Broncos @ Texans, 7:00 PM **Official GameDay Thread** Preseason Game 2

[QuiGonGinNTonic]

i have a feeling kevin johnson is going to be good, really good..

 

[TexansSeminole]

The problem is Bill has both of these guys too scared to cut it loose right now. Savage is the only one playing a little free. Mallett is a gun slinger. You don't want him to make mistakes but he is what he us. He's playing safe right now. Hoyer is just that. A safe, game manager type QB. OB has already made his mind up. He's making the wrong choice though.

Mallett has been more gunslinger than anything in his career, the problem is that he isn't a good one. He isn't an accurate gunslinger. When he gets in that mode, his throws sail high consistently and he makes multiple really, really bonehead plays per game in that mode. It's been that way since college and it's never improved. OB can try to change his mentality in order to get more out of him, but it doesn't appear that it will ever be enough to take any team anywhere of significance. This is why I was never excited about signing him.

Hoyer isn't consistent either. He looks better than Mallett right now to me but he's also too afraid of making mistakes. These guys aren't the type to gain confidence in this set up. They seem to be clamming up more than improving.

You only go as far as your QB unfortunately, and both these guys are overall unimpressive.

Having said that, I don't blame OB or the FO. We didn't have a lot of options to improve at QB this offseason.

 

[Mr teX]

Seemed to me like they were asking the kicker to kick it short. Gotta evaluate special teams guys. How are you supposed to do that with touchbacks?



Sure it does. O'Brien already knows Mallett can throw the deep ball. But you cannot go deep on every play. So if it were me evaluating QB's. I would be showing them film of their weekneses and asking them to show me they can improve on those during these pre season games. I would then call plays that target those weeknesses. I'm not sure why everyone is trippin'. Peyton Manning looked like crap too. Both teams looked like they were just evaluating players, and knocking off a little rust IMO.

What tape does mallet have that shows he can throw and connect on the deep ball? What, that int he threw in the cleveland game?

C'mon dude...Seriously doubt obrien has godsey calling different types of plays out there based on these guys' "weaknesses". I doubt bob thinks savage's ability to get it downfield is a weakness..his arm strength is more than adequate and yet we've seen him push it downfield like 5 times in the preseason. And its not like Mallet has all kinds of tape out there in his 2 starts showing hes adept at it..quite the opposite actually.

So if anything bob would want to see him toss it downfield a little when opportunities arise ..at least push it past 12 yards in the air more than what he's been doing and mallet hasnt been doing it for whatever reason.

If mallet is out there playing it safe trying not to screw up, then that doesnt bode well for him either b/c even if he does win the starting spot, that pressure isnt gonna go away..not with Hoyer sitting on the sidelines ready to go in at a moments notice; if anyone can tell him about that its Brian Hoyer.

 

[infantrycak]

It's been that way since college and it's never improved. .

Where is all this 'since college' tape you're looking at?

 

[TexansSeminole]

Where is all this 'since college' tape you're looking at?

Well, he did it in college, and I have seen him do the exact same thing after college. It's no secret and it's not something that's difficult to see. We aren't talking about some hitch in mechanics, it's just pure and simple high throws.

 

[infantrycak]

Well, he did it in college, and I have seen him do the exact same thing after college. It's no secret and it's not something that's difficult to see. We aren't talking about some hitch in mechanics, it's just pure and simple high throws.

Yeah, in all 4 passing attempts before he hit Houston.

 

[Number19]

Where is all this 'since college' tape you're looking at?

Isn't there pre-season tape from 2011-2014?

 

[infantrycak]

Y'all pick a story. Xtru is right - why is a guy with 6 years in the league and 17 starts not handily beating a guy with 1 healthy start and insoluble mechanics issues? And if these two plainly ratty QB prospects are OB's plan for solving the QB situation maybe he is the mediocre football whisperer instead of QB whisperer.

This is looking like self-created crisis mismanagement rather than anything the term guru should be applied to.

Maybe next year we can bring in Kirk Cousins and Matt Cassell. I'm sure nobody has been a good enough coach to let their true franchise QB nature shine thru.

 

[Vance87]

Maybe next year we can bring in Kirk Cousins and Matt Cassell. I'm sure nobody has been good a good enough coach to let their true franchise QB nature shine thru.

Meh, remember, Hoyer and Mallet were both in the QB room with OB in New England, that's why we have these two. It's not as if OB picked them at random from a garbage bin.

 

[corytx8]

 

[Vance87]

I don't give a **** who he thinks is going to be the best in some year other than 2015.

He quite obviously doesn't think that's Savage right now so stop f'king around with him.

Damn, you are angry.

 

[bah007]

I don't give a **** who he thinks is going to be the best in some year other than 2015.

He quite obviously doesn't think that's Savage right now so stop f'king around with him.

I understand the frustration and I am also not certain of what exactly OB is thinking he is doing with the QB roulette right now. But don't you think that is an extremely short-sighted view?

You could make the argument that the only QB that OB has hitched his wagon to is Savage. That's the only guy he's drafted and he needs time. Fitz was clearly only here for the transition of systems, due to his "intelligence" and ability to run the complex system with only limited time to study it. Hoyer and Mallett were both brought in because of OB's familiarity with them. Perhaps another maneuver to bridge the gap for a year and buy time for Savage?

It's concerning to me that there doesn't seem to be any plan for 2015. What would be even scarier is if there is no plan beyond 2015. Based on what I'm seeing the long-term plan is Savage. If it's not then I admit that I have no damn clue what OB is up to. I think the guy is a fantastic coach but my confidence in him will be severely shaken if this Savage thing doesn't go somewhere eventually.

 

[bah007]

I thought Siemian looked really good, albeit against guys that aren't going to be in the NFL this season.

I thought he was a big time sleeper in a weak QB draft and I also think he is a great fit for Kubiak's offense. He could be a player in a few years.

 

[infantrycak]

I understand the frustration and I am also not certain of what exactly OB is thinking he is doing with the QB roulette right now. But don't you think that is an extremely short-sighted view? ...

I get what you are saying but no. I just don't believe the long term benefit to Savage of extra reps in preseason outweighs the immediate need to find a starter for this year and the benefit to the team of that guy becoming the full attention of the coaches and getting all the 1st team reps.

 

[DX-TEX]

If we all know OB does not want to give other teams competitive advantages. Why would we think preseason would be any different? #Vanilla

— PDS (@PatDStat) August 23, 2015

Offense looked like it had more vertical game with Savage. Feel like the offense was even more vanilla than last week with the top 2 QBs.

— PDS (@PatDStat) August 23, 2015

OB is loving the fact he can get an offensive unit in a two minute drill against another team. Plenty of things they can evaluate there.

— PDS (@PatDStat) August 23, 2015

@sportsmediaLM Had a Raiders scout tell me last night he thought OB was creating situations all game to evaluate.

— PDS (@PatDStat) August 23, 2015


Kind of explains a lot of the "issues" people had with the play calling last night

 

[Texecutioner]

I understand the frustration and I am also not certain of what exactly OB is thinking he is doing with the QB roulette right now. But don't you think that is an extremely short-sighted view?

You could make the argument that the only QB that OB has hitched his wagon to is Savage. That's the only guy he's drafted and he needs time. Fitz was clearly only here for the transition of systems, due to his "intelligence" and ability to run the complex system with only limited time to study it. Hoyer and Mallett were both brought in because of OB's familiarity with them. Perhaps another maneuver to bridge the gap for a year and buy time for Savage?

It's concerning to me that there doesn't seem to be any plan for 2015. What would be even scarier is if there is no plan beyond 2015. Based on what I'm seeing the long-term plan is Savage. If it's not then I admit that I have no damn clue what OB is up to. I think the guy is a fantastic coach but my confidence in him will be severely shaken if this Savage thing doesn't go somewhere eventually.

Why is it that you think OB has some strong plans for Savage. He was nothing but a 4th or 5th round pick or whatever it was. Those types of picks for the QB position that late in the draft are never guarantees that the coaching staff has big plans for them. I'm not saying he doesn't either, but he didn't pick Savage in some high spot to where he invested much into him. I don't see how he is any different to this team's future plans than what Nix is. He just happens to play QB.

 

[bah007]

I get what you are saying but no. I just don't believe the long term benefit to Savage of extra reps in preseason outweighs the immediate need to find a starter for this year and the benefit to the team of that guy becoming the full attention of the coaches and getting all the 1st team reps.

I agree that he needs to pick a starter and move on. It's beyond time and the longer he waits just hamstrings both guys and the other 51 guys who are going to be on the team. Personally, I think it should be Mallett. But not because I think Mallett has some kind of All World potential like some others do. I think Mallett kinda sucks actually. I always have. But he sucks less than Hoyer so that's who I would choose. Plus, Hoyer is annoying as hell and his leadership style is totally phony. But in the end I don't really think it matters which one starts. I don't think this team does anything serious this year with either one.

If the long term plan is Savage then he needs those reps. He has all the physical tools but his internal clock is way too damn slow and the only chance he has to speed it up is to adapt to live action at this level. And it's not like he's taking snaps away against the opponent's first team defense. He's playing against guys that are fringe NFL players. We aren't going to learn anything about the other two in that environment.

The issue isn't Savage getting a lot of snaps against third stringers. It's the flip flopping of Hoyer and Mallett against first stringers.

 

[Mr teX]

Y'all pick a story. Xtru is right - why is a guy with 6 years in the league and 17 starts not handily beating a guy with 1 healthy start and insoluble mechanics issues.

This goes beyond any contrived conspiracy about the reps and conditions BoB is or is not having these guys work under. If you simply look at their play on the field in the preseason this year objectively, The real question you should be asking is why is a guy thought to have such great upside and 3 years in the league sitting at the knee of 1 of the GOATs not able to clearly beat out a journeyman qb?

In that regard, how many reps this guy is getting vs the others is irrelevant. He has done absolutely nothing with his time to convince bob or anyone that he's the guy. Dude hasnt even flashed or made any kind of play to suggest that he's anything more than what he's been thus far in his career. I truly believe that had he done some of this already he'd have been declared the starter a long time ago.

Hell at least lead the offense down to get some points...

 

[bah007]

Why is it that you think OB has some strong plans for Savage. He was nothing but a 4th or 5th round pick or whatever it was. Those types of picks for the QB position that late in the draft are never guarantees that the coaching staff has big plans for them. I'm not saying he doesn't either, but he didn't pick Savage in some high spot to where he invested much into him. I don't see how he is any different to this team's future plans than what Nix is. He just happens to play QB.

I'm not saying that he popped in Savage's college tape and just knew straight off that he had to draft this guy. He got Savage in the draft where he did because that's where he could get him.

What I'm saying is that we're in year two and we've already had a revolving door of QBs. Savage is the only one you can point at and definitively make an argument for as far as OB being invested in him at all, regardless of how small the investment may be.

The plan for last year was obviously only to get through last year. The play for this year so far appears only to be to make it through this year.

I admittedly have a hard on for OB. I have always believed that he is a fantastic football coach. And I refuse to believe that a fantastic football coach would be going into year three with absolutely no idea of what he has for the future.

You have to have a QB to win in today's league. Period. We didn't have one last year. We don't have one this year. The way things have played out thus far suggests to me that either Savage is being groomed for an opportunity to be that guy or I am totally wrong about OB and he is in over his head and has no fking idea what he is doing.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

I wonder if OB will pick a guy this week so they can get these reps in the third pre season game.

 

[Bulls on Parade]

At best, I can see 5-3 through 8 games when Arian Foster returns.
Still in the AFC wild card race. I think our defense will give us a chance.

 

[Brisco_County]

I was kinda cracking up that Wade was running so many blitzes in preseason.

 

[dalemurphy]

I wonder if Bronco fans are freaking out because their starting QB couldn't put any points on the board... Denver's 1st unit couldn't get anything done against a Texan defense missing Watt, Wilfork, and Clowney. Still, I doubt there is a lot of panic about their ability to score points based on yesterday's results. Regarding the Texan QB situation, I have not seen anything in the preseason to make me more concerned about it. My optimism is guarded since we will be relying on one of two QBs with a limited track record but that was the situation we all knew about in May. What I continue to see is that Mallett and Hoyer both show they understand the offense and seem capable of making good decisions and delivering the ball accurately and timely to their receivers. My growing concern is the lack of depth on the offensive line. Other than Jeff Adams, I have not seen much to be encouraged about beyond the starters (and that is under the assumption that Su'a Filo won't disappoint).

From what I have seen, I think the Texans are entering the season as one of the 3 best teams in the AFC. Even acknowledging questions on the offensive line, the Arian Foster injury, and uncertainty at quarterback, this is by far the deepest and most talented camp roster the Texans have ever had... and, they will enter the regular season with the most depth and talent on their 53 man roster of any Texan team (with the possible exception of the 2011 Texans).

 

[Texecutioner]

I'm not saying that he popped in Savage's college tape and just knew straight off that he had to draft this guy. He got Savage in the draft where he did because that's where he could get him.

What I'm saying is that we're in year two and we've already had a revolving door of QBs. Savage is the only one you can point at and definitively make an argument for as far as OB being invested in him at all, regardless of how small the investment may be.

The plan for last year was obviously only to get through last year. The play for this year so far appears only to be to make it through this year.

I admittedly have a hard on for OB. I have always believed that he is a fantastic football coach. And I refuse to believe that a fantastic football coach would be going into year three with absolutely no idea of what he has for the future.

You have to have a QB to win in today's league. Period. We didn't have one last year. We don't have one this year. The way things have played out thus far suggests to me that either Savage is being groomed for an opportunity to be that guy or I am totally wrong about OB and he is in over his head and has no fking idea what he is doing.

Personally, I think that OB picked Savage, because Savage was simply a BPA type of pick. We had a huge need at QB, and a veteran already that was likely going to be a starter. We needed to invest at least one pick into a QB in the first 5 rounds at some point. I just don't think a coach feels that he is investing much at all into a guy he picks in the 4th round at the QB position which is a pretty strong crap shoot type of pick.

I like OB a lot myself, and wanted him more than any other coach that was out there. He has been everything I had hoped for except at the pursuit for a QB debacle he walked into. I think he has this idea that he isn't going to move heaven and earth to find a QB, because he shouldn't have to. He seems like he is fine and content at waiting for the perfect opportunity to snag one when the timing is right. When that time would be, who knows. That is the problem with him though. He has a stubbornness towards how strong of a need the QB is. Ultimately, it could end up getting him fired if he doesn't find one after this season like it has with many other HC's. A lot of HC's get fired because they never find a strong franchise QB and that problem consistently holds their teams back. I hope that doesn't become the story with OB, because he seems like a great coach despite that. He'll get another job somewhere else for sure. I really hope that we can solve this problem and OB can be around for a really long time. He has to make it an obsession though.

 

[Texecutioner]

I wonder if Bronco fans are freaking out because their starting QB couldn't put any points on the board... Denver's 1st unit couldn't get anything done against a Texan defense missing Watt, Wilfork, and Clowney. Still, I doubt there is a lot of panic about their ability to score points based on yesterday's results. Regarding the Texan QB situation, I have not seen anything in the preseason to make me more concerned about it. My optimism is guarded since we will be relying on one of two QBs with a limited track record but that was the situation we all knew about in May. What I continue to see is that Mallett and Hoyer both show they understand the offense and seem capable of making good decisions and delivering the ball accurately and timely to their receivers. My growing concern is the lack of depth on the offensive line. Other than Jeff Adams, I have not seen much to be encouraged about beyond the starters (and that is under the assumption that Su'a Filo won't disappoint).

Well of course they aren't. They're rolling out there with a guy who led the highest scoring offense of all time who is loaded with great receivers. We're strutting out there with two career back ups where no one can beat the other one out. I'd hardly call that situation comparable as far as the confidence from fans should go.

From what I have seen, I think the Texans are entering the season as one of the 3 best teams in the AFC. Even acknowledging questions on the offensive line, the Arian Foster injury, and uncertainty at quarterback, this is by far the deepest and most talented camp roster the Texans have ever had... and, they will enter the regular season with the most depth and talent on their 53 man roster of any Texan team (with the possible exception of the 2011 Texans).

I agree they seem pretty deep. I'm not worried about this defense at all. It will be top 5 and I've said that for a while. I can predict that very comfortably. I have some very strong concerns about the ability of the offense to score points though. We don't really have one game breaking player on the offense other than Nuke, and he isn't exactly a HR hitting receiver that you'd expect double digit TD's from as good as he is.

 

[dalemurphy]

Well of course they aren't. They're rolling out there with a guy who led the highest scoring offense of all time who is loaded with great receivers. We're strutting out there with two career back ups where no one can beat the other one out. I'd hardly call that situation comparable as far as the confidence from fans should go.
.

My point, though, is that a disappointing performance in a couple quarters of a preseason game doesn't change the story of the QB position in Denver... clear evidence of good QB play is not: putting up points in a couple series early in the preseason. If it was, there would be concern in Denver. There should be concern about the QB position in Houston, because the players being relied upon this year haven't proven themselves... but, 5/7 for 23 yards in two offensive series of preseason game #2 doesn't prove Mallett won't succeed anymore than Landry Jones' 200 yard performance proves he will succeed in the NFL.

 

[paycheck71]

Jayson Braddock@JaysonBraddock

"We've got to pump the ball the down field more. There were some openings there."

Mark Berman@MarkBermanFox26

Bill O'Brien said the offense threw too many short passes in loss to Broncos. Offense "needs to get the ball downfield more." #Texans

So, I guess that answers that question (RE play calling)

 

[Playoffs]

Adam Wexler ‏@awexler

O'Brien said he expects Jeoffrey Pagan to practice tomorrow or at very least sometime this week.

"We gotta pump the ball down the field more. We threw too many short passes," O'Brien. Said combo of things led to that, but needs to change

O'Brien's son Jack turned 13 yesterday. O'Brien said it was a really big day for him. A really good day. Jack was born w/ lissencephaly.

"Su'a-Filo is day-to-day, hopefully he gets back this week, but right now I'd say no," O'Brien on if XSF would be back this week.

O'Brien asked if he's ready to name a QB. Response: No starting QB decision yet. Also said he doesn't know who starts at QB vs Saints​

Deepi Sidhu ‏@DeepSlant

O'Brien says he's not sure if J.J. Watt will play in #third preseason game vs. #Saints. #Texans

"I expect (DE Jeoffrey) Pagan to be out there tomorrow," OB says. Pagan has missed multiple practices with an undisclosed injury. #Texans

O'Brien's son Jack turned 13 yesterday: "Every birthday for Jack is a good day and that puts things in perspective." #Texans

Jadeveon Clowney often asks to do more in practice, OB says. He's pleased with his progress so far. #Texans

G Xavier Sua'-Filo is day-to-day and is not expected back this week, O'Brien says. #Texans

Consistency, game management, situational football among 3 things O'Brien is looking at in his QB evaluation. #Texans

O'Brien on QBs: "One guy will start. When I'm comfortable making that decision, I'll make it." #Texans

O'Brien says he does not know who will start at QB vs. #Saints in Week 3 preseason game. #Texans

When asked if Bill O'Brien is ready to name a starting QB, he says he makes decisions based on what's best for the team & on his timetable.​

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli

Bill O'Brien says he is not sure if J.J. Watt will play against the Saints. They have not made their plan for this week's game yet. #Texans

Bill O'Brien expects Jeoffrey Pagan to be back out on the field tomorrow. Has been injured. #Texans

"The preseason games are necessary ... but the games are not the be all end all in the preseason," O'Brien says. Just part of evaluation. #Texans

"I thought he did some decent things in the running game and he caught the ball well too." -- O'Brien on RB Chris Polk

O'Brien says A.J. Bouye was not supposed to have safety help on the 57-yard TD he gave up. Praises his camp overall, though.

O'Brien's son Jack turned 13 yesterday. "That's a big birthday and that was a great day. ... Every birthday for Jack is a good day." #Texans

"I've been pleased with the way he's reacted and practiced with the plan that we have for him," O'Brien says of Clowney. #Texans

O'Brien hopes Su'a-Filo can get back this week, but says right now he'd say no Su'a-Filo in this week's game. #Texans

O'Brien says the sacks last night were a combination of blockers getting beat one on one and QBs hanging onto the ball too long. #Texans

O'Brien praises Charles James' special teams work. Praises Jumal Rolle, too, and of course, Shane Lechler's punting. #Texans

"It'll come back to consistency, to game management, to situational football ..." O'Brien on how he'll choose his QB. #Texans

O'Brien is asked for some specifics he likes about each guy. Gives some thoughts, each starting with "all three of them." #Texans

#Texans coach Bill O'Brien says he does not know which quarterback will start against the Saints.

O'Brien on QBs: "One guy will start. When I'm comfortable making that decison, I'll make it." #Texans

O'Brien says he does not know who will start at QB vs. #Saints in Week 3 preseason game. #Texans

When asked if Bill O'Brien is ready to name a starting QB, he says he makes decisions based on what's best for the team & on his timetable.​

Houston Texans ‏@HoustonTexans

O'Brien on CB Johnson: "He's instinctive. He's very competitive, a very smart player. We've been very happy with Kevin."

O'Brien on DT Covington: "He's come in here and played well for a rookie. He plays hard." [Said Covington not really in competition with Nix... different roles.]

O'Brien on RB Grimes: "He's been a good guy for us to coach. Smart guy, embraces his role. I thought he did some nice things in the game."

O'Brien on Clowney: "We will do a little bit more with him in practice. I've been pleased with the way he's reacted and practiced."

O'Brien on CB James: He showed up last night on special teams. He shows up a little every week. He's really fighting hard to make this team.

O'Brien: "Everybody on offense needs to play better, coach better. It was the second preseason game. We will need to improve."​

Drew Dougherty ‏@DoughertyDrew

"Not sure yet."-O'Brien on whether or not J.J. Watt will play vs. Saints.

"We gotta pump the ball down the field a little bit more."-O'Brien wants to see #Texans go deep in passing game.

O'Brien's son Jack turned 13 yesterday. He has lissencephaly. "It was a great day. Puts a lot of things in perspective."

O'Brien said Clowney keeps asking to do more in practice.

Jadeveon Clowney will do more this week in practice, and O'Brien is pleased with his progress so far.

O'Brien doesn't know who will start at QB vs. Saints next Sunday.

Bill O'Brien at podium now. Still "some things that we need to clean up" at QB position.​

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26

Bill O'Brien says he expected Jeff Pagan at practice this week.

Bill O'Brien would like to do joint practices with 2 teams during training camp. Not able to make it work out with 2nd team beyond Redskins.

Bill O'Brien said the offense threw too many short passes in loss to Broncos. Offense "needs to get the ball downfield more." #Texans

Bill O'Brien says Jadeveon Clowney will do a little bit more in practice.He's pleased with his progress. Clowney is asking to do more.#Texans

Bill O'Brien on Charles James: "He showed up on special teams. He's really fighting hard to make this team." #Texans

Bill O'Brien on naming starting QB like other spots are:"Gonna b made on a timetable I'm comfortable w/. Everybody on offense has to play better"​

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL

More Bill O'Brien on Kevin Johnson: 'He's a smart player. We've been very happy with Kevin.'

Bill O'Brien: 'Kevin Johnson is instinctive. He's very competitive. He's got a passion for the game.'

Bill O'Brien said he's not sure yet if J.J. Watt will play against the Saints. Watt rarely plays preseason football.

Bill O'Brien praises backup center James Ferentz

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Jeoffrey Pagan is likely back at practice tomorrow, if not Monday, then this week

Bill O'Brien on Chris Polk: 'He had a pretty good game. He did some decent things in the running game and caught the ball well, too.'

Bill O'Brien said TD allowed by A.J. Bouye he could have used better technique, said there wasn't supposed to be safety help over the top

Xavier Su-a-Filo is day to day, O'Brien said he's not back this week. Will do more this week with Jadeveon Clowney in practice

Bill O'Brien: 'One guy will start, when I'm ready to make a decision I'll let you know. It's a high-profile position.'

Bill O'Brien said he doesn't know who will start at quarterback against the Saints yet

Bill O'Brien: 'I try to make decisions that are best for the team with a timetable I'm comfortable with.'

Bill O'Brien on naming QB starter 'At QB position, some things we can clean up.'​

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL

OB not sure if Watt, Wilfork and Joseph will play against Saints. They've been held out to rest them in the first two games.

OB "We're still in training camp mode, but we'll try to treat this game different than the first two, do a little more work on New Orleans"

OB "I like to do joint practice against 2 teams. Wish we could have done it with a second team, but it didn't work out."

OB "Chris Polk (RB) showed some juice in the running game and caught the ball well."

OB "We have to throw ball down the field more. We had some guys open. A lot of that was pressure against second and third lines."

OB on Clowney "He had 3 injuries last year, but he's turned the corner. He can be a good player for this team. He's come a long way."

OB on LG Xavier Su'a-Filo (injured) "He's day to day. Hopefully, we can get him back (for practice) this week, but right now, I'd say no."

OB on QBs "It'll come down to consistency, how they handle certain situations, awareness of what going on in the game."

OB "We reviewed tape today. 168 snaps as a team."

OB "One will start when I'm comfortable making it."

OB not naming starter for third game at New Orleans.

Bill O'Brien on QBs "I try best I can 2 make decisions best 4 team with a timetable I'm comfortable with."​

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

I agree that he needs to pick a starter and move on. It's beyond time and the longer he waits just hamstrings both guys and the other 51 guys who are going to be on the team. Personally, I think it should be Mallett. But not because I think Mallett has some kind of All World potential like some others do. I think Mallett kinda sucks actually. I always have. But he sucks less than Hoyer so that's who I would choose. Plus, Hoyer is annoying as hell and his leadership style is totally phony. But in the end I don't really think it matters which one starts. I don't think this team does anything serious this year with either one.

If the long term plan is Savage then he needs those reps. He has all the physical tools but his internal clock is way too damn slow and the only chance he has to speed it up is to adapt to live action at this level. And it's not like he's taking snaps away against the opponent's first team defense. He's playing against guys that are fringe Nbut players. We aren't going to learn anything about the other two in that environment.

The issue isn't Savage getting a lot of snaps against third stringers. It's the flip flopping of Hoyer and Mallett against first stringers.

So he can see years down the road regarding savage but he can't pick a qb to start 3 weeks from now? You may be giving OB too much credit.

 

[infantrycak]

OB "We have to throw ball down the field more. We had someguys open. A lot of that was pressure against second and third lines."

Interesting that 2nd sentence got left out of the other tweets.

 

[Playoffs]

Interesting that 2nd sentence got left out of the other tweets.

He said both. "We gotta pump the ball down the field more. We threw too many short passes"... then named a few reasons why, like pressure allowed.

One note on the short passes, too... it is how you beat Wade's scheme. It's preseason, but Wade was blitzing up a storm.

These folks are mad tweeting, it's very fast, sometimes you remember a thought and interject it when you can. Q&As w/OB is relatively fast paced compared to Kubiak.



31 observations from Texans vs. Broncos
John Harris|Texans Analyst

It wasn’t the prettiest night for the Texans on a number of different levels, but we’ll trudge on to the next one.

Here are my observations from Saturday night’s loss to the Broncos.

1. The Broncos’ first offensive play was a smoke screen to Demaryius Thomas and CB Kareem Jackson made a textbook tackle on him for little to no gain. But, the one thing that stood out was that the Broncos were in an empty formation and QB Peyton Manning was in the gun. He actually made a run, play action fake before he threw the ball, again with no back in the backfield. Defenders will freeze for a split second out of instinct but it worked against Peyton as it gave Jackson the extra time to attack Thomas for no gain.

2. Rookie corner Kevin Johnson took the challenge of Demaryius Thomas head on and it wasn’t as if Peyton Manning shied away from it. Johnson knocked down the first throw to Thomas, gave up a completion on the second and then was in Thomas’ hip pocket on an incompletion on the third. Other than the one completion and a questionable holding call, Johnson played very well in his second outing as a Texan.

3. The Texans ran power a few times on the first drive and it didn’t look all that bad for the most part. The first time Alfred Blue powered through LB Brandon Marshall for a significant gain. On the second one, he had a massive hole about to emerge but the kick out block missed Broncos OLB Von Miller as LG Jeff Adams had eyes, wrapping around, for the linebacker. That play could’ve popped if Miller had been just nudged out of the way.

4. I noted last night on the broadcast and perhaps last week in my game observations, the loss of Arian Foster truly shows up in the outside zone running game. Not that he can always gets the edge, it’s the cutback or cut up runs back behind the center where Foster flourishes. The outside zone on the first offensive drive went for a loss that put this offense behind schedule.

5. Last week, QB Ryan Mallett got called for a penalty, inducing the defense with his head movement, but last night, he stole five yards on third down with the hard count on the first drive. As he said in the San Francisco game, captured on Hard Knocks, “Hey, I learned that ---- watching Brady.” I guess he learned that one too.

6. There’s a logjam at cornerback, we know that, but Charles James III used last night’s opportunity on special teams to make a statement that he doesn’t want a new zip code at the end of pre-season. He made two brilliant special teams plays, making a sound open field tackle on the punt and then downing the ball inside the five later in the first half. He’s quickly become a team favorite, a fan favorite and a coaching staff favorite too.

7. The return of Gary Kubiak to Denver meant a return to the outside zone run game and, in particular, cut blocks on the backside. The Texans defensive line and outside linebackers took on those blocks all game long and struggled a bit against it. However, DE Jared Crick got cut down on one play and as he was on his wallet made a tackle for no gain.

8. Whitney Mercilus typically wins with his pass rush up the field, but a great sign was pressure he put on Peyton Manning beating rookie tackle Ty Sambrailo inside with a strong rip with his outside arm. A few more snaps for Mercilus in that game and he’d have ended up beating Sambrailo for certain.

9. Then, on the very next snap, a three step throw, Mercilus beat Sambrailo with a quick inside move, leaving the rookie OT holding on for dear life. Stressing the holding on part. Manning got rid of the ball just in the nick of time.

10. If there’s a rookie standing out more and more each week, it’s...​

--houstontexans.com

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

So, I guess that answers that question (RE play calling)

Adam Wexler ‏@awexler

O'Brien said he expects Jeoffrey Pagan to practice tomorrow or at very least sometime this week.

"We gotta pump the ball down the field more. We threw too many short passes," O'Brien. Said combo of things led to that, but needs to change

​

I may be wrong, but looks more to me like OB is was directing that comment to the quarterbacks' support cast, not so much the quarterbacks themselves. The OL and RB performance seemed especially poor.​

 

[paycheck71]

I may be wrong, but looks more to me like OB is was directing that comment to the quarterbacks' support cast, not so much the quarterbacks themselves. The OL and RB performance seemed especially poor.​

Possible, but I took it as a comment on the QB's. Long ball was there, but not taken, in part for the reasons in the @Playoffs messages.

 

[Showtime100]

I haven't read the thread so this is just me, but I assume we have more in the playbook than that. I'm in Mallett's corner so I was disappointed with the insistence on short, simple passes. It seemed simple is all BOB wanted the league to see this week.

 

[paycheck71]

--houstontexans.com

No PI at all...

 

[Thorn]

I don't see anything noticeably different from last year at this time. QBs were as screwed up then as they are now, the strength of the team is defense, if the Texans can't establish a running game they will lose every time. Some **** as last year, just a year older. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because for a lot of these guys, it's their second year in the system. Maybe they can go 10-6 this year, but I sure don't expect anything better than that.