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Draft pick’s versatility has coaches excited

James Casey must feel like a lab rat.

Rather than medical researchers picking at him, it’s going to be Texans coaches experimenting with him as soon as they can get him on the practice field.

Casey, the fifth-round pick from Rice, has offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and tight ends coach Brian Pariani excited because they can’t wait to try to take advantage of his versatility.

Casey reminds them of their fourth-round pick in 2006 — tight end Owen Daniels, who developed into a Pro Bowl player last season.

“Owen is as good as anyone in the passing game,” Shanahan said. “I see Casey as just like that. Obviously, Casey’s not as far along as Owen, so you can’t include him in all the packages.

“Until he develops as a blocker, he’s going to be treated more as a receiver at this level.”

Casey was asked to catch, run and throw at Rice. Now he has to learn to block to become a more complete player. And the level of competition has increased significantly.

“The similarities between Owen and James are helping the team in the passing game, being able to make plays in man coverage,” Pariani said. “James didn’t do a lot of blocking at Rice, but that’s something that can be taught.”

Casey, 6-3, 246, is seen as a possible tight end, H-back, fullback, short-yardage runner, emergency quarterback, deep snapper and special teams star.

Because Casey played in the White Sox organization and began his college career late, he’ll turn 25 in September.

“I think his age will help him,” Pariani said. “You have to be mature mentally, and he’s more mature than most players coming into the league.”
Role in Wildcat

The faster Casey becomes an effective blocker, the more roles he can play.

“I love having a player with his versatility,” Shanahan said. “We run such a balanced offense that it’s going to be hard to get on the field if you can’t do both.

“While he learns to become a complete tight end and do the things we’re going to ask him to do at that position, there are other ways we can utilize him.”

Shanahan mentioned Casey in three tight end sets. Casey could become a receiver. Or he could line up at fullback, go in short motion and return to fullback and be a lead blocker for Steve Slaton or a receiver.

Fans ask about using Casey as the quarterback in the Wildcat formation.

“When we run Wildcat, it’s more to give our defense a look,” Shanahan said. “I think there are a lot of other ways to get people the ball. Obviously, we’re going to do what works, and if we did it, and it worked, he’d be a candidate for that position.

“The Wildcat takes a lot of commitment if you’re going to use it, and that takes away from what our offense really is.”
Shanahan’s thoughts

Shanahan was asked about using Casey as a short-yardage back.

“To be an NFL back, you’ve got to be special,” Shanahan said. “He showed in college he’s good at it. That’s something that might give us a chance to carry four tight ends. If you do that, all of them can’t just play tight end.

“I can see him catching the ball in the flat, but the reason (fullback) Vonta (Leach) is so open all the time is because he fills (the hole) so hard, and the linebackers come up with their shoulders down because they think it’s a run, but Vonta goes out for a pass.

“When you get Casey to where he’s at least a fullback who’s a threat to block, and they have to learn to (defend) him, then he could be unbelievable in the passing game because he’s such a good receiver.

“What makes players like that have a tough time is they have to get the respect of the linebackers as a blocker. If they don’t commit to him as a blocker, he’s not going to get open on a flat route because they’ll just follow him there.”

By JOHN MCCLAIN