Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio believes that actions are an indication of what an individual believes. He also acknowledges that everyone in the organization is accountable for actions and patterns of behavior.
However, the concept of being a disciplined team comes down to the players.
“I think you have to be purposeful, and quite frankly, and this isn’t specific to the Houston Texans, it’s throughout the league, some players are more committed than others,” said Caserio. “That’s just the reality of what goes on. Our job and responsibility is to try to maximize whatever somebody has, and if someone’s not maximizing what we feel is the best, then we have to find somebody else to do it. Ultimately, the players are accountable to themselves.”
The Texans, as are every team in the NFL, limited in what they can do to instill discipline due to the collective bargaining agreement. Even if the Texans could have things the way they were in the NFL in the 1970s, the culture Caserio is trying to instill is one where the players take ownership of the team’s direction.
An example Caserio used was from his time with the New England Patriots and how linebackers Willie McGinest, Junior Seau, and safety Rodney Harrison had a “breakfast club” where they would show up at 5:30 a.m. to lift weights.
Said Caserio: “They kind of had a breakfast club, show up 5:30 in the morning in the weight room. Wasn’t required to be there, but they showed up. If a guy was late, they would say, ‘Good afternoon.’ They kind of needled each other to push each other. Or Seau going into the weight room at 5:30, and literally playing Mike linebacker and simulating the call and positioning. Is that extreme? It depends on the lens through which you look through it, and your level of commitment and focus.”
Among the Texans’ current players, Caserio noted that receiver Brandin Cooks is of that same mentality.
“We have players that have that level of commitment, and ultimately, if you want to be great and you want to have sustained success, that’s arguably what it’s going to take from however many players you have on your team,” Caserio said.