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Nick Caserio - New GM

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
What I know is that OB said ‘he and Jack’ numerous times on numerous decisions. And I know nearly all of those decisions went from not very good to flat out disastrous. Who actually did the who and the what, who knows? To what degree, how much input, banging on the table, the Pastor had, I don’t know, but according to OB, the Pastor was a part of all of it. And he still is. All of those moves, trade compensation, contracts, throwing away draft picks, they all were the doing of someone(s) who wasn’t very good at the personnel game. We were already well aware of OB’s bad eye for talent, so maybe it all is more on him. That I don’t know. Like I said, to what degree anyone had say, who knows?

As for the GM and HC search, I know they’ve been after Caserio for awhile, but the Pastor is the guy who brought on the tampering accusations to kill that the 2nd time around, then Gaine gets fired 18 months into a 5 year contract, and the whole thing blows up.

Then there’s the reports that they had a candidate about to ink a deal when the Pastor said let’s go get Nick. Yeah, we don’t know if that’s real, but we don’t know it’s not either.

Now, Caserio is a 1st time GM, out from under the shadow of Belichick, where his decisions alone determine his success, thus his employment here, and the coach he gets is a guy whose been in the league 27 years that has never been mentioned with the words head coach ever? That’s how you want to try and start your road to success? Yeah, yeah, we don’t know jack about what Culley will be just as we don’t know whether Bieniemy or Daboll or any of those guys would have been a complete flop or not. But I do know who I’d rather hitch my wagon to if it’s my neck on the line.

Now, I don’t have the proof that any of that was the Pastor, just as anyone else has no proof it wasn’t, but there’s a track record in place of everything that has happened since that man has been in the building. That, to me, casts a giant shadow of doubt surrounding this dude, and therefore my personal trust in the man does not exist.
I've heard the earth is flat although I cant confirm this.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I agree it is hard to put a finger on Easterby's true failures. I think he was running the cap, so I blame some bad contracts on him. He was working with BOB who I blame for personnel. Once BOB was fired and we know Easterby was acting GM, there were no more disasters but the damage was done. I know that time of year you are just churning the bottom of the roster but again stupidity stopped. I want him gone, but the longer this goes, I mainly blame him for the cap due to bad contracts, and pushing some good people like Olsen and Gaine out of the building
I can get on board with this.

However I dont get why people are so up in arms about losing the cap guy for a losing team. Gaine was fired for H/R reasons and that had nothing to do with Easterby.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Keep in mind OB was also the guy that said that he had a say in picking people and then a few months later when things were blowing up said he coaches the players he's given. I'm not saying you are wrong but OB did have a history of changing his story the resulting arguments on this board are well documented. Either way the Texans have also said numerous times that Easterby is not involved with personnel decisions so if we are going to take OB word at that time isn't it fair to take the Texans word now? Seeing as the amount of proof we have for both is, as you said, none.



That tampering charge was BS and I still kind of wish the Texans had fought it because by the leagues own rules that stipulation in Caserio's contract was illegal. If you want proof of that go look how the NFL changed the rules on that sort of thing after it died down. Gaine was fired for HR reasons.



Technically you are correct we don't know its not real but it doesn't make sense either. I don't know how much experience you have with the cooperate world but when when a company is preparing to hire a CEO or President, which is what the GM position is the equal to, there is no offering a contract and then taking it back unless some major scandal happens. IF the Texans did this they could be open to a lawsuit for dealing in bad faith because the person can claim they had to turn down other offers. Hiring a person on this level is vastly different then hiring a regular worker where its basically a interview or two, quick background check then a yes or no. Again they can't just make an offer then say "sorry we changed our minds." with consequences.



Daboll was never going to leave Clemson, I have no idea why people got it in their heads that he would. He's making more there than an NFL team would pay him, he has complete control of the program, the boosters and Alumi throw money and gifts at him and even down to never having to buy his own drinks in the local bar again. EB was the darling of the media and we all were told how hot a prospect he was but he has been interviewed by every HC needy team for the last 3 years and none would hire him. Not sure what it is about him that people act like when multiple teams won't hire him the issue is with those teams and not with the one thing that is the common denominator.

As far as Culley goes yeah I have concerns to and I didn't want a first time HC after the problems we had with OB but it is what it is. I don't hold his 27 years against him because most of those years were before the Rooney rule and afterwards people used his age against him. What I do know is that several highly respected people have said it was well deserved and a long time coming.



Fair enough but tell me, what all good things were happening with the Texans before he got there?
Great post, but I believe he was talking about Bills OC Brian Daboll.

Whoops disregard my last couple of posts. I hadn't read through the thread.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I'm listening to the talking heads in the national media as they scratch their heads about the Texans not saying anything other than their initial press release. :um:

And I'm thinking to myself the reason is because we have a new sheriff in town with Caserio. This is not his first rodeo, and he's got the Texans doing what the Patriots would always do in a time of crisis: button up all leaks, circle the wagons, keep your heads low, and just weather the storm. I doubt we hear from anyone from the Texans besides Caserio, and I'd bet that all he's willing to talk about is non-Watson football related issues.

At this point, I can't blame Easterby for personnel issues or really anything that is assumed about his duties and power within NRG. O'Brien was always the smartest man in the room, so I'm blaming him for a lot of it, especially after Hal named him GM. Maybe Easterby was involved, but to what extent is just a guess at this point. He's never been a personnel guy, and now I'm really starting to wonder if the entire point of his employment was cleaning up Watson's toxic crap that most likely permeates the locker-room.

I'd love to hear interviews of a few people no longer associated with the Texans. Jamey Rootes, Amy Palcic, and Bill O'Brien immediately come to mind. What did they know, when did they know it, and did any of it play any part in their departures?

This story is so sick and twisted that I can imagine a lot of folks just wanted to GTFO asap. It's human nature to not want to be even remotely associated with an alleged serial sexual predator.

Watson has lost all credibility at this point regarding his trade demand. I was already questioning his ethics when he makes that demand just months after signing a massive contract, and now it seems like he never really had any ethics if these charges are even remotely true.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Texans GM Nick Caserio oversees dramatic roster overhaul
March 22, 2021Updated: March 22, 2021 5:51 p.m.

Nick Caserio has dramatically altered the landscape of the Texans' roster, an overhaul that signals his intentions to build a more competitive football team immediately.

The Texans' new general manager, hired after two decades and six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, has used free agency and trades to attempt to upgrade a 4-12 team that lacked a stout defense, a strong running game and dynamic special-teams contributors last season.

Caserio has been extremely busy, executing 40 transactions over the past week. That includes signing a total of 27 unrestricted free agents, retaining two restricted free agents and acquiring four more players, including defensive end Shaq Lawson, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, quarterback Ryan Finley and tight end Ryan Izzo, via trades. The Texans also released seven players, including right guard Zach Fulton, tight end Darren Fells, punter Bryan Anger, wide receivers Damion Ratley and J'Mon Moore, linebacker Curtis Bolton and defensive tackle Andrew Brown.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

Boris

All Pro
Would you trade into the 2nd for Mills?

After seeing what's out there in the 2022 draft at the QB position I think I would trade the 3rd and a 5th plus a 6th to go up and get Mills. He's got the athletic ability to become a long time starter. I would let him sit behind Taylor for a yr so the tank doesn't get screwed up.
that's what i don't get about some of our moves
why defer costs (let alone incur new ones like Ingram) through contract restructures (Johnson, Whitney, Cunningham) instead of taking them on the chin in 2021?
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
that's what i don't get about some of our moves
why defer costs (let alone incur new ones like Ingram) through contract restructures (Johnson, Whitney, Cunningham) instead of taking them on the chin in 2021?
All I can think of is Caserio is creating cap space so that he can trade DW4.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
that's what i don't get about some of our moves
why defer costs (let alone incur new ones like Ingram) through contract restructures (Johnson, Whitney, Cunningham) instead of taking them on the chin in 2021?
I agree with you. Although while I would've cut Johnson you wont find a vet RB cheaper than the 2 mil on a 1 yr deal that Caserio is going to be paying Johnson.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Caserio wasn’t trying to traded Watson. He was trying to build a complete team around him. Unfortunately these accusations are forcing his hands. So on to plan 2.
He was trying to build a better running team. That alone would have helped us win more games last season.

Still, I don't think these allegations are pushing them towards trading him. If there's a team out there dumb enough to trade for Watson with this hanging over his head, we've got them beat.
 

Texian

Hall of Fame
I daresay Caserio would save plenty of cap space once he trims the team down to 53.
Actually the salary cap today is figured on the Top 51 salaries. When they go to the 53 man roster in September the salaries will increase by a minimum of two rookie or vet minimums.
 
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Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
If the Texans trade Watson, all the restructured contracts will make sense.

Good find, man.

My own jury will be out on a Caserio ruling for a long, long time. First he's got the monumental job of digging out of the hole that O'Brien & Easterby dug, while still managing a Tommy Boy owner and whatever other nonsense is going on at NRG.

And it honestly takes years to really know what a GM is about, so all these moves are just too soon to tell much to me.
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
Good find, man.

My own jury will be out on a Caserio ruling for a long, long time. First he's got the monumental job of digging out of the hole that O'Brien & Easterby dug, while still managing a Tommy Boy owner and whatever other nonsense is going on at NRG.

And it honestly takes years to really know what a GM is about, so all these moves are just too soon to tell much to me.
Yeah, it's going to be a couple years before the verdict will start to come out on Caserio. But so far, 2024 is looking pretty good! :sarcasm:
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
Here's a piece of an article from a premium site, with NFL execs commenting on moves other teams have made. I think the section on the Texans run the gamut of the opinions of this forum. My opinion aligns with Exec #3.

Exec No. 1: “I think the guys they signed are solid. Mark Ingram gives you a veteran guy to help whoever you got carrying the ball. Andre Roberts is a proven return specialist. Phillip Lindsay with Mark Ingram gives you a thunder-and-lightning combination. Terrance Mitchell gives you a starting corner. Christian Kirksey is a starting-level inside linebacker to replace the guy you traded. They made a ton of moves. I don’t think any of them moves the needle, but they can have a solid core of veteran guys.”

Exec No. 2: “I don’t think they got any better. I think they signed a bunch of lower-tier free-agent guys because they had to have numbers. They added a bunch of average football players without any of them being guys that you have to worry about on Sunday. The problem is, they’re changing it over with guys that, a year from now, they’re going to have to change again. Who from that group are you going to build around?”

Exec No. 3: “They are doing a bunch of crazy ****. They are signing minimum guys for $2 million. They are signing $2 million guys for $4 million. They are giving money to guys like Brandin Cooks and Whitney Mercilus and then cutting years from their contracts. I have no idea what they are doing.”
 

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
Good find, man.

My own jury will be out on a Caserio ruling for a long, long time. First he's got the monumental job of digging out of the hole that O'Brien & Easterby dug, while still managing a Tommy Boy owner and whatever other nonsense is going on at NRG.

And it honestly takes years to really know what a GM is about, so all these moves are just too soon to tell much to me.
Rational.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Here's a piece of an article from a premium site, with NFL execs commenting on moves other teams have made. I think the section on the Texans run the gamut of the opinions of this forum. My opinion aligns with Exec #3.
I like what Exec 1 says. Starter level guys, thunder & lightning... I’m thinking that Exec is Easterby.

Exec 2 sounds more realistic. But it makes sense to me. IMO a bad contract is one where you’re paying a guy too much for too long. I think Caserio has done a good job fixing our bad contracts & paving the way for 2022 & 2023.

Exec 3... exactly. Well I don’t know who is a $2M guy, & who is a $4M guy. Either way, more money I expected to be doling out.
 

Texian

Hall of Fame
Robert Kraft throws Nick Caserio under the bus, “I don’t feel like we’ve done the greatest job the last few years and I really hope and believe I’ve seen a different approach this year".

"That’s an obvious slap at coach Bill Belichick, who runs the football operations. It’s also an indictment of his primary table-setter since 2009, Nick Caserio — who’s now the G.M. of the Texans".
Robert Kraft acknowledges New England's recent draft failures - ProFootballTalk (nbcsports.com)
 
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IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I like what Exec 1 says. Starter level guys, thunder & lightning... I’m thinking that Exec is Easterby.

Exec 2 sounds more realistic. But it makes sense to me. IMO a bad contract is one where you’re paying a guy too much for too long. I think Caserio has done a good job fixing our bad contracts & paving the way for 2022 & 2023.

Exec 3... exactly. Well I don’t know who is a $2M guy, & who is a $4M guy. Either way, more money I expected to be doling out.
Whoever he is yea lets hope the first guy is the only one of the three who knows what he's talking about because as I've said before I really belief that the
GM even more than the HC is the most important person in determining the success of an NFL franchise.
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
Whoever he is yea lets hope the first guy is the only one of the three who knows what he's talking about because as I've said before I really belief that the
GM even more than the HC is the most important person in determining the success of an NFL franchise.
I believe the GM and HC are equally important in building a successful roster. Culley is a pretty big wildcard in all of this. I don't know what his vision is or to what degree he will influence the draft. He's spent most of his wandering NFL career in the shadows of other men.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I believe the GM and HC are equally important in building a successful roster. Culley is a pretty big wildcard in all of this. I don't know what his vision is or to what degree he will influence the draft. He's spent most of his wandering NFL career in the shadows of other men.
I think one has to have the vision & that one needs to be able to make the decisions to realize that vision.

I didn’t like that Kubiak was given as much power as he was given early in his career. He hadn’t demonstrated the ability to wield it.

But McNair flipped & gave the power to Rick halfway down the road & made matters worse. Then when he went to get a new coach he left Rick out of the process & B’Ob became the man.

As been said before, you can’t halfas a regime change.
 

Texian

Hall of Fame
I think one has to have the vision & that one needs to be able to make the decisions to realize that vision.

I didn’t like that Kubiak was given as much power as he was given early in his career. He hadn’t demonstrated the ability to wield it.

But McNair flipped & gave the power to Rick halfway down the road & made matters worse. Then when he went to get a new coach he left Rick out of the process & B’Ob became the man.

As been said before, you can’t halfas a regime change.
Revisionist history.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Robert Kraft throws Nick Caserio under the bus, “I don’t feel like we’ve done the greatest job the last few years and I really hope and believe I’ve seen a different approach this year".

"That’s an obvious slap at coach Bill Belichick, who runs the football operations. It’s also an indictment of his primary table-setter since 2009, Nick Caserio — who’s now the G.M. of the Texans".
Robert Kraft acknowledges New England's recent draft failures - ProFootballTalk (nbcsports.com)
From article:

“It’s more than just bad drafting, in our view. It’s a combination of bad drafting and a failure to develop the players who were drafted. Either the players had a low ceiling or the coaching staff couldn’t get them to their ceiling, or both.

It’s also possible that Belichick has little patience for young players who don’t quickly figure out how to be solid pro players, expecting them to sink or swim no matter how big the stone tied to their ankle may be.”
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
From article:

“It’s more than just bad drafting, in our view. It’s a combination of bad drafting and a failure to develop the players who were drafted. Either the players had a low ceiling or the coaching staff couldn’t get them to their ceiling, or both.

It’s also possible that Belichick has little patience for young players who don’t quickly figure out how to be solid pro players, expecting them to sink or swim no matter how big the stone tied to their ankle may be.”
convieniently left out of course...
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member

That said, Kraft also could have been referring to the fact that there’s a different person ultimately setting the table for Kraft, given the departure of former V.P. of player personnel Nick Caserio for the Texans. Although source-guessing is regarded by some in this business as a no-no, it’s impossible to ignore the reality that Breer interviewed Caserio just last week. Also, given that Kraft’s critique of the teams recent drafts and reference to a “different approach” easily could be interpreted as an indictment of Caserio, it makes sense for Caserio — who is no longer muzzled by Belichick — to be the one to tell the story of Belichick going off the board for a player who has become a bust, in order to deflect any criticism away from Caserio, especially as it relates to the ill-fated selection of Harry.

Regardless of whether the information came from Caserio, it’s undeniable that Caserio is mentioned nowhere in Breer’s 435-word blurb regarding recent draft failures in New England. Given his title and the fact that he’s the most significant change from recent years to this year, it’s impossible not to at least consider the possibility that Kraft was referring at least in part to Caserio when citing the different approach that the owner has seen.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Still makes little sense to me. It’s not like Caserio brought in new ideas & a new approach. He is a product of NE. So if there is a problem with the way he does his job, there’s a problem with the environment he was created in.
 

Texian

Hall of Fame
"That said, Kraft also could have been referring to the fact that there’s a different person ultimately setting the table for Kraft...Also, given that Kraft’s critique of the teams recent drafts and reference to a “different approach” = ELIOT WOLF
 
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Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Yeah, it's going to be a couple years before the verdict will start to come out on Caserio. But so far, 2024 is looking pretty good! :sarcasm:
Yep. I could easily be all-in for pessimism about this franchise. Hope is often a sucker's game, especially as it pertains to Houston pro football.

That said, I'm trying to be a "new & improved" DB, one that doesn't expect the worst and doesn't have low expectations of people in general.

It's an uphill struggle. :woot2

I believe the GM and HC are equally important in building a successful roster. Culley is a pretty big wildcard in all of this. I don't know what his vision is or to what degree he will influence the draft. He's spent most of his wandering NFL career in the shadows of other men.
Honestly, I still have not figured out why David Culley. He seems like a nice guy, but reading through press conferences reveals nothing at all. I do not sense that he has any sort of vision for this team, but rather is just happy to be here.

They keep telling us that Culley is the best man for the job (their words), but never tell us WHY he's the best man for the job.

Their exact words about Culley's "biggest assets" are that he's got "positive energy and cheerful personality". And his WR drills at a scouting combine really impressed Nick Caserio. These are all quoted from the Houston Texans website about his introduction as head coach.

After reading all of that propaganda, I'm not sure how long this "new & improved" DB will last. . . :thinking:
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Still makes little sense to me. It’s not like Caserio brought in new ideas & a new approach. He is a product of NE. So if there is a problem with the way he does his job, there’s a problem with the environment he was created in.

The problem in NE is Belicheck wasn’t listening to scouts. Going forward he is going to.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
"That said, Kraft also could have been referring to the fact that there’s a different person ultimately setting the table for Kraft...Also, given that Kraft’s critique of the teams recent drafts and reference to a “different approach” = ELIOT WOLF
Dave Ziegler seems to be the number 2 there not Wolf.

There is something about Wolf that we don’t know about on why he keeps getting passed up for GM spots. Someone with his experience should be a shoe in but he is always the bridesmaid and never the bride. He watched Dorsey rebuild the Browns. He did a year in Seattle. Worked in Green Bay.

Maybe he isn’t up to it. Can’t work the hours. Doesn’t show the passion. Medical issues. One can only speculate.

Must be his internet search history, because it is something.

 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
Yep. I could easily be all-in for pessimism about this franchise. Hope is often a sucker's game, especially as it pertains to Houston pro football.

That said, I'm trying to be a "new & improved" DB, one that doesn't expect the worst and doesn't have low expectations of people in general.

It's an uphill struggle. :woot2



Honestly, I still have not figured out why David Culley. He seems like a nice guy, but reading through press conferences reveals nothing at all. I do not sense that he has any sort of vision for this team, but rather is just happy to be here.

They keep telling us that Culley is the best man for the job (their words), but never tell us WHY he's the best man for the job.

Their exact words about Culley's "biggest assets" are that he's got "positive energy and cheerful personality". And his WR drills at a scouting combine really impressed Nick Caserio. These are all quoted from the Houston Texans website about his introduction as head coach.

After reading all of that propaganda, I'm not sure how long this "new & improved" DB will last. . . :thinking:
Why would any of these guys be the best man for the job tho..none of these newer guys that got gigs this offseason reveal that they were so much more qualified to be the next HC over Culley if you just step back and objectively look at what they’d done prior to getting their gigs.

Saleh hadn’t really done anything except 1 year where he had a stout defense that went to the SB. Like literally that’s it. What’s lost In that tho is that his defense was absolutely LOADED that year. His whole front 4 were all #1 picks at 1 point or another. The 2 years prior to that when he was the defensive coordinator their defense wasn’t good under him.

Bienemy...yes he’s been the official playcaller for KC the last few years, but everyone KNOWS that the machinery behind him is Reid. So how good would he really be as a HC without Reid? No one knows but if they had to handicap it based on his most recent protege, it ain’t good...& apparently the rest of the league doesn’t think so either since this is 3 years running now where he hasn’t gotten a gig.

Culley hadn’t held a coordinator position..but neither had Reid or Harbaugh before they took over as HC...they’ve seemed to do pretty well.

so I’m not really a buyer in what’s on a guy’s resume being the main thing to determine if they’re the right person for the job.
 
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