Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍
In hindsight, what did Nick Caserio get right/wrong this past offseason?
- Thread starter OKC_Texan
- Start date
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Stefon Diggs trade.
TheRealJoker V2
Veteran
I think the worst thing he did this offseason was restructuring Howard and Mason. The major moves he made this offseason were hits (Hunter, Azeez, Mixon, Diggs. Drafting Lassiter and Bullock).
He also brought in some DT help outperforming last year’s unit at a fraction of the cost (Foley, Settle, Togiai).
You can’t predict injuries (in the case of Diggs and to a lesser extent Mixon). I think we all expected more out of the offensive line.
Beyond absolutely nailing a late round pick like the Rams did with Nakua last season he did his job making this team talented enough to compete for a Super Bowl.
OKC_Texan
Waterboy
I wonder if he regrets losing George Fant, or not signing a guard in free agency. What do you think?
Yes, I think that was the major failure of the offseason. Assuming the OTs would not be affected by missing all of the offseason and training camp activities. Counting on young and inexperienced interior linemen to take the next step. Not bringing in vets to compete. Unless you nail down the offensive line, all of the nice toys at QB, WR, and RB won't matter.
This is hindsight, but the question asked is in hindsight. Will the Texans learn from hindsight? That's the question.
austins23
Hall of Fame
This….
Could have done without Diggs and gone this route. But who knows, Diggs was/is a known commodity. Thomas wasn’t. But he would be cheap for four years.
I hate the extension of Howard. And I hate the weakness on IOL… not sure if that’s on Nick or not though. It’s all hit and miss
Texansballer74
The Marine
No GM is batting 1.000. He actually did a darn good job.
Last edited:
ATXtexanfan
Hall of Fame
Still hate the Diggs trade.
And I'm starting the think he knows nothing about Olines.
And I'm starting the think he knows nothing about Olines.
Looking back i still think Nick's offseason was nigh perfect.
I don't blame a GM for injuries, his job is to build a roster.
I've seen the players & believe they are talented enough to do the job they're being asked to do. My issue is coaching. & there are reasons for the offensive side being behind.
But I look forward to the offseason, Nick's doing a great job.
I don't blame a GM for injuries, his job is to build a roster.
I've seen the players & believe they are talented enough to do the job they're being asked to do. My issue is coaching. & there are reasons for the offensive side being behind.
But I look forward to the offseason, Nick's doing a great job.
houstonspartan
All Pro
Agreed. Nick hit a massive home run in the offseason. In drafting and in free agency. Hell, when Demeco was asked this week whether we would try and get outside players to replace Tank, Demeco said they were going with the guys they've got. Nick was like, "Hold my beer..."
Bugman7star
All Pro
I don't think anybody predicted this level of regression from the O line and offense in general. I can't really say Nick had a poor off-season. It was decent.
I will be harshly judging this upcoming off-season after what we have seen up to this point. Everyone clearly sees the issues. Now we wait to see if these things actually get addressed.
I will be harshly judging this upcoming off-season after what we have seen up to this point. Everyone clearly sees the issues. Now we wait to see if these things actually get addressed.
KoolAid Sipper
AFCEVET
What's your stance good or bad?
badboy
Hall of Fame
73 1,088 15 per catch avg 9 TDs.
Brian Thomas Jr. Two games to go.
I really wanted Christian Gonzales in the 2023 draft. I got over that quick & then picking Lassiter this year, after watching him play, I'm very happy.
JCTexan
Hall of Fame
This, or another even Xavier Worthy at that pick would have made this offense better. Diggs didn't make this offense as explosive as we thought he would.
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Bad.
Caserio swung for fences and it looked like a home run. But it ended up not having enough velocity and he popped out.
OKC_Texan
Waterboy
Me too!
Coaching matters!
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Quite frankly I don’t know what you are talking about.
Yep, I wanted Thomas and if they wanted Lassiter they could've drafted Thomas and traded up for Lassiter in the 2nd rd.
NitroGSXR
Super Sic #58
That was weird! I didn’t know what to make of it… quite frankly.
OKC_Texan
Waterboy
Let's look at some statistics and PFF rankings, although PFF isn't the end-all and statistics don't always tell the full story.
Dalton Schultz was signed to a three-year deal which made him the 12th highest paid TE in the league. PFF has Schultz listed as the #42 TE in the league.
A 4th-round pick was used to select TE Cade Stover, who is currently #67 per PFF.
Dalton Schultz was signed to a three-year deal which made him the 12th highest paid TE in the league. PFF has Schultz listed as the #42 TE in the league.
A 4th-round pick was used to select TE Cade Stover, who is currently #67 per PFF.
It's coaching! Schultz is a lot worse than he was in Dallas and Stover gets worse every game
DrumBeatsLouder
Waterboy
Diggs & Mixon.... Schultz was a baller last year
OKC_Texan
Waterboy
Nick paid a lot for a year of Diggs. Maybe all the money he paid to Diggs should have been invested in a guard, if there was one worth pursuing.
Also for Diggs...
the Bills will receive a 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota) while they will also send a 2024 sixth-rounder and a 2025 fifth-round pick
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Nick had a fine off season...
I'm more interested in this upcoming off season than this past one. This Oline needs to be cleaned up. That's priority #1.
I'm more interested in this upcoming off season than this past one. This Oline needs to be cleaned up. That's priority #1.
texanhead08
All Pro
Can we find a oline/OC that can teach our offensive line how to block stunts/twists before next season.
OKC_Texan
Waterboy
He gets an A for drafting Kamari Lassiter. His three following picks don't look as good.
Nick's FA acquisitions and trades were good, but not signing an IOL and letting Fant walk were, I believe, mistakes.
I think I'd give Nick an overall grade of C.
You don't think Fisher, Bullock & Stover were good picks? I disagree
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Honestly, I think the Texans need an offensive overhaul at this point. They need to bring in someone proven to oversee the offensive rebuild. Throw a stack of cash at Kubiak to be a consultant and recommend changes.
Depends on what type of offense they want to run. The WCO isn't nearly as effective as it used to be. Flores showed how to contain it and teams including the Texans really haven't adjusted very well.
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Honestly, I don't care what they do. They just need something coherent and cohesive. A not as successful as it used to be WCO is better than a whateverthehellthis is we go right now. Doesn't have to be Kubiak...Give me somebody with a resume that produces good offenses.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Really has nothing to do with the WCO system itself. Its more about the talent within it and the person calling the plays.
Take a look at Sean McVay's coaching tree.
O'Connell in Minny
LaFluer in GB
Taylor - Cincy
Laim Coen in TB.......who noone really associates with McVay b/c he came from Kentucky to be the OC for TB..but actually had 2 stints with McVay as a qb coach and then as the OC.
All these guys are running the WCO just fine & are having tremendous success with it. The key is that they've added some twist on it to make it their own & have capable weapons whereas Slowik is just running the basic ass scheme & hasn't shown the creativity to add his own little twist to it.... imo of course.
Also look who each of these guys has.
McVay - Nacua and Kupp..Kyren Williams at the RB spot..started out slow b/c Kupp & Nacua both missed time, but since both have come back, they're peaking at the right time.
O'Connell - Jefferson & Addison with Nailor in the cut...Aaron Jones at the RB spot..balling all year.
Lafluer - Young capable trio of Reed, Watson and Dobbs..With Kraft emerging as a threat at the TE..and Josh Jacobs in the backfield...lot to worry about on defense. Seriously explosive.
Taylor - Chase, Higgins..& this Iosavias kid is emerging as the #3...Chase Brown is also emerging as a serious weapon & the #1 RB..Seriously explosive even with Higgins in/out of the lineup.
We started out with a set up close to these teams With Nico, Diggs and Dell & Mixon. & that's why we were able to continue to win early in the season despite shaky o-line play and trash ass Slowik playcalling. Then Nico went down..Then Diggs went down within that same time period Nico was out. Now we're down to just Nico & Mixon. Schultz has not stepped up & niether have Metchie/Hutchison & Slowik hasn't really shown that he can adjust & get more out of what he has on the roster. Hopefully this Diontae Johnson acquistion can restore a little balance to our offense b/c right now.....
Another odd little thing i've found is that all of these guys are all former QB's on some level. Ironically, McVay is the only guy who never played it in college tho...only in high school but he was damn good as a QB there. What does that mean? who knows, i just know Slowik never played qb on any level & has the least amount of true NFL coaching experience of all the guys i listed above.
Take a look at Sean McVay's coaching tree.
O'Connell in Minny
LaFluer in GB
Taylor - Cincy
Laim Coen in TB.......who noone really associates with McVay b/c he came from Kentucky to be the OC for TB..but actually had 2 stints with McVay as a qb coach and then as the OC.
All these guys are running the WCO just fine & are having tremendous success with it. The key is that they've added some twist on it to make it their own & have capable weapons whereas Slowik is just running the basic ass scheme & hasn't shown the creativity to add his own little twist to it.... imo of course.
Also look who each of these guys has.
McVay - Nacua and Kupp..Kyren Williams at the RB spot..started out slow b/c Kupp & Nacua both missed time, but since both have come back, they're peaking at the right time.
O'Connell - Jefferson & Addison with Nailor in the cut...Aaron Jones at the RB spot..balling all year.
Lafluer - Young capable trio of Reed, Watson and Dobbs..With Kraft emerging as a threat at the TE..and Josh Jacobs in the backfield...lot to worry about on defense. Seriously explosive.
Taylor - Chase, Higgins..& this Iosavias kid is emerging as the #3...Chase Brown is also emerging as a serious weapon & the #1 RB..Seriously explosive even with Higgins in/out of the lineup.
We started out with a set up close to these teams With Nico, Diggs and Dell & Mixon. & that's why we were able to continue to win early in the season despite shaky o-line play and trash ass Slowik playcalling. Then Nico went down..Then Diggs went down within that same time period Nico was out. Now we're down to just Nico & Mixon. Schultz has not stepped up & niether have Metchie/Hutchison & Slowik hasn't really shown that he can adjust & get more out of what he has on the roster. Hopefully this Diontae Johnson acquistion can restore a little balance to our offense b/c right now.....
Another odd little thing i've found is that all of these guys are all former QB's on some level. Ironically, McVay is the only guy who never played it in college tho...only in high school but he was damn good as a QB there. What does that mean? who knows, i just know Slowik never played qb on any level & has the least amount of true NFL coaching experience of all the guys i listed above.
Last edited:
You're onto something here, I've said since Nico/Diggs went down this team has been lacking weapons. Speaking of trash, a big issue with the offense is Schultz cant block worth a crap and that's a big reason the run game is sucking. Dropping passes left and right too.
As far as Slowik adjusting, cant run the ball and has an inaccurate QB. Metchie/Woods/Hutch are the same guys who struggle to get separation. What's an OC supposed to do when there are these issues and I haven't even mentioned the inability of the OL to pickup simple stunts. At least with Patterson at C the false start issues have gotten much better.
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
So I just learned having an OC that can adjust and be innovative with new ideas is important instead of an OC that runs a 1990 cliff notes version and can’t seem to adjust to new defensive schemes.
Also - having offensive playmakers is important too.
Who knew?
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Double.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Part of CJ's "inaccuracy" is forcing it to guys who can't separate. trying to be "too" accurate with the ball can sometimes lead to inaccuracy b/c you're not really throwing it, you're trying to place it. Inaccuracy is also casued by him having no consistency in being able to set his feet behind a suspect o-line.
As an OC, he could start by employing more bunch formations and doing what he can to mix up his playcalling..doing whatever you can do to keep your QB/offense out of 3rd and obvious passing situations which if i remember correctly from 1 of the last 2 games, the Texans are bottoms in the league in terms of 3rd and long freqency. That speaks to a number of things really, but mostly what the hell is going on in the 1st 2 downs to where we're in that so much? That isn't all CJ inaccuracy issues.
I wouldn't even talk about Cj's "inaccuracy" issues. Last game it was an issue, other than that nothing to talk about.
CJ's got a case of happy feet, so you're right he's not consistently setting his feet. Some times he does other times he's not, which is leading to his inconsistencies. I dont know if once a QB gets a case of the happy feet if that can be cured, but I sure hope they can be improved upon.
The 3rd and long issues are obvious to me. run for 1 yd on 1st down and then run for a yd or 2 on 2nd down and you've got 3rd and long. Try to change things up like they did last game to start the 2nd half by throwing and you get an inaccurate pass (Guy was open) then a forced throw for an int. Like I said, what's an OC to do?
You mentioned condensed formations. When you do this you're inviting the same stunts and also a corner blitz which Schultz has proven he struggles to pickup.
I was thinking earlier that these were just communication issues that would work themselves out as the season went along, but there are not only systemic issues but it's my belief that this OL is just flat out dumb, although since moving Howard to LG has improved the pass protection it has hurt the run game even more than it's usual crappy self.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Sure it can. Look at Sam Darnold now. Baker Mayfield. Geno Smith. Jared Goff. All reclamation projects all thriving now. Why? Partly b/c they’ve grown as players, partly b/c they’ve got more playmakers blocking and around them but mostly b/c they’ve got offensive coaches who are handling them well & putting them in good positions to succeed and make plays.
And Again the issues in the passing game are multiple but they start with Slowik. It’s literally his job to figure this **** out. I recall hearing CJ speak on 1 of his more bizarre ints earlier this year trying to get the ball to Metchie. It was on a very short dump off pass. He said “I just couldn’t see him..” now sure, the int itself will go to CJ, but how do we know this missed, inaccurate or whatever you want to call it pass that led to an int wasn’t on Metchie? Maybe Metchie stopped and sat down when he should’ve kept running. How much blame if any do you assign to the o-linemen basically getting pushed back into his lap thereby blocking his view?
These are the type of things you have to weigh when talking his play drop off from last year to this year.
OKC_Texan
Waterboy
Not according to their PFF grades. The casual fan doesn't break down game film and grade every player's snaps. Most fans have a perception based on a few plays. I too had the impression that Bullock was having a good rookie year but his PFF grade says otherwise.
With that said, maybe PFF is utter garbage and its grades garbage and completely wrong.
We need a qualified person to watch and grade every player's snaps in every game. I nominate you!
Trust your eyes. You don't need some yahoo like Bobby Slowick or Chris Collingsworth to tell you if a player is playing good. And we don't need no stinkin' grades! We're not in school, just fans watching ball!We need a qualified person to watch and grade every player's snaps in every game. I nominate you!
Not that he's perfect, but Slowik's trying to make chicken salad out of chicken s--t.