Could we run a three-back set with Mallet, Fitz, & Keenum next year? I could see Mallet in the middle, flanked by Keenum & Fitz on either side of him. We could just snap it to whichever of them is best at whatever the play calls for. It could be the Captain Planet formation -- "With their powers combined".
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Who's your quarterback - 2015 v2.0
- Thread starter Corrosion
- Start date
With 1 wr, 1 rb and 1 te? confuse the hell outta them?
Wolf
100% Texan
Could you I imagine the trickery? Mallet with a lateral to fitz. Fitz swings it back to keenum on the other side who slings a pass down field to Mallet who snuck through the middle
There are very few who think "drafting any old quarterback" in the first round is the way to go. That is you you building a strawman to argue against because it is easy to knock down.
Most of us know that if a team drafts a quarterback - or any player - in the first round it should be with care and after doing their due diligence. They need to narrow the field as much as possible to raise their chances of success, and even after that there is no guarantee of success and misses occur frequently. I certainly don't suggest any old QB is a guarantee of success. That makes about as much sense as suggesting fourth round talent has an equal probability of success as a first rounder. Fourth round picks almost guarantee a miss.
Now if you are suggesting your Texans brain trust is not capable of making a discerning decision on first round quality talent, that is a different discussion entirely.
Well that's not the way it's coming across. I suppose it's just like guys on your side of the argument thinking that we on this side is saying we should only go after lower round guys to find the next Tom Brady.
The only thing I really disagree with, is the idea that the Texans "have" to take a QB in the first in the next draft, or the one after. I believe the Texans will draft a guy in the first if they believe a guy warrants it. I hope they do so regardless how Ryan Mallett or Tom Savage may feel about it.
At the same time, if Blake Bortles & Johnny Manziel are the two best prospects, I hope they have the fortitude to pass. Regardless what happens with JaDeveon Clowney, I think our team is better off without Bortles/Manziel. We can focus on team football, complimentary football, instead of QB training.
I have frequently stated first round talent quarterback, not just first round quarterback just to avoid this twisting of ideas. I'd be pretty stupid to believe picking Savage in the first round would make him more likely to succeed than picking him in the fourth.
There are valid points on both sides of this argument, for instance I'm on board with the thinking that the O'Brien/Mallett synergy might be a difference maker in Mallett's success. I suggest people read what other thoughtful* posters write and try to understand it, rather than just figure out a way to interpret it as dumb, and to twist it if it can't be interpreted as dumb.
As far as first round quality quarterbacks, not all QBs picked in the first round recently fit that description. For instance, I would not have picked Vince Young in any round unless I didn't have some other flier identified in round six or seven. I wouldn't have picked Johnny Manziel before the third round. If the Texans do pull the first round quarterback trigger, I hope they are able to avoid at least the obvious mistakes.
*there are plenty of unthoughtful posters to immediately make fun of.
I'm often guilty of that. On message boards, there's no facial expressions, no tonal inflection to give the little clues that help us to understand what someone is trying to convey. Immediate reaction to the way something is worded sometimes comes across in a way different than what is meant. Questions are taken as sarcasm, sarcasm taken as jabs. The little emoticons mean different things to different people so misunderstandings happen all the time. Patience and understanding is a virtue that is often lost here.
Drinking is a popular past time of mine btw
Not just to you, but there is no clean binary here (like most things). people try to push a complex situation (how do the Texans find their next real QB) into some clean either draft QB in the 1st round or only consider the guys already here. There are plenty of other options, but none of the possible solutions give a clear black/white right answer. it is a bunch of shades of gray and lots people thinking/believing things which may or may not be based in current fact.
The Texans just need a plan.
I present the Houston Texans Quarterback Acquisition Business Plan:
Phase 1 - Collect Quarterbacks
Phase 2 - ?
Phase 3 - Super Bowl
Phase 2 should be "keep quarterbacks healthy".
Vance87
All Pro
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
One of the problems is that some people focus on one guy or another guy and then when we don't draft that guy, push the panic button.
Stop me if I'm wrong, but we had people on this board ready to step off the ledge because we didn't draft Bortles, Manziel, or Bridgewater; maybe we should have but it's way too soon to tell. I'm not saying any particular poster is saying this or that but here and over on BRB, there are guys who really don't think we can address the QB situation unless we draft a QB in the first round.
And they don't seem to care who is drafted as long as "something is done to address the situation."
I don't care what OB does at this point. He hasn't done anything to make me doubt his judgment. He has taken this 2-14 team and gotten us to the brink of the playoffs with a platoon of QBs.
If he decides to draft a QB in the first round, I'm fine with that. If he decides he likes who we have, I'm fine with that. If he decides he wants to make a trade or grab someone in FA, I'm fine with that.
For now. Until he proves -- like Brian Billick and so many guys before him -- that he's incapable of figuring out the QB situation.
Then it will be time to press the panic button and spend 7 draft picks on a QB and bring in every FA and let them duke it out.
Let's at least let him fail first.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
What TPN said.
I applauded OB'S resistance to draft a QB just to do so. They don't come along every year.
To extend the point, it isn't the Texans fault that when they have had 1.1 the QBs have sucked. That's not on any GM. Live with it. Football is f'kn fun whether playing or watching. Winning is better sure but damn. Your penis isn't going to get larger, your Toyota isn't going to turn into a Ferrari, etc. if the Texans win the SB. Get a grip.
I applauded OB'S resistance to draft a QB just to do so. They don't come along every year.
To extend the point, it isn't the Texans fault that when they have had 1.1 the QBs have sucked. That's not on any GM. Live with it. Football is f'kn fun whether playing or watching. Winning is better sure but damn. Your penis isn't going to get larger, your Toyota isn't going to turn into a Ferrari, etc. if the Texans win the SB. Get a grip.
Vance87
All Pro
I honestly think fans would have gone crazy if we didn't draft a QB in 2014. But OB went above and beyond to try and get an answer behind center, doing it almost every way possible - through the draft, free agency, and a trade.
Yeah, but this board would be pretty boring if it was just a rah-rah, the Texans are doing everything right kind of place. I think the QB discussion has been some of the more interesting stuff on here in a while. I found it better than rehashing the fire Rick Smith, what does MVP mean, and misinterpreting the salary cap type threads. If people want to interpret my interest and position on the subject as me believing that first round quarterbacks have magic fairy dust sprinkled on them and are guaranteed successes, I take that to mean they either have low reading comprehension or just want to make up stuff to argue about. I think I presented logical arguments based on historical trends, and I appreciated the posters who argued against me with logic and their own facts rather than just pretending I said something I didn't. I really appreciated the posters who did the legwork on past drafts that really fleshed out my more general thoughts. And hey - I've always said Mallett might be the answer. If he is, that solves the single biggest problem with this team that kept them from comfortably making the playoffs this year.
Not to worry though. One more week (barring the low probability Texans making the playoffs scenario occurring) and I'm onto my normal off-season hiatus while the draftniks and next season projectors take over. Those topics just aren't my bag.
==========================
For me, I've been happy with O'Brien and the season. My own preseason projection was 9-7, with a real shot at 10-6 this year. That wasn't based on deep analysis pored over for hours, just three basic postulates:
1) O'Brien would be a significant upgrade over Kubiak who had grown stale and lost the team.
2) The Texans had far more talent than a typical 2-14 team.
3) The Texans had a relatively weak schedule.
The Texans met my expectations, and but for a couple of serious but correctable flaws almost exceeded them to lock up a playoff spot with room to spare.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Runner - we are largely on the same page.
I have a little more optimism about Mallett but on QBs generally we are in agreement - go large or go home.
I have a little more optimism about Mallett but on QBs generally we are in agreement - go large or go home.
You're showing your age. We're way past a man proving his worth, even beyond instant gratification. Now, we're holding them accountable before they fail. Kinda like Tom Cruise, in The Minority Report.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
Sometimes there just isn't any QB worth that 1st round pick, but there are usually desperate teams that go there anyway. WE don't want to be that desperate team that reaches for a QB who shouldn't be a 1st round choice.
But many here think there is always a franchise QB available and are desperate enough to make the unreasonable choice.
dream_team
Hall of Fame
My thoughts exactly! I'm getting sick of the "we didn't address our QB situation" crowd just because we didn't draft one in the 1st round. I want a "franchise QB" just like everyone else... but more importantly, I want the Texans to select the right QB, and not simply pick one early because of the need.
The Browns are an excellent example of a team that employs the "draft a QB early until one hits" strategy. No thanks, I don't want to be the next Cleveland Browns.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
We addressed our QB situation at the 23:47 mark...maybe.
And I'm a huge Mallett fan.
They better be damn sure about him because 2 years wasted is 1 more than honeymoon.
And I'm a huge Mallett fan.
They better be damn sure about him because 2 years wasted is 1 more than honeymoon.
Meh....
Quarterback, Schmarterback
all this chatter on which guy to start...
just direct snap the damn ball to Foster and let the O-line fire off the ball. they do that better than pass blocking anyhow
and if you just HAVE to throw a pass, Foster has shown he can do that too.
In fact, put J.J. in on obvious passing downs. If they cover him with less than 5 guys Foster can throw it to him. If they cover J.J. with 5 guys or more, Foster can take off and run with it.
...oh and I guess we better draft another stud RB so we don't run Foster into the ground.
Quarterback, Schmarterback
all this chatter on which guy to start...
just direct snap the damn ball to Foster and let the O-line fire off the ball. they do that better than pass blocking anyhow
and if you just HAVE to throw a pass, Foster has shown he can do that too.
In fact, put J.J. in on obvious passing downs. If they cover him with less than 5 guys Foster can throw it to him. If they cover J.J. with 5 guys or more, Foster can take off and run with it.
...oh and I guess we better draft another stud RB so we don't run Foster into the ground.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
He still seems very involved with the team. He's on the sidelines congratulating guys when they come off after a TD and he's frequently close to Godsey or OB while the offense is on the field.
I've seen that and appreciate it. And I suspect he still participates in the post game debriefs/film breakdowns and next game planning sessions too.
Still.... why not now?
...unless he's of a mind to "test the market"...
That's the negotiating chip his agent should cling to, unless he wants to test his own market value. He should know he needs only one team to show interest and the sticker price becomes flexible. In the mean time Mallett finishes the year as the noble fallen soldier.
Nitrofish
Let The Big Fish Eat!
I'm with you on this.
Agreed.
Could not have said it better.
Rick Smiff does not negotiate during the season remember?
well said!
They will be back after the next draft when we don't go QB in the first 2 or 3 rounds again.
Norg
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Meh....
Quarterback, Schmarterback
all this chatter on which guy to start...
just direct snap the damn ball to Foster and let the O-line fire off the ball. they do that better than pass blocking anyhow
and if you just HAVE to throw a pass, Foster has shown he can do that too.
In fact, put J.J. in on obvious passing downs. If they cover him with less than 5 guys Foster can throw it to him. If they cover J.J. with 5 guys or more, Foster can take off and run with it.
...oh and I guess we better draft another stud RB so we don't run Foster into the ground.
U know that could be the new nfl don't even have a franchise qb just have 60% of your plays wc with the money u save u could have a all world oline all 1st round picks o line lol
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
NYTexansFan
Waterboy
There are just so many question marks at QB, but there is potential and reason to believe that the QB situation will be better next year simply because of the experience and development of each QB on the roster, even if we don't bring in any new QB's. Fitz played his best football of the season late, Mallett showed potential and glimpses of having strong command of the offense, and Savage, while raw, also flashed some potential. If Keenum plays well in the finale, toss him into the mix. Drafting another QB - even someone high, is questionable. Does not Ryan Mallett have the the physical tools and more experience with BOB than any rookie would have? Fitz played well enough to compete for the job next season - 95.3 QB rating and 17 TD/8 INT is solid, but other guys are younger and that must be factored into the equation. I'd let these guys all scrap it out in camp in 2015, and let the chips fall where they may.
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I suspect since we're drafting somewhere in the 12-15 range any QB considered first round worthy will be gone so, I figure O'Brien will let Mallett, Fitzpatrick, and Keenum slug it out during OTAs and T/C. I think Savage will spend another season as the third guy. ...unless O'Brien fools me and drafts a QB in round 2 or 3.
Interestingly, none of the mock sites I've checked (Walter, draftsite-dot-com, nfl-dot-com) have us drafting a QB at all.
NYTexansFan
Waterboy
I agree. Our draft positioning places us in a position to pick BPA and continue to build the team as a unit. With the defense emerging, Clowney's anticipated return, and a whole new set of draft picks, I can see one of the QB's on our roster getting us to 11-12 wins in 2015 - heck, we are about to get maybe our ninth win using 4 different QB's this season!!
Scooter
Funky
I take Mallett and Keenum into camp fighting for the #1 spot (big Keenum fan, but I admit to seeing a higher upside from Mallett). A healthy Mallett getting a full offseason of first team reps is going to win the job easily, and inspire a ton of confidence around here. Don't lose Keenum this time though, the kid can play and at worst is a very workable backup. Savage comes into camp as at best #3. I also don't hesitate at any position in the draft, if we can make a move for the right QB in the first, go for it. If we do grab someone within the first 3 rounds, I let them know they're coming in as our #3 for 2015. Savage goes to the practice squad, he wont be a suitable NFL player until at least 2016 (if ever).
I haven't looked at the QBs in the upcoming draft, but plenty of QBs have fallen past 10 that someone thought would make a franchise QB. Cutler, Flacco, Roethlisberger, Rodgers & several others.
Guys like Bridgewater, Dalton, Brees, & Kaepernick have fallen even further.
For every one of those guys you listed (and some are suspect - looking at you Kaepernick) there are 2 or 3 guys that can't even be considered decent backups. Hell, there are QBs plenty taken in round one that just plain flopped. But then picking a QB in any round is a roll of the dice; hell, we all know that.
My point is, I just hope they don't burn an early pick on some 2nd tier QB (because Mariota and Winston are the only 1st tier guys this year) at the expense of upgrading a position of need like ILB (who can cover and hit) or a big, fast WR (to displace that midget Demaris Johnson) or a big, fast CB to understudy J.Jo (how many more good years does he have left?) or a stud DE to push Crick. Frankly I'd rather roll with who we've got - who have experience in O'Brien's system - than spend a high pick on a "maybe" when we have other spots that badly need upgrading. That's all I'm saying.
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Been on the team longer than who? Keenum because he left? Mallett because he missed OTAs and T/C?
If O'Brien thought Savage was ready, he (Savage) would have started when O'Brien benched Fitzpatrick but instead he started Mallett. O'Brien's decision in that situation tells me all I need to know.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
I'm not sure of that. I think that is why we brought in Lewis, so he wouldn't have to start. He played because he was suited up and not because of his place in the pecking order. Lewis wasn't quite ready and this was an opportunity for him to get a feel for the sidelines in the NFL. The opportunity to get back someone familiar with the system led to Keenum over Lewis though Lewis should be getting familiar enough to play the backup so I think he will do OK if called upon.
There is nothing like game experience, even bad experience, to prepare you for the job. There are very few players who come into the league and do well instantly. Most go through a learning curve.
Players at these positions bust as well. You can draft a big fast WR that can bust (Hayward-Bey). Or a LB (Rolando McClain). Look at the Texans draft history. Should missing on Travis Johnson or Amobi Okoye have spooked them from taking JJ Watt? I don't want to turn this into a draft thread, but we don't know where the Texans will draft, or who for certain will become available yet. There's a lot of process to play out. Bowl games, combines, pro days. A guy you consider 2nd tier could emerge as a 1st tier guy at the finish line.
You're correct. But the question now is, if Savage were healthy this week, would he start over Keenum? Whom does O'Brien have more confidence in now? Whom does the team have more confidence in? I think we know that it would be Keenum starting over Savage with everything still on the line.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
Example.......Clowney
Not exactly what i was talking about.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Horrible bass ackwards example.
NYTexansFan
Waterboy
People are going to hate me for saying this, but this early in the process Winston is the only tier 1 guy. Traditionally, spread QBs aren't considered tier one guys. You'll have to be creative on offense if you want to start Mariota early.
The kid is very talented & has shown a lot of plus ability. He'll probably go #1 overall but he's more like Cam Newton than Phillip Rivers.
Of course they do. That "drafting QBs is a roll of the dice" line applies to all positions. All rounds. No one really knows where the blue chippers are. If they did, there's no way J.J. Watt would have fallen out of the top ten or Arian Foster goes undrafted.
The impact of a miss isn't as magnified at other positions as it is with a high round QB miss.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
No. Nothing in the future is going to change the past. Clowney was not some Johnny come lately that shot up the charts at the last minute. He was always at the top of the charts.