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Here's why Nick Caserio is built for this, despite evidence to the contrary

Here's why Nick Caserio is built for this, despite evidence to the contrary
Caserio is tasked with doing something he's never done before. Composite image by Jack Brame.
Texans General Manager Nick Caserio

By now, we can all agree the Texans are in rebuild mode, right? Okay. Cool. Glad we got that out the way so we can move on to the next order of business for this column. With the team in rebuild mode, people often ask questions about who's in charge and are they qualified to lead a team rebuilding.

Enter Texans general manager Nick Caserio. He's been on the job a little over a year now. While he's had his fair share of missteps, he's also made some headway in bringing this team towards respectability. He was tasked with a tall order and was given the proper tenure to his contract to reflect the type of security a man in his shoes would need. I saw an interesting post and reply the other day on Twitter that brought this all about:

Sarge made a fair point: does Caserio know how to rebuild since he was part of a dynasty from the start? However, Dune countered: how is he qualified because he's never had to rebuild anything? Caserio may not know how to "rebuild" a team because he's never been part of a rebuild, but he damn sure knows what a well-run organization looks like!

The fact that he's never rebuilt a team from scratch after it was cremated alive doesn't mean he's not capable. Guys who've done that successfully before are often not available to hire because teams will keep them around to see things through. This is why the copycat culture of the NFL is so pervasive. Teams want to mimic other teams all the time. The easiest way to do so is to pick fruit off those teams' vines in hopes of replicating their harvest. Easier said than done.

This whole "Patriot Way" thing is funny to me. When I think of what that means, it's Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and their supporting cast over the years. When you don't have them, you won't get the "Patriot Way." Plucking random fruits from a bountiful tree won't get you a twin of that tree. If lucky, you may end up with a decent seed that'll yield something worthwhile, but it won't get you anything close to the real deal.


What Caserio is asked to do, and what's fully expected of him, is to build a model similar to the one he came from. He's a contractor who's spent the majority of his career supervising a project for someone else but is now tasked with remodeling his own building as the lead dog. Can a general contractor build a home that was burned down? Yes. Will he be the first to do so? No.

Personally, I think he'll do a fine job. As long as he drafts very well, spends wise free agent money, re-signs the right guys, and brings in a coaching staff that can grow with the talent he's acquiring. This is why he's reportedly paid $6 million dollars a year over six years. Fans want to see results, or they'll come for their pound of flesh. I think he's on the right track. This off-season's moves will go a long way to establishing his legacy. Here's to Caserio seeing six years and beyond here in Houston!

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CultureMap's signature event The Tailgate (shown here in 2023) is coming back for 2024. Photo by Marco Torres / @MarcoFromHouston

CultureMap is gearing up for the exciting return of The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit.

For the event’s third year, we’re partying in EaDo at 8th Wonder. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11, and tickets are already on sale.

Attendees can look forward to sports-inspired bites from some of their favorite Houston restaurants, premium cocktails, memorabilia from Texas legends, and plenty more game-day fun.

Popular Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for attendees to sample and vote for their favorite. Participants include:

  • 1891 American Eatery & Bar
  • Big City Wings
  • Comfort Foodies
  • The Halal Guys
  • J Bar M
  • Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
  • Kokoro
  • Layne's Chicken Fingers
  • Loro
  • Mainely Sandwiches
  • Pizaro's Pizza
  • Ramen Tatsu-Ya
  • Saint Arnold Brewing Company
  • Southern Jerks
  • Stuff'd Wings
  • Taste Kitchen + Bar
  • Thai Tail
  • The Waffle Bus
  • Uchi
  • Uchiko Houston

Attendees can look forward to food from favorite Houston restaurants and premium cocktails.Photo by Marco Torres / @MarcoFromHouston

Following up on the success of last year’s Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown, we’ll soon be asking readers to vote for their favorite wing joint of 2024. Our editors have put together a list of 16 candidates that will go head-to-head in a bracket-style tournament we're calling the Ultimate Wing Showdown. Your winner will be revealed at the party.

The event will also shine a spotlight on local sports organizations, including the Texans, which will raffle off a CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros will show off their Shooting Stars dancers as well as the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies, and their Shuttle Crew team will bring prizes. Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash will raffle team-signed jerseys.

Attendees can expect more fun, games, and prizes courtesy of our event sponsors and local vendors, including Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen+Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and more.

Fan favorite Astros broadcaster Julia Morales will be there with her cult favorite apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all.

We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $35 for general admission (regularly $50) and $60 for VIP (regularly $75).

All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets come with one-hour early entry, access to a dedicated VIP bar, an exclusive meet-and-greet with one of Houston's top athletes, and more perks for an elevated experience.

Head here to buy your tickets now.

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The Tailgate is sponsored by Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen+Main, Shipley Do-nuts and more to be announced.

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