J-Unit

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly resigned Wednesday, saying he was leaving on his own terms to pursue a job in the NFL's front office.

There was speculation Casserly would be fired in the wake of the Texans' 2-14 season and their controversial choice for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

"I have an interest in doing other things right now," he said. "This was not an easy decision, but it was a decision I felt I had to make at this point in time."

The Texans passed over Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and hometown favorite Vince Young to take defensive end Mario Williams with the top choice in last month's draft.

Many fans were outraged, but Texans owner Bob McNair said Casserly was never going to be fired. Casserly will officially step down June 1.

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"We have gone through a lot of ups and downs and have had a lot of pleasurable moments together," McNair said. "We made an awful lot of progress. We had some disappointments last year, but I think we both feel we've got the cart back on the path and it's moving in the right direction."

Casserly had been with the Texans since the franchise joined the NFL six years ago. The Texans played their first season in 2002.

"I've been in this league 29 years," Casserly said. "I spent a lot of time talking about this with my family. We came to the same conclusion -- the time was right to move on."

Casserly met with McNair on Wednesday morning, then spoke with the Texans' coaching staff and contacted Houston's scouts.

He plans to send a letter to the league office on Thursday, officially applying to become the NFL's director of football operations.

"I've enjoyed my time here in Houston, I've enjoyed the relationships, especially with the staff," Casserly said. "I think anybody who comes in wanting to make any changes will be making a huge mistake."

McNair said he had no replacement candidates in mind.

"I have talked to no one. I have no list," McNair said.

Casserly had one year left on his contract. When last season ended, Casserly asked McNair if they could delay talk about Casserly's future until after the draft and McNair agreed.

Casserly helped McNair hire Gary Kubiak as coach Dom Capers' replacement. Kubiak was disappointed to see Casserly go.

"I have grown very fond of him," Kubiak said. "We had a lot of work to do to try to get this thing headed in the right direction. We've had a good four months together. I wish it would be longer, but I understand the business."

The 57-year-old Casserly joined the Texans in 2000, after 23 years with the Washington Redskins. He started with the Redskins as an unpaid intern under Hall of Fame coach George Allen and was hired as a scout the next season.

The Redskins elevated Casserly to assistant general manager in 1982, the year the franchise won its first Super Bowl. Casserly became Washington's GM in 1989.

Casserly's first big move in Houston came in 2002, when the Texans drafted David Carr. He's signed off on every draft pick the Texans have ever made and defended Williams' selection again on Wednesday.

"Our record is what our record is," Casserly said. "But I think this ballclub will make a dramatic jump this year in caliber of play. Eventually, the wins will come. With the offseason we had, I feel really good about it."

Kubiak said the Texans now face a pivotal decision in finding Casserly's successor.

"This is a huge hire for our organization," he said. "There's a lot of good things going on. The key thing is we have to do our homework and make sure they keep heading in that direction.

"This person has to be a great fit for what's happening right now with the Houston Texans."

Rntaboy

I didn't expect that this soon.

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The Browns suck.

Alvin Mack

Could it be that bad season after bad season, capped off with a (and I say possible) draft day disater laced with fan backlash finally doomed him ?

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"We are running doggies into the end zone and the trail runs right over you're ***"

Pats Fan, Bears Fan, Draft Day Freak

bigboy

They said that they already knew heading into the draft he was leaving and all he really did was follow Kubiaks lead on who they wanted.

Professor

not only that bigboy, the draft wasn't a disaster at all. In fact it was quite good. also, yeah this has been coming for awhile.

Professor

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3855654.html

Broncos' Smith, Packers' McKenzie top list
Ties to Kubiak, Sherman earn pair early consideration

By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Although the search for Charley Casserly's replacement as Texans general manager will not begin for at least another week, expect Denver assistant general manager Rick Smith and Green Bay director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie to emerge as leading candidates.

Texans owner Bob McNair will have no shortage of candidates eager to replace Casserly, and the list he puts together could start with Smith and McKenzie.

Smith has a long association with Texans coach Gary Kubiak. They worked together in Denver for 10 years. When Texans assistant head coach/offense Mike Sherman was Green Bay's head coach for six years, he worked closely with McKenzie.

"I'll start dealing with that in a week or two," McNair said. "I'll visit with Gary, and we'll talk about his views. I'll define the job and start looking at potential candidates.

"The No. 1 criteria is they have to be a good talent evaluator. Talent and coaching the talent is what it's all about. We have to get someone who has a good eye for talent."

Kubiak is excited McNair wants him involved.

"Bob and I had a good conversation about it today," Kubiak said Wednesday. "It makes me feel good that he wants my (input). This is a big decision for the organization. We have to do our homework and be very patient. I'm sure a lot of good people will be interested in the job, because it's a tremendous opportunity."

Smith, who was promoted from pro personnel director to assistant GM under Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist, will be a candidate.

"I watched him as a player and coach before he moved into the front office," Kubiak said. "I think a lot of Rick, but we're going to be looking at a lot of good candidates."

Dan Reeves, who was hired by the Texans as a consultant late last season and was involved in the process that led to Kubiak's hiring, will not be involved in the search for Casserly's replacement.

"Dan performed the task that I asked him to," McNair said.

Like Casserly did over the last four months, the new general manager will have to work closely with Kubiak.

"We've said all along that we get players that Gary wants, but there's a lot of effort in our organization that goes into the draft process," McNair said. "Charley managed all of that.

"Gary would define to us what he wanted in the way of a player or group of players. The challenge for Charley and his group was to find that which had been described to them. That doesn't change.

"The fact that Gary does an outstanding job of that makes it that much easier for the scouts, because they have a much clearer idea of what he really wants and what he doesn't."

juggalo6772

Hes the Fall guy for that williams pick.

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UCFNoleFan

I still don't see why he is this hated. It might not have been the right #1 pick but they had a great draft overall. The filled a lot of needs, he should be getting praise for the draft as a whole rather than being forced out.

Professor

also jugg if you read earlier in the thread, and any news out of houston, casserly was already stepping down. It was known well before the draft. All the picks were kubiak's. That was known. Casserly just went along with them. He was out well before the william's pick, which by the way was the right pick.

J-Unit

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/HOU/9480955

HOUSTON (June 5, 2006) -- The Houston Texans hired Rick Smith as general manager, reuniting the former Denver assistant GM with new coach Gary Kubiak.

Smith becomes the second general manager in Texans history, following Charley Casserly, who resigned following the draft. Casserly is considered the front-runner to become the NFL's vice president for football operations, succeeding Art Shell, who left to become coach of the Oakland Raiders for the second time.

Smith, who at 36 will be the NFL's youngest GM, spent 10 years with Kubiak while the coach was offensive coordinator of the Broncos. He also becomes the second black general manager, joining Ozzie Newsome of Baltimore.

He is unlikely to have the overriding power with the Texans that Casserly has had. Smith joined the Broncos in 1996, but had only been in his current position since March. Before that he spent six seasons as head of Denver's pro personnel operations.

He moved to the front office after serving as a defensive assistant for four seasons.

"I'm so excited about this opportunity," Smith said, flanked by his wife, Tiffany, and Texans owner Bob McNair at news conference. "Particularly the opportunity to work with a guy like Gary ... a guy I really believe in."

The Texans also interviewed Reggie McKenzie, the Green Bay director of pro personnel, and Rick Mueller, the New Orleans Saints director of player personnel.

"We came to the conclusion that Rick Smith was the man for us," McNair said. "Rick has a terrific background. No. 1 he's worked with Coach Kubiak, which is certainly important to us. This is a team effort. We need to have people who can work well together."

Kubiak, who called Smith one of the "brightest football minds in the business," said he likes working with people like Smith who challenge his ideas.

"He's battled me in many situations and made me a better football coach," Kubiak said. "Because sometimes I get a little tunnel vision on some players and various things and he helped me see another side."

Though his relationship with Kubiak played a major role in his hiring, Smith believes other factors also came into play.

"I do believe that I'm prepared for this job," he said. "I think Mr. McNair was convinced that I am and so I think that carried the most weight. Certainly the familiarity and relationship with Gary was a positive, but I think my credentials stand for themselves."

McNair is under added pressure after the Texans sunk to their franchise-worst 2-14 record in their fourth season. The changes began in January when Kubiak was hired to replace Dom Capers, who was fired the day after the season ended.

"We've promised that we're going to have a winner for Houston," McNair said. "I'm committed to that. We are going to win."

Smith said he's looking forward to beginning his evaluation of the Texans and he plans to start that process on June 7 when Houston opens minicamp.

Smith began his coaching career at Purdue in 1992 after playing strong safety for the Boilermakers. He spent two seasons as a strength and conditioning coach before taking over as defensive backs coach. He worked as an assistant at TCU for a month before taking a job with the Broncos.

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