily but it’s interesting to have another perspective in the discussion.

Saying something nice about Mulughutta shouldn't be allowed on this board. That just doesn't fit anyone's agenda.
 
I just can't wrap my head around the Texans passing on Stroud at 2.

They are going to improve next year with Demeco, the FA signings to sure up the run defense, and back end.

They have signaled the turn around. That puts Maye/Williams out of contention.

Stroud is probably the best prospect you will be able to get your hands on in this regime.

I would also argue that you have a much better chance of trading up for an edge next year as opposed to a QB.

Are the McNair's going to let Caseiro and Ryan's potentially steer themselves in to QB purgatory that we experienced post Schaub? Doubtful.
Vegas predicts them to win 5.5 games next year. Tied with the Cards for worst in the NFL.
 
As long as we don’t pull a Jacksonville and draft a punter in the first round, it should be good. 🤣
Can’t wait for next Thursday.
 
I think you mean, not tanking that last game looks pretty shortsighted now. Screw the trade-up. This battle was lost on a worthless afternoon in Indy.
On the bright side, Young may not pan out. As some have pointed out in the media, all of the quarterbacks in this draft have some moderate to big flaws in their game. The Texans may have dodged a bullet by winning that game. Now, the Texans may be avoiding the worst case scenario which would have been trading valuable assets for the #1 pick only to swing and miss on the wrong quarterback. That would definitely cause some people their jobs.
 
They aren't getting Young. I'm convinced that he is going to be a Panther.

But I think the Texans realize that they have to come away with one of the other 4 QB's considered to have franchise QB potential OR there has to be a trade for someone that can be the guy. I think the directive from Cal relates to getting a guy the fanbase can buy into, but not necessarily CJ. They can't sell some low-round draftee to the fanbase. That would take all of the air out of the balloon after the Demeco hire. This fanbase is dying for someone they can get behind at QB, even if it is risky, such as Richardson or Levis.

At some point, you've got to take the bat off the shoulder and take a big swing. Fans will forgive a big swing and miss. But they will not forigve this team if they keep their bat on shoulder hoping for a 4 pitch walk. At some point, Nick's got to grow some freaking balls and go big. Go big, or go home.
You might want to talk to McNair about that.
 
Stafford was the last #1 pick that was signed prior to the Draft (2009). The NFL closed the door to that option in 2011.

Don't know what you've heard/read on the matter but I've assumed for a while that this was simply because the league didn't want to give away it's big prize - the number 1 overall pick - before draft night, no matter how obvious the selection might be. Especially with the draft heading toward becoming a made for tv prime time event.
 
They aren't getting Young. I'm convinced that he is going to be a Panther.

But I think the Texans realize that they have to come away with one of the other 4 QB's considered to have franchise QB potential OR there has to be a trade for someone that can be the guy. I think the directive from Cal relates to getting a guy the fanbase can buy into, but not necessarily CJ. They can't sell some low-round draftee to the fanbase. That would take all of the air out of the balloon after the Demeco hire. This fanbase is dying for someone they can get behind at QB, even if it is risky, such as Richardson or Levis.

At some point, you've got to take the bat off the shoulder and take a big swing. Fans will forgive a big swing and miss. But they will not forigve this team if they keep their bat on shoulder hoping for a 4 pitch walk. At some point, Nick's got to grow some freaking balls and go big. Go big, or go home.


I really like your post a lot ,and I want to agree. Trouble is, I don’t want them to "blow their load" because some outside force or phantom obligation demands they have to take a qb. If they don't have faith in the qb talent available, I want them to make the most of the pick and score at other positions.

The problem with picking a bust qb @ #2 this year isn't just the lost pick, or the salary, or fan reaction. It means time lost. A busted #2 qb this year means we're probably passing on a more highly rated qb next year (?). We'll try and salvage our investment like all teams do.

So, if you're going to take a shot, make it count. I want them all in on any qb ,and if they're not -

hard pass.
 
Don't know what you've heard/read on the matter but I've assumed for a while that this was simply because the league didn't want to give away it's big prize - the number 1 overall pick - before draft night, no matter how obvious the selection might be. Especially with the draft heading toward becoming a made for tv prime time event.
That's indeed why they closed the door. And that's also why the unspoken directives about maintaining confusion on the 1st pick until the very last moment have been related to teams.
 
The author is right. The bad blood between the Texans and Stroud's agent has always been the elephant in the room. But Caserio swore up and down that Mulugheta representing any player would not be an issue. "That's not the way we do business", Nick said.

One problem. Nick Caserio has never been the guy making the decision. And it is not totally unreasonable for Cal and the rest of the McNair clan to hold a grudge. So if all of that was known, this has always been a one QB draft. From the Texans perspective. And not trading up to be in position to take that QB looks pretty shortsighted, now.
Hopefully the Colts take Stroud after the Texans take Robinson. Then the Texans can draft Levis, who scored 2nd to Young on the S2.
 
Me? I don't think I would ever be in that situation. The McNairs are. And it is not a good one. Will the top QBs next year be represented by Mulugheta? Will they too be off the board? When does this end? Not a good situation. But neither is signing a franchise QB , then having him demand a trade 3 months later.
The only reason why old buddy demanded a trade because the preacher man was all up in his off the field business. Old buddy would still be here if that trash wouldn’t have went down.
The Texans has moved on from that crazy stuff and the culture should be much better. Therefore, they’ll do business with Mulughutta and his firm again. And if they were to draft CJ, and he balls out. They will not have a problem paying him the big bucks.
 
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