HOUSTON -- The Houston Oilers paid dearly for tight end Dave Casper, giving the Oakland Raiders the Oilers' No. 1 and No. 2 draft choices in 1981 and No. 2 selection in 1982, it was disclosed today.
Casper, 28, who has played in the Pro Bowl the last four years, worked out with the Oilers for the first time Wednesday and declared himself happy.
'I had a lot going on out there (in California), but I was happy when I learned I got traded to Houston,' Casper said.
He has his old number, 87, previously worn by the waived Conrad Rucker, and and will be playing with his old quarterback, Ken Stabler, traded earlier.
'I know draft picks were given up for me, and I hope I can last here long enough to make it a good deal,' said Casper, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound six-year NFL veteran.
'If I play until I'm 33, that's five more years. If I stay healthy and play that long, then it can be a good deal. Of course, if I break three legs, then it won't be so good. It's a risk on both parts.'
The Oilers plan to use Casper to bolster the two tight end offense they plan to run about 80 percent of the time. Under the alignment, the Oilers will use tight ends largely as blockers.
'I've always considered myself a blocker first,' Casper said. 'One of the best things about coming to Houston is I can go out there and see if I can do what I've always wanted to most and that's block.'
Stabler welcomed the trade: 'When you've got a chance to get a player like Casper, you've got to take it. He's a very talented player, a good receiver and blocker.'
Stabler said the two tight end offense should bolster the Oilers' sagging running game because it will mean there will be no weak side to the line. He said the Oilers needed more tight ends to man that offense.
'Getting Casper doesn't lessen the role of anybody on this team. I just hope the other guys understand that,' Stabler said.
One player who apparently did not understand immediately was tight end Mike Barber.
'I'm upset the way it was done,' Barber said. 'I think Bum owed it to me (and other receivers) to talk to us, to let us know what was going on. I told him how I felt, but he has all the answers so I'll keep my mouth shut.
'I've watched a lot of film on Dave Casper and I think he's the best. I respect him ... The thing everybody needs to remember is that one man can't put us in the Super Bowl. It's going to take all 11.'
