Caserio's night at the Patriots Hall
FOXBOROUGH – Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio was the featured guest of the Hall at Patriot Place “Speaker Series” tonight. It was a treat for the hard-core football fan as the 33-year-old Caserio is one of the game’s up-and-coming personnel executives.
The evening started with Caserio going through the Patriots' scouting process and the entire cycle from May-April. He noted that the Patriots’ preparations for the 2010 draft are already underway, and also broke down the levels of personnel within the scouting department (e.g. six area scouts, two regional scouts etc.).
One story of note came when he recapped the team’s 15-minute interview with second-round draft choice Patrick Chung at the combine. “That made an impression,” Caserio told the crowd of about 50. “After 15 minutes, we were ready to run through a wall. It was like ‘sign me up.’ … This is one of these guys, the more you’re around him, you like what you see.”
Highlights were shown of each of the Patriots’ 12 draft picks and Caserio talked about what attracted the team to the player.
For example, seventh-round draft choice Darryl Richard, a defensive lineman from Georgia Tech, had the highest Wonderlic intelligence test score of any player the team drafted. Also, Caserio described fourth-round offensive lineman Rich Orhnberger as a “bulldog” who he’d pick to be the last man standing in a dark room filled with people. Caserio also expressed the team’s surprise that cornerback Darius Butler was available with the 41st overall pick.
Caserio pointed out that 10 of the 12 players the team drafted this year either had a pre-draft visit to Gillette Stadium, or were privately worked out by the team.
Attendees were free to ask questions throughout the 90-minute event. One of the more direct questions came when Caserio was asked why the team didn’t draft an outside linebacker to address the team's struggles on third down last season [26th out of 32 teams] and fill the void left by Mike Vrabel's departure.
“I think we’ve got players on our team that we feel good about, between A.D. [Adalius Thomas], Pierre [Woods], we signed Tully Banta-Cain, Shawn Crable didn’t have an opportunity to play last year ... ” he said, before noting that things could always change because the team doesn't play a game until September.
Caserio also noted that third down is about more than just outside linebackers and rushing the quarterback, as “there is a coverage component as well.”
Caserio said that while the team did have some outside linebackers it liked, that is generally one of the toughest positions for the team to find players that fit its scheme.
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"highest Wonderlic intelligence test score" How is it possible that MR's blog has sooo many well written posts compared to the front page section of the Boston Globe? I know the answer. It has to do with IQ. Pat's fans are obviously more intelligent than the average readers of the front page section of the Globe.
High IQ is something BB demands from his potential employees and players. Just take a look at the Pat's OL over the past few years. Those are very smart guys. Just like the posters on this blog. Unless of course...Someone is using the BG as a stepping stone .
Awfully good endorsement of the linebackers. The Patriots didn't need to draft outside linebackers because they like what they have!
Caserio doesn't seem to be that bright of a business man, he should have waited until AFTER they signed Chung to say the Pats were head over heals to sign him. Now good luck getting a good deal with his agent, thanks for giving him something to back him up in case he decides to hold out.
Now I know why BB doesn't like it when his employees talk to media.
hiya May,
Then you don't know the Patriots' organization. If you think the Patriots did not do their research in evaluating a player like Chung, especially one that they felt was 1st or 2nd round caliber, then you're insane. Why would they spend the 34th overall pick on a guy that they thought cared more about money than playing the game? When is the last time a drafted rookie held out for the Patriots?
How's it really that bad of business sense to say they were head over heels for the kid? I mean, they only chose him with their first pick in the draft. Right?
He will be paid accordingly to what the market can bare. That will probably be slightly higher than what the 34th overall was paid in last year's draft.
Don't forget Caserio will give a glowing review to everyone they drafted -- they're they ones who drafted the players!
Hiya,
Don't you think that Chung's agent probably knows the Patriots want to sign him since they...you know, DRAFTED him?? Whats the alternative? Chung's agent thinking the Patriots don't really want him that much so they won't make him a good offer? Makes no sense.
The 'bulldog' comment was interesting. I think that sums up what Belichick looks for in an offensive lineman.
If they thought Darius Butler would have been drafted higher then he was and they were surprised he was there, why did they keep trading back? I guess they had him graded as a second round choice.
Hiya apparently also doesn't know that rookie salaries are slotted. There isn't too much room for negotiation in there.
Mike, will there be a transcript from the event available?
Good point Sean on Butler. I agree that Belichick basically flat out did not feel anybody available at the end of the first round was worthy of a Patriot first round pick. I have worries about our O-line, but Belichick rarely picks o-line guys that are viewed highly by the general media. We have one of the best o-line coaches and due to all the no-huddle schemes that we run, I think Belichick likes to go after smart, smaller but quicker OL. These guys fit our system but may not fit other teams and that's why we don't draft big heavy guys to block for Brady. Remember that we run a lot of draws and screen passes and need guys that are more athletic. Some of those OL picks could turn out pretty underrated.
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