Texans Request Permission To Interview Nick Caserio
The Texans have requested permission to interview Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio for their vacant GM job, as Mark Berman of Fox 26 KRIV tweets. As has been reported previously, Berman confirms that Caserio is Houston’s top choice.
Houston was in the hunt for a new GM in early 2018 as well, but New England denied the Texans’ request to interview Caserio. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes, in order to hire away an executive under contract with a rival club, the hiring team must offer “the primary authority over all personnel decisions related to the signing of free agents, the selection of players in the College Draft, trades, and related decisions; and . . . the primary responsibility for coordinating other football activities with the head coach.” And, even if the hiring team offers those responsibilities, the incumbent club can still block the interview if its season has not yet ended.
It sounds as though the Texans are prepared to offer Caserio full GM responsibilities rather than make him a “GM Light” who would cede significant power to head coach Bill O’Brien. As Albert Breer of TheMMQB tweets, New England was able to prevent Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort from interviewing for the Texans’ GM job last year only because the Pats’ season hadn’t ended yet. This time around, though, the Patriots cannot prevent their executives from hearing Houston’s pitch.
That is, of course, if they are even interested. It would be difficult for an exec to leave the friendly confines of Foxborough for uncharted waters elsewhere, and the quick and unexpected firing of former Houston GM Brian Gaine would certainly be cause for concern. On the other hand, the Texans do have a roster that looks capable of immediate contention, and with a young and promising QB in Deshaun Watson, a first-time GM could certainly do worse than land with Houston.
The Texans have already interviewed Ray Farmer and plan to interview Martin Mayhew. One name that is not on the agenda as of yet is Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay, as Calvin Watkins of The Athletic reports (via Twitter). Watkins expects Houston to reach out to McClay, but he does not expect McClay to leave his current position.
Patriots Planning Big Role For Jamie Collins?
- Jamie Collins was able to come back home when he signed with the Patriots a few weeks ago. The linebacker was drafted by the Pats in the second round back in 2013, and spent the first few years of his career there. He was traded to the Browns for a third round pick in 2016, and Cleveland gave him a massive extension. He never lived up to that deal, and he was released back in March. He only got $250K guaranteed from New England this time around, so many observers assumed he wouldn’t even be guaranteed a roster spot. Mike Reiss of ESPN.com was initially in that camp, but he’s changed his mind recently. After observing how they’ve used him in practice, Reiss now believes the Patriots “have significant plans for him as long as everything stays on course.” Reiss writes that he’s been practicing as one of the team’s top linebackers, and that “the biggest tip-off was his presence as the top right guard on the punt protection unit.” It sounds like Collins is at the very least a good bet to make the team, and could potentially earn back a large role on defense.
Texans To Make Another Run At Patriots’ Nick Caserio?
A common figure in recent GM searches, Nick Caserio looks set to come up in another one. The Texans requested an interview with the longtime Patriots executive in 2018 and are expected to pursue him again, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).
The Patriots denied the Texans permission to interview Caserio and college scouting director Monti Ossenfort last year. The Texans fired Brian Gaine on Friday afternoon and will begin a replacement search immediately.
Caserio and Bill O’Brien are close, and the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain tweets this is almost certainly an avenue the Texans will explore in their effort to replace Gaine. O’Brien, who is set to coach alongside a third GM in Houston, spent five seasons as a New England assistant.
Caserio and Josh McDaniels pulled out of the 49ers’ GM/HC searches two years ago and remain key Patriots decision-makers. Caserio has worked as the Patriots’ player personnel director since 2008, serving as a central figure in the Bill Belichick-run operation.
East Notes: Patriots, LaCosse, Jets, Eagles
Now that Austin Seferian-Jenkins is out of the picture, the Patriots seem likely to go with Matt LaCosse are their top tight end in Week 1, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes. The Patriots made a minor splash by signing Ben Watson earlier this offseason, but he’ll have to sit on the sidelines for the first four games of the season due to his PED violation. That leaves LaCosse, blocking tight end Ryan Izzo, and UDFA Andrew Beck, and LaCosse is the best pass catcher of the bunch.
LaCosse hasn’t produced much at the pro level, but there’s reason to believe that he can be a late bloomer. LaCosse saw 38% of the Broncos’ snaps last year and he could be poised to take another step forward in 2019.
If LaCosse doesn’t cut it in camp, Volin speculates that the Patriots could explore a trade for Kyle Rudolph, though it would require some salary cap magic. The Patriots could also kick the tires on former Texans tight end Ryan Griffin, who would seem to be a fit for the system.
Here’s more from the East divisions:
- Former Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan got a little too cute in the draft and wound up losing out on one of his mid-round targets, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. The Jets had their eyes on Arkansas interior lineman Hjalte Froholdt with the third pick of the fourth round (No. 105 overall) before moving down to the No. 116 pick in order to add a fifth-round pick to their arsenal. Then, they traded down yet again to No. 121, allowing the Pats to scoop up Froholdt with the No. 118 pick. Maccagnan’s maneuvering also cost the club Oklahoma offensive lineman Dru Samia, another target of the team who could have helped at the center position. After all that movement, they wound up settling for West Virginia blocking tight end Trevon Wesco at No. 121 overall.
- Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby is still aiming to play in Week 1 and expects to participate in training camp, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Darby has missed 17 games (counting the postseason) since joining the Eagles prior to the 2017 season.
Jerod Mayo Calling Plays During Minicamp
- A Patriots contingency plan for if presumptive left tackle Isaiah Wynn is not ready: perhaps Joe Thuney sliding over one spot. The Patriots’ fourth-year left guard worked with their first-string offense at left tackle Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required). Brian Schwenke and Ted Karras have been rotating at left guard during Pats minicamp. A 2016 third-round pick, Thuney has started every game at left guard since entering the league. Wynn, a 2018 first-rounder who tore his Achilles’ tendon during camp last year, is not yet ready for team drills.
- Bill Belichick is expected to call Patriots defensive plays this season, but the team is using minicamp to try out some other possibilities. First-year full-time assistant Jerod Mayo was calling Pats plays for a second straight day at minicamp, according to Howe. The Patriots hired their former linebacker as assistant inside ‘backers coach this offseason, and Howe adds the 33-year-old calling plays during the season is now a “serious possibility.”
Patriots Sign Third-Round RB Damien Harris
The Patriots are the ninth NFL team to sign their entire 2019 rookie class, as New England has agreed to terms with third-round running back Damien Harris, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Harris, the 87th overall selection in April’s draft, will sign a four-year deal worth roughly $3.6MM. He’ll join the Patriots’ roster following a four-year career at Alabama, during which he won two National Championships and earned second-team All-SEC honors during his senior season. Harris came off the board 63 picks after fellow Tide running back Josh Jacobs, but Harris actually surpassed Jacobs in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and receptions in 2018.
Harris, who stands 5’10”, 216 pounds, topped 1,000 yards rushing in both his sophomore and junior seasons, averaging more than seven yards per carry in each campaign. In a pre-draft scouting report, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Harris to former Bears/Bengals back Cedric Benson, noting Harris’ “no-nonsense” running style but identifying his lack of burst.
The Patriots already have a roster full of running backs with defined roles, including 2018 first-rounder Sony Michel, receiving back James White, and do-it-all Rex Burkhead. Harris will likely start out with a heavy role on special teams, but he could carve out a niche slot as the season progresses.
Here’s New England’s 2019 draft in full:
- 1-32: N’Keal Harry, WR (Arizona State)
- 2-45: JoeJuan Williams, CB (Vanderbilt)
- 3-77: Chase Winovich, DE (Michigan)
- 3-87: Damien Harris, RB (Alabama)
- 3-101: Yodny Cajuste, T (West Virginia)
- 4-118: Hjalte Froholdt, G ( Arkansas)
- 4-133: Jarrett Stidham, QB (Auburn)
- 5-159: Byron Cowart, DT (Maryland)
- 5-163: Jake Bailey, P (Stanford)
- 7-252: Ken Webster, CB (Ole Miss)
Patriots To Release Austin Seferian-Jenkins
The Patriots will release tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). ASJ plans to step away from football for a month for personal issues, Rapoport hears, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll circle back to the Patriots. 
[RELATED: Rob Gronkowski Shoots Down Comeback Talk]
Seferian-Jenkins is no stranger to off-the-field hiccups. Substance abuse issues sidetracked him in Tampa, leading him to the Jets, where he enjoyed a productive season in 2017. Last year, he parlayed that success into a two-year, $10MM deal with the Jaguars, but that deal was terminated after he suited up for just five games.
ASJ seemed prime for another comeback with the Rob Gronkowski-less Patriots, but his personal problems have put him in a holding pattern for now. Without the former second-round pick, the Pats will move forward with tight ends Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Ryan Izzo, Stephen Anderson, and Andrew Beck. Watson, of course, will miss the first four games of the season due to his PED suspension.
Rob Gronkowski Shoots Down Comeback Talk
Rob Gronkowski‘s decision to retire has been met with more skepticism than perhaps any retirement announcement ever. Since the day he announced his intent to walk away from the game, rumors have swirled that he won’t stay away for long.
It’s been heavily speculated that he’ll end up missing the first part of the season and then come back for the stretch run with the Patriots. Even Gronk’s own agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has suggested that he’ll come back. The only one who hasn’t contributed to any of the talk has been the legendary tight end himself. Speaking at a recent charity event, Gronkowski shot down any talk of a return, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
When a reporter asked Gronk if he wanted all the comeback rumors to be put to rest, he replied “you can put them to rest, yes.” “I’m feeling good. Good place,” he added. Gronkowski did acknowledge that even his own denials probably won’t end the speculation, joking that “whatever I say, it doesn’t matter.”
Gronkowski has been moved to the reserve/retired list by the Patriots, and if he wants to come back he won’t be able to just wait until the very end of the season or the playoffs. If he isn’t moved off the list by Week 13, he won’t be eligible to return for the 2019 season. While he sure seems to be enjoying retirement, it still won’t be at all surprising if he changes his mind. If New England’s offense struggles without him, it could provide extra motivation for a return.
Demaryius Thomas Not A Lock For Patriots’ Roster, Could Start Season On PUP?
One of the Patriots’ biggest signings this offseason was receiver Demaryius Thomas. While Thomas is a big name, it doesn’t sound like he’s a lock to make a huge impact, or even the roster.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com writes that “speculation has lingered that Thomas could go the way of other older players who for whatever reason didn’t mesh with the Patriot Way.” Additionally, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweets that Thomas starting the season on the PUP list is a “realistic option.” If Thomas, who is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered toward the end of last season, did start the season on PUP, he would be forced to miss the first six games of the season.
If that’s the case, Volin writes he “could be a decent second-half addition for the offense.” But he’ll need to convince the Patriots he’s worthy of a roster spot first, and the injury isn’t the only hurdle he’s dealing with. Thomas is also facing potential league discipline after he was arrested and charged with vehicular assault following a car accident.
Thomas signed a one-year contract that could pay him up to $6MM if he reaches various incentives, but the Patriots could cut him without losing much. The base value of his contract is $1.2MM, and the only guaranteed money they gave him was a signing bonus of $150K. Thomas has a relationship with New England’s offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was his head coach in Denver, which should help his cause, but he still has a lot to prove.
Thomas entered the league as a first round pick of the Broncos back in 2010, and blossomed into one of the league’s best receivers with Peyton Manning. He made the Pro Bowl five straight times from 2012-16, but he isn’t the same physically anymore. He’s still crafty though and he remained pretty productive during his last full season, racking up 949 yards in 2017.
The Patriots were reportedly in on him at the trade deadline last year, which could be a good sign for his chances of making the roster since they tried to give up draft picks for him just last year. After being traded to the Texans at the deadline, Thomas played in just three games before going down with the Achilles injury. It’s unclear if he’s got much left in the tank, but he shouldn’t be counted out either.
Patriots Could Use N'Keal Harry As Punt Returner
- The Patriots have typically deployed smaller, shiftier players as their punt returners, but Mike Reiss of ESPN.com says the club has tried first-round draft pick N’Keal Harry (6-2, 228) in that role during OTAs. Reiss says Harry, who returned 14 punts over his final two collegiate seasons — including a 92-yard house call — has acquitted himself well thus far.