htownskinfan
12-10-2005, 04:55 PM
this is an excerpt from todays Richard justice column about Casserly not doing his job because the redskins were also interested in acquiring Philip Buchanon from the raiders so the texans rushed to get him,I didnt know we wanted him,thank God we didnt end up with him,cant fathom the Texans only watching 4 of his games,thats poor management,heres the article:
Buchanon blunders
No matter what McNair does with coach Dom Capers (he goes) or general manager Charley Casserly (he stays), the first four years have served as a learning experience for the owner, too.
For instance, there's the Phillip Buchanon trade.
Before the Texans made the deal, McNair's football staff came to him with some concerns. They wanted him to know that the issue of Buchanon's attitude had come up. They'd looked into his character as well.
In briefing McNair, Casserly ran down a list of former coaches and teammates the Texans had spoken to. Almost to a man, they said Buchanon wouldn't be a problem.
McNair, satisfied his people had done their jobs, approved the deal.
Only later did he learn they hadn't.
Research lacking
For instance, McNair wasn't told Buchanon didn't like tackling people. Because his football staff apparently didn't know or didn't think it was worth mentioning.
At least that's what McNair was told. Had Casserly and his people taken the time to read Bay Area newspapers, they would have known Buchanon didn't care for contact. It was no secret in Oakland.
Nor was it mentioned to McNair that Buchanon had problems covering wide receivers, which can lead to real problems for a cornerback.
He was beaten so often by Brett Favre in one prime-time 2003 contest that he was removed from the lineup during the game. McNair said he learned of this problem only after he began asking tough questions.
Turns out, the Texans watched only four of Buchanon's 2004 games. McNair was flabbergasted.
How could such an important decision be based on so little information? Because the Texans were in a hurry. Because Al Davis hurried them to the church.
With the Redskins rumored to be in the hunt for Buchanon, the Texans acted too quickly. They traded for a player who wasn't what he thought he was.
"I think everyone blew it," McNair said. "If you're going to give up high draft choices for a player, you'd better be thorough. If you don't have enough time, you say, 'Sorry, we're not done with our due diligence.' That's what happens when you're too eager. We had a need, and we were too eager to fill it."
As the Texans pick through the debris of a 1-11season, Buchanon's name comes up a lot. He has come to symbolize other failures.
When men buy professional sports franchises, they typically fall into one of two categories.
Some of them, such as Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, believe they know everything and immediately attempt to do everything from scout to draft to sell club seats. They typically fail.
Others, such as Kansas City's Lamar Hunt, hire good people and stay out of the way. They typically succeed.
Balance is best
The best owners — such as New England's Robert Kraft — are somewhere in between. They hire good people and allow them to do their jobs. But they also remain involved. They force people to sell their decisions. They hold them accountable for the failures.
This is the type owner Bob McNair apparently would like to be. He won't be coaching wide receivers, but neither will he be as passive as he has been for four years.
Buchanon blunders
No matter what McNair does with coach Dom Capers (he goes) or general manager Charley Casserly (he stays), the first four years have served as a learning experience for the owner, too.
For instance, there's the Phillip Buchanon trade.
Before the Texans made the deal, McNair's football staff came to him with some concerns. They wanted him to know that the issue of Buchanon's attitude had come up. They'd looked into his character as well.
In briefing McNair, Casserly ran down a list of former coaches and teammates the Texans had spoken to. Almost to a man, they said Buchanon wouldn't be a problem.
McNair, satisfied his people had done their jobs, approved the deal.
Only later did he learn they hadn't.
Research lacking
For instance, McNair wasn't told Buchanon didn't like tackling people. Because his football staff apparently didn't know or didn't think it was worth mentioning.
At least that's what McNair was told. Had Casserly and his people taken the time to read Bay Area newspapers, they would have known Buchanon didn't care for contact. It was no secret in Oakland.
Nor was it mentioned to McNair that Buchanon had problems covering wide receivers, which can lead to real problems for a cornerback.
He was beaten so often by Brett Favre in one prime-time 2003 contest that he was removed from the lineup during the game. McNair said he learned of this problem only after he began asking tough questions.
Turns out, the Texans watched only four of Buchanon's 2004 games. McNair was flabbergasted.
How could such an important decision be based on so little information? Because the Texans were in a hurry. Because Al Davis hurried them to the church.
With the Redskins rumored to be in the hunt for Buchanon, the Texans acted too quickly. They traded for a player who wasn't what he thought he was.
"I think everyone blew it," McNair said. "If you're going to give up high draft choices for a player, you'd better be thorough. If you don't have enough time, you say, 'Sorry, we're not done with our due diligence.' That's what happens when you're too eager. We had a need, and we were too eager to fill it."
As the Texans pick through the debris of a 1-11season, Buchanon's name comes up a lot. He has come to symbolize other failures.
When men buy professional sports franchises, they typically fall into one of two categories.
Some of them, such as Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, believe they know everything and immediately attempt to do everything from scout to draft to sell club seats. They typically fail.
Others, such as Kansas City's Lamar Hunt, hire good people and stay out of the way. They typically succeed.
Balance is best
The best owners — such as New England's Robert Kraft — are somewhere in between. They hire good people and allow them to do their jobs. But they also remain involved. They force people to sell their decisions. They hold them accountable for the failures.
This is the type owner Bob McNair apparently would like to be. He won't be coaching wide receivers, but neither will he be as passive as he has been for four years.