Casserly's Dubious Decisions - (The Perspective of Texans Fans)

[Deleted member 39]

Another look at the decisions of the man retained to advise Woody. :waving-white-flag:

It appears that Bellichick was correct when he questioned Casserly's football acumen.

Enjoy gentllemen! I advise you to look up the article and read the dozens of comments of Texans fans. Then pray, as I do, that Woody is listening to Wolf. Pray hard!

High Five: What Is The Worst Transaction In Texans History?

By riversmccown  @FO_RiversMcCown on Jun 16 2010, 9:30a 50


What makes a bad football decision?

Is it just incompetence? Is it more about the wasted money, or the poor player evaluation? Is it the forfeiture of a draft pick, or the potential of what those draft picks could have been?

Is it simply employing Charlie Casserly? Well, probably.

But while we're here, we might as well look at the worst of the worst of Casserly's mistakes. So, behind the jump, my five worst Casserly transactions, followed by a poll to decide, once and for all, what his biggest blunder was.

Drafting Tony Boselli with the first overall pick in the Expansion Draft.

It starts with your first misstep. The Jacksonville Jaguars cannily cut a deal for us to take this deadweight of a contract first overall in the Expansion Draft. Boselli never played a snap for the Texans, retired after the 2002 season, and the reliance on him to be a rock at tackle caused Casserly to not chase a real backup tackle. Chester Pitts, playing out of position at tackle, allowed many pass rushers a run at David Carr. Whether that was a contributing factor to Carr's terribleness is up to the reader, but Boselli was obviously a total waste of time for the Texans and created a cascade effect of badness that would take years to fix. You can argue it's never been totally fixed, in fact, if you're not sold on Duane Brown yet.

Drafting David Carr with the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.

A rather obvious addition to this list. Carr wasn't quite as much of a bust as JaMarcus Russell, Akili Smith, or Ryan Leaf. I mean, at least he started games and could throw a football. His total lack of pocket awareness was murder on him despite having all the correct physical tools, and now he clings to NFL life as a backup quarterback. You can argue that the Texans mishandled Carr to some extent, but as I said about Amobi Okoye recently, there are no excuses in the NFL.

I think this might be the best of Casserly's bad transactions. For one thing, you need a franchise quarterback to win in this league. The three first round worthy NFL QBs according to scouts in the 2002 draft were Carr, Joey Harrington, and Patrick Ramsey. I think the Texans probably got the best of those three. The only QB from this draft who currently starts in the NFL is David Garrard, and he was a fourth rounder. Carr might have been the best quarterback in this draft other than Garrard, which is damning with faint praise, but it's still a positive for the Texans evaluators.

Of course, many other talent directors thought as highly of Carr as the Texans did. While it looks bad in hindsight, this, to me, was a pretty decent pick at the time. It's pretty sad to think about Julius Peppers being a lifetime Texan though, I can't lie about that.

Signing Todd Wade as a free agent after the 2004 season.

Continuing his efforts to try to fix the terrible tackle situation that he thought he had solved for years in the expansion draft, Casserly signed tackle Todd Wade to a 6 year, $30 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. Wade played 22 games for the Texans in two injury-riddled seasons, gave nothing that a replacement player couldn't have given, and was released with a massive cap hit after 2005.

This was my last pick to make the list. I went with Wade over Anthony Weaver simply because Weaver actually played out most of his contract. The two of them are definitely 1-2 in my mind for free agent busts in Houston, with Robaire Smith running third.

Trading a second-round pick (40-TE Ben Troupe), a third-round pick (71-Randy Starks), a fourth-round pick (103-Bo Schobel), and a fifth-round pick (138-Jacob Bell) in the 2004 NFL Draft to Tennessee for their first round pick (27-Jason Babin) and a fifth-round pick (159-Sean Bubin, later flipped to Jacksonville for sixth and seventh rounders that wound up being RB Jamal Lord and LB Raheem Orr) in the 2004 NFL Draft.

This one was an unmitigated disaster. Not only did Babin play so terribly that he's just barely hanging on to the edges of an NFL roster today, but the Texans gave FOUR picks to a division rival, two of which wound up being hits, and one of which (Starks), was a better NFL defensive lineman than Babin wound up being.

Want to cringe even more? Here's an optimal table of players the Texans could have taken with those picks:

40: Darnell Dockett

71: Matt Schaub (saving future picks)

103: Jared Allen

138: Michael Turner.

Now, of course, it's doubtful Casserly would have taken any of those players, since he was an awful GM for the Texans, but that's the potential core of a championship team right there, practically given away for nothing, to a division rival. The only bright spot is that Tennessee didn't hit on those picks as well as they could have either.

By the way, if you want to use the draft trade value chart: 27 was worth 680, and 159 was worth 27.8. So that's 707.8. The Texans gave up 40 (500), 71 (235), 103 (88), and 138 (37). Or 860. So even by the old draft trade chart, which CRIMINALLY underrates picks not in the first round, the Texans got ravaged. The combination of the stupidity of a team that wasn't even good giving up most of it's draft and the craptasticness of Babin are enough to put this one over the top for me. It's my selection for worst transaction.

Trading a second-round pick (47-K Mike Nugent, after the Raiders sent this pick to the Jets) and a third-round pick (78-LB Kirk Morrison) in the 2005 NFL Draft to the Oakland Raiders for Phillip Buchanon.

Buchanon, the solution to get our CB situation over the hump after Aaron Glenn finally got too old for Casserly to keep around, played just 14 games for the Texans before being released in the middle of the 2006 season. He was utterly abysmal, and if MDC had kept DGDB&D around, I would link you to several posts where I believe he wanted to crucify him. Or at least murder him.

The price to get him, of course, was exorbitant. The Texans gave up two high mid-round picks, and only the Jets drafting a kicker could save this from looking much worse. Playing the same optimal game as we did with Babin, the Texans could have gotten Nick Collins (or Vincent Jackson, if you prefer) and David Stewart. In other words, we traded roughly 630 points of draft value for a cornerback who they couldn't even justify keeping in the MIDDLE of a season.

So what do you think BRB? Dark horse picks? Things I missed?

Poll

What was the worst transaction in Texans history?

17% Drafting Tony Boselli in the Expansion Draft.
(95 votes)

14% Drafting David Carr #1 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft.
(80 votes)

2% Signing Todd Wade to a 6-year/$30 million deal after the 2004 season.
(13 votes)

56% Trading almost the entire 2004 draft for Jason Babin.
(310 votes)

10% Trading a second and a third in 2005 for Phillip Buchanon.
(55 votes)

553 votes total

 

[usapaw]

It's an article with a definite viewpoint (mostly negative). Most all of those pick were no brainers at the time. Carr was ruined by the Texans from day 1. He was a pinata(spelling?). They destroyed the kids confidence by throwing him in the fire with no protection. A lot of busts there for sure but the draft is a crap shoot. Nobody wins consistently in the draft if they last this long in the NFL (Not For Long).

 

[jetfan39]

little john, does the sun ever shine in your world. the next positive statement by you will be your first

 

[Deleted member 39]

little john, does the sun ever shine in your world. the next positive statement by you will be your first

For the record I was happy with virtually every Jets coach and GM during Woody's reign. I was happy with Groh, Edwards, Mangini and Rex. I was happy with all of the GMs (Bradway, Tannenbaum, Idzik)

You're just following the crowd. The points of my posts are: (1) Idzik should not have been fired; (2) Casserly does not have a good track record in selecting players or coaches that would justify selecting him to advise Woody. That's it. Positive about Idzik and negative about Casserly's record (which is pretty much a fact).

Like all the C-18 Locker Creatures, Little John is generally positive about the Jets. Even on the previous JI site I argued that they have a pretty good core of players, They simply need a QB. Sure they have problems, just like other teams, but the main glaring problem is QB.

I can't get into substantive posts because I'm always dealing with mischaracterizations of my statements. Or personal attacks.

 

[ucrenegade]

You can write a article like this for every GM that ever lived. None have had more hits than misses but you will only see the misses if that is all you list. A GM is like a baseball player if they can get a .300 avg or 3 out of every 10 then they are doing good.

 

[Deleted member 39]

You can write a article like this for every GM that ever lived. None have had more hits than misses but you will only see the misses if that is all you list. A GM is like a baseball player if they can get a .300 avg or 3 out of every 10 then they are doing good.

Don't believe me. Believe Bill Bellichick. At least with the Texans he was an unmitigated disaster. I used to believe he drafted Mario Williams. Not so. I read now that Williams was Kubiak's pick!

Do you really want to see me post the plethora of stories from Washington criticizing Casserly's disasters with the Redskins? If I document Casserly's poor record with the Redskins, I'll be hit with posts that I'm negative. His record as Washington's GM was not good. It's widely accepted that his record with the Texans was better than his fiascos with the Redskins. Heath Schuler!

Sure he's drafted 16 pro bowlers -- he loves to cite to that. But he's not hitting 300. Nowhere near that.

 

[ucrenegade]

Don't believe me. Believe Bill Bellichick. At least with the Texans he was an unmitigated disaster. I used to believe he drafted Mario Williams. Not so. I read now that Williams was Kubiak's pick!

Do you really want to see me post the plethora of stories from Washington criticizing Casserly's disasters with the Redskins? If I document Casserly's poor record with the Redskins, I'll be hit with posts that I'm negative. His record as Washington's GM was not good. It's widely accepted that his record with the Texans was better than his fiascos with the Redskins. Heath Schuler!

Sure he's drafted 16 pro bowlers -- he loves to cite to that. But he's not hitting 300. Nowhere near that.

Also did you notice esp in the early years he didn't have early draft picks which means he must have been making good trades because the redskins were a top team a lot of the years he was the GM.

 

[Xmarco]

Not a Casslerly fan he's not my first choice but I will support him if he gets the job...Idzik record in the draft and scouting dept changes didn't support him

 

[jetfan39]

at this time of the year for every negative story you can find a positive story stating the opposite. it all depends on the agenda of the writer and if they are trying to build hits on their blogs. until names are announced by the teams everybody is a hero or a dog depending on the writers of the articles.

 

[sg3]

I stopped reading at "believe Bill Belish*t"

 

[Texjet]

Casserly is not being asked to conduct player evaluations or help the Jets with potential draft picks - how this article is pertinent to the work he is conducting on behalf of our team is beyond me. He and Wolf are simply providing input into a hiring process. As part of the NFL's Career Development Advisory Panel, both Casserly and Wolf are familiar with the up and coming GM's and HC's in the league (and outside the league). As such, his (their) advice to Woody on potential candidates is invaluable.

The story on his success in drafting talent for the Texans is pretty much immaterial.

 

[ucrenegade]

He and wolf sure as hell can not do worse than kornhole ferry.

 

[flgreen]

]Don't believe me. Believe Bill Bellichick.[/B] At least with the Texans he was an unmitigated disaster. I used to believe he drafted Mario Williams. Not so. I read now that Williams was Kubiak's pick!

Do you really want to see me post the plethora of stories from Washington criticizing Casserly's disasters with the Redskins? If I document Casserly's poor record with the Redskins, I'll be hit with posts that I'm negative. His record as Washington's GM was not good. It's widely accepted that his record with the Texans was better than his fiascos with the Redskins. Heath Schuler!

Sure he's drafted 16 pro bowlers -- he loves to cite to that. But he's not hitting 300. Nowhere near that.

Why in the world would I believe Bill Bellichick? The quote you keep on using, is a response from Bill Bellichick to Casserly basically calling Bellichick a liar. He was lying, again . If anything it adds to Casserly's credibility.

He had the gumption to call Bellichick what he is. A liar

 

[Deleted member 39]

Why in the world would I believe Bill Bellichick? The quote you keep on using, is a response from Bill Bellichick to Casserly basically calling Bellichick a liar. He was lying, again . If anything it adds to Casserly's credibility.

He had the gumption to call Bellichick what he is. A liar

Even the Devil speaks truth every now and then. Just to gain your trust. Liars weave truth into their lies just to gain credibility. This is what Bill was doing. Casserly asserted that Brady was playing with broken ribs (something like that) and Bill denied it by saying that no one was wrong post Washington more that Charlie Casserly. It was a fallacious argument by Bill (don't believe Casserly, he's often wrong).

The point is that Casserly is not good at choosing coaches, and mediocre at selecting NFL talent. I would say that Terry Bradway has a far better record than Casserly (who I love as a person).

 

[Johnny Unite Us]

Even the Devil speaks truth every now and then. Just to gain your trust. Liars weave truth into their lies just to gain credibility. This is what Bill was doing. Casserly asserted that Brady was playing with broken ribs (something like that) and Bill denied it by saying that no one was wrong post Washington more that Charlie Casserly. It was a fallacious argument by Bill (don't believe Casserly, he's often wrong).

The point is that Casserly is not good at choosing coaches, and mediocre at selecting NFL talent. I would say that Terry Bradway has a far better record than Casserly (who I love as a person).

Little John, I like your posts and respect your Jets fandom. And, I totally understand where you're coming from.

You obviously scour the internet daily looking for negative articles about Charley Casserly that support your negateive view of him. (I've never seen you post a positive article about Charlley Casserly, and their are very positive articles out there about him which I'm sure you've seen and chose to ignore...or at least not share with the rest of us.

I like that you feel strongly about something, I respect that.

But, can you please remind the rest of us what your credentials are to criticize the credentials of someone who has worked in the NFL for over 30 years?

I'm sure you are qualified to do so. I must have just missed the post where you shed some light on the drafting and hiring decisions that you have made over the course of your illustrious career. My apologies.

Also, if you could provide some insight about the hiring and firing procedures of NFL franchises in real time, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, that would be useful as well.

I'm sure someone with your sort of football acumen will have no problem with such a request.

 

[Deleted member 39]

Little John, I like your posts and respect your Jets fandom. And, I totally understand where you're coming from.

You obviously scour the internet daily looking for negative articles about Charley Casserly that support your negateive view of him. (I've never seen you post a positive article about Charlley Casserly, and their are very positive articles out there about him which I'm sure you've seen and chose to ignore...or at least not share with the rest of us.

I like that you feel strongly about something, I respect that.

But, can you please remind the rest of us what your credentials are to criticize the credentials of someone who has worked in the NFL for over 30 years?

I'm sure you are qualified to do so. I must have just missed the post where you shed some light on the drafting and hiring decisions that you have made over the course of your illustrious career. My apologies.

Also, if you could provide some insight about the hiring and firing procedures of NFL franchises in real time, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, that would be useful as well.

I'm sure someone with your sort of football acumen will have no problem with such a request.

Roger, I am but a humble Cobbler living in a locker with other such creatures in Grand Central Station. I am not a powerful man like yourself. I made statements about Charlie Casserly. Those statements stand on their own to be evaluated by powerful people like you (and common folks too). Is it not true that Charlie Casserly's record in selecting NFL Head Coaches is not good? Why is it that you seek my credentials before evaluating my statement? Why can't you evaluate it on its merits? Is a statement of a Locker Room creature working as a Cobbler not entitled to be evaluated? It is a limited qualified statement. Charlie Casserly does not have a great record in selecting Head Coaches and I wonder if Woody is getting the best advice.

 

[Johnny Unite Us]

Roger, I am but a humble Cobbler living in a locker with other such creatures in Grand Central Station. I am not a powerful man like yourself. I made statements about Charlie Casserly. Those statements stand on their own to be evaluated by powerful people like you (and common folks too). Is it not true that Charlie Casserly's record in selecting NFL Head Coaches is not good? Why is it that you seek my credentials before evaluating my statement? Why can't you evaluate it on its merits? Is a statement of a Locker Room creature working as a Cobbler not entitled to be evaluated? It is a limited qualified statement. Charlie Casserly does not have a great record in selecting Head Coaches and I wonder if Woody is getting the best advice.

LOL...you are great. Even I could not have crafted such an eloquent rebuttal.

I tip my hat to you, and look forward to seeing you again.

 

[flgreen]

Little John please clarify.

Cobbler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Look up cobbler in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Cobbler(s) may refer to:

A shoemaker who repairs shoes, rather than manufacturing them (see cordwainer for a discussion of the distinction).

An illegal professional who creates false passports, visas, diplomas and other documents.

Cobbler (food), a traditional baked dish, either dessert or savoury

The Cobbler, a mountain located near the head of Loch Long in Scotland, also known as "Ben Arthur"

Cobbler may refer to a type of Mixed drink

USS Cobbler (SS-344)

Cobbler (software), a network-oriented install server for Linux

"The Cobblers", a nickname for Northampton Town F.C., English association football club

Cobbler apron, a type of apron that covers both the front and back of the body

Fish[edit]

Basa fish, marketed as "Vietnamese river cobbler" in the UK

Cnidoglanis macrocephalus, an eeltail catfish found along the coasts of Australia

Freshwater cobbler (Tandanus bostocki), an eeltail catfish found in freshwater habitats of Australia

Pompano, marine fishes in the Trachinotus genus and various other members of the Carangidae family and Perciformes order[citation needed]

South Australian cobbler, Gymnapistes marmoratus, often just called "cobbler" in Australia



Just kidding. Just kidding

 

[Deleted member 39]

LOL...you are great. Even I could not have crafted such an eloquent rebuttal.

I tip my hat to you, and look forward to seeing you again.

MIB II was on TV one night and I caught it. I backed it up and sure enough, those little bastards had a Jets emblem wedged in on the mountain side. You don't see that with other teams. There's a Jets jacket in the Smithsonian.

 

[ucrenegade]

MIB II was on TV one night and I caught it. I backed it up and sure enough, those little bastards had a Jets emblem wedged in on the mountain side. You don't see that with other teams. There's a Jets jacket in the Smithsonian.

is this true and if so why?