In case I wasn't clear enough. It was a joke. It's been a joke here for a while.
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Texans random thought of the day
- Thread starter Wolf
- Start date
badboy
Hall of Fame
Yes I have been trying to step on that cockroach and get him off the team since he was signed here.
FIFY
Sweech
Onside Kick Specialist
Been watching since 2011.
I've just never had the thought "Eric Murray is the problem" go through my brain, although in fairness it's also likely because there were other much more glaring problems. Andlthough again I still don't think he's bad, just overpaid. I'm also not convinced that him and Stewart aren't the same person.
badboy
Hall of Fame
TK you forgot to tell him to bring pepperoni pizza!
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Not sure why the team didn't post the video. This is easily the most effusive praise Nick has given anybody since he arrived here... and at NE, too. DeMeco, CJ, Will (he was offended at the question of how is Will doing?), and even Tank Dell. Very unusual for him. Of course deferred any praise for his own work.
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Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Executive Vice President and General Manager Nick Caserio
“Good morning. Appreciate everybody being here. Probably echo a lot of the same sentiments that DeMeco had yesterday. We're in a decent spot, a lot of work in front of us, a long way to go. Three wins basically gets you zero in this league. We've got a lot of work in front of us. I think the focus this week is trying to clean up some things relative to our team, practice tomorrow, try to work on some of the areas that we think we can improve, do a little bit of a self-scout, personnel, are we using the players the right way. Then start to think about Carolina. Good football team. I know what their record is. You can't do anything about that. But they've got a lot of good players. Each week is a challenge. Half the league is 3-3 or 3-2, right? Like nobody has done anything to this point. We'll see how it goes. We haven't done anything. We've earned what we've earned. A lot of work in front of us. Players have done a good job to this point, but 11 games left, so it's a week-to-week endeavor in this league, and that's how we're approaching it. Nothing more, nothing less.”
How do you feel about the state of so many of your draft picks working out so well?
“Yeah, I think the big thing, it's really a credit to the coaching staff. It's a credit to the players. I think the scouting staff did a great job. Lipp, Ronnie, the pro group. There's a lot of people that deserve a lot of credit. I'd start with the coaches and what they've done, and the players is ultimately -- we try to bring in the players that have the right mindset, they have the right qualities that we think can help our football team. Sometimes it takes some players maybe a little bit longer than others, but we felt that the players that we brought in here could help us in some capacity. Some have done that to this point more than others. Some's roles have changed or increased. But I think DeMeco and the coaching staff deserve a tremendous amount of credit for what we've done and where we are. I'd say just specifically DeMeco; he's everything that I think we hoped and thought he would be. As good of a coach as he is, he's a better person and human being. Players love playing for him. Players want to be here. I think there's a lot of other people that certainly deserve credit for the performance of the players and what they've done to this point.”
What about the general manager?
“I try to stay out of the way. That's a big thing.”
Do you have a satisfaction with where you are and the role you've played?
“Yeah, look, I think everybody has an important job with any organization. I think the goal and the hope is for whatever your role is, you just perform it to the best of your ability and just try to be the best version of yourself on a day-to-day basis. Nothing is perfect. We just try to make hopefully good, sound decisions. There's a lot of thought process that goes into it. DeMeco and I talk on a fairly regular basis about the team, about where we are currently, maybe some things moving forward. I think there's a lot of people within the organization that deserve a lot of credit for the job that they do in supporting the players and helping the players, and ultimately it's a players' game. We can only do so much once the players are on the field, including the coaches. It's up to the players and the trust and the belief that they have in one another around them. We have a lot of players, a lot of pride with the right mindset that care a lot about football, that have been in winning programs. So they deserve the credit for the wins. I'll take the criticism for anything that goes wrong around here, so I guess that'll be my responsibility.”
With QB C.J. Stroud specifically, what have you seen is maybe the biggest reason why he's found such early success?
“I'd say his work ethic, his confidence, his demeanor, his belief. I think DeMeco has talked about this quite a bit in terms of your belief in yourself, belief in your teammates, belief in what you're capable of doing. I think the more you just focus on what you can control, which is your mindset and your performance on a day-to-day basis, any player, specifically when you're a younger player, are you learning on a day-to-day basis. There's always something new that's going to take place or happen the first time that you go through it. Can you not make the same mistake over and over, and can you build on some of the things that you've learned. I think the big thing with him is just his confidence, his belief in himself, his competitiveness, his pride, and the respect that he's earned with his performance from his teammates. Being a captain is not a popularity contest, but when you're a captain as a rookie, which both he and Will are, it's really more about what you do and how you handle your job necessarily than what you say. But he cares a lot. He has a lot of pride, and he wants to go out there and perform well and do the best thing and the right thing for the team, and he's shown the propensity to do that. I think from really May until August, you saw growth and development, and then we've seen growth and development from Baltimore to New Orleans, whoever we played last week. There's still 11 more opportunities in front of us, so the challenges that we face next week against Carolina are going to be some of the challenges some of the other teams have faced. Can you learn each week; do you understand the opponent; do you understand what's being asked of you. I'd say he's done a pretty exemplary job of that to this point.”
You said a minute ago, we haven't done anything yet. However, to have already matched the win total from all of last season is a pretty big jump. Did you expect for things to be going so well this early this season?
“I think you have to look at each year at its own entity. When we put the team together, we felt that we would have a competitive team. How that manifests itself in terms of wins and losses - I've said this, I said in the spring when I was asked about it - we have no control over that. That's all we can control is our performance and our attitude on a dayto-day basis. I think the expectation and the focus is on what can we do this week to get better and improve, and then the focus next week will be what can we do to prepare for a good Carolina team. Wherever we are at the end of the year is where we're going to end up. We can't control that right now. Nobody has a crystal ball. Again, I think it's a credit to the players and the coaches for what we've done to this point. The only expectations that you have are just are we doing the best that we can on a day-to-day basis, number one, to help the players. Are the players doing as much as they can to make themselves better players. That's where the -- it's a day-to-day focus. Anything beyond that is kind of a big waste of time.”
You were talking about C.J., his competitiveness, his ability to get the respect of his teammates. Has that surprised you at all early on? What do you think about how quickly he has grown as a player
“Yeah, there's no timetable or expectation on anything. I think when a player walks in the building, they have to be who they are, they have to be true to themselves, and they have to do the things that they feel are indicative of who they are and what they want to be represented by, like how the players perceive them. I think every player is different. Everybody has to focus on who they are and what they bring to the table and not worry about a bunch of external factors or things that, quite frankly, don't matter. I mean, C.J. was that way at Ohio State, so I don't think anything that he has done from that perspective has surprised us. I think sometimes people get caught up in they have to do something or try something different. DeMeco has talked about this, as well. If you do certain things a certain way in practice, how they're coached and the technique, then you get in the game and do something different, I mean, you have to ask yourself, like why would you do that. There's no magic formula. There's no magic fairy dust that anybody is going to sprinkle or anybody. Show up, do your job, have the right mindset, have a good attitude, go out there. Whoever the opponent is, make sure we're doing the right things, and then flip the page the next week and get ready to go. I'd say from C.J.'s perspective and a lot of the rookies and a lot of the players that have come into this building, they've certainly done that.”
With the rookies, with DE Will Anderson, Jr., has Will done everything you'd hoped for like C.J. so far?
“Yeah, Will is a good football player. He was a good football player at Alabama. When we drafted both players, we drafted them because they're good football players. I mean, that's why they're here. If we didn't think they were good football players that could help our team, then we would draft other players.”
With the trade deadline coming up, with the success this team has had, how much does that go into what y'all may or may not do?
“Yeah, zero. We're going to look at our team, figure out is there an opportunity to add a player that we think can help us. If there is, great; we'll pursue it. If there's not, then we won't. Like we feel comfortable with the players that are in the building, that are on the team. I'd say we've had to use our depth across positions here, whether it's the offensive line -- we've brought players up from the practice squad that we've elevated that have impacted us in the kicking game like D'Angelo Ross as an example. We've talked about this. It's really 1 through 70 or 1 through 69, however many players are in the building. So focus on those players, and if there's somebody externally that we think can come in here and really have a defined role and have an impact, then we'll certainly look into that. If there's not, then we won't. There's always a financial component to this, as well. There's a certain cost associated with a contract that you take on. So how much are you paying for that player, what's the cost, can you fit them under the cap. We have, I would say, a pretty good working budget for the duration of the year, so we can take on a certain level of contract, but if it's more than that, then, okay, we cut half the team or have to do a bunch of cap manipulations, which you just push everything out to future years. It's not a good way to run a team, not a good way to run a business. Try and make good decisions, try to identify some players that may or may not be able to help us, might be on the practice squad, might be on the street, might be on a roster. Whatever happens at the trade deadline happens at the trade deadline. I would say over the last couple weeks, there's been a handful of trades that have taken place. There may have been basically six, seven flips or late-round picks, really for nothing. If there's a player that maybe fits that bill, fits that category, we'll look at it. If there's not, then we won't do anything.”
What's your approach to in-season conversations with players about contracts for the future with your organization? How does that go? Is that something that you bring to representation or representation reaches out to you?
“It's a great question. It's very organic. It can go both ways, quite frankly. We've done it a few times here over the last few years, Cashman as an example, a player we extended, added a year to his contract in November. There's some give-and-take that's involved. If the player is doing well, maybe the agent will reach out, try to get the ball rolling. We may be internally already having those conversations. But we know we have a certain number of players whose contracts are going to expire at the end of the year, and sometimes you have to let it play itself out and then have those conversations in February and March. Maybe there's some players where you go to them and say, hey, would you be open to potentially adding a year or two to your contract. So there's always some moving parts on that. I think we've been pretty open-minded. We're not going to eliminate necessarily anything, but honestly, it's a great question because there's no right or wrong answer, and it depends on, A, the player, depends on the team, depends on your philosophy and your mindset, and it depends on where the agent maybe thinks the player's market is going to be. They may think it's one thing, but in reality it might be something different. You can't necessarily tell them that. I think you have to be open-minded, not take anything off the table, which I think that's the thing about this league. You just have to be flexible and adaptable, and hopefully we've shown the ability to do that. As a matter of fact, DeMeco and I visited this morning, just going through the roster, kind of where we are currently, talking about some players potentially for next year. As long as we have a clearly defined role or what we think the role is going to be, then -- but it's something that we'll look at or do. In the end, you're talking maybe, maybe a handful or less of guys that may fit that bill, and a lot of it is they just trust in themselves and want to bet on themselves a little bit, which you have to respect that. Reality is we're probably going to lose some players after the season. Might be able to keep some. But we'll just kind of keep moving, focus on '23 but start to have an eye a little bit on '24. Once we get to kind of the beginning of December, once we've kind of gone through the full complement of an advance scouting of the opponents we play at the end of the year, it's in division, so good chance we've seen those teams, we'll kind of transition for agent prep and start to focus on that component of the off-season.”
Six games into C.J.'s career he talks about conversations that he's had with Tom Brady, talks about the advice he's received as a player on the field, off the field, the way he carries himself. Do you see any similarities between them?
“One's in the Hall of Fame, one's not. No, I think that the conversations that they have, whatever they've discussed is between the two of them. I think -- and C.J. has said this. He's articulated it. Just kind of keeping the main thing the main thing, kind of his vernacular, his mindset. I think that's the right approach. Just focus on the things that are important. It's very difficult and you have to be careful about comparing players and then making assumptions or -- I think most players that want to win are highly competitive. Their work ethic supersedes pretty much anybody on the team, especially at that position. So I'd say those are the qualities that I think are important. I'd say in some respects they share some of those same qualities. Like if you want to win and you want to be the best, are you willing to work, and I think your drive and competitiveness -- you're not going to find a more competitive person or player than Tom Brady. I'd be hard pressed to find anybody at that level. There's a reason that he played for however many years and performed at the level that he did. It's really about a mindset and a thought process. I think those are the things that you have to establish, especially early in your career. Focus on being a great player. Don't worry about your marketing deal, how many social media hits you have, because it doesn't matter. What matters is are you diligent, purposeful about your work, and if you want to be great, are you doing things to reinforce that notion. From that perspective, I think C.J. -- football is extremely important to him, and he cares a lot about it, and that's a good place to start.”
You obviously have pretty high hopes for DeMeco. What can you say about the job he's done so far on the field and just with the organization?
“Yeah, I mean, outstanding. Any superlative that you have, I mean, applies to him. I said it earlier; as great of a coach as he is, he's even a better person and a human being. I think his consistency, his sincerity on a day-to-day basis is real. His energy is real. He probably wishes he could still play. But that I would say, emotion, that juice, that permeates the building and the players feel that, and it's real. It's not as if it's made up, and he's very consistent. We were 0-2, and his mindset and message to the team wasn't any different than when we started the season. The message to the team yesterday that we're 3-3 was, you know what, it's nice to win, but there's a lot of things that we can do better. That's a truth. I think he tells the truth. He keeps it real. I think the players respect him. It's been outstanding. I have a lot of respect, appreciation, admiration for him, and it's only grown over these last however many months that we've been together. Anything that I can do to support him, then I'm going to be there for him.”
When you look around at the division, what stands out to you about the AFC South and how you stand?
“I think it's a lot like the league. It's very competitive. A number of good teams. We played Jacksonville; Jacksonville is a really good team. Played Indianapolis; they've done a really good job, and they've dealt with some different things, had some injuries. We haven't played Tennessee yet, but I think we understand the program that Mike is running in Tennessee. I would say from our perspective, each week is a challenge. Not necessarily worried about what's going on in the division. We're certainly cognizant of it. The next opponent is Carolina. We're kind of working through -- we're playing the NFC South I'd say over the next couple weeks, so focus on the NFC South, and then we'll worry about the rest of the AFC South when we have to play them. But a lot of respect for the programs in this division. I think Doug has done a great job in Jacksonville and what they've done here. They're 4-2, leading the division right now. Him and Trent put together a really good program. Chris and Shane have done a good job, and Mike and Ran, you have a good program that they're running. A lot of respect and appreciation for our opponents, for the competition, but I think the most important thing for us is focusing on the Houston Texans and focusing on the things that we can control, and if we do that, then we'll let the rest kind of take care of itself.”
You talk about not being able to control the record, but obviously as the season goes on, the expectation does have to change.
“Yeah, I think one thing that we've learned, those of us that have been in the league for a long time, is I'd say each week takes on more significance because there is less games, so when there's less games, they take on more importance. You're just trying to hopefully put yourself in a position where you have a shot to compete, and where that takes us, none of us really know and can't really spend too much time thinking about that right now. We're 3-3; we're a .500 team. Done some good things. There's certainly some things we can do better. Half the league is basically right around .500, so some of those teams are going to shift one way, and the other teams are going to shift the other way. I think the focus is day-to-day and just our overall performance, focusing on what we can control, try to have a good day of practice tomorrow. The players will be off here for four days, whatever it is. Come back Monday, bonus Monday, start to get ready for Carolina. There's no weeks off after that, so it's 11 games in a row, so each week is going to take on more importance. We've got to put everything we have into each week, and one is not going to be more important than any others, I'd say, but as you get towards the end of the year, certainly division games are going to take on more significance because your division ultimately is going to determine a lot of things.”
What do you think of the job that DeMeco has done as far as some of these players that are not big-time named players
“Yeah, it's a credit to the coaching staff. I think anybody that walks in the building, everybody has the same opportunity. Whatever your role is, it's going to be earned. So nobody is going to be handed anything, regardless of where you were drafted, how you got here. There's a player, Khalil, that was playing in the USFL or one of these kind of offshoot leagues. Has been in the league, he's bounced around here a little bit. We brought him in I think it was in training camp or -- I can't even remember when it was. But he's going out there and he's taking the coaching from Jacques and Rod and he's put that out there and applied it. Even DeMeco showed a clip yesterday, it was a 3 technique, talk about front, they're responsible for setting the edge of the defense, so you're just setting the edge on a guard, you're setting the edge on a tight end, you're setting the edge on the secondary on a swing pass on 3rd down there to Kamara, Jimmy set the edge. Are you playing the right technique? Are you playing with the right fundamentals? Are you doing what you're asked to do? The players that are willing to do that are going to be on the field because they've earned that, and they've earned the trust of their coaches, they've earned the trust of their teammates. Again, it's a credit to the player and it's a credit to the coaches, and it doesn't really matter where the players come from. There's no favorites, so you earn your role, you earn your opportunity. Certain weeks, some players that played the week before are going to be inactive. We've got to make seven or eight players inactive. Whatever we've got to do that week, we'll get the best 48 or 47 to the game, and then each week we'll take inventory of where we are. Khalil has worked very hard to give himself some opportunity, and candidly, he's probably earned more opportunity. We'll see how that goes here moving forward.”
Talk about WR Tank Dell and how he's played in terms of route running, catching, everything that he's done?
“Yeah, Tank was a good player at Houston. He's a good player, he showed at the Senior Bowl. I think what we've seen from Tank is no different than what we've seen here from the March process to the spring to where we are now. There's a lot of players that have come in here and helped our football team and made some plays. Tank has got a great attitude, cares a lot about football, cares a lot about winning. Very competitive. I'd say he's very driven. He's very motivated. Love having him on the team. Love his mindset, love his attitude, and he's producing when he's been on the field. When you have the right mindset and you go out there and produce, then you're going to get more opportunity. Doesn't matter where you come from. Just like the start of the question there, however you get here, doesn't really matter. But I think the big thing is can you sustain it over a long period of time. Anybody can go out there for a week or two, make a few plays, fill up the stat sheet. Can you do it the next week, can you do it the following week, can you do it over the duration of the year, can you stay on the field, can you be durable, can you be available. Those are the things that will be important.”
Where do you feel you've made the biggest changes from last year, in what particular areas?
“Yeah, I don't really know. I mean, last year doesn't really matter. What's happened in the past doesn't really matter. I think the players that have come in here, some weren't even here. It doesn't really matter what happened last year. I think the players came in here in the spring with the right mindset, with the right attitude, and I think that's reflective of DeMeco. It's about a mindset. It's about a mentality. DeMeco has talked about it from day one, it's more mindset and it's more mentality. I think the players have embraced that, probably some more than others. There's some players that probably have some catching up to do in that area. What happened in the past doesn't really matter. That's for you guys to go back and research and spend time on. We're focused on the future, focused on the present, focused on moving forward, focused on this football team and what we can do to make ourselves better this week and then put ourselves in this position to have a good week against Carolina and go out there and play good football. That's what we're worried about.”
Coach said he told the players during the bye week he wants them to really get away from football for a second, be with their families, do what they need to do. What about for you? What are you going to do?
“Yeah, I think it's a misnomer sometimes, it's like, all right, we've gone to this point and the bye week and all of a sudden we have time for our family. The most fun -- my biggest highlight of this past weekend was my oldest daughter finished fourth in her cross-country race. So being able to watch that. I think all of us like want to be great husbands. We want to be great dads. You need to be present, and you just can't turn it on and off like a switch. Really what this time enables you to do, you have a few extra hours, a few extra days. You don't have to, okay, wake up, need to be in the building, need to meet, get ready to play. You just have bit more time, I'd say, than you have for yourself and for your loved ones. I mean, it will be good to kind of just -- we're going to do some things as a family here over the weekend. Maybe we get away for a little bit. But I think sometimes it's like this mindset of, well, you don't see your family from August until the end of the season. Like if that's your mindset, then you're basically saying it's not important. I mean, hopefully my wife would say that I'm not that way. She knows that. Our spouses and our wives are a big part of what we do. Their support means the world. But we'll have some fun. We'll try to get away here a little bit, do whatever the girls want to do because they're the priority. But like I said, last Saturday, I was more excited about what she did on Saturday than what happened on Sunday. In the end, we've talked about this with the players, talked about it with our staff, like football is going to go away at some point. Hopefully I'm remembered for the type of person and husband and father I am, not I was the general manager of the Texans. I'm certainly appreciative of the opportunity, but in the end, nobody is going to really care. But take some time this weekend, try and enjoy each other's company, do some things as a collective family, and then come back Monday ready to go.”
On being in the carpool line this week
“I've been in some of those. Actually so the same daughter - and I give her credit, unfortunately she's like her father, a rock head - but they practice Monday through Friday 6:00 cross country practice, so there was an opportunity for us to get 10, 15 minutes in the car together. You cherish those times. It's not a lot of time, but it saved my wife a little bit of time getting up in the morning. Those are the things that -- in the end, that's what it's about. That's what life is about, candidly.”
The team has had some success in spite of some injuries. What's that been like for you?
“Yeah, you really never know if and when injuries are going to happen. I think what we've tried to do is just build up as much depth across the roster as much as possible, understanding that we're probably going to need everybody at some point. You really don't know when. We probably were hit harder at some positions relative to others, from training camp and through the early part of the season, which was I'd say the fall process and some of the players that we did there around the cut and right before the end of training camp there. But kind of like Khalil, it's really a credit to the coaches, just being open-minded and embracing the challenge and embracing the opportunity. Like nobody is going to feel sorry for you. Everybody has to deal with something. So try to fill the building with as many good players as possible that we think can help us, understand you're going to need them at some point, and we've used a lot of them, and there's going to be probably things that we're not even talking about right now that are going to come up that we're going to have to deal with. Can't feel sorry for yourself. You just have to embrace the challenge and just try to come up with solutions. Our job is to fix problems and find solutions. Sometimes it's players, sometimes it's scheme. There's a myriad of things that could possibly come up. I think the players that we've brought in, we brought them in because we thought they could help us, and maybe some have played maybe a little bit more than others, but that's the NFL.”
You mentioned DeMeco's energy. When did you realize that his energy was top-notch?
“Yeah, he's been like that since the first day. DeMeco is who he is. I think that authenticity from people, you see that, and players know, too, players see it, players feel it. People around the building feel it. Again, it's important, just whoever you are, just be who you are. Be wherever your feet are. He's certainly emblematic of that. Can't say enough great things about him and what he's done and what he continues to do. He cares about winning. He's very competitive. That's probably one of the qualities that the two of us share. Like we're ultra-competitive. We probably show it in our own ways, have two disparate personalities, but hopefully we complement one another, and again, my job and goal is to support him and the coaching staff and the people in this building as much as possible.”
You talked about DeMeco's abilities as an evaluator. How has he been in that area, and what's it like dealing with him when you guys are talking about personnel?
“Yeah, you always have a vision of what you want your team to look like, not only offensively, defensively and the kicking game, then individually by position, certain traits and characteristics that maybe are going to be more important relative to others. Just the more conversations you have about that, and you want that input. You want them to have -- coaches have their sort of input and have their imprint on the team. You kind of have to piece it together. Ultimately doing what's best for the Texans is the most important thing. It's not about who is right, who is wrong, who had this player graded a certain area, are we doing the right thing, are we making the right decisions. I'd say for the most part, we've probably agreed on most things. It's not like we agree on everything, but you hash it out and work through it. But I think how you want -- how the head coach wants the team to look and play, that information is valuable and important, and he has obviously experience at a lot of different levels, specifically at linebacker. He knows what he wants that to look like, what the front looks like, what we need from the secondary, and then doing the same thing offensively. Bobby has a vision of how we want to play, how we want to play, but it all has to be complementary. There has to be give and take, and there has to be I would say open minded. You have to be willing to listen, and just ultimately do the right thing for the team and the organization and try to make good decisions with the right people and the right players.”
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Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Executive Vice President and General Manager Nick Caserio
“Good morning. Appreciate everybody being here. Probably echo a lot of the same sentiments that DeMeco had yesterday. We're in a decent spot, a lot of work in front of us, a long way to go. Three wins basically gets you zero in this league. We've got a lot of work in front of us. I think the focus this week is trying to clean up some things relative to our team, practice tomorrow, try to work on some of the areas that we think we can improve, do a little bit of a self-scout, personnel, are we using the players the right way. Then start to think about Carolina. Good football team. I know what their record is. You can't do anything about that. But they've got a lot of good players. Each week is a challenge. Half the league is 3-3 or 3-2, right? Like nobody has done anything to this point. We'll see how it goes. We haven't done anything. We've earned what we've earned. A lot of work in front of us. Players have done a good job to this point, but 11 games left, so it's a week-to-week endeavor in this league, and that's how we're approaching it. Nothing more, nothing less.”
How do you feel about the state of so many of your draft picks working out so well?
“Yeah, I think the big thing, it's really a credit to the coaching staff. It's a credit to the players. I think the scouting staff did a great job. Lipp, Ronnie, the pro group. There's a lot of people that deserve a lot of credit. I'd start with the coaches and what they've done, and the players is ultimately -- we try to bring in the players that have the right mindset, they have the right qualities that we think can help our football team. Sometimes it takes some players maybe a little bit longer than others, but we felt that the players that we brought in here could help us in some capacity. Some have done that to this point more than others. Some's roles have changed or increased. But I think DeMeco and the coaching staff deserve a tremendous amount of credit for what we've done and where we are. I'd say just specifically DeMeco; he's everything that I think we hoped and thought he would be. As good of a coach as he is, he's a better person and human being. Players love playing for him. Players want to be here. I think there's a lot of other people that certainly deserve credit for the performance of the players and what they've done to this point.”
What about the general manager?
“I try to stay out of the way. That's a big thing.”
Do you have a satisfaction with where you are and the role you've played?
“Yeah, look, I think everybody has an important job with any organization. I think the goal and the hope is for whatever your role is, you just perform it to the best of your ability and just try to be the best version of yourself on a day-to-day basis. Nothing is perfect. We just try to make hopefully good, sound decisions. There's a lot of thought process that goes into it. DeMeco and I talk on a fairly regular basis about the team, about where we are currently, maybe some things moving forward. I think there's a lot of people within the organization that deserve a lot of credit for the job that they do in supporting the players and helping the players, and ultimately it's a players' game. We can only do so much once the players are on the field, including the coaches. It's up to the players and the trust and the belief that they have in one another around them. We have a lot of players, a lot of pride with the right mindset that care a lot about football, that have been in winning programs. So they deserve the credit for the wins. I'll take the criticism for anything that goes wrong around here, so I guess that'll be my responsibility.”
With QB C.J. Stroud specifically, what have you seen is maybe the biggest reason why he's found such early success?
“I'd say his work ethic, his confidence, his demeanor, his belief. I think DeMeco has talked about this quite a bit in terms of your belief in yourself, belief in your teammates, belief in what you're capable of doing. I think the more you just focus on what you can control, which is your mindset and your performance on a day-to-day basis, any player, specifically when you're a younger player, are you learning on a day-to-day basis. There's always something new that's going to take place or happen the first time that you go through it. Can you not make the same mistake over and over, and can you build on some of the things that you've learned. I think the big thing with him is just his confidence, his belief in himself, his competitiveness, his pride, and the respect that he's earned with his performance from his teammates. Being a captain is not a popularity contest, but when you're a captain as a rookie, which both he and Will are, it's really more about what you do and how you handle your job necessarily than what you say. But he cares a lot. He has a lot of pride, and he wants to go out there and perform well and do the best thing and the right thing for the team, and he's shown the propensity to do that. I think from really May until August, you saw growth and development, and then we've seen growth and development from Baltimore to New Orleans, whoever we played last week. There's still 11 more opportunities in front of us, so the challenges that we face next week against Carolina are going to be some of the challenges some of the other teams have faced. Can you learn each week; do you understand the opponent; do you understand what's being asked of you. I'd say he's done a pretty exemplary job of that to this point.”
You said a minute ago, we haven't done anything yet. However, to have already matched the win total from all of last season is a pretty big jump. Did you expect for things to be going so well this early this season?
“I think you have to look at each year at its own entity. When we put the team together, we felt that we would have a competitive team. How that manifests itself in terms of wins and losses - I've said this, I said in the spring when I was asked about it - we have no control over that. That's all we can control is our performance and our attitude on a dayto-day basis. I think the expectation and the focus is on what can we do this week to get better and improve, and then the focus next week will be what can we do to prepare for a good Carolina team. Wherever we are at the end of the year is where we're going to end up. We can't control that right now. Nobody has a crystal ball. Again, I think it's a credit to the players and the coaches for what we've done to this point. The only expectations that you have are just are we doing the best that we can on a day-to-day basis, number one, to help the players. Are the players doing as much as they can to make themselves better players. That's where the -- it's a day-to-day focus. Anything beyond that is kind of a big waste of time.”
You were talking about C.J., his competitiveness, his ability to get the respect of his teammates. Has that surprised you at all early on? What do you think about how quickly he has grown as a player
“Yeah, there's no timetable or expectation on anything. I think when a player walks in the building, they have to be who they are, they have to be true to themselves, and they have to do the things that they feel are indicative of who they are and what they want to be represented by, like how the players perceive them. I think every player is different. Everybody has to focus on who they are and what they bring to the table and not worry about a bunch of external factors or things that, quite frankly, don't matter. I mean, C.J. was that way at Ohio State, so I don't think anything that he has done from that perspective has surprised us. I think sometimes people get caught up in they have to do something or try something different. DeMeco has talked about this, as well. If you do certain things a certain way in practice, how they're coached and the technique, then you get in the game and do something different, I mean, you have to ask yourself, like why would you do that. There's no magic formula. There's no magic fairy dust that anybody is going to sprinkle or anybody. Show up, do your job, have the right mindset, have a good attitude, go out there. Whoever the opponent is, make sure we're doing the right things, and then flip the page the next week and get ready to go. I'd say from C.J.'s perspective and a lot of the rookies and a lot of the players that have come into this building, they've certainly done that.”
With the rookies, with DE Will Anderson, Jr., has Will done everything you'd hoped for like C.J. so far?
“Yeah, Will is a good football player. He was a good football player at Alabama. When we drafted both players, we drafted them because they're good football players. I mean, that's why they're here. If we didn't think they were good football players that could help our team, then we would draft other players.”
With the trade deadline coming up, with the success this team has had, how much does that go into what y'all may or may not do?
“Yeah, zero. We're going to look at our team, figure out is there an opportunity to add a player that we think can help us. If there is, great; we'll pursue it. If there's not, then we won't. Like we feel comfortable with the players that are in the building, that are on the team. I'd say we've had to use our depth across positions here, whether it's the offensive line -- we've brought players up from the practice squad that we've elevated that have impacted us in the kicking game like D'Angelo Ross as an example. We've talked about this. It's really 1 through 70 or 1 through 69, however many players are in the building. So focus on those players, and if there's somebody externally that we think can come in here and really have a defined role and have an impact, then we'll certainly look into that. If there's not, then we won't. There's always a financial component to this, as well. There's a certain cost associated with a contract that you take on. So how much are you paying for that player, what's the cost, can you fit them under the cap. We have, I would say, a pretty good working budget for the duration of the year, so we can take on a certain level of contract, but if it's more than that, then, okay, we cut half the team or have to do a bunch of cap manipulations, which you just push everything out to future years. It's not a good way to run a team, not a good way to run a business. Try and make good decisions, try to identify some players that may or may not be able to help us, might be on the practice squad, might be on the street, might be on a roster. Whatever happens at the trade deadline happens at the trade deadline. I would say over the last couple weeks, there's been a handful of trades that have taken place. There may have been basically six, seven flips or late-round picks, really for nothing. If there's a player that maybe fits that bill, fits that category, we'll look at it. If there's not, then we won't do anything.”
What's your approach to in-season conversations with players about contracts for the future with your organization? How does that go? Is that something that you bring to representation or representation reaches out to you?
“It's a great question. It's very organic. It can go both ways, quite frankly. We've done it a few times here over the last few years, Cashman as an example, a player we extended, added a year to his contract in November. There's some give-and-take that's involved. If the player is doing well, maybe the agent will reach out, try to get the ball rolling. We may be internally already having those conversations. But we know we have a certain number of players whose contracts are going to expire at the end of the year, and sometimes you have to let it play itself out and then have those conversations in February and March. Maybe there's some players where you go to them and say, hey, would you be open to potentially adding a year or two to your contract. So there's always some moving parts on that. I think we've been pretty open-minded. We're not going to eliminate necessarily anything, but honestly, it's a great question because there's no right or wrong answer, and it depends on, A, the player, depends on the team, depends on your philosophy and your mindset, and it depends on where the agent maybe thinks the player's market is going to be. They may think it's one thing, but in reality it might be something different. You can't necessarily tell them that. I think you have to be open-minded, not take anything off the table, which I think that's the thing about this league. You just have to be flexible and adaptable, and hopefully we've shown the ability to do that. As a matter of fact, DeMeco and I visited this morning, just going through the roster, kind of where we are currently, talking about some players potentially for next year. As long as we have a clearly defined role or what we think the role is going to be, then -- but it's something that we'll look at or do. In the end, you're talking maybe, maybe a handful or less of guys that may fit that bill, and a lot of it is they just trust in themselves and want to bet on themselves a little bit, which you have to respect that. Reality is we're probably going to lose some players after the season. Might be able to keep some. But we'll just kind of keep moving, focus on '23 but start to have an eye a little bit on '24. Once we get to kind of the beginning of December, once we've kind of gone through the full complement of an advance scouting of the opponents we play at the end of the year, it's in division, so good chance we've seen those teams, we'll kind of transition for agent prep and start to focus on that component of the off-season.”
Six games into C.J.'s career he talks about conversations that he's had with Tom Brady, talks about the advice he's received as a player on the field, off the field, the way he carries himself. Do you see any similarities between them?
“One's in the Hall of Fame, one's not. No, I think that the conversations that they have, whatever they've discussed is between the two of them. I think -- and C.J. has said this. He's articulated it. Just kind of keeping the main thing the main thing, kind of his vernacular, his mindset. I think that's the right approach. Just focus on the things that are important. It's very difficult and you have to be careful about comparing players and then making assumptions or -- I think most players that want to win are highly competitive. Their work ethic supersedes pretty much anybody on the team, especially at that position. So I'd say those are the qualities that I think are important. I'd say in some respects they share some of those same qualities. Like if you want to win and you want to be the best, are you willing to work, and I think your drive and competitiveness -- you're not going to find a more competitive person or player than Tom Brady. I'd be hard pressed to find anybody at that level. There's a reason that he played for however many years and performed at the level that he did. It's really about a mindset and a thought process. I think those are the things that you have to establish, especially early in your career. Focus on being a great player. Don't worry about your marketing deal, how many social media hits you have, because it doesn't matter. What matters is are you diligent, purposeful about your work, and if you want to be great, are you doing things to reinforce that notion. From that perspective, I think C.J. -- football is extremely important to him, and he cares a lot about it, and that's a good place to start.”
You obviously have pretty high hopes for DeMeco. What can you say about the job he's done so far on the field and just with the organization?
“Yeah, I mean, outstanding. Any superlative that you have, I mean, applies to him. I said it earlier; as great of a coach as he is, he's even a better person and a human being. I think his consistency, his sincerity on a day-to-day basis is real. His energy is real. He probably wishes he could still play. But that I would say, emotion, that juice, that permeates the building and the players feel that, and it's real. It's not as if it's made up, and he's very consistent. We were 0-2, and his mindset and message to the team wasn't any different than when we started the season. The message to the team yesterday that we're 3-3 was, you know what, it's nice to win, but there's a lot of things that we can do better. That's a truth. I think he tells the truth. He keeps it real. I think the players respect him. It's been outstanding. I have a lot of respect, appreciation, admiration for him, and it's only grown over these last however many months that we've been together. Anything that I can do to support him, then I'm going to be there for him.”
When you look around at the division, what stands out to you about the AFC South and how you stand?
“I think it's a lot like the league. It's very competitive. A number of good teams. We played Jacksonville; Jacksonville is a really good team. Played Indianapolis; they've done a really good job, and they've dealt with some different things, had some injuries. We haven't played Tennessee yet, but I think we understand the program that Mike is running in Tennessee. I would say from our perspective, each week is a challenge. Not necessarily worried about what's going on in the division. We're certainly cognizant of it. The next opponent is Carolina. We're kind of working through -- we're playing the NFC South I'd say over the next couple weeks, so focus on the NFC South, and then we'll worry about the rest of the AFC South when we have to play them. But a lot of respect for the programs in this division. I think Doug has done a great job in Jacksonville and what they've done here. They're 4-2, leading the division right now. Him and Trent put together a really good program. Chris and Shane have done a good job, and Mike and Ran, you have a good program that they're running. A lot of respect and appreciation for our opponents, for the competition, but I think the most important thing for us is focusing on the Houston Texans and focusing on the things that we can control, and if we do that, then we'll let the rest kind of take care of itself.”
You talk about not being able to control the record, but obviously as the season goes on, the expectation does have to change.
“Yeah, I think one thing that we've learned, those of us that have been in the league for a long time, is I'd say each week takes on more significance because there is less games, so when there's less games, they take on more importance. You're just trying to hopefully put yourself in a position where you have a shot to compete, and where that takes us, none of us really know and can't really spend too much time thinking about that right now. We're 3-3; we're a .500 team. Done some good things. There's certainly some things we can do better. Half the league is basically right around .500, so some of those teams are going to shift one way, and the other teams are going to shift the other way. I think the focus is day-to-day and just our overall performance, focusing on what we can control, try to have a good day of practice tomorrow. The players will be off here for four days, whatever it is. Come back Monday, bonus Monday, start to get ready for Carolina. There's no weeks off after that, so it's 11 games in a row, so each week is going to take on more importance. We've got to put everything we have into each week, and one is not going to be more important than any others, I'd say, but as you get towards the end of the year, certainly division games are going to take on more significance because your division ultimately is going to determine a lot of things.”
What do you think of the job that DeMeco has done as far as some of these players that are not big-time named players
“Yeah, it's a credit to the coaching staff. I think anybody that walks in the building, everybody has the same opportunity. Whatever your role is, it's going to be earned. So nobody is going to be handed anything, regardless of where you were drafted, how you got here. There's a player, Khalil, that was playing in the USFL or one of these kind of offshoot leagues. Has been in the league, he's bounced around here a little bit. We brought him in I think it was in training camp or -- I can't even remember when it was. But he's going out there and he's taking the coaching from Jacques and Rod and he's put that out there and applied it. Even DeMeco showed a clip yesterday, it was a 3 technique, talk about front, they're responsible for setting the edge of the defense, so you're just setting the edge on a guard, you're setting the edge on a tight end, you're setting the edge on the secondary on a swing pass on 3rd down there to Kamara, Jimmy set the edge. Are you playing the right technique? Are you playing with the right fundamentals? Are you doing what you're asked to do? The players that are willing to do that are going to be on the field because they've earned that, and they've earned the trust of their coaches, they've earned the trust of their teammates. Again, it's a credit to the player and it's a credit to the coaches, and it doesn't really matter where the players come from. There's no favorites, so you earn your role, you earn your opportunity. Certain weeks, some players that played the week before are going to be inactive. We've got to make seven or eight players inactive. Whatever we've got to do that week, we'll get the best 48 or 47 to the game, and then each week we'll take inventory of where we are. Khalil has worked very hard to give himself some opportunity, and candidly, he's probably earned more opportunity. We'll see how that goes here moving forward.”
Talk about WR Tank Dell and how he's played in terms of route running, catching, everything that he's done?
“Yeah, Tank was a good player at Houston. He's a good player, he showed at the Senior Bowl. I think what we've seen from Tank is no different than what we've seen here from the March process to the spring to where we are now. There's a lot of players that have come in here and helped our football team and made some plays. Tank has got a great attitude, cares a lot about football, cares a lot about winning. Very competitive. I'd say he's very driven. He's very motivated. Love having him on the team. Love his mindset, love his attitude, and he's producing when he's been on the field. When you have the right mindset and you go out there and produce, then you're going to get more opportunity. Doesn't matter where you come from. Just like the start of the question there, however you get here, doesn't really matter. But I think the big thing is can you sustain it over a long period of time. Anybody can go out there for a week or two, make a few plays, fill up the stat sheet. Can you do it the next week, can you do it the following week, can you do it over the duration of the year, can you stay on the field, can you be durable, can you be available. Those are the things that will be important.”
Where do you feel you've made the biggest changes from last year, in what particular areas?
“Yeah, I don't really know. I mean, last year doesn't really matter. What's happened in the past doesn't really matter. I think the players that have come in here, some weren't even here. It doesn't really matter what happened last year. I think the players came in here in the spring with the right mindset, with the right attitude, and I think that's reflective of DeMeco. It's about a mindset. It's about a mentality. DeMeco has talked about it from day one, it's more mindset and it's more mentality. I think the players have embraced that, probably some more than others. There's some players that probably have some catching up to do in that area. What happened in the past doesn't really matter. That's for you guys to go back and research and spend time on. We're focused on the future, focused on the present, focused on moving forward, focused on this football team and what we can do to make ourselves better this week and then put ourselves in this position to have a good week against Carolina and go out there and play good football. That's what we're worried about.”
Coach said he told the players during the bye week he wants them to really get away from football for a second, be with their families, do what they need to do. What about for you? What are you going to do?
“Yeah, I think it's a misnomer sometimes, it's like, all right, we've gone to this point and the bye week and all of a sudden we have time for our family. The most fun -- my biggest highlight of this past weekend was my oldest daughter finished fourth in her cross-country race. So being able to watch that. I think all of us like want to be great husbands. We want to be great dads. You need to be present, and you just can't turn it on and off like a switch. Really what this time enables you to do, you have a few extra hours, a few extra days. You don't have to, okay, wake up, need to be in the building, need to meet, get ready to play. You just have bit more time, I'd say, than you have for yourself and for your loved ones. I mean, it will be good to kind of just -- we're going to do some things as a family here over the weekend. Maybe we get away for a little bit. But I think sometimes it's like this mindset of, well, you don't see your family from August until the end of the season. Like if that's your mindset, then you're basically saying it's not important. I mean, hopefully my wife would say that I'm not that way. She knows that. Our spouses and our wives are a big part of what we do. Their support means the world. But we'll have some fun. We'll try to get away here a little bit, do whatever the girls want to do because they're the priority. But like I said, last Saturday, I was more excited about what she did on Saturday than what happened on Sunday. In the end, we've talked about this with the players, talked about it with our staff, like football is going to go away at some point. Hopefully I'm remembered for the type of person and husband and father I am, not I was the general manager of the Texans. I'm certainly appreciative of the opportunity, but in the end, nobody is going to really care. But take some time this weekend, try and enjoy each other's company, do some things as a collective family, and then come back Monday ready to go.”
On being in the carpool line this week
“I've been in some of those. Actually so the same daughter - and I give her credit, unfortunately she's like her father, a rock head - but they practice Monday through Friday 6:00 cross country practice, so there was an opportunity for us to get 10, 15 minutes in the car together. You cherish those times. It's not a lot of time, but it saved my wife a little bit of time getting up in the morning. Those are the things that -- in the end, that's what it's about. That's what life is about, candidly.”
The team has had some success in spite of some injuries. What's that been like for you?
“Yeah, you really never know if and when injuries are going to happen. I think what we've tried to do is just build up as much depth across the roster as much as possible, understanding that we're probably going to need everybody at some point. You really don't know when. We probably were hit harder at some positions relative to others, from training camp and through the early part of the season, which was I'd say the fall process and some of the players that we did there around the cut and right before the end of training camp there. But kind of like Khalil, it's really a credit to the coaches, just being open-minded and embracing the challenge and embracing the opportunity. Like nobody is going to feel sorry for you. Everybody has to deal with something. So try to fill the building with as many good players as possible that we think can help us, understand you're going to need them at some point, and we've used a lot of them, and there's going to be probably things that we're not even talking about right now that are going to come up that we're going to have to deal with. Can't feel sorry for yourself. You just have to embrace the challenge and just try to come up with solutions. Our job is to fix problems and find solutions. Sometimes it's players, sometimes it's scheme. There's a myriad of things that could possibly come up. I think the players that we've brought in, we brought them in because we thought they could help us, and maybe some have played maybe a little bit more than others, but that's the NFL.”
You mentioned DeMeco's energy. When did you realize that his energy was top-notch?
“Yeah, he's been like that since the first day. DeMeco is who he is. I think that authenticity from people, you see that, and players know, too, players see it, players feel it. People around the building feel it. Again, it's important, just whoever you are, just be who you are. Be wherever your feet are. He's certainly emblematic of that. Can't say enough great things about him and what he's done and what he continues to do. He cares about winning. He's very competitive. That's probably one of the qualities that the two of us share. Like we're ultra-competitive. We probably show it in our own ways, have two disparate personalities, but hopefully we complement one another, and again, my job and goal is to support him and the coaching staff and the people in this building as much as possible.”
You talked about DeMeco's abilities as an evaluator. How has he been in that area, and what's it like dealing with him when you guys are talking about personnel?
“Yeah, you always have a vision of what you want your team to look like, not only offensively, defensively and the kicking game, then individually by position, certain traits and characteristics that maybe are going to be more important relative to others. Just the more conversations you have about that, and you want that input. You want them to have -- coaches have their sort of input and have their imprint on the team. You kind of have to piece it together. Ultimately doing what's best for the Texans is the most important thing. It's not about who is right, who is wrong, who had this player graded a certain area, are we doing the right thing, are we making the right decisions. I'd say for the most part, we've probably agreed on most things. It's not like we agree on everything, but you hash it out and work through it. But I think how you want -- how the head coach wants the team to look and play, that information is valuable and important, and he has obviously experience at a lot of different levels, specifically at linebacker. He knows what he wants that to look like, what the front looks like, what we need from the secondary, and then doing the same thing offensively. Bobby has a vision of how we want to play, how we want to play, but it all has to be complementary. There has to be give and take, and there has to be I would say open minded. You have to be willing to listen, and just ultimately do the right thing for the team and the organization and try to make good decisions with the right people and the right players.”
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
..You had me at "Probably because I was born in the mid 90's so I have no memory of them being all that good".
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Jerry is a hellava business man though.. can't deny that
A true snake oil salesman
Sweech
Onside Kick Specialist
Dejaview
Wahoo Sabi
Thanks. Good stuff. I actually prefer transcripts to video interviews because too often it is hard to hear the full question.
I like it better too.
You can’t find information on video after you’ve watched it, transcriptions are searchable.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
The "ALMOST PHENOMENON"
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Do we have the horses?
Big drop off from last year for Hughes
Even healthy Greenard doesn't show the promise he once did.
Rankins, Collins...
I'm thinking we need help in that front 4.
Greenard is avg to slghtly above avg. Imagine putting a stud rusher opposite WA. This is why I hope they spend the money to bring Hunter home in FA this offseason.
Honestly, few things out there as bad as dead gum..
badboy
Hall of Fame
You are correct! Dadgummit
JWLCASPER
Waterboy
The broadcaster during the Saints game actually mentioned how we were running Power blocking schemes a good portion of the game. I think this is due to who we have on the team right now, Slowik understanding that our line is actually a better fit for a power run scheme over a ZBS currently, and that Pierce reasonably should be better out of a power scheme. If there is double team blocks or a pulling guard, it is a Power O or Wham/Dive. Both power scheme staples. I haven’t self scouted the game outside of watching as a fan with little kiddos running around, but I do recall the commentator specifically mentioning how we weren’t running a traditional ZBS. I do think however we are seeing Slowik implement Singletary and the ZBS more effectively - at least against the Saints.
Sweech
Onside Kick Specialist
I'm not sure about this season but San Fran started running a lot of power/gap last year as well.
JWLCASPER
Waterboy
You are correct. Two reasons for that. CMC actually comes from two power schemes (Stanford and Carolina) even though he is so talented he can fit into whatever style SF wants to play. Additionally, as teams adapt to defending the outside zone (see New England vs LA Rams Super Bowl) (New England vs Atlanta Super Bowl) and any stout front 7 that can play with integrity against Shanahan schemes, wrinkles were added by Kyle and McDaniels and now Slowik. I’m attaching a very long article here but it’s a tremendous read for those who want to see what the Texans are attempting to implement.
Shanahan Schemes | SumerSports
Shawn Syed digs into Kyle Shanahan's offensive design to see what makes one of the league's best offenses work.
sumersports.com
The whole article is worth a read, but in particular to continue the power/gap discussion read about the Power/Wham/Counter Solid and how it creates hesitation for defenses trying to flow with the rail of the outside zone.
@thunderkyss this is some of the plays you described up thread. Again - it’s a long read but absolutely worth the time to look over to better understand Slowik’s mentality with the run.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Thanks man, this kind of stuff is the reason I love this MB
If it was me I would sign the 3 defensive guys and draft weapons for Stroud.
Will signing a couple of stud d linemen only eliminate all the 10-20 yd dinks we constantly give up across the middle. Seems like to me that’s the one area that we’ve made little improvement in. What do we need to fix that?
Don't the Texans have about 1/3 of the cap tied up in the OL?
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badboy
Hall of Fame
I understand you using standard proration of contracts to determine yearly average but as a capologist, I wish you would have mentioned that roster bonuses and void years as well as signing bonus can significantly change APY.
badboy
Hall of Fame
My rough calculations including IR and PS ~ 22 percent which if accurate and all know my math skills..
Is really good work by Casserio. We tend to focus on big $ but those low $ contracts for good players is what a GM supposed to do.
JWLCASPER
Waterboy
Not a problem friend - sometimes I do high level overview just to get the discussion out there, but I can dig in a little more for those interested. (Also was a couple beers in last night so it was HIGH LEVEL (not quite @Thorn HIGH) but you know what I mean.
Before I begin remember that most deals “guaranteed” money includes the signing bonus, year 1 and year 2 P5 salary guaranteed for skill - injury - and cap, and half of year 3 P5 (sometimes) for injury only. This allows most teams an out in year 3 or 4 of deals. Also I added this paragraph after writing everything below and if it’s hard to digest - it’s much harder typing this out without spreadsheets and to follow the dialogue I have in my head and putting it in forum form. Please forgive me if it comes off rambling or hard to decipher. Please ask questions if you would like clarification.
For Wilkins (Lawrence and Allen Comps) I said 4/80 for 20 APY. Lawrence received a 22 million signing bonus prorated over 4 years. Allen received a 30 million dollar signing bonus prorated over 4 years. Lawrence had a year 1 salary of 1.05 million and bonus of 4.5 for a cap hit of 5.55. This also was part of his rookie deal rolling. Years 2-5(the extension years) range from 22 million to 24.5 million with 1 million dollar roster bonus and 500K workout bonuses years 2-5. Lawrence is guaranteed to be on the Giants likely through 2025 and then his dead cap is 9 million in 2026 and 4.6 million in 2027. The Giants could feasibly cut him in 2026 for 15 million in cap savings that year or 2027 for 20 million in cap savings that year.
Allen signed a 4 year extension and got the 30 million prorated over 5 years (1 year left on prior deal and 4 years of the extension for 6 million signing bonus hit per year. In 2021 he accounted for 7.25 million, in 2022 9.5 million, in 2023-2025 he accounts for 23-25 million per year. This leaves a dead cap number of 12 million in 2024 and 6 million in 2025. With his play I expect he sees the life of the deal or another extension in 2025.
For Wilkins let’s say he gets 4/80 with 30 million in signing. If that is prorated over 4 years that means he has 7.5 million a year against the cap with a year 1 cash flow of 30 million (signing bonus) and league minimum P5 (1 Millionish) and then years 2-4 would be to cover the renaming 49 million in P5. That would likely look something like 12.5 / 13 / 13.5 or 12 / 13 / 14 in P5 years 2-4 which means a cap hit of 19.5-20 million year 2, 20.5-21 million year 3, and 21-21.5 million year 4. The dead money would be 15 million year 3 and 7.5 million year 4. Obviously the signing bonus may be lower which would then inflate the P5 but you get the idea.
For Hunter let’s look at Ogbah’s 4 year 65.5 million dollar deal with Miami. He got 13 million in signing bonus (prorated 8 million over 4 years for 2 million a year and converted 5 million to a 2022 roster bonus. His P5 salary in 2022 was 4 million. His cap hit in 2022 was 11 million and change. In 2023-2025 his P5 is 15 million, 14.95 million, and 15.05 million. This also includes the 2 million of the signing bonus per over those years so his cap hit is roughly 17 million a year.
If Hunter gets 4/70 with 15 million in guarantees it would likely be something similar where a team with a lot of cap this year prorates 10 million or 12 million over the 4 years and attaches an additional 3-5 million dollar roster bonus in 2024 for greater year 1 cash flow. That would leave 55 million over 4 years in P5 and it would look something like 5 million P5 year 1 (with roster bonus and signing bonus as above for a cap hit of 13-15 million year 1, 13 million year 2 P5 with bonus for 15.5 million cap hit, 15 million year 3 P5 with 17.5 million cap hit, and 16-17.5 million year 4 with 18.5-20 million cap hit (and only 2-2.5 million in dead money) which would effectively make this a 3 year 50-52 million dollar deal with an out for year 4 and potentially an out in year 3 with only 5 million in dead money. If someone cut him after year two it would be a 2 year 35-37 million dollar deal with cap savings of 13 million year 3 cut and 16 million year 4 cut.
For Brooks let’s say he gets 4/60 with the same mold as Devondre Campbell’s deal. He would likely get a 12-16 million dollar bonus which leaves 44-48 in P5 for the life of the deal. It would likely look something like 1.1 million 2024 P5 with 4 million bonus for 5.1 million cap hit year 1. 12 million P5 year 2 with 4 million bonus for 16 million dollar cap hit, 14 million year 3 P5 with 4 million bonus for 18 million dollar cap hit year 3. Which leaves 17-21 million in P5 for year 4 and would account for a 21-25 million dollar cap hit which could be spread out with roster bonuses etc Ala Warner in the last year of his deal (500K roster 3.5 million option 100k workout) which alleviates cash flow concerns but feasibly would require a team to renegotiate or cut him before that final year.
I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I do writing it. Again I could be far off of the numbers because each agent / player / team has different motives and forms of negotiation as well as owner budget / cash flow considerations that must be accounted for. This is a much deeper dive but as always I am only one mind and cannot speak for how each player / agent / team will approach these deals. Furthermore, extensions are a different beast than open market deals, and will look different when a player finds a new team.
JWL
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badboy
Hall of Fame
To clarify JWL's use of P5 or paragraph 5 of CBA . It's also known as player's base salary.
russellstreetreport.com
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NFL Salary Cap FAQs - Russell Street Report
Share on facebook Share on twitter Everything You Could Ever Want To Know About The NFL Salary Cap (and MORE!) By Brian McFarland @ravenssalarycap How is the Salary Cap calculated? The Salary Cap is based on a complicated calculation that measures the league’s revenue (or certain revenues) and...
russellstreetreport.com
JWLCASPER
Waterboy
To clarify JWL's use of P5 or paragraph 5 of CBA . It's also known as player's base salary.
.NFL Salary Cap FAQs - Russell Street Report
Share on facebook Share on twitter Everything You Could Ever Want To Know About The NFL Salary Cap (and MORE!) By Brian McFarland @ravenssalarycap How is the Salary Cap calculated? The Salary Cap is based on a complicated calculation that measures the league’s revenue (or certain revenues) and...
Another fun fact - the new 2020 CBA says P5 salary is paid out over the course of an entire year and not the season weeks. Instead of a player getting weekly checks for 17 weeks pre 2020 and now 18 weeks post 2020, players get 36 checks weekly (however many season weeks X 2). This helps owners with cash flow and helps players with budgeting money. Players were spending their P5 money during the season and were broke during the summer months. It allowed owners to negotiate from a higher cliff - and the solution actually benefits both sides which is a rare win for all involved.
badboy
Hall of Fame
If I remember correctly, the players were not very happy about this. Personally I think it would be better for them.
JWLCASPER
Waterboy
Players were not happy about this. Player advocates were ecstatic about this. It’s a built in safety net for irresponsible behavior. But players considered it as owners / the league cutting their weekly pay rate in half and or making them wait longer for their funds. In reality, in my opinion as a player advocate, it’s a far better mechanism to pay players over 9 months instead of 4.5 months. Not all players are dumb with their funds, but a big percentage of players are.
Do payments start before the season or extend past the season?
If the latter I agree with the players. Owners keeping the player's money longer.
JWLCASPER
Waterboy
According to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), contracted players are paid at a rate of 50% of their Paragraph 5 or base salary in equivalent weekly or biweekly installments over the course of an eighteen-week season at twice the amount of the season. For example, if a player’s base salary is $3,600,000, will be paid at the rate of $100,000 in equal weekly installments over 36 weeks. These payments would be set to begin with the first regular season week through the eighteenth week. This model has been in effect since 2021 and will run through 2029. In the Final League Year of the CBA, each player will be paid 100% of their base salary in equivalent weekly or biweekly installments over the course of an eighteen-week season, set to begin at the start of the season.
This model was adopted r to essentially help players with money management. Instead of players only being paid for eighteen weeks of a calendar year, they are paid over the course of 36 weeks. While this is beneficial for players, the league also benefits by being able to keep funds longer for league operations.
Contracted players who are suspended without pay forfeit their base salary for each week the player is suspended. For example, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season without pay for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He is contracted to earn $6,650,000 this year at $369,444.45 per week resulting in an estimated $2,216,666.67 loss over his suspension. Last season, a host of Tampa Bay Buccaneers players including most notably Antonio Brown, were suspended without pay for submitting false Covid-19 Vaccination cards.
Players may also defer their Paragraph 5 or base salary. The CBA holds that players may defer their payments beyond the 36-week mark. More specifically, it states Clubs may defer “no more than 50% of the player’s salary up to and including a total of the first $2 million and may provide for deferral of no more than 75% of the player’s Salary in excess of $2 million. We will use an example to better illustrate this complexity. Suppose that a player’s Paragraph 5 salary is $3 million, and they want to defer 50% of the first $2 million and 75% of the next $1 million. Simply put, the player would bring home $1.25 million in cash up front and the remaining to be paid at a later date. This too is another tool implemented by the NFL to better assist players with money management.
Source :https://www.the33rdteam.com/category/analysis/the-cba-annotated-how-nfl-players-are-compensated/
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It is a detriment to players who are savvy with their money. Sadly, I would say it’s a 75% - 25% distribution of not savvy to savvy, maybe worse. Time value of money always says pay more up front so you control your dollar. It’s why signing bonuses and guaranteed money are vital because it’s the upfront money players leverage since the P5 is distributed in the manner that it is.
The model of the 49ers with Ryans as DC was to spend money on the DL. I'm hoping Ryans/Caserio follow this model. It's why the 49ers have the best defense in the NFL. That and having Warner.
KoolAid Sipper
AFCEVET
Their defensive model is having a very good front 7 and that has been the case even when the team sucked.
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
Looks like they are attempting that here with the investments in Anderson and Rankins this offseason. I expect a big ticket FA on the DL this offseason and possibly another high pick in the draft.
Number19
Hall of Fame
Texans are back from bye week and practicing today, Monday. They'll be off Tuesday and then back at practice Wed, Thurs, and Friday.
Still waiting on news about Scruggs. CnnnD last reported on Oct 5 it was a grade 2 hamstring and still projecting his return after the bye. He was injured Aug 27 and Sunday was 8 weeks.
Still waiting on news about Scruggs. CnnnD last reported on Oct 5 it was a grade 2 hamstring and still projecting his return after the bye. He was injured Aug 27 and Sunday was 8 weeks.
Dejaview
Wahoo Sabi
He is still on IR. I just checked.
Number19
Hall of Fame
I would think that if Scruggs was ready to go, he would have been released last Friday, so as to be at practice today. 4 to 8 weeks is expected recovery for a grade 2 hamstring.
Are all grade II hamstring injuries equal? @CloakNNNdagger reported it was a significant grade II, could that be a mild grade III?
Texansballer74
The Marine
Texansballer74
The Marine
One area of concern I have coming out of the bye is the Texans red zone efficiency. Their current red zone TD conversion rate is 38.1% which is 27th in the league. The have 21 trips to the red zone (tied with the Lions and Titans for 11th in the NFL) & have scored only 8 TDs. If they can get this number up they really could have a chance to make the playoffs.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
The Web is filled with inaccurate classification of hamstring tears.
Although some web sites have defined a Grade III tear as any tear that involved more than 1/2 of the muscle or tendon, there is no such thing as a MILD Grade III tear...............A Grade III is a complete tear/rupture of the hamstring tendon or muscle (or tendon torn off of the bone).
A Grade II hamstring tear can refer to a tear that essentially a tear that involves more than a few isolated muscle/tendon fibers (a Grade I tear) all the way up to but not including a complete rupture (a Grade III tear).
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
Looking at the season snap counts and some observations:
www.pro-football-reference.com
1) 11 OL have earned snaps this season. Only Mason and Patterson have played every snap (Fant has missed 15 snaps). Those three have been the healthy OL while Tunsil and Howard (and their backups) have missed time throughout the first six games.
2) Nelson is the only player on defense over 90% of snaps. Again, the starting safeties have missed time, LBs Harris/Perryman have missed time, Stingley, Griffin and Thomas in the secondary…. the hits just keep on coming.
3) To’o To’o, partially through being available leads the LBs in snaps with 84.71%. He has been a starter all season while Perryman, Harris and Cashman have all missed time. Cashman is second in LB snaps at 51.94%. You have to think his share will only increase with his performance, he’ll be a full time starter as long as he’s healthy.
4) DL rotation is pretty consistent. Starters floating a little above 60% with Anderson leading the way at 67.48%. Lead backups Hinish and Hughes around 40%. Then next in line Davis and Horton clocking just under 30%. It’s a consistent 8 man rotation on the DL. Will be interesting to see who earns reps moving forward with Myjai Sanders being added and hopefully Ridgeway returning at some point this season.
Houston Texans 2023 Snap Counts | Pro-Football-Reference.com
Checkout the Houston Texans 2023 Snap Counts and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com
www.pro-football-reference.com
1) 11 OL have earned snaps this season. Only Mason and Patterson have played every snap (Fant has missed 15 snaps). Those three have been the healthy OL while Tunsil and Howard (and their backups) have missed time throughout the first six games.
2) Nelson is the only player on defense over 90% of snaps. Again, the starting safeties have missed time, LBs Harris/Perryman have missed time, Stingley, Griffin and Thomas in the secondary…. the hits just keep on coming.
3) To’o To’o, partially through being available leads the LBs in snaps with 84.71%. He has been a starter all season while Perryman, Harris and Cashman have all missed time. Cashman is second in LB snaps at 51.94%. You have to think his share will only increase with his performance, he’ll be a full time starter as long as he’s healthy.
4) DL rotation is pretty consistent. Starters floating a little above 60% with Anderson leading the way at 67.48%. Lead backups Hinish and Hughes around 40%. Then next in line Davis and Horton clocking just under 30%. It’s a consistent 8 man rotation on the DL. Will be interesting to see who earns reps moving forward with Myjai Sanders being added and hopefully Ridgeway returning at some point this season.