Case Keenum the veteran

Dec 15, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts won 25-3. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

An article on the official web site of the Houston Texans caught my attention this morning with backup quarterback Case Keenum talking about being a “veteran” headed into the ’14 training camp of the Texans.

In the article by Deepi Sidhu, it quotes Keenum as saying:

"“I guess I’m officially a veteran … I have a year under my belt and another year as far as training camp goes. I’m excited about this year. I’m excited to get going, continue to improve and get ready for the 2014 Texans season.”"

Though I believe Keenum needs to improve parts of his game, he still didn’t get a fair shot at battling for the starting quarterback position with Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason.

Sure, I assume Keenum could outplay Fitzpatrick this training camp and preseason to win the spot, but for head coach Bill O’Brien to already have named the starter at the conclusion of minicamp … I felt that slighted Keenum in a way.

Keenum did start eight games last season and would have started the final two games of the ’13 season if not for a thumb injury. Keenum took over for a struggling Matt Schaub last season, and though he didn’t win a game, he did shine at times last season.

In his eight starts, Keenum passed for 1,760 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. His completion percentage was 54.2, as he averaged 6.96 yards per competition.

Keenum also fumbled six times.

I still believe the Texans will continue to look for a long-term starter for the team in the future, but they did draft Tom Savage in the fourth round, so who knows how he’ll progress from start to finish this season.

As for Keenum, I look for him to have a good preseason and eventually have a regular-season start if the offense struggles with Fitzpatrick.

The offense of the Texans will be in a rebuilding mode of sorts this season, and now the question is will Keenum ever make a start at QB this season to show what he has to offer to O’Brien and his offense?