People Say Yates cant....but WHY NOT?!

[CloakNNNdagger]

I didn't know this part of the story. People may not care for the moniker "The Gunslinger" as it implies a degree of recklessness (and it's already been taken). However, "The Hired Gun" may more appropriately describe his true origins.

HOUSTON – When T.J. Yates learned last winter that he’d been invited to the NFL scouting combine, the former University of North Carolina quarterback had reason to smile. The invitation came with a caveat, however.

The good news was that Yates would be heading to Indianapolis. The bad news? He’d be arriving early, staying late and icing his right forearm repeatedly. As one of three quarterbacks designated as a combine arm, Yates’ job was to serve as a human ball machine, launching throw after throw in drills for offensive skill players, linebackers and defensive backs.

By the end of his stay, Yates was in grin-and-bear-it mode.

“They invite you, but it’s pretty much the last three guys” who are combine arms, Yates recalled Sunday after helping the Houston Texans to a 17-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in his first NFL start. “You go on the first day and stay all the way to the last day to throw to the defensive guys and stuff. It was kind of annoying because you’re there for eight days straight.

“I was ready to get out of there, especially on the last day. I probably threw like 150 deep balls to [defensive backs] during their drills. Just a hired arm.”

The hired arm became a camp arm last summer, a few months after the Texans took Yates in the fifth round of last April’s draft. He ultimately earned a roster spot as the team’s third-string quarterback. And when starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart were lost to season-ending injuries in back-to-back games last month, Yates became one of the least likely passers entrusted to guide a playoff contender in recent memory.

Though Yates’ numbers weren’t especially impressive on Sunday, he was poised, assertive and accurate – and he had more zip on his passes than most people outside of the Texans’ locker room anticipated. You’ll likely be seeing more of him in the coming weeks as Houston (9-3) closes in on its first-ever AFC South title and postseason appearance, even as the Texans continue to endure an unseemly wave of injuries to key players.

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[EllisUnit]

video was good, i saw it before the game. I just hope that AJ can help us get to the superbowl this season. He has worked his ass off for this team, and stuck with us even though he could of gotten bigger money else where. He deserves a ring from this team. I hope T.J Yates can help lead us there.

[hot pickle]

watched it 5 times already. almost brings a tear to my eye. no matter what happens the rest of the season I have for the first time sincerely proud of my houston texans

living in canada. its not easy being a texans fan. I've been the centre of all football jokes for 10 years. and now nobody is saying a thing! I love it!

[kiwitexansfan]

Yeah, got me all tingly... Why not?

[Premier]

Yates believes in himself, that makes me believe in him... im looking forward to yates showing out and making all these teams that took qbs before him feel stupid... especially Jacksonville and Tennessee...

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by hot pickle

watched it 5 times already. almost brings a tear to my eye. no matter what happens the rest of the season I have for the first time sincerely proud of my houston texans

living in canada. its not easy being a texans fan. I've been the centre of all football jokes for 10 years. and now nobody is saying a thing! I love it!

I'm lucky I guess. I live in South East Texas where there is enough Jerrah hate that the Cowboy fans get the butt of most jokes.

[txns4lf]

i think tj played great he made plays during the game that i felt matt shaub could not make like and also made great decisions when under pressure ( besides that one int that got called back) but overall i was happy with his performance....here is a question if tj wins us a playoff game do you think he wills start over shaub?

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by txns4lf

i think tj played great he made plays during the game that i felt matt shaub could not make like and also made great decisions when under pressure ( besides that one int that got called back) but overall i was happy with his performance....here is a question if tj wins us a playoff game do you think he wills start over shaub?

He'd have to clearly beat him out in preseason and that won't be easy. Schaub is good. Yates has physical abilities that Schaub doesn't, but actually playing better is a very steep learning curve.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by txns4lf

i think tj played great he made plays during the game that i felt matt shaub could not make like and also made great decisions when under pressure ( besides that one int that got called back) but overall i was happy with his performance....here is a question if tj wins us a playoff game do you think he wills start over shaub?

That big bomb (50 yards) to Andre, Schaub couldn't have made that play. Tj stumbled out of the gate, more than likely Schaub wouldn't have tripped up, but if he did Schaub would have fell on his face.

Tj was able to keep his balance & his composure to set his feet & let it fly with a defender in his face... Schaub would have made a bee line for the side line.

Tj also made a couple of no-no throws... I saw at least two where he was either on his back foot, or on no feet at all. One of the screens to Arian, where he saw him at the last minute as he was dodging DLmen. But the ball still had zip, which is a good sign of a strong arm.

I'm excited about Tj Yates, but I don't think he is better than Schaub (yet). Winning in the post season isn't going to be enough for me to want him to replace Matt. If he balls out & we win because of his play, if Tj Yates is our MVP of the play-offs, then we'll have to have that conversation.

But regular season wins don't get him the job, Matt Schaub got us 7 of them this year. If TJ gets us 5, maybe we can start talking......

[Blake]

Why not TJ Yates?

[SeminoleTexan]

Awesome video! I've watched it a few times already and will probably watch it a few more right before the game on Sunday lol. I'm very familiar with TJ Yates since I've watched him the last 4 years in college at UNC and he beat my Seminoles last season.