As to the news that Houston will no longer pursue Nick I have the following thoughts
1. After reading McClain's statement I get the feeling that there was nothing nefarious going on here, but rather the Houston brain trust, Easterby included didn't really understand the rules.
2. Though I doubt it will be reported, but I can pretty much guarantee that Casserio got a healthy raise. And based on what the Jet guy got, he should.
3. I'm still not sure whether one of big factors in Houston backing off was that Casserio informed them that he wasn't interested in the job, or at least no longer interested. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have gone THIS far if he hadn't indicated he was interested.
4. Again remember he has been married for 10 years and has 3 small kids and they are by now deeply rooted in the area, the only home they have known. Uprooting them suddenly from scenic NE to overdeveloped Houston would NOT have been an easy prospect.
5. Looks like he will be hear for at least the next 2 seasons, UNLESS he gets an offer Bill thinks he needs to take. Let's remember Bill doesn't mind when his minions go out on their own. It's just that there seems to be a certain procedure about how you go about it. Patricia and Flores followed it, Mangini didn't.