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All Eyes on Texans Quarterback Dan Orlovsky

MojoMan

MojoMan

Hall of Fame
I hope Matt Schaub is healthy and does not miss a snap all year. He was healthy for most of the year in 2009, and with an increased emphasis on running the ball in 2010, there is every reason to expect Schaub will have great success this year.

However, the NFL is a rough place and the Quarterback position is one of particular vulnerability. As a result, it is all too common to see the backup QB of any team taking the field at some point during the season, as has been the case for the Houston Texans pretty much every year since their inception in 2002.

Sometimes, this is when heroes are made. Other times, this is when seasons are lost. Which is why Texans' Quarterback Dan Orlvosky is in such a pivotally important role as the Houston Texans try to earn their first ever playoff birth this year.

The word coming out of training camp about Dan Orlovsky so far has been disconcerting. But a good showing on Saturday could really change a lot of perspectives. Hopefully Dan-O plays a great game Saturday and begins to establish himself as a leader on this team. If not, it could be time for Smithiak to start searching the waiver wires for his replacement.

All Eyes on Texans Quarterback Dan Orlovsky

Texans preseason games are more important for quarterback Dan Orlovsky than any player on the team. Entering his second season with the Texans and his sixth in the NFL, Orlovsky must use the preseason to convince the coaches that he's capable of replacing Matt Schaub if the starter suffers an injury.

When the Texans begin their preseason schedule Saturday night at Arizona, Orlovsky will be under more pressure than any of his teammates. "Not really; I'm excited about it," Orlovsky said. "I want to lead the offense the way it should be led."

Orlovsky has to play better than he did last preseason. After signing as a free agent for $3 million a year, he started camp as Schaub's backup. In the preseason opener at Kansas City, Orlovsky was 9-of-20 for 121 yards. He had no touchdown passes or interceptions, and his rating was 64.8. Orlovsky played in three preseason games, completing 27 of 48 passes for 331 yards and one touchdown. He threw two interceptions and closed with a 67.3 rating.

Coach Gary Kubiak didn't like enough of what he saw, and Rex Grossman, who threw one incomplete pass in preseason, was designated as Schaub's backup. Orlovsky spent his first season with the Texans watching and learning. Kubiak has praised him on several occasions, insisting he's improved. But until the quarterback shows it in games, nobody will know how much he's improved. That's why Orlovsky will play at least two quarters against the Cardinals; Schaub is expected to play one series.

"I like his work ethic, the way he goes about his job," Kubiak said about Orlovsky. "He's got the ability to make some big plays. Now he has to take it to the field and show the team." Orlovsky (6-5, 231 pounds) looks a lot like Schaub. He's able to run the same offense. No changes have to be made in the strategy or play-calling when Orlovsky takes over.

When Kubiak was asked Tuesday about the most important thing he wants to see from Orlovsky on Saturday, the coach didn't hesitate. "Protect the ball," he said. "When he's throwing it, protect it. Protect the team by protecting the ball. We've got to get rid of that one bad play out of 10. That's what we're trying to focus on."

When informed of what Kubiak said, Orlovsky smiled. He's heard that a thousand times from his coach. "Well, an incompletion or a throwaway are better than a turnover," Orlovsky said. "I'm not going to try and run up the scoreboard or anything. Just executing the offense is so important for me."
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Signing Dan O, then retaining him for another year while releasing Grossman ?
QBs are supposed to be Kubiaks long-suit, but did he make the right decisions about those 2 ? Looking doubtful ?
 
Honestly, I didn't see anything wrong with Grossman as the primary back-up last year.

He came in and worked for bread crumb.
I can see how the two parties saw it as mutually beneficial.
Grossman needed a jump start to land his next job.
For the Texans, Grossman already knew the system and he didn't cost much.
That would give Dan O. the opportunity to "unlearn" the previous system and to learn the intricacy of the WCO.

The Lions depended on the receivers more as the TEs had only 43 catches and all the backs (including FBs) had 64.
Out of 281 completions, 62% went to the receivers.

The Texans completed 73 passes to the TEs and 101 to the RBs.
Out of 399 completions, 56% went to the receivers.

And the Texans have a much better receiving corp than the Lions.

Dan O. has all the tools but he needs the toolbox.
He needs to learn to take what the defense gives him, to make all the right reads, to find the hot receiver quickly, to hand the ball go the backs correctly in the ZBS.

I don't think fans should be too critical of him.
Rosenfels and Schaub were both quite inconsistent (for quite a long while) early when they first came to the Texans.

But hey, once gain, it's always good for the fans to have something to talk about. :texflag:
 
76Texan said:
Honestly, I didn't see anything wrong with Grossman as the primary back-up last year.

He came in and worked for bread crumb.
I can see how the two parties saw it as mutually beneficial.
Grossman needed a jump start to land his next job.
For the Texans, Grossman already knew the system and he didn't cost much.
That would give Dan O. the opportunity to "unlearn" the previous system and to learn the intricacy of the WCO.

The Lions depended on the receivers more as the TEs had only 43 catches and all the backs (including FBs) had 64.
Out of 281 completions, 62% went to the receivers.

The Texans completed 73 passes to the TEs and 101 to the RBs.
Out of 399 completions, 56% went to the receivers.

And the Texans have a much better receiving corp than the Lions.

Dan O. has all the tools but he needs the toolbox.
He needs to learn to take what the defense gives him, to make all the right reads, to find the hot receiver quickly, to hand the ball go the backs correctly in the ZBS.

I don't think fans should be too critical of him.
Rosenfels and Schaub were both quite inconsistent (for quite a long while) early when they first came to the Texans.

But hey, once gain, it's always good for the fans to have something to talk about. :texflag:
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Did you watch the Jags game? Dude was horrible.
 
jaayteetx said:
Did you watch the Jags game? Dude was horrible.
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He was pretty bad out there, but not horrible.
But that's Grossman.
Sometimes he's good T-Rex; sometimes he's bad T-Rex.
We all knew that coming in.

I would have preferred to make DanO the back-up straight away.
But the Texans chose to do differently.
 
I don't think I would even say that Grossman had a poor performance, actually.

Things just didn't go right for the Texans, that's all.
 
I think Kubes the QB guru is working on D.O.'s psyche. In a recent radio interview, Orslovky said Kubes told him at OTAs he needed to bring more to the field and O. said it made him angry but determined to do what Kubiak wanted. I saw little between his efforts and Grossman's last season & believe Gary was trying to send a message. I think it is important that only Booty is on the roster to challenge D.O. this season. I think Schaub will have another healthy year and O. will improve even more so. If not, I will probably arrange my board to draft a QB rather high.
 
Orlovsky said:
When informed of what Kubiak said, Orlovsky smiled. He's heard that a thousand times from his coach. "Well, an incompletion or a throwaway are better than a turnover," Orlovsky said. "I'm not going to try and run up the scoreboard or anything. Just executing the offense is so important for me."
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That sounds eerily familar to an ex-QB that was here, except substitute "falling down" and "run out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage" for the bolded above.

:thinking:

Outofboundsky better wake it up, quick.
 
I've been on DanO's side the entire time he's been here (guess I'm just a sucker for underdogs), but from what I've seen in camp this season hasn't been much different than last year. I still think he's thinking too much, causing very poor throws. He's over-throwing, under-throwing and just missing short routes all together. Short routes?!

Heck, If I were forced to choose a #2 today I just might give it to JDB.

If he doesn't get his mind right in these 4 pre-season games we are likely screwed if Schaub goes down.
 
HOU-TEX said:
I've been on DanO's side the entire time he's been here (guess I'm just a sucker for underdogs), but from what I've seen in camp this season hasn't been much different than last year. I still think he's thinking too much, causing very poor throws. He's over-throwing, under-throwing and just missing short routes all together. Short routes?!

Heck, If I were forced to choose a #2 today I just might give it to JDB.

If he doesn't get his mind right in these 4 pre-season games we are likely screwed if Schaub goes down.
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Time will tell of coarse but I sure wouldn't mind them drafting a 3rd or 4th to hold the clipboard for a few years to be a QUALIFIED & CAPABLE backup and step in if Matt goes down. Probably not a popular idea but that's just me.
 
The question of keeping 2 or 3 QBs hopefully is answered with concrete logic. If Orlovsk is not downright solid by mid preseason, and we decide to keep him, we better find a vet to hedge our bets. Under those circumstances, I don't see Orlovsky and Booty being a smart backup plan to Schaub.
 
Of course I want Orlovsky to get it and be the entirely adequate backup they signed him to be. I wasn't impressed with what we saw in the preseason last year and I was very happy that we had Grossman around. Those of us who thought Grossman was truly pathetic against Jacksonville keep in mind that it could have been even worse.

If Orlovsky had been able to push past Rex on the depth chart and taken the #2 spot he would have. He didn't.

Now I'm hoping he's improved enough to be that backup but I am not going to get excited about anything until I see him make it happen. I want to see what he can do and I'm hoping for the best but if he looks like he did last year who (if anyone) is still out there looking for work? I like the old veteran approach to the #2 spot if I can find one.
 
Hervoyel said:
Of course I want Orlovsky to get it and be the entirely adequate backup they signed him to be. I wasn't impressed with what we saw in the preseason last year and I was very happy that we had Grossman around. Those of us who thought Grossman was truly pathetic against Jacksonville keep in mind that it could have been even worse.

If Orlovsky had been able to push past Rex on the depth chart and taken the #2 spot he would have. He didn't.

Now I'm hoping he's improved enough to be that backup but I am not going to get excited about anything until I see him make it happen. I want to see what he can do and I'm hoping for the best but if he looks like he did last year who (if anyone) is still out there looking for work? I like the old veteran approach to the #2 spot if I can find one.
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I don't think there is much out there. Culpepper? Patrick Ramsey maybe?
Did Jeff Garcia sign anywhere? If Favre returns, maybe we can get Sage back for a 7th?
 
JB said:
I don't think there is much out there. Culpepper? Patrick Ramsey maybe?
Did Jeff Garcia sign anywhere? If Favre returns, maybe we can get Sage back for a 7th?
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Jeff Garcia is available, and I imagine he wouldn't mind joining the Texans for the right price. The problem is the team already invested a bunch of money in Dan O, so I doubt they would find a new #2.
 
Hervoyel said:
Of course I want Orlovsky to get it and be the entirely adequate backup they signed him to be. I wasn't impressed with what we saw in the preseason last year and I was very happy that we had Grossman around. Those of us who thought Grossman was truly pathetic against Jacksonville keep in mind that it could have been even worse.

If Orlovsky had been able to push past Rex on the depth chart and taken the #2 spot he would have. He didn't.

Now I'm hoping he's improved enough to be that backup but I am not going to get excited about anything until I see him make it happen. I want to see what he can do and I'm hoping for the best but if he looks like he did last year who (if anyone) is still out there looking for work? I like the old veteran approach to the #2 spot if I can find one.
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Herv, I would like to know why you (and some others) think Grossman was pathetic in that game?
 
76Texan said:
Herv, I would like to know why you (and some others) think Grossman was pathetic in that game?
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I don't have it where I can watch it again, but I remember thinking that he sucked at the time.
 
Hervoyel said:
Of course I want Orlovsky to get it and be the entirely adequate backup they signed him to be. I wasn't impressed with what we saw in the preseason last year and I was very happy that we had Grossman around. Those of us who thought Grossman was truly pathetic against Jacksonville keep in mind that it could have been even worse.
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What I liked most about Rex, was that he didn't want to be a backup QB. He's played on the biggest stage there is, and he believes he can get there again.

What I liked about Sage, I never got the impression that he "understood" that he was a back-up. I felt he always (since he got here) thought he was a starter waiting for his opportunity.

I liked Orlovsky when he played in Detroit, because that is who I thought he was. The last two years, I don't know. Is he happy being the back-up?
 
JB said:
I don't have it where I can watch it again, but I remember thinking that he sucked at the time.
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It was tough to watch, but no, Grossman was just a victim of a lot of things that went wrong for us on that day.

The receivers didn't run crisp routes and the O-line had some leaks were two major factors. And the Jax were just in the right place at the right time.
 
thunderkyss said:
What I liked most about Rex, was that he didn't want to be a backup QB. He's played on the biggest stage there is, and he believes he can get there again.

What I liked about Sage, I never got the impression that he "understood" that he was a back-up. I felt he always (since he got here) thought he was a starter waiting for his opportunity.

I liked Orlovsky when he played in Detroit, because that is who I thought he was. The last two years, I don't know. Is he happy being the back-up?
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Haha, let's hope third time is the charm!
 
infantrycak said:
A 5.6 QB rating might explain thinking he was pathetic.
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I don't think the formula should apply for such a short period of time.
Like I said, if the receiver runs an inefficient route, it could easily result in an incompletion.
If the QB is pressured and has to throw the ball away, it also results in an incompletion.
The QB gets the bad rating, but it wasn't his fault.
 
I wonder if at the end of campthe Texans have an extra CB and the Jets have Sanchez backed up by Brunell. If a trade like this could happen?

Reeves for Kellen Clemens

or

with Balt. Reeves for Troy Smith and a conditional pick?
 
76Texan said:
I don't think the formula should apply for such a short period of time.
Like I said, if the receiver runs an inefficient route, it could easily result in an incompletion.
If the QB is pressured and has to throw the ball away, it also results in an incompletion.
The QB gets the bad rating, but it wasn't his fault.
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All 6 of his incompletions were to AJ, so we could probably rule out the bad route running, no? He decided to run the ball 3 times for 1 yard, 8 yards and fumbled for a loss of 4. He threw an interception that was overthrown and behind Walter which was tipped up. In the play by play it mentioned AJ as the WR which that in itself should show how bad of a pass it was.

So yeah, he was horrible. Would DanO have been better? Dunno, but it'd be hard to play worse than Grossman did.
 
Schaub was sacked; Grossman came in, looking at 2nd and 11
His first pass was an incompletion to AJ on the right side line.
AJ was supposed to run a come-backer or a quick curl out to the sideline, but he slipped and fell.
I supposed you put that on Grossman???

His second pass was intercepted on 3rd and 11
The Jags played 2-deep safeties.
AJ took the double-team on the left side.
Anderson (right slot) ran a short route underneath of the zone.
Walter ran a medium route on top.
Casey ran a deeper route toward the middle.
He should stop in the seam and turn to look for the ball.
He should not run toward the safety who came off AJ.
That’s bad route running.
The TE needs to find the seam and not running toward traffic.

Grossman looked left toward AJ.
He did everything right trying to freeze the safeties.

The CB who followed Walter actually didn’t play well.
He should be a whole lot closer to Walter so he can break up the pass, but he let Walter gained a couple of steps on him.
But lucky for him, by being bad, he was in position to barely get a fingertip on the ball.

Casey, had he stopped or found the right spot in the seam, would have had a nice catch for about 40 yards.
Instead, he fell down; and it was an easy interception for the safety.
Had he not fallen down, he still could have made that catch.
At the worse, it would be an incompletion if there was contact with the safety.

Can Grossman throw to Walter?
Absolutely!
But wouldn’t you rather have a 40yd completion downfield?

No, it was not the greatest pass.
It should be a little higher (like an inch or two).
But come on, it was not like the pass was thrown straight toward a sure interception.

For Grossman, there were more bad luck that followed.
But again, it wasn’t because he played horrible.
He didn’t play great, but surely he wasn’t terrible either.
 
76Texan said:
Schaub was sacked; Grossman came in, looking at 2nd and 11
His first pass was an incompletion to AJ on the right side line.
AJ was supposed to run a come-backer or a quick curl out to the sideline, but he slipped and fell.
I supposed you put that on Grossman???

His second pass was intercepted on 3rd and 11
The Jags played 2-deep safeties.
AJ took the double-team on the left side.
Anderson (right slot) ran a short route underneath of the zone.
Walter ran a medium route on top.
Casey ran a deeper route toward the middle.
He should stop in the seam and turn to look for the ball.
He should not run toward the safety who came off AJ.
That’s bad route running.
The TE needs to find the seam and not running toward traffic.

Grossman looked left toward AJ.
He did everything right trying to freeze the safeties.

The CB who followed Walter actually didn’t play well.
He should be a whole lot closer to Walter so he can break up the pass, but he let Walter gained a couple of steps on him.
But lucky for him, by being bad, he was in position to barely get a fingertip on the ball.

Casey, had he stopped or found the right spot in the seam, would have had a nice catch for about 40 yards.
Instead, he fell down; and it was an easy interception for the safety.
Had he not fallen down, he still could have made that catch.
At the worse, it would be an incompletion if there was contact with the safety.

Can Grossman throw to Walter?
Absolutely!
But wouldn’t you rather have a 40yd completion downfield?

No, it was not the greatest pass.
It should be a little higher (like an inch or two).
But come on, it was not like the pass was thrown straight toward a sure interception.

For Grossman, there were more bad luck that followed.
But again, it wasn’t because he played horrible.
He didn’t play great, but surely he wasn’t terrible either.
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And here I thought I couldn't feel any worse about that game.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
And here I thought I couldn't feel any worse about that game.
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It won't make you feel any better, but if our Defense would have done it's thing, after giving the Jags the ball with 4 minutes to go, we could have attempted to score one more time for the win.

That game ended with kneel, kneel, kneel by David Garrard after giving up three first downs to Maurice Jones Drew who was held to 76 yards that day.
 
It was one of those games that gives you the feeling of getting out of bed on the wrong side.

Nothing goes quite right.
You have a few bad breaks, and couldn't catch enough good ones to overcome the slide.

If there's a silver lining in this game, it was Steve Tasker's declaration after we sacked Garrard that makes me laugh out loud.
I still chuckle everytime I listen to his comment.

"Oh, it's a jail break, Gus (Johnson)
- Tasker was speaking to the play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson -
... watch it... that's everybody rains in on him... And I mean, that's everybody... Connor Barwin... Antonio Smith... And that is a team meeting on top of David Garrard..." LOL!

(Mario and Pollard also joined in.)
 
thunderkyss said:
It won't make you feel any better, but if our Defense would have done it's thing, after giving the Jags the ball with 4 minutes to go, we could have attempted to score one more time for the win.

That game ended with kneel, kneel, kneel by David Garrard after giving up three first downs to Maurice Jones Drew who was held to 76 yards that day.
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I was aware of all that.

I just thought that Sexy Rexy had played bad. I didn't realize our receivers had let him down.
 
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