I really hate this mentality. Tom Brady was already "TOM BRADY®" when O'Brien joined the Patriots. Trying to project success with a HoF QB onto unproven commodities is futile. One is not like the other.
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Save us Savage!!!!!!!
- Thread starter PockyAF
- Start date
I really hate this mentality. Tom Brady was already "TOM BRADY®" when O'Brien joined the Patriots. Trying to project success with a HoF QB onto unproven commodities is futile. One is not like the other.
Vinnie
with an I E
100% agree, Mallett looked much closer to being that guy when he was healthy, and even saying that about him would be a reach.
DX-TEX
#TomSavageDontCare
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
Well, at worst he's currently the third likeliest player on the planet to be the next (first) Texans franchise QB right behind (probably) Ryan Mallett at #2, and "TBD" in the lead by a wide margin.
It's true both are tall-strong arm QBs that can throw missiles down the field. The thing I've heard that separates the two is touch. Mallet throws a missile on all of his throws whether it's 5 ft., 5 yds., or 50 yds down field. At least that was one of his issues in college. I must say though that I didn't notice it that much when he played the Browns, or at least it seemed like none of the WRs had issues catching the ball. I'm sure since he's been in the league he's been taught to take something off on certain throws and it looks like it wasn't a problem in either of his 2 games with the Texans.
As for Savage, I don't think, or at least I haven't heard/read, that touch was a problem with him. In the little over a half of game we saw of Savage I remember 2 beautiful long throws he made that hit the WRs in stride. One was down the left sideline to Posey if I recall but I can't remember who caught the other one (probably Hopkins). I know Savage kinda "stumbled out of the gate" with some of the other plays he made (or didn't make) but I think he showed some promise overall. I just hope he shows some good improvement in the preseason and will be ready to play if called on.
My thinking, at this point in time, is that Mallet is "the guy" for this upcoming season and will be given every chance to prove it. I'm just hoping that Savage will be in the mix for backup, and if Mallet doesn't perform or goes down with injury, then Savage will be ready to step in. I'm hoping they cut bait with Fitzpatrick (probably won't) because he's already had his chance and he's blocking the progress of the QB position going forward if they do keep him as the backup. JMO!
badboy
Hall of Fame
I am very happy to go forward with Mallett and Savage and feel as confident in their abilities as with any other known option at this time. Their physical skill sets/size are as good or better than most we could get and now we can see how good a QB coach O'Brien is. Let's improve the other positions this off season and get ready for an exciting season.
Found the throws on the NFL.com site as highlights for Savage in that game. The throw to Hopkins was 35 yds and the one to Posey was 29 yds. Both were covered and Savage put the ball where only Hopkins and Posey could get it. When you click on the link go to the "videos" tab below the little viewing screen next to "discuss" and find the Savage pass to Hopkins and the one to Posey.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014121406/2014/REG15/texans@colts?icampaign=GC_schedule_rr
There's other videos in there that show the bad things Savage did that day but overall I think he shows some promise. As I said in the earlier post, I hope he shows a lot of improvement this season and will be ready to play this time!
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Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
My suspicion is that we go with 3 QBs to start the season after the rash of QB injuries we have sustained recently.
I think Savage is safe and that we will try to get Mallet. If we do than I think Fitz is let go and we keep Keenum as a 3rd backup. But if we don't, then we go with Savage, Fitz and Keenum.
The only way I see us keeping both Fitz and Mallet is if Keenum signs elsewhere and Fitz transitions to mentor and 3rd QB in preparation for a career in coaching. He would have to reduce his per year pay accordingly, but that could be done by extension as well as reduction in the total.
But this is a GUESS and not a report and should be treated accordingly.
I think I've posted this in a dozen threads, but Keenum is an excluse rights free agent. He can't sign with another team unless the Texans fail to tender an offer. Odds are they will, though that doesn't make Keenum a lock to make the team.
Go into the season with Fitzpatrick, Savage, and Keenum as the QBs? No way.
When is the deadline for this offer to happen or not?
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
March 10th.
cland
Rookie
Great find Insideop, really beautiful in-stride passes with a nice quick release. At least Tom Savage showed he does have a very high ceiling.
I found a way to link directly to the videos:
29-yard pass to Devier Posey
35-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins
I've always said the Savage needs a minimum of 2 years of development time, prior to getting on the field. Basically due to the very small prep time he had through out his college career. O'Briens passing system is quite complicated and requires a large amount of processing in a very quick amount of time.
One of the weaknesses I saw were his inability to pre-snap and post-snap reading of the defense and understanding which routes would be open. I think most of his successful passes were likely a one-read play the coaches called specifically for him. You can tell because he immediately locks on to the target he's already going to throw to (Specifically the Posey pass) , more advanced QBs actually look away from their primary target prior to shifting back to give the WR more space from the safeties.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Pretty passes there. Looks effortless.
I don't think I can disagree with this more strongly. Savage will be 25 this season. He has 2 years experience as a FBS starter. He has a year of NFL training camp, meetings, and practices under his belt. He has been around football all his life. If Savage can't at least win the backup job this season, it will never happen for him. Colleges are churning out QBs every year. If Savage can't prove he's ready to make the next step now, the Texans have to move on. Another redshirt year does nothing for Savage or the Texans.
PapaL
Loose Screw
And yet Keenum gets chance after chance after 6 years in college and 3 as a pro? Yeah we should scrap Savage already...totally.
Neither Keenum nor Savage are franchise quarterbacks, IMO. "Developing" these guys is just more spinning of the proverbial wheel. If Mallett is the only other option next season and he doesn't turn into a franchise quarterback, the Texans won't have one for at least a couple more years.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I didn't see Lucky say Keenum should get a shot at anything more than depth.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
It certainly wouldn't be the preferred outcome, but it is entirely conceivable.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
If they don't sign Mallett you can count on a draft pick.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
I really don't think so. But we'll see if we get to that bridge.
PHILLYTEXANFAN
Saddle Up Partner
If Savage went to UH, NOBODY here would say anything bad about him
Yes, but who? Hundley, Grayson, or Petty in the 2nd?
No doubt.
I agree. However, if he's not the back up, I wouldn't take that to mean he "couldn't win" the back up spot. If we sign Mallett, OB may very well want to keep Fitz around as "security" or something crazy like that. Maybe some sense of misplaced loyalty, who knows?
Personally I'm ready to push past Fitz, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Fitz on our roster in 2015. Disappointed, but not surprised.
OH I tend to think Billy will draft a QB thisyear whether or not he signs Mallet.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
And I'd bet against you. Mallett gets signed I seriously doubt they draft one other than a stupid late round flyer maybe.
There's more truth in that statement than many want to admit. Who do you think O'Brien wants in the bullpen behind Mallett, the 2nd year guy with approximately one half of NFL action under his belt or the ten-year pro who actually showed improvement after being benched?
I could be all wrong but I think Fitz is here for one more year.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Someone with experience is going to be on the roster and I doubt very much Keenum's 8 games is considered to be enough, just maybe. That's part of why I say we aren't going to both sign Mallett and draft a QB who isn't expected to go to the practice squad. Unless Savage has been deemed a total bust, don't see them cutting him.
Just can't see us going into the season with Mallett, Savage and rookie with a combined 1 start.
Mallett, Keenum and Savage with their combined 9 starts isn't looking a whole hell of a lot more likely.
Can anyone think of a team running that little experience among 3 QBs?
Keeping Fitz puts us back in the Rosenfels era of having one of the better, albeit expensive in Fitz' case, backup QBs in the league.
Well, I did type "Keenum", so it's not like I didn't deserve the wrath of PapaL. I should have seen it coming.
Will Fitz want to come back, knowing that it's Mallet's job to lose? When he could have a better chance at a starting job somewhere else (hint:NYJ)? I think he asks for a trade/release.
As far as experience is concerned, Mallett will be in his 5th year. It's a fluke that he's only started 2 games. He won't fail because of lack of experience. If Mallett goes down or ends up sucking, Fitz isn't going to take the Texans anywhere. May as well go with Savage or Keenum at that point. And if they can't beat out Fitz, they're not worth a roster spot, anyway.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
You don't just draft as position, you draft a PLAYER at a position. Who would you draft and when? I don't think we draft a QB because the ones available are no better than what we have. There is no elite QB out there and all will take time to develop into even a serviceable interim QB.
I figure Tennessee sticks with Zack Mettenberger another year which means they pass on Mariotta. That means Marriotta drops to the Jets at 6. So, in this scenario, Fitz has a miniscule shot at starting for the Jets.
I will concede that it could be Keenum that sticks here and not Fitzpatrick. I just don't see O'Brien going into the season without an experienced backup. I don't see Savage as anywhere near ready. If O'Brien thought he was ready, why did he go get Keenum to close out the season?
Grams
Veteran
Because Savage was hurt and we did not have another QB on the roster.
Mallet was already out, Fitz was already out - we only had Savage. Then he was hurt as well, but stayed in the game and finished the last 2-3 plays.
As Grams said, Savage was injured. We don't know for sure whom O'Brien would have gone with had Savage bern able to play the last game.
I don't get the fans trying to handle Savage with kid gloves. The guys a 4th rounder, not someone they spent a high 1st and big $ on. How many 4th round picks get to stay on the roster for 2 years and not be able to contribute? Teams go with young QBs as backups often. If Savage can play, he should have no problem being the backup in his 2nd year, and at least challenge fir the starting job in his 3rd. If he can't play, Savage shouldn't take up a roster spot.
I'm woefully ignorant when it comes to judging QB talent and I have no idea which QB Billy might draft this year ? But I think I can understand and appreciate a coach whos' philosophy is to continue to Draft a QB each year with a mid or late round pick who he thinks might have the upside to succeed in the NFL. In other words, a project if you will.
I don't know how, but I missed where Savage got hurt. What happened?
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I agree with you generally. Just don't see very many stables of QBs who total less than a season of experience. Given the Texans' circumstances it's the way I'd go, but seems unlikely.
Hate that philosophy when you're talking 5th or later picks. Just a waste of picks IMO. You can pick up the best P or K in many drafts in that range or TEs, special teamers, problem children with great talent like Burfect, etc. who have an infinitely higher chance of actually contributing.
And if you're using higher picks you're throwing away developmental guys before they develop. Look at Belichick - a mid round pick every 3-4 years.
Are you serious or joking?
I couldn't find a full injury analysis by Cloak:
Hey, I had a senior moment. Sue me.
thanks for the link... it brought the play back to the forefront.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
If Savage went to UH, NOBODY here would say anything bad about him
No different than if he went to UT or ATM. You got a point?
Hard to tell from that little clip. But it sure looks like he got beat. But then again, he could have been sliding over to help Myers.
PapaL
Loose Screw
PHILLYTEXANFAN
Saddle Up Partner
Yeah, people think he's bad or not a future QB because of a few snaps, but praise a 2-8 starter ONLY because of his UH connection
Tom Savage reminds me a lot of Jay Cutler.
My hope is that OB can make him more successful than Jay Cutler. Of course, Cutler's biggest issue has been injury & so far, Savage appears to be headed down that patch. If only he were wearing that knee brace his coach made him wear at Pitt.
I bet he'll be wearing it from now on.
My hope is that OB can make him more successful than Jay Cutler. Of course, Cutler's biggest issue has been injury & so far, Savage appears to be headed down that patch. If only he were wearing that knee brace his coach made him wear at Pitt.
I bet he'll be wearing it from now on.
And one played very sparingly in college and one set passing records... neither means squat in the NFL
Not that I want Fitz back, but the Seahawks did go into the 2012 season with just Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson.
Flynn had what? 2 starts and just over 130 attempts.
And Russell Wilson was just a third rounder rookie.
There's no telling what Fitz, Savage, and Keenum can show after another training camp with OB.
(I'm leaving Mallett out as this is only one "possible" scenario that we are "contemplating", just for the heck of it.)
Just because something worked out for Seattle doesn't make it a good idea.
The only reason I don't like the Keenum, Fitz, Savage scenario is that I think Savage should be #2 on our depth chart & I just don't see Fitz or Keenum running the scout team.
I'm almost curious to see what Fitz can do after another off-season with OB.
I think the team really loves & responds to Keenum.
I can see us going with either one of them, but not both.