Texans Casserly will be fired....

maxdemo · May 2, 2006

He fired Dom Capers and hired Gary Kubiak as the new head coach, he brought numerous key veterans into the fold this offseason, and on Saturday, he drafted defensive end Mario Williams No. 1 overall instead of star running back Reggie Bush.
After doing all that since the end of the 2005 season, it appears <ACRONYM title="Houston Texans News">Houston Texans</ACRONYM> general manager Charley Casserly is on the verge of losing his position with the team. Word has it that owner Bob McNair wanted to keep Casserly around for the draft, but could fire one of the league’s best personnel evaluators in the coming weeks. Casserly has also put his Houston-area home up for sale, which seems to make the firing imminent.
During his time in Houston, Casserly--who has been with the team since its inception--has seen the teams he has assembled go just 18-46 overall. Casserly is well-thought of in league circles, mainly because of the success he experienced as the <ACRONYM title="Washington Redskins News">Washington Redskins</ACRONYM> ’ GM between 1989 and 1999, but his time in Houston has chiefly been filled with blunders.
Casserly has brought in notable young names such as quarterback David Carr, running back Domanick Davis, wide receiver Andre Johnson, defensive tackle Travis Johnson, linebacker Jason Babin and cornerback Dunta Robinson through drafts, but other than those solid youngsters, he has done a relatively poor job with the infantile franchise. He never did a good job of building the lines up until this offseason, and that may be his final deathblow.
This past weekend during the NFL Draft, Casserly finally atoned for previous errors by making a concerted effort to build the Texans in the trenches. The aforementioned Williams pick was controversial, but even if he doesn’t make the impact Bush would have, the 295 pounder has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy for a long time. Certainly, Casserly was banking on him being the next Reggie White or Bruce Smith when he took the NC State product. Williams should make for a nice defensive end tandem with veteran ND Kalu, who was signed by Casserly as a free agent last month.
After wisely selecting Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans with the Texans’ second-round pick, Casserly turned to Houston’s decrepit offensive line for each of the team’s third-round picks.
With the 65th overall selection, along with Kubiak’s aid, Casserly chose former University of Pittsburgh offensive guard Charles Spencer. A projected third-rounder coming into the draft, the 352-pound lineman has endless upside. During his time as the best lineman on his team, Spencer was one of the Panthers’ most respected leaders. He was taken relatively low because he was moved to tackle last season, but struggled. However, the Texans will use Spencer at his natural position of guard, and he should thrive.
The Texans held the very next selection, No. 66 overall. With that pick, Casserly decided to choose one of the draft’s most underrated players, former University of Miami offensive tackle Eric Winston. An ex-tight end, Winston developed into one of college football’s preeminent left tackles last season. Because of his performance in 2005, the 310 pounder was projected by many as a possible late first-round pick. Instead, the athletic specimen, who ran a 4.94 40-yard dash at February’s scouting combine, somehow fell right into the Texans’ laps late on the draft’s first day. He should be a bookend tackle in Houston for years to come.
Undoubtedly, this appears to be Casserly’s best draft as a member of the <ACRONYM title="Houston Texans News">Houston Texans</ACRONYM> ’ organization, but it apparently will go for naught. If the GM is indeed given his walking papers by McNair, he’ll leave behind a talented young team that should blossom into something positive in the near future. Should his time in Houston conclude, Casserly will likely join the NFL league office as an executive.

juice · May 2, 2006

They should at least wait until after this season to can him. Let's see how the players he drafted perform before passing judgement.

maxdemo · May 2, 2006

Houston Chronicle Article

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May 2, 2006, 12:46AM
NFL job's in mix as Texans, Casserly plan ahead
Team may be about to lose only GM it has known

By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
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-->When Texans owner Bob McNair returns from the Kentucky Derby next week, he will meet with Charley Casserly to see if the general manager wants to stay on the job in his seventh year with the franchise.
Casserly has been a candidate for NFL vice president of operations and development, a position vacated when Art Shell returned to the Oakland Raiders as head coach.

Last month, McNair and Casserly said they were focused on the draft and would meet sometime afterward.
"I've said all along that we'll sit down sometime in the next week or two and talk about Charley's situation," McNair said Monday. "I have to see what Charley wants to do. There's no hurry because he's still got a year left on his contract."
Casserly, who was hired in January 2000 to oversee the personnel side of the organization, has refused to comment on reports that he may be leaving the Texans. Reports that Casserly is being fired are inaccurate.
Because of his longtime association with the NFL and his familiarity with owners, coaches, front-office executives, agents and college coaches, Casserly appears to be ideal for the NFL job.

Opening may come soon

Currently, the position is being filled on an interim basis by John Beake, a longtime club and league executive.
"Yeah, that's an interim appointment," McNair said. "I'll be talking with the NFL to see what they're going to do with the position. I've heard they may expand it."
Although the Texans are being criticized for passing up running back Reggie Bush for defensive end Mario Williams in the first round, their overall draft is being praised around the country.
"You know, I'm quite pleased with our draft," McNair said. "I thought Charley did a fine job. His scouts were well-prepared.
"Charley did what he's done all along, and that's to work closely with the head coach (Gary Kubiak) during the draft. I thought Charley and Gary worked very well together."
Kubiak, who wanted Williams with the first pick, was singing Casserly's praises on Monday.
"Working with Charley was a great experience," Kubiak said. "I'd been in one place (Denver) and known one way. I told Charley I learned a lot from him throughout the process."

Beefing up the lines

Kubiak's philosophy is to protect the quarterback and get the quarterback. He has placed a top priority on pass protection and the pass rush.
"I thought Charley and his staff did a hell of a job," Kubiak said. "I was impressed with their preparation and thoroughness. As a first-year head coach, my preparation had to be twice as intense.
"It was a great experience for me. I really enjoyed the challenge. I can't wait to get started on the field."
Casserly was happy to talk about working with Kubiak for the first time.
"Gary was tremendous to work with," Casserly said. "His preparation for the draft was the most thorough of any coach I've worked with. Gary had a good feel for personnel on offense and defense. He communicated clearly what he wanted at each position. The scouts had a clear picture of what he wanted, and don't underestimate how important that is going into a draft."

WCBias · May 2, 2006

Just goes to show you it is a crapshoot...Bobby Beathard used to be a GOD in the NFL and then after his last few drafts with the Chargers he was put out to pasture...