Quick thoughts on Nick Caserio leaving Patriots to join Texans



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While the writing has been on the wall for a few years now, Nick Caserio has stayed with the New England Patriots even as other teams tried to draw him in. Now, however, we have succeeded: The Houston Texans are expected to name the 45-year-old as their new general manager. Houston has tried to hire Caserio twice before, to no avail.

Caserio had been the Patriots’ director of player personnel since 2008 and was one of the architects of the team’s last three Super Bowl races. Losing him, especially in a pivotal offseason like this, is obviously a blow to New England as the club will now have to occupy one of the most senior positions in their front office.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the departure of Caserio means for the Patriots and Texans.

Bill Belichick will have to find a new right-hand man

Despite being officially listed as director of player personnel, Caserio wore many hats during his time with the Patriots. He was acting as a de facto GM alongside Bill Belichick and, as such, actively involved in the draft and free agency – so much so that he was working on players during the pre-draft cycle, for example – and was even sitting at the coach stand. match day. In short, Caserio has fulfilled many roles.

Now the team will have to find a way to replace them all. The most important job that has just opened up within the organization, however, may well be that of Belichick’s right-hand man: Belichick trusted Caserio to act on his behalf and on behalf of the Patriots, and even s ‘he still had the last word, he gave. its director of player personnel has great freedom to do its work. Caserio’s successor will have to earn that trust.

Caserio’s departure could lead to further changes

The Texans who bring Caserio on board could impact New England on more than one level; the team’s coaching staff could also be rocked with him now in Houston. The name to watch out for is obviously offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels joined the Patriots alongside Caserio in 2001, and the two have since played leading roles on the team. However, their history goes back even further: The two were also college teammates at John Carroll – Caserio played quarterback, McDaniels wide receiver – and even shared a room together on road trips. That said, according to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain, McDaniels is currently not being considered a candidate for the vacant Texans head coach job.

Dave Ziegler, who was promoted to deputy director of player personnel last year, is also seen as the main candidate to succeed Caserio. Given his own long-standing history with Caserio, he too could become a name to watch as a potential departure to Houston.

Houston decides to return to the Patriots

Caserio isn’t Houston’s first major addition to have a history with the Patriots. Former team general manager and head coach Bill O’Brien also came from New England, albeit via Penn State: he spent five years with the Patriots, including as an offensive coordinator in 2011. But despite O’Brien’s disappointing tenure – he was fired after the team left 0-4 this year – the Texans feel confident going with another sidekick of Bill Belichick.

It is not known what role Jack Easterby played in the decision, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he advocated the hiring of Caserio. Easterby, of course, left New England for Houston in February 2019 and was central to the forgery charges the Patriots filed against the Texans last year.

Six-time New England champion list keeps shrinking

A year after losing longtime starting quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots will now see another member of their “Super Bowl Six Rings Club” depart. Caserio was part of the organization throughout its dynastic run of the 2000s and 2010s, winning his first three championship rings as a staff assistant, regional scout and professional staff manager, respectively, before in add three more to his most recent post.

With him now gone, the Patriots football team is only 11 six-time world champions:

  • Head Coach Bill Belichick
  • Running back coach Ivan Fears
  • Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
  • Director of Scouting Administration Nancy Meier
  • Director of University Screening Brian Smith
  • Research Director Richard Miller
  • Information Technology Specialist Dan Famosi
  • Director of Football Administration / Head Coach Berj Najarian
  • Football Research Director Ernie Adams
  • Video Director Jimmy Dee
  • Assistant Video Director Fernando Neto

Team ownership – CEO Robert Kraft and most prominent chairman Jonathan Kraft – also belongs to this club, although it does not fall into the “personal football” category given its unique position within the club. franchise.

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