Bill O’Brien standing firm on Fitzpatrick as the Texans quarterback.
Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) during the game against the Washington Redskins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
According to head coach Bill O’Brien the Texans quarterback is and will be Ryan Fitzpatrick. That’s that. The Texans have a short week to straighten out a lot problems that were exposed in their Monday night loss as they prepare for their AFC South rival Tennessee Titans. For all of those out there hoping that replacing the bearded wonder with the young gun from New England would happen this week, well that can be put aside. O’Brien has a plan and is sticking to it.
Unlike the Matt Schaub meltdown last season, this isn’t all on Fitzpatrick. He cannot be blamed for fumbles by other players. The Texans offensive problems are not all on Fitzpatrick, are not all his fault but they do start with him. In a quarterback-centric league in a game that starts with what the man under center can do the Texans have a subpar answer to the challenge of an NFL season. No defense fears the Texans offense. Wary of the run? Certainly. When it comes to passing though, the Steelers had Brice McCain one on one with Andre Johnson and Fitzpatrick not once challenged that massive mis-match. Part of that is on the coaches, but really what was Fitzpatrick going to do? Throw a 50 yard bomb to a streaking Johnson? Hardly.
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And that’s the major flaw with the Texans offense. The reason the offensive line looks as inconsistent as it does is there is no threat to keep the defense at bay. With the weak arm and telegraph arm wind up for even short passes defenses are starting to take a very simple approach to this supposedly complex offense. Watch for Foster out of the back, keep half decent coverage on the receivers and ignore the tight ends then blitz like there is no tomorrow. They hope to force a Fitztragic turn over and are willing to risk the bearded wonder scampering from time to time.
That’s a shame. I like Fitzpatrick, on a personal level I have no animosity towards him and pull for him. However, reality is ten years, five teams and if you use that great time capsule of the internet you can put in “Ryan Fitzpatrick ” and you find articles that sound an awful lot like this one. He’s one tough hombre, he’s smart, driven and lacking the talent to rise above solid back up status.
Does this mean bringing in Mallett is the cure-all? No, it’s not. However before the players stop trying because there is no longer hope. Before the players start realizing that their health and future is on the line for another abysmal season the Texans need to turn this around. Mallett has a faster release and the arm to fling it down the field. That’s worth something. Sure he’s not that mobile and lacks real game experience however this is about giving the rest of the offense a chance. Right now that is a lot harder when the opposition neither respects nor fears your offense. We don’t know what Mallett can do as a starter, but everyone knows Fitzpatrick.
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