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Chronicle: The Mallett/Hoyer Competition

thunderkyss said:
At this point I'd imagine OB has as good an assessment of both guys that he's ever going to have. At this point, the question is can he get better. Whether we're talking Hoyer or Mallett. If this is a true competition, I bet that's what he's judging them on. Which one is consistently doing what they need to do to get better. & if both of them are, which one is making better strides.

& I mean "getting better" in the way that Brady is still working to get better even though many say he's the best in the game right now.

Kinda like Jj always saying there's so many things he can do to get better & he's working on many of them.
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The point I was trying to make is that going against the Niners may be more of a situation that you are more likely to "play down to a lesser competition."
 
Texans' QB mystery should be resolved by 3rd preseason game
By John McClain

August 13, 2015 Updated: August 13, 2015 9:51pm
If I'm Texans coach Bill O'Brien and I'm deciding how to use my quarterbacks in preseason, I'm starting Brian Hoyer against San Francisco and Ryan Mallett against Denver.

Then I'm announcing my starting quarterback before the nationally televised third preseason game at New Orleans.

Hoyer should start the preseason opener Saturday night at NRG Stadium because this is his first season with the Texans, and the coaches need to see what he can do with the starters.

They saw Mallett for two games last year - a solid performance in a victory over Hoyer and the Cleveland Browns, plus an injury-plagued loss to Cincinnati before he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

If Hoyer earns the starting job, the Texans need the quarterback who began his Cleveland career with a 9-3 record: Hoyer the Destroyer, as they called him at that time.

The Texans don't want the Hoyer who was merely destroyed in a 1-3 finish in which he threw one touchdown pass and eight interceptions before being replaced by Johnny Manziel.

O'Brien gets irritated when he hears fans and media ridicule his quarterbacks, particularly Hoyer. He insists his quarterbacks are better than most believe.

I believe, based on last season's 9-7 record compiled as O'Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey went through four quarterbacks (including three starters), they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

In other words, let O'Brien and Godsey make the decision and then see how it plays out. If the starter is successful, he'll be praised. If he's not, he'll be criticized. That's about as fair as fair can be, right?

O'Brien showed last season when he benched Ryan Fitzpatrick for Mallett that he's not afraid to hurt a quarterback's feelings by making a move he believes is necessary.

If Hoyer becomes the starter and plays as he did during his 9-3 start with the Browns, including 3-0 in 2013 before he suffered a season-ending knee injury, here's what they'll get:

In his first 12 starts at Cleveland, the Browns failed to score at least 21 points two times. They averaged 24.5 points.

Hoyer completed 219 of 371 passes (58.7 percent) for 2,827 yards and 15 touchdowns. He threw seven interceptions.

Obviously, Hoyer had to do something right to compile those statistics and help his team win six more than it lost.

Those who already have written off Hoyer as a piece of junk can't discount what he did during those 12 games.

Hoyer is the first to admit he was terrible after last season's 6-3 start. And it began with the loss at home to the Texans. It was a mudslide for the remainder of the season.

At 27, Mallett is two years younger than Hoyer. Because he has played so little in his career, no one knows just how good, bad or average he can be. Because of his great size and arm strength to go with what he flashed during those two starts last season, Mallett has more of an upside than Hoyer.

The quarterbacks have handled their competition with class. They never say the wrong thing, because they don't want to be misinterpreted in their responses to questions about the competition.

As O'Brien tells us almost every day, they've worked hard and performed well in practice, and it's still too close to call.

As we draw closer to decision time, one thing is for certain: The Texans are a lot better off at quarterback than they were at this time last year.
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I'm not sure that I follow McClain's reasoning in this article, especially on who should start the first preseason game.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Texans' QB mystery should be resolved by 3rd preseason game
By John McClain

O'Brien gets irritated when he hears fans and media ridicule his quarterbacks, particularly Hoyer. He insists his quarterbacks are better than most believe.

I believe, based on last season's 9-7 record compiled as O'Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey went through four quarterbacks (including three starters), they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
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I'm not sure that I follow McClain's reasoning in this article, especially on who should start the first preseason game.
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I don't either.

I don't particularly understand his argument for giving OB the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his QBs. I'm not saying OB doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt, just saying I don't understand his reasoning. First 12 games Hoyer averaged 235 ypg, 58.7% completion, & 2.1:1 TDs/Ints..... not bad, but it's those numbers that have people questioning his choice of a 7 year veteran & those are the highlights.

I'd like to have just one "football guy" present a good reason for us to be optimistic about Brian Hoyer possibly being our starting QB.
 
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thunderkyss said:
At this point I'd imagine OB has as good an assessment of both guys that he's ever going to have. At this point, the question is can he get better. Whether we're talking Hoyer or Mallett. If this is a true competition, I bet that's what he's judging them on. Which one is consistently doing what they need to do to get better. & if both of them are, which one is making better strides.

& I mean "getting better" in the way that Brady is still working to get better even though many say he's the best in the game right now.

Kinda like Jj always saying there's so many things he can do to get better & he's working on many of them.
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Listening to Inside Training Camp yesterday, they were at the Texans TC and said the QB competition was the best they'd seen, as far as keeping the playing field level. They really liked the full day rotation with the "1's" and were impressed by both QB's. They definitely liked Mallett's upside.
 
Nitrofish said:
I meant tomorrow -- Friday -- not today.
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When there's uncertainty, isn't it customary to alternate starts in preseason? There is simply no way they can tell without seeing them in actual games. I figure Mallett will do better than Hoyer in a real game.
 
I would expect Hoyer to get the "start" vs SF and Mallett to "start" against Denver. OB will then make a decision before the NO game and that guy will start the regular season (barring injury). I would expect Savage to get the majority, if not all, the snaps against Dallas.
 
Battleredblog.com has an article that reports the "or" was removed from the depth chart.

So now it reads Hoyer first then Mallett.

Things that make you go hmmm...
 
TexansBull said:
Battleredblog.com has an article that reports the "or" was removed from the depth chart.

So now it reads Hoyer first then Mallett.

Things that make you go hmmm...
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I'm pretty sure the "or" never existed on the "official" unoffical depth chart to begin with. The "or" only existed in an article written by Drew Dougherty on Aug. 11 (which has not been updated since). Concurrent with and immediately subsequent to the issuance of that article, that "official" unoffical depth chart that the link on HT.com never reflected the "or" to begin with (effectively eliminating the possibility of it being removed). I know this because when I heard about the "or" to begin with on the radio, the first place I went was HT.com, and when it wasn't listed there, I searched "depth chart" on HT.com and found the Dougherty article.
 
Figure it is Hoyer's job right now (he makes more $) with everyone hoping Mallett comes on strong ans takes it (hopefully by pre-season).
 
What happens if Brian Hoyer is named the Week 1 starter?
Will it be because Ryan Mallett just isn't ready to shine?
When is Mallett going to allow his brain to match his talent?

Seems like he has a Dan Marino like arm release and good arm strength.
But for some reason Ryan Mallett's football IQ doesn't strike me as "elite".
We saw against the Redskins how he just threw that INT like it was scripted.

The NFL stats department rated his start at Cleveland last year "as the quickest release of any QB" in the entire league. He was throwing the ball as soon as he dropped back in the pocket quicker than any of the elite quarterbacks of our generation.

But for whatever reason it doesn't come together and he just disappointed. And health, to be honest, is a big factor for both quarterbacks. I'm just tired of making excuses for Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer. Stay healthy and step the F-up!!!!! Using my Bill O'Brien voice for that foul language but keeping it classy on the thread.

I'm sort of hoping one of them wants to become great like Tom Brady.
Otherwise all of this talk of them being Brady's backup in NE is just that.
 
If hoyer starts week one we are doomed. Next we year we will still be in qb hunt. Ride or die with mallet. He still has growing to do. Gonna make mistakes but dude has no live action under his belt. Hoyer is Fitz all over again
 
Seems to me that Hoyer has been given the silent nod for a few months now. That guy Harris on the practice highlight show has been talking up Hoyer from the git-go. He always seemed kind of like an O'Brien mouthpiece. He showed up when O'Brien did and he played at Brown with him. And McClain said it was Hoyer months ago, which he certainly could not have figured out from his football acumen.
 
DocBar said:
FWIW, TJ Yates is looking good for the Falcons. Just saying....
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The best looking QB in that game has been Mettenberger. Although Ryan hooked up with Julio as usual but they didn't stay in long enough for a decent eval. I counted at least twice (maybe three) that Yates tripped over his own feet just trying to execute a std handoff. Mariotta looked like a rookie. Two turnovers in his two or three series. Wouldn't want to be Whisenhut (sp?)
 
ObsiWan said:
The best looking QB in that game has been Mettenberger. Although Ryan hooked up with Julio as usual but they didn't stay in long enough for a decent eval. I counted at least twice (maybe three) that Yates tripped over his own feet just trying to execute a std handoff. Mariotta looked like a rookie. Two turnovers in his two or three series. Wouldn't want to be Whisenhut (sp?)
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I agree. With Mettenberger. I wish the Texans had drafted him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ObsiWan said:
The best looking QB in that game has been Mettenberger. Although Ryan hooked up with Julio as usual but they didn't stay in long enough for a decent eval. I counted at least twice (maybe three) that Yates tripped over his own feet just trying to execute a std handoff. Mariotta looked like a rookie. Two turnovers in his two or three series. Wouldn't want to be Whisenhut (sp?)
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Mariotta had a few shining moments, also. Still looked like a rookie. I'm looking more at the Tacks D. Doesn't look special at all.
 
Those Dollar Shave Club commercials have got to be the dumbest things ever allowed on television.
....and that's saying a lot.
 
In Mallet I trust. Well, I fully trust his knowledge of the scheme.
I fully trust him to make the correct presnap reads and put his guys in the correct positions to succeed.
I also trust his decisions after the snap, but maybe to a slightly lesser degree.
Now I want to see if he can put those traits together with his physical tools on a regular basis.
I think the kid has a good mind for the game.
Now I just need to see some consistency with his throws.
Honestly, I think Mallet's floor is roughly the same as Hoyer but a much higher ceiling.
 
Now you've seen why everyone who has actually witnessed last year's vs this year's QBs have said our situation at the position is much upgraded from 2014.
 
Marcus said:
I dunno, I thought Savage put on the best performance tonight. I know he was with the 2nds and 3rds playing against 2nds and 3rds, but still I was very impressed with his how he delivered his throws, and his pocket awareness.
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Pocket awareness, check. Delivery slow - everything else a little slow, too. But all of these things can be greatly corrected with time. Yeah, Savage appears to have all of the tools. But the understanding of the offense, and his ball placement are the biggest things I can commend him on...THAT and standing tall in the pocket: his fearlessness. This isn't a shrinking violet, this kid.
 
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I appreciate that he did his job, and hope all he needs is quality reps to take the next step, but Savage looked like a 3rd stringer playing with/against 3rd stringers. At no point did I feel he was comfortable challenging the defense. His footwork appears to still have quite a ways to go. Much improved over last year, but still masters the young quarterback's ability to have ants in his pants - in slow motion.
 
EVOLVIST said:
Pocket awareness, check. Delivery slow - everything else a little slow, too. But all of these things can be greatly corrected with time. Yeah, Savage appears to have all of the tools. But the understanding of the offense, and his ball placement are the biggest things I can commend him on...THAT and standing tall in the pocket: his fearlessness. This isn't a shrieking violet, this kid.
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Of the three QBs, Savage seemed to play with the most spirit. And I'll say again, he was the only one of the three who actually threw some deep balls. And I liked his ability to get out of trouble and extend the play. Yeah, I know it was our 3's against their 3's.

...but did you see the Niners' 3rd string QB? He looked COMPLETELY befuddled.
 
EVOLVIST said:
shrieking violet
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WTF?

woman-scared-data-horror.jpg
 
Scooter said:
I appreciate that he did his job, and hope all he needs is quality reps to take the next step, but Savage looked like a 3rd stringer playing with/against 3rd stringers. At no point did I feel he was comfortable challenging the defense. His footwork appears to still have quite a ways to go. Much improved over last year, but still masters the young quarterback's ability to have ants in his pants - in slow motion.
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Dont know what you were watching, but he did more with his 1st couple on drives than mallet did with his... And they both had just about the same personnel and went against the same personnel for the 49ers as well. Are there a few things he needs to get better at? sure there are, but considering This kid is barely getting reps at all in practice behind Hoyer and Mallet..he looked good. The contract Mallet signed seems to tell me that BoB thinks Savage has what it takes to be our future as long as he keeps progressing the way he looks to have over the offseason.

I just think everyone wants desperately for Mallet to be the guy and BoB isnt nearly as enamored with him and where he's at in his career. He's giving this kid every possible opportunity to win the job and he hasnt been able to take it. His drives were the least impressive of of all 3 of the qbs last night... Didnt show us anything really.
 
Can't recall how Savage looked last pre season, but I remember him in the regular season. He has a long way to go, but the league needs quality back ups as well.
 
Mr teX said:
Dont know what you were watching, but he did more with his 1st couple on drives than mallet did with his... And they both had just about the same personnel and went against the same personnel for the 49ers as well. Are there a few things he needs to get better at? sure there are, but considering This kid is barely getting reps at all in practice behind Hoyer and Mallet..he looked good. The contract Mallet signed seems to tell me that BoB thinks Savage has what it takes to be our future as long as he keeps progressing the way he looks to have over the offseason.

I just think everyone wants desperately for Mallet to be the guy and BoB isnt nearly as enamored with him and where he's at in his career. He's giving this kid every possible opportunity to win the job and he hasnt been able to take it. His drives were the least impressive of of all 3 of the qbs last night... Didnt show us anything really.
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I don't know about all that, Mallet looked pretty damn good to me. Hoyer 2 of 4 with a td. That shorts break away for a td was hardly Hoyers doing.

Savage though did look good, kid showed some guts and fire he is also more mobile than I thought he was.
 
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