Was Charlie Casserly right after all?

Question

Let's cast our minds back to the spring of 2006, in the weeks leading up to the draft. The then Houston GM held a press conference during which he praised Mario Williams, and stated that he would have been far and away the best player available if it wasn't for Reggie Bush.

Of course, when Casserly agrees terms with Williams and then selects him with the 1st overall pick, everyone thought he was on crack or something. Not least the Houston fans, who, unsurprisingly, wanted hometown hero Vince Young.

Things got worse when Williams didn't come storming out of the blocks last season, whilst Bush had a year that showed promise for the future, with Young taking home Offensive Rookie of the Year honours. The so-called media experts began to second-guess Houston over their choice...but what a turnaround.

After taking his growing pains, Williams looks as if he is going in the right direction, building on the early promise showed in him by Casserly...

More to follow...

So, whilst Williams becomes better, we are seeing Bush struggle this year, compared to last year when everything came easy to him. Now we are seeing people questioning whether or not he is overrated.

As for Vince, this year imo does count as a sophomore slump. No, he hasn't stunk terribly this season, but he hasn't really developed as a passing quarterback this season. And whenever he takes off with the ball, teams are more ready for him this season than they were last.

So, is it the case that Charlie Casserly, despite universal opposition, made the right choice? Is it becoming apparent now that Williams was the right choice for the Texans, in spite of what everyone else thought?

If there are any Texans fans out there, please answer, as I would like to have a more in-depth perspective.

And people who want to cause trouble, fine take your two points. Everyone else will just laugh at your lack of football knowledge, and ability to be a jerk!!!!!!!!!

Damn, that was long!!!!!!!!! If you read this all and you provided a good answer, thank you!!!!!

Answer 1

It's early, but things are definitely looking better for "drafting on the basis of need."

What hurt Mario's stock was having second-rounder Demeco Ryans playing like a man possessed.

Bush is no longer fater than everyone out there, and he's clearly not an every down back. He lasks the vision of an Adrian Peterson.

Things are definitely looking better...

Answer 2

You can't really say. We have no idea of what Reggie Bush could have actually done had he been playing for the Texans.
And we don't know what kind of stats Williams would have had if he had gone elsewhere.

The Texans went with their needs and Mario is starting to show that maybe it was a good move. It's just one good season and people are over reacting a little to it.

I think some fans were expecting USC like numbers from Bush in the NFL which is a hell of a lot to ask at this level.
There was no way he was going to embarrass NFL talent on a weekly basis like he did in college.

In all I think time will tell how these two careers end up.

Answer 3

You pretty much hit it perfect. I will like to also add that even though Casserly got hammered on this pick with this reasoning of "we need a dominant pass rusher to trouble Manning", nearly every coach had Mario Williams as the best player in the draft.

I'm glad for Mario what he has done so far. Its sad but true, for the football world to see what you and I see, Mario Williams will have to be the reincarnation of Reggie White.

Answer 4

I thought it was the right move at the time, and I still believe the same.

Bush was an outstanding college player, but it seemed obvious from his style that he wouldn't be nearly as effective in the NFL. We're seeing that now with his inability to perform well as an every-down back. He's always an injury risk, can't run north-south very well, and fumbles far too often.

Williams' rookie year wasn't nearly as bad as some made it sound - the critics were just looking to seize on anything he did. He's proving this year that he's a force to be reckoned with, and he's making Casserly look smart.

Answer 5

Yeah i think casserly is looking like he was right. houston got williams and demeco ryans in that draft and both are looking pretty good now. I always thought bush was all hype and I don't think young would flourish in the kind of conservative offence the texans use, he needs to be just turned loose and let run wild to be great and the texans just do not play that way

Answer 6

i think so far anyway, he's definitely right, and don't forget that casserly lost his job for picking williams...it just goes to prove that when casserly was building championship teams for the redskins during joe gibbs' first go-round as coach there, it wasn't a fluke...he has a better eye for talent than you, me, or any of the so-called "experts" and he may very well turn out to be right over the long term

Answer 7

hindsight is 20/20. every time i listened to sports talk in houston last year, everyone was peeved that young wasn't taken.... there is still a contingent that is still (and will always) be upset that young isn't on the texans.

i'm glad williams is doing better, but the awful reality, defensive performance is harder to guage, therefore it'll be very difficult for him to live up to the billing.

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