FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Nick Caserio, the New England Patriots’ director of player personnel, took the high road Saturday, saying he is happy to be with the team and remains fully committed to its goals.
Whether the veteran team executive harbors any resentment over being denied a chance to interview for the Houston Texans’ general manager position may not be known until his current contract expires after the 2020 NFL draft.
Caserio, who joined the Patriots as a personnel assistant in 2001 and assumed his current position in 2008, has been courted twice by the Texans, only for them to be rebuffed by a clause in his contract that does not allow him to interview with other teams. The Patriots filed tampering charges against the Texans after the most recent attempt, and the Texans backed off.
Caserio shed little light upon the situation other than to reaffirm his devotion to his current team.
“I’d say I’m pretty honored and privileged to be in the position I’m in, to work for this organization,” Caserio said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity that I have each day to come to work and come into this building. We’ve got a lot of great people. I’m fortunate and honored to work with Bill (Belichick) on a day-to-day basis and a lot of other people in this organization.
“My job is really just to serve the people that are in this building,” he said, echoing a familiar refrain in Foxborough. “My focus is in trying to do the best that I can every day and be the best version of myself for this team and this organization.”
Caserio would not speculate on what might happen after his contract expires.
“My focus is on this football team and that’s where it’s always going to be,” he said.
PRACTICE: Running back Sony Michel and center David Andrews were in uniform for their first training camp practice Saturday.
Michel’s presence means he has come off the physically unable to play list. Michel reportedly underwent a knee scope this offseason. He did not participate in the team’s June minicamp.
Andrews was present for the first time this summer. He was described as “day-to-day” by Caserio on Saturday morning. The veteran center wore a helmet and pads, but no knee braces, which are worn by all practicing team linemen.
Defensive end Michael Bennett missed his third straight practice of training camp Saturday. Bennett has been absent due to personal reasons, according to New England director of player personnel Nick Caserio
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