Casserly resigns as Texans GM

Associated Press ^ | 5/11/2006 | Associated Press

[ziggy_dlo]

There was speculation Casserly would be fired in the wake of the Texans' 2-14 season and their controversial choice for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. "I have an interest in doing other things right now," he said. "This was not an easy decision, but it was a decision I felt I had to make at this point in time." The Texans passed over Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and hometown favorite Vince Young to take defensive end Mario Williams with the top choice in last month's draft. Many fans were outraged, but Texans owner Bob McNair said Casserly was never going to be fired. Casserly will officially step down June 1. "We have gone through a lot of ups and downs and have had a lot of pleasurable moments together," McNair said. "We made an awful lot of progress. We had some disappointments last year, but I think we both feel we've got the cart back on the path and it's moving in the right direction." Casserly had been with the Texans since the franchise joined the NFL six years ago. The Texans played their first season in 2002. Casserly met with McNair on Wednesday morning, then spoke with the Texans' coaching staff and contacted Houston's scouts. He plans to send a letter to the league office on Thursday, officially applying to become the NFL's director of football operations. "I've enjoyed my time here in Houston, I've enjoyed the relationships, especially with the staff," Casserly said. "I think anybody who comes in wanting to make any changes will be making a huge mistake." McNair said he had no replacement candidates in mind. "I have talked to no one. I have no list," McNair said.

[ziggy_dlo]

It is about time.

[in hoc signo vinces]

H-Town pro-football jinx (Oilers had to change their name, then move out of the city, to win), which is why In Hoc's been a cowboys fan since 8.

So, flame away all you cowboy haters. A

s for the Texans, sure hope the home town team finds its luck...should have unloaded Carr, and taken VY, but hey...whoever accused the Texans of having the will to do the things necessary to win.

[ziggy_dlo]

charlie was the epitomy of that franchise.
he needed to go and of course carr sucks. Needs to go back to the basics such as middle school.
IMO

[harpu]

The Cowboys have a GREAT GM, I wonder if he's being considered for the vacant GM job?

[A Texan]

The Oilers changed there name after they moved to Tennessee, oh and the cowboys suck:)

[Rummyfan]

Strange timing though, so soon after the draft. If they knew this was coming, did he have any input to the draft (Casserley's draft picks in Washington didn't work out too well either: Heath Shuler for one)? Maybe they should have dumped Carr and taken Young. Mario Williams may well turn out to be the next Lawrence Taylor, but even so passing on either Bush or Young is puzzling.

BTW, same for the Jets passing on Leinart.

[expatpat]

Casserly wan't too good when a Redskin, either.

[OldFriend]

I am really totally uninformed on this draft pick stuff, but how does a person pick without the input from others in management?

[Rummyfan]

Normally, the head coach and his staff, the GM, a director of personnel if there is one, and the owner (depending on the individual) all have input to draft selections. If the owner knew Casserly was on his way out, I doubt he would have let him have any input into draft selections.

[vin-one]

the word I heard is the owner forced him to take the DE, and that is why he is quit.

[ziggy_dlo]

that is the first I heard of anything
is that just the chronicle and abc 13 throwing their filth around?

[GAB-1955]

Casserly did very well with lower draft picks and free agents. He has a blind spot in picking high draft picks. In the Redskins system with Gibbs, he worked very well, since the Redskins prefer not to have high draft picks.

[Rummyfan]

The two standout bombs I recall are Heath Shuler and Michael Westbrook......

[TexanByBirth]

the word I heard is the owner forced him to take the DE, and that is why he is quit

No, that is not why he quit. He quit because the owner no longer had faith in him as the GM. This goes back to last season and some poor free agent signing. Remember Dan Reeves was brought in as a paid consultant to evaluate the team's talent. That is not something an owner who has confidence in his general manager does!

Also I think he is paying for not getting rid of Dom Capers last year! By all right, Capers should have been fired at mid-season last year. The problem was Casserly would have had to fire the entire coaching staff which was equally bad!

This is all part of general house cleaning with the Texans. What they had clearly was not working! New Head Coach, new coaching staff and new GM. Casserly staying through the draft was simply a way to provide support to the new coaches in evaluating draft picks.

As for comment that David Carr sucks...You would suck too if you tried to play or pass behind the Texans' offensive line! Payton Manning would look as bad as Carr behind the Texans' line.

BTW...my heroes have always been Cowboys!

[OldFriend]

How could they let him make a pick without their approval?

Something wrong with the picture.

Thanks for your help.

We were in NYC on NFL draft day. We got to walk past Radio City and see the crowds outside and feel all the excitement.

Told my son to get me tickets for next year as a birthday present. LOL.....imagine this old lady sitting there in the midst of all that testosterone.

[ziggy_dlo]

he doesn't scramble he sits there and takes the hits.
He will wind up paralyzed if keeps that up!
CARR sucks!

[TexanByBirth]

It's hard to scramble when the defense looks like water pouring through a breached levee!

Give Carr a chance with an experience offensive coach like Kubiak. Capers was a defensive coach and IMHO didn't care about the offense.

Guarantee you if Carr doesn't measure up, Kubiak will dump him!

[al_c]

The Cowboys have a GREAT GM, I wonder if he's being considered for the vacant GM job?

You forgot the sarcasm tag.

[harpu]

"The Cowboys have a GREAT GM, I wonder if he's being considered for the vacant GM job?...You forgot the sarcasm tag.

Sarcasm...what, I'm serious - Jerry would make a GREAT GM for the Texans!!

[al_c]

Then, by all means ... come and get 'im. And take the Tuna too.