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Nick Caserio - keeper or kerb?

Keeper or kerb?

  • Total voters
    54
  • Poll closed .
Texansphan

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
Obviously there is more to it than the black and white suggested in the title so I will offer more options in a poll.
This issue has suddenly popped up on the radar and is a potential hot topic.
Personally, I think it's too early.
We haven't even let the last draft class settle in yet and some were unfortunate circumstances that he cannot be held responsible for.
I.e., Stingley could come back and look like a true #1 CB. John Metchie could come back from leukemia and have a nice season. Kenyon Green might bounce back and have a strong sophomore season and suddenly NC looks like a genius.
I am not a fan of everything he has done but I am not the GM of a multi billion dollar franchise - case in point, Brandon Cooks. Do you force a guy who wants out to stay?
Our previous "GM" created an unparalleled train wreck and NC has done a decent job putting this train back on the tracks and cleaning up the mess. For me it's "Passing Grade".
 
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Is there a guy in San Fran that Ryans would prefer to work with? That's what I don't know. I'm undecided.
 
Adam Peters is the guy we should get. I wanted him over Caserio and now that we have Ryan’s it makes even more sense.
 
I'm definitely undecided on Casino and will wait until after the draft to praise or skewer him.
 
Well, let’s just say I haven’t been impressed with much of what he’s done since he’s been here, and leave it at that.
 
sandman said:
Yeah, being NE South didn't work out. Let's try being San Fran East for a while.
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San Fran by the bay and Houston by the bay. They have a bridge, we have two. They have a port, we have a port. We have a big dig ditch they...
Don't!!
 
I give Caserio a definite passing grade to this point, I think Easterby remaining as a holdover from (and power behind) all that had gone wrong previously tied his hand for the first 2 years of the job.

He has, however, navigated (circuitously) clearing the cap and getting the dead wood off the roster. This was complicated by some truly dumb contracts that had been handed out and guys like Cooks receiving special treatment due to Easterby.

He didn’t have high picks in his first draft,
taking a flyer on a QB in the 3rd round isn’t the best use of draft capital but he was painted into a corner, last years draft he was picking for an utterly inept coaching staff, it doesn’t look great right now but the players weren’t coached well enough and may still bounce back.

We’ll see where we are now, I’ll certainly be looking to move on from the GM before the HC if there isn’t a marked improvement, yet I’m happy with the reasoning I see behind what he’s done so far and can see reason to give benefit of the doubt for what hasn’t gone so great.

I suppose it could be wait and see from me but I’ve voted to give him a passing grade as I always try to be an optimist about this team and if you can’t be optimistic about the Texans in April then I wonder when you will ever get the chance :spit:
 
Hard to clean up after Vladimir O'Brien and that hostage-taking scumbag butthole massage addict ruining the franchise for years on end.

That said, Caserio is mostly Patriot bullshit so I'm good either way. He hasn't been as bad as I thought otherwise. Admittedly I haven't paid much attention since my football soul has been destroyed systematically over the last, say 9 years or so.

Guess we'll see a year with Ryans to see how things end up. Don't think he's on the chopping block but I also don't see anything whatsoever that would make it a catastrophe if we let Caserio go.
 
It would be easier for me to get behind keeping him around if I'd seen even one draft that I just went "YES!" on. Instead they've all been drafts (primarily talking first and second round) where I hear the call and start scratching my head instantly. Just not great picks IMO and at a time when the Texans absolutely need to be hitting on these picks. Reminds me of Casserly's "body of work" too much.
 
Hervoyel said:
It would be easier for me to get behind keeping him around if I'd seen even one draft that I just went "YES!" on. Instead they've all been drafts (primarily talking first and second round) where I hear the call and start scratching my head instantly. Just not great picks IMO and at a time when the Texans absolutely need to be hitting on these picks. Reminds me of Casserly's "body of work" too much.
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Just to be clear, when you say "they've all been...", you're talking about ONE draft. One draft where he had picks in the first and second round, and not the other draft where he didn't pick until the 3rd round. When he was picking for Lovie and Pep, getting guys for them. Stingley, Green, Pitre, and Metchie.

:kitten:
 
McNairs deserve better. They brought NFL football back to Houston.
Understood hiring Casserly with his Washington Super Bowl rings,but never liked him either. He brought experience and strong personality into the room but never blew me away with his building/hiring process just solid. Rick Smith, coming over from Denver, with Coach Kubiak brought more continuity & hope, giving Texan fans their brightest moments. However as years ran on and more & more picks missed, seemingly became less impactful. Not going to kill him because of his personal reasons but was fine with him out of the picture.

Loss of owner, Bob McNair, was catastrophic, not only for his family but devastating for Texan family. They lost a visionary. Power void & power struggle that went through two short term GM’s, setting back franchise as Easterby sunk his claws into the McNairs. Good people forced/left organization & new leadership including old cronies where identified, Caserio in particular, who he convinced ownership they needed, even when not released from the grips of Belichick (wanting compensation) a year in hell, led by O’Brian as interm GM, ultimately his firing, ending with Massage Gate.

Enter Caserio.

The Head Coaching search that resulted in David Cully, costing Texans 24 million for one year of ineptitude. A second coaching search, that resulted in internal with a David Cully assistant Lovie Smith another 23 million one year of service (where can I get a deal like these) Unfortunately Lovie had a worse win loss record than Cully but when he did win, against an equally bad team, knowing the situation, cost Texan franchise #1 overall pick and clear pathway a player they covet, while also creating draft capital wealth for another franchise (Da Bears). Caserio is ultimately responsible, for all of it including botching high picks.

There is never a perfect time, moment to make change but he’s done what he was hired to do now it’s time to move in different direction with DeMeco Ryans and his people of choice to represent the Texans as founder Bob McNair would have wanted and city of Houston, the state of Texas can be proud of:logo:
 
The Pencil Neck said:
Just to be clear, when you say "they've all been...", you're talking about ONE draft. One draft where he had picks in the first and second round, and not the other draft where he didn't pick until the 3rd round. When he was picking for Lovie and Pep, getting guys for them. Stingley, Green, Pitre, and Metchie.

:kitten:
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Yeah, that one draft would be it I guess. I suppose I haven't been happy with a Texans draft in a long, long time and I'm just laying all that at Caserio's feet.
 
Hervoyel said:
Yeah, that one draft would be it I guess. I suppose I haven't been happy with a Texans draft in a long, long time and I'm just laying all that at Caserio's feet.
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What if Stingley comes back and plays well enough to keep his spot? And/or Kenyon Green?
Did NC gracefully allow Lovie to pick those guys?
Can his feet be held to the fire for that?
I prefer to look at his whole body of work - he has taken this team from an embarrassing train wreck to a team with potential in little more than 2 years.
I'm giving him a bit more rope for now.
 
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Texansphan said:
What if Stingley comes back and plays well enough to keep his spot? And/or Kenyon Green?
Did NC gracefully allow Lovie to pick those guys?
Can his feet be held to the fire for that?
I prefer to look at his whole body of work - he has taken this team from an embarrassing train wreck to a team with potential in 3 years.
I'm giving him a bit more rope for now.
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Stingley could come back and produce. I mean, obviously it's a possibility. Will he ever not be the wrong choice at that pick? I don't think so. Gardner was right there. A blind man could have made the right decision there IMO and much like Casserly sitting there looking at Derrick Johnson and choosing to trade back to land Travis Johnson I'll never really forgive the guy for not just doing the obvious. Stingley will have to match Gardner in my eyes and he's already pretty far behind. Green could develop. Hell he could look great in the new offense if it's something akin to what we used to see under Kubiak. It could certainly happen and would go a long way toward taking the sting (npi) off of that round. Metchie is still out there and could turn into an important piece.

I should be more patient with draft picks I know and with Caserio since he's really not had much to work with. I just have a historical bias about Texans GM's that pass on the no-brainer in the first round and opt for the guy that will be incredible if he can overcome his injury and look like he did a couple of years ago when he was a freshman. I see Nick and Charlie in a similar light here. Not because they have necessarily done the exact same thing but because they're at a point where taking the risks is counterproductive in my opinion. Bare cupboards require you to stock them with as few misses as possible. Moreso than teams that have a core of good players. Each pick is so important and when they (either the GM or the HC, like you mention it could have been a Lovie thing) fall in love with some bit of film and do something like that then well, I just cringe and it colors the way I see every other choice they make.

But I'll try to be patient... again. ;)
 
At the time of the Combine, Casserio had questions and understandable dissatisfaction re. Cal/Hannah not giving him full control of HC hiring. BUT since then, with the obvious comradery and very compatible working relation that has developed between him and Ryans, everything has changed. As far as the Texans FO "executive changes," expect for Casserio to be given additional responsibilities as the Texans consolidate needless redundant executive positions, along with a raise.

If McClain believed he had come across "rumors" like the one he has reported, it should have been released real-time. Otherwise, especially since he didn't believe them, it would have now been most prudent and best to just shut up.................so that pieces like the following are not given any legs

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Rumor emerges that Nick Caserio could leave Houston for New England, after the draft
Posted by Mike Florio on April 13, 2023, 9:58 AM EDT

Recently, a theory has emerged regarding the future of G.M. Nick Caserio in Houston. As the theory goes, he might not have one.

John McClain recently wrote an item for Audacy.com regarding the situation. In it, McClain points out that he heard at the league meetings a rumor that Caserio will be leaving the Texans after the draft, and that he’ll be returning to the Patriots.

McClain doesn’t buy it. But he notes that former NFL executive Michael Lombardi has recently said there will be “organizational changes” in Houston after the draft.

That’s not a surprise, given that executive V.P. of football operations Jack Easterby was fired during the 2022 season and has not yet been replaced. It’s the Easterby departure that could be a factor for Caserio, since it was Easterby who persuaded owner Cal McNair to go off the board (as it was fashioned by the search firm) and hire Caserio, after the team had made a failed effort to hire him away from the Patriots.

What if Caserio has had enough of the Texans? What if Patriots coach Bill Belichick, in an effort to hold things together long enough to catch and pass Don Shula on the all-time wins list, is trying to put the band back together?

What if McNair, whose father once resisted firing G.M. Charley Casserly when firing coach Dom Capers and instead saw Casserly “resign” after the next draft, has taken a page out of the team founder’s playbook?

The reality is that the Texans have been the league’s worst football operation in recent years. But for the Commanders, it would be regarded as the most dysfunctional, too. Whether it’s Caserio perhaps wanting out or the Texans perhaps wanting a clean slate or perhaps a little bit of both, it wouldn’t be a shock, if the rumor McClain heard at the league meetings has any legs.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
At the time of the Combine, Casserio had questions and understandable dissatisfaction re. Cal/Hannah not giving him full control of HC hiring. BUT since then, with the obvious comradery and very compatible working relation that has developed between him and Ryans, everything has changed. As far as the Texans FO "executive changes," expect for Casserio to be given additional responsibilities as the Texans consolidate needless redundant executive positions, along with a raise.

If McClain believed he had come across "rumors" like the one he has reported, it should have been released real-time. Otherwise, especially since he didn't believe them, it would have now been most prudent and best to just shut up.................so that pieces like the following are not given any legs

********************************************************************************************

Rumor emerges that Nick Caserio could leave Houston for New England, after the draft
Posted by Mike Florio on April 13, 2023, 9:58 AM EDT

Recently, a theory has emerged regarding the future of G.M. Nick Caserio in Houston. As the theory goes, he might not have one.

John McClain recently wrote an item for Audacy.com regarding the situation. In it, McClain points out that he heard at the league meetings a rumor that Caserio will be leaving the Texans after the draft, and that he’ll be returning to the Patriots.

McClain doesn’t buy it. But he notes that former NFL executive Michael Lombardi has recently said there will be “organizational changes” in Houston after the draft.

That’s not a surprise, given that executive V.P. of football operations Jack Easterby was fired during the 2022 season and has not yet been replaced. It’s the Easterby departure that could be a factor for Caserio, since it was Easterby who persuaded owner Cal McNair to go off the board (as it was fashioned by the search firm) and hire Caserio, after the team had made a failed effort to hire him away from the Patriots.

What if Caserio has had enough of the Texans? What if Patriots coach Bill Belichick, in an effort to hold things together long enough to catch and pass Don Shula on the all-time wins list, is trying to put the band back together?

What if McNair, whose father once resisted firing G.M. Charley Casserly when firing coach Dom Capers and instead saw Casserly “resign” after the next draft, has taken a page out of the team founder’s playbook?

The reality is that the Texans have been the league’s worst football operation in recent years. But for the Commanders, it would be regarded as the most dysfunctional, too. Whether it’s Caserio perhaps wanting out or the Texans perhaps wanting a clean slate or perhaps a little bit of both, it wouldn’t be a shock, if the rumor McClain heard at the league meetings has any legs.
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Yeah it doesn't make sense to allow your GM to pick a new HC and fire or allow him to walk before at least one season and with 3 years remaining on his contract unless there are serious issues - which are not obvious.
McClain would be on that like a blowfly on a fresh cowpat.
 
DocBar said:
With the exception of the Stingley pick, I like what Caserio has done. He walked into a shitestorm and has effectively improved the team. In the aftermath of O'Brien, this was going to be a long rebuild.
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I and I think others understand it being a long rebuild.However, we do not
like the moves of rebuild for the most part.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
Just to be clear, when you say "they've all been...", you're talking about ONE draft. One draft where he had picks in the first and second round, and not the other draft where he didn't pick until the 3rd round. When he was picking for Lovie and Pep, getting guys for them. Stingley, Green, Pitre, and Metchie.

:kitten:
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I still evaluate draft picks from RD3.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
At the time of the Combine, Casserio had questions and understandable dissatisfaction re. Cal/Hannah not giving him full control of HC hiring.
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Texansphan said:
Yeah it doesn't make sense to allow your GM to pick a new HC and fire or allow him to walk before at least one season and with 3 years remaining on his contract unless there are serious issues - which are not obvious.
McClain would be on that like a blowfly on a fresh cowpat.
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I think what you quoted is saying Caserio was not allowed to hire the HC.

So if they didn't let him hire the HC, it would make sense that they would go a different direction after the draft.
 
TheMatrix31 said:
. . .Vladimir O'Brien and that hostage-taking scumbag butthole massage addict. . .
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Your descriptions cracked me up!! Thanks for the laugh. I needed it today. That's awesome. :heh:

CloakNNNdagger said:
Posted by Mike Florio on April 13, 2023, 9:58 AM EDT

. . .since it was Easterby who persuaded owner Cal McNair to go off the board (as it was fashioned by the search firm) and hire Caserio, after the team had made a failed effort to hire him away from the Patriots.
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I don't hate Florio like a lot of folks (he's just entertainment to me), but it's clear he's got no memory of what really went down.

Bob McNair wanted Nick Caserio. He tried to hire him in January 2018 when Nick was at the top of a Korn Ferry list. NE declined the interview request.

Hiring Jack Easterby was just a means to an end for Cal. Jack was literally just a tool (in more ways than he realized at the time) to get what his father wanted.
 
thunderkyss said:
If I were Caserio I'd want to be gone. Can't hire my HC, can't draft my players, can't wear a headset during the games... this isn't what I signed up for.
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As mod I suppose you're required believe everything you read on TT. :spit:

Lot's of manure gets spread on this site over and over, and over ad nauseam.

By mostly the same few, say we say, less than factual posters.

:coffee:
 
The Pencil Neck said:
That's fine, but I was responding to Hervoyel saying that he was just looking at the first and second round and judging Caserio on his many opportunities to get those two rounds correct. Which I thought was funny.
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What little Caserio history there is, which is realistically just one draft, is that he is poor the higher the draft picks but gets much better as the draft goes along. But what does one draft really tell us? I like to crap on good ole Casino as much as the next guy, but until we see what happens at least two drafts in a row we're not gonna have enough facts to conjure up a trend.

And now you have to add in the DeMeco factor.
 
Thorn said:
What little Caserio history there is, which is realistically just one draft, is that he is poor the higher the draft picks but gets much better as the draft goes along. But what does one draft really tell us? I like to crap on good ole Casino as much as the next guy, but until we see what happens at least two drafts in a row we're not gonna have enough facts to conjure up a trend.

And now you have to add in the DeMeco factor.
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I never really have understood what pick was whose. I don’t think any of us ever really know most of the time. I am sure that the higher up the picks are the more likely that they were the result of the owner, the HC, or some combination. We talk about Stingley being maybe a Lovie pick, Watson having been maybe a Rick Smith pick. We’ll never know for certain. If we did we could work out Caserio’s real value. We can have ten drafts in a row and we won’t know. The failures will be disavowed by everyone in power and the successes will be claimed by the highest ranking Texans exec in the room (or later leaked by some or all of the others while they try to take credit for it or give appropriate credit for it). That’s the problem with this “organization”. The lack of clear organization. When the great GM’s made a pick on teams that were being run competently nobody doubted who made the pick or cared. It was obvious and more or less unimportant. Nobody on the good teams wastes time fighting over the credit and the crumbs.
 
I am not in favor of firing Nick at this time. That time came and went which was Jan 2023. I would assess his future after the 2024 season when a fair assessment of the bounty from Watson deal plus overall progress can be fairly made.

That said, if he leaves of his own volition, I won’t exactly be upset either.

On the plus side, I think he navigated the Watson trade pretty well. Not perfect, but given the circumstances, as good as can be expected. It’s early but his mid rounders have mostly been on point. I also like how he is willing to work the board up and down on draft day. His predecessor, Gaine, never made a single trade on draft day.

On the downside, some of the guys he has targeted in trade ups haven’t been guys I’d spend draft capital on. Right idea, wrong guys imho. His first rounders so far leave a lot to be desired. If he is ceding those selections to others, that’s on him. Ultimately he is responsible. Lastly, the Culley selection is the biggest head scratcher of his tenure. it’s beyond bad, it’s embarrassing. I also feel he didn’t do enough to put his foot down regarding Easterby. Once he had his foot in the door, he needed to go to Cal and demand that the guy be jettisoned. Instead it took Lovie to save the day which makes Nick look weak and like the file clerk that Texian believes he is.

All in all, it’s a slightly generous C- grade to this point. But I still would give him additional time to put his stamp on the team. He can use the rope to either climb out of the hole he has put himself in…or he can use it to hang himself.
 
Porky said:
I am not in favor of firing Nick at this time. That time came and went which was Jan 2023. I would assess his future after the 2024 season when a fair assessment of the bounty from Watson deal plus overall progress can be fairly made.

That said, if he leaves of his own volition, I won’t exactly be upset either.

On the plus side, I think he navigated the Watson trade pretty well. Not perfect, but given the circumstances, as good as can be expected. It’s early but his mid rounders have mostly been on point. I also like how he is willing to work the board up and down on draft day. His predecessor, Gaine, never made a single trade on draft day.

On the downside, some of the guys he has targeted in trade ups haven’t been guys I’d spend draft capital on. Right idea, wrong guys imho. His first rounders so far leave a lot to be desired. If he is ceding those selections to others, that’s on him. Ultimately he is responsible. Lastly, the Culley selection is the biggest head scratcher of his tenure. it’s beyond bad, it’s embarrassing. I also feel he didn’t do enough to put his foot down regarding Easterby. Once he had his foot in the door, he needed to go to Cal and demand that the guy be jettisoned. Instead it took Lovie to save the day which makes Nick look weak and like the file clerk that Texian believes he is.

All in all, it’s a slightly generous C- grade to this point. But I still would give him additional time to put his stamp on the team. He can use the rope to either climb out of the hole he has put himself in…or he can use it to hang himself.
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I did a draft re-do giving NC the two picks back that were lost and for the first 3 picks taking likely prospects in the '21 draft and took Justin Fields QB @#3, Zaven Collins LB @#35 and Kendrick Green IOL @#67.
Fields looked like his arrow was pointing up after his sophomore season. Collins is a JAG and Green is a bust.
 
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