2021 NFL Season

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Nick Caserio is not getting nearly enough credit for the job he has done with the Texans over the last year and it's clear not many are following the Texans closely enough to notice his work (understandable).

I posted this elsewhere a few days ago but will copy/paste for those interested who might not follow the Texans situation very closely. For the record, I graded his first year with the team as an A performance, have copied/pasted in NSFW due to length.

NSFW!

- Bringing in a coaching staff of high character men to reset the culture of the team. Lovie did a great job with the D, Pep Hamilton is interviewing for OC positions, Tim Kelly was a bust for my tastes but deserved the opportunity to show what he could do without BOB so I have no problem with him being retained. Culley is an objectively terrible coach but was brought in to lose games and keep the team together. He delivered the third overall pick and there was no major dysfunction. Objective achieved here. Even the decision to not immediately recommit to Culley at the conclusion of the season is a move I like. See what's out there first and if there is nobody who jumps out at you as an upgrade for the future, recommit to another year with Culley. Not the end of the world.

- Signed a ton of high character, veteran free agents to team friendly deals in order to fill gaps on the field and lead within the lockerroom. Turned some of these guys into draft picks as the season went along. Got quality production out of a few others who you might want to retain moving forward. Team is now on the radar for vets as a perfectly respectable place to come play to try and earn a larger contract somewhere else. Win-win for this stage of the rebuild.

- Nailed the draft given the position he was in for picks. Mills was a solid selection in hindsight and did about as well as anyone could have possibly hoped for the project that he is. Lopez/ Collins/Jordan showed they are NFL calibre talents. He also did a good job maneuvering his way through the draft with trades to both move up when needed as well as move back to stack future picks when that opportunity presented itself.

- Didn't panic sell on Deshaun (huge ++++)

-Easterby that absolute clown is no longer a story regardless of whatever his fake role still is within the organization.

-Flushed out dead salary on vets like Mercilus, Cunningham, McKinney who had no future on the team. 2022 is going to be ugly with how much dead $$$ the team will have working against them but the financial situation of the team is looking clean for 2023 as the team exits teardown mode and looks to compete again. Short term pain for longer term gain.

The Culley era was never going to be more than a year or two experience and he was hired to be fired. Everyone knew it. His job was to throw himself on the grenade that was the Texans HC job in that moment and lose games with a smile on his face/build a sense of culture within the lockerroom. He did a great job off the field and was in way over his head on the field as expected. He should be proud of himself for how he handled the entire situation but anyone saying that this firing reflects poorly on the Texans doesn't know what they are talking about.

Look for them to trade Laremy Tunsil next for a late first/early second and the same "LOL TEXANS DONT HAVE A CLUE" comments to follow. Only thing that is going to change this narrative is time but people should realize that this team with Caserio in charge is not anywhere close to where it was a year ago.

I don't want to rain on your parade but those aren't exactly earth shattering moves pointing to heading in the right direction. Being more competent than O'Brien was expected of any incoming GM that had a half functioning brain. The problem is clearly that the owner is one of the worst in the league and any GM is going to be handcuffed by that.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I think it was the Senator several posts ago who said the Texans are right where they were a year ago which is wildly wrong.

They finally have their own picks, plus some others, salary cap flexibility and whatever they get from Watson. Should be able to attract a much stronger coach now and actually start moving forward.

What makes you think you'll get a "much stronger coach"? Your ownership is still a disaster, and having more picks is better than not having picks, but also not that important (the Giants have lots of picks, do you think they are an attractive job?). And since you're about to trade a top five player at the most valuable position in the league, the most appealing part of the job is about to be gone. If they are forced to settle for David Culley Jr. as their coach things will arguably be worse.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

What makes you think you'll get a "much stronger coach"? Your ownership is still a disaster, and having more picks is better than not having picks, but also not that important (the Giants have lots of picks, do you think they are an attractive job?). And since you're about to trade a top five player at the most valuable position in the league, the most appealing part of the job is about to be gone. If they are forced to settle for David Culley Jr. as their coach things will arguably be worse.

O’brien is gone.
They have their picks plus what they get for Watson.
Culley was not an NFL head coach.

So yes the situation is obviously much better even though Cal remains. They should be able to hire an actual head coach. I’m not calling it some fantastic situation.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't want to rain on your parade but those aren't exactly earth shattering moves pointing to heading in the right direction. Being more competent than O'Brien was expected of any incoming GM that had a half functioning brain. The problem is clearly that the owner is one of the worst in the league and any GM is going to be handcuffed by that.

Cal McNair is not competent but how has he handcuffed Caserio thus far?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Cal McNair is not competent but how has he handcuffed Caserio thus far?

It's only one year in. A year where they just hired a coach and set him up to be fired. We have seen it with Al Davis, Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder, Shahid Khan, Cal McNair, etc as the bad owners always get in the way.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

O’brien is gone.
They have their picks plus what they get for Watson.
Culley was not an NFL head coach.

So yes the situation is obviously much better even though Cal remains. They should be able to hire an actual head coach. I’m not calling it some fantastic situation.

Not that I'm saying Culley was actually a genius coach, but they fielded one of the worst rosters in the league and even despite four wins felt like they overachieved. Also, you don't think other coaching candidates are going to see the Culley situation, that he was essentially set up to fail, and either a) look to avoid it; or b) try and get the same deal Culley got ($22 million for one year)? I know if I was some coordinator the thought of $22 million for one year is far more appealing than trying to actually turn the Texans around.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Not that I'm saying Culley was actually a genius coach, but they fielded one of the worst rosters in the league and even despite four wins felt like they overachieved. Also, you don't think other coaching candidates are going to see the Culley situation, that he was essentially set up to fail, and either a) look to avoid it; or b) try and get the same deal Culley got ($22 million for one year)? I know if I was some coordinator the thought of $22 million for one year is far more appealing than trying to actually turn the Texans around.

Yeah that's what i keep coming back too as well.

If I am a sought after HC candidate, why in the hell would i even consider going to Houston?

If I am way down the pecking order among the league execs as a coach in waiting, then sure I would be all over it.

But taking the wrong job as a hot commodity in that small circle can put a kibosh on your goals quicker than losing games does.

Add in the McNair factor, the Watson debacle that is far from settled, and a really really spotty roster....its as about undesireable a spot to land as one could find.

[devo22]

exactly. I can appreciate the arguments of Texans fans that Caserio has been doing a decent job, but if I'm a HC candidate, I still see a really bad roster, a QB that wants out and a less than ideal ownership setup with McNair and Easterby. Then you factor in the fact that they just canned Culley after a year despite overachieving, and the prospect of being a terrible team for at least another year. What exactly would entice a HC candidate to go there? It's easily the least interesting vacancy out there, and in that regard, Senator is spot on that it's similar to last year.

now, maybe they can hire Mayo because of the Caserio link and his apparent desire to copy the Patriots. But we all know that hiring Belichick disciples is everything but a guarantee for success, so I guess we'll see.

[Sylvanfan]

If you're a younger Head Coach you will want to be careful. If you pick the wrong spot even one bad stint will type cast you as someone who can only be an assistant. So they will limit themselves to another Culley type where it's a long time assistant who's not likely to get a splashy job with a team that has a flashy new QB.

Even with the Draft capital this years QB class looks weak, so whoever goes there is likely saddled to Davis Mills again too regardless of what they might get for Watson. So even the teams who have good draft capital are still less attractive than one that has a viable QB in place.

[SuperMatt18]

The Culley firing really felt like they saw Brian Flores get fired and decided they wanted him as their head coach

Flores is said to be the guy who really wanted Watson in Miami, so I wonder if they are hoping that bringing in Flores could convince Watson to stay (Even for one year).

[devo22]

Watsons problem was with ownership though, was it not? Don't think coaching was an issue. Doubt Flores would make a difference.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The Culley firing really felt like they saw Brian Flores get fired and decided they wanted him as their head coach

Flores is said to be the guy who really wanted Watson in Miami, so I wonder if they are hoping that bringing in Flores could convince Watson to stay (Even for one year).

This is what I think happened as there's the obvious Patriots connection. The funny thing is that Flores got fired for not being personable in the building and butting heads with the GM. McNair is well versed in GM and head coach power struggles and last time sided with the head coach. If they indeed hire Flores, Casero better hope he makes him happy as it will possibly be him walking the plank if there's friction.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's only one year in. A year where they just hired a coach and set him up to be fired. We have seen it with Al Davis, Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder, Shahid Khan, Cal McNair, etc as the bad owners always get in the way.

How did McNair handcuff O'Brien before him? That's not McNair's issue, there's no evidence of that

Anyway Culley was in way over his head as Head Coach and I challenge anyone who followed the Texans to argue otherwise. He was simply a caretaker to take off the O'Brien stink.

Caserio will get the former Patriot that he wants, I'm quite sure of that. Doesn't mean the Texans are a good organization but well ahead of 12 months ago.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

How did McNair handcuff O'Brien before him? That's not McNair's issue, there's no evidence of that

Anyway Culley was in way over his head as Head Coach and I challenge anyone who followed the Texans to argue otherwise. He was simply a caretaker to take off the O'Brien stink.

Caserio will get the former Patriot that he wants, I'm quite sure of that. Doesn't mean the Texans are a good organization but well ahead of 12 months ago.

McNair handcuffed Rick Smith when he sided O'Brien who clearly had no clue what the GM chair entails. How many years did we sit here and laugh at what he permitted O'Brien to get away with?

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by devo22

Watsons problem was with ownership though, was it not? Don't think coaching was an issue. Doubt Flores would make a difference.

Watson's issue is with Easterby/McNair. They aren't going to be hiring a coach with the intention of keeping Watson around and hoping he changes his mind. That ship has sailed.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Not that I'm saying Culley was actually a genius coach, but they fielded one of the worst rosters in the league and even despite four wins felt like they overachieved. Also, you don't think other coaching candidates are going to see the Culley situation, that he was essentially set up to fail, and either a) look to avoid it; or b) try and get the same deal Culley got ($22 million for one year)? I know if I was some coordinator the thought of $22 million for one year is far more appealing than trying to actually turn the Texans around.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1481727885501247489 (this says all you need to know about Culley as a HC)

Culley was not setup to fail. Everyone who follows the Texans knew this was the deal the second he was hired. He was brought in to coach for a season or two and not have the lockerroom implode further on itself. He was brought in to lose games with a smile on his face and to implement a culture of doing things the "right way" in the lockerroom. At no time was Culley ever hired with any sort of future in mind, that is how badly things were in Houston at the beginning of last offseason. They literally just needed someone to throw themselves on the grenade while Caserio worked to tear the team down to the studs so the rebuild could begin.

You need to give these coaches more credit. They know the deal. Culley is a 66 year old positional coach who had never even been a coordinator. You seriously think anyone who interviews for the job (who will no doubt already have a relationship with Caserio) doesn't know the deal there? no candidates are going to worry about their own potential job security because David Culley of all people was fired after one season.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

You need to give these coaches more credit. They know the deal. Culley is a 66 year old positional coach who had never even been a coordinator. You seriously think anyone who interviews for the job (who will no doubt already have a relationship with Caserio) doesn't know the deal there? no candidates are going to worry about their own potential job security because David Culley of all people was fired after one season.

Fair enough, but which up and comer is going to want to sewer one of his first chances at a coaching job with what the Texans currently have?

I get the idea of getting a guy in to undo some of the past disfunction. But at this stage is the job going to appeal enough to say an Eric Bienemy or even Brian Flores enough to make them jump on board. A guy like Flores only has one more shot until he's type cast as a guy who can be an assistant. So does he want to take a beating for another year on a team that's going to have a bad roster before he get's help and probably only has one more year to really turn things?

[Senator Clay Davis]

I mean this time last year the Texans had a top QB in the league who wanted out and one of the worst rosters in the league. Currently they have....a top QB in the league who wants out and one of the worst rosters in the league. Last year they had the worst job opening. This year they have....either the worst job opening, or tied for worst with the Giants. This is still not a desirable job, it's still probably gonna be a first time coach who is currently coordinator, or failed retread. Maybe Jerrod Mayo is the next Belichick, maybe McDaniels or Patricia won't suck in their second go around. But there's a decent chance they end up not even upgrading on Culley. Again, not defending Culley at all, but if they do end up hiring a mild upgrade, or no upgrade at all, it will be absolutely hilarious (and on brand).

[devo22]

All Pro teams have been released.

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QB: Aaron Rodgers (34), Tom Brady (16)

RB: Jonathan Taylor (50), NA

TE: Mark Andrews (41), Travis Kelce (9)

WR: Davante Adams (50), Cooper Kupp (50), Deebo Samuel (21), Justin Jefferson (20), Ja'Marr Chase (9), NA

LT: Trent Williams (46), Rashawn Slater (2), Orlando Brown Jr (1), Tyron Smith (1)

LG: Joel Bitonio (28), Quenton Nelson (13), Joe Thuney (6), Ali Marpet (2), Rodger Saffold (1)

C: Jason Kelce (21), Corey Linsley (11), Creed Humphrey (10), Ryan Jensen (5), Ryan Kelly (3)

RG: Zack Martin (46), Wyatt Teller (2), Shaq Mason (1), Brandon Scherff (1)

RT: Tristan Wirfs (37), Lane Johnson (10), Brian O'Neill (3)

EDGE: TJ Watt (50), Myles Garrett (29), Robert Quinn (9), Maxx Crosby (6), Nick Bosa (5), Joey Bosa (1)

IDL: Aaron Donald (50), Cam Heyward (19), Chris Jones (10), Jeffery Simmons (10), DeForest Buckner (5), Kenny Clark (2), Vita Vea (2), Jonathan Allen (2)

LB: Micah Parsons (46), Darius Leonard (44), De'Vondre Campbell (18), Demario Davis (10), Roquan Smith (10), Bobby Wagner (7), Lavonte David (3), Matthew Judon (3), Denzel Perryman (2), Foye Oluokun (2), CJ Mosley (1), Jordyn Brooks (1), Devin White (1), Matt Milano (1), Tremaine Edmunds (1)

CB: Trevon Diggs (33), Jalen Ramsey (32), JC Jackson (25), AJ Terrell (8), Darius Slay (1), Marshon Lattimore (1)

S: Kevin Byard (41), Jordan Poyer (12), Budda Baker (10), Justin Simmons (10), Micah Hyde (10), Derwin James (5), Quandre Diggs (3), Marcus Williams (3), Adrian Phillips (2), Antoine Winfield Jr (1), Minkah Fitzpatrick (1), Tyrann Mathieu (1), Harrison Smith (1)

K: Justin Tucker (40), Daniel Carlson (8), Nick Folk (1), Matt Gay (1)

P: AJ Cole (21), Bryan Anger (18), Michael Dickson (5), Logan Cooke (3), Sam Martin (1), Johnny Hekker (1), Cameron Johnston (1)

KR: Braxton Berrios (27), Andre Roberts (13), Kene Nwangwu (7), Isaiah McKensie (1), Jakeem Grant (1), Devin Duvernay (1)

PR: Devin Duvernay (28), Jakeem Grant (20), Braxton Berrios (2)

ST: JT Gray (18), Matthew Slater (10), Ashton Dulin (10), Miles Killebrew (3), Matt Adams (3), Frankie Luvu (2), EJ Speed (1), Nick Bellore (1), Derek Watt (1)

LS: Luke Rhodes (22), Josh Harris (12), Morgan Cox (4), Trent Sieg (4), Nick Moore (3), Joe Cardona (3)

[transplant99]

Pretty good indicator that MVP will come down to Rogers and Taylor.