Tag: nick caserio

Patriots coach Bill Belichick says Texans’ Nick Caserio ‘deserving’ to be a general manager

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says that the Houston Texans’ Nick Caserio is very deserving to be an NFL general manager.

Bill Belichick is straightforward and doesn’t sugarcoat things.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach released a statement on the Houston Texans’ hiring of former Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio. Belichick was very complimentary of Caserio, who he has worked with since 2001, the beginning of the Patriots’ dynasty.

“Nick Caserio is one of the hardest working, dependable and team-oriented people I have worked with and his ability to handle a wide array of responsibilities is unique,” Belichick said in the statement. “Nick’s contributions came on a daily basis and ultimately led to years of success and six championships, for which I am very appreciative. He did an excellent job for us and is extremely deserving of the opportunity to be a general manager.”

Caserio had been the director of player personnel for New England since 2008. The John Carroll University alumnus takes over as the fifth general manager in Texans history.

What will Texans GM Nick Caserio do with Jack Easterby?

New general manager Nick Caserio provided clarity as to Jack Easterby’s role with the Houston Texans going forward.

Nick Caserio and Jack Easterby have a special relationship.

The two men were both a part of the New England Patriots organization, cogs in the dynasty. Easterby’s role as a character coach was transient from 2013-18 while Caserio was there the whole time in a variety of roles from 2001-20, most recently as the director of player personnel since 2008.

Caserio and Easterby have two Super Bowl rings together from working with coach Bill Belichick and the Kraft family. More importantly, Easterby has helped Caserio outside of football.

“He’s helped me a lot I would say personally,” Caserio said. “We’ve actually dealt with some things on a personal level through the year, but he’s someone that I’ve always leaned on, I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for.”

Caserio clarified that personnel decisions will be made as a group, but also underscored that chairman and CEO Cal McNair entrusted him to make personnel decisions for the Texans.

“Any personnel decisions that will be made we’ll make as a group, but ultimately that’s a responsibility that Cal has instilled in me, is to handle the personnel side of the football operations,” said Caserio. “So, that’s the expectation moving forward.”

Texans fans have been longing for the dismissal of Easterby. However, Houston sports fans may have to come to grips with the reality that Caserio isn’t going to fire his friend.

Said Caserio: “Jack will have a role and we’ll work in conjunction with each other on a number of things for sure. But as it pertains to football decisions, those will ultimately be my decision in conjunction with the head coach once we get to that point, as well.”

In October, McNair told Texans Radio Network play-by-play voice Marc Vandermeer that Easeterby would revert back to his role as executive vice president of football operations after completing his role as interim general manager.

Texans’ Cal McNair says organization ‘totally aligned’ with Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair says the organization is “totally aligned” with Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair says that the franchise is simpatico with its two star players, quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt.

Since the hiring of Nick Caserio as general manager, Watson at least has not been enthusiastic about the hire. According to reports, Watson has yet to talk to the organization since the hire.

As such, the rumor mill has produced speculation that three-time Pro Bowl quarterback could ask for a trade, and Caserio addressed those rumors when questioned.

“He’s our quarterback, and again, once we have an opportunity, spend some time together, we’ll have further discussions,” Caserio said. “I can’t tell you how much respect and administration that I have for him, for who he is as a player and what he means to this franchise.”

McNair was impressed with Caserio’s statement, calling it “awesome” and saying it brought “a little tear” to his eye.

“I love that stuff,” said McNair. “I love your passion and the integrity that you have, and you’re just going to be such a good thing for us here. Just what you said is exactly why you’re here. In regards to 4 and 99, they’re valued members on our team. They’re important to the team and the city. They’re passionate and they want to win, and those are all totally in alignment with where we’re going and what we’ve done here in bringing Nick aboard. So it’s perfect. We’re totally aligned.”

The Texans will have to get Watson and Watt on-board with the changes quickly. The last big hire left to be made is coach.

See the individuals Nick Caserio thanked for landing the Houston Texans general manager job

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio thanked these individuals for being able to become the new leader of an NFL front office.

The Houston Texans introduced Nick Caserio as their fifth general manager in club history. The 45-year-old thanked the following people for being able to have a shot at being an NFL team’s front office boss.

Texans GM Nick Caserio says Deshaun Watson ‘is our quarterback’

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio says he is enthused to work with three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson may be disgruntled, and the organization may not have heard from him since hiring a new general manager, but Nick Caserio remains undeterred.

The Houston Texans’ new general manager told reporters during a virtual press conference Friday that Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, is their quarterback.

“We’re starting from scratch,” Caserio said. “I think the most important thing for us is just to speak specifically to Deshaun. I’d say from afar the respect and administration that I have for him as a player and what he’s done for this organization is significant. He’s our quarterback.”

The former New England Patriots director of player personnel explained that Watson was a “big part of the reason” why the AFC East club sustained losses against the Texans in 2019 and 2020.

What Caserio stressed is taking time for the players and organization to come together and have discussions.

“I think it’s important for all of us to take some time, and I think when the time is appropriate, we’ll have discussions with the players,” said Caserio. “I think it’s important for us, whatever conversations that we’re going to have with players about their individual situation, that we do it directly and we do it face to face. When the appropriate time comes, we’ll sit and spend some time with Deshaun. But certainly looking forward to the opportunity to work with him.”

Caserio would not address the rumors that Watson could ask for a trade, only stating, “He’s our quarterback, and again, once we have an opportunity, spend some time together, we’ll have further discussions.”

The 45-year-old’s first order of business may be to get his franchise quarterback on-board with his vision of the team moving forward. If nothing else, it will make the transition from the Bill O’Brien era to the new one all the smoother.

4 takeaways from Texans GM Nick Caserio’s press conference

The Houston Texans introduced Nick Caserio as their general manager. Here are four takeaways from the presser.

The Houston Texans held a virtual press conference to introduce their fifth general manager in club history, Nick Caserio.

The former New England Patriots director of player personnel was introduced by Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair, who was enthused about getting their guy.

Here are four takeaways from the press conference.

Bill Belichick releases statement, giving extremely high praise to Nick Caserio

Bill Belichick credits his longtime partner Nick Caserio after accepting a GM job with the Texans.

After 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, director of player personnel Nick Caserio parted ways and accepted a general manager position with the Houston Texans.

Caserio, 45, was directly under Bill Belichick in the personnel department and helped cultivate the dynasty that eventually won six Super Bowls and dominated every step of the way. Due to this dedication, Belichick released a heartfelt statement that exemplified the characteristics he most admired most in Caserio.

“Nick Caserio is one of the hardest working, dependable and team-oriented people I have worked with and his ability to handle a wide array of responsibilities is unique,” Belichick said. “Nick’s contributions came on a daily basis and ultimately led to years of success and six championships, for which I am very appreciative. He did an excellent job for us and is extremely deserving of the opportunity to be a general manager.”

The Patriots haven’t found his replacement yet, but assistant director of player personnel Dave Ziegler is the top candidate currently.

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Report: Texans still haven’t requested to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

The Houston Texans still have not requested to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

The Houston Texans are still avoiding one of the most talked about names in the potential NFL coach pool.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have still not submitted a request to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

The 51-year-old offensive coordinator, who engineered an offense that won Super Bowl LIV last season, is one of the hottest candidates, but the Texans haven’t seemed to show any interest.

Talking to Bieniemy would at least buoy the allegedly low spirits of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who, according to reports, feels left out of the coach hiring process, at least as far as providing input is concerned.

Watson told reporters on Dec. 15 that he has talked with some players on the Chiefs, and has heard favorable reviews about Bieniemy.

“I’ve known about Eric from what I hear from guys that play on that team,” said Watson. “He’s a great guy. He’s a fun guy to be around. Very creative. Everyone likes him. I haven’t heard anything bad. That’s pretty much it. I haven’t spoken too much about that.”

The Texans hired Nick Caserio as general manager on Jan. 7. Bieniemy has not overt connections to the former New England Patriots director of player personnel, which makes the prospect of Bieniemy landing the job all the more unlikely.

Report: Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus declines interview for Texans’ coaching job

Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has declined to interview with the Houston Texans for their coaching vacancy.

The Houston Texans will have to find another candidate to interview for their coaching vacancy.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has declined to interview with the Texans. Originally, Eberflus had agreed to the interview prior to the hiring of Nick Caserio as general manager.

Eberflus has been one of the key components to why Indianapolis has been formidable since the hiring of Frank Reich in 2018. In fact, Eberflus was hired when the Colts believed Josh McDaniels would take over the team as coach. Instead, similar to how his boss, Bill Belichick, jilted the New York Jets in 2000, McDaniels left the Colts at the altar and went back to his job as the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator.

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Eberflus had an informal meeting after the Week 15 rematch that the Colts pulled out 27-20, with Watson asking Eberflus what the defense did to improve since their Week 13 first blood.

Report: Texans’ Nick Caserio becomes one of three highest-paid GMs in NFL

This six-year contract with the Texans is no joke.

The Houston Texans were relentless in their pursuit for Nick Caserio.

Caserio, 45, spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and his last eight have been under the role of director of player personnel. Houston attempted to lure in Caserio two years ago, but the Patriots filed tampering charges and put that possibility to rest.

Houston has deep connections with Caserio, but former Patriots character coach Jack Easterby was named the executive vice president of football operations and their relationship was huge deal in the process. It’s now clear to see that money was also a huge part of the departure.

Caserio agreed to a six-year contract that makes him one of the three highest-paid general managers in the league, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

After a difficult 4-12 season, Caserio will have to get right to work — starting with Deshaun Watson. The star quarterback is reportedly upset with his lack of involvement in the general manager and coaching search. Caserio will have to clean that situation up and make some major moves for the team’s future.

The former Patriots executive has his hands full, but 20 seasons alongside Bill Belichick should put him in solid position to handle it all.

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