j.Casey

[TexanSacDawg]

i dont kno if anyone has thought of this but does anyone think we could be using james casey as our goal line HB?
i see alot of people sayin they wanted a RB in the draft but i think with how athletic casey is he could play that role....
well i dont kno if someone already thought of that but dont bash me if they have....

[Hound]

Yes... and he can play wildcat... except he can really passl... He passes well enough the Texans can be a little more comfortable with only two QB's on the squad... Just in case they both go down... He's a great pick. I was really happy we got him.

[TexanSacDawg]

yeah me too
great pick up for kub & co.
NEXT SEASON CANT COME ANY FASTER
IM READY!

[touttail]

Kube said in his interview that he could possibly fill in as a fullback. That my friend would e an interesting goal line insert!!!!!!!

[Texan Naija]

i dont kno if anyone has thought of this but does anyone think we could be using james casey as our goal line HB?
i see alot of people sayin they wanted a RB in the draft but i think with how athletic casey is he could play that role....
well i dont kno if someone already thought of that but dont bash me if they have....

True, he is listed as a tight end but really, he other then not being sure of his blocking skills but if what I have seen of his speed, he wouldn't be a bad short yardage option.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GlcwpWR9M

[Flash80]

I hope our couches can come up with new and interesting ways to use this kid each week. He could be our secret weapon.

[CoogBull]

I have heard that this may be how they use him. Does not sound like a good idea to me. We tried it with Abatte and failed. I just think you draft a guy for a position and let him play it.

To me Casey was a luxury pick for a team still eating Ramen.

[Se7en]

To me Casey was a luxury pick for a team still eating Ramen.

Round 4 has luxury picks?

The way I see it, he is a project pick where the team sees a lot of potential in a player and picked him because they felt he could do something for their system.

Just watching his combine drills has me excited for the level of athletisism that this guy has, not to mention that he was able to play at a high level in a number of positions. The dude looks like a superhero in all the pictures I have seen of him. His skin should be green because it does not seem possible for a human to have muscles as cut as his are.

[TexansNutt]

I have heard that this may be how they use him. Does not sound like a good idea to me. We tried it with Abatte and failed. I just think you draft a guy for a position and let him play it.

To me Casey was a luxury pick for a team still eating Ramen.

Do you ever stop beiing negative? Coog when will you get over this hatred for our coaches, GM, schemes, ect.....????? Your negativity is annoying!!!:eek:

[1337texansfan]

I have heard that this may be how they use him. Does not sound like a good idea to me. We tried it with Abatte and failed. I just think you draft a guy for a position and let him play it.

To me Casey was a luxury pick for a team still eating Ramen.

abatte was a LB converting to a FB.

casey is already an offensive player being moved around on offense. that a bit of a difference don't you think? we are talking about using him goal line FB. not as a full time FB, that is vonta's job. casey was drafted to be a TE. but drafting a guy who has the versatility play multiple position saves us money and gives us flexibility. yes it could be a wasted pick, but i would rather waste the pick on a guy that plays multiple positions on offense then using on a player who only play 1 positions and is just ok at it.

and how are the texans eating ramen, i mean really. we have been in the middle class of the NFL past 2 years, yet we are still eating ramen? come on, the lions and raiders would be ramen teams, not the texans. but that is your opinion. i think it very flawed opinion, but it is your none the less.

[Houston Texans_]

Casey taken by Houston
James Casey, the Azle native who pitched for the Cats in 2006, was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Sunday by the Houston Texans.

Casey, 24, was originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in 2003 out of Azle High School and then appeared in 19 games with the Cats in 2006. He has spent the last two seasons playing for the Rice Owls football team. In 2007, his freshman year, he appeared at seven different positions during one game.

"He is the greatest player I’ve ever been around because of what he can do at so many positions offensively (and) what he did for us a year ago defensively," Rice coach David Baliff told the Houston Chronicle.

Last year, he set a Conference USA record for single-season receptions with 111 and a school record for receiving yards with 1,329

[TSherwood]

i dont kno if anyone has thought of this but does anyone think we could be using james casey as our goal line HB?
i see alot of people sayin they wanted a RB in the draft but i think with how athletic casey is he could play that role....
well i dont kno if someone already thought of that but dont bash me if they have....Yea. He fits the bill as a lead back at the goal line, gettin the fake hand off and jumping into the endzone ahead of Slayton. Then we could use him on the quick hitter off center at the goal line the next time etc..

[CoogBull]

abatte was a LB converting to a FB.

casey is already an offensive player being moved around on offense. that a bit of a difference don't you think? we are talking about using him goal line FB. not as a full time FB, that is vonta's job. casey was drafted to be a TE. but drafting a guy who has the versatility play multiple position saves us money and gives us flexibility. yes it could be a wasted pick, but i would rather waste the pick on a guy that plays multiple positions on offense then using on a player who only play 1 positions and is just ok at it.

and how are the texans eating ramen, i mean really. we have been in the middle class of the NFL past 2 years, yet we are still eating ramen? come on, the lions and raiders would be ramen teams, not the texans. but that is your opinion. i think it very flawed opinion, but it is your none the less.

I like your logic. Let's get rid of all those guys who just play one position. Mario better learn to play TE, DRob get moving if you can not play LT, Schaub you better learn to rush the passer or you are gone, Eric Winston get out there and catch a pass. Heck pretty soon every player on our team will be a converted TE.

Your right, we are middle class. So we are a bologna team. Or maybe that ramen with the little chunks of carrots and peas in it.

I still can not see the logic of drafting a guy with the intention of converting him to a position he is not used to when there are guys who play that position on the board.

Of course this is all just speculation. I lean more toward the idea that he was the BPA on the draft board and they took him.

[CoogBull]

Do you ever stop beiing negative? Coog when will you get over this hatred for our coaches, GM, schemes, ect.....????? Your negativity is annoying!!!:eek:

I am not being negative. I am really high on Caldwell. I don't think the coaching staff and FO have earned our trust so far. I hope they prove me wrong. I just want to win not have an emotional connection to Gary Kubiak.

This post draft love is getting annoying. At the end of every draft everyone is really high and the regular season is a let down.

[1337texansfan]

I like your logic. Let's get rid of all those guys who just play one position. Mario better learn to play TE, DRob get moving if you can not play LT, Schaub you better learn to rush the passer or you are gone, Eric Winston get out there and catch a pass. Heck pretty soon every player on our team will be a converted TE.

Your right, we are middle class. So we are a bologna team. Or maybe that ramen with the little chunks of carrots and peas in it.

I still can not see the logic of drafting a guy with the intention of converting him to a position he is not used to when there are guys who play that position on the board.

Of course this is all just speculation. I lean more toward the idea that he was the BPA on the draft board and they took him.

you missed the point. the guy was drafted to be a TE. the fact that he versatile enough to be played in other positions is a major plus. The patriot have building their teams the past decade with players that have flexibility to be played just about any position on that side of the ball. mike vrabel was used as a TE, DE, and a LB, yet this is a bad thing? troy smith played WR and corner and did it well, yet this is a bad thing? hell reggie bush is a versatile player who can play RB and WR, while he is not a great RB, he does play WR pretty good and give teams problems in match ups. do teams not draft WR's and DB's with the idea that they can also help in the return game?

we drafted a TE who can be used at various place on the feild, i fail to see how this is a bad thing. if he can come in and give us help in the red zone by either being the 2nd of 3 TE's on the field or come in at fullback and push the pile for TD. there is a value for a player to be flexible to play multiple positions on a field.

[TK_Gamer]

don't sweat it, Coogbull is an optimist, he sees the good in everything. The fact that he chooses to ignore it in favor of the negative is just semantics. :)

[1337texansfan]

i know all about him. i've been on these board a long time, i just choose to post when i have a logical point.

he says we wasted a 4th round pick. we picked a versitile player versus getting a player who potentially speaking is going to be just average at his one singular position.

i am not comparing elite players like schaub, mario, dunta, owen, demeco, or any other player who has proven to be playing high level.

but hey do we not we play mario at LDE, DT, and his starting position of RDE?

[TK_Gamer]

hey I agree, I've allready put in my 2 cents regarding the picks several times. I love the athletic/versatile approach they took with some of the picks. Ive been posting on the Texans board since before they even had one on the site (along with several others like AJ, TKiss, etc ) there are allways a few though that once they get an idea in their head noone can make them feel good about a FO decision that didnt turn out the way they wanted. I guess the drama just adds flavor to the board :)

[Texan Naija]

I like your logic. Let's get rid of all those guys who just play one position. Mario better learn to play TE, DRob get moving if you can not play LT, Schaub you better learn to rush the passer or you are gone, Eric Winston get out there and catch a pass. Heck pretty soon every player on our team will be a converted TE.

Your right, we are middle class. So we are a bologna team. Or maybe that ramen with the little chunks of carrots and peas in it.

I still can not see the logic of drafting a guy with the intention of converting him to a position he is not used to when there are guys who play that position on the board.

Of course this is all just speculation. I lean more toward the idea that he was the BPA on the draft board and they took him.

Casey is a special case.

Basically the guy has only two years of football experience and throughout that time has been used all over the field. Casey has late first round athletic potential but the reason why he was still around in the fifth was because his skills are still somewhat raw. Like lots of fifth round and later picks, he essentially is a ball of clay, with the right coaching, we can get Casey to play any position. Moving Casey to a rushing FB, on short yardage situations isn't that big of a stretch. Heck, he has played a number of downs as a rushing QB in wildcat plays.

People have (and on this board ask for) defensive backs to switch between safety and corner all the time. Our second pick this year played time as TE before becoming a DE. Owen Daniels was a QB at one point in his college career. A ton of offensive linemen have at one point been TEs during either high school or college days. Moving Casey or any draft pick into something other then their former college position isn't exactly a 'radical' thing in the NFL, it happens frequently with certain positions.

[1337texansfan]

sorry if i seem a bit abrasive in posts. i have a personality like sandpaper. i am not trying to be that way, but i learned that you are you are. no sense in trying to be any other way.

[TexanSacDawg]

I like your logic. Let's get rid of all those guys who just play one position. Mario better learn to play TE, DRob get moving if you can not play LT, Schaub you better learn to rush the passer or you are gone, Eric Winston get out there and catch a pass. Heck pretty soon every player on our team will be a converted TE.

Your right, we are middle class. So we are a bologna team. Or maybe that ramen with the little chunks of carrots and peas in it.

I still can not see the logic of drafting a guy with the intention of converting him to a position he is not used to when there are guys who play that position on the board.

Of course this is all just speculation. I lean more toward the idea that he was the BPA on the draft board and they took him.

bro if you dont wanna be a TEXAN fan for all means leave
we dont need your negative energy here
and when it comes to the first 3 rounds we do draft single position prospects but were sayin when it comes to the 5th round its great to get athletes who can to do multiple things
you never kno what your gunna get
you have a higher rate of success in the later rounds with more talented athletes...

[SuperstarII]

I am not being negative. I am really high on Caldwell. I don't think the coaching staff and FO have earned our trust so far. I hope they prove me wrong. I just want to win not have an emotional connection to Gary Kubiak.

This post draft love is getting annoying. At the end of every draft everyone is really high and the regular season is a let down.


This is true.

[CoogBull]

bro if you dont wanna be a TEXAN fan for all means leave
we dont need your negative energy here
and when it comes to the first 3 rounds we do draft single position prospects but were sayin when it comes to the 5th round its great to get athletes who can to do multiple things
you never kno what your gunna get
you have a higher rate of success in the later rounds with more talented athletes...

Why must I leave? Is it part of the Texans fan contract that you do not have an opinion that is outside that of the homers?

I know Casey is good. I saw him tear the heck out of my Cougars. Still, I question the wisdom of taking a guy to play a position he is not used to and who will more than likely be a project. That is something that teams without glaring holes can do. It is a luxury we do not have. We are a team that needs to fill holes with the draft picks we have because we do not have the depth or time to ease a guy into a position.

[Coach]

James Casey is first off going to add depth to our TE line-up...he's practically an owen daniels clone but probably a little more physical...this also gives us some leverage with his contract negotiations...the fact that he's athletic enough to slid to the H-Back role or FB role or even the slot in some cases should not be viewed as a negative but rather a great positive...having both him and OD on the field at the same time will create bad situations for the defense we are facing

[TK_Gamer]

Why must I leave? Is it part of the Texans fan contract that you do not have an opinion that is outside that of the homers?

NO, there is no contract, but when you post so many "anti-FO" comments that everyone knows you by name then you are probably being a smidge too negative.

We by definition as FANS do not get to make any decisions other than whether we want to buy a ticket to a game or whether we want to turn the TV to the channel the game is on and watch it. Most people have their ideas of what they think is best for the team. but when the FO doesn't agree with us, eventually we have to move on and maybe try to buy into it. You don't think the players have opinions about what is right and wrong? they do, but when the coach says "we are gonna do it this way" they do it or the coach finds someone that will. The world is really not as black and white as you may think. Let's move on now and support our team, including their decisions.

[Texan Naija]

Why must I leave? Is it part of the Texans fan contract that you do not have an opinion that is outside that of the homers?

I know Casey is good. I saw him tear the heck out of my Cougars. Still, I question the wisdom of taking a guy to play a position he is not used to and who will more than likely be a project. That is something that teams without glaring holes can do. It is a luxury we do not have. We are a team that needs to fill holes with the draft picks we have because we do not have the depth or time to ease a guy into a position.

I honestly don't think you should leave. But I disagree with you on the point, that the Texans didn't have any glaring holes to fill in the fifth. They have a stable of linebackers, picked up two DEs in the off season, had already drafted a corner/safety and a offensive linesman, what were they missing?

The fabled second RB, everyone wanted? Please, in the fifth while some nice RBs were still on the board, none that actually would contribute to more then Casey might in upcoming seasons. Casey can play a number of special team positions, even if we don't use him at TE, something you can always count on RBs doing the same. Not to mention, the Texans are firm believers in the guys they have now and while Brown and Moates are not ideal, getting someone to backup Slaton who if healthy will take most of the carries anyway isn't something they can address with either undrafted players or carefully waiting on released FAs.

[footballfan412]

NO, there is no contract, but when you post so many "anti-FO" comments that everyone knows you by name then you are probably being a smidge too negative.

We by definition as FANS do not get to make any decisions other than whether we want to buy a ticket to a game or whether we want to turn the TV to the channel the game is on and watch it. Most people have their ideas of what they think is best for the team. but when the FO doesn't agree with us, eventually we have to move on and maybe try to buy into it. You don't think the players have opinions about what is right and wrong? they do, but when the coach says "we are gonna do it this way" they do it or the coach finds someone that will. The world is really not as black and white as you may think. Let's move on now and support our team, including their decisions.

Your analogy is dramatically off base. The players work for the coaches. The coaches hold authority over the players. For some reason, you think we - the fans - work for the Texans, and must rubber stamp everything they do and say.

No. Last time I checked, there would be no team without the fans. They need us. Don't kid yourself into thinking that the simple act of not buying a ticket and not watching the game on tv doesn't have dramatic consequenses. If no one buys tickets, the team suffers. If no one watches on tv the team REALLY suffers because of tv and marketing contracts. Remember when Austin stations stopped showing the Texans for a couple of years? Boom: There goes the Austin TV market. The team lost a huge viewing base, and therefore lost tons of money.

We, the fans, have influence. We need to stop thinking that we don't.

This is the same line of thinking I saw growing up in Michigan: Don't question the Lions. They'll figure it out eventually. I heard that for DECADES.

Guess what the Lions record was last year?

[Sic_'Em]

99.99% of fans have never coached, evaluated nfl talent, or run a NFL team. teams do need fans, but fans also wanted to draft Vince or Reggie

[South Texan]

I must be wearing sunglasses because I am not seeing the glare as in glaring needs. With Cush the Crusher and Big Bad Barwin on one end of the line, Antonio moving inside, and Mario on the other side, our D-Line looks pretty solid.
We were able to use a third round pick, usually expected to be an impact player, for a backup lineman.
We got a couple of stud TEs, both versitile, that will not only help on the offense, but will quite likely be beasts on special teams.
We picked up the fastest CB in the draft plus other help for the secondary.
Besides having Chris Brown back, we added 2 rookie FAs RBs that both look pretty good to spell Slaton once in a while.
If anything, we may need a little depth help at saftey, but as we get closer to the start of the season there should be some decent depth players available.

If I am missing something, let me know so I can get a new pair of sunglasses with less tint in them.

[Sic_'Em]

I must be wearing sunglasses because I am not seeing the glare as in glaring needs. With Cush the Crusher and Big Bad Barwin on one end of the line, Antonio moving inside, and Mario on the other side, our D-Line looks pretty solid.
We were able to use a third round pick, usually expected to be an impact player, for a backup lineman.
We got a couple of stud TEs, both versitile, that will not only help on the offense, but will quite likely be beasts on special teams.
We picked up the fastest CB in the draft plus other help for the secondary.
Besides having Chris Brown back, we added 2 rookie FAs RBs that both look pretty good to spell Slaton once in a while.
If anything, we may need a little depth help at saftey, but as we get closer to the start of the season there should be some decent depth players available.

If I am missing something, let me know so I can get a new pair of sunglasses with less tint in them.


i must own the same pair. i seriously didn't think the anti-FO conglomerate would be in such full force post draft.

[1337texansfan]

fans pay the bills for the players and the teams. if fans dont come to the games, then no one gets paid.

i just dont understand how our draft was a bad draft. in the grand scheme this draft as a whole sucked. there was not any real game breakers at any position. offensivelly crabtree was viewed as the only one by consensus, even though the raider begged to differ. aaron curry was the only real gamebreaker on defense. this was such a weak draft you were getting first round talent on the back end of the 2nd round.

we got a DE that most thought would be off the board when the pick came to us. i do not think anyone thought casey would last to the 5th round. we got our blocking TE who was consider the best blocking TE in the draft to replace bruener. we got casey for insurance, and special teams play and he was rated out as late 2nd - early 3rd rd talent. the guard we got is a great pick that can push briesel for playing time. we got 2 DB's that can cover allot of ground fast. we got a good value for nolan, he not might be the center fielder with a huge range, and great recovery speed. with a good scheme though he could be a solid starter. but i think he is for depth.

we didnt reach with any pick, the team might not have gotten everything that fans wanted. but depth was added to this team in this draft. to make out even with a B in this draft is good to me. i think the FO did well in such weak draft. our track record with this front office has been nothing but good. you can complain about the season, but over past 3 years our FO has produced more starter then any other team out of the draft. and we have been 8-8 for past 2 seasons. i want to get in the playoffs, but if we dont make it, i want us to be at least competitive team. better to be 8-8 team with holes to fill instead of bottom dweller with complete overhauls going on.

[footballfan412]

i must own the same pair. i seriously didn't think the anti-FO conglomerate would be in such full force post draft.

For the record, I think we had a great draft. I do, however, see Coog's point: We'll see what happens once the season starts.

The idiots on SportsRadio 610 have **** near already put James Casey in the Hall of Fame. They've called him a monster who will dominate the game, go to multiple pro-bowls, etc. And they weren't kidding. They were serious as all get out.

I like Casey. I like our draft picks. But, like some others, I wonder if Kubiak has the coaching creativity to fully utilize all of these "versatile" players.

[Sic_'Em]

I wonder if Kubiak has the coaching creativity to fully utilize all of these "versatile" players.

so you would rather him not try at all?? I mean seriously, I wanted them to draft a RB in the third rd, but for them to pick up two TEs means they are thinking outside of the traditional pro style offense and THAT is a good thing. I have no idea what their plans are but I guarantee our draft didn't go unnoticed by other teams in our division.

[footballfan412]

so you would rather him not try at all?? I mean seriously, I wanted them to draft a RB in the third rd, but for them to pick up two TEs means they are thinking outside of the traditional pro style offense and THAT is a good thing. I have no idea what their plans are but I guarantee our draft didn't go unnoticed by other teams in our division.


Did I say I didn't want him to try? No, I didn't.

Geez. Why in the world is everything so black and white on this board? Yes, I want him to try. And I actually think Kubiak has a keen offensive mind. My only point - read this next part carefully - is that he's still struggling with learning how to be a head coach and all that entails, so I'm wondering how he's going to balance being creative with Casey and others with learning how to manage the clock, etc.

I am not saying Kubiak is a horrible coach. I'm saying he has a full plate during a very, very important year for him.

That's all. Get it?

[mmtex63]

I like your logic. Let's get rid of all those guys who just play one position. Mario better learn to play TE, DRob get moving if you can not play LT, Schaub you better learn to rush the passer or you are gone, Eric Winston get out there and catch a pass. Heck pretty soon every player on our team will be a converted TE.

Your right, we are middle class. So we are a bologna team. Or maybe that ramen with the little chunks of carrots and peas in it.

I still can not see the logic of drafting a guy with the intention of converting him to a position he is not used to when there are guys who play that position on the board.

Of course this is all just speculation. I lean more toward the idea that he was the BPA on the draft board and they took him.

CoogBull, are you really from dallas and on the TEXANS website?

[CoogBull]

For the record, I think we had a great draft. I do, however, see Coog's point: We'll see what happens once the season starts.

The idiots on SportsRadio 610 have **** near already put James Casey in the Hall of Fame. They've called him a monster who will dominate the game, go to multiple pro-bowls, etc. And they weren't kidding. They were serious as all get out.

I like Casey. I like our draft picks. But, like some others, I wonder if Kubiak has the coaching creativity to fully utilize all of these "versatile" players.

I agree with you on the 610 thing. I like the guys, but many of them are on the payroll of the Texans in some way so I do not expect them to be completely objective.

Kubiak has the creativity. He is an offensive guy and a great OC. That does not mean he is a great head coach, but I think he has the ability to use them effectively.

[Se7en]

I like Casey. I like our draft picks. But, like some others, I wonder if Kubiak has the coaching creativity to fully utilize all of these "versatile" players.

Go back and watch our attempts at trick plays last season. Ahman Green falling all over his feet when he would get a direct snap and I think we also did a few plays trying JJ but cannot remember an exact time he was used. We tried it, but our limit last season was on the players not the creativity of out coaches.

I have lots of faith in our offense and I am sure that with a piece like Caey runninga wildcat system we can mix in a few tricks to keep defenses on their toes. I am pretty sure that the big benefit from having a wilcat option is to require the other team to focus some time looking at both styles of offense. It requires the to spend time gameplanning their D for the week on two types of offensive packages rather than just the standard offensive package.

So even if we only benefit from having each team have to spend time split between to possible offensive schemes instead of focusing totally on our vanilla package, that will be a good benefit.

I keep saying it, but... WE WILL SEE! :)

[Sic_'Em]

Did I say I didn't want him to try? No, I didn't.

Geez. Why in the world is everything so black and white on this board? Yes, I want him to try. And I actually think Kubiak has a keen offensive mind. My only point - read this next part carefully - is that he's still struggling with learning how to be a head coach and all that entails, so I'm wondering how he's going to balance being creative with Casey and others with learning how to manage the clock, etc.

I am not saying Kubiak is a horrible coach. I'm saying he has a full plate during a very, very important year for him.

That's all. Get it?

back to my original point (read this part carefully), if in your opinion he struggles with being a head coach, why should that preclude him from drafting Casey? What, in your opinion, should he have done instead, given that he has a "keen" offensive mind?

[Sic_'Em]

Go back and watch our attempts at trick plays last season. Ahman Green falling all over his feet when he would get a direct snap and I think we also did a few plays trying JJ but cannot remember an exact time he was used. We tried it, but our limit last season was on the players not the creativity of out coaches.

I have lots of faith in our offense and I am sure that with a piece like Caey runninga wildcat system we can mix in a few tricks to keep defenses on their toes. I am pretty sure that the big benefit from having a wilcat option is to require the other team to focus some time looking at both styles of offense. It requires the to spend time gameplanning their D for the week on two types of offensive packages rather than just the standard offensive package.

So even if we only benefit from having each team have to spend time split between to possible offensive schemes instead of focusing totally on our vanilla package, that will be a good benefit.

I keep saying it, but... WE WILL SEE! :)

+1 we will see

[TK_Gamer]

I think several people are gettting sidetracked by the wildcat aspect of the Casey pick. above all he is a **** good recieving TE that can also block. The biggest gain will be in the pure flexibilty of 2 and 3 TE sets in the redzone. We can now place Daniels, Hill, or Casey in any of the 2 TE or Hback spots. So with one formation it could generate about a dozen different plays that could all be audibled at the line. power right, power left , Hback dive, RB left, right or dive, and any number of quick pass plays or PA. If we put Hill in the H-back spot we have blitz coverage for the pass plays. I don't know about you but I wouldnt wanna have to cover Daniels, AJ and Casey in those tight quarters.

[footballfan412]

back to my original point (read this part carefully), if in your opinion he struggles with being a head coach, why should that preclude him from drafting Casey? What, in your opinion, should he have done instead, given that he has a "keen" offensive mind?

I think I would have liked to have seen a running back chosen, but, I don't think there was a lot of choices out there. Again, I like Casey and the pick. For some reason, you think I do not.

[Sic_'Em]

never mind

[wildroot]

I honestly don't think you should leave.

Coogbull's not going anywhere...you get the same response if you question an Obama decision as well....you get shouted down and told to leave. Some folks want to sugar coat everything and don't want to hear opposing views. There were a bunch of folks like that back in the '40s...I think in Germany? Look where that got them. (lol)

The fabled second RB, everyone wanted? Please, in the fifth while some nice RBs were still on the board, none that actually would contribute to more then Casey might in upcoming seasons.

I gotta think Rashad Jennings would have been an asset to this team.

[wildroot]

Go back and watch our attempts at trick plays last season. Ahman Green falling all over his feet when he would get a direct snap and I think we also did a few plays trying JJ but cannot remember an exact time he was used. We tried it, but our limit last season was on the players not the creativity of out coaches.

I don't know that you need a "specialty player" to take a direct snap or run a reverse. JJ may not be the best player to judge the success or lack of on trick plays...seems like he was running scared most of last year. And AG tripping on his feet? This is the guy that missed several games due to a phantom hit (i didn't see him get touched).

I have lots of faith in our offense and I am sure that with a piece like Caey runninga wildcat system we can mix in a few tricks to keep defenses on their toes. I am pretty sure that the big benefit from having a wilcat option is to require the other team to focus some time looking at both styles of offense.


I may have missed it, but has the coaching staff actually mentioned that we were going to employ the Wildcat this year or is that just message board talk?

Anyway, I've warmed up to this draft for the most part, but as Coogbull said, I don't think we're at the point where we can spend picks on depth or specialty players when we still need that shutdown corner and a bruiser goal line RB. Perhaps Casey can fill in as a RB on occation, but not to the degree a RB that makes his living running the ball can.

[wildroot]

I think several people are gettting sidetracked by the wildcat aspect of the Casey pick. above all he is a **** good recieving TE that can also block.

Then why spend a pick on Hill if Casey is the whole package? Don't forget, we still have 4 or 5 other TEs on the team if we want to run a formation that employs 2 TEs.

[thunderkyss]

Then why spend a pick on Hill if Casey is the whole package? Don't forget, we still have 4 or 5 other TEs on the team if we want to run a formation that employs 2 TEs.

Other than OD, you can't really call our other TEs playmakers. Casey is a playmaker...... I'm thinking Dallas Clark.

I'm also thinking he'll play more out of the backfield (H-back/Full-back) than anything. The defensive response, would be to put LB on him. We motion him out wide, and now you've got one less person in the box, and a mismatch on the wing. Especially if you've already got OD lined up tight.

But I do see where you are coming from. If we wanted a TE, why didn't this guy grade as high as Hill? Why take two TEs back to back?

It makes it easier for me, to think of him as a WR.

[TK_Gamer]

Then why spend a pick on Hill if Casey is the whole package? Don't forget, we still have 4 or 5 other TEs on the team if we want to run a formation that employs 2 TEs.

Its simple really. The guys we picked up in the draft have way more upside than the gang of backups we presently have, not to mention we lost our best blocking TE Bruener to retirement. These picks will put 3 very capable TE's on the field potentially at the same time. TE's unlike extra O-Lineman can block and catch and have much better mobility to pick up blitzers on bootlegs and pitch plays. I guess if you wanted to you could even take the FO at it's word since they allready explained the picks several times in press conferences and interviews. This is just me, but I think I'll take the oppinion of multiple sports analysts and writers that think we had one of the best drafts in the league this year. I tend to agree with them.

[pure_respect]

Then why spend a pick on Hill if Casey is the whole package? Don't forget, we still have 4 or 5 other TEs on the team if we want to run a formation that employs 2 TEs.

I believe that Casey is potentially too athletic to keep off the football field. You are right, we have way too many TE's on our roster at the moment but I could definately see Kubiak/Shanahan working with him as a FB.

We used to have two on our roster before Jameel Cook got himself arrested, and they might like what Casey might be able to bring to the offense. Leach has been incredible as a run blocker, but hasn't produced much for us as a short yardage back or receiving threat.

I think the Texans did well in drafting Barwin/Casey (two picks that weren't immediate needs) but it might have derailed their gameplan. From reports, they weren't expecting Barwin to be there so they probably had a CB or S in mind for their selection, and decided against it when Barwin was still sitting there. Between that and the two RB's they targeted going off the board early in the third we started playing 'catch up' the rest of the way and did not get the improvement out of our secondary that many of us wanted.

If players like Barwin and Casey don't work out for us, I'm always going to look at them and think "You could have been Sean Smith / Andre Brown" (as an example, those player might not work out either)

[Whiskeyrbl]

Then why spend a pick on Hill if Casey is the whole package? Don't forget, we still have 4 or 5 other TEs on the team if we want to run a formation that employs 2 TEs.

At the time of the Draft we had three TE's OD, Dressen and Harris. Bruener is retired. And last year we carried four TE's. Hill was considered the best blocking TE in the draft, and with Bruener retiring that fills a need. Think about those 3rd and ones and twos. We can get good blocks to get that first down, not to mention goal line situations. And as far as Casey he is versatile and can play many positions allowing us to carry other positions of need on our 53 man roster. Look for us to carry 3 TE's this year( OD, Dressen, and Hill) and have Casey listed as a FB.

[wildroot]

I believe that Casey is potentially too athletic to keep off the football field. You are right, we have way too many TE's on our roster at the moment but I could definately see Kubiak/Shanahan working with him as a FB.



Since we're just tossing this back and forth...

Why not draft a fullback in that case? Surely someone who's been playing FB for 3 or 4 years will perform better at that position than Casey?

I like Casey, I think we'll find a spot for him. Didn't think we needed Hill. Thought a RB of CB/S would have been better at that spot.

Realizing that our FO does this for a living and I'm simply a fan, it's still fun to 2nd guess them and try to get inside of their heads.

[wildroot]

At the time of the Draft we had three TE's OD, Dressen and Harris.

We still have Anderson as well.

[TK_Gamer]

We still have Anderson as well.

The listed roster at this point has very little to do with the final 53 come opening day. I have watched this process for too long. The pieces will all fall into place once the season starts. The more versitile players you have on your roster the more productive those 53 players can be. Remember that the same draft picks everyone is debating are also very strong special team players, which make them even more valuable. The draft is over people. We have who we have and no amount of whining or complaining will change that. What really surprises me is with the degree of success we have had lately in the draft, that so many are doubting and second guessing the decisions. As I say every year, Let's let them play maybe one snap before you declare the draft a failure or a player you didn't want a mistake. The FO and staff that were hired to do this kind of stuff may have a very good vision of what will improve the team the best and it's probably not the same one we thought of. Go Texans!

[TexanSacDawg]

The listed roster at this point has very little to do with the final 53 come opening day. I have watched this process for too long. The pieces will all fall into place once the season starts. The more versitile players you have on your roster the more productive those 53 players can be. Remember that the same draft picks everyone is debating are also very strong special team players, which make them even more valuable. The draft is over people. We have who we have and no amount of whining or complaining will change that. What really surprises me is with the degree of success we have had lately in the draft, that so many are doubting and second guessing the decisions. As I say every year, Let's let them play maybe one snap before you declare the draft a failure or a player you didn't want a mistake.

thank you TK
well said !

[Sportswriter79]

I think that it will be great fun just watching what they are willing to do with Casey. I can't even think of the last time that someone came out of college that was supposedly so multi-talented.

Why can't we give the front office and coaches the benefit of the doubt when it come to selecting the players? These guys have steadily improved this team since the day set foot in Reliant stadium and it shows no signs of stopping.

[wildroot]

Lighten up guys!

No ones complaining, 2nd guessing, whinning, doubting or not giving them the benifit of the doubt. I'd rather call it a discussion, getting into the GMs head, disecting the picks, and yes, wondering why they chose this guy instead of that guy. It's all in the sprit of discussion so don't be so sensitive, it's called a "discussion board" after all. Try that hyper-sensitive attitude say in Philladelphia or NY and you'll get run outta there. Guess that's what comes from having a new team with new fans. You guys need to thicken your skin up a little bit, I mean after all, this is the NFL, not the kindergarten girls T-ball league.

[WaldovonPutz]

Lighten up guys!

No ones complaining, 2nd guessing, whinning, doubting or not giving them the benifit of the doubt. I'd rather call it a discussion, getting into the GMs head, disecting the picks, and yes, wondering why they chose this guy instead of that guy. It's all in the sprit of discussion so don't be so sensitive, it's called a "discussion board" after all. Try that hyper-sensitive attitude say in Philladelphia or NY and you'll get run outta there. Guess that's what comes from having a new team with new fans. You guys need to thicken your skin up a little bit, I mean after all, this is the NFL, not the kindergarten girls T-ball league.

Well said! We seem to have a few thin skins around here. I don't think anyone is trying to disrespect other posters for the most part but it has been taken that way at times.

[GroovyTexan]

Well said! We seem to have a few thin skins around here. I don't think anyone is trying to disrespect other posters for the most part but it has been taken that way at times.

questioning decisions is a good thing. Our country - and most successful organizations - are built on this basis.

The more we question, the more everyone is liking the draft - and understanding why the FO chose who they did. I think these discussions are having an overall positive effect on the draft and creating a new level of excitement about next season.

The biggest complaint is that we didn't land a stud RB out of the draft. The second biggest complaint was we didn't go DB earlier. Well, Rick Smith said in his draft presser that he is looking into "other ways" to address the RB situation. That gives me alot of confidence that he will find someone that is a fit - even if it is a bandaid. He already picked up two decent RB prospects in the UDFA round - and you know he has some other ideas up his sleeve. Regarding DBs, we grabbed 3 in the later rounds that have a chance to develop into solid players. Additionally, the 2010 draft has much better early round DB talent - so if we miss this year, we have next year's draft to upgrade these positions. We have a decent defensive backfield currently - not a strength but also not a liability like some of our other areas on defense that we addressed in the draft.

Was this an awesome draft for us? Did we miss on a few guys we could have chosen instead of who we did? Well, only time will give us that answer.

[wildroot]

You're right... I came out of the draft somewhat disapointed. After tossing it around with you guys for most of the week, I'm feeling much better about it now. Wish we'd have taken a RB and CB/S and didn't see the need for two TEs but the folks running the team didn't see it my my way and thought otherwise. I'll get over it.

[Flash80]

I love the James Casey pick he is going to be a big playmaker. As for the other tight end, at first it seemed strange to use that pick on just a blocking tight end when we took another one the next round, but this article kinda explained it. I got this article from another thread, and it has explanations from Rick Smith on each pick. Here are the ones for the two TEs:


James Casey:

"This is another situation where we talked about being surprised that a guy was still on the board. When we selected James Casey we had him targeted as someone who was still there, but we had a deal in place if he wasn't. Having taken a tight end with our second fourth-round pick, this was not necessarily a need situation. But when you talk about versatility, work ethic and character, as well as someone who adds value to your team, he was too good to pass up. Obviously, being here in Houston we watched him grow and develop as a player and as a man, and I felt real good about that decision and real fortunate that he was still on the board. I'm not sure where we play him, but I don't think we limit him. You can't decide what he's going to be. You just let it unfold and give him opportunities to go out there. Gary [Kubiak, the Texans' head coach] is a very creative offensive mind, and this guy has the ability to do a lot of things. For us to try to paint him into one position or another would be a mistake -- and I don't think we're going to do that. We'll put him out on the field and see what he can do."



Anthony Hill:

"We felt like there were two blocking tight ends in this draft. Richard Quinn [of North Carolina] was one. Anthony Hill was another. It just depends whom you talk to, but you can argue that this guy was the best blocker. I will say this: There's a lot of talk this year about teams moving to the 3-4 defense, and when you play those defenses if you want to run the football you better have some guys on the edges who can block. This young man is one of those types of players and athletes. We were very, very fortunate to get him."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/11688946

That but about playing against 3-4 difference made some sense of it for me. I like seeing how intelligent our scouting/drafting team is in getting guys that will help us win. We definitely have had some trouble against 3-4 teams in the past and this could definitely only help us.

[crazyhorse]

Now I know this may be a reach but run with me on this. Casey run a 4.6 40yd., he is strong 28 reps at the combine, and he has good hands. Did I just describe a TE or a possible short yardage running back with break away potential ???????????
This kid has all the tools and we already have him on the payroll, oh yea did I mention he can block too!!!!!! I would think it would be worth a consideration if Casey is willing and if it will get him on the roster I would think it would be worth the shot on his part too.........

Just thinking out loud and considering the possibilities!!!!!!!!