From what I saw, I'd bet he was targeted as much as Hilton.
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What Mallett brings as a (full-time) Starter
- Thread starter sandman
- Start date
From what I saw, I'd bet he was targeted as much as Hilton.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Both were targeted 7 times. Johnson caught 3. Hilton caught 4. The reason for both garnering a low targeting should be obvious............inability to gain any separation. Hilton dealing with his bone bruise, as would be expected, looked gimpy out there. Andre simply looked slow, and even slower to react......not to mention the drop right in his bread basket.
robroy72
Rookie
I think Revis got the most targets.
There was one INT last night that Andre in his prime never would have let happen. He would have snatched that ball from the defender's hand, or at least knocked it down. He doesn't have the fast reflexes these days, and he's got no separation. Sad to see as a fan of Andre, but I'm not going to lie, I liked seeing a Colt WR act like that.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
Well, we've been kind of a mess so far and so have the Colts so I don't think anybody has seen the best football either team will play this year but I kind of can't help but keep track of where AJ is and where his nominal replacement opposite Hopkins is. Here they are in comparison based on receptions.
Player REC/YDS/AVG/YPG/LNG/TD
Nate Washington 9/168/18.7/84/48/0
Andre Johnson 7/51/7.3/25.5/12/0
After two weeks it doesn't look like it's as hard to replace 2015 Andre Johnson as it appeared when he left. Small sample size and things will change in the course of the season but I'm glad the Texans parted ways with him. I'm just not happy with how it happened and I don't understand why we have let so many other areas stagnate and go unaddressed.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
I was going to ask how did a Mallett starting thread turn into a referendum on AJ, then I remembered this was Texans Talk.
So..... wonder what kind of BBQ Mallett likes?
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Texans QB Mallett has physical attributes but no seasoning
The book on strong-armed Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett is being written in NFL circles, a scouting report that remains in its opening chapters.
NFL scouts and personnel directors love his arm strength, ideal size and stature for a pocket passer at 6-6, 245 pounds and his ability to orchestrate an up-tempo offense with rhythm.
"The guy has a cannon for an arm and physical toughness," an NFL scouting director said. "You can tell he's learned a lot being around Bill Belichick for a few years and gained some knowledge.
"I think the arrow is pointing up on him. This is a critical year. He's got to prove himself.
"He's got a great opportunity to prove he deserves to be a starter. If he fails, he's only suited to be a backup. But it's too early to reach a firm conclusion on him other than he's talented with plenty of tools."
Where NFL personnel are less than enamored of Mallett is his lack of foot speed to elude pass rushers, a tendency to stare down primary reads and a bad habit of occasionally throwing off his back foot when pressured.
"Mallett's always been talented," an NFL scout said. "There's always been something missing, too. When he plays well, it's not surprising. When he stinks it up, it's not surprising, either.
"Lack of accuracy and indecisiveness are my biggest knocks on him. When you watch him, you feel like he has the capability of being much better than he's showing you."
The progression of Mallett, 27, spans his time as a young backup behind New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, to an injury-abbreviated campaign last year when he displayed flashes, to replacing Brian Hoyer as the Texans' starter in the season opener after initially being edged out for the starting job.
Mallett is preparing for his fourth career NFL start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although he ranks 33rd in the NFL among eligible passers with a 66.8 passer rating, Mallett has shown signs of competency and upside. He has completed 35 of 71 passes (49.3 percent) for 342 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through two games and nearly five full quarters.
Mallett impressed by rallying the Texans during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 8 of 13 passes for 98 yards, one touchdown and a two-point conversion pass for a 110.4 rating. In his first series, he was 4-of-6 passing to lead the team on a touchdown drive.
Mallett excelled in operating an up-tempo, hurry-up mode during the opening drive of the second half of a 24-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. In that drive, he completed all seven of his throws for 52 yards and capped the drive with a touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Garrett Graham in the back of the end zone.
"That first drive of the second half was a very, very good drive," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He was accurate; he was in command. He just got into a rhythm, and that's what we need to see more consistently from him.
"This has only been the third game (start) he's really played in the NFL. With his work ethic and continued practice reps, you're hoping you're seeing the guy get better and better."
Rough starts the norm
Many NFL quarterbacks have had inauspicious debuts.
That includes New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looking dazed and confused in a Dec. 12, 2004, rookie start against a Baltimore defense headlined by middle linebacker Ray Lewis. The future Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player completed 4 of 18 passes for 27 yards and two interceptions for a zero passer rating.
As a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie starter, eventual four-time Super Bowl victor Terry Bradshaw completed 38.1 percent of his throws for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and 24 interceptions and had a 30.4 rating.
Mallett isn't a rookie and is in his fifth NFL season, but the former Arkansas standout is relatively inexperienced and learning on the job.
"There's definitely some positives from the game," Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey said. "We watched the tape individually, he and myself. Just footwork-wise, he knows he can get better at that. From coaching and every position, the more we can all just put another step forward here, a little better football, then the better he'll play, too."
Mallett faltered against the Panthers when middle linebacker A.J. Klein read his eyes on a pass intended for Graham and made an interception that led to a touchdown. He was flagged for intentional grounding on third down in the final minute during an unsuccessful comeback attempt.
"There's a few things, but there's also things we got to do better," Mallett said. "It's a team effort. It's a group effort. There's a lot of things we've got to do better to get a win this week. I'm not going to get into specifics. We put that one behind us."
Mallett completed 27 of 58 passes against Carolina for 244 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 57.0 rating. He was sacked once and hit four times.
Other problems
What affected Mallett and the offense was a lack of a running game as the Texans rushed for just 61 yards on 23 carries. Adjusting to Mallett's higher-velocity throws in comparison to Hoyer, there were about eight dropped passes.
"The drops are big, the drive-killing penalties are big, turnovers are big, sacks are big," Godsey said. "So we've got to eliminate those."
Mallett seemed relatively unfazed by the struggles of an offense in flux with a line riddled by injuries and missing Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster as he recovers from groin surgery.
"It's a group effort," Mallett said. "It's me getting us in the right play, the line blocking and the backs hitting the hole.
"We've got to execute better and run the ball better. There's no magic formula. It's getting back to the fundamentals."
NFL scouts and personnel directors love his arm strength, ideal size and stature for a pocket passer at 6-6, 245 pounds and his ability to orchestrate an up-tempo offense with rhythm.
"The guy has a cannon for an arm and physical toughness," an NFL scouting director said. "You can tell he's learned a lot being around Bill Belichick for a few years and gained some knowledge.
"I think the arrow is pointing up on him. This is a critical year. He's got to prove himself.
"He's got a great opportunity to prove he deserves to be a starter. If he fails, he's only suited to be a backup. But it's too early to reach a firm conclusion on him other than he's talented with plenty of tools."
Where NFL personnel are less than enamored of Mallett is his lack of foot speed to elude pass rushers, a tendency to stare down primary reads and a bad habit of occasionally throwing off his back foot when pressured.
"Mallett's always been talented," an NFL scout said. "There's always been something missing, too. When he plays well, it's not surprising. When he stinks it up, it's not surprising, either.
"Lack of accuracy and indecisiveness are my biggest knocks on him. When you watch him, you feel like he has the capability of being much better than he's showing you."
The progression of Mallett, 27, spans his time as a young backup behind New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, to an injury-abbreviated campaign last year when he displayed flashes, to replacing Brian Hoyer as the Texans' starter in the season opener after initially being edged out for the starting job.
Mallett is preparing for his fourth career NFL start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Although he ranks 33rd in the NFL among eligible passers with a 66.8 passer rating, Mallett has shown signs of competency and upside. He has completed 35 of 71 passes (49.3 percent) for 342 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through two games and nearly five full quarters.
Mallett impressed by rallying the Texans during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 8 of 13 passes for 98 yards, one touchdown and a two-point conversion pass for a 110.4 rating. In his first series, he was 4-of-6 passing to lead the team on a touchdown drive.
Mallett excelled in operating an up-tempo, hurry-up mode during the opening drive of the second half of a 24-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. In that drive, he completed all seven of his throws for 52 yards and capped the drive with a touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Garrett Graham in the back of the end zone.
"That first drive of the second half was a very, very good drive," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He was accurate; he was in command. He just got into a rhythm, and that's what we need to see more consistently from him.
"This has only been the third game (start) he's really played in the NFL. With his work ethic and continued practice reps, you're hoping you're seeing the guy get better and better."
Rough starts the norm
Many NFL quarterbacks have had inauspicious debuts.
That includes New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looking dazed and confused in a Dec. 12, 2004, rookie start against a Baltimore defense headlined by middle linebacker Ray Lewis. The future Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player completed 4 of 18 passes for 27 yards and two interceptions for a zero passer rating.
As a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie starter, eventual four-time Super Bowl victor Terry Bradshaw completed 38.1 percent of his throws for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and 24 interceptions and had a 30.4 rating.
Mallett isn't a rookie and is in his fifth NFL season, but the former Arkansas standout is relatively inexperienced and learning on the job.
"There's definitely some positives from the game," Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey said. "We watched the tape individually, he and myself. Just footwork-wise, he knows he can get better at that. From coaching and every position, the more we can all just put another step forward here, a little better football, then the better he'll play, too."
Mallett faltered against the Panthers when middle linebacker A.J. Klein read his eyes on a pass intended for Graham and made an interception that led to a touchdown. He was flagged for intentional grounding on third down in the final minute during an unsuccessful comeback attempt.
"There's a few things, but there's also things we got to do better," Mallett said. "It's a team effort. It's a group effort. There's a lot of things we've got to do better to get a win this week. I'm not going to get into specifics. We put that one behind us."
Mallett completed 27 of 58 passes against Carolina for 244 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 57.0 rating. He was sacked once and hit four times.
Other problems
What affected Mallett and the offense was a lack of a running game as the Texans rushed for just 61 yards on 23 carries. Adjusting to Mallett's higher-velocity throws in comparison to Hoyer, there were about eight dropped passes.
"The drops are big, the drive-killing penalties are big, turnovers are big, sacks are big," Godsey said. "So we've got to eliminate those."
Mallett seemed relatively unfazed by the struggles of an offense in flux with a line riddled by injuries and missing Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster as he recovers from groin surgery.
"It's a group effort," Mallett said. "It's me getting us in the right play, the line blocking and the backs hitting the hole.
"We've got to execute better and run the ball better. There's no magic formula. It's getting back to the fundamentals."
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Has been the early history of many very promising but inexperienced QBs.
bah007
Hall of Fame
Esp when their linebacker had no problem catching it
Well, he was the only guy all day that Mallett hit in the chest.
Much like game one with Hoyer, the rest of the offense was so bad that the QB pretty much didn't have a chance. I'll give Mallett credit for making good decisions most of the day, and he didn't put us on defense inside our own 20 with turnovers either. He didn't get much help, but Mallett didn't help himself either. The blocking was poor, but there were a lot of times when it was fine and Mallett rushed himself and either dumped the ball too soon or dirted a ball at a WR's feet. And while I'd say he made good decisions on the great majority of his throws, his ball placement on probably 75% of them was off.
I'm not writing Mallett off. I've seen enough already to make him the starter for the rest of the year no matter what happens. It's obvious that he can do things Hoyer just can't do.
But there is a ton of excuse making going on for Mallett. Let's just own it. There was nothing special about the way he played. He was just as bad as everyone else on offense. Luckily, I think he'll improve. He looked very shaky to me. He was either nervous or he was trying too hard to prove OB wrong. He was overthinking and overthrowing. When we sped up and simplified the offense he looked a lot better.
I honestly think he needs a game where he plays like absolute **** but doesn't get the hook. That should give him the confidence in his job security to know that he can just go out there and play instead of trying to be perfect so he doesn't get yanked.
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TexansBull
Hall of Fame
I think he played better, but still needs to keep improving game to game to be called starter for next year. Build better chemistry with receivers, too.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
Me too. He's climbing right now. Week to week all season long. I don't expect him to constantly go up. He's going to have setbacks but if he's climbed far enough by the end of the season we'll all know it. If he's fallen short we'll know that too. TD's need to go up, INT's need to go down and he's got to start doing a better job of hitting guys in something approaching their "strike zone". This **** where almost every pass he throws has to scooped up centimeters from the ground has got to come to a stop. I expect some of those but he throws too many of these when there's no reason to do it.
WR's gotta start catching the ball better too though. Today that crap from Washington not even realizing the ball was coming to him was bad. I also never realized Nuk dropped so many passes. Did he do this last year? I agree with him when he says he can be better than AJ but he's not going to get there dropping this many balls.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
I don't know, a lot of those low throws looked like him trying to protect his receivers. Several of the guys would have gotten killed if he hadn't put the ball low.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Yup, talked about it during the game with Brisco - low to prevent an INT and to keep from getting the receiver killed. Clearly not all of them but I think quite a few. The commentators mentioned it as well.
Hopefully Nitro will get us the all 22 from this game. Since it was not televised in my area, I didn't get it on DVR. However, my impression from the stands... I'm a little disappointed there wasn't more improvement. I'm expecting to see that guy that started & beat Cleveland. That guy worked the shallow routes, but also managed to test them deep. I'm beginning to think this "check down king" might be who he is.
I agree with Hervoyel, some of the low balls he's throwing doesn't make sense. Again, hopefully we'll get the all 22 & i'll be proven wrong.
I'm also seeing wide open routes when he's making contested throws. I don't expect most QBs to get it "right" every time, but I definitely expect to see it with less frequency than what I am. This is the kind of thing I'm hoping to see improvement on from week to week.
Run game looked good. I wish I had this on DVR so I could double check, but it looks like we out numbered them on most runs... maybe he's getting better about calling the runs to the correct side. Maybe the OL played the run better, I didn't t see us getting pushed into the backfield as often as last week.
I didn't think the Bucs did a lot of disguising their coverage. I expected a better game from Mallett. Definitely lots of room to grow.
I agree with Hervoyel, some of the low balls he's throwing doesn't make sense. Again, hopefully we'll get the all 22 & i'll be proven wrong.
I'm also seeing wide open routes when he's making contested throws. I don't expect most QBs to get it "right" every time, but I definitely expect to see it with less frequency than what I am. This is the kind of thing I'm hoping to see improvement on from week to week.
Run game looked good. I wish I had this on DVR so I could double check, but it looks like we out numbered them on most runs... maybe he's getting better about calling the runs to the correct side. Maybe the OL played the run better, I didn't t see us getting pushed into the backfield as often as last week.
I didn't think the Bucs did a lot of disguising their coverage. I expected a better game from Mallett. Definitely lots of room to grow.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Mallett was 7-of-8 on play-action passes, including 3-of-3 for 60 yards targeting DeAndre Hopkins
TEXANRED
Texan-American
Wait........Matt Stevens is that you? Rickey still wants his shoe back btw.
TEXANRED
Texan-American
Our receivers have gotta stop dropping the damn ball.
Brisco_County
Apples and roadmaps
Some of those throws are intended to be low for the reason Pencil Neck stated. It's to protect receivers and limit turnover risk.
TEXANRED
Texan-American
Our receivers are trash. Even Hopkins has been inconsistent. The TE's have once again vanished and until today no run game. Our offense has more problems than just the QB
Honoring Earl 34
Something Witty !
Mallett has talent and maybe just needs some reps . He does step up in the pocket and throw better than any Texans QB ever , which is like saying Randy was the best kicker in the game today . He is doing decent considering he doesn't have much around him . If he is the answer then the Texans need to get an offense around him .
I didn't see slot of them running routes. TEs that is. They weren't asked to do a whole lot in the passing game.
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
I really want to see Mallett with Foster and a healthy OL
TejasTom
All Pro
From the end zone it looked like Washington was expecting a bullet right when he turned his head then looked up, but too late.
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
No I'm not a paraplegic.....
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
I don't agree I think our receivers have been pretty good, I'm most impressed with washington. Once our oline gets some consistency I see him having some big games.
Shorts has been under utilized IMO, and I want to see Strong get some real PT.
Nitrofish
Let The Big Fish Eat!
I think a lot of people miss this, or do not understand. Mallett threw a lot of low balls last game also, because they had 7 and 8 DB's in zone coverage most of the game. A tipped ball in that environment is a sure INT. So the QB throws it low so if the WR cannot get it, it hits the turf. No harm, no foul.
A saw at least two really nice touch passes today.
I will go over the all 22, but I think they were being held in a lot to help out our somewhat hobbled O Line.
To me, it looked like he was loafing and did not expect the ball at all. It was a sure TD had he been paying attention. OB will be chewing his ass on that one.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
With Lamm and Clark as our tackles, I'm not sure I wouldn't be keeping them in for extra protection, too. I need to go back and watch the game to see how they were used, but it makes sense to me to have the TEs and RBs chipping and doubling on guys given our line situation.
bah007
Hall of Fame
I don't think Mallett is aiming that low on purpose. Because he misses high or behind the WR pretty frequently too. I think he's just missing. It could be two things. He could just be overthrowing the ball. Tries to put too much on it and it leaves his hand a fraction too late and heads south. Or he knows that his accuracy is spotty, so he aims a little low to be on the safe side. And that is actually the smart thing to do, because you'd rather miss low than sail a throw over a guy's head.
But still, you would expect a guy who is aiming low to target between the low gut and knees. And that's not where it's going. He's hitting shoelaces way too often.
But still, you would expect a guy who is aiming low to target between the low gut and knees. And that's not where it's going. He's hitting shoelaces way too often.
I don't think he ever saw the ball ! And that was a sweet pass Mallet thru him, had touch and everthing - that was an easy 6 points.
And another thing re the passing game: why the hell did Billy draft Fido ? That was a third round pick, for what ? The guy is a ghost, never in the game or atleast never making a meaningful play !
Hervoyel
BUENO!
This is beginning of real "game-speed" chemistry. The drops are killing us and I'm not going to lay that only at Mallett's feet. Guys getting hit in the hands and dropping it (Nuk as much as anybody and way too often) are killing drives as much as anything. If Blue can keep up the completely acceptable running game we can afford to hold back on bringing in Foster until he's really completely recovered and make our late season push. Mallett needs to settle down but more than anything these guys just need games to get their chemistry worked out. Sure, he throws hard. He's not the most accurate passer out there. He's about to make his 5th start and the only guy on the field (receiving) he's had for all of them is Nuk.
Washington and ShortsIII are good receivers. They're not diamonds but they're definitely not turds. On their old teams they were limited by poor QB play. If Mallett can develop some chemistry with them this is going to look pretty good in about 3-4 weeks when Foster is running wild and (hopefully) our line gets healthier and develops some chemistry of its own.
Washington and ShortsIII are good receivers. They're not diamonds but they're definitely not turds. On their old teams they were limited by poor QB play. If Mallett can develop some chemistry with them this is going to look pretty good in about 3-4 weeks when Foster is running wild and (hopefully) our line gets healthier and develops some chemistry of its own.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Washington. Impressed with his ability to get open, totally frustrated with his lack of ability to catch a Mallett fastball. Not to mention two TD's missed with the rumblin' bumblin' stumblin' catch and self tackle against Carolina and the complete miss of what was probably Mallett's best touch throw of his career. Hoping as a savvy vet that he gets this figured out quickly.
A little oversimplified, but yes. I agree with you. We need a few more weeks to figure out who we are going to be, then start refining it. The next three or four weeks will be crucial. Hopefully we'll get some wins out of it.
@Atlanta
Indy
@Jacksonville
@Miami
Tennessee
Bye
Mallett needs to keep his completion percentage up, needs to throw more TDs, & he needs to improve on his ypa. Everyone of these teams have shown as many weaknesses, problems, holes in rosters, or whatever that we are. Atlanta may actually be a step or two ahead of us (I assume they'll be favored to win by 6+).
Hopefully we can win three of the next five if not better.
Honoring Earl 34
Something Witty !
On the radio they were saying that Pete Carroll was asked what's the first thing he looks for in a QB . Was it accuracy , arm strength , smarts what is the first thing . Pete said he looks to see if the QB throws a catchable ball . Malllett doesn't spin it great and has a wobble .
Hervoyel
BUENO!
I've seen him throw darts and I've seen him throw ducks and I've seen receivers drop both now. I'd say his passes are within what I consider a reasonable "range" and that I'd expect them to be caught by any WR worth his salary. The WR's get used to the ball he throws and start catching them more often or they don't and the Texans have to determine if it's them or Mallett that is the problem. I imagine if they can't tell the difference they'll probably err toward it being Mallett and keep looking next year.
Anything short of "Damn! Mallett really pulled it all together in 2015!" and I'm looking for a QB in 2016.
Anything short of "Damn! Mallett really pulled it all together in 2015!" and I'm looking for a QB in 2016.
You'd think he'd be a little better after four years in the league.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
You'd think he'd be a little better after four years in the league.
I think I see what you did there...
So you honestly think four year's worth of watching equals four games worth of playing?
Mollywhopper didn't
EllisUnit
Vote RED!!!
I did......yep luck the savior is behind Mallett.
He's sandwiched between two 4 year guys. Kaepernick & Luck. Newton is only a few spaces higher.
Look at Bradford, how long has he been in the league?
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Are speaking of Luck?
You'd think he'd be a little better after four years in the league.
I agree on the chemistry angle. It makes me wonder where they'd be right now if O'Brien hadn't wasted everyone's time with Hoyer and pussyfooted around in the off-season/pre-season, but instead had named Mallet the starter. I think Mallet's fast and hard passes would be something they'd be used to by now if he had been starter all along, as well as Mallet's timing with his receivers.
dream_team
Hall of Fame
Well let's be honest with ourselves. Coaches don't think long term, they focus on winning NOW! Why? Because they most likely won't be around if thinking long term.
If Mallet fails this season, and the team goes 5-11, there's a good chance BOB is fired. If the team goes 9-7 with Hoyer, BOB is most likely still our coach next season. And personally, Hoyer gives us the best chance at 9-7... but Mallet give us the best chance at a SB in the next few years.
I don't think Billy has a real short leash this season as you seem to believe. I think he'll be (or was) given 3 years to make something happen ( playoffs). His strong rookie season also bought him some breathing room which probably already included a deal of 3 years to make postseason in the event 2014 or 2015 would be a stinker.