Bijani: Observations from Texans CEO Cal McNair, GM Nick Caserio press conference
(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans held a media availability for both CEO Cal McNair and general manager Nick Caserio on Monday evening.
McNair began with an opening statement which concluded with him saying that he anticipated a lot of questions from the media and would clarify anything needed.
"I'll be available throughout this process, and answer them and provide clarity as we move along," McNair said.
There was no clarity. At least not for the many of you that are reading this, or watched or listened to the press conference.
McNair did stick around for a few moments and spoke with a handful of media members after the press conference, though not before exiting, then re-entering the team auditorium after many media members had left for the evening.
The following are a few observations and questions - which there are somehow more of now - following that riveting press conference that provided so much clarity.
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McNair and Caserio both seemed really nervous in delivering their opening statements. Many might expect as such from McNair, who isn't great at those sort of things, but Monday night it was particularly odd.
Caserio, a guy who is usually prepared, in control, calm, cool and collected and has an agenda, seemed very on edge.
In McNair's opening statement, he said Caserio "continues to prove he's an elite talent evaluator." It's an arguable statement and one that needs to be re-evaluated in the future given the small sample size of time and talent he's actually acquired.
McNair said, "For this hire, I'll be taking on a more active role in the process." - What specifically will his role be this time? Why didn't he make himself as available or be as hands on for the previous two hires?
In Caserio's opening statement he said, "We've already talked about implementing some different techniques and tactics that we feel can help us and relying on more members and people in the organization, making it a more inclusive process and not just making it about one individual or one person." - Is that a reference to Jack Easterby? For a guy who is credited for being so intelligent, it took him three years to realize it might be a good idea to utilize ALL possible resources that an organization is paying for and has readily available in terms of personnel, data and technology?
Caserio said, "This day, you know, it's been a hard day. It's been a rough day, but it's been a very thoughtful and productive day." - He looked like he literally went through all of the emotions possible throughout the course of the day - maybe even moments before he took the stage - the guy looked like hell and was probably still trying to get over losing the first overall pick from the hollow victory Davis Mills engineered just 26 hours prior in Indianapolis.
Caserio made mention of the organizational failures since taking the job two years ago numerous times throughout the Q/A session. Acknowledging those failures is important. However, repairing the damage can't take as long as it did to get the organization to the state it's currently in.
Caserio, mentioned several times that he'd accept and acknowledge a decision by ownership to move on from him as general manager if his efforts aren't reciprocated with success. - This was probably the biggest nugget of the night. I don't think it's quite often you hear a GM speak like this. However, without clarity - Thanks Cal! - it could be interpreted that Caserio was simply referring to accepting and acknowledging differences of opinion with a potential candidate or ownership and working through that.
The hiring process allows the Texans to begin interviewing head coaching candidates virtually this week and can begin meeting with coaches in person following the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
They've taken small steps, and if for nothing else, at least they're headed forward with the decision to move on from Lovie Smith and compiling an intriguing and popular list of candidates.
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 16 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.
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