(SportsRadio 610) -- Then: The head coach arrived having led a team to an NFC Championship game and was widely respected for leadership and organization.
Dom Capers remains one of the most respected football men in the game.
Now? Nice guy. Journeyman assistant, who's never led a team or even been a coordinator.
Then: The general manager arrived having been in the front office of four Super Bowl teams, including as general manager of the 1991 champs.
Charley Casserly arrived with a resume that included NFL Executive of the Year and smart drafting, including mid-round steals like Brian Mitchell, Stephen Davis, Keenan McCardell and Frank Wycheck.
Now? A newbie to the job. A grunt for the greatest general manager in history and owning an assortment of Super Bowl rings, sure, but arriving with questions if he really ever was a decision-maker.
Then: The roster going into the draft had gaping holes, of course. It was a clean slate. But after culling players from other teams via the expansion draft, two 2002 Pro Bowlers landed in Houston.
Now? Should the Texans trade Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt as expected, the roster arguably has even more gaping holes. Not a single Pro Bowl player would be on the defensive roster, and only one player, linebacker Zach Cunningham, would be even considered close.
Then: The Texans had 13 picks in the NFL Draft, including the No. 1 overall pick, two second-rounders, two thirds and an extra pick in every other round.
Now? They have eight picks, with none coming in the top 67 overall.
Oh. And then, Jack Easterby was lettering in golf at Newberry College.
The natural inclination, of course, would be to consider it ludicrous that prospects for the 2021 Texans do not compare favorably to the puppy-breath group that arrived in 2002.
And yet, dig deeper.
Even if the Texans land the widely talked-about three first-round picks, including two future No. 1s, a second-round pick and two third-round picks by trading Watson and Watt, based on draft picks and roster, would you rather be those Texans or these?
Those Texans had a stout defense that included Pro Bowlers Gary Walker and Aaron Glenn, and top-notch players like safety Marcus Coleman, tackle Seth Payne and linebackers Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman.
This team's best players would be considered Cunningham, safety Justin Reid, cornerback Bradley Roby and defensive end Charles Omenihu.
Those Texans offensively before the 2002 draft were shorthanded, but with a line that included Steve McKinney and Ryan Young, and receiver Corey Bradford.
These Texans no doubt would have an edge despite no Deshaun Watson, with receivers Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks and a line anchored by Laremy Tunsil and including Tytus Howard and Nick Martin. But how big an edge, really?
Forget on whom the Texans used those 2002 picks – we all know the David Carr story. That team had the No. 1 overall selection, along with five other top-100 picks.
It had a proven head coach, proven GM, proven Pro Bowlers and a future all of Houston was excited to see unfold.
Now? They'll have four, maybe five top-100 picks, with Nick Caserio, David Culley and – of course – the ever-present Jack Easterby running the show.
What's old, is new again.
Unfortunately.
