Ryan Mallett is out, who will the Texans start in his place?

Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Mallett, we hardly knew ye. Mallett, who was traded prior to the start of the season has two starts in four years in the NFL. The first was an impressive outing against the Browns, the second was a debacle against the Bengals. With the news he tore his right pectoral muscle the Ryan Mallett era was over before it began. Which is a shame, because based on that Browns game, hop-e was brewing in Houston, that hope is now dead. Mallett will most likely undergo surgery for the injury and his season is over.

This leaves Houston and Mallett, who will be a free agent come the end of the season, in a quandary. Mallett certainly did not show enough to warrant a contract of any size, and that leaves the 2015 quarterback issue still unresolved. If the Texans land a good prospect in the draft, why would Mallett sign with them? If the Texans don’t and Mallett is a bust the fans will go nuts. Not a good time to be Rick Smith or Bill O’Brien.

Speaking of O’Brien, reports are that he knew Mallett had an injury prior to the game, in fact all of last week he was listed on the injury report. Once he was out there it was obvious to all something was off. Were they that impressed with Mallett’s first game that leaving him out there was so vital, or has Fitzpatrick lost so much trust that they chose not to let him back on the field? Either way, hindsight being a poor substitute for wisdom, it was a disaster for a team that certainly needed a win.

Coach Bill O’Brien is apparently in denial. When asked if Mallett would start and if not who would replace him O’Brien danced. “He’s still being evaluated. I’ll have more to report by the end of the week.” Translation: “I really don’t want to deal with this right now, I’m still trying to find my canoe so I can paddle up the Nile.” Mallett’s pectoral is torn/bruised. Either way that’s rather a critical muscle for throwing a football. We’re not talking a pink injured on his non-throwing hand.

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The Texans must prepare either the known, and sub par commodity in Ryan Fitzpatrick or bring on Tom Savage, their 4th round draft pick. Not fair to Fitzpatrick, whose a tough and grizzled veteran who has earned respect through his determination but the reality is he isn’t the answer. Or take the raw talent in Savage and let it loose. Something leads me to believe O’Brien will start Fitzpatrick, “To give the team the best chance to win.” Win what? At this point the Colts have to lose two games plus the Texans need to do what has so far eluded them, win on the road in Indy. That’s for the AFC South.

The window for the AFC Wildcard berth is equally reliant on late season implosions. That’s short sided and hurts the team in the long run. The longer they hold off on finding out what Savage is, as a quaterback the longer the road to building we get. I applaud the must win attitude, but I fear it’s going to mire the Texans in mediocrity for another season or more. Fitzpatrick is not the answer, Mallett is too hurt to answer that question, give Savage the keys and see what the kid can do. The worst thing that happens if he fails is that you move up the draft board.

We’ll know more as the week progresses, however unless Savage is a bust in practice and that information hasn’t trickled out somehow then starting Fitzpatrick is senseless. Here’s hoping that Mallett makes a full recovery from what is otherwise a fluke injury and can get another shot to prove his worth.
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*Quotes provided courtesy of the Houston Texans PR Department.

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