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Nick Caserio - New GM

leebigeztx said:
Unrealistic to get a 1st and a high 2nd for Cooks at this point imo. How are you going to see if Mills can be the man you need by trading his best wr?
Click to expand...

My thoughts, as well. I had just read that story when Texian posted so thought I'd put it up here.

But, I'm conditioned as a Texans fan to not come out on top of those kinds of deals, so yeah, feels like wishful thinking on the part of the writer. lol

And I agree completely about Davis needing weapons. You can't expect a deep evaluation if he's only throwing to JAGs and rookies.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I don’t think Cooks rates a RD1 return, but I think the Texans could possibly talk the Jets out of their (2) RD2 picks.

Jets Get:
WR- Brandin Cooks
RD4- 108

Texans Get:
RD2-035
RD2-038

I think both teams could walk away from this deal pretty satisfied.
Click to expand...

You’re right, I got greedy. I’d go the same proposed trade I had if they were trading him to the Raiders.

Jets Get:
WR- Cooks
RD6-205

Texans Get:
RD2-038
 
Double Barrel said:
My thoughts, as well. I had just read that story when Texian posted so thought I'd put it up here.

But, I'm conditioned as a Texans fan to not come out on top of those kinds of deals, so yeah, feels like wishful thinking on the part of the writer. lol

And I agree completely about Davis needing weapons. You can't expect a deep evaluation if he's only throwing to JAGs and rookies.
Click to expand...
Agree. Also, when Cooks played with Davis, they had a good connection and he targeted Cooks more than any other WR on the team.
However, based on previous TT logic, a young QB can throw too much to their WR1. So, before he becomes over reliant on Cooks, a trade will make Davis a better QB.
 
Last edited:
Double Barrel said:
Do you think this is a realistic trade proposal?

3 Brandin Cooks trade packages to send to New York Jets

Jets Get:
WR Brandin Cooks
80th overall pick

Texans Get
10th overall pick
38th overall pick
117th pick
2023 2nd round pick
Click to expand...
IMO I would think Green Bay and Kansas City would be the interested buyers for Cook.

leebigeztx said:
Unrealistic to get a 1st and a high 2nd for Cooks at this point imo. How are you going to see if Mills can be the man you need by trading his best wr?
Click to expand...
By getting an extra 1st or 2nd RD pick. I'm thinking Mills and Skyy Moore could become a dynamic duo.

OptimisticTexan said:
I don’t think Cooks rates a RD1 return, but I think the Texans could possibly talk the Jets out of their (2) RD2 picks.

Jets Get:
WR- Brandin Cooks
RD4- 108

Texans Get:
RD2-035
RD2-038

I think both teams could walk away from this deal pretty satisfied.
Click to expand...
GB and KC just lost their All-Pro WRs and could be desperately in the market for a top replacement.

leebigeztx said:
Amari just went for a 5th and 6th. 2 2nd rd picks is pretty steep imo.
Click to expand...
The reason Amari went for 2 late RD draft picks is he came with a $20MM salary cap hit. That priced most teams out of the market. That's why Dallas had to let him go. Cooks cost a little more than half that, much more attractive and doable.
 
Kansas City has (2) 1st RD picks, #29 and #30 AND (2) 2nd RD picks, #50 and #62. I would take any one of those picks for Brandin Cooks. Tell Easterby the time has come for Cooks to venture out on his own and build a church in Kansas City.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
Mills is working with Collins this off-season….not Cooks. The Texans can draft 2 more solid receivers in this draft to work with Collins. Me, I’d love to see the Texans draft:

WR- Christian Watson (North Dakota State) 6-4 @ 208 lbs / 4.36-40 / Speed Receiver at All Levels of the Field with the ability to take the top off defenses and who will block downfield.

WR- Alec Pierce (Cincinnati) 6-3 @ 211 lbs / 4.41-40 / Fast Possession Receiver who blocks downfield. I’d really like the mismatches he could create as a SWR.

Add In:
WR- Nico Collins (Texans / Year 2) 6-4 @ 215 lbs / 4.42-40 / Has spent the entire off-season working with Davis Mills to create comfort and trust with one another.
Click to expand...
That's fine and dandy, but Cooks is a precise route runner that has produced with every qb he's been with,even Goff. Nico is a possession 50/50 ball wr right now. His routes are kinda sloppy, but you kinda expect that. I don't really care Watson can block downfield or how clock fast he is. The more important question is can he get seperation at the stem of a route and can he get open when the qb expects him to when his back foot hit the ground. The Dolphins and Raiders didn't trade for Adams and Hill because they block well downfield.
 
leebigeztx said:
That's fine and dandy, but Cooks is a precise route runner that has produced with every qb he's been with,even Goff. Nico is a possession 50/50 ball wr right now. His routes are kinda sloppy, but you kinda expect that. I don't really care Watson can block downfield or how clock fast he is. The more important question is can he get seperation at the stem of a route and can he get open when the qb expects him to when his back foot hit the ground. The Dolphins and Raiders didn't trade for Adams and Hill because they block well downfield.
Click to expand...
Hamilton wants his receivers to block downfield as an integral part of the run game.
 
Earl34 said:
Agree. Also, when Cooks played with Davis, they had a good connection and he targeted Cooks more than any other WR on the team.
However, based on previous TT logic, a young QB can throw too much to their WR1. So, before he becomes over reliant on Cooks, a trade will make Davis a better QB.
Click to expand...

Give him Cooks and a healthy WFV and if he throws as much to Cooks as he did last yr and I will agree with you.

Do you think it was a coincidence that Derrick had his best yr after Hopkins was traded? I dont think it was.
 
Texian said:
Kansas City has (2) 1st RD picks, #29 and #30 AND (2) 2nd RD picks, #50 and #62. I would take any one of those picks for Brandin Cooks. Tell Easterby the time has come for Cooks to venture out on his own and build a church in Kansas City.
Click to expand...
I dont want to trade him, because I want to give Mills more weapons, not less, but if K.C. offered 2-50 and a 4th I would consider it.
 
Number19 said:
Hamilton wants his receivers to block downfield as an integral part of the run game.
Click to expand...
Every oc wants the wr's to at least stalk block or get in the way, but they're not going to sacrifice big play ability for a good blocker. No OC will give up an explosive coverage dictator for a blocker. Take the 10 wr's and see how many are good blockers.
 
leebigeztx said:
Every oc wants the wr's to at least stalk block or get in the way, but they're not going to sacrifice big play ability for a good blocker. No OC will give up an explosive coverage dictator for a blocker. Take the 10 wr's and see how many are good blockers.
Click to expand...
One would imagine the bigger guys might be more willing to block.
"Burks is also a really good blocker in the running game. He does a great job of gaining position on the defender and walling them off from the runner. You also can see him carrying those blocks 10-15+ yards down the field on longer runs."
www.draftdive.com

Treylon Burks Scouting Report - Draft Dive |Treylon Burks NFL Draft Profile

Treylon Burks scouting report including 40 time, NFL draft projection, NFL comparison, and NFL Draft stock. Arkansas WR 2022 NFL Draft.
www.draftdive.com www.draftdive.com
.
 
Texansphan said:
One would imagine the bigger guys might be more willing to block.
"Burks is also a really good blocker in the running game. He does a great job of gaining position on the defender and walling them off from the runner. You also can see him carrying those blocks 10-15+ yards down the field on longer runs."
www.draftdive.com

Treylon Burks Scouting Report - Draft Dive |Treylon Burks NFL Draft Profile

Treylon Burks scouting report including 40 time, NFL draft projection, NFL comparison, and NFL Draft stock. Arkansas WR 2022 NFL Draft.
www.draftdive.com www.draftdive.com
.
Click to expand...
I like Burks, but you know one of the 1st things I look at with college wr's? Yards per catch. If a supposed premier wr in college isn't over 17 ypc, then that tells me he's more of a possession wr. Once you get into the nfl, you're going to get about 2 ypc shaved off that number in the pro's. Most coaches just want a wr to stalk block or basically get in the way and not hold his man. I cant tell you if Andre or Hopkins were good blockers or not, but they were exceptional wr's.
 
thunderkyss said:
I can’t imagine a coach that doesn’t.


Getting them to do it is another story
Click to expand...

Both of the guys I mentioned got plenty on film of doing the dirty work of blocking downfield. If they’re comfortable doing it CFB….that should play right into their NFL careers.
 
leebigeztx said:
I like Burks, but you know one of the 1st things I look at with college wr's? Yards per catch. If a supposed premier wr in college isn't over 17 ypc, then that tells me he's more of a possession wr. Once you get into the nfl, you're going to get about 2 ypc shaved off that number in the pro's. Most coaches just want a wr to stalk block or basically get in the way and not hold his man. I cant tell you if Andre or Hopkins were good blockers or not, but they were exceptional wr's.
Click to expand...

Cooper Kupp / Eastern Washington / 6-2 @ 204 lbs / 4.62-40 / Career YPC: 15.1

_____________

Christian Watson / North Dakota State / 6-4 @ 208 lbs / 4.36-40 / Career YPC: 20.4

Alec Pierce / Cincinnati / 6-3 @ 211 lbs / 4.41-40 / Career YPC: 17.5

I see both Watson and Pierce as blue-collar receivers who appear to pride themselves on being complete receivers who will also do the dirty work of blocking.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
Cooper Kupp / Eastern Washington / 6-2 @ 204 lbs / 4.62-40 / Career YPC: 15.1

_____________

Christian Watson / North Dakota State / 6-4 @ 208 lbs / 4.36-40 / Career YPC: 20.4

Alec Pierce / Cincinnati / 6-3 @ 211 lbs / 4.41-40 / Career YPC: 17.5

I see both Watson and Pierce as blue-collar receivers who appear to pride themselves on being complete receivers who will also do the dirty work of blocking.
Click to expand...
If you watched Pierce when Cinci played 'Bama, you would have seen that 'Bama constantly rolled coverages to Pierce so that he had at least double coverage. He still managed to get open most of the time, but Ridder didn't throw to him. On one GL play, Pierce had the coverage beat so bad that Ridder could have did an easy lob to him, but Ridder's line drive pass was batted down at the LOS.

If you watch Ridder's passing highlights, they almost all include Pierce. If Ridder was a better QB, Pierce's #'s would have been a lot higher.
 
The Houston Texans hierarchy is defined in this article............and there is now appropriate alignment between the GM and HC.:

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

With Deshaun Watson baggage shed, Texans brain trust steers ship forward
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
March 30, 2022Updated: March 30, 2022 8:58 a.m.


PALM BEACH, Fla. — Cal McNair is talking about overtime. The Texans chairman and CEO has just emerged from an hourlong deliberation among NFL owners who passed a new rule that guarantees both teams a possession in the postseason. In 15 minutes, he’ll disappear into another closed-door session and debate rules and regulations and other football-related minutiae.

The normalcy of it all is almost news itself.

Somewhere else within the plush halls of The Breakers resort, second-year Texans general manager Nick Caserio is walking around with six new draft picks in his pockets, acquired in a recent trade that sent controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Browns.

Cleveland’s staff fielded the Watson questions Monday morning. The Browns faced scrutiny for awarding the quarterback a five-year, $230 million contract that appears to mitigate his financial losses upon any potential NFL suspension, although civil lawsuits filed by 22 women who allege Watson sexually assaulted and harassed them are still pending.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Texans coach Lovie Smith sat in the quiet relief of a franchise unburdened by a saga that hung over Houston for 14 months.

“I know for me, it was there,” said Smith, who spent 2021 as the team’s defensive coordinator. “No matter what we say, it was there.”

Now, for McNair, it’s about overtime. It’s about building a team good enough to potentially test out those new rules in the playoffs. It’s about walking into NRG Stadium and knowing what players will be there.

“There was so much uncertainty,” McNair says. “Things were out of our control. Being able to have certainty and clarity on where we were going, the trade allowed us to do that. And so we’re really excited to move forward.”

The Texans are moving forward with clear boundaries in the front office’s organizational chart, too. The hovering saga stretches back further when considering the fluctuating role of Jack Easterby, whose enigmatic presence drew controversy as his titles (that once included interim GM) shifted.

Caserio and Easterby have both defined the team’s power dynamic in separate radio interviews in the past three months: Caserio oversees the roster, the trades, the draft and other football-related decisions. Easterby oversees the logistical and technological groups — like the sports performance team — that support the workflow of football operations. Smith coaches the team.

“That’s been pretty clear,” McNair says. “Nick’s been clear on it. I think I’ve been clear on it. And that’s the way it’s set up.”

The regime now will oversee a trade haul that could define its legacy, an exchange that included Cleveland’s first-round picks for the next three years. Houston currently wields the No. 3 and 13 selections in the NFL draft, although McNair says “it wouldn’t surprise me” if Caserio trades either of the picks if he feels it would yield a valuable return.

For now, it’s an unprecedented opportunity for a rebuilding franchise that faces pressure to get those picks right.

Caserio and Smith are scouring collegiate workouts and pro days in search of players, and Smith said they’re “constantly talking” about which prospects they could select.

The two share a philosophy that a team begins building its roster along the offensive and defensive lines, Smith said.

The Texans have potential cornerstones under contract in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, flex lineman Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard — players Smith named during his interview session at league meetings — but the franchise’s highest pick places it in range of elite prospects like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, either of whom would substantially improve depth at his position.

Erratic mock drafts that media analysts prepare over the next four weeks will provide only a hazy picture of which players ultimately will be available, and the Texans have enough wide-ranging needs that there’s a reasonable scenario in which the franchise takes a surging talent like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
“We have to be able to get some good football players there,” Smith said.

Texans leadership knows it’s at risk of losing fan interest beyond the Watson scandal. McNair, Caserio and Smith know they must win.

After four AFC South titles in five seasons, the franchise has fielded two uniquely embarrassing four-win campaigns in consecutive seasons. Last season, the Texans averaged over 5,000 fewer paid attendees than NRG Stadium’s 72,220 capacity, and the fans who actually showed up were usually far fewer.

Texans president Greg Grissom rolled out a renewal incentive in January that aimed to energize season ticket holders as the franchise begins to add more talent to its roster, and McNair says renewals already have exceeded 80 percent.

There’s an urgency to perform. By firing former head coach David Culley after one expectedly dismal season, Caserio signaled that the franchise is prepared to improve, although the Texans will face a potentially brutal 2022 schedule that includes the rigorous AFC West.

The Texans will have to improve with existing limitations in cap space. Caserio has said they won’t be big spenders in free agency until next year, which means most of the significant upgrades on the roster will be made through the draft.

But confidence could emerge from consistency. Caserio re-signed 16 players who spent last season playing on one-year contracts, and by promoting Pep Hamilton to offensive coordinator, the Texans have invested in the progression of Davis Mills, a quarterback McNair says he’s “really excited” about after a promising end to his rookie season.

Is there a timeline for success? McNair says he expects the Texans are “going to be in position to win even this year” and compete in games late in the season, “with chances to go to the playoffs.”

They’re lofty goals considering the recent past. But the franchise hopes it’s on a new path that will put a saga of dysfunction behind it.

“The ultimate goal is a Super Bowl,” McNair says. “That’s what we’re here to play for and to do it all the right way, which adds to the challenge. And it’s not easy. But we’ve had to change a number of folks on business and football. And that has been a challenge. But I think it’s all working out for the best for the organization moving forward as we really battle for championships.”
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
The Houston Texans hierarchy is defined in this article............and there is now appropriate alignment between the GM and HC.:

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

With Deshaun Watson baggage shed, Texans brain trust steers ship forward
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
March 30, 2022Updated: March 30, 2022 8:58 a.m.


PALM BEACH, Fla. — Cal McNair is talking about overtime. The Texans chairman and CEO has just emerged from an hourlong deliberation among NFL owners who passed a new rule that guarantees both teams a possession in the postseason. In 15 minutes, he’ll disappear into another closed-door session and debate rules and regulations and other football-related minutiae.

The normalcy of it all is almost news itself.

Somewhere else within the plush halls of The Breakers resort, second-year Texans general manager Nick Caserio is walking around with six new draft picks in his pockets, acquired in a recent trade that sent controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Browns.

Cleveland’s staff fielded the Watson questions Monday morning. The Browns faced scrutiny for awarding the quarterback a five-year, $230 million contract that appears to mitigate his financial losses upon any potential NFL suspension, although civil lawsuits filed by 22 women who allege Watson sexually assaulted and harassed them are still pending.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Texans coach Lovie Smith sat in the quiet relief of a franchise unburdened by a saga that hung over Houston for 14 months.

“I know for me, it was there,” said Smith, who spent 2021 as the team’s defensive coordinator. “No matter what we say, it was there.”

Now, for McNair, it’s about overtime. It’s about building a team good enough to potentially test out those new rules in the playoffs. It’s about walking into NRG Stadium and knowing what players will be there.

“There was so much uncertainty,” McNair says. “Things were out of our control. Being able to have certainty and clarity on where we were going, the trade allowed us to do that. And so we’re really excited to move forward.”

The Texans are moving forward with clear boundaries in the front office’s organizational chart, too. The hovering saga stretches back further when considering the fluctuating role of Jack Easterby, whose enigmatic presence drew controversy as his titles (that once included interim GM) shifted.

Caserio and Easterby have both defined the team’s power dynamic in separate radio interviews in the past three months: Caserio oversees the roster, the trades, the draft and other football-related decisions. Easterby oversees the logistical and technological groups — like the sports performance team — that support the workflow of football operations. Smith coaches the team.

“That’s been pretty clear,” McNair says. “Nick’s been clear on it. I think I’ve been clear on it. And that’s the way it’s set up.”

The regime now will oversee a trade haul that could define its legacy, an exchange that included Cleveland’s first-round picks for the next three years. Houston currently wields the No. 3 and 13 selections in the NFL draft, although McNair says “it wouldn’t surprise me” if Caserio trades either of the picks if he feels it would yield a valuable return.

For now, it’s an unprecedented opportunity for a rebuilding franchise that faces pressure to get those picks right.

Caserio and Smith are scouring collegiate workouts and pro days in search of players, and Smith said they’re “constantly talking” about which prospects they could select.

The two share a philosophy that a team begins building its roster along the offensive and defensive lines, Smith said.

The Texans have potential cornerstones under contract in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, flex lineman Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard — players Smith named during his interview session at league meetings — but the franchise’s highest pick places it in range of elite prospects like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, either of whom would substantially improve depth at his position.

Erratic mock drafts that media analysts prepare over the next four weeks will provide only a hazy picture of which players ultimately will be available, and the Texans have enough wide-ranging needs that there’s a reasonable scenario in which the franchise takes a surging talent like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
“We have to be able to get some good football players there,” Smith said.

Texans leadership knows it’s at risk of losing fan interest beyond the Watson scandal. McNair, Caserio and Smith know they must win.

After four AFC South titles in five seasons, the franchise has fielded two uniquely embarrassing four-win campaigns in consecutive seasons. Last season, the Texans averaged over 5,000 fewer paid attendees than NRG Stadium’s 72,220 capacity, and the fans who actually showed up were usually far fewer.

Texans president Greg Grissom rolled out a renewal incentive in January that aimed to energize season ticket holders as the franchise begins to add more talent to its roster, and McNair says renewals already have exceeded 80 percent.

There’s an urgency to perform. By firing former head coach David Culley after one expectedly dismal season, Caserio signaled that the franchise is prepared to improve, although the Texans will face a potentially brutal 2022 schedule that includes the rigorous AFC West.

The Texans will have to improve with existing limitations in cap space. Caserio has said they won’t be big spenders in free agency until next year, which means most of the significant upgrades on the roster will be made through the draft.

But confidence could emerge from consistency. Caserio re-signed 16 players who spent last season playing on one-year contracts, and by promoting Pep Hamilton to offensive coordinator, the Texans have invested in the progression of Davis Mills, a quarterback McNair says he’s “really excited” about after a promising end to his rookie season.

Is there a timeline for success? McNair says he expects the Texans are “going to be in position to win even this year” and compete in games late in the season, “with chances to go to the playoffs.”

They’re lofty goals considering the recent past. But the franchise hopes it’s on a new path that will put a saga of dysfunction behind it.

“The ultimate goal is a Super Bowl,” McNair says. “That’s what we’re here to play for and to do it all the right way, which adds to the challenge. And it’s not easy. But we’ve had to change a number of folks on business and football. And that has been a challenge. But I think it’s all working out for the best for the organization moving forward as we really battle for championships.”
Click to expand...
Interesting.
I hope it holds true.
Doesn't mean they won't draft a QB - just means they likely won't take one high.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
The Houston Texans hierarchy is defined in this article............and there is now appropriate alignment between the GM and HC.:

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

With Deshaun Watson baggage shed, Texans brain trust steers ship forward
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
March 30, 2022Updated: March 30, 2022 8:58 a.m.


PALM BEACH, Fla. — Cal McNair is talking about overtime. The Texans chairman and CEO has just emerged from an hourlong deliberation among NFL owners who passed a new rule that guarantees both teams a possession in the postseason. In 15 minutes, he’ll disappear into another closed-door session and debate rules and regulations and other football-related minutiae.

The normalcy of it all is almost news itself.

Somewhere else within the plush halls of The Breakers resort, second-year Texans general manager Nick Caserio is walking around with six new draft picks in his pockets, acquired in a recent trade that sent controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Browns.

Cleveland’s staff fielded the Watson questions Monday morning. The Browns faced scrutiny for awarding the quarterback a five-year, $230 million contract that appears to mitigate his financial losses upon any potential NFL suspension, although civil lawsuits filed by 22 women who allege Watson sexually assaulted and harassed them are still pending.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Texans coach Lovie Smith sat in the quiet relief of a franchise unburdened by a saga that hung over Houston for 14 months.

“I know for me, it was there,” said Smith, who spent 2021 as the team’s defensive coordinator. “No matter what we say, it was there.”

Now, for McNair, it’s about overtime. It’s about building a team good enough to potentially test out those new rules in the playoffs. It’s about walking into NRG Stadium and knowing what players will be there.

“There was so much uncertainty,” McNair says. “Things were out of our control. Being able to have certainty and clarity on where we were going, the trade allowed us to do that. And so we’re really excited to move forward.”

The Texans are moving forward with clear boundaries in the front office’s organizational chart, too. The hovering saga stretches back further when considering the fluctuating role of Jack Easterby, whose enigmatic presence drew controversy as his titles (that once included interim GM) shifted.

Caserio and Easterby have both defined the team’s power dynamic in separate radio interviews in the past three months: Caserio oversees the roster, the trades, the draft and other football-related decisions. Easterby oversees the logistical and technological groups — like the sports performance team — that support the workflow of football operations. Smith coaches the team.

“That’s been pretty clear,” McNair says. “Nick’s been clear on it. I think I’ve been clear on it. And that’s the way it’s set up.”

The regime now will oversee a trade haul that could define its legacy, an exchange that included Cleveland’s first-round picks for the next three years. Houston currently wields the No. 3 and 13 selections in the NFL draft, although McNair says “it wouldn’t surprise me” if Caserio trades either of the picks if he feels it would yield a valuable return.

For now, it’s an unprecedented opportunity for a rebuilding franchise that faces pressure to get those picks right.

Caserio and Smith are scouring collegiate workouts and pro days in search of players, and Smith said they’re “constantly talking” about which prospects they could select.

The two share a philosophy that a team begins building its roster along the offensive and defensive lines, Smith said.

The Texans have potential cornerstones under contract in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, flex lineman Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard — players Smith named during his interview session at league meetings — but the franchise’s highest pick places it in range of elite prospects like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, either of whom would substantially improve depth at his position.

Erratic mock drafts that media analysts prepare over the next four weeks will provide only a hazy picture of which players ultimately will be available, and the Texans have enough wide-ranging needs that there’s a reasonable scenario in which the franchise takes a surging talent like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
“We have to be able to get some good football players there,” Smith said.

Texans leadership knows it’s at risk of losing fan interest beyond the Watson scandal. McNair, Caserio and Smith know they must win.

After four AFC South titles in five seasons, the franchise has fielded two uniquely embarrassing four-win campaigns in consecutive seasons. Last season, the Texans averaged over 5,000 fewer paid attendees than NRG Stadium’s 72,220 capacity, and the fans who actually showed up were usually far fewer.

Texans president Greg Grissom rolled out a renewal incentive in January that aimed to energize season ticket holders as the franchise begins to add more talent to its roster, and McNair says renewals already have exceeded 80 percent.

There’s an urgency to perform. By firing former head coach David Culley after one expectedly dismal season, Caserio signaled that the franchise is prepared to improve, although the Texans will face a potentially brutal 2022 schedule that includes the rigorous AFC West.

The Texans will have to improve with existing limitations in cap space. Caserio has said they won’t be big spenders in free agency until next year, which means most of the significant upgrades on the roster will be made through the draft.

But confidence could emerge from consistency. Caserio re-signed 16 players who spent last season playing on one-year contracts, and by promoting Pep Hamilton to offensive coordinator, the Texans have invested in the progression of Davis Mills, a quarterback McNair says he’s “really excited” about after a promising end to his rookie season.

Is there a timeline for success? McNair says he expects the Texans are “going to be in position to win even this year” and compete in games late in the season, “with chances to go to the playoffs.”

They’re lofty goals considering the recent past. But the franchise hopes it’s on a new path that will put a saga of dysfunction behind it.

“The ultimate goal is a Super Bowl,” McNair says. “That’s what we’re here to play for and to do it all the right way, which adds to the challenge. And it’s not easy. But we’ve had to change a number of folks on business and football. And that has been a challenge. But I think it’s all working out for the best for the organization moving forward as we really battle for championships.”
Click to expand...

Great article Doc, sounds like Caserio and Lovie are working as a team and that's a good thing. It also sounds like Caserio is making the final calls on personnel.

It also looks like in the last paragraph that Cal saying doing it the right way makes things more challenging means that the Not Texans Worthy slogan still exists down on Kirby. So really not much has changed.
 
steelbtexan said:
Great article Doc, sounds like Caserio and Lovie are working as a team and that's a good thing. It also sounds like Caserio is making the final calls on personnel.

It also looks like in the last paragraph that Cal saying doing it the right way makes things more challenging means that the Not Texans Worthy slogan still exists down on Kirby. So really not much has changed.
Click to expand...

Honestly, in light of towel boy's sketchy private life, I would not blame them for having some kind of metric to judge the character of players before they sign them.

O'Brien apparently had no standard of conduct and it set this franchise back years. I don't expect a team full of choir boys, but a little private investigation prior to giving a player a massive contract would not be a bad thing. They could have saved themselves a whole lot of trouble if they knew that Watson was preying on women on social media (this part was admitted by his own lawyer).
 
CloakNNNdagger said:

Caserio and Smith are scouring collegiate workouts and pro days in search of players, and Smith said they’re “constantly talking” about which prospects they could select.

The two share a philosophy that a team begins building its roster along the offensive and defensive lines, Smith said.

Click to expand...


I have heard multiple times on this board that the game is won between the lines.

Most should be ecstatic about that comment.

Should be a fun draft.
 
TexansBull said:
Most should be ecstatic about that comment.
Click to expand...
I’m in the “Fool me once….” Crowd

We brought Tunsil, Howard, Scharping in all at the same time. I thought the OL was fixed.

Things are different now. Lovie seems to be able to make what he says will happen on the field, happen. So there’s hope.
 
Double Barrel said:
Honestly, in light of towel boy's sketchy private life, I would not blame them for having some kind of metric to judge the character of players before they sign them.

O'Brien apparently had no standard of conduct and it set this franchise back years. I don't expect a team full of choir boys, but a little private investigation prior to giving a player a massive contract would not be a bad thing. They could have saved themselves a whole lot of trouble if they knew that Watson was preying on women on social media (this part was admitted by his own lawyer).
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True, about handing out big contracts. You should always know the character or lack there of in the guy who's going to become the face of the franchise. Calhoun got what he deserved for getting in bed with Derrick and not doing his due diligence.

Unfortunately this is probably going to stain Calhoun to the point where talented but troubled players will be ineligible to be drafted. Of course that's really not a policy change from the 1st 2 decades of how this org has done business.
 
thunderkyss said:
I’m in the “Fool me once….” Crowd

We brought Tunsil, Howard, Scharping in all at the same time. I thought the OL was fixed.

Things are different now. Lovie seems to be able to make what he says will happen on the field, happen. So there’s hope.
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The difference between Neal and Howard is off the charts.
 
thunderkyss said:
I’m in the “Fool me once….” Crowd

We brought Tunsil, Howard, Scharping in all at the same time. I thought the OL was fixed.

Things are different now. Lovie seems to be able to make what he says will happen on the field, happen. So there’s hope.
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I certainly understand the 'once bitten, twice shy' perspective about this franchise.

That said, I'm going to give this regime a fresh start and not hold the Texans past against them. Hopefully, they are in full control and are competent at building a winning football team. I feel confident in the former, and the latter will just remain to be seen. I am cautiously optimistic, though.

steelbtexan said:
True, about handing out big contracts. You should always know the character or lack there of in the guy who's going to become the face of the franchise. Calhoun got what he deserved for getting in bed with Derrick and not doing his due diligence.

Unfortunately this is probably going to stain Calhoun to the point where talented but troubled players will be ineligible to be drafted. Of course that's really not a policy change from the 1st 2 decades of how this org has done business.
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I think Cal has good intentions, but I honestly wonder if he paid attention to the some of the fundamental lessons from his dad in running a business and judging character.

But, there's nothing like being thrown into the deep end and either sink or swim! He's learning his lessons on the go. It'll be interesting to see if he's really learned from his mistakes or if he's one of those guys that can't help but punch himself in the face from time to time. For our sake as Texans fans, I'm going to hope that he's a good learner. lol
 
steelbtexan said:
Great article Doc, sounds like Caserio and Lovie are working as a team and that's a good thing. It also sounds like Caserio is making the final calls on personnel.

It also looks like in the last paragraph that Cal saying doing it the right way makes things more challenging means that the Not Texans Worthy slogan still exists down on Kirby. So really not much has changed.
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Did you catch this sentence in the article?

"The Texans have potential cornerstones under contract in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, flex lineman Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard — players Smith named during his interview session at league meetings — but the franchise’s highest pick places it in range of elite prospects like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, either of whom would substantially improve depth at his position."
 
Earl34 said:
Did you catch this sentence in the article?

"The Texans have potential cornerstones under contract in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, flex lineman Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard — players Smith named during his interview session at league meetings — but the franchise’s highest pick places it in range of elite prospects like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, either of whom would substantially improve depth at his position."
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Can a flex lineman actually be a cornerstone? Seems almost contradictory to me
 
OptimisticTexan said:
Cooper Kupp / Eastern Washington / 6-2 @ 204 lbs / 4.62-40 / Career YPC: 15.1

_____________

Christian Watson / North Dakota State / 6-4 @ 208 lbs / 4.36-40 / Career YPC: 20.4

Alec Pierce / Cincinnati / 6-3 @ 211 lbs / 4.41-40 / Career YPC: 17.5

I see both Watson and Pierce as blue-collar receivers who appear to pride themselves on being complete receivers who will also do the dirty work of blocking.
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See, I like that 20ypc and Pierce at 17ypc
 
Double Barrel said:
I certainly understand the 'once bitten, twice shy' perspective about this franchise.

That said, I'm going to give this regime a fresh start and not hold the Texans past against them. Hopefully, they are in full control and are competent at building a winning football team. I feel confident in the former, and the latter will just remain to be seen. I am cautiously optimistic, though.



I think Cal has good intentions, but I honestly wonder if he paid attention to the some of the fundamental lessons from his dad in running a business and judging character.

But, there's nothing like being thrown into the deep end and either sink or swim! He's learning his lessons on the go. It'll be interesting to see if he's really learned from his mistakes or if he's one of those guys that can't help but punch himself in the face from time to time. For our sake as Texans fans, I'm going to hope that he's a good learner. lol
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Not to defend Cal but seems a lot of his mistakes stemmed from not knowing how to deal with his dad passing and him suddenly being in control. Almost right after he had to go in and fill those shoes in a place that they had worked on together and was his dad's dream. With Watson gone, and for a great haul, and Lovie as HC and Caserio as GM I'm willing to be cautiously optimistic about it. We joke about "Tommy Boy" but I hope it proves true because at the end of that movie Tommy boy actually became a great owner.
 
steelbtexan said:
Great article Doc, sounds like Caserio and Lovie are working as a team and that's a good thing. It also sounds like Caserio is making the final calls on personnel.

It also looks like in the last paragraph that Cal saying doing it the right way makes things more challenging means that the Not Texans Worthy slogan still exists down on Kirby. So really not much has changed.
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So no Tyreke, No Kelce, no Justin Houston types which shrinks the talent pool.
 
Earl34 said:
Did you catch this sentence in the article?

"The Texans have potential cornerstones under contract in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, flex lineman Tytus Howard, center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard — players Smith named during his interview session at league meetings — but the franchise’s highest pick places it in range of elite prospects like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal or Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, either of whom would substantially improve depth at his position."
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I caught it.

I just disagree that Howard and Britt are cornerstones and even if they were I consider Neal to be the best player in the draft.

Just remember, with Britt and Howard on the OL the Calhoun's barely avg 3.0 yds per carry. Draft Neal and that will improve. Draft Neal and Salyer and then you will see true improvement.

I draft Neal and play him at LG. Then I would play Howard at RT. If Howard's play doesn't dramatically improve then his 5th yr option doesn't get renewed. This will save around 15 mil in cap space. Do you think Howard will ever be a 15 mil type player? I dont.
 
steelbtexan said:
Are you ready after 3 years to say he's avg?
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I don't know how many times I have to say it. I don't know how good he can be.

I don't think they kept moving him around because he's avg.

Devlin was not a good coach, I think we both agree with that. The last coaching staff had a "best 5" mentality that moved him around too much.

It sucks we're having this conversation 3 years in, but I think he can still be a better than avg tackle in this league.
 
thunderkyss said:
I don't know how many times I have to say it. I don't know how good he can be.

I don't think they kept moving him around because he's avg.

Devlin was not a good coach, I think we both agree with that. The last coaching staff had a "best 5" mentality that moved him around too much.

It sucks we're having this conversation 3 years in, but I think he can still be a better than avg tackle in this league.
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This is exact point of view that I have expressed concern both Howard and Davenport. I never expected Davenport to be much more than average but the way he was coached up and moved around as has Howard you can't put that all on the player. IMO mistakes have been made with both of those players but one is gone and as all former Texans I am no longer interested in discussing them.
 
steelbtexan said:
I caught it.

I just disagree that Howard and Britt are cornerstones and even if they were I consider Neal to be the best player in the draft.

Just remember, with Britt and Howard on the OL the Calhoun's barely avg 3.0 yds per carry. Draft Neal and that will improve. Draft Neal and Salyer and then you will see true improvement.

I draft Neal and play him at LG. Then I would play Howard at RT. If Howard's play doesn't dramatically improve then his 5th yr option doesn't get renewed. This will save around 15 mil in cap space. Do you think Howard will ever be a 15 mil type player? I dont.
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I agree Neal is an upgrade but I don’t think it’s an upgrade we need as much as other positions. When both were healthy Tunsil and Howard were a brick wall and it was Martin in the center that rushers were running over. The defense however is in desperate need of help at pretty much all positions.
 
maverick512000 said:
Not to defend Cal but seems a lot of his mistakes stemmed from not knowing how to deal with his dad passing and him suddenly being in control. Almost right after he had to go in and fill those shoes in a place that they had worked on together and was his dad's dream. With Watson gone, and for a great haul, and Lovie as HC and Caserio as GM I'm willing to be cautiously optimistic about it. We joke about "Tommy Boy" but I hope it proves true because at the end of that movie Tommy boy actually became a great owner.
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I've always thought that after Bob McNair died and the McNair family were grieving, there was a leadership void in the organization that O'Brien and Easterby exploited to advance their careers. It's the only explanation that I can come up with to explain giving control of a billion dollar franchise to those two morons.
 
maverick512000 said:
I agree Neal is an upgrade but I don’t think it’s an upgrade we need as much as other positions. When both were healthy Tunsil and Howard were a brick wall and it was Martin in the center that rushers were running over. The defense however is in desperate need of help at pretty much all positions.
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I agree about the defense. But they should still take an o-lineman with either the 3rd or 13th pick. There's just to many good ones this year to pass up on.
 
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